"As a result of the two companies' leadership, an estimated 4.6 million more Americans will find it easier to invest in, and derive the benefits from, real estate stocks," says NAREIT president and CEO Steven A. Wechsler. Des Moines, IA-based Principal Financial Group will provide its 401(k) participants with the opportunity to invest in real estate investment trusts through its REIT Separate Account platform. "There has been growing interest from our clients in real estate funds, which have been performing better than stocks and bonds," Principal senior vice president of Retirement and Investor Services Dan Houston explains. Principal announced this news last week. "The addition of the Principal REIT Separate Account provides additional diversification in the real estate sector because it gives our 401(k) plan sponsors access to both public and private real estate investment options," Houston adds.

Finally, TIAA-CREF, headquartered in New York, also recently introduced a new real estate option via the Investment Solutions program for members of its 403(b) platform. There are 2.5 million participants in that 403(b) platform, which has $90 billion in assets. "We commend The Principal and TIAA-CREF for taking these significant steps to broaden choices for defined contribution plan investors seeking dividends and diversification," Wechsler adds.