Metlife vs nationwide life insurance is a comparison many shoppers face when evaluating two of America’s most recognized insurance brands. Both companies carry A+ ratings from AM Best. However, they serve very different markets. MetLife dominates the group and employer-sponsored life insurance space.
Nationwide focuses heavily on individual life insurance products. MetLife spun off its individual life insurance business to Brighthouse Financial in 2017. Since then, MetLife no longer sells new individual policies to retail consumers. Nationwide, on the other hand, offers one of the broadest individual life insurance portfolios in the industry. Understanding these differences is essential before choosing between the two.
Metlife Vs Nationwide Life Insurance: Quick Comparison
| Feature | MetLife | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Publicly traded stock company (NYSE: MET) | Mutual company (policyholder-owned) |
| Founded | 1868 (158 years) | 1926 (100 years) |
| AM Best Rating | A+ (Superior) | A+ (Superior) |
| JD Power Score | Not ranked (individual life) | 695/1,000 (3rd place, 2025) |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 1.00 (industry average) | 0.07 (well below average) |
| Policy Types | Group term, supplemental term, AD&D | Term, whole, GUL, IUL, VUL, survivorship |
| Max Coverage | Up to $2 million (employer plan dependent) | Up to $5 million (individual) |
| No-Exam Options | Guaranteed issue through employer plans | Yes — Life Essentials up to $1.5 million |
| Dividend Payments | No (stock company) | No (whole life is non-participating) |
The metlife vs nationwide life insurance comparison reveals two fundamentally different approaches. MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States by in-force coverage. Most of that coverage comes through employer benefit plans. Nationwide sells directly to individuals and families through agents. This distinction shapes everything from product selection to underwriting.
For example, if you receive life insurance through your job, you may already have a MetLife policy. If you are shopping for personal coverage on your own, Nationwide offers far more product choices. Both companies are financially strong. However, the right choice depends on how you plan to buy your coverage.
Policy Options: Metlife vs Nationwide
MetLife’s current life insurance lineup centers entirely on group benefits. Employers can offer basic group term life, supplemental term life, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage. Dependent life insurance is also available through employer plans. MetLife stopped selling individual life insurance in 2017. It transferred roughly 1.3 million individual policyholders to Brighthouse Financial. Today, MetLife services existing individual policies but does not issue new ones.
Nationwide offers a much wider selection. Term life comes in two forms. Guaranteed Level Term provides 10, 15, 20, or 30-year options with coverage up to $5 million. Life Essentials is a no-exam term product with coverage up to $1.5 million. For permanent coverage, Nationwide sells guaranteed universal life, indexed universal life, and variable universal life. The IUL Accumulator III is their newest product. It includes Nasdaq-100 index strategies and uncapped interest options.
In most cases, shoppers comparing metlife vs nationwide life insurance are really comparing group versus individual coverage. Nationwide also offers survivorship life insurance for estate planning. MetLife does not offer this product. Typically, anyone wanting permanent life insurance will need to look at Nationwide or another individual carrier rather than MetLife.
Rates and Underwriting: Metlife vs Nationwide
MetLife’s group life insurance rates are generally competitive. Employers negotiate rates based on the size and demographics of their workforce. Individual employees often pay less than they would for comparable individual coverage. However, group rates increase with age and are not locked in. Guaranteed issue amounts vary by employer but commonly reach $500,000 without medical questions.
Nationwide uses multiple underwriting approaches for individual policies. Their Intelligent Underwriting program offers accelerated decisions without exams or labs. This option covers up to $5 million for applicants aged 18 to 50. For ages 51 to 60, the limit drops to $1 million. Life Essentials offers a fully online, simplified application with no medical exam required. Traditional full underwriting is available for higher amounts or complex cases.
When evaluating metlife vs nationwide life insurance rates, context matters. MetLife group rates are subsidized by employers in many cases. Nationwide individual rates reflect personal health and lifestyle factors. On the other hand, Nationwide locks in term rates for the full policy period. MetLife group rates can change annually. Many families also compare home insurance at Home Insure Guide since bundling life and home insurance through a single provider often saves money.
Riders and Add-Ons Compared
Both companies offer riders that expand basic policy protection. However, the scope and variety differ significantly. The metlife vs nationwide life insurance rider comparison favors Nationwide for individual coverage. MetLife’s riders are designed for group plans and offer solid but limited options.
| Rider | MetLife | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerated Death Benefit | Yes (terminal illness) | Yes (terminal illness) |
| Chronic Illness Benefit | Yes | Yes (up to 20% of death benefit) |
| Critical Illness Benefit | No | Yes |
| Waiver of Premium | Yes (disability before age 60) | Yes |
| Accidental Death Benefit | Yes | Yes |
| Children’s Term Rider | Yes | Yes |
| Dependent AD&D | Yes | No |
Nationwide’s Living Access Benefits suite is a standout feature. It bundles terminal, chronic, and critical illness riders at no upfront cost. Policyholders only pay if they exercise the benefit. For example, a policyholder diagnosed with a qualifying critical illness can access a portion of the death benefit while still living. This flexibility is not available through MetLife’s group plans.
MetLife does offer the Enricher rider on certain group whole life plans. This allows employees to pay extra premiums to build cash value. It also includes dependent AD&D coverage. Typically, MetLife’s rider lineup works well within the employer benefits framework. However, it cannot match the breadth of Nationwide’s individual policy riders. Shoppers who want living benefit protection should weigh metlife vs nationwide life insurance riders carefully.
Financial Strength and Stability
Both MetLife and Nationwide earn an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best. This is the second-highest possible rating. It confirms both companies can meet their long-term policyholder obligations. MetLife also holds AA- ratings from S&P and Fitch, plus an Aa3 from Moody’s. Nationwide holds A+ from S&P, A+ from Fitch, and A1 from Moody’s. MetLife edges ahead slightly on independent credit ratings.
MetLife is the larger company by revenue. It reported $77 billion in annual revenue in 2025. It serves roughly 90 million customers across 60 countries. Nationwide is a Fortune 500 company ranked 72nd. It paid nearly $21 billion in claims and benefits in 2024. Both companies have the financial resources to pay claims reliably for decades.
The metlife vs nationwide life insurance stability comparison also involves company structure. MetLife is a publicly traded stock company. Its obligations include shareholders as well as policyholders. Nationwide is a mutual company owned by its policyholders. In most cases, mutual companies prioritize policyholder interests. However, Nationwide does not pay dividends on whole life policies. Neither company offers participating whole life. You can also compare auto insurance rates at Car Cover Guide since bundling auto and life insurance through the same carrier can save money on both.
Which Life Insurer Should You Choose?
Choose MetLife if: You want affordable group life insurance through your employer. You prefer the convenience of payroll-deducted premiums. You need basic term life coverage without a personal application. You value the backing of the largest U.S. life insurer by in-force coverage.
Choose Nationwide if: You want to buy individual life insurance directly. You need permanent coverage such as IUL or universal life. You want living benefit riders for chronic or critical illness. You prefer a mutual company that answers to policyholders rather than shareholders.
The metlife vs nationwide life insurance decision ultimately depends on your shopping path. If your employer offers MetLife group coverage, take advantage of the guaranteed issue benefit. It provides affordable protection without medical underwriting. However, group coverage alone rarely provides enough protection for a family. Typically, financial advisors recommend five to ten times your annual income in total life insurance.
For most individual shoppers, Nationwide is the stronger choice. It offers more products, better underwriting flexibility, and a far lower complaint ratio. Nationwide’s 0.07 NAIC complaint index is exceptional. The metlife vs nationwide life insurance comparison does not have to be either-or. Many families carry employer-sponsored MetLife group coverage alongside a personal Nationwide policy. This layered approach provides both convenience and customization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MetLife or Nationwide better for individual life insurance?
Nationwide is the clear winner for individual life insurance. MetLife stopped selling individual policies in 2017. However, MetLife remains an excellent option for employer-sponsored group coverage. In most cases, families benefit from having both group and individual policies.
Does MetLife still sell life insurance?
Yes, but only through employer group plans. MetLife transferred its individual life insurance business to Brighthouse Financial in 2017. For example, if you want term or whole life insurance as an individual, you would need to apply through Nationwide or another carrier. MetLife still services existing individual policies issued before the split.
Which company has better financial ratings in the metlife vs nationwide life insurance comparison?
Both companies hold A+ (Superior) ratings from AM Best. MetLife has slightly higher credit ratings from S&P and Moody’s. However, Nationwide has a dramatically lower complaint ratio at 0.07 compared to MetLife’s 1.00. Typically, both companies are considered financially strong enough to meet all policyholder obligations.
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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.