Key Takeaways
- • Schroders' 2026 US Retirement Survey found 52% of 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plan participants would invest in private assets, including private credit, if their plans offered access, up from 45% in 2025 and 36% in 2024.
- • Among interested participants, 81% would increase retirement contributions if access were provided, versus 77% last year.
- • 42% of respondents expect private assets to become available through workplace plans within five years, up from 30% in 2025.
- • Interested savers would allocate modestly: 49% would commit less than 10%, 39% would allocate 10-15%, and only 7% would allocate more than 15%.
- • Self-reported knowledge is improving, with 23% calling themselves very knowledgeable versus 12% in 2025, while 37% report limited or no knowledge.
Summary
More than half of US workplace retirement plan participants would invest in private credit and private equity if given access, according to the 2026 US Retirement Survey from asset manager Schroders. Appetite has risen for a third consecutive year, with 52% of respondents now expressing interest, compared with 45% in 2025 and 36% in 2024.
Among those interested, 81% said they would raise their retirement contributions if their plans offered access, up from 77% a year earlier. Respondents also expect access to arrive relatively soon: 42% anticipate private assets will be available through their workplace plans within five years, compared with 30% in 2025. Participants cited portfolio diversification (78%) and the opportunity for higher returns (77%) as the main benefits.
Allocation intentions remain conservative. Of those interested, 49% would allocate less than 10% of retirement savings to the asset class, 39% would allocate between 10% and 15%, and 7% would allocate more than 15%.
Survey respondents also reported growing familiarity with the asset class. Twenty-three percent described themselves as very knowledgeable, up from 12% in 2025, and a further 40% said they were somewhat knowledgeable. Still, 37% reported limited or no knowledge.
Deb Boyden, head of US defined contribution at Schroders, linked the rising demand to regulatory efforts to expand access and to new fund structures designed to improve the liquidity and transparency of private assets. She said plan sponsors and asset managers bear responsibility for ensuring savers understand the asset class and how it fits into a long-term retirement strategy.
Among those interested, 81% said they would raise their retirement contributions if their plans offered access, up from 77% a year earlier. Respondents also expect access to arrive relatively soon: 42% anticipate private assets will be available through their workplace plans within five years, compared with 30% in 2025. Participants cited portfolio diversification (78%) and the opportunity for higher returns (77%) as the main benefits.
Allocation intentions remain conservative. Of those interested, 49% would allocate less than 10% of retirement savings to the asset class, 39% would allocate between 10% and 15%, and 7% would allocate more than 15%.
Survey respondents also reported growing familiarity with the asset class. Twenty-three percent described themselves as very knowledgeable, up from 12% in 2025, and a further 40% said they were somewhat knowledgeable. Still, 37% reported limited or no knowledge.
Deb Boyden, head of US defined contribution at Schroders, linked the rising demand to regulatory efforts to expand access and to new fund structures designed to improve the liquidity and transparency of private assets. She said plan sponsors and asset managers bear responsibility for ensuring savers understand the asset class and how it fits into a long-term retirement strategy.
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