77% of Americans see crypto in retirement plans as risky: Survey

A new survey reveals that 77% of Americans view cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans as risky, with 46% believing it to be very risky. The skepticism stems from growing concerns over retirement security, with 80% of respondents citing the US as facing a retirement crisis, up from 67% in 2020. Additionally, 61% of those surveyed expressed concerns about achieving financial security during retirement.

Affordability pressures are also impacting retirement savings, with 68% stating it's becoming increasingly difficult to prepare for retirement and 77% attributing this to debt preventing adequate savings. The survey, conducted by Greenwald Research from October 24 to November 14, 2025, polled 1,203 Americans aged 25 and older, with results weighted by age, gender, and income.

Despite the public's skepticism, the Trump administration and federal regulators have been working to introduce alternative assets like crypto into retirement accounts, following the rescission of guidance from 2025 urging extreme caution in considering cryptocurrency investments. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in August 2025 to expand access to alternative assets in 401(k) plans, while the Labor Department recently proposed rules for fiduciaries to include such assets, facing criticism from lawmakers concerned about volatility and insufficient safeguards.