A recent survey conducted by our organization of leading plan sponsors, consultants and target date fund sponsors found significant support for the further addition of "alternative" strategies in defined contribution plans, including both listed and non-listed real estate.    

The survey, which consisted of in-depth interviews with industry professionals collectively responsible for about $14 trillion in assets, left open the question of how best to add real estate assets to these plans, and the practical impact of increasing exposure to this asset class on plan participants.

Though many plans already include some exposure to public-traded real estate in the form of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS), including non-listed real estate has proven to be a more difficult challenge. The issues are well known – primarily concerns about valuation and daily liquidity and, in some instances, fees.