A 68-year-old retiree with $400,000 in equities heading into 2026 has a real problem: SPY ran up 27% in the past year, but the VIX still spiked to almost 31 in late March, and the University of Michigan consumer sentiment sits at 53.3, deep in pessimistic territory.
Buffer ETFs offer downside protection up to 10-15% but cap gains at 10-15%, making them suitable for short-term, risk-averse investors. Long-term investors should avoid buffer funds, as they reduce wealth accumulation. PJUL, a buffer ETF, has shown reduced returns but significantly lower risk and quicker recovery from drawdowns compared to the S&P 500.