Jaime Raskulinecz, CEO of Next Generation Trust Company, has published an article on her firm's website to inform independent, fee-based financial advisors that they can work with her company to help clients diversify retirement portfolios through self-directed plans that include alternative assets. The article addresses recent shifts in the retirement plan industry, including a 2025 executive order by President Trump that permits alternative assets in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans at the discretion of plan fiduciaries.
This policy change has prompted several brokerage firms to allow certain alternative assets in 401(k) plans. In early June, Charles Schwab Corp. announced a proprietary platform for investing in cryptocurrency futures and the opening of dozens of offices for wealth management and registered investment advisors. These moves position brokerage firms to compete directly with financial advisors who work independently.
“Although brokerage firms are greenlighting some alternatives like cryptocurrency, many financial advisors may be turning clients away from nontraditional investments because they don't have experience with or in-depth knowledge of those assets. That's why we encourage independent, fee-based advisors to work with Next Generation and help their clients diversify their portfolios with a trusted resource,” said Raskulinecz.
Next Generation Trust Company, founded in 2004, has long invited independent advisors to collaborate on behalf of clients seeking to include alternative assets in their retirement plans. The company highlights several benefits for advisors who partner with them: expanding clients' access to real estate, precious metals, private placements, commodities, and other alternative assets allowed in self-directed IRAs and similar plans; the ease of working with a full-service administrator and custodian that handles asset custody, administration, and transaction execution; the ability to maintain valued client relationships and continue billing on assets held by Next Generation; and opportunities to enhance advisor income through expanded client investments.
“We are never in competition with financial advisors and look forward to showing more professionals how Next Generation's advisory structure enhances their practice, with the potential to boost their own revenue stream,” said Raskulinecz.
The full article is available at this link. Financial professionals can learn more about the arrangement here.
This collaboration is significant for the financial advisory industry as it enables independent advisors to offer clients broader diversification options within retirement accounts, potentially increasing client satisfaction and advisor income. By leveraging Next Generation's expertise in self-directed plans, advisors can navigate the complexities of alternative assets without needing to become experts themselves, thereby retaining clients who might otherwise turn to larger brokerage firms for such services.
