Metlife life insurance review searches have surged in recent years. That is because MetLife remains one of the largest insurance providers in the world. Founded in 1868 in New York City, MetLife has served customers for over 158 years. The company now operates in more than 60 countries. It serves approximately 90 million customers worldwide.
- MetLife Overview and Financial Strength
- Metlife Life Insurance Review: Policy Options
- MetLife Life Insurance Rates and Underwriting
- MetLife Available Riders and Add-Ons
- MetLife Claims Process and Customer Service
- Pros and Cons of MetLife Life Insurance
- Who Is MetLife Life Insurance Best For?
- Frequently Asked Questions
However, MetLife’s life insurance landscape changed dramatically in 2017. That year, MetLife spun off its individual retail life insurance business into Brighthouse Financial. As a result, MetLife now focuses primarily on group and employer-sponsored life insurance. This metlife life insurance review examines whether the company still deserves consideration for your coverage needs. We will explore its financial strength, policy options, rates, and customer satisfaction scores.
MetLife Overview and Financial Strength
MetLife, Inc. is a publicly traded company on the NYSE under the ticker MET. It generated approximately $76 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2025. The company employs around 46,000 people globally. MetLife holds some of the strongest financial ratings in the insurance industry. AM Best rates MetLife A+ with a stable outlook. That rating was most recently affirmed in April 2026. S&P assigns MetLife an AA- rating. Moody’s gives the company an Aa3 rating. These scores indicate a superior ability to meet policyholder obligations.
For this metlife life insurance review, we also examined complaint data. MetLife’s NAIC complaint index falls between 1.00 and 1.69. The national median is 1.00. This means MetLife receives a slightly above-average volume of complaints relative to its market share. In most cases, this range is not alarming. However, it does suggest room for improvement in customer experience.
| Rating Source | Score / Grade |
|---|---|
| AM Best Financial Strength | A+ (Superior), Stable Outlook |
| S&P Global | AA- |
| Moody’s | Aa3 |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 1.00–1.69 (median is 1.00) |
| BBB | Not Accredited |
| Trustpilot | 1.3 / 5 |
Metlife Life Insurance Review: Policy Options
Understanding MetLife’s current product lineup is essential. After the Brighthouse Financial spin-off, MetLife no longer actively markets individual whole life or universal life policies to retail consumers. Instead, MetLife’s strength lies in group and employer-sponsored coverage. For example, Basic Group Term Life offers death benefits from $10,000 to $2 million. Supplemental Term Life allows employees to purchase up to $500,000 in additional coverage. Dependent Term Life covers spouses, domestic partners, and children.
MetLife also offers permanent group products. Group Universal Life combines life insurance with tax-advantaged savings. Group Variable Universal Life adds investment options to the mix. Workplace Whole Life provides permanent coverage that complements basic group term plans. Typically, these products are available through employer benefits enrollment. MetLife also offers Voluntary Retiree Life insurance designed for workers transitioning into retirement.
On the individual side, this metlife life insurance review found limited options. MetLife still offers individual term life insurance. Coverage ranges from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Term lengths include 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years. However, individual permanent life policies are largely legacy products. MetLife services existing whole life and universal life contracts. It does not actively sell new ones to retail customers. As a result, consumers seeking individual permanent coverage should look elsewhere.
MetLife Life Insurance Rates and Underwriting
This metlife life insurance review found that MetLife’s group rates are generally competitive. Employer-sponsored plans often feature lower premiums than individual policies. That is because group underwriting spreads risk across many employees. In most cases, basic group term life requires no medical exam. Employees receive guaranteed coverage up to a certain amount. Supplemental coverage above the guaranteed issue limit may require evidence of insurability.
For individual term life insurance, MetLife uses standard underwriting practices. Applicants typically complete a health questionnaire. A medical exam may be required for higher coverage amounts. MetLife’s individual term rates are generally comparable to industry averages. However, MetLife is not known as a low-cost leader in the individual market. Companies like Haven Life and Banner Life often offer lower individual term premiums. MetLife’s strongest value proposition remains its group coverage pricing.
Rate factors include age, gender, health status, tobacco use, and coverage amount. MetLife uses multiple health class tiers for underwriting. Preferred Plus rates go to applicants in excellent health. Standard rates apply to those with moderate health conditions. Smokers and tobacco users typically pay significantly higher premiums. For example, a tobacco user may pay three to four times more than a non-smoker for the same coverage.
MetLife Available Riders and Add-Ons
Riders can enhance a basic life insurance policy. This metlife life insurance review identified several key riders available on MetLife policies. However, rider availability varies by product type and state. Group policies typically offer fewer customization options than individual plans.
| Rider | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal Illness Accelerated Death Benefit | Access a portion of death benefit if diagnosed with terminal illness (12 months or less to live). $150 processing fee applies. | Most policies |
| Long-Term Care Accelerated Death Benefit | Access death benefit if insured becomes chronically ill. Available on MetLife Promise Whole Life. | Select whole life policies |
| Waiver of Premium | Premiums waived if policyholder becomes totally disabled. | Select individual and group policies |
| Accidental Death and Dismemberment | Additional benefit paid for accidental death or qualifying injuries. | Group policies |
| Dependent Life Coverage | Extends coverage to spouse and children under the same group plan. | Group policies |
The Terminal Illness Accelerated Death Benefit rider comes at no extra premium cost. That makes it a valuable inclusion. However, activating it requires a physician’s statement. The Long-Term Care rider is particularly useful for retirement planning. Many families also compare home insurance at Home Insure Guide when reviewing their overall protection strategy. Bundling life and home insurance often leads to better household coverage.
MetLife Claims Process and Customer Service
Filing a life insurance claim with MetLife is straightforward. Beneficiaries can call 1-800-638-5000 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. MetLife provides claim kits for individual beneficiaries and for trusts or entities. Required documents include a completed claim form and a certified death certificate. Claims can be submitted by mail, fax, email, or online.
This metlife life insurance review found that MetLife typically processes claims within five business days. Payment options include a MetLife Total Control Account or a check via USPS. The Total Control Account is an interest-bearing account. It gives beneficiaries flexible access to funds. However, customer satisfaction with MetLife’s service is mixed. MetLife does not appear in the 2025 JD Power U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study. Its Trustpilot rating sits at just 1.3 out of 5 stars.
MetLife’s BBB profile also raises concerns. The company is not BBB accredited. The BBB reports high complaint volume. In fact, the BBB only publishes one out of every five complaints due to sheer volume. In 2014, MetLife paid $60 million for insurance law violations. As a result, consumers should weigh these customer service factors carefully. Many people who compare auto insurance rates at Car Cover Guide also bundle auto and life insurance through the same carrier to save money and simplify claims.
Pros and Cons of MetLife Life Insurance
Pros:
- Exceptional financial strength with an AM Best A+ rating and AA- from S&P
- Extensive group and employer-sponsored life insurance options with coverage up to $2 million
- No medical exam required for basic group term life coverage
- Terminal Illness Accelerated Death Benefit rider included at no extra cost
- Over 158 years of industry experience and global presence in 60+ countries
Cons:
- Very limited individual life insurance options after the Brighthouse Financial spin-off
- Poor customer satisfaction scores on Trustpilot (1.3 out of 5) and no BBB accreditation
- NAIC complaint index slightly above the national median
- Individual permanent life insurance products are no longer actively sold to new customers
Who Is MetLife Life Insurance Best For?
This metlife life insurance review concludes that MetLife is best for employees seeking group coverage. If your employer offers MetLife benefits, the group term life options are strong. Coverage amounts are generous. Premiums are typically subsidized. No medical exam is needed for basic coverage. MetLife’s financial strength ensures your beneficiaries will receive their benefits.
MetLife is also a solid choice for retirees transitioning from employer coverage. The Voluntary Retiree Life product fills an important gap. Employees who want permanent coverage alongside group term can consider Workplace Whole Life. However, MetLife is not the best choice for individual life insurance shoppers. Consumers seeking individual term, whole life, or universal life policies will find better options elsewhere. Companies like Northwestern Mutual, New York Life, and State Farm offer broader individual product lines.
In summary, this metlife life insurance review recommends MetLife primarily for workplace benefits. Its group coverage is competitive, flexible, and backed by top-tier financial ratings. For individual coverage, however, shoppers should compare quotes from carriers that specialize in the retail market. Typically, the best approach is to maximize your employer-sponsored MetLife coverage. Then supplement it with an individual policy from another carrier if needed. That strategy gives you the best of both worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MetLife still sell individual life insurance policies?
MetLife offers limited individual term life insurance with coverage up to $1,000,000. However, it spun off most individual permanent life products to Brighthouse Financial in 2017. As a result, consumers seeking whole life or universal life should look at other carriers.
Is MetLife life insurance financially stable?
Yes. MetLife holds an A+ rating from AM Best and an AA- from S&P Global. These are among the highest ratings in the insurance industry. In most cases, this metlife life insurance review found no concerns about MetLife’s ability to pay claims.
How much group life insurance can I get through MetLife?
MetLife Basic Group Term Life offers coverage from $10,000 to $2 million. Supplemental coverage provides up to $500,000 in additional employee-paid benefits. Typically, your employer determines the specific amounts available during open enrollment. This metlife life insurance review recommends reviewing your benefits package carefully each year.
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Official Sources & Resources
For verified information on life insurance ratings and regulations:
- AM Best (Financial Strength Ratings): ambest.com
- NAIC (Complaint Ratios): naic.org
- ACLI (American Council of Life Insurers): acli.com
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
- J.D. Power (Customer Satisfaction): jdpower.com
Content last reviewed April 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.