When it comes to managing finances, retirees often find themselves caught in a maze of volatility, confusion, and uncertainty. The standard approach to retirement—amassing a large nest egg, investing it in growth-focused portfolios, and drawing down slowly—has long left gaps that many financial advisors fail to address. But for Greg Melia, President of Melia Advisory Group, there was always a better way. A smarter, safer, and more sustainable path—one built not on guesswork and market timing, but on the steady promise of income. With over 30 years of experience and nearly two decades leading Melia Advisory Group, Greg Melia has made it his mission to help retirees understand one thing above all: retirement is not about how big your balance is—it’s about how reliable your income is.

The typical retirement plan revolves around capital appreciation—grow your portfolio as much as possible and then start drawing it down in small chunks. But this model, according to Melia, is deeply flawed. The fundamental issue is that it depends heavily on market performance, which retirees cannot control. More importantly, it asks retirees to sell off the very assets they’ve worked a lifetime to build. “Most advisors are trained to sell mutual funds and focus on capital appreciation,” says Melia. “But when you’re retired, and the market drops by 40 or 50 percent, your bills don’t go down with it. So, you end up selling more of your assets just to stay afloat—and that’s a formula for disaster.”

He speaks from experience. Melia has sat across from countless clients who were left reeling after a market downturn, their portfolios decimated, and their dreams of a secure retirement evaporating. Many were never warned that their strategy relied on liquidating their principal, often at inopportune times. “What we do differently is teach people to eat the egg and leave the chicken alone,” he explains. “You shouldn’t kill the asset to get income from it.”

An Income-First Philosophy
Melia Advisory Group operates with a core principle that separates it from most traditional firms: income comes first. The team builds retirement strategies based on generating reliable, renewable income streams without eroding the client’s principal. By using individual income-generating assets—like bonds and bond-like instruments—the firm constructs portfolios that offer both stability and long-term sustainability. “When your income isn’t dependent on market fluctuations, your peace of mind grows exponentially,” Melia emphasizes. “We want our clients to retire with more income than they need, all the way to the very end.” The firm’s approach allows clients to enter retirement without the constant stress of watching their portfolio balance fluctuate. Instead of hoping for favorable market returns or depending on arbitrary rules like the outdated “4% rule,” clients know what to expect month after month. This not only provides financial security but also emotional clarity.

Education as Empowerment
Education is central to the Melia Advisory Group’s model. They don’t just advise—they teach. Clients walk away not just with a financial plan but with a deeper understanding of how their money works, how their retirement income is generated, and what decisions are being made on their behalf. “Our goal is to provide financial education. We want to be the trusted advisor who helps people understand their options and empowers them to make smart financial decisions,” says Melia.

The team often begins by helping clients unlearn many of the myths they’ve been told—such as the idea that they need a massive nest egg to retire or that it’s safe to withdraw a fixed percentage regardless of market conditions. With Melia’s approach, a retiree with $1 million could potentially generate $70,000 a year in income, compared to just $30,000 under conventional 3% withdrawal strategies. “People are always shocked when they realize how much more income they can actually get from the same balance—without gambling it on the market,” says Melia.

While the financial services industry increasingly leans into automation and algorithmic tools, Melia Advisory Group has chosen a different path. Personal service is not just a promise—it’s a non-negotiable. In fact, at Melia Advisory, every client phone call is answered by a human, usually by the second ring. There are no automated menus or chatbot mazes.  It’s this level of care that has turned Melia’s clients into the firm’s most loyal advocates. The company has grown primarily through word-of-mouth referrals, often from clients who are so grateful, they offer to drive friends and family across state lines just to meet with Greg and his team.

Planning for the Unplanned
In addition to income strategies, Melia Advisory Group also provides comprehensive estate and IRA management services. Understanding that the unexpected can—and will—happen, the firm prepares clients and their families for every eventuality. From navigating health directives and power of attorney documents to filing death settlements and insurance claims, Melia’s team is there at every step.

We don’t just plan for our clients—we plan for their heirs too,” says Melia. “When a client passes away, we walk with their family through the entire process. That’s the level of service we believe in.” This hands-on approach ensures that clients aren’t left with the burden of figuring things out alone—and more importantly, neither are their families. It’s not just about asset transfer; it’s about legacy, continuity, and peace of mind.

In a saturated financial advisory market, Melia Advisory Group stands out—not because they’re the loudest, but because their model simply works. They don’t rely on speculative strategies or one-size-fits-all plans. Their success lies in their focus on real outcomes for real people. Melia often uses the analogy of a farmer to explain the logic behind his philosophy. “Farmers don’t sell off their land—they use it to grow crops and generate income. That’s exactly how we view your principal. It’s the land. The income is your crop. You don’t sell the land—you live off the harvest.” It’s a powerful image, one that resonates with clients who’ve grown tired of the unpredictability of traditional retirement planning.

A Future Built on Trust
As Melia Advisory Group looks ahead, growth is inevitable. The firm continues to expand its team to meet the rising demand from referrals. But what won’t change is the commitment to personalized service and income-focused planning. Even as competitors embrace automation, Melia remains firm in its belief that personal connection and deep education make the difference. Clients aren’t just numbers—they’re families, dreams, and futures that deserve thoughtful, proven strategies. “Retirement shouldn’t be about fear,” Melia concludes. “It should be about freedom, dignity, and having what you need to live the life you want. That’s what we help people achieve—one client at a time.”