Why It Matters
Alex von Furstenberg’s April 2025 entry into federal lobbying marks a strategic moment in retirement policy. His hiring of Miller Strategies LLC positions him within an influential coalition pushing Congress and federal agencies to reshape retirement plan investment rules.
The timing is critical: Congress is actively debating the bipartisan Retirement Savings for Americans Act, while the Trump administration has aggressively moved to open 401(k)s to alternative assets through executive action and regulatory rollback.
Von Furstenberg’s focus on "general issues related to retirement" aligns with industry-wide lobbying efforts—particularly by BlackRock and other major asset managers—to expand access to private equity, private credit, and digital assets within retirement accounts. Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy has explicitly backed expanding 401(k) access to alternative assets, creating favorable legislative conditions.
By the Numbers
Alex von Furstenberg is making his first entry into federal lobbying with singular focus: "General issues related to retirement." He retained Miller Strategies LLC, which has filed over 1,400 disclosures since 2017 and reported more than $60 million in total compensation.
The lobbying team consists of two registered lobbyists with extensive financial services expertise. Jeffrey Miller previously represented Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. on retirement savings and tax reform across 32 disclosures. Jessica Anne Mandel worked for Credit Suisse Securities USA LLC on financial regulations across 27 disclosures, plus experience with Blackstone and Crypto.com.
Von Furstenberg joins major players like BlackRock and State Street, who are actively lobbying on retirement investment rules and alternative asset access.
The Agenda
Von Furstenberg is lobbying on "general issues related to retirement," allowing engagement across retirement policy—from tax treatment to fiduciary standards and alternative asset access.
His timing coincides with active congressional debate on retirement reform. Key legislation includes the Retirement Savings for Americans Act, which would create portable retirement plans with government matching, and the Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act, clarifying fiduciary duties around financial versus ESG factors.
The legislative environment directly aligns with von Furstenberg’s interests as a Chief Investment Officer managing private assets. This mirrors broader industry lobbying efforts, particularly from BlackRock, which has explicitly lobbied on "access to alternative investments in retirement accounts."
Broader Context
The Trump administration has dramatically shifted federal policy on retirement investing. President Trump signed Executive Order 14330 in August 2025, directing agencies to open 401(k) plans to alternative assets including private equity, cryptocurrency, and real estate. The Department of Labor quickly rescinded prior guidance discouraging such investments.
This represents a major victory for Wall Street’s efforts to access the $13 trillion 401(k) market. However, obstacles remain. A Wall Street Journal-Harris Poll found only 10% of 401(k) investors want nontraditional assets. Labor unions warn that private equity’s high fees and illiquidity make it unsuitable for workers’ retirement savings.
The Bottom Line
Von Furstenberg enters retirement policy lobbying as the Trump administration accelerates efforts to open 401(k)s to alternative investments. His April 2025 engagement aligns with intense industry pressure but faces organized labor opposition and uncertain consumer demand. The regulatory momentum creates a critical window for shaping retirement investment rules that could affect millions of Americans’ financial futures.
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