Futures options in an IRA account

D

donnap

Can you net short FOPs in an IRA account?

What is a typical margin req. for a long ES option in an IRA account?

Thanks.
 
donnap said:
Can you net short FOPs in an IRA account?

What is a typical margin req. for a long ES option in an IRA account?

Thanks.
More...

I don't believe so. Last time I traded futures in an IRA it was limited to the futures (no FOPs). IIRC TDA required 15% above taxable initial and maint.
 
donnap said:
Can you net short FOPs in an IRA account?

What is a typical margin req. for a long ES option in an IRA account?

Thanks.
More...

In an IRA, you broker will likely allow you to
1. Buy options
2. Write covered
3. Play spreads in one form or another

But it's likely they will NOT allow you to write naked.
 
It can be done,
BUT you're gonna need a new or second IRA admin and custodian.
Unless you're going to do it a lot consider doing it in the SPY or SPX.
It will get very expensive if you employ a second admin and custodian.
 
donnap said:
Can you net short FOPs in an IRA account?


What is a typical margin req. for a long ES option in an IRA account?


Thanks.
More...


I know not your question, but an easy work around would be a vertical with one leg far out of the money. For ES there would be sufficient liquidity, but if you want to do this for ultra short time frames, I see how the increase in transaction price could be an issue.
 
I had a Futures account through Lightspeed/Wedbush using Midland IRA as the custodian. There is no restriction based on being an IRA this way to short futures or options on futures. Wedbush just does not like naked option sellers, so you need to buy something. You said they are expensive. I have two accounts and I think I pay $325/year per investment. I used it to invest in two hedge funds, so I don't care. It was the only way to do it. Same with a Futures account. The only way I could trade options on futures using my IRA money.

ajacobson said:
It can be done,
BUT you're gonna need a new or second IRA admin and custodian.
Unless you're going to do it a lot consider doing it in the SPY or SPX.
It will get very expensive if you employ a second admin and custodian.
More...
 
"in ira, no borrowing and no unlimited risk trades, that's the law."

As shocking as it may seem ERISA doesn't mention any strategies. Tasty used to advertise that they allowed naked calls in tax-qualified accounts, but no firm likes it as it's difficult to automate and the pseudo margin makes it uneconomic. Policy sure, but the only thing in ERISA that touches it is borrowing.
Policy will make it nearly impossible, but it's not currently illegal. Generally, it becomes uneconomic based on the requirement.
If it's genuine interest - query your prospective custodian.
Even Schwab allows cash-secured short puts in qualified accounts, the economics suck.
ERISA which is the template doesn't directly cover independent IRAs, but it is the common standard.
 
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