The new White House order directing regulators to expand access to alternative investments in 401(k) plans, like crypto or privately owned companies adds a new layer of risk to the retirement portfolios for ordinary investors that they may not fully understand,

New directive could allow Americans to add cryptocurrency, real estate and private equity to 401(k) plans, but changes may take years. Here's what you need to know.

In a groundbreaking decision, the Trump administration has paved the way for 401(k) retirement plans to include high-risk investments like cryptocurrencies and private equity. This shift could redefine retirement savings for millions of Americans,