Americans Want Retirement Security, But Don’t Trust Bitcoin to Deliver It

A survey conducted by the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) revealed that an overwhelming majority of Americans remain skeptical about incorporating cryptocurrency into their retirement portfolios. According to the study of 1,203 adults, 77% view cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans as risky, with 46% classifying it as very risky. Additionally, 53% outright oppose employers offering digital assets in retirement investment menus. The findings highlight a stark disconnect between public sentiment and recent regulatory shifts in Washington. While federal regulators and executive orders have moved to open 401(k) plans to alternative assets including crypto funds, workers continue to express strong retirement anxiety. Approximately 80% of respondents believe the United States is facing a retirement crisis, with inflation and potential cuts to Social Security among their top concerns. Despite Bitcoin trading around $78,092 at the time of the survey, traditional retirement products such as defined-benefit pensions still retain the strongest public confidence, viewed favorably by 76% of respondents. This persistent skepticism presents a significant hurdle for widespread institutional adoption of crypto assets within standard employer-sponsored retirement programs.