3 Ways to Prepare for a Bear Market
While stock market records are exhilarating, we all know that can't last forever. Put a plan in place now and you won’t have to worry about when the party will end.


Everybody talks about the possibility of a bear market, but few seem interested in doing anything about it.
Despite the kind of national and global uncertainty Wall Street traditionally despises, this bull market keeps charging along. Investors don’t want to get out too soon and risk missing out on more gains. Some have become even more aggressive over the past year.
Still, there’s always that niggling knowledge that what goes up must come down … so people worry.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
One of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes is that investors should be “fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” But what is one supposed to do when others are both fearful and greedy?
Prepare.
Here are a few ways you can safeguard your nest egg before the next downturn arrives.
1. Develop an income plan.
If you’re in or near retirement, do you know what your income sources are and when you’ll tap them? Most retirees rely on three or four basic income streams: Social Security, a pension and/or tax-deferred retirement account and maybe some personal savings. If you don’t have a pension or your guaranteed income won’t be enough to cover your basic lifestyle needs, you might want to look at creating your own guaranteed income plan with an annuity.
Annuities are guaranteed because they are backed by the financial strength of the insurance carrier. And if all or most of your retirement and personal savings are tied to the market, think about setting aside a few years’ worth of income in cash or very stable investments. That way, you’ll be ready to ride out the rougher years.
2. Plan your investments appropriately.
It’s daunting, but not devastating, if the market dips while you’re still working. You still have your paycheck to count on, you’re still putting money into your retirement account, and you have plenty of time to recover. When you’re close to or in retirement, it’s a little more intimidating. Your recovery window is smaller — but it isn’t non-existent. If you retire at 67, you likely will still need money in 15 or 20 years. If you have money left over once you’ve covered your basic income needs, you can invest it more aggressively for those later years — but you should do it with a long-term view.
Talk to a financial adviser about your risk tolerance, and know yourself: If you can’t handle a bear market emotionally or financially, it’s best to stick to more conservative investments in retirement.
3. Know your risk.
We often have an irrational fear of things that have a low probability of actually hurting us. When we swim in the ocean, for example, we fret about sharks — even though shark attacks claim only one American life each year on average. Cows claim 20 American lives in an average year, yet most people don’t fear going to a farm. If you’re losing sleep over what could happen to your nest egg in a bear market, find out if your worries are warranted. A financial adviser can stress test your portfolio and illustrate how it would have held up during the tech bubble of 2000 or the mortgage crisis of 2008. He or she also can show you how long it would take to recover from a similar downturn.
Investors always want to know when the next bear market will occur. The answer, of course, is no one knows.
What you can anticipate with some accuracy, though, is how much money you’ll need in retirement and when you’ll need it. A comprehensive retirement plan can help you make the most of what you have and — just as important — help you prepare for the worst.
Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Josh Leonard is the president and a financial adviser at Leonard Advisory Group, LLC. He is the host of the “Relax, It’s Retirement” podcast and holds regular informational webinars. He is a married father of two and an aspiring endurance athlete. He holds a life insurance license and has passed the Series 65 securities exam. (Investment Advisory Services are offered through Leonard Advisory Group, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through Joshua Leonard, an individually licensed and appointed agent.)
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Soar on China Trade Talk Hopes
Treasury Secretary Bessent said current U.S.-China trade relations are unsustainable and signaled hopes for negotiations.
By Karee Venema
-
2026 Disney Dining Plan Returns: Free Dining for Kids & Resort Benefits
Plan your 2026 Walt Disney World vacation now. Learn about the returning Disney Dining Plan, how kids aged three to nine eat free, and the exclusive benefits of staying at a Disney Resort hotel.
By Carla Ayers
-
SRI Redefined: Going Beyond Socially Responsible Investing
Now that climate change has progressed to a changed climate, sustainable investing needs to evolve to address new demands of resilience and innovation.
By Peter Krull, CSRIC®
-
Here's When a Lack of Credit Card Debt Can Cause You Problems
Usually, getting a new credit card can be difficult if you have too much card debt, but this bank customer ran into an issue because he had no debt at all.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq.
-
Going to College? How to Navigate the Financial Planning
College decisions this year seem even more complex than usual, including determining whether a school is a 'financial fit.' Here's how to find your way.
By Chris Ebeling
-
Financial Steps After a Loved One's Alzheimer's Diagnosis
It's important to move fast on legal safeguards, estate planning and more while your loved one still has the capacity to make decisions.
By Thomas C. West, CLU®, ChFC®, AIF®
-
How Soon Can You Walk Away After Selling Your Business?
You may earn more money from the sale of your business if you stay to help with the transition to new management. The question is, do you need to?
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA®
-
Two Don'ts and Four Dos During Trump's Trade War
The financial rules have changed now that tariffs have disrupted the markets and created economic uncertainty. What can you do? (And what shouldn't you do?)
By Maggie Kulyk, CRPC®, CSRIC™
-
I'm Single, With No Kids: Why Do I Need an Estate Plan?
Unless you have a plan in place, guess who might be making all the decisions about your prized possessions, or even your health care: a court.
By Cynthia Pruemm, Investment Adviser Representative
-
Most Investors Aren't as Diversified as They Think: Are You?
You could be facing a surprisingly dangerous amount of concentration risk without realizing it. Fixing that problem starts with knowing exactly what you own.
By Scott Noble, CPA/PFS