Treasuries
Backed by the US government — the lowest credit risk, often used as a portfolio anchor.
Bonds
Bonds, for ballast and income.
A diversified mix of investment-grade and government bonds for steadier returns and predictable coupons — arranged into ladders so cash comes due when you need it.
Sample ladder · equal rungs
illustrative
Why bonds
Ballast you can plan around.
- Predictable income from regular coupon payments.
- Held to maturity returns principal — barring default, par is repaid.
- Lower volatility than equities, smoothing the overall ride.
- Laddered maturities stagger reinvestment and rate timing.
Representative yield (illustrative)
[X.XX]%
Not fixed or guaranteed; it varies with the bonds held and prevailing rates.
Types of bonds
Pick the risk and tax profile that fits.
Investment-grade corporate
Bonds from financially strong companies, paying more than treasuries for modestly more risk.
High-yield
Higher coupons from lower-rated issuers, with meaningfully higher credit risk.
Municipal
Issued by states and localities; interest may be tax-advantaged. [Confirm availability and tax treatment.]
The key risks
Know what you're taking on.
Interest-rate risk
When rates rise, existing bond prices generally fall — and vice versa.
Credit risk
The issuer may miss payments or default, especially lower-rated ones.
Liquidity risk
Some bonds are harder to sell quickly without a price concession.
Call risk
An issuer may redeem a bond early, cutting short your expected income.
How a ladder works
A bond ladder holds several bonds maturing in successive years. As each rung matures, you either take the cash or reinvest it at the far end of the ladder.
The result is steadier average income and less exposure to the timing of any single rate move — you're always rolling a portion at current rates rather than locking everything in at once.
Bonds are not deposit insurance
Bonds carry credit, interest-rate, liquidity, and call risk. They are not FDIC/FSCS insured and may lose value. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Questions, answered plainly.
Is the yield guaranteed?
No. The yield depends on the specific bonds purchased and market conditions at the time. It is not locked against future rate changes.
What happens if I sell before maturity?
You'll receive the current market price, which may be more or less than you paid depending on rates and credit conditions.
Are bonds safer than stocks?
Generally less volatile, but not risk-free. Issuers can default, and prices move with interest rates.
Can I build my own ladder?
Yes — choose maturities yourself, or use a managed, diversified ladder. [Confirm which you offer.]
Add ballast without the guesswork.
Diversified, laddered bonds for steadier income.