SUBSCRIBE
Enter your Name and Email address to get
the newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Please include name of person that directed you to my online newsletter so I can thank them personally.
Tom Meaglia, ChFC®, AEP®,
CLU®, CRPC®, MSFS
Chartered Financial Consultant
Investment Advisor Representative
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor
CA Insurance Lic. #0567507
Meaglia Financial Consulting
2105 Foothill Blvd., #B140, La Verne, CA 91750
Toll Free: 800-386-3700
Bus: 909-593-6105
Cell: 818-681-8600
Fax: 909-593-6120
Email: tom@meagliafinancialconsulting.com
Website: www.meagliafinancialconsulting.com
July/August 2026
The Wobbly Retirement Stool
The traditional three-legged retirement stool consists of Social Security, retirement savings, and a pension to provide guaranteed income. However, today, most retirees lack the employer pension leg, and many also have concerns about the future of Social Security and the possibility of benefit cuts.
Bolstering the Pension Leg
What can replace the pension leg of your stool? Annuities are one option. With an annuity, you pay a lump sum to an insurance company, and in exchange, they guarantee you monthly payments for a specific time or even for life. If reducing exposure to market fluctuations is a concern, this strategy is worth exploring. Before investing in any annuity, talk with your trusted professional.*Another option is a bond ladder.** This strategy involves buying individual bonds or defined-maturity bond funds that mature at different intervals. Defined-maturity bond funds are investment funds with a specific maturity date, typically indicated in the fund's name. As with individual bonds, at maturity the funds will be liquidated, and all assets will be returned to you.
As each bond or fund matures, you can reinvest the original principal into a new bond or fund, allowing you to maintain a steady cash flow from the interest accumulated. This approach not only can provide regular income but also allows you to take advantage of rising interest rates over time.
Variety Is the Spice
A key to a successful retirement strategy is not put all your investment eggs into one basket. The same principle applies to your retirement income sources. By combining Social Security, your personal savings, annuities, and possibly a bond fund ladder, you can create a robust plan that helps ensure you'll have the income you need. Remember, it's never too early—or too late—to start planning for a comfortable and fulfilling retirement.* Distributions from annuities are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken prior to reaching age 59½, may be subject to an additional 10% IRS tax penalty.
**Prices of fixed-income securities may fluctuate due to interest rate changes. Investors may lose money if bonds are sold before maturity. Before investing in any fund, read the prospectus and consider its investment objectives, charges, expenses, and risks.
CONTACT US
Enter your Name, Email Address and a short message. We'll respond to you as soon as possible.
Thomas Meaglia is an Investment Adviser Representative of Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC, dba, Fusion Capital Management, a registered investment adviser that only conducts business in jurisdictions where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators and does not mean the adviser has achieved a specific level of skill or ability. The firm is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting.
Insurance and annuity products are not sold through Fusion Capital Management. Fusion does not endorse any annuity or insurance product, nor does it guarantee any insurance or annuity performance. Annuity and life insurance guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. If you withdraw money from or surrender your contract within a certain time after investing, the insurance company may assess a surrender charge. Withdrawals may be subject to tax penalties and income taxes. Persons selling annuities and other insurance products receive compensation for these transactions. These commissions are separate and distinct from Fusion's investment advisory fees.
Meaglia Financial Consulting and LTM Marketing Solutions, LLC are unrelated companies. This publication was prepared for the publication’s provider by LTM Marketing Solutions, LLC, an unrelated third party. Articles are not written or produced by the named representative.
The information and opinions contained in this web site are obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The publishers assume no responsibility for errors and omissions or for any damages resulting from the use of the published information. This web site is published with the understanding that it does not render legal, accounting, financial, or other professional advice. Whole or partial reproduction of this web site is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.