Bear markets are periods of declining stock market prices that are measured in months or years. (en.wikipedia.org)
Declining stock market prices are reducing the coverage of corporate pension funds (as well as personal retirement accounts), requiring higher set - asides to fully fund these accounts. (michael-hudson.com)
For all the hysteria about bonds» taking a hit when rates start to climb (whenever that may be), it's important to remember that bonds have never come close to the 50 % - or - more declines the stock market has weathered. (realdealretirement.com)