Any benefit to trading futures in IRA?

V

vic38

I noticed that my broker allows futures in retirement accounts. Other than the tax benefits in an IRA or Roth, is there any benefit to trading in a retirement account vs a taxable account? There's no leverage when trading futures in an IRA, correct?

Or from the perspective of trading in a retirement account, I can trade SPY and QQQ commission-free in my IRA, so what would be the benefit of trading MES or MNQ instead (and eating those futures transaction fees)?
 
What happens in an IRA if you’re on the wrong side of a gap up or down and end up owing the broker in excess of your equity? AFAIK you can’t personally guarantee a loan for an IRA.
 
Robert Morse said:
We offer futures for IRAs using a self-directed IRA company. The margin requirement for the MES vs SPY is materially smaller and you can short. You can also trade longer hours.
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Margin? That means leverage in an IRA? I thought that wasn't possible.
 
Robert Morse said:
Futures account do not really offer "Margin", they require a bond for risk. They refer to it as the margin requirement.
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Right. I'm controlling a large notional with a small amount of capital.

Are initial and maintenance margin for MES and MNQ the same in an IRA as they are in a regular/taxable account?
 
Yes, if you open with a self-directed IRA company like Midland IRA. https://www.midlandtrust.com/individual-investors/

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vic38 said:
Right. I'm controlling a large notional with a small amount of capital.

Are initial and maintenance margin for MES and MNQ the same in an IRA as they are in a regular/taxable account?
More...
 
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