The Department of Labor's March 2026 proposed rule creates a clear legal path for 401(k) plan fiduciaries to offer private equity, real estate, and digital assets alongside mutual funds. After the public comment period closed in June, the rule is now in its final rulemaking phase — and its implications extend well beyond defined contribution plans.
On March 30, 2026, the Department of Labor released a proposed rule establishing a safe harbor framework for 401(k) plan fiduciaries who want to include alternative investments alongside traditional funds. The rule won't change how SDIRAs work — but understanding it clarifies why the self-directed IRA structure remains distinct.
Explore DOL's 2026 fiduciary rule changes and their implications for self-directed IRA investors.
Lawmakers have introduced legislation that would impose mandatory distributions and contribution restrictions on retirement accounts exceeding $10 million, placing self-directed IRA investors under renewed regulatory scrutiny. While the bill faces long odds in the current Congress, it arrives alongside a sweeping DOL proposed rule and expanded IRS crypto reporting that every SDIRA investor needs to understand.