Defined Contribution Alternatives Association (DCALTA) issued its first topical research paper on recent trends in DC plan alternative investments.

Globally, institutional investors such as defined benefit plans, endowments, foundation, insurers and others have included private real estate as a core allocation in their portfolios. Institutional U.S. defined contribution plans are expanding their inclusion of private real estate in their portfolios, and asset managers have launched new solutions to meet that new demand.

The following is an adaptation of the report, which focuses on private real estate as an allocation within multi-asset investment options, such as a target-date funds.

In the ever-evolving landscape of retirement investment vehicles, the benefits of diversification and steady return streams have led both institutional and retail investors to take advantage of alternative assets. Among these alternatives, private real estate stands as a promising a