Industry Group DCALTA Issues Operational Framework For Daily Valuation Of Alternative Assets In 401(k) Plans
- Bridges the DoL's June 2020 regulatory guidance and successful implementation of alternative assets in 401(k) plans.
- Using established approaches, DCALTA's framework addresses the key implementation challenge identified by plan sponsors: operational aspects of daily valuation of private alternative assets that do not trade on an exchange.
- Developed by a broad cross-section of 401(k) industry stakeholders to meet the needs of both plan sponsors and American savers.
- Moves the industry closer to providing American retirement savers fair access to higher growth priate companies and other historically outperforming private assets through their 401(k) plans.
- DCALTA supports access to 401(k) plan options that include a professionally managed and diversified portfolio of alternative assets as a modest component of a multi-asset class fund, such as a target date fund.
NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Consistent with its mission of enhancing retirement outcomes, industry group DCALTA (the Defined Contribution Alternatives Association) has published a practical framework to provide plan sponsors clarity on the implementation of daily valuation of private assets. Available from DCALTA.org, "Daily Valuation of Alternative Assets in DC Plans: A Framework for Plan Sponsors and Industry Stakeholders" describes a robust, scalable approach based on current accounting practices.
In June 2020, the Department of Labor confirmed that 401(k) plans may include private equity. However, uncertainty persists around how daily valuation and other operational procedures are best implemented.
"Including private assets and other alternative assets in 401(k) plans is relatively new in the United States," said Jonathan Epstein, DCALTA Founder and President. "The full breadth of DCALTA members have looked deeply enough at the operational issues to form a meaningful industry consensus. This paper is therefore intended to be a practical roadmap for plan sponsors, and their service providers, so they may move toward implementation with greater confidence."
"The framework encompasses 11 positions grounded in principles of fair valuation, ISO quality management, and effective governance," said Sheridan Porter, DCALTA member and co-founder of valuation technology firm FEV Analytics. "These elements are important for retirement savers and plan sponsors to have confidence that the procedure used to value these private assets is fair and robust."
Alternative assets include investments in private companies, infrastructure, and real estate that have been broadly adopted by defined benefit pensions, and institutions like university endowments, for their beneficial contribution to portfolio performance. Numerous studies have shown that the retirement outcomes of 401(k) savers could also benefit from access to alternative assets. DCALTA supports this position, advocating for a professionally managed and diversified portfolio of such assets as a modest component of a multi-asset class fund, such as a target date fund.
"Individuals have demanded similar investment opportunities as institutions across multiple asset classes," noted Bob Long, DCALTA Director and CEO of Conversus, a StepStone company. "401(k) savers deserve target date fund options that include moderate, diversified allocations to the high growth private companies and other alternative assets long employed by large institutions."
DCALTA draws from the thought leadership of its members – a uniquely broad group of industry stakeholders, including plan sponsors, fiduciaries, consultants, accountants, asset managers, record-keepers, and others – to research and reach general agreement on critical operational procedures, like daily valuation.
"Operational considerations of private asset investing are often nuanced and relatively resource intensive," added Mr. Epstein. "To the extent that operational issues impede progress, we apply the collective wisdom of our members to analyze the issues and show the industry a path forward. Daily valuation is the first operational topic addressed by DCALTA, with other important topics, such as liquidity management, to follow."
To read the full whitepaper and/or executive summary, click here.
About DCALTA
Enhancing Retirement Outcomes - a collective voice on alternative investments in defined contribution plans.
DCALTA seeks to enhance the retirement security of defined contribution (DC) plan participants by the inclusion of alternative assets:
- As a modest allocation within a long term focused, multi-asset fund option on a DC plan menu
- Through a well-diversified portfolio of alternative assets
- Professionally managed within a prudent structure designed for the needs of DC plan participants
DCALTA's mission includes education, research and advocacy on the benefits and alternative investments options within a defined contribution framework. To learn more about DCALTA, please visit dcalta.org.
SOURCE DCALTA - Defined Contribution Alternatives Association
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