Are there guidelines for % of different bond types in retirement?

There is plenty of stuff to read regarding mixtures of bonds and stocks and cash (and/or other stuff) in planning ones retirement. I think I have my strategy planned for that part.

But, once you know how much you want in bonds, are there any opinions on how to divide it between long, short, medium, and low,medium, and high-risk groups? I’m not saying I’ll take everyone’s advice at face value (for instance I am comfortable with 20% or more of my bond portfolio in high-yield bonds,) but I am not even aware of anyone proferring such advice, and it might cause me to have an insight that I might not have had otherwise.

Basically, I definitely don’t want to stick it all in government bonds, because corporate bonds pay significantly more, but also want to have some buffer of government bonds. Also I want some of the bonds in medium-duration funds as an additional medium-term buffer. I just don’t know of any general guidelines to doublecheck any plan I might make against.

I read one article which suggested you put the next five years worth of “need” into something safe, the following five years up the risk factor, then the rest up it again, and adjust once a year. That made sense…

Sounds like you’re looking for a bond ladder.