In order to have a bear market, unemployment claims must be rising and delinquencies.  Both are still falling…UC quarterly below…

The last bear market began beginning Q2 2007:

The Fed lowered rates for the first time on Aug 1 2007 or 4 months after.

The MOST DEFINITE SIGN of a bear market is when the Fed lowers rates for the first time.  Usually the market falls just before and after this event.