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{{Short description|American insurance company}}
{{redirect|Metropolitan Life|the book by Fran Lebowitz|Metropolitan Life (book)}}{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = MetLife, Inc.
| logo = MetLife logo.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| image = Walter Gropius photo MetLife Building fassade New York USA 2005-10-03.jpg|
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = The [[MetLife Building]] at 200 [[Park Avenue]] in New York City
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{unbulleted list|{{NYSE|MET}}|[[S&P 100]] component|[[S&P 500]] component}}
| foundation = {{start date and age|1868|3|24}}
| location = [[MetLife Building]]<br />New York City, U.S.
| key_people = {{plainlist|
* Michel A. Khalaf (president & CEO)
* [[Glenn Hubbard (economist)|Glenn Hubbard]] ([[Chairperson#Public corporations|chairman]])}}
| industry = [[Financial services]]
| services = Insurance, [[Annuity (US financial products)|annuities]], [[employee benefits]]
| revenue = {{nowrap|{{decrease}} {{US$|66.91 billion|link=yes}} (2023)}}<ref name="2023 10-K" />
| operating_income = {{nowrap|{{decrease}} {{US$|2.162 billion}} (2023)}}<ref name="2023 10-K" />
| net_income = {{nowrap|{{decrease}} {{US$|1.578 billion}} (2023)}}<ref name="2023 10-K" />
| assets = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|687.6 billion}} (2023)}}<ref name="2023 10-K" />
| equity = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{US$|30.02 billion}} (2023)}}<ref name="2023 10-K" />
| aum = {{increase}} {{US$|600.8 billion}} (2023)<ref name="AUM factsheet">{{cite web |url=https://s201.q4cdn.com/280976757/files/4Q-2023/MET_4Q23_Total-AUM-Final.pdf |title=Metlife Assets Under Management December 31, 2023 |access-date=4 June 2024 |publisher=MetLife}}</ref>
| subsid = [[PineBridge Investments]]
| num_employees = {{circa|45,000}} (2023)<ref name="2023 10-K">{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1099219/000109921924000035/met-20231231.htm |title=Metlife, Inc. 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |date=16 February 2024 |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]}}</ref>
| homepage = {{url|https://metlife.com/}}
}}

'''MetLife, Inc.''' is the [[Holding company|holding corporation]] for the '''Metropolitan Life Insurance Company''' ('''MLIC'''),<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-429993776.html|title = MetLife Announces Third Quarter Non-Cash Charge|last = Staff|date = October 2, 2015|work = Insurance Weekly News|access-date = December 20, 2015|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160108112718/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-429993776.html|archive-date = January 8, 2016}}</ref> better known as '''MetLife''', and its affiliates. MetLife is among the largest global providers of [[insurance]], [[Annuity (US financial products)|annuities]], and [[employee benefit]] programs, with around 90 million customers in over 60 countries.<ref name="NintyMillion_10">{{cite news |title = MetLife Expands Beyond 'Slow Growth' U.S. Market |url = http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/metlife-expands-beyond-slow-growth-u-s-market/article_285c69f6-a4f7-5e5a-adfb-104656eda0eb.html |access-date = December 16, 2015 |newspaper = Tulsa World |date = March 11, 2010 |last = Staff & Wire Reports }}</ref><ref name= BWIRE_09>{{cite press release |title= MetLife and Fidelity Introduce New Retirement Income Solution: A Variable Annuity Designed to Provide Lifetime Income for Those Nearing or in Retirement |publisher= Business Wire |date=November 16, 2009 }}</ref> The firm was founded on March 24, 1868.<ref name=GBook_06>{{cite book |title=Envy of the world: a history of the U.S. economy & big business|last=Botti |first=Timothy |year=2006 |publisher=Algora Publishing |location=New York, NY |isbn=0-87586-431-7 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/envyworldhistory00timo/page/n170 140] |url=https://archive.org/details/envyworldhistory00timo|url-access=limited}}</ref> MetLife ranked No. 43 in the 2018 [[Fortune 500]] list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/list/|title=Fortune 500 Companies 2018: Who Made the List|website=Fortune|language=en-US|access-date=November 10, 2018}}</ref>

On January 6, 1915, MetLife completed the [[mutualization]] process, changing from a stock life insurance company owned by individuals to a [[Mutual organization|mutual company]] operating without external shareholders and for the benefit of policyholders.<ref name=Mutualzation>{{cite web |url=http://www.metveterans.com/files/13338/Company%20Highlights.pdf |title=Company Highlights |access-date=March 2, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321191422/http://www.metveterans.com/files/13338/Company%20Highlights.pdf |archive-date=March 21, 2012 }}</ref> After 85 years as a mutual company, MetLife [[Demutualization|demutualized]] into a [[Public company|publicly traded company]] with an [[initial public offering]] in 2000.<ref name=IPO_Deal>{{cite news |title= In Play |newspaper= Daily Deal|date=April 7, 2000 }}</ref> Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia's Pacific region, Europe, and the Middle East.<ref name="AlicoInternational_10">{{cite journal|last = Lehmann|first = R.J.|title = MetLife Sees Alico Deals as Door to Growth in China, Middle East|journal = SNL Insurance M&A|date = June 4, 2010|url = http://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/2010/06/10/MetLife-Sees-Alico-Deal-As-Door-To-Growth-In-China-a-197039.html|via = insurancenewsnet|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222102837/http://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/2010/06/10/MetLife-Sees-Alico-Deal-As-Door-To-Growth-In-China-a-197039.html|archive-date = December 22, 2015}}{{Subscription required}}</ref> MetLife serves 90 of the largest Fortune 500 companies.<ref name="Ninety">{{cite news|title = KASB FL, MetLife Alico Sign Investment Agreement|url = http://pakobserver.net/201012/31/detailnews.asp?id=69050|access-date = March 14, 2011|newspaper = Pakistan Observer|date = December 31, 2010}}{{Dead link|date = December 2015}}</ref>

MetLife's head offices and boardroom are located at the [[MetLife Building]] at 200 Park Avenue in [[Midtown Manhattan]] and New York City which MetLife owned from 1981 to 2005; despite the sale, MetLife increased its leased footprint in the building beginning in 2015.<ref name="NYT_05">{{cite news |title= MetLife Sells 2nd Building, A Landmark On Park Ave |author= Anthony Ramirez |newspaper= The New York Times |date= April 2, 2005 |url= https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E5DA113FF931A35757C0A9639C8B63 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150203031158/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E5DA113FF931A35757C0A9639C8B63 |archive-date= February 3, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="wsj20150319">{{Cite news|last1=Scism|first1=Leslie|last2=Morris|first2=Keiko|date=March 19, 2015|title=MetLife to Unify at Namesake Tower|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-returning-to-its-namesake-nyc-building-1426690840|access-date=June 3, 2021|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

In January 2016, MetLife announced that it would spin off its U.S. retail business, including individual life insurance and annuities for the retail market, in a separate company called [[Brighthouse Financial]], which launched in March 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metlife.com/brighthousefinancial/|title=Important Information About MetLife's U.S. Retail Business Separation|website=www.metlife.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505084637/https://www.metlife.com/brighthousefinancial/|archive-date=May 5, 2017}}</ref> The continuing MetLife company kept naming rights to [[MetLife Stadium]] in [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-21/metlife-rebrands-retail-unit-to-be-separated-as-brighthouse|title=MetLife Shelves 148-Year-Old U.S. Retail Brand for 'Brighthouse'|newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=July 21, 2016|via=www.bloomberg.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020040/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-21/metlife-rebrands-retail-unit-to-be-separated-as-brighthouse|archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref>

==History==

===Early years===

[[File:Tichnor Brothers New England Mutual Life front.jpg|left|thumb|Home office of the New England Mutual Life Insurance Co., in [[Copley Square]], Boston, one of the predecessor companies of MetLife<ref>{{cite web |url=http://libraries.mit.edu/archives/research/collections/collections-mc/pdf/mc616.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809011934/http://libraries.mit.edu/archives/research/collections/collections-mc/pdf/mc616.pdf |archive-date=August 9, 2012 }}</ref>]]
The predecessor company to MetLife began in 1863 when a group of New York City business leaders raised {{Inflation|US|100,000|1863|r=-2|cursign=$|orig=yes|fmt=eq}} to found the '''National Union Life and Limb Insurance Company''' headquartered on lower Broadway.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=Kenneth T. |title=The Encyclopedia of New York City: Second Edition |last2=Keller |first2=Lisa |last3=Flood |first3=Nancy |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-300-18257-6 |language=en}}</ref> The company insured [[American Civil War|Civil War]] sailors and soldiers against disabilities due to wartime wounds, accidents, and sickness. Millions of "industrial" or workingman's policies were sold, costing five to ten cents a week, which were collected at the policyholder's home.<ref name=":3" /> On March 24, 1868, it became known as Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and shifted its focus to the life insurance business.<ref name=Book_06>{{cite book|last=Botti|first=Timothy|title=Envy of the world: a history of the U.S. economy & big business|url=https://archive.org/details/envyworldhistory00timo|url-access=limited|year=2006|publisher=Algora Publishing|location=New York, NY|isbn=0-87586-431-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/envyworldhistory00timo/page/n170 140]}}</ref><ref name=Origin_10>{{cite journal|last=Umasanker|title=A Study on Life Insurance Awareness Among Private Employees|journal=Economic Challenger|date=April 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower at Night with Fog.jpg|thumb|The [[Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower]] in Manhattan, which previously served as company headquarters, was featured in its advertising for many years.]]
The Chicago fire of 1871 that destroyed 2,000 acres and $200 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|200000000|1871}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) worth of property, severely affected the insurance companies, which were legally obligated but financially unable to cover losses.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Botti |first=Timothy J. |title=Envy of the World: A History of the U.S. Economy & Big Business |date=2006 |publisher=Algora Publishing |isbn=978-0-87586-431-0 |pages=140 |language=en}}</ref> Then, severe business depression that began with the [[Panic of 1873]] forced the company to contract, until it reached its lowest point in the late 1870s.<ref name=":3" /> After observing the insurance industry in Great Britain in 1879, MetLife President Joseph F. Knapp brought "industrial" or "workingmen's" insurance programs to the United States – insurance issued in small amounts on which premiums were collected weekly or monthly at the policyholder's home. By 1880, sales had exceeded a quarter million of such policies, resulting in nearly $1 million in revenue from premiums. In 1909, MetLife had become the nation's largest life insurer in the United States, as measured by life insurance in force (the total value of life insurance policies issued).<ref name=Book_06/><ref name=Networth_01>{{cite book|last=Mauriello|first=Carrie|title=Net Worth: Using the Internet for Personal Financial Planning|year=2001|publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann|location=Woburn, MA|isbn=1-884133-83-5|pages=[https://archive.org/details/networthusingint0000maur/page/215 215]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/networthusingint0000maur/page/215}}</ref>

In 1890, the [[Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower|Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Building]] was commissioned to serve as MetLife's home office on [[23rd Street (Manhattan)|23rd Street]] in Manhattan. The building was completed in stages through 1905. A clock tower was commissioned adjacent to the home office in 1907, and when completed two years later, the building was the world's tallest until 1913.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/metropolitanlife00metruoft|title=The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company: Its History, Its Present Position in the Insurance World, Its Home Office Building and Its Work Carried on Therein|publisher=Metropolitan Life Insurance Company|year=1914|pages=[https://archive.org/details/metropolitanlife00metruoft/page/n72 61]-63}}</ref> The home office complex, which came to include the later art deco [[Metropolitan Life North Building]], remained the company's headquarters until 2005. For many years, an illustration of the Metropolitan Life Tower (with light emanating from the tip of its spire and the slogan, "The Light That Never Fails") featured prominently in MetLife's advertising.<ref name="Building_05">{{cite book|last=Moudry|first=Roberta|title=The American Skyscraper: Cultural Histories|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2005|isbn=0-521-62421-5|location=New York, NY|pages=125–127}}</ref>

In 1905, a predecessor company, New England Life, lost a legal case, ''[[Pavesich v. New England Life Insurance Company]]'', where they attempted to use an image of another person for promotion but this was ruled a breach of privacy and libelous: this case became a standardly cited case on privacy in US law.

By 1930, MetLife insured one of five men, women, and children in the United States and Canada.<ref name="History">{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-profile/metlife-history/metlife-begins/index.html|access-date=August 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829120532/http://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-profile/metlife-history/metlife-begins/index.html|archive-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref> During the 1930s, it also began to diversify its portfolio by reducing the percentage of individual mortgages in favor of public utility bonds, investments in government securities, and loans for commercial real estate.<ref name="History" /> The company financed the [[Empire State Building]]'s construction in 1929 as well as provided capital for [[Rockefeller Center]]'s [[construction of Rockefeller Center|construction]] in 1931. During [[World War II]], MetLife placed more than 51 percent of its total assets in war bonds and was the largest single private contributor to the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] cause.<ref name="History" />

===Postwar===
[[File:Leroy Lincoln Metropolitan Life.jpg|left|thumb|Company president Leroy Lincoln in 1947]]
[[File:Metlife 1970.png|thumb|180px|Metropolitan Life logo, from 1970 to 1998]]
[[File:MetLife Logo.svg|thumb|180px|MetLife logo, from 1998 to 2016]]
During the post-war era, the company expanded its suburban presence, decentralized operations, and refocused its career agency system to serve all market segments. It also began to market group insurance products to employers and institutions. By 1979, operations were segmented into four primary businesses: group insurance, personal insurance, pensions, and investments.<ref name=History/> In 1981 MetLife purchased the [[MetLife Building|Pan Am Building]] from a group that included [[Pan American World Airways]] for the price of $400 million.<ref name=PanAm_05>{{cite journal|title=Done deal: $1.7b sale of MetLife Building officially closed|journal=Real Estate Weekly|date=June 2005|volume=51|pages=10}}</ref><ref name=BuildingSales>{{cite web|title=MetLife Building|url=http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&lng=3&id=metlifebuilding-newyorkcity-ny-usa|publisher=Emporis|access-date=March 2, 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629112617/http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&lng=3&id=metlifebuilding-newyorkcity-ny-usa|archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref> The building was subsequently renamed and the prominently displayed Pan Am logo was replaced with the MetLife logo.

==== De-mutualization and IPO ====
In 2000, MetLife converted from a mutual insurance company operated for the benefit of its policyholders to a for-profit public company.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kinsella |first=Eileen |url=https://www.thestreet.com/markets/metlife-ipo-priced-mid-range-at-1425-a-share-913663 |title= MetLife IPO Priced Mid-Range at $14.25 a Share |work=[[TheStreet]] |date=2000-04-04 |accessdate=2024-06-28 }}</ref> The de-mutualization process allowed MetLife to enter unrelated insurance businesses and increase executive compensation.

Policyholders received some stock in the new company in this process.<ref>{{cite news
 |url         = http://old.post-gazette.com/businessnews/20000104met1.asp
 |title       = Decision time for MetLife policyholders
 |date        = January 4, 2000
 |author      = Boselovic, Len
 |publisher   = Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150503234417/http://old.post-gazette.com/businessnews/20000104met1.asp
 |archive-date = May 3, 2015
}}</ref> MetLife was accused of breaching federal securities laws by misrepresenting and omitting information in materials given to policyholders during this process, resulting in years of litigation ending with a $50 million settlement in 2009.<ref>{{cite news
 |url         = http://www.law360.com/articles/134266/metlife-to-pay-50m-to-resolve-policyholder-suits
 |title       = MetLife to pay $50 million to resolve policyholder suits
 |publisher   = Law360
 |author      = Fuch, Eric
 |date        = November 13, 2009
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160201171444/http://www.law360.com/articles/134266/metlife-to-pay-50m-to-resolve-policyholder-suits
 |archive-date = February 1, 2016
}}</ref>
{{clearleft}}

====Acquisitions, sales, and major deals====
* 1992 – merged with United Mutual Life Insurance Company, the only African-American life insurer in New York, in 1992.<ref name=Scott93>{{cite news |title=United Mutual, MetLife Merge |author=Matthew Scott |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-13566538 |work=Black Enterprise |date=February 1, 1993 |access-date=February 25, 2015 }}</ref>
* 1992 – <ref name=Lublin09>{{cite news |title=AIG Chief: Loud Voice and a Listener's Ear |author=Joann S. Lublin |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124985951295318023 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 10, 2009 |access-date=July 13, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714142331/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124985951295318023 |archive-date=July 14, 2015 }}</ref> acquired [[Executive Life Insurance Company|Executive Life]]'s single premium deferred [[Annuity (US financial products)|annuity]] business, which was worth approximately $1.2 billion. MetLife also acquired the firm's life insurance business, valued at about $260 million.<ref name=Stouffer92>{{cite news |title=MetLife Gets OK To Acquire Executive Life's Businesses |author=Rick Stouffer |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22445269.html |work=18 December 1992 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22445269.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref>
* 1995 – sold [[Century 21 (real estate)|Century 21]] to [[Cendant]] (known as Hospitality Franchise Systems at the time) while purchasing New England Mutual Life Insurance Company.<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0362-4331| last = Quint| first = Michael| title = New England And Met Life Agree to Merge Operations| work = The New York Times| access-date = January 15, 2017| date = August 17, 1995| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/17/business/new-england-and-met-life-agree-to-merge-operations.html| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170116184705/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/17/business/new-england-and-met-life-agree-to-merge-operations.html| archive-date = January 16, 2017}}</ref>
* 1997 – acquired Security First Group in 1997 for $377 million.<ref name=AP95>{{cite news |title=MetLife Merging with New England |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22747336.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=August 16, 1995 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22747336.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=Garmhausen97>{{cite news |title=MetLife to Pay $377 Million for Bank Marketer Security First |author=Stephen Garmhausen |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-19674793 |work=American Banker |date=August 15, 1997 |access-date=February 25, 2015 }}</ref>
* 1999 – acquired [[Lincoln National Corporation]]'s individual disability income unit.<ref name=Frazier99>{{cite news |title=Metlife Assumes Lincoln National's Individual Disability Income Unit. |author=Lynne McKenna Frazier |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54621984.html |work=Knight Ridder |date=May 12, 1999 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-54621984.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref>
* 1999 – bought out reinsurance provider GenAmerica Corporation for $1.2 billion, as well as its subsidiaries, [[Reinsurance Group of America]] and [[Conning & Company|Conning Corporation]].<ref name=Gallagher02>{{cite news |title=GenAmerica Financial Chief Announces Resignation |author=Jim Gallagher |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83064722.html |work=Knight Ridder |date=February 20, 2002 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83064722.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=Moore99>{{cite news |title=In Brief: MetLife Buying GenAmerica Corp |author=Michael D. Moore |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55584007.html |work=American Banker |date=August 27, 1999 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55584007.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref> That year, the company had grown to serve 7 million policyholders.<ref name=Quinn99>{{cite news |title=MetLife Suit could mislead holders again |author=Jane Bryant Quinn |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-108487BB6BF6B357.html |work=Indiana Post-Tribune |date=October 24, 1999 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-108487BB6BF6B357.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref>
* 2000 – de-mutualization and IPO.<ref name=Vowinkel98>{{cite news |title=MetLife Plans to Sell Stock; Insurer to Revert To Public Company |author=Patricia Vowinkel |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-695291.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 30, 1998 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-695291.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=Treaster00>{{cite news |title=MetLife Issues Nearly 500 Million Shares to Policyholders |author=Joseph Treaster |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/06/business/metlife-issues-nearly-500-million-shares-to-policyholders.html |work=6 April 2000 |date=April 6, 2000 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527132203/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/06/business/metlife-issues-nearly-500-million-shares-to-policyholders.html |archive-date=May 27, 2015 }}</ref> The [[initial public offering]] was valued at $6.5 billion, which was the largest IPO to that date in United States financial history.<ref name=Vowinkel98/><ref name=Treaster00/> MetLife policyholders were asked to choose a cash or stock stake. This IPO made MetLife the most widely owned stock in the United States, and it raised MetLife's value to over $4 billion.<ref name=Healy99>{{cite news |title=MetLife IPO plan outshines Hancock's |author=Beth Healy |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-57806512.html |work=The Boston Herald |date=November 25, 1999 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-57806512.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=Bridger99>{{cite news |title=MetLife's Policyholders to get cash or stock in public offering |author=Chet Bridger |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23151221.html |work=The Buffalo News |date=December 10, 1999 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23151221.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref> By 2000, MetLife's reported number of policyholders had risen to 11 million,<ref name=Bridger99/> and that year it had become the United States' number one life insurer, surpassing Prudential, according to ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref name=Times00>{{cite news |title=MetLife Posts Gain in Quarterly Earnings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/10/business/metlife-posts-gain-in-quarterly-earnings.html |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 2000 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104105019/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/10/business/metlife-posts-gain-in-quarterly-earnings.html |archive-date=January 4, 2015 }}</ref>
* 2000 – $470 million voice and data network management deal with AT&T Solutions.<ref name=Pappalardo00>{{cite news |title=MetLife jumps on outsourcing bandwagon |author=Denis Pappalardo |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68369325.html |work=Network World |date=December 18, 2000 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68369325.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref>
* 2001 – acquired Grand Bank of [[Kingston, New Jersey]], which was renamed MetLife Bank.<ref name=Gjertsen00>{{cite news |title=MetLife has big plans for one-branch bank |author=Lee Ann Gjersten |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-64334609 |work=American Banker |date=August 17, 2000 |access-date=February 25, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=Jill01>{{cite news |title=Banks and insurers slowly converge |author=Jill Elswick |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73881294.html |work=Employee Benefit News |date=May 1, 2001 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73881294.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref>
* 2001 – invested $1 billion in the United States stock market during 2001, immediately after the [[September 11 attacks|September 11 terrorist attacks]].<ref name=MetLifeHistory>{{cite web |url=https://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-profile/metlife-history/supporting-country-and-community/index.html |title=MetLife History: Supporting Country and Community |publisher=MetLife |access-date=July 13, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714150859/https://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-profile/metlife-history/supporting-country-and-community/index.html |archive-date=July 14, 2015 }}</ref>
* 2005 – acquired [[Citigroup]]’s Travelers Life & Annuity and all of Citigroup's international insurance businesses for $11.8 billion.<ref name="Augusturms10">{{cite news|title = AIG Sells Alico Health Insurance Unit to MetLife for $15.5B|author = Augustums|url = https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/08/aig-alico-sale-profitabe-_n_489655.html|work = The Huffington Post: Business|date = May 1, 2010|access-date = February 25, 2015|first = Ieva M.|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150714131231/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/08/aig-alico-sale-profitabe-_n_489655.html|archive-date = July 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=Ramirez05>{{cite news |title=MetLife Sells 2nd Building, a Landmark on Park Ave. |author=Anthony Ramirez |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E5DA113FF931A35757C0A9639C8B63 |work=The New York Times |date=April 2, 2005 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203031158/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E5DA113FF931A35757C0A9639C8B63 |archive-date=February 3, 2015 }}</ref> At the time of the deal, which was completed on July 1, 2005, the Travelers acquisition made MetLife the largest individual life insurer in North America based on sales.<ref name=Travelers_05>{{cite news|last=Wenske|first=Paul|title=Midday Business Report: Survey says ID theft on rise|newspaper=The Kansas City Star|date=July 1, 2005}}</ref>
* 2006 – opened joint-venture insurance company in Shanghai, in May 2006.<ref name=Hongmei06>{{cite news |title=Have you met the new MetLife today? |author=Song Hongmei |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2006-05/24/content_599481.htm |work=China Daily |date=May 24, 2006 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714132414/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2006-05/24/content_599481.htm |archive-date=July 14, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=Chen07>{{cite news |title=U.S. MetLife says to partner Bank of Shanghai |author=George Chen |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSHA29990420070410 |work=Reuters |date=April 10, 2007 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714120302/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/04/10/idUSSHA29990420070410 |archive-date=July 14, 2015 }}</ref>
* 2006 – sold [[Stuyvesant Town–Peter Cooper Village|Peter Cooper Village, or Stuyvesant Town]], the largest apartment complexes in New York City at the time, for $5.4 billion.<ref name=Carmiel12>{{cite news |title=MetLife Says It Reached Accord With Stuyvesant Tenants |author=Oshrat Carmiel |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-03-02/metlife-says-it-reaches-accord-in-principle-with-stuyvesant-town-tenants |work=Bloomberg Business |date=March 2, 2012 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808215954/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-03-02/metlife-says-it-reaches-accord-in-principle-with-stuyvesant-town-tenants |archive-date=August 8, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=Bagli12>{{cite news |title=$68.7 Million Settlement on Stuyvesant Town Rents |author=Charles Bagli |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/30/nyregion/68-7-million-settlement-on-stuyvesant-town-rents.html?_r=0 |work=The New York Times |date=November 29, 2012 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203055037/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/30/nyregion/68-7-million-settlement-on-stuyvesant-town-rents.html?_r=0 |archive-date=December 3, 2012 }}</ref> MetLife had developed the apartment complexes between 1945 and 1947, to house veterans returning home from serving in [[World War II]].<ref name=Henderson14>{{cite news |title=Mortgage Observer: Old New York: Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village |author=Jennifer Henderson |url=http://commercialobserver.com/2014/09/old-new-york-stuyvesant-town-peter-cooper-village/ |work=Commercial Observer |date=September 15, 2014 |access-date=February 26, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150226133715/http://commercialobserver.com/2014/09/old-new-york-stuyvesant-town-peter-cooper-village/ |archive-date=February 26, 2015 }}</ref>
* 2010 – bought [[American Life Insurance Company]] from [[American International Group|AIG]] for {{Currency|15.5 billion}}.<ref name=Augusturms10/>
* 2011 – sold MetLife bank to [[GE Capital]], exiting banking business.<ref>{{cite news
 |work   = Forbes
 |url         = https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2011/12/27/metlife-ditches-bank-business-sells-7-5b-in-deposits-to-ge-capital/
 |author      = Schaefer, Steve
 |date        = December 27, 2011
 |title       = Metlife ditches bank business, sells $7.5B in deposits to GE Capital
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002840/https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2011/12/27/metlife-ditches-bank-business-sells-7-5b-in-deposits-to-ge-capital/
 |archive-date = February 6, 2018
}}</ref>
* 2021 – Farmers Insurance Group acquired the MetLife Auto & Home business from MetLife, Inc.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

===Current era===
From 2004 to 2011, MetLife continued to hold its position as the largest life insurer in the United States.<ref name="Frye11" /><ref name=Lazarus04>{{cite news |title=MetLife spreads it around |author=David Lazarus |url=http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/MetLife-spreads-it-around-2789970.php |work=San Francisco Gate |date=February 27, 2004 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206084730/http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/MetLife-spreads-it-around-2789970.php |archive-date=December 6, 2014 }}</ref>  The company had $2.5 trillion in policies written, $350 billion in assets under management, over 12 million customers in the United States, 8 million customers outside the United States, and a net income in 2003 of $2.2 billion.<ref name=Lazarus04/> That year, ''[[Barron's (newspaper)|Barron's]]'' reported that 13 million American households owned at least one product from MetLife.<ref name=Lazo04>{{cite news |title=MetLife Double-Play |author=Shirley A. Lazo |url=http://online.barrons.com/articles/SB109667490187534255?tesla=y |work=Barron's |date=October 4, 2004 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714124444/http://online.barrons.com/articles/SB109667490187534255?tesla=y |archive-date=July 14, 2015 }}</ref>

MetLife named [[Bob Benmosche|Robert H. Benmosche]] as chairman and CEO in July 1999. [[Bob Benmosche|Benmosche]] occupied the position until 2006, when he was replaced by [[C. Robert Henrikson]].<ref name="Frye11">{{cite news |title=MetLife Promotes Investment Manager Kandarian to Chief Executive |author=Andrew Frye |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-03-21/metlife-board-names-kandarian-to-replace-henrikson-at-helm-of-u-s-insurer |work=Bloomberg Business |date=March 21, 2011 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808220004/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-03-21/metlife-board-names-kandarian-to-replace-henrikson-at-helm-of-u-s-insurer |archive-date=August 8, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=Hovenisian05>{{cite news |title=Travelers May Be Heavy Baggage |author=Mara Der Hovenisian |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2005-06-05/travelers-may-be-heavy-baggage |work=BloombergBusiness |date=June 5, 2005 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808215933/http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2005-06-05/travelers-may-be-heavy-baggage |archive-date=August 8, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="IJ05">{{cite news|title = Henrikson to Succeed Benmosche as MetLife CEO|url = http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2005/04/28/54343.htm|work = Insurance Journal|date = April 28, 2005|access-date = February 25, 2015|publisher = Wells Media Group|volume = 93|issue = 23|edition = West|issn = 0020-4714|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150714124621/http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2005/04/28/54343.htm|archive-date = July 14, 2015}}</ref>

The company's sales grew 11.5% between 2008 and 2009, despite the [[Great Recession in the United States|national recession]].<ref name=Galentine10>{{cite news |title='Bread and butter products' help vendors outlast recession |author=Elizabeth Galentine |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-222703115.html |work=Employee Benefit News |date=March 24, 2010 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909014019/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-222703115.html |archive-date=September 9, 2015 }}</ref> In 2011, CEO [[C. Robert Henrikson|Robert Henrikson]] was replaced by [[Steven A. Kandarian]], who had overseen the company's "{{Currency|450 billion}} investment portfolio" as [[chief investment officer]].<ref name="Frye11"/>  Henrikson remained the company's chairman to the end of 2011, at which point he reached the company's [[mandatory retirement age]].<ref name="Frye11"/>

In 2015, MetLife was ranked as number one on ''Fortune'' magazine's list of World's Most Admired Companies in the Insurance: Life and Health category.<ref name=Fortunelist>{{cite web |url=http://fortune.com/worlds-most-admired-companies/metlife-100000/ |title=World's Most Admired Companies |date=2015 |publisher=Fortune Magazine |access-date=March 24, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302054431/http://fortune.com/worlds-most-admired-companies/metlife-100000/ |archive-date=March 2, 2015 }}</ref>

In the summer of 2017, MetLife plans to add a third office building of 255,000 square feet at its [[Cary, North Carolina]] Global Technology Campus, giving the company a total of 655,000 square feet at a location which has over 1,000 employees in such areas as engineering, software and technology. This plan was the result of North Carolina awarding the company $94 million in incentives in 2013 for creating over 2,600 jobs, half in Cary and half in [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article151939037.html#storylink=cpy|title=MetLife to build third tower in Cary, add to 1,000-plus workforce|last=Murawski|first=John|work=[[News & Observer]]|date=May 22, 2017|access-date=May 22, 2017}}</ref>

==="Too big to fail"===
In 2012, MetLife failed the Federal Reserve's (the Fed's) [[Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review]] stress test, intended to predict the potential failure of the company in a recession. The Fed stated that the minimum total [[Capital adequacy ratio|risk-based capital ratio]] should be 8% and it estimated MetLife's ratio at 6%. The company had requested approval for a {{Currency|2 billion}} [[share repurchase]] to prop up the stock price, along with an increased dividend.<ref>{{cite news
 |url         = https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2012/03/14/metlife-fumes-as-it-fails-fed-stress-test/
 |title       = MetLife fumes as it fails Fed stress test
 |work   = Forbes
 |date        = March 14, 2012
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20180206004456/https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2012/03/14/metlife-fumes-as-it-fails-fed-stress-test/
 |archive-date = February 6, 2018
}}</ref> Because MetLife owned MetLife Bank, it was subject to stricter financial regulation. To escape that level of regulation, MetLife announced the sale of its banking unit to [[GE Capital]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2011/12/27/228789.htm|title=MetLife to Sell Bank Unit to GE Capital|date=December 27, 2011|access-date=June 17, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924042700/http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2011/12/27/228789.htm|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2013-jan-14-la-fi-mo-metlife-ge-capital-bank-deposits-20130114-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Jim | last=Puzzanghera | title=MetLife gets out of banking business, sells deposits to GE Capital | date=January 14, 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20130914222619/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jan/14/business/la-fi-mo-metlife-ge-capital-bank-deposits-20130114 | archive-date=September 14, 2013 }}</ref> On November 2, 2012, MetLife said it was selling its {{Currency|70 billion}} mortgage servicing business to [[JPMorgan Chase]] for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/metlife-bank-to-sell-70b-mortgage-servicing-portfolio-to-jpmorgan-chase/|title=MetLife Bank to sell $70B mortgage servicing portfolio to JPMorgan Chase|work=CBS/AP|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105102919/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-57544635/metlife-bank-to-sell-$70b-mortgage-servicing-portfolio-to-jpmorgan-chase/|archive-date=November 5, 2012}}</ref> Both sales were part of its strategy to focus on the insurance side of its business.

The attempt to escape "[[too big to fail]]" regulation was not successful. In September 2014, the United States government observed the [[Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act|2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law]] by proposing the application of an official label to MetLife as "[[Systemically important financial institution|systemically important]]" to the American economy.<ref name=Garcia15>{{cite news |title=MetLife faces challenge to overturn 'systemically important' designation |author=Eric Garcia |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/metlife-faces-challenge-to-overturn-systemically-important-designation-2015-01-13 |work=Market Watch |date=January 13, 2015 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214043004/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/metlife-faces-challenge-to-overturn-systemically-important-designation-2015-01-13 |archive-date=February 14, 2015 }}</ref> If implemented, MetLife would be subject to different sets of rules and regulations, with increased oversight from the [[Federal Reserve System|Federal Reserve]].<ref name=Garcia15/><ref name=Dealbook14>{{cite news |title=MetLife Formally Challenges 'Systemically Important' Designation |author=Andrew Ross Sorkin |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/10/03/metlife-formally-challenges-designation-as-systemically-important/ |work=The New York Times: DealBook |date=October 3, 2014 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029021955/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/10/03/metlife-formally-challenges-designation-as-systemically-important/ |archive-date=October 29, 2014 }}</ref> The company appealed this proposal in November 2014.<ref name=McGrane15>{{cite news |title=MetLife Suit Sets up Battle Over Regulation |author=Victoria McGrane |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-to-challenge-systemically-important-tag-1421152441 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=January 14, 2015 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225060111/http://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-to-challenge-systemically-important-tag-1421152441 |archive-date=February 25, 2015 }}</ref> In December 2014, federal regulators decided that MetLife required the special regulations reserved for financial companies and organizations deemed "systemically important," or "too big to fail".<ref name=Steve14>{{cite news |title=MetLife Plans to Fight 'Systemically Important' Designation |author=Steve Schaefer |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2014/09/04/metlife-tagged-with-systemically-important-designation/ |work=Forbes |date=September 4, 2014 |access-date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601034409/http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2014/09/04/metlife-tagged-with-systemically-important-designation/ |archive-date=June 1, 2015 }}</ref> MetLife announced in January 2015 that it would file a lawsuit with the [[United States District Court for the District of Columbia|U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia]] to overturn the federal regulators' decision,<ref name=Garcia15/> thus becoming the first nonbank to challenge such a decision.<ref name=":1" />  Three other nonbank companies have been designated as "systemically important": [[American International Group|AIG]], [[General Electric]] and [[Prudential Financial|Prudential]].<ref name="Steve14" /><ref name=":1" />   MetLife continued to litigate this issue {{as of|2015|lc=y}}, with the [[United States Department of Justice|US Department of Justice]] asking that their challenge be dismissed.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-08/u-s-asks-judge-to-throw-out-metlife-s-too-big-to-fail-lawsuit|date = May 8, 2015|title = US asks judge to throw out MetLife's "too big to fail" lawsuit|last1 = Zajac|first1 = Andrew|last2 = Katz|first2 = Ian|agency = Bloomberg Business News|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160729172324/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-08/u-s-asks-judge-to-throw-out-metlife-s-too-big-to-fail-lawsuit|archive-date = July 29, 2016}}</ref>

===Fines===
On August 7, 2012, it was announced that MetLife will pay $3.2 million in fines after the [[Federal Reserve]] charged it used unsafe and unsound practices in handling its mortgage servicing and foreclosure operations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schroeder|first=Peter|title=MetLife fined $3.2 million for mortgage servicing problems|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/banking-financial-institutions/242495-metlife-fined-32-million-for-mortgage-servicing-problems|work=The Hill|access-date=August 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815065752/http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/banking-financial-institutions/242495-metlife-fined-32-million-for-mortgage-servicing-problems|archive-date=August 15, 2012}}</ref>

In 2014, MetLife paid $23 million to settle multiple lawsuits over [[junk fax]] operations used to generate leads for life insurance sales.<ref>{{cite news
 |url         = https://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-to-pay-23-million-to-settle-blast-faxing-litigation-1407432583
 |date        = August 7, 2014
 |author      = Scism, Leslie
 |title       = MetLife Settles After Fax Meets Friction
 |publisher   = Wall Street Journal
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20170623155546/https://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-to-pay-23-million-to-settle-blast-faxing-litigation-1407432583
 |archive-date = June 23, 2017
}}</ref>

{{quote box | source=''U.S. Attorney John Walsh''  | quote=MetLife Bank took advantage of the FHA insurance program by knowingly turning a blind eye to mortgage loans that did not meet basic underwriting requirements, and stuck the FHA and taxpayers with the bill when those mortgages defaulted. | width=25% }}
In 2015, MetLife Home Loans LLC paid $123.5 million to the [[United States Department of Justice]] to resolve allegations it knowingly made mortgages insured by the United States government that didn't meet federal underwriting requirements.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-unit-to-pay-123-5-million-to-resolve-mortgage-lending-allegations-1424897993 |publisher=Wall Street Journal |title=MetLife Unit to Pay $123.5 Million to Resolve Mortgage-Lending Allegations |author1=Scism, Leslie |author2=Light, Joe |date=February 25, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073537/https://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-unit-to-pay-123-5-million-to-resolve-mortgage-lending-allegations-1424897993 |archive-date=February 6, 2018 }}</ref>

==Products and services==

{{advert|date=September 2013}}
[[File:Metro Life Hall Recs Palmer Av jeh.JPG|thumb|MetLife Hall of Records, Yonkers, New York]]
{{As of|2010}}, MetLife had a "diverse product mix" which included insurance ([[Home insurance|home]], [[Car insurance|car]] and [[Life insurance|life]]), [[Variable annuity|variable life annuities]] and [[Structured Settlements|structured settlements]], [[commercial mortgages]] and [[Commercial mortgage-backed security|securities backed by commercial mortgages]], and [[sovereign debt]].<ref name="MexEng_103">{{cite journal|last = Williams|first = Christopher|title = MetLife Gains Altitude|journal = Barron's|date = June 19, 2010|url = http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424052970203296004575307113048786930.html|access-date = March 14, 2011|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101220062854/http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424052970203296004575307113048786930.html|archive-date = December 20, 2010}}</ref>

===Life insurance===
MetLife's individual [[life insurance]] products and services comprise [[term life insurance]] and several types of [[permanent life insurance]], including whole life, universal life, and final expense whole life insurance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Whole Life Insurance|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/life-insurance/whole-life-insurance.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=December 11, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213013828/https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/life-insurance/whole-life-insurance.html|archive-date=December 13, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Term Life Insurance|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/life-insurance/term-life-insurance.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=December 11, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105015221/https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/life-insurance/term-life-insurance.html|archive-date=November 5, 2014}}</ref> These services vary in regards to the duration and amount of coverage available and whether a medical exam is required for coverage. The company also offers group life insurance, provided through employers, which consists of term life, permanent life, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.<ref name=InsuranceProducts>{{cite web|title=Insurance|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/life-insurance/index.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=November 20, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110045752/https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/life-insurance/index.html|archive-date=November 10, 2014}}</ref><ref name=GroupInsuranceProducts>{{cite web|title=Group Life Insurance|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/group-life-insurance/index.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=November 20, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033338/https://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/group-life-insurance/index.html|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref> MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States, based on life insurance in-force.<ref name="Ninety"/><ref name=MexEng_103/>

===Dental===
MetLife offers group dental benefit plans for individuals, employees, retirees and their families and provides dental plan administration for over 20 million people.<ref name=TwentyMillionDental>{{cite journal|title=MetLife Announces the New MET Series for its Dental Health Maintenance Organization DHMO Plans|journal=Health & Medicine Week|date=October 2010|pages=1192}}</ref><ref name=DentalCoverage>{{cite web|title=Employee Benefits|url=http://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/index.html?WT.ac=GN_individual_employee-benefits|publisher=MetLife|access-date=March 14, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317065811/http://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/index.html?WT.ac=GN_individual_employee-benefits|archive-date=March 17, 2011}}</ref> Plans include MetLife's Preferred Dentist Program (PPO) and the SafeGuard DHMO (available for both individuals and employees in CA, FL, TX, NJ and NY.). {{As of|2010|May|post=, MetLife's dental [[Preferred provider organization|PPO]] network included over 135,000 participating dentist locations nationwide while the dental [[HMO]] network included more than 13,000 participating dentist locations in California, Florida and [[Texas]].}}<ref name=Dental>{{cite journal|title=Be Better Informed Than the Tooth Fairy|journal=California Broker|date=July 2010|url=http://www.calbrokermag.com/surveys/dental-survey/|access-date=March 14, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224201618/http://www.calbrokermag.com/surveys/dental-survey/|archive-date=December 24, 2010}}</ref> MetLife also administers dental continuing education program for dentists and allied health care professionals, which are recognized by the [[American Dental Association]] (ADA) and the [[Academy of General Dentistry]] (AGD).<ref name=ADA>{{cite journal|title=MetLife Adds 5 Quality Resource Guides to Dental Continuing Education Program|journal=Health & Beauty Close-Up|date=September 2010}}</ref>

===Disability===
MetLife provides disability products for individuals as well as employee and association groups who receive them through their employer.<ref name=Disability10K>{{cite web|title=MetLife, Inc. Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1099219/000095012311018077/y87657e10vk.htm|work=The United States Securities Exchange Commission|access-date=March 3, 2011|pages=6|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629091230/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1099219/000095012311018077/y87657e10vk.htm|archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Disability Insurance|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/disability-insurance/index.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=December 11, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226092514/https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/disability-insurance/index.html|archive-date=December 26, 2014}}</ref> For individuals, the company's individual disability income insurance can replace a portion of lost income if an individual is unable to work due to sickness or injury.<ref name=DisabilityInsurance>{{cite news|title=Protect Your Income With Disability Insurance|newspaper=Michigan Chronicle|date=March 1, 2005}}</ref> MetLife offers several individual disability income policies, including MetLife Income Guard, OMNI Advantage, OMNI Essential, Business Overhead Expense, and Buy-Sell.<ref>{{cite web|title=Disability Insurance|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/disability-insurance/individual-disability-insurance.html|website=MetLife|access-date=November 20, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033344/https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/disability-insurance/individual-disability-insurance.html|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref> The policy options provided by the company vary in terms of eligibility and the provided coverage. For groups, MetLife offers short term [[disability insurance]] and long term disability insurance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Group Disability Insurance|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/group-disability/index.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=December 11, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033336/https://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/group-disability/index.html|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref> Short term disability insurance is structured to replace a portion of an individual's income during the initial weeks of a disabling illness or accident.<ref>{{cite web|title=Short Term Disability Insurance|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/group-disability/group-short-term-disability.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=December 11, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203154445/https://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/group-disability/group-short-term-disability.html|archive-date=December 3, 2014}}</ref> Long term disability Insurance serves to replace a portion of an individual's income during an extended period of a disabling illness or [[accident]].<ref name=DisabilityInsuranceProducts>{{cite web|title=Group Disability Insurance|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/group-disability/index.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=March 14, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306045218/http://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/group-disability/index.html|archive-date=March 6, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Long Term Disability Insurance|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/group-disability/group-long-term-disability-insurance.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=December 11, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213012555/https://www.metlife.com/individual/employee-benefits/group-disability/group-long-term-disability-insurance.html|archive-date=December 13, 2014}}</ref> The company also maintains an [[absence management]] product which allows employers to track and manage both planned and unplanned employee absences. The product, which MetLife calls MetLife Total Absence Management, is structured for businesses with 1,000 or more employees.<ref name= TotalAbsence>{{cite press release |title=MetLife Launches Enhanced Absence Management Solution|publisher=Datamonitor NewsWire|date=January 30, 2009}}</ref>

===Annuities===
MetLife is among the largest providers of [[Annuity (US financial products)|annuities]] in the world, recording $22.4 billion in sales during 2009.<ref name=Numberoneann>{{cite news|title=At The Bell|newspaper=Investment News|date=March 1, 2010}}</ref> MetLife offers annuities which consist of fixed annuities, variable annuities, deferred annuities and immediate annuities.<ref name=AnnuitiesProducts>{{cite web|title=Annuities|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/investment-products/annuities/index.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=November 20, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105014340/https://www.metlife.com/individual/investment-products/annuities/index.html|archive-date=November 5, 2014}}</ref> In 1921, MetLife was the first company to issue a group annuity contract.<ref name=FirstAnnuity>{{cite press release|title=What a Difference a Year Makes: Market Volatility Leads to Broadened View of U.S. Pension Risks, According to MetLife Study|publisher=Business Wire|date=February 23, 2010}}</ref> More recently in 2004, it was the first insurer to introduce a longevity insurance product.<ref name=LongevityInsurance>{{cite journal|last=Adler|first=David|title=Fixing up SPEND DOWN: New plans and products are improving spend-down options for retirees|journal=Employee Benefit News|date=September 2006}}</ref> {{As of|2009|12|31|df=US|post=, MetLife globally managed group annuity assets of $60 billion with $34 billion of transferred pension liabilities and provided benefit payments to over 600,000 annuitants per month.}}<ref name=AnnuityInformation>{{cite web|title=Investments and Annuities|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/investment-products/annuities/index.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=November 20, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105014340/https://www.metlife.com/individual/investment-products/annuities/index.html|archive-date=November 5, 2014}}</ref>

=== Pet insurance ===
In 2019, MetLife acquired PetFirst Healthcare, renaming it to MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scism |first=Leslie |date=5 December 2017 |title=MetLife Expands Into Fast-Growing Sector: Pet Insurance |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-expands-into-fast-growing-sector-pet-insurance-11575547203}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2021 |title=MetLife (MET) Launches Pet Insurance Product, Boosts Portfolio |work=Yahoo Finance |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/metlife-met-launches-pet-insurance-135201332.html?guccounter=1}}</ref> The Pet Innovation Award named it "Pet Insurance of the Year" in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Complete List of 2023 Pet Innovation Award Winners |url=https://digitalmag.petproductnews.com/petproductnews/august_2023/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=1904944#articleId1904944 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=digitalmag.petproductnews.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Auto & Home===
MetLife Auto & Home is the brand name for MetLife's nine affiliate personal lines insurance companies.<ref name=AutoHomeBrand>{{cite journal|last=Whitney|first=Sally|title=High-speed Merge|journal=Best's Review (Prop/Casualty)|date=October 1999|volume=100|pages=30–37}}</ref> Collectively these companies offer personal lines property and casualty insurance policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.<ref name= PRN_05>{{cite press release|title=FileNet Announces 2005 Innovation Award Finalists|publisher=PR Newsire|date=November 3, 2005}}</ref> The flagship company in the MetLife Auto & Home group, Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company, was founded in 1972.<ref name= AutoHomeBrand/> 

It was the first national insurer in the United States to offer identity-theft resolution services at no extra premium and {{as of|2012|lc=y}} continues to do so today in most United States states.<ref name="IDTheft">{{cite news|last=Edsall|first=Noel|title=New Coverage: ID Theft Insurance|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4563985|access-date=September 9, 2010|newspaper=NPR|date=March 28, 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717020515/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4563985|archive-date=July 17, 2006}}</ref><ref name="ContinCoverage">{{cite journal|journal=Insurance Journal|date=April 2010|url=http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2010/04/01/108597.htm|title=MetLife Auto & Home Adds Tax-Related Identity Theft Service|access-date=March 14, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404071305/http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2010/04/01/108597.htm|archive-date=April 4, 2010}}</ref> 

===Other products===
MetLife's products also include [[critical illness insurance]].<ref name=Criticalillness>{{cite news|last=Lisanti|first=Joseph|title=Going Beyond Disability Insurance|newspaper=Daily News (New York)|date=September 13, 2010}}</ref> Financial services include fee-based financial planning, retirement planning, wealth management, 529 Plans, banking, and commercial and residential [[mortgages]].<ref name=Other>{{cite web|title=Investment Products|url=https://www.metlife.com/individual/investment-products/index.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=November 20, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105051818/https://www.metlife.com/individual/investment-products/index.html|archive-date=November 5, 2014}}</ref> The company also provides retirement plans and other financial services to healthcare, education, and not-for-profit organizations.<ref name=NonProfitRetirement>{{cite web|title=Retirement|url=https://www.metlife.com/brokers/retirement-and-benefit-planning/index.html|publisher=MetLife|access-date=November 20, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033332/https://www.metlife.com/brokers/retirement-and-benefit-planning/index.html|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref> The MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning is a group of planners which serve families and individuals with special needs.<ref name=SpecialNeeds>{{cite journal|title=Insurer Launches Special Needs Planning Center|journal=National Underwriter Life & Health/Financial Services|date=March 2010}}</ref> In 2014, MetLife launched MetLife Defender, a digital [[identity theft]] protection product.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metlifedefender.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427153513/https://www.metlifedefender.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 27, 2014|title=Identity Theft Protection – MetLife Defender|work=MetLife Defender|access-date=June 17, 2015}}</ref>

== Corporate structure ==
{{Update|section|date = December 2015}}

{{As of|2010|post=, MetLife was "organized into five segments: Insurance Products, Retirement Products," the US Business (including Auto & Home and Corporate Benefit Funding), and International.}}<ref name="Disability10K" />  The Insurance Products division was the largest unit, accounting for 53% of 2009 revenue.<ref name="MexEng_103" />  By 2015, a division referred to as "Americas" had emerged.<ref name=":0" />

=== Corporate governance ===
{{As of|2019|May|post=, MetLife's chief executive officer was Michel A. Khalaf and its non-executive chairman of the board was [[Glenn Hubbard (economist)|Glenn Hubbard]].}}<ref>{{cite web|title=MetLife (MET) Announces Michel A. Khalaf to Succeed Steven A. Kandarian as President & CEO|url=https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/MetLife+%28MET%29+Announces+Michel+A.+Khalaf+to+Succeed+Steven+A.+Kandarian+as+President+%26+CEO/14985674.html|publisher=Street Insider|date=January 8, 2019|access-date=January 8, 2019}}</ref>

MetLife has a [[compensation committee]] which establishes remuneration for the company's senior executives, and emphasizes variable performance-based compensation over fixed pay rates.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-ceo-kandarian-got-15-2-million-pay-package-for-2014-1425651258|title = MetLife CEO Got $15.2 Million Pay Package for 2014|last = Scism|first = Leslie|date = March 6, 2015|work = [[Wall Str. J.|The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date = December 16, 2015|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222120904/http://www.wsj.com/articles/metlife-ceo-kandarian-got-15-2-million-pay-package-for-2014-1425651258|archive-date = December 22, 2015}}</ref>

{{As of|2023|December|post=, the [[board of directors]] of MetLife included:<ref>{{cite news  |title=Company Info MetLife Inc.|url=https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/MET/company-people|work=The Wall Street Journal | date=February 27, 2023|access-date=April 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metlife.com/about-us/corporate-governance/board-of-directors/ |title=Board of Directors |publisher=MetLife |access-date=April 11, 2023 }}</ref>
* [[Glenn Hubbard (economist)|Glenn Hubbard]] – Non-executive chairman
* Michel A. Khalaf – [[chief executive officer|CEO]], president and director
* John D. McCallion – [[Chief financial officer|CFO]] and [[Executive vice president|EVP]]
* Mark Alan Weinberger – Independent director
* Bill Pappas – EVP, Global technology & operations}}

=== Subsidiary and affiliate companies ===
MetLife subsidiaries and affiliates have included MetLife Investors, MetLife Bank, MetLife Securities, Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, General American, MetLife Legal Plans, MetLife Resources, New England Financial, Walnut Street Securities, Inc., Safeguard Health Enterprises, Inc., and Tower Square Securities, Inc., Cigna.<ref name="HyattLegal">{{cite news |last=Levy |first=Douglas |date=June 21, 2010 |title=Prepaid Legal Plans Help Bolster Attorney's Practices |newspaper=Michigan Lawyers Weekly}}</ref><ref name="MetLifeInvestorsTwo">{{cite news|title=MetLife Hires Bank Distributors|newspaper=American Banker|date=August 24, 2007}}</ref><ref name="MetLifeBankHistory">{{cite news|last=Considine|first=Bob|title=MetLife Bank Enjoys 5 Years in Bridgewater: Banking on Success|newspaper=Courier News|date=September 20, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Securities">{{cite web|title=MetLife Securities|url=https://msi.metlife.com/wps/portal/public/signin|publisher=MetLife|access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Fortune">{{cite journal|last=Galentine|first=Elizabeth|title=Bread and Butter Products Help Vendors Outlast Recession|journal=Employee Benefit News Insurance|date=March 24, 2010|url=http://ebn.benefitnews.com/news/bread-and-butter-products-help-vendors-outlast-recession-2683249-1.html|access-date=March 15, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725050839/http://ebn.benefitnews.com/news/bread-and-butter-products-help-vendors-outlast-recession-2683249-1.html|archive-date=July 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Conneticut">{{cite press release|title=MetLife Resources Introduces Enhanced 403(b) Product|url=http://www.insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?n=1&neID=20080731290.2_86eb01bcff7e6e39|publisher=Business Wire|date=July 31, 2008|access-date=September 10, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719100122/http://www.insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?n=1&neID=20080731290.2_86eb01bcff7e6e39|archive-date=July 19, 2011}}</ref><ref name="GeneralAmerican">{{cite news|last=Lazarus|first=David|title=MetLife Spreads It Around|url=https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/MetLife-spreads-it-around-2789970.php|access-date=March 15, 2011|newspaper=The San Francisco Chronicle|date=February 27, 2004|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130208182748/http://articles.sfgate.com/2004-02-27/business/17413765_1_privacy-policy-metlife-customer-information|archive-date=February 8, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Safeguard">{{cite press release|title=MetLife Completes Acquisition of SafeGuard|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080201005847/en/MetLife-Completes-Acquisition-SafeGuard|publisher=Business Wire|date=February 1, 2008|access-date=September 10, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002161023/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080201005847/en/MetLife-Completes-Acquisition-SafeGuard|archive-date=October 2, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Three">{{cite news|last=Ackermann|first=Matt|title=MetLife Platform Extends Advice to the Mass Affluent|newspaper=American Banker|date=August 28, 2009}}
</ref>

The subsidiary MetLife Insurance Company USA, {{as of|2015|lc=y|post=, headquartered in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], was formerly known as MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut, and prior to this as [[Travelers Insurance Company]].}}<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-435904678.html|title = Metlife Insurance Co USA Files SEC Form D, Notice of Exempt Offering of Securities (Nov. 17, 2015)|last = Staff|date = December 4, 2015|work = Insurance Weekly News|access-date = December 20, 2015|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160108112718/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-435904678.html|archive-date = January 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = SEC FORM D|url = https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/733076/000093783415000070/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml|website = EDGAR|access-date = December 20, 2015|publisher = US SEC|date = November 17, 2015|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222114814/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/733076/000093783415000070/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml|archive-date = December 22, 2015}}</ref>

MetLife Bank was sold to [[GE Capital]] in 2013, and MetLife exited the banking business.<ref>{{cite news
 |url         = https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2013-jan-14-la-fi-mo-metlife-ge-capital-bank-deposits-20130114-story.html
 |work   = Los Angeles Times
 |date        = January 14, 2013
 |title       = MetLife gets out of banking business, sells deposits to GE Capital
 |author      = Puzzanghera. Jim
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20130914222619/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jan/14/business/la-fi-mo-metlife-ge-capital-bank-deposits-20130114
 |archive-date = September 14, 2013
}}</ref>

Metlife in partnership with [[Tishman Realty & Construction]] co-owns the [[Walt Disney World]] [[Walt Disney World Swan|Swan]] and [[Walt Disney World Dolphin|Dolphin]] resort in [[Lake Buena Vista, Florida]]. The land on which the hotels are located on is owned by [[The Walt Disney Company]] and is leased to Metlife and Tishman (which owns the buildings) and operated by [[Marriott International]] as a [[Westin Hotels & Resorts|Westin]] hotel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swandolphinmedia.com/facts.html|title=Fast Facts – Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin – Media Site|website=www.swandolphinmedia.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024051920/http://swandolphinmedia.com/facts.html|archive-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref>

== International presence ==
Outside of the United States, MetLife operates in Latin America, Europe, Asia's Pacific region, and the Middle East, with leading market positions in Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh and Chile.<ref name="AlicoInternational_10"/><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Priyam |date=2024-03-01 |title=Bangladesh's Insurance Landscape: Progress and Prospects |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/national-insurance-day-2024/news/bangladeshs-insurance-landscape-progress-and-prospects-3556131 |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref>

On March 8, 2010, MetLife announced its intent to purchase the international leader life-insurance business, American Life Insurance Company (Alico), from [[American International Group]] (AIG). MetLife, which completed the deal on November 1, 2010, paid approximately $7.2 billion in cash and $9.0 billion in MetLife equity and other securities.<ref name=SalePrice>{{cite web|title=MetLife completes Alico acquisition in USD16bn cash-and-stock deal|url=http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/aig_met_metlife-completes-alico-acquisition-in-usd16bn-cash-and-stock-deal-1271316.html|access-date=March 15, 2011}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=GlobalWall>{{cite news|last=Scism|first=Leslie|title=MetLife 's CEO Completes His Quest – Flush With Capital During The Crisis, the Insurer Had Its Pick of Deals, but Settled on Alico|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=March 9, 2010}}</ref> The securities portion of the deal consisted of 78.2 million shares of MetLife common stock, 6.9 million shares of contingent convertible preferred stock and 40 million equity units.<ref name=ALICOSTATS>{{cite press release|title=MetLife to Acquire American Life Insurance Company from American International Group for Approximately $15.5 Billion|url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/10906032/1/metlife-completes-acquisition-of-american-life-insurance-company.html|publisher=Business Wire|date=November 1, 2010|access-date=March 15, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717035234/http://www.thestreet.com/story/10906032/1/metlife-completes-acquisition-of-american-life-insurance-company.html|archive-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref> The values of the common and preferred stock were based on the closing price of MetLife's common stock on October 29.<ref name=ALICOSTATS/>  Upon completion of the purchase, MetLife became a leading competitor in Japan, the world's second-largest life insurance market, and moved into a top 5 market position in many high growth emerging markets in [[Central Europe|Central]] and Eastern Europe, such as [[Romania]], [[the Middle East]] and Latin America.<ref name="ALICOSTATS" /> The deal added 20 million customers to MetLife's 70 million and according to ''Barron's'' more than doubled the percentage of operating profits that MetLife gets abroad to 40%.<ref name=MexEng_103/>

In [[India]] MetLife has an affiliate company ''India Insurance Company Limited (MetLife)'' which has operated in India since 2001.  This company has its headquarters in Bangalore and Gurgaon and was jointly owned by MetLife and a few local Indian financial companies.  In 2012 an agreement was made with local Indian bank, the [[Punjab National Bank]] to establish a strategic alliance and for it to take a 30% share in MetLife India.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/punjab-national-bank-acquires-30--stake-in-metlife-company-to-be-rebranded/1054584 |title=Punjab National Bank acquires 30% stake in Metlife, company to be re-branded |publisher=The Indian Express|date=January 4, 2013}}</ref>  The state owned bank would in return sell MetLife insurance products in its branches

{{As of|2015|post=, Julio Garcia-Villalon leads the Middle East & Africa regional business, which is headquartered in the [[Dubai International Financial Centre]] and has operated in the region since the 1950s.}}<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-436352668.html|title = MetLife Middle East & Africa Wins Life Insurance Company of the Year Award|last = Staff|date = December 3, 2015|work = Global Banking News|access-date = December 20, 2015|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160210105309/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-436352668.html|archive-date = February 10, 2016}}</ref>

MetLife has been operating in [[Bangladesh]] since 1952.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us {{!}} MetLife Insurance Bangladesh |url=https://www.metlife.com.bd/about-us-updated/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=MetLife |language=bn}}</ref> It is currently the leading life insurer and has been since 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who We Are {{!}} MetLife Insurance Bangladesh |url=https://www.metlife.com.bd/about-us-updated/who-we-are/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=MetLife |language=bn}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> MetLife Bangladesh is headquartered at the [[Motijheel Commercial Area]], the main [[Central business district|CBD]] of [[Dhaka]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact Us {{!}} MetLife Bangladesh |url=https://www.metlife.com.bd/contact-us/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=MetLife |language=bn}}</ref>

== MetLife Foundation ==
MetLife Foundation is MetLife's independent charitable and [[grant (money)|grant-awarding]] [[Foundation (nonprofit)|foundation]]. It was founded in 1976<ref name=Peralta15>{{cite news |title=MetLife Foundations donates $100,000 for women's leadership program at UNCC |author=Katherine Peralta |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article9282494.html |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=January 27, 2015 |access-date=May 15, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803065236/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article9282494.html |archive-date=August 3, 2015 }}</ref> and had provided over $650 million in grants by January 2015.<ref name=Peralta15/> The foundation has partnered with and donated to a variety of organizations, including [[Habitat for Humanity]] since 2010<ref name=Amedro08>{{cite news |title=New home means new life for family; Residents of the newly completed Habitat for Humanity home put in sweat equity to qualify for it. |author=Kimberly Amedro |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-16950838.html |work=Dayton Daily News |date=August 1, 2008 |access-date=May 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108112719/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-16950838.html |archive-date=January 8, 2016 }}</ref> and the [[Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial|Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation]] since 2008.<ref name=Curry11>{{cite news |title=Money and the MLK Memorial |author=George E. Curry |url=http://www.stlamerican.com/business/local_business/article_8d0eddfe-ce9a-11e0-b1a0-001cc4c002e0.html |work=The St. Louis American |date=August 25, 2011 |access-date=May 26, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511011222/http://www.stlamerican.com/business/local_business/article_8d0eddfe-ce9a-11e0-b1a0-001cc4c002e0.html |archive-date=May 11, 2018 }}</ref><ref name=Memorial08>{{cite news |title=MetLife raises cash for MLK Memorial |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/02/25/daily50.html |work=BizJournals |date=February 25, 2008 |access-date=June 11, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303155329/http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/02/25/daily50.html |archive-date=March 3, 2008 }}</ref> In 2013, the MetLife Foundation announced a new focus on [[financial inclusion]],<ref name=MFFI>{{cite web|url=https://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-responsibility/metlife-foundation/mission-and-vision/index.html|title=MetLife Foundation Mission and Vision|publisher=MetLife|access-date=May 28, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906154008/https://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-responsibility/metlife-foundation/mission-and-vision/index.html|archive-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref> including educational programs on basic financial planning for disadvantaged children<ref name=Kashmir14>{{cite news |title=Rather Launches JK Bank-PNB Metlife Joint Initiative For Children |url=http://www.kashmirobserver.net/news/local-news/rather-launches-jk-bank-pnb-metlife-joint-initiative-children |work=Kashmir Observer |date=August 7, 2014 |access-date=May 28, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925134614/http://www.kashmirobserver.net/news/local-news/rather-launches-jk-bank-pnb-metlife-joint-initiative-children |archive-date=September 25, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=ECT15>{{cite news |title=US NGO partners with MetLife to provide microfinance in UP |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-03-12/news/60048176_1_metlife-india-microfinance-inclusion |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516074621/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-03-12/news/60048176_1_metlife-india-microfinance-inclusion |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 16, 2015 |work= The Economic Times |date=March 12, 2015 |access-date=May 28, 2015}}</ref> and financial services aimed at low-income communities.<ref name="ECT15"/><ref name=Moses15>{{cite news |title=A Foundation and Newspaper Team Up in a Global Push for Financial Inclusion |author=Sue-Lynn Moses |url=http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2015/3/25/a-foundation-and-newspaper-team-up-in-a-global-push-for-fina.html |work=Inside Philanthropy |date=March 25, 2015 |access-date=May 28, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327224459/http://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2015/3/25/a-foundation-and-newspaper-team-up-in-a-global-push-for-fina.html |archive-date=March 27, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=Cook15>{{cite news |title=Baby Steps Toward Home Ownership |author=Nancy Cook |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/next-economy/solutions-bank/baby-steps-toward-home-ownership-20150220 |work=The National Journal |date=February 20, 2015 |access-date=May 28, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601080936/http://www.nationaljournal.com/next-economy/solutions-bank/baby-steps-toward-home-ownership-20150220 |archive-date=June 1, 2015 }}</ref> According to the [[OECD]], MetLife Foundation's financing for 2019 development increased by 20% to US$14 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/2dcf1367-en/1/3/3/26/index.html?itemId=/content/publication/2dcf1367-en&_csp_=177392f5df53d89c9678d0628e39a2c2&itemIGO=oecd&itemContentType=book|title=MetLife Foundation &#124; Development Co-operation Profiles – MetLife Foundation &#124; OECD iLibrary |date=June 16, 2024 }}</ref>

==Relationship with ''Peanuts''==
MetLife's use of comic strip characters since the mid 1980s, according to [[chief marketing officer]] Esther Lee, was intended "to make our company more friendly and approachable during a time when insurance companies were seen as cold and distant."<ref name=retools/>

MetLife licensed [[Snoopy]] and other ''[[Peanuts]]'' characters for promotional purposes from the [[Iconix Brand Group]], which owns the promotional rights to the works of [[Charles M. Schulz]]. In 2010, Iconix formed a joint venture with Schulz's heirs (as Charles Schulz himself died in 2000), buying out [[E. W. Scripps Company|E. W. Scripps]] Co. and [[United Features Syndicate]] for $175 million. MetLife was reported to pay $12 million per year to Iconix for licensing rights.<ref name="forbescb">{{cite news
 |url         = https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2013/10/30/youre-an-old-brand-charlie-brown-the-80m-business-of-peanuts-needs-a-turnaround/
 |work   = Forbes
 |date        = October 30, 2013
 |title       = You're An Old Brand, Charlie Brown: The $80M Business Of Peanuts Needs A Turnaround
 |author      = Brown, Abram
 |url-status     = live
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20171214084023/https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2013/10/30/youre-an-old-brand-charlie-brown-the-80m-business-of-peanuts-needs-a-turnaround/
 |archive-date = December 14, 2017
}}</ref> Prior to the Iconix deal, MetLife had licensed the characters from other rights-holders.

The Peanuts-based campaign was developed by the advertising agency [[Young & Rubicam]].  MetLife also has used [[Foote Cone & Belding]] to develop Peanuts-related promotions.<ref name=Campaign1>{{cite news|last=Elliot|first=Stuart|title=Young & Rubicam holds onto a MetLife account amid a flurry of change and consolidation|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/20/business/media-business-advertising-young-rubicam-holds-onto-metlife-account-amid-flurry.html|access-date=March 23, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 20, 2000|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412192551/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/20/business/media-business-advertising-young-rubicam-holds-onto-metlife-account-amid-flurry.html|archive-date=April 12, 2009}}</ref><ref name=Campaign2>{{cite news|last=Elliot|first=Stuart|title=Woodstock and Snoopy Answer Life's What-Ifs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/21/business/media/21adco.html|access-date=March 23, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 21, 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109042003/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/21/business/media/21adco.html|archive-date=November 9, 2011}}</ref>

MetLife announced the end of its 31-year relationship with ''[[Peanuts]]'' on October 20, 2016. This decision resulted from the company's sale of its life insurance business to concentrate on corporate clients.<ref name=retools>{{cite news|url=http://www.journalnow.com/business/snoopy-and-peanuts-gang-are-cut-loose-by-metlife-as/article_d6ceb15e-96e4-11e6-a5f0-630e4a29c7c9.html|title=Snoopy and Peanuts gang are cut loose by MetLife as it retools business|agency=[[Associated Press]]|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|date=October 20, 2016|access-date=October 20, 2016}}</ref> MetLife's new blue and green logo was criticized for being a knock-off of comparison website Diffen.<ref name="campaignus">{{cite news|last1=Liffreing|first1=Ilyse|title=Coincidence or theft? MetLife's new logo is nearly identical to Diffen's|url=http://www.campaignlive.com/article/coincidence-theft-metlifes-new-logo-nearly-identical-diffens/1414205|access-date=November 3, 2016|publisher=Campaign US|date=November 1, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104020624/http://www.campaignlive.com/article/coincidence-theft-metlifes-new-logo-nearly-identical-diffens/1414205|archive-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name="nypostlogo">{{cite news|last1=Dugan|first1=Kevin|title=MetLife's new logo looks awfully familiar|url=https://nypost.com/2016/11/02/metlifes-new-logo-looks-awfully-familiar/|access-date=November 3, 2016|publisher=New York Post|date=November 2, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104033943/http://nypost.com/2016/11/02/metlifes-new-logo-looks-awfully-familiar/|archive-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>

MetLife brought Snoopy back in 2023, as mascot for the new MetLife Pet Insurance division.<ref>{{Cite web |title=METLIFE PET INSURANCE HAS A NEW TOP DOG: SNOOPY |url=https://metlife-prod-2019.adobecqms.net/about-us/newsroom/2023/january/metlife-pet-insurance-has-a-new-top-dog--snoopy/ |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=MetLife |language=en}}</ref>

==Blimp and sports sponsorship==
[[Image:Metlife snoopy two blimp.jpg|right|thumb|The Metlife 'Snoopy Two' blimp]]

The MetLife blimp program began in 1987 with the "Snoopy 1" airship and, in 1994, expanded to include the "Snoopy 2" airship.<ref name=BlimpsOrigin>{{cite news|last=Shine|first=Dan|title=The Love Float|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|date=December 29, 1994}}</ref> The program provided aerial coverage to over 80 major sporting events every year and became the official aerial coverage provider of the PGA Tour.<ref name=PGATour>{{cite journal|title=MetLife Joins Forces with Believe In Tomorrow Children's Foundation|journal=Wireless News|date=August 2010}}</ref> "Snoopy 1" and "Snoopy 2" also provided overhead television coverage for the [[NFL]], [[CBS]] College Football, the [[LPGA]], the [[NBA Finals]], [[Copa Chile]], the [[Preakness Stakes]], and the [[Kentucky Derby]].<ref name=PGATour/><ref name=Horses>{{cite journal|title=MetLife Inflates Blimp Fleet|journal=National Underwriter|date=August 2007|page=7}}</ref> When MetLife ended their ‘’Peanuts’’ branding, they also brought the blimp program to a close.<ref name=PGAended>{{cite web|url= https://www.golfdigest.com/story/why-you-wont-be-seeing-the-metlife-snoopy-blimps-at-pga-tour-events-anymore|date=October 20, 2016|title=Why you won't be seeing the MetLife "Snoopy" blimps at PGA Tour events anymore |work=Golf Digest }}</ref>

<ref name=SportingLife>{{cite press release|title=MetLife to Be the First Major Marketing Partner of the New Meadowlands Stadium in NJ|url=http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=68077|publisher=Web Wire|date=June 17, 2008|access-date=August 24, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307223902/http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=68077|archive-date=March 7, 2012}}</ref><ref name=CBSFootball>{{cite web|url=https://www.metlife.com/about/advertising/MetLife-blimp/schedule/index.html|title=Blimp Schedule|publisher=MetLife|access-date=November 20, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033346/https://www.metlife.com/about/advertising/MetLife-blimp/schedule/index.html|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref> On August 23, 2011, MetLife agreed to a 25-year sponsorship deal to rename New Meadowlands Stadium in [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]], home of the NFL's [[New York Giants]] and [[New York Jets]] to [[MetLife Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |title=MetLife announces it has bought the naming rights to New Meadowlands Stadium for 25 years |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/metlife-announces-it-has-bought-the-naming-rights-to-new-meadowlands-stadium-for-25-years/2011/08/23/gIQA9cJ8YJ_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |agency=Associated Press |date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=August 23, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>  On January 16, 2017, MetLife agreed to a five-year sponsorship to rename Seibu Dome in [[Tokorozawa, Saitama|Tokorozawa]], [[Saitama Prefecture]] in Japan as the [[MetLife Dome]].

From 2014 to 2017, MetLife was the title sponsor of the [[BWF Super Series]] badminton tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1017517/metlife-announced-as-title-sponsor-for-bwf-world-superseries-in-four-year-deal|title=MetLife announced as title sponsor for BWF World Superseries|date=December 18, 2013 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030628/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1017517/metlife-announced-as-title-sponsor-for-bwf-world-superseries-in-four-year-deal|archive-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref>

==Weight and longevity data==
In 1959, The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (as it was known at the time) released tables of the best weight for each height for longevity, based on their collected insurance data. These tables showed what were characterized as “desirable weights”. In 1983, the company released tables showing the “ideal” weights for greatest longevity; this information was based on data collected in the Build Study of 1979 collected by the [[Society of Actuaries]]. This data followed patients for 18 years (1954–1972) and was collected from 25 life insurance companies in Canada and the United States, representing 4.2 million people. These “ideal” weights were higher than the prior “desirable” weights, this was attributed to an increase in muscle mass due to improved fitness levels among the population.

This study is still the largest available pool of data for this purpose. It was noticed that the average weights in the population are higher than the ideal weights for survival. The ‘’’Metropolitan Tables’’’ included ‘’small’’, ‘’medium’’ and ‘’large’’ frames, based on elbow-girth measured using calipers, as the elbows do not develop adipose tissue. They presented weight ranges for height, sex and body frame (again associated with the lowest mortality) The midpoint of the ideal weight for the medium frames for each height was selected as the “ideal” weight used for calculations of “excess weight” (initial weight minus ideal weight). This led to a formula to calculate the ideal weight used by [[bariatrics|bariatric]] surgeons, but it had lost considerable accuracy by 2007, again due to improvements in medical care and in public health.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Deital |first=Mervyn |display-authors=etal |date=May 18, 2007 |title=Reporting Weight Loss 2007 |journal=Obesity Surgery |volume=17 |issue=5 |pages=565–568|doi=10.1007/s11695-007-9116-0 |pmid=17658011  |s2cid=6926558 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|New York City|Companies}}
* [[List of United States insurance companies]]
* [[Park La Brea, Los Angeles, California]]
* [[Park Merced, San Francisco, California]]
* [[Parkfairfax, Virginia]]
* [[Parkchester, Bronx]]
* [[Riverton Houses]]
* [[Stuyvesant Town–Peter Cooper Village]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Archives and records==
* [http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HBS.Baker.EAD:bak00219 New England Mutual Life Insurance Company records] at Baker Library Special Collections, Harvard Business School.

{{Finance links
| name = MetLife
| symbol = MET
| sec_cik = 1099219
| yahoo = MET
| google = MET
| stockrow = MET
}}
{{MetLife|state=autocollapse}}{{Major insurance companies}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Metlife}}
[[Category:MetLife| ]]
[[Category:Life insurance companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Financial services companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:Insurance companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:Multinational companies based in New York City]]
[[Category:Former mutual insurance companies]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1868]]
[[Category:Financial services companies established in 1868]]
[[Category:1868 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:2000 initial public offerings]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Mutual insurance companies of the United States]]