Joe,
Thanks to Greg Hull, I became aware of your post about "Benjamin and Jerold."
After reading your post, I also called the company and was told (not by Ben) that it does not allow the purchase of naked LEAPS in an IRA. Because I was under the threat of an approaching deadline, I didn't have the time to pursue the contradictory information. An hour later, I called again. The same person remembered me and repeated for me that naked options aren't allowed. I explained your post referencing your conversation with Benjamin, so she put him on the phone.
Benjamin remembered his conversation with you and thanked me for informing him that one of his employees is misinformed. I read the substantive, pertinent part of your post verbatim to him and he was very clear that you got it right.
I would like to add that part of my problem has been trying to find a brokerage firm that will allow trading of options despite that I have no income. I am retired, thanks to my investing success. I have eight years living expenses set aside in cash. I have relatively little income. Benjamin was very clear that his firm requires no level of income as a criterion for authorization to buy and sell options. His opinion is that the wirehouses are using the federal government as the scape goat to blame them for preventing the individual investor from purchasing options in their IRAs, when in fact the only reason it's prevented is by their choice; the federal government has exercised virtually no authority in the matter. Reflecting on my personal situation, he said that the firms that use income as a criterion "are penalizing [me] for [my] success." He's right.
It has been a long time since I have spoken with anyone in the securities business who is so articulate, cordial, respectful of individual shareholder rights, concerned for their safety, and informed. I got that impression from an extended conversation that went well beyond the original intent of my phone call.
I look forward to receiving my application forms and thank you for your informative, accurate post.
--Mike Buckley |
