Editor’s Note: This news report from the Daily Caller highlights a reality that is not often discussed in the Gold IRA field. It’s too advanced for the fearmongering companies out there to communicate, so they ignore it and focus on gimmicks and high pressure tactics. We work with a sophisticated and honorable Gold IRA company, Augusta Precious Metals, specifically because they are grounded in reality rather than fake news propaganda. Below this article, we will publish more details, but first, here’s the report from Daily Caller…
(DCNF)—As fundraising dries up and past investments come under pressure, private equity firms are vying for access to the trillions of dollars that everyday Americans hold in their 401(k)s to help fill the gap.
In recent months, private equity firms have been lobbying the Trump administration to clarify some legal guidance that limits private equity’s reach into the retirement system. However, some experts warn that such a change would mean average American consumers using their retirement savings to essentially bail out private equity shops that are in growing need of liquidity.
“The fear is that private equity will use retail money to dump the companies that they can’t get rid of,” Eric Salzman, who has worked in the financial sector for over 35 years as a regulator, trader, consultant and risk manager, explained to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “You’ll probably have inappropriate investments going to an investor base that does not belong in that product.” (RELATED: JD Vance Is Influencing Retirement Savings With Populist Policies That Favor Gold IRAs)
Private equity firms own businesses across many sectors, including healthcare, which has raised concerns about viewing institutions such as hospitals as mere financial assets. They are now seeking to gain access to the roughly $9 trillion in 401(k) plans held by about 35% of working-age Americans, which have traditionally contained publicly traded stocks and bonds.
I’m done letting private equity treat Pennsylvania hospitals like a piggybank they can empty out and smash on the floor.
It’s time for us to stand up for our local hospitals and nursing facilities and put in place real safeguards against private equity. Pennsylvania families —… pic.twitter.com/jg8QtQvyhj
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) May 15, 2025
Private equity firms pool funds from large institutional investors, such as pension funds and endowments, as well as ultra-high net worth individuals, to invest in private companies. These firms typically take an active role in managing the companies with the goal of improving their profitability to eventually sell, distributing the profits from the sale to both the investors and the fund manager.
In addition to the capital raised from investors, private equity firms use high amounts of debt to finance their deals, known as leveraged buyouts. This business model thrived during the years of low interest rates, but rising borrowing costs and growing market volatility have made it harder for firms to strike new deals, exit old ones and return capital to investors, causing a steep drop in fundraising.
“What you have now is that this model doesn’t work anymore. They aren’t generating enough cash to meet debt payments, and many of these guys are starting to default,” explained Salzman.
This dynamic has made the trillions of dollars held in Americans’ 401(k) accounts an increasingly attractive target. Still, some say incorporating private equity into retirement plans poses serious risks for everyday investors as these investments are generally less liquid, charge higher fees and are harder to value than traditional options like stocks or bonds.
In 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) under the Trump administration issued guidance allowing private equity investments to be a part of certain diversified portfolios, such as target-date funds. Under the Biden administration, however, DOL reversed course, saying such private equity investments are not “generally appropriate for a typical 401(k) plan.”
Just days before President Trump’s inauguration, top private equity managers like Blackstone and UBS held a meeting to discuss strategies for obtaining Washington’s support in accessing individual investors’ retirement plans, Bloomberg reported.
There are signs that the Trump administration is listening. Administration officials are considering an executive order or presidential memo to ease the legal concerns keeping private equity from most workers’ 401(k)s, Bloomberg reported in May.
Historically, private equity returns have outperformed investment options available to the average consumer. Private equity delivered average annual returns of 13.1% over 25 years, compared to 8.6% from the S&P 500, according to a 2024 analysis from Cambridge Associates.
Advocates say allowing private equity investments in retirement accounts will allow consumers to benefit from the high returns they have offered in the past and diversify their portfolios.
“For decades, pension funds across America have invested in private assets because they deliver the strongest returns for retirees. Adding private assets as an investment option is a smart, safe way to diversify retirement accounts and help Americans save more for their futures,” a spokesperson for the American Investment Council, a leading private equity interest group, told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
However, some experts caution that this move could pose greater risks to retail investors, as private equity firms may attempt to offload underperforming assets.
“Your average person just takes the default premixed 401(k) portfolio, so they could buy into something they don’t really understand. And if they want to take their money out and there’s too much private equity, you’re going to have a problem,” said Salzman. “Generally, retail does not get the best deals. The private equity managers and the big institutional managers keep the best stuff for themselves.”
Salzman is not alone in this view.
“Retail could end up saving these companies that people cannot sell,” Orlando Bravo, who manages a private equity investment firm, recently told the Financial Times. “The retail investor might not be as sophisticated. There might be more risk of them not understanding what they’re involved in, and this could create all sorts of problems.”
Even if the Trump administration relaxes the rules surrounding private investments in retirement accounts, it remains unclear whether plan sponsors will actually adopt them due to high fees and the fact that they cannot be easily bought and sold.
“Some plan sponsors are very much against this initiative to make direct investments to private equity available through the defined contribution plan,” Bridget Bearden, research and development strategist at the Employee Benefit Research Institute, told CNBC. “They think that it’s pretty illiquid and very risky, and don’t really see the return for it.”
Salzman agreed that investors have a right to make their own decisions but emphasized that there must be “some guardrails because time and time again, retail investors have been clobbered, ripped off, sold products that are not suitable — could be outright scams — and there needs to be some sort of protection.”
The White House, Treasury Department, Securities and Exchange Commission and DOL did not respond to the DCNF’s requests for comment.
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Why Retirees Should Be Concerned
There are many factors surrounding this development that should raise alarm bells for the average American at or near retirement age. The biggest, of course, is the crucial information unavailable to the general public that guides decisions by private equity. If they smell a downturn, they can and almost certainly will abandon the retirement accounts they access in favor of larger investments.
In such a scenario, it’s the small investors such as retirees who will be harmed the most.
Physical precious metals have always been viewed by some as the best hedge against market volatility. Between the national debt, dedollarization, and now the risk of private equity messing with retirement accounts, more Americans are looking to gold and silver.
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How to Prepare for Food Emergencies if You Don’t Have a Homestead or Bunker
In an unpredictable world, where supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, or economic instability can strike without warning, having a reliable food supply is more than just smart—it’s essential for survival. Whether you’re a “prepper” or not, we all know the golden rule: self-sufficiency is key. But what if you’re living in an apartment, working long hours, or simply don’t have the land to turn into a thriving homestead? Don’t worry; there’s a practical, effective way to build your food security without needing acres of soil or a fortified bunker.
The Ideal Prep: Building Your Own Food Empire
The ultimate dream for any serious prepper is controlling your own food production. Imagine waking up to a sprawling garden bursting with fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs—tomatoes ripening on the vine, potatoes ready to harvest, and greens that provide nutrition year-round. Add in livestock like chickens for eggs and meat, and you’ve got a self-sustaining system that keeps your family fed no matter what chaos unfolds outside.
This approach isn’t just about calories; it’s about resilience. A well-maintained garden can yield hundreds of pounds of produce annually, while a small flock of chickens might produce dozens of eggs weekly. It’s empowering, cost-effective in the long run, and teaches invaluable skills like crop rotation, animal husbandry, and preservation techniques. If you have the space, time, and resources, starting small and scaling up is the best path to true independence.
The Reality Check: Not Everyone Can Homestead
But let’s face it—not all of us are in a position to go full homesteader. Urban dwellers might be limited to a balcony or community plot that’s far from sufficient for long-term needs. Busy professionals juggling jobs, families, and daily life often lack the hours required for daily tending. And for those in apartments, condos, or regions with harsh climates, raising livestock or maintaining a large garden simply isn’t feasible. Factors like zoning laws, soil quality, water access, or even physical limitations can make this ideal out of reach.
That’s where the frustration sets in. You want to be prepared, but without a homestead or bunker, how do you ensure your pantry doesn’t run dry during a prolonged crisis? The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice your preparedness goals. There’s a smart, accessible alternative that bridges the gap: investing in high-quality, long-term storage food.
The Smart Alternative: Long-Term Storage Food from Heaven’s Harvest
Long-term storage food is designed for exactly these scenarios—providing nutrient-dense, shelf-stable meals that last for decades without refrigeration or special conditions. It’s the perfect solution for preppers who can’t rely on fresh production but still demand reliability and variety in their emergency stockpile.
At Heaven’s Harvest, they specialize in premium survival food kits that make preparedness effortless. Their products are crafted with the prepper mindset in mind: non-GMO, made in the USA, and packed with real ingredients that taste like home-cooked meals, not bland rations. Whether you’re stocking up for a short-term blackout or a long-haul SHTF event, our kits offer:
- Extended Shelf Life: Up to 25 years of storage, so you can buy once and forget about rotation worries.
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Unlike generic store-bought cans that spoil quickly or lack variety, Heaven’s Harvest focuses on quality and sustainability. Our food is freeze-dried or dehydrated to lock in flavor and nutrients, ensuring you’re not just surviving but thriving. And for those concerned about allergens or dietary preferences, we offer gluten-free and vegetarian options to keep everyone covered.
Why Wait? Secure Your Food Supply Today
Preparing for food emergencies doesn’t require a homestead or bunker—it requires action. By choosing long-term storage food from Heaven’s Harvest, you’re taking control in a way that fits your lifestyle. Start small with a 72-hour kit to test the waters, or go all-in with a year’s supply for ultimate security.
Visit Heaven’s Harvest today and use code “PATRIOT” for an exclusive discount on your order. Don’t let limitations hold you back; build your resilient future, one meal at a time. Your family will thank you when it matters most.
