Futures options in an IRA account

ajacobson said:
"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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"in ira, no borrowing and no unlimited risk trades, that's the law." - Hardly true. Futures have unlimited risk, and yet they are allowed in IRAs.
Lots of misinformation in public forums.

Also, brokers typically have restrictions on FOPs and options in IRAs, but not in other self-directed qualified retirement accounts.
 
Guess what. If your IRA trustee allows it, you can trade birdshit futures in your IRA. There is nothing in DOL rules or ERISA act that even mentions a strategy. There are rules about actually borrowing money in a qualified account. If your broker or trustee doesn't allow something, it's pretty much the same freedom your griping about. That's not a regulatory issue, but a Trustee issue. There are independent trustees, but you sound like you wouldn't pay for them.
Let us all know how you do on birdshit futures option backspreads.
 
ajacobson said:
Guess what. If your IRA trustee allows it, you can trade birdshit futures in your IRA. There is nothing in DOL rules or ERISA act that even mentions a strategy. There are rules about actually borrowing money in a qualified account. If your broker or trustee doesn't allow something, it's pretty much the same freedom your griping about. That's not a regulatory issue, but a Trustee issue. There are independent trustees, but you sound like you wouldn't pay for them.
Let us all know how you do on birdshit futures option backspreads.
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You sound angry, and I cannot make sense of what you are trying to say.

I pointed out a factual misinformation from you earlier post. That's all.
 
No borrowed money and no unlimited risk. True, but I can structure a futures trade and limit the risk. All qualified accounts(retirement and some trusts) require a trustee
There are brokers and trustees. Most of the trustees are part of the broker, but some allow you to use an independent trustee. Most that I know require you to employ an independent trustee to do futures. Many insist you use their in-house trustee and just ban certain instruments or strategies. The most arcane thing I've ever seen a trustee hold was an exchange membership.
Can I structure a futures trade and limit risk? Depends on what my trustee allows.
Is my broker allowed to restrict my access to a marketplace while at the same time allowing others? Sure, as you point out it's freedom. Can be simple or it can be too expensive to include retail. Ask your broker.
 
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