In a research paper, BlackRock outlined how incorporating private-equity investments in a target-date fund could add 50 basis ...

Chances are very good that your 401(k) does not currently offer you access to private equity investments, which, as the name implies, are investments in companies that are not publicly traded.

Often private equity investors have expertise in the industry they buy into, and better structure a company’s finances. Lately, however, PE has been running out of steam. Returns may not be as good.

By 2030, retail investors’ allocations to private capital will grow from around $80 billion to $2.4 trillion in the U.S., according to Deloitte.