MetLIfe Launches GMAB For Variable Annuities; New living benefit in MetLife's suite of optional benefits

Business Wire, Nov 21, 2005

NEW YORK -- MetLife, the second largest provider of variable annuities, today introduced a new living benefit rider to its suite of optional benefits for its variable annuities. The Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefit (GMAB) is available with most MetLife deferred variable annuities offered through the company's agency and independent distribution channels.

"Many people nearing retirement are more conservative about investing in equity markets because they are concerned about potential loss of value, but realize equity and bond markets have the potential to generate returns greater than inflation," said Lisa Kuklinski, vice president, Individual Annuities, MetLife. "At MetLife, we designed the GMAB with those concerns in mind, to provide downside protection, but also a minimum guaranteed value."

"MetLife's GMAB has three asset allocation investment options designed to diversify a person's assets automatically, thereby helping to reduce the risk of investing," added Elizabeth M. Forget, chief marketing officer, MetLife Investors, which offers MetLife's variable annuities and other investment products through third party intermediaries including brokerages, independent planners, banks and other financial institutions. "Plus, each of the three options were intended to allow a customer to benefit from market gains, and potentially contribute value to their nest egg above and beyond the minimum guarantee."

A variable annuity is a long-term investment vehicle designed specifically for retirement and may fit into a customer's overall retirement strategy. Customers should keep in mind that variable annuities contain both investment and insurance features, and they will pay certain fees, including an annual asset-based insurance charge. Customers will pay investment management fees and expenses for the amounts they invest in the eligible investment choices, and will pay ordinary income tax on taxable amounts they withdraw. Withdrawals taken before age 59 1/2 may incur an additional 10% Federal income tax penalty on income withdrawn. Withdrawals may be subject to withdrawal charges, and will reduce their contract value and death benefit.

The new GMAB option guarantees that, on the 10 year contract anniversary, the contract's account value will be greater than or equal to the Guaranteed Accumulation Amount, which is 110% to 130% of the initial purchase payments made within 120 days of the contract issue, less withdrawals on a proportionate basis and withdrawal charges. The amount of the guaranteed value depends on which of the three available asset allocation investment options the customer elects to direct his or her purchase payments. At the end of the 10 year period, if the contract value is higher than the guaranteed amount under the GMAB rider, the customer receives the higher amount and the customer would have paid for the GMAB benefit without it ever being used.

In each case, the GMAB rider terminates after 10 years and the owner can then choose to annuitize, reallocate the contract value into other available funding and investment options within the variable annuity, or select a systematic or lump sum withdrawal. Until the 10 year contract anniversary, the Guaranteed Accumulation Amount does not guarantee a cash or account balance and is not available as a lump sum withdrawal. Therefore, the surrender of the annuity prior to the GMAB maturity date could result in the loss to the investor to the extent that the surrender charges apply and/or the contract has lost value to market conditions and fund performance.

How to elect the GMAB

GMAB may only be elected at the time a person purchases a deferred variable annuity from one of the MetLife family of companies. The election decision is revocable during a 90-day window after the 5 year contract anniversary. The guarantee only applies to the value of purchase payments made within the first 120 days. The customer must choose one of three MetLife asset allocation investment options. The guarantee will provide a minimum value of the purchase payments made within the first 120 days equal to either 110%, 120% or 130%, depending on the asset allocation investment option selected.

A customer may select the Enhanced Dollar Cost Averaging (EDCA) program, which allows the individual to allocate amounts over a 6 or 12 month period from the EDCA guaranteed fixed account option to one of the three designated asset allocation investment options. Dollar-cost averaging cannot guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. This investment strategy involves continuous investment in securities, regardless of fluctuating prices and the investor should consider his or her financial ability to continue purchases through periods of low price levels.

The GMAB only takes into account purchase payments made within the first 120 days from contract issue, so it may not be appropriate for those customers who intend to make purchase payments after the 120 day period. Payments made after 120 days may have a significant impact on whether an amount may be paid under this benefit. MetLife reserves the right to limit the total of customer purchase payments within this 120 day time period to $1,000,000. It is also important to know that the GMAB may not be purchased with MetLife's Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit or the Guaranteed Withdrawal Benefit riders.