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Military Finances 101: How to Build a Bond Ladder Thumbnail

Military Finances 101: How to Build a Bond Ladder

Investment Retirement Funding Managing Your Finances

A bond ladder is a solid strategy when nearing retirement to mitigate return sequence risk. It can also be an effective tool for those looking to build diversified portfolios that offer reliable income streams.

Here, we'll explore a bond ladder, its benefits, and step-by-step instructions for building one.

What is a Bond Ladder?

A bond ladder is a portfolio of fixed-income securities in which each security has a significantly different maturity date.1 This strategy means that rather than having one large bond with a single maturity date, you have several smaller bonds with varying maturity dates to increase liquidity and diversify risk. A bond ladder is a portfolio strategy that aims to manage interest rate risk and provide a predictable income stream.

Benefits of a Bond Ladder

There are quite a few benefits of a bond ladder. Here are a few to consider:

Diversification
By spreading investments across bonds with different maturities, you spread risk. Short-term bonds are less affected by interest rate changes, while long-term bonds offer higher yields.2 A ladder combines these advantages.

Income Stream
The staggered maturities mean you receive regular interest and principal payments as each bond matures. This provides a steady cash flow, which is useful for retirement planning or funding specific goals.

Flexibility
As each bond matures, you can reinvest or use the funds. This flexibility can be crucial for adapting to changing financial needs or market conditions.

Risk Management
While all investments carry risk, a bond ladder can help mitigate interest rate risk. If rates rise, only a portion of your portfolio is affected, and you can reinvest at the new, higher rates as bonds mature.

How to Build a Bond Ladder

Now that you understand more about a bond ladder and its benefits let’s examine how to build one.

Step 1: Determine Your Goals and Timeline
Before building your ladder, consider your financial goals and timeline. Are you saving for retirement, a child's education, or another milestone? Knowing your objectives helps you determine the bond maturities that align with your needs.

Step 2: Assess Your Risk Tolerance
Bonds come with varying levels of risk. Government bonds are generally considered safer but offer lower yields. Corporate bonds can provide higher yields but carry more risk. Understand your risk tolerance before selecting bonds for your ladder.

Step 3: Choose Bond Types and Maturities
Decide on the types of bonds you want in your ladder. This could include Treasury bonds, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, or a mix. Next, select maturities. A typical ladder might consist of bonds maturing in one, two, three, four, and five years for a five-year ladder.

Step 4: Research and Purchase Bonds
Research individual bonds or bond funds that fit your criteria. Look at credit ratings, yields, and fees. You can buy bonds directly from the issuer or through a brokerage. Ensure you understand the terms and conditions before purchasing.

Step 5: Build Your Ladder
With your chosen bonds, assemble your ladder. For example, if you have $50,000 to invest:

  • Buy $10,000 worth of one-year bonds
  • Buy $10,000 worth of two-year bonds
  • Repeat for three, four, and five-year bonds

As each bond matures, reinvest the proceeds in a new bond at the most extended maturity in your ladder. This maintains the ladder's structure and a steady income stream.

Step 6: Monitor and Rebalance
Regularly review your ladder to ensure it aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. As bonds mature, you'll need to reinvest. Consider adjusting your ladder if market conditions change or your goals shift.

Building a bond ladder is a strategic approach to investing that offers stability, regular income, and flexibility. Whether you're planning for retirement, saving for a major purchase, or simply diversifying your portfolio, a bond ladder can be a valuable addition. Speak to your financial professional to decide if a bond ladder suits your unique needs.

Military Finances are Different

As a Senior Military Officer or NCO who retired from or is nearing retirement your finances are different that your civilian counterparts. For one, you have or will have a guaranteed income stream so a bond ladder may not be the right answer for you. Or it might be. The only way to know for sure is to work with a financial advisor or planner that works with Active and Retired Senior Military Officers and NCOs every day. If you'd like to hear about how we do that, use the button below to schedule a free initial consultation.

If you found this article useful, you might like the following blog posts:

Retired Military Finances 101: Understanding Social Security Benefit Taxation


Retired Military Finances 301: Is Tax-Free Income in Retirement "All That"


One Reason to Consider Moving Your Assets Out of TSP - Estate Planning


  1. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bondladder.asp
  2. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/bonds/09/bond-market-interest-rates.asp 

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