April 25 (Bloomberg) — Private equity funds are probably too complicated for the average investor's retirement account, according to Principal Financial Group Inc., which provides the plans to 3.8 million people.

"When people start talking about ETFs and liquid alts and private equity and all of that stuff, I too chuckle a little bit," Principal Chief Executive Officer Larry Zimpleman said on a conference call today in response to a question about including exchange-traded funds and other options in 401(k) plans. "It's really hard to see how that is something that can be easily explained."

Carlyle Group LP, Blackstone Group LP and KKR & Co. are among private-equity firms that have sought to increase their appeal to ordinary investors with an eye to managing a piece of the $4.2 trillion Americans held in 401(k) retirement plans. KKR this year closed two funds that targeted individuals in a setback to the push.

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