‘I feel like I’m in a financial prison’: Trump Wall Street plan puts ‘mom and pop’ investors at risk, advocates say

The Guardian - World NewsEN 18 min read 100% complete by Susan AntillaFebruary 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM

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long article 18 min

A Wall Street plan initiated by the Trump administration to ease access to "alternative investments" in 401(k)s is raising concerns about risks to small investors. The executive order, signed in August 2025, aims to democratize access to these assets, but critics argue it could expose inexperienced investors to high-risk products and fees, potentially jeopardizing their retirement savings. Cathy Shubert, a retiree who lost over half her savings after her advisor invested in such products, exemplifies the potential dangers. Advocates warn that Wall Street firms are eager to tap into the $48 trillion US retirement account market, and loosening protections could lead to significant losses for "mom and pop" investors. Former regulators and securities fraud lawyers echo these concerns, highlighting the potential for financial harm.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Jacksonville, Florida 30% Wall Street 40% Barbara Roper 50% United States 50% US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 60% Raymond James 60% Mario Payne ×370% Donald Trump ×270% Cathy Shubert ×480%

Keywords

retirement accounts 90% alternative investments 80% small investors 80% high-risk investments 70% financial risk 60% trump administration 60% wall street 50% 401(k) 50% executive order 50% financial services 40%

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Very Negative

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The Guardian - World News

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90%

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retirement accounts alternative investments small investors high-risk investments financial risk trump administration wall street 401(k)executive order financial services

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