Honest math on every U.S. Treasury product — T-Bills, T-Notes, T-Bonds, I-Bonds, TIPS. Real yield comparisons, state tax edge breakdowns, MYGA head-to-heads, TreasuryDirect vs brokered. Written for retirees who want truth, not sales pitches.
I don't sell Treasuries — there's no commission on them. I review them because every MYGA, IUL, or annuity conversation starts with: "what about just buying Treasuries instead?" These pages answer that question with real math, not opinion.
For cash you'll need within 12 months. State-tax-exempt yield, weekly auctions, FDIC-grade safety with no $250K cap.
Auctions, discount pricing, state-tax edge, how T-Bills actually work and when they win.
Head-to-HeadState-tax exemption flips the math — when CDs lose and when they don't.
Head-to-HeadAfter-tax yield comparison by state bracket. CA, NY, TX side-by-side.
Head-to-HeadLiquidity vs the 140-bp yield premium MYGAs typically carry.
For locked yield, duration plays, and ladder construction. Where rate decisions actually matter.
140-bp yield gap math — when the MYGA premium is worth the carrier risk.
Head-to-HeadLong-duration decision: 140 bps over a decade compounds to real money.
Deep DiveDuration, volatility, MYGA compare — the long-duration play examined.
Head-to-HeadCredit spread vs state-tax exemption — where each wins after taxes.
Strategy5-year and 10-year ladder construction, variations, and MYGA comparison.
The inflation tier of Treasury holdings. Capped, illiquid for first year, but tax-deferred and inflation-pegged.
Composite rate, $10K limit, real tax math — the full mechanics broken down.
3-WayThree "safe" choices ranked honestly across inflation scenarios.
Head-to-HeadInflation linkage vs locked yield — when each tool fits which retiree.
Head-to-HeadTwo inflation tools, different designs. Mechanics, tax, when each wins.
StrategyTrust, business, gift box, tax refund — how to stack $50K+ per year legally.
Marketable inflation-linked Treasuries. Auction-based, no cap, but with phantom-income tax issues most reviewers gloss over.
Real yield, CPI adjustment, phantom income — deconstructed honestly.
Head-to-HeadAuction-based vs $10K-capped. Same goal, very different mechanics.
Head-to-HeadInflation pass-through vs locked yield — your inflation forecast decides it.
Where and how to actually buy. TreasuryDirect's quirks, the brokered-vs-direct trade-offs, the step-by-step.
The honest platform assessment — UX warts and all, plus the cases where it wins.
Head-to-HeadSame yield, different user experience. Which platform actually fits which buyer.
How-ToStep-by-step account setup and auction participation walkthrough.
The pieces that move the math but rarely get covered. State tax edge, FDIC vs Treasury safety, retirement allocation.
The 31 USC 3124 exemption explained — and what it actually saves CA / NY filers.
SafetySame federal backing, different caps — the honest safety comparison.
AllocationAllocation framework for Treasury exposure across the retirement income stack.
Sometimes a MYGA, fixed indexed annuity, or laddered combination beats them on after-tax yield. Free 20-min review — I'll show you the math both ways with no pitch.
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