Slowly but surely, Bitcoin is finding its way into retirement plans. In a bold move, a UK pension scheme has allocated 3% of its portfolio to BTC, aiming to give its employees a little extra oomph in their retirement returns.
That 3% translates to a cool £1.5 million from the scheme’s £50 million portfolio, with the BTC purchase perfectly timed before a major price rally sparked by Donald Trump’s election victory. Talk about retirement gains!
But before you rush to put Bitcoin in your pension pot, hold your horses—this option isn’t available to everyone just yet. It’s going to take some time (and likely some convincing) to make crypto a mainstream part of retirement planning.
This pioneering pension fund sought advice from Cartwright, a company that specializes in managing defined benefit schemes—those trusty plans where retirees get a fixed monthly income based on their salary and years of service.
For most Brits, however, defined contribution schemes are the norm. These are a bit more choose-your-own-adventure, with your retirement funds depending on contributions made by both you and your employer during your working years.
Sam Roberts, Investment Consulting Director at Cartwright, explained the logic behind the move:
“The portfolio already includes equities, property, and bonds—traditional asset classes. While these may seem like old hat now, equities were once the new kid on the pension block in the 1970s. Bitcoin might just be today’s equivalent of equities back then.”
UK Pension Funds Embrace Bitcoin: Is It Too Risky?
In the United States, pension fund providers have dabbled in Bitcoin allocations in recent years, though not without controversy. Critics, including vocal politicians, argue that cryptocurrencies are too volatile for retirement portfolios.
In 2022, Senator Elizabeth Warren penned a letter to Fidelity, voicing concerns over “risks of theft, fraud, and significant loss.”
Sam Roberts, Investment Consulting Director at Cartwright, acknowledges that including Bitcoin in UK pension schemes requires caution. However, he also points out that other asset classes, such as stocks, carry considerable volatility.
“If you have a five- or ten-year investment horizon and purchase a volatile asset, you have the time to ride out the fluctuations and let prices meet your expectations, which are generally expected to rise,” Roberts explained.
A 3% allocation to Bitcoin, he noted, is relatively small—significant enough to yield impressive returns if Bitcoin performs well but not disastrous if its value plummets.
“We conducted extensive analyses on the real impact of holding Bitcoin in a portfolio. For any volatile asset with an asymmetric risk-reward profile, the likelihood of positive outcomes often outweighs the negatives. In this scheme, we have a ten-year horizon. If Bitcoin went to zero, it would extend the timeline by only three months. Conversely, significant gains could shorten it to nine, eight, or even seven years.”
Roberts emphasized the critical importance of asset security. According to Cartwright, Bitcoin stands out as “the only cryptocurrency meeting credible institutional standards.”
This raises bigger questions: Are pension scheme participants properly educated about this? Are they given the choice to opt-in or out?
Roberts clarified that trustees are responsible for setting investment strategies, supported by comprehensive training and guidance to ensure allocations align with the beneficiaries’ best interests.
“They must act prudently and make reasonable decisions. In reviewing this investment, I’d argue it would be unwise to ignore Bitcoin in a long-term horizon,” Roberts remarked.
When asked whether more pension schemes should follow suit, Roberts expressed optimism. Given Bitcoin’s track record as an inflation-resistant investment, he believes its inclusion is worth considering.
“I think we’re starting to see this trend emerge. The U.S. often leads the way in tech adoption, and Bitcoin is no exception. We’re beginning to see major pension schemes and large corporations exploring this space.”
What Do Investors Say?
The Financial Conduct Authority’s latest estimate reveals that over five million adults in the UK now own cryptocurrency. But have they considered incorporating Bitcoin into their retirement plans?
Crypto enthusiast Ani Naqvi told Cryptonews that she’s willing to invest 100% of her pension in BTC, citing its deflationary nature. She elaborated:
“Its value will only rise in the long term, unlike stocks that tend to fluctuate. If you invest in Bitcoin for the long haul, it’s all upside.”
However, Naqvi acknowledges that Bitcoin’s growing ties with Wall Street slightly compromise its original intent as an alternative to traditional finance. She also criticized some ETF providers for their connections to arms manufacturers, which she feels undermines the digital asset’s integrity.
“Conventional investments aren’t ethical enough, and those marketed as ethical often aren’t truly ethical. Crypto offers a solution for those looking to invest responsibly. It’s hard to track every product in a pension plan, but with a 100% crypto portfolio, that issue disappears.”
On the other hand, Patrick Reid, co-founder of financial consultancy Adamis Principle, urged caution. He believes pension schemes shouldn’t rush to allocate Bitcoin, even in small amounts, until the asset matures further.
“Even a 3% allocation to Bitcoin can carry more volatility than 15% in safer assets,” Reid explained.
While Reid predicts Bitcoin’s value will rise over the coming decades, he warns of potential 60% drops that could prove too extreme for some investors.
“Leave the hype behind and treat Bitcoin like any other asset. Dismiss conspiracy theories and anti-government narratives. Conduct thorough research and exercise patience when investing. Never risk more than you can afford to lose. Pension funds are fundamentally designed to avoid excessive risk.”
With the crypto market continuing to soar, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Bitcoin will garner more attention from the UK’s multi-trillion-dollar pension sector.
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