A new national survey by the National Institute on Retirement Security reveals significant opposition to cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans. 77% of Americans call cryptocurrency in retirement plans risky, with 46% considering it very risky. According to the institute's survey conducted by Greenwald Research from October 24 through November 14, 2025, 53% of respondents oppose employers offering cryptocurrency as an investment choice within their retirement plans. The survey of 1,203 US adults aged 25 and older shows that savers are not following the regulatory shift, with 84% saying Washington leaders do not understand their retirement struggles.
The survey findings coincide with deepening anxiety about the US retirement system. 80% of Americans believe the country faces a retirement crisis, up from 67% in 2020. Another 61% expressed worry about achieving financial security during retirement. Household financial pressures significantly impact retirement planning, with 73% of savers worried about inflation, 62% troubled by market swings, and 76% fearing Social Security cuts if Congress fails to act. The institute's analysis reveals that nearly half of Americans have less than $100,000 saved, while 18% have nothing at all. Even $100,000 provides less retirement income than most people realize, with only 9% knowing it produces roughly $4,000 in first-year retirement income under standard withdrawal rules.
Despite public opposition, federal regulators have moved in the opposite direction. In May 2025, the Department of Labor withdrew its crypto guidance that had instructed retirement-plan fiduciaries to exercise extreme care before adding cryptocurrency to investment menus. President Trump signed an executive order on August 7, 2025, directing the department to open 401(k)s to alternative assets, including crypto funds. In March 2026, the Labor Department proposed new rules explaining how fiduciaries could evaluate alternative assets, including regulatory safe harbors for more than 90 million retirement savers. However, critics had warned about fiduciary risks within weeks of the original order, with regulators rescinding a 2021 statement discouraging those assets.
While Americans reject cryptocurrency retirement options, traditional pension products maintain strong appeal. 76% view traditional pensions favorably, representing the oldest product on the shelf that savers trust. This trust deficit creates a challenging environment for employers, who now face the choice between regulatory compliance and employee preferences. The survey results show that Bitcoin, the largest crypto asset, trades near $78,092 at press time, leaving employers stuck between regulatory allowances and worker concerns. Whether adoption grows may depend on which side ultimately blinks first in this regulatory-market tension.
