The running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain each July provides for amazing images as young men run alongside the massive bulls trying to demonstrate their bravado. Unfortunately, the images we typically remember of the “running of the bulls” are those dozen or so young men each year that had unfortunate timing and were trampled or gored by the massive bulls.



Running with the bulls is surely an exhilarating experience and for the hundreds that escape unscathed, it provides a lifetime of memories and stories to share. What can this teach us about investing and annuities? …[continued below video]

[continued]… So, what is the secret to running with the bulls or riding a surging bull market? It’s quite simple in my observation – it’s knowing when to get out of the way. How do you have the best chance of surviving the running of the bulls without injury? Get out of the way when they are blocks away rather than when you can feel their breath on the back of your neck. The term bull market has many similarities to the running of the bulls in Pamplona. It is all about risk and reward.

The best way to avoid getting gored in a bull market is to stay off the street of running bulls entirely. But everyone participating wants to say they ran with the bulls or beat the stock market.

So how do annuities come into this story? Easy… want to avoid getting gored by the market/bulls – run with them from behind. No, we won’t have the same claims as those running in front of the bulls risking it all but we can still say we ran with the bulls taking part in the exhilaration of being there. Now we get a part of the upside rewards in a bull market without the downside risk of losing it all!



You don’t see many retirees running with the bulls – I prefer to think it’s not just because they are older or slower but rather they have accumulated enough wisdom to know that running with the bulls in Pamplona or on Wall Street can have significant future lifestyle risks.

Most retirees or near-retirees feel it is important to take the necessary safeguards to protect their future lifestyle. Bravado for retirees becomes a smaller part of the equation as they ask the question – is it my time to run in front of the bulls or is it time to seek some protection and run a wiser, safer race with the bulls?

Videos are educational and conceptual only and not a solicitation. They are not to be considered investment, insurance, tax or legal advice. It is recommended that you work with licensed professionals for individualized advice before making any important financial decisions. Annuities are not FDIC insured and their guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. State Guarantee Associations, while offering specific protections, are not the same as FDIC insurance.