Ideas: New York Life, National Life, Security Mutual

New York Life Insurance Company says consumers may want to cope with the decline of defined benefit pension plans by using deferred annuities that allow for a flexible schedule.

A consumer might start with an initial minimum premium payment, then make additional, smaller payments and defer or accelerate the income start date to accommodate changes in personal needs, according to New York Life, New York.

In other ideas news:

- National Life Group, Montpelier, Vt., sees interest in the idea of offering indexed products in the second-to-die universal life market.

Couples use second-to-die policies, which pay off at the death of the second spouse, in estate planning arrangements and other arrangements.