Form 497VPI PARAGON SEPARATE ACCOUNT
April 27,
2026
Summary Prospectus For New Investors In Group Variable Universal Life
Insurance Policies And Certificates (Metflex GVUL C)
Issued by Paragon
Separate Account B of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
This Summary Prospectus summarizes key features of group variable universal life insurance policies (the “Group Policies”) and the certificates issued under the Group Policies (the
“Certificates”) of Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company (“Metropolitan Life,” “MetLife,” “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company”).
Before you invest, you should also review the Prospectus for the Certificates which contains more information about the Certificates’ features, benefits, and risks. You can find this document and other information
about the Certificates online at dfinview.com/metlife/PUFT/MET000249. You can also obtain this information at no cost by calling (800) 756-0124 or by sending an email
request to [email protected].
You may cancel your
Certificate generally within 20 days (or such longer period as state law requires) of your
receipt of the Certificate or, if later, 45 days after you sign the application for coverage. You may return the
Certificate during this period for a refund. We will refund an amount equal to all premiums paid under the Certificate. You should review this Prospectus, or consult with your investment professional, for additional
information about the specific cancellation terms that apply.
Additional information about certain investment products, including variable life insurance contracts, has been prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s staff and is available
at Investor.gov.
Interests in the Separate Account, the Portfolios and the Fixed
Account are not deposits or obligations of, or insured or guaranteed by, the U.S. Government, any bank or other depository institution including the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the Federal Reserve Board or any other agency or entity or person. MetLife’s obligations under the Certificate are subject to its financial strength and claims-paying ability.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved the Certificate or determined that this Prospectus is adequate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU SHOULD CONSIDER ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE
| |
FEES AND EXPENSES |
LOCATION IN
PROSPECTUS | ||
| Charges for Early
Withdrawals |
None |
— | ||
| Transaction Charges |
You may be subject to transaction charges if you surrender your
Certificate or make a partial withdrawal. You also may be charged for other transactions, such as when you make a premium payment,
transfer Cash Value between investment options, or exercise your
Accelerated Benefits Rider. |
Charges and
Deductions —
Transaction Charges | ||
| Ongoing Fees and
Expenses
(annual charges) |
In addition to charges described above, an investment in the
Certificate is subject to certain ongoing fees and expenses, including a mortality and expense risk charge and a monthly deduction covering the cost of insurance under the Certificate, a monthly administrative charge and charges for optional benefits added by
rider. Such fees and expenses are set based on characteristics of the
Insured (e.g., the age and rate class of the covered person) as well as the Group Contract characteristics. Please refer to the specifications page of your Certificate for applicable rates. You will also bear expenses associated with the Portfolios available under your Certificate, as shown in the following table: |
Charges and
Deductions —
Monthly Deduction
Charges and
Deductions —
Mortality and Expense
Risk Charge
Charges and
Deductions —
Portfolio Charges
and Expenses | ||
| ANNUAL FEE |
MIN |
MAX | ||
| Investment options (Portfolio fees
and expenses) |
0.27%
|
0.72%
| ||
| |
RISKS |
LOCATION IN
PROSPECTUS | ||
| Risk of Loss |
You can lose money by investing in the Certificate, including loss of
principal. |
Principal Risks | ||
| Not a Short-Term
Investment |
The Certificates are designed to provide insurance protection. They
should not be used as a short-term investment or if you need ready
access to cash, because you will be charged when you make
premium payments and you will also pay a transaction fee
on partial withdrawals. In addition, withdrawals may be
subject to ordinary income tax and tax
penalties. |
Principal Risks | ||
| Risks Associated with
Investment Options |
An investment in this Certificate is subject to the risk of poor
investment performance and can vary depending on the
performance of the Portfolios available under the Certificate. Each
investment option (including any Fixed Account investment option)
has its own unique risks. You should review the investment options
before making an investment decision. |
Principal Risks | ||
| Insurance Company Risks |
Investments in the Certificate are subject to the risks related to
Metropolitan Life, including any obligations (including under any
Fixed Account investment option), guarantees, and benefits of the Certificate, including any death benefit, that are subject to the
claims paying ability of Metropolitan Life. If
Metropolitan Life experiences financial distress, it may
not be able to meet its obligations to you. More
information about Metropolitan Life, including its
financial strength ratings, is available upon request by
calling (800) 756-0124 or visiting: https://www.metlife.com/about-us/ corporate-profile/ratings. |
Principal Risks | ||
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| |
RISKS |
LOCATION IN
PROSPECTUS | ||
| Contract Lapse |
Your Certificate may lapse if you have paid an insufficient amount of
premiums or if the investment experience of the Portfolios is poor
and the Cash Surrender Value under your Certificate is insufficient
to cover the monthly deduction. Lapse of a Certificate on which
there is an outstanding loan may have adverse tax consequences. If
the Certificate lapses, no death benefit will be paid. A Certificate
may be reinstated if the conditions for reinstatement are met
including the payment of required premiums.
|
Principal Risks | ||
| |
RESTRICTIONS |
LOCATION IN
PROSPECTUS | ||
| Investments |
Owners may transfer Cash Value between and among the Divisions and the Fixed Account. At the present time, no charge is assessed against the Cash Value of a Certificate when amounts are transferred among the Divisions of the Separate Account and between the Divisions and the Fixed Account, but we reserve the right to impose a charge of $25 to cover administrative costs incurred in processing any transfer in excess of 12 in a Certificate
year. The maximum amount that can be withdrawn in any Certificate Year (through partial withdrawals or transfers) from the
Fixed Account is 25% of the largest amount in the Fixed Account
over the last four Certificate Years (or since the
Effective Date of the Certificate if the Certificate has
been in effect for less than four Certificate Years). We
are currently not enforcing this restriction for partial
withdrawals. Restrictions may apply to frequent transfers.
Metropolitan Life reserves the right to remove or substitute
Portfolios as investment options that are available under the Certificate. |
Certificate
Benefits —
Transfers | ||
| Optional Benefits |
Benefit availability is subject to your Employer making the benefit
available. Depending upon your Employer’s requirements, certain
Certificate benefits may only be able to be added to in force Certificates during the Employer’s annual enrollment. With respect
to the dependent life benefit coverage (Spouse coverage or child
coverage), depending upon your Employer’s elected benefit, you may
also need to be on active status. You should check with your
Employer regarding the availability of benefits and whether you need to be on active status to elect the dependent life benefit
coverage (Spouse coverage or child coverage). |
Features of the
Certificate
— Additional Benefits and Riders | ||
| |
TAXES |
LOCATION IN
PROSPECTUS | ||
| Tax Implications |
Consult with a tax professional to determine the tax implications of
an investment in and payments received under this Certificate.
Withdrawals may be subject to ordinary income tax, and may be
subject to tax penalties.
Lapse of a Certificate on which there is an outstanding loan may
have adverse tax consequences. |
Federal Tax Matters | ||
| |
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST |
LOCATION IN
PROSPECTUS | ||
| Investment
Professional
Compensation |
Your investment professional may receive compensation relating to
your ownership of a Certificate. These investment professionals may
have a financial incentive to offer or recommend the Certificate over
another investment. |
Distribution of the Group Policy and the
Certificates | ||
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| |
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST |
LOCATION IN
PROSPECTUS | ||
| Exchanges |
Some investment professionals may have a financial incentive to
offer you a new policy in place of your current Certificate. You should
only exchange your Certificate if you determine, after comparing the
features, fees, and risks of both policies, that it is better for you
to purchase the new policy rather than continue to own
your existing Certificate. |
Distribution of the Group Policy and the
Certificates | ||
OVERVIEW OF THE
CERTIFICATE
Purpose of the Certificate
The Group Policy and Certificates issued under the Group Policy are designed for
use in Employer sponsored insurance programs to provide Employees who elect coverage tax deferred accumulation of assets through an investment portfolio and a death benefit and/or other benefits. The Certificate may be appropriate for an investor who has a longer time horizon, is not purchasing the Certificate for short-term liquidity needs and desires life insurance coverage.
Premium Payments
Where
provided by an Employer, the minimum initial premium and the planned premium will be
remitted to us by the Employer on your behalf pursuant to a premium payment schedule (the “Payroll Deduction Plan”). You must authorize the amount of the premiums remitted by the Employer. If the
Employer does not provide a Payroll Deduction Plan, you must
pay the minimum premium and the planned premium directly to us. In addition to planned premiums, you may send unscheduled premium payments directly to us at any time and
in any amount, subject to the minimum and maximum premium limitations. No insurance will take effect until the minimum initial premium set forth in the specifications pages of the Certificate is paid, and the health and other conditions, including eligibility of the Insured described in the application for insurance, must not have changed. Every premium payment (other than a planned premium) must be at least $20. We
reserve the right not to accept a premium payment other than a planned premium for up to six months from the date a partial withdrawal is paid to you, unless the premium payment is required to keep the Certificate in force. We will not accept any premium payment that would cause your total premiums to exceed current
maximum premium limitations that qualify the Certificate as life insurance according to federal tax laws. The planned premium is an amount that you arrange to pay for the Certificate
that is based on the requested initial Face Amount, the Issue Age of the
Insured and the charges under the Certificate. You are not required to pay premiums equal to the planned premium. Premium payments made directly to
us should be sent to our Administrative Office. The payment of a given premium will not
necessarily guarantee that your Certificate will remain in force. Rather, this depends on the Certificate’s Cash
Surrender Value. Insufficient premiums may result in lapse of the Certificate. Premiums may be allocated among the Divisions and the Fixed Account. If you terminate your participation in optional benefits which have allocations to specific Divisions,
you will remain invested in the same Divisions until you request allocations to different Divisions. Additional information about each Portfolio including its Portfolio type, advisers and any sub-advisers as well as current expenses and
certain performance information is included in Appendix A.
Features of the Certificate
The Certificate has a number of features designed to provide lifetime insurance coverage as well as maximum flexibility in connection with premium payments and death benefits, including flexibility to change the type and amount of the death benefit; flexibility in paying premiums; loan privileges; surrender privileges; and optional insurance benefits.
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Standard Death Benefit. We pay death benefit proceeds to the Beneficiary once we have received satisfactory proof of the
Insured’s death, or to you, before the Insured’s death and under circumstances described in available riders. The death benefit proceeds equal the death benefit PLUS any additional benefit provided by rider and MINUS any outstanding Indebtedness and any unpaid monthly deductions and any benefits paid under the Accelerated Benefits Rider as of the
end of the Valuation Period that includes the date of the Insured’s death.
You may choose between two standard death benefit options available under the Certificate. After the first Certificate Anniversary, you may change the death benefit option while the Certificate is in force. Changing the death benefit option may have tax consequences. We calculate the amount
payable under each death benefit option as of the Insured’s date of death.
●
Death Benefit Option A is a “Level Type” death benefit equal to the
Face Amount of the Certificate or, if
greater, a percentage of Cash Value based on federal tax law requirements.
●
Death Benefit Option B is an “Increasing Type” death benefit equal to the Face Amount of the Certificate plus
the Cash
Value or, if greater, a percentage of Cash Value based on federal tax law requirements. This option is the only option presented for purchase for
certain Group Policies.
So long as a
Certificate remains in force, the death benefit under either option will be at least equal
to the current Face Amount. The death benefit will never be less than the minimum amount
required for the Certificate to be treated as life insurance
under U.S. federal income tax rules, as in effect on the date the Certificate was
issued.
Surrenders. At any time that a Certificate is in effect, you may elect to surrender the Certificate and receive its Cash Surrender Value. A surrender may have tax consequences.
Partial Withdrawals. You may request to withdraw part of the Cash Surrender Value once each Certificate Month.
Partial withdrawals may have federal income tax consequences and may increase the risk that your Certificate will lapse
(terminate without value).
Transfers. Subject to certain restrictions, you may transfer Cash Value among the Divisions of
the Separate Account and/or Fixed Account.
There are restrictions on transfers involving the Fixed Account. We may restrict transfers in the future or even revoke the transfer privilege for certain Owners.
Loans. You may borrow against the Cash Value of a Certificate. We
transfer a portion of the Cash Value equal to the amount of the loan, and an amount equal to the present value of the loan interest due, from each
Division of the Separate Account and/or the
Fixed Account to the Loan Account as collateral for the loan. The maximum amount you may borrow is an amount equal to 85% of the Cash Value on the date the loan is requested less any outstanding Indebtedness. We charge interest on the amount of the Certificate Loan at a maximum annual rate of 8%. We will credit interest on amounts in the Loan Account at an annual rate that will not be lower than the guaranteed minimum rate in effect on the issue date of your Group Policy, which in no event will be lower than 1%. Loans may have tax consequences.
Additional Benefits and Riders. We offer several optional insurance benefits and riders that provide supplemental benefits under the Certificate. These are the Waiver of Monthly Deductions Rider, Children's Life Insurance Rider and Spouse's Dependent
Life Insurance Coverage, Accelerated Benefits Rider, Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Insurance Rider, Will Preparation Service Rider, Estate Resolution Services Rider, Digital
Estate Planning Rider, Bereavement Services Rider, Grief Counseling Services Rider and Funeral Services Rider. These benefits and riders may not be available in all states and some Plans may not offer certain benefits and riders. Please contact us at our Administrative Office for further details.
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Paid-Up Certificate Benefit. You can choose to terminate the death benefit (and any riders in effect) and
use all or part of the Cash Surrender Value as a single premium for a “paid-up” benefit. (“Paid-up” means no further
premiums are required.)
STANDARD DEATH BENEFITS
Standard Death Benefit
As
long as the Certificate remains in force, we will pay the death benefit proceeds to the
Beneficiary once we receive at our Administrative Office (i) satisfactory proof of the Insured’s death, (ii) instructions on how to pay the proceeds, and (iii) any other documents, forms and
information we need. We may require you to return the Certificate.
Death benefit proceeds equal:
●
the death benefit (described below); plus
●
any additional insurance provided by rider; minus
●
any unpaid monthly deductions; minus
●
any outstanding Indebtedness.
An increase in Face Amount will increase the death benefit, and a decrease in Face Amount will decrease the death benefit. We may further adjust the amount of the death proceeds under certain
circumstances.
If you have a rider permitting the accelerated
payment of death benefit proceeds, the death benefit may be paid in a single sum before the death of the Insured, and would be less than otherwise would be paid upon the death of the Insured.
Payment of the Death Benefit
Death benefit proceeds under the Certificate ordinarily will be paid within seven days after we receive proof of the Insured’s death and all other documentation required at our Administrative Office. Payment may, however, be postponed in certain circumstances. The death benefit will be reduced by any
outstanding Indebtedness and any due and unpaid Monthly Deduction accruing during a grace period.
We will pay the proceeds in one sum, including either by check, by placing the amount in an account that earns interest, or by any other method of payment that provides the Beneficiary with immediate and full access to the proceeds. We will pay interest on the proceeds as required by the
applicable state law.
Unless otherwise requested and subject to state law, the Certificate’s death proceeds will generally be paid to the Beneficiary through a settlement option called the Total Control Account (if the death proceeds meet the
required minimum). The Total Control Account is an interest-bearing account through which the
Beneficiary has immediate and full access to the proceeds, with unlimited draft writing privileges. We credit interest to the account at a rate that will not be less than a guaranteed minimum annual effective rate. You may also elect to have any
Certificate surrender proceeds paid into a Total Control Account established for you.
Assets backing the Total Control Accounts are maintained in our General Account and are subject to the claims of our creditors. We will bear the investment experience of such assets;
however, regardless of the investment experience of such assets, the interest credited to the Total Control Account will never fall below the applicable guaranteed minimum annual effective rate. Because we bear the investment experience of the assets backing the
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Total Control Accounts, we may receive a profit from these assets. The Total Control Account is not
insured by the
FDIC or any other governmental agency.
Every state has unclaimed property laws which generally declare life insurance policies to be abandoned after a period of inactivity of two to five years from the date any death
benefit is due and payable. For example, if the payment of a death benefit has been triggered, and after a thorough search, we are still unable to locate the Beneficiary of the death benefit, the death benefit will be paid to the abandoned property division or unclaimed
property office of the state in which the Beneficiary or the Owner last
resided, as shown on our books and records. (“Escheatment” is the formal, legal name for this process.) However, the state is obligated to pay the death
benefit (without interest) if your Beneficiary steps forward to claim it with the proper documentation and within certain mandated time periods. To
prevent your Certificate’s death benefit from being paid to the state’s
abandoned or unclaimed property office, it is important that you update your
Beneficiary designation, including complete names and complete contact information, if and as it changes. You should contact our Administrative
Office in order to make a change to your Beneficiary designation.
Standard Death Benefit Options
The Certificate provides
two death benefit options: a “Level Type” death benefit (“Option A”) and an “Increasing Type” death benefit (“Option B”).
Under certain Plans, however, Option B may be the only death benefit option presented. We calculate the amount available under each death benefit option as of the date of the
Insured’s death.
Under Option A, the death benefit is:
●
the current Face Amount of the
Certificate or, if greater,
●
the applicable percentage of Cash Value on the date of death.
The applicable percentage is 250% for an Insured
Attained Age 40 or below on the Certificate Anniversary before the date of the Insured’s death. For Insureds with
an Attained Age over 40 on that Certificate Anniversary, the percentage is lower and gradually declines with age until it reaches 100% at age 95.
Under Option B, the death benefit is:
●
the current Face Amount plus the Cash
Value of the Certificate or, if greater,
●
the applicable percentage of the Cash Value on the date of death. The applicable percentage is the same as under Option A.
Which Death Benefit Option to Choose. Owners who prefer to have favorable investment performance reflected in higher death benefits for the same Face Amount generally should select Option B. Owners who prefer to have favorable investment performance reflected in lower cost of insurance charges for the same Face Amount generally
should select Option A.
The amount of the death benefit may vary with the amount of the Cash Value. Under Option A, the death benefit will vary as the Cash Value varies whenever the Cash Value multiplied by the applicable percentage exceeds the Face Amount. Under Option B, the amount of the death benefit will always vary as the Cash Value varies (but will
never be less than the Face Amount).
Changing Death Benefit Options
After the first Certificate Anniversary, you may change the death benefit option. A request for a change must be made directly to our
Administrative Office in writing. The effective date of such a change will be the Monthly
Anniversary on or following the date we receive the change request. If an increase in
Face Amount precedes or
8
occurs
concurrently with a change in death benefit option, the cost of insurance charge may be
different for the amount of the increase.
Changing the death benefit option may result in a change in Face Amount. If an Owner changes
from Option A to Option B, the Face Amount after the change will equal the Face Amount before the change LESS the Cash Value on the effective date of the change. Any written request to change from Option A to Option B must be
accompanied by satisfactory evidence of insurability. We will not accept a change from Option A to Option B if doing so would reduce the Face Amount to less
than $10,000.
If an
Owner changes from Option B to Option A, the Face Amount after the change will equal the Face Amount before the change PLUS the Cash Value on the effective date of change. We will not impose any charges in connection with a change in death
benefit option. Changing the death benefit option also may have tax consequences and may affect the net amount at risk over time (which would affect the monthly cost of
insurance charge). However, we will not permit any change that would result in your Certificate being disqualified as a life insurance contract under Section 7702 of the Code. You should consult a tax adviser before changing death benefit
options.
Changing
Face Amount
You select
the Face Amount when applying for the Certificate. Subject to certain limitations set forth below, you may increase or decrease the Face Amount of a Certificate
(without changing the death benefit option) after the first Certificate Anniversary. A change in Face Amount
may affect the cost of insurance rate and the net amount at risk, both of which affect your cost of insurance charge. Changing the Face Amount also may have federal income tax consequences and you should consult a tax adviser before doing
so.
Face Amount Increases. You may increase the Face Amount by submitting a written request and providing satisfactory evidence of insurability. If approved, the increase will become effective on the Monthly
Anniversary on or following receipt at our Administrative Office of the satisfactory evidence of insurability. The amount of the increase may not be less than $5,000, and the Face Amount may not be increased to more than the maximum Face Amount for that
Certificate. Although an increase need not necessarily be accompanied by additional
premium, the Cash Surrender Value in effect immediately after the increase must be
sufficient to cover the next monthly deduction. If you are paying premiums under a Payroll Deduction Plan, however, you may increase the Face Amount and under certain conditions may do so without providing evidence of insurability. These conditions vary from Plan to
Plan and may include a change in family status due to marriage, divorce or the addition of
a child (subject to maximum increase amounts), or an increase in your salary provided you have not previously declined any such increase in your Face
Amount. The conditions and requirements that apply to your Plan are set forth in the Certificate. If evidence of insurability is not required, the increase will generally become effective on the
Monthly Anniversary on or following the date of the request.
Face Amount Decreases. You may decrease the Face Amount by written request to us. Any decrease in the Face Amount will become effective on the Monthly Anniversary on or following our receipt of the written request. The amount of the requested decrease must be at least $5,000 and the Face Amount remaining in force after any requested decrease may not be less than the minimum Face Amount, $10,000. If, following a decrease in Face Amount, the Certificate would not comply with the maximum premium limitations required by federal tax law, we
will (at your election) either limit the decrease or return Cash Value to you to the extent necessary to meet those requirements. A decrease in the Face Amount generally will reduce the net amount at risk, which will reduce the cost of insurance
charges.
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Mandatory Face Amount Decreases Provision. Your Certificate may contain a provision that would reduce the Face Amount as the
Insured attains various ages. The ages at which a reduction will be triggered and the
amount of the reduction may vary from Plan to Plan but will apply
consistently to all Certificates issued under the Plan. Please refer to
your Certificate to determine if it contains this provision and if so, what ages and
percentages apply.
An example of how the provision will work is as follows: a Certificate may provide that on or after age 65, the Face Amount will be
reduced to 65% of the Face Amount in effect on the day before the Insured’s 65th birthday (the “pre-65 Face
Amount”). At age 70, the Face Amount will be 45% of the pre-65 Face Amount, at age 75, the Face
Amount will be 30% of the pre-65 Face Amount and at age 80 or older, the Face Amount will be 20% of the pre-65 Face Amount.
A decrease in the Face Amount will result in a decrease in Death Benefit. If, following a decrease in Face Amount, the Certificate would not comply with the maximum premium limitations required by federal law, we will (at your
election) either limit the decrease or return Cash Value to the Owner to the
extent necessary to meet those requirements.
OTHER BENEFITS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CERTIFICATE
In addition to the standard death benefit associated with your Certificate, other standard and/or optional benefits may also be available to you. The following table summarizes information about those benefits. Information about the fees associated with each benefit included in the table may be found in “Additional Information About Fees”, below.
| NAME OF
BENEFIT |
PURPOSE |
IS BENEFIT
STANDARD
OR
OPTIONAL? |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
OF RESTRICTIONS
OR LIMITATIONS |
| Waiver of Monthly
Deductions Rider |
This rider provides for the
waiver of monthly deductions
while the Insured is totally
disabled, including cost of
insurance and monthly certificate expense charges,
upon proof of disability. |
Standard |
The rider is standard if elected by the Employer at the group level. There is no individual election at the Employee level, and the
Employee may not terminate the benefit. You should ask your Employer if this benefit is included. The Insured must have become disabled before age 60. |
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| NAME OF
BENEFIT |
PURPOSE |
IS BENEFIT
STANDARD
OR
OPTIONAL? |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
OF RESTRICTIONS
OR LIMITATIONS |
| Dependent Life Benefit
Rider — Child
|
This rider provides term
insurance in an amount selected at issue upon proof of death for any insured child. |
Optional |
You may choose to add this
benefit if your Employer
makes the benefit available.
Depending upon your
Employer’s elected rider benefit, you may also need to be on active status. You should ask your Employer if this benefit is included and whether you need to be on active status in order to elect it. Coverage applied for after Certificate issue may be
subject to underwriting. |
| Spouse’s Life Insurance
Benefit |
This benefit provides
insurance in an amount selected at issue upon proof of death of the Insured’s Spouse. |
Optional |
You may choose to add this
benefit if your Employer
makes the benefit available.
Depending upon your
Employer’s elected benefit, you may also need to be on active status. You should ask your Employer if this benefit is included and whether you need to be on active status in order to elect it. Coverage applied for after Certificate issue may be
subject to underwriting. |
| Accelerated Benefits Rider |
Under this rider, you may
receive an accelerated
payment of a portion of your
death benefit if the Insured is
terminally ill and expected to
die within less than 12
months (subject to state
variations). |
Standard |
The rider is standard if elected by the Employer at the group level. There is no individual election at the Employee level, and the
Employee may not terminate the benefit. You should ask your Employer if this benefit is included. Payment under this rider may affect eligibility for benefits under state or federal law. |
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| NAME OF
BENEFIT |
PURPOSE |
IS BENEFIT
STANDARD
OR
OPTIONAL? |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
OF RESTRICTIONS
OR LIMITATIONS |
| Accidental Death and
Dismemberment Benefit |
This rider provides for the
payment of an insurance
benefit if the Insured sustains
an accidental injury that is
the direct and sole cause of
the Insured’s death or the
Insured’s loss of a body part or bodily function. |
Standard |
The rider is standard if
elected by the Employer at
the group level. There is no
individual election at the
Employee level, and the Employee may not terminate
the benefit. You should ask
your Employer if this benefit
is included. |
| Paid-Up Certificate Benefit
|
Terminates the death benefit
(and any riders in effect) and
uses all or part of the Cash Surrender Value as a single
premium for a “paid-up”
benefit. |
Standard |
The paid-up benefit must not
be more than can be
purchased using the
Certificate’s Cash Surrender
Value, more than the death benefit under the Certificate at the time you choose to use this provision, or less than $10,000. Once you have elected a paid- up benefit, you may no longer allocate Cash Value to the Separate Account or the
Fixed Account. |
| Will Preparation Service
Rider |
MetLife makes a will
preparation service available
to you (subject to state
variations). |
Standard |
The rider is standard unless
your Employer decides not to
make it available. The will
preparation service rider is
made available through a
MetLife affiliate. |
| Estate Resolution Services
Rider |
This benefit provides certain
probate services in the event
you or your Spouse dies
(subject to state variations). |
Standard |
The rider is standard unless
your Employer decides not to
make it available. The
probate services are made
available through a MetLife
affiliate. |
| Digital Estate Planning
Rider |
MetLife makes a Digital
Estate Planning Platform
available to you (subject to
state variations). |
Standard |
The rider is standard unless your Employer decides not to make it available. The Digital Estate Planning Platform is made available through a MetLife affiliate. |
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| NAME OF
BENEFIT |
PURPOSE |
IS BENEFIT
STANDARD
OR
OPTIONAL? |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
OF RESTRICTIONS
OR LIMITATIONS |
| Bereavement Services Rider |
This benefit provides certain
bereavement services to
beneficiaries. |
Standard |
The rider is standard unless
your Employer decides not to
make it available. The
bereavement services are
made available by a third-
party provider. |
| Grief Counseling Services
Rider |
This benefit provides certain
grief counseling services to
beneficiaries. |
Standard |
The rider is standard unless
your Employer decides not to
make it available. The grief
counseling services are made
available by a third-party
provider. |
| Funeral Services Rider |
This benefit provides certain
funeral services to you, your
spouse and children. |
Standard |
The rider is standard unless
your Employer decides not to
make it available. The funeral
services are made available
by a third-party provider. |
| Dollar Cost Averaging
Automatic Investment
Strategy |
Allows you to automatically
transfer a predetermined
amount of money from the
Division that invests in an ultra short-term fund to a number of available Divisions. |
Standard |
You may not elect both Dollar
Cost Averaging and
Automatic Rebalancing at the
same time. |
| Annual Automatic Portfolio
Rebalancing |
Allows you to automatically
reallocate your Cash Value
among the elected Divisions
to return the allocation to the
percentages you specify. |
Standard |
You may not elect both Dollar Cost Averaging and Automatic Rebalancing at the same time. |
BUYING THE
CERTIFICATE
Premium Payments
Where
provided by an Employer, the minimum initial premium and the planned premium will be
remitted to us by the Employer on your behalf pursuant to a premium payment schedule (the “Payroll Deduction Plan”). You must authorize the amount of the premiums remitted by the Employer. Please note that if the Employer does not remit
premiums on a timely basis in accordance with the established premium payment schedule, you may not participate in investment experience under your Certificate until the premium has been received and credited to your Certificate in accordance with our established administrative procedures. If the Employer does not provide a
Payroll Deduction Plan, you must pay the minimum premium and the planned premium directly to us. In addition to planned
premiums, you may send unscheduled premium payments directly to us at any time and in any amount, subject to the minimum and maximum premium limitations described below.
Premium payments made directly to
13
us should be sent to our Administrative Office. The payment of an unscheduled premium payment may have federal income tax consequences.
Minimum Initial Premium
No insurance will take effect until the minimum initial premium set forth in the specifications pages of the
Certificate is paid, and the health and other conditions, including eligibility of the
Insured described in the application for
insurance, must not have changed. The planned premium is an amount that you arrange to pay
for the Certificate that is based on the requested initial Face Amount, the Issue Age of the
Insured and the charges under the Certificate.
You are not required to pay premiums equal to the planned premium.
We will apply the minimum
initial premium to a Certificate on the Investment Start Date. We will apply subsequent premiums as of the Valuation Date we receive the premiums. Premiums will be “received” on a Valuation Date when we receive at our
Administrative Office, before the New York Stock Exchange closes for regular trading
(usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), the premium as well as the supporting documentation necessary for us to determine the amount of premium per Certificate.
If mandated by applicable law, the Company may be required to reject a premium payment until instructions are received from appropriate regulators. We also may be required to provide additional information about you and your account to government regulators.
Premium Flexibility
After the initial premium, and subject to the limitations described below, premiums may be paid in any amount and at any interval. A planned premium payment schedule provides for premium payments in a level amount at fixed intervals (usually monthly) agreed to by the Employer and us. You may skip planned premium payments. Making planned premium payments does not guarantee that the
Certificate will remain in force. The Certificate will
not necessarily lapse if you fail to make planned premium payments. Rather, this depends on the Certificate’s Cash Surrender Value. If
the Cash Surrender Value on any Monthly Anniversary is less than the monthly deduction you will need to make a premium payment within the grace period to cover the monthly deduction.
Premium Limitations
Every premium payment (other than a planned premium) paid must be at least $20. We do not accept payment of premiums in cash or by money order. We reserve the right not to accept a premium payment other than a planned premium for up to six months from the date a partial withdrawal is paid to you, unless the premium payment is required to keep the Certificate in force.
We have
established procedures to monitor whether aggregate premiums paid under a Certificate
exceed the current maximum premium limitations that qualify the Certificate as life insurance
according to federal tax laws. We will not accept any premium payment that would cause your total premiums to exceed those limits. If a premium payment would cause your total premiums to exceed the maximum premium limitations, we will accept
only that portion of the premium that would make total premiums equal the maximum amount that may be paid under the Certificate. We
will return any part of the premium in excess of the maximum premiums directly to you upon discovery of the excess payment, but in no event later than 60 days after the
end of the Certificate Year in which payment is received.
14
Performance Guarantees
Your Employer may have
negotiated an agreement under the Group Policy whereby we will refund a portion of the
premium paid during a specified policy period if we fail to meet certain agreed-upon standards of service (“Performance Guarantees”). We will credit (or remit payment) of such premium refund within a specified period following the end of the policy period as directed by your Employer. Please contact your Employer for information on whether there is a Performance Guarantee, the terms of any such Performance
Guarantee, and how a premium refund applicable to any particular policy period will be communicated to you.
Modified Endowment Contracts
Under federal tax laws, certain life insurance contracts are classified as modified endowment contracts (“MECs”), which receive less favorable tax treatment than other life insurance contracts. If we receive a premium payment that, together with the remaining scheduled premium payments
for the Certificate Year, would cause a Certificate to become a MEC, we will accept only that portion of the premium below the MEC limits. We will return any excess amounts directly to you. We will apply premium payments over the MEC limits only when you instruct us to do so in a writing that acknowledges that application of such amounts will result in the Certificate becoming a MEC. We will notify you when we believe that a premium payment will cause a Certificate to become a MEC. In addition, we will notify you if your Certificate becomes a MEC for any other reason and you may request that we refund any premium received that would cause the Certificate to become a MEC, increase your face amount so that the Certificate does not become a MEC or acknowledge
that you want your Certificate to become a MEC.
Allocation of Net Premiums and Cash
Value
When you apply for a Certificate, you give us instructions to allocate your Net Premiums to one or more
Divisions of
the Separate Account and/or the Fixed
Account. If you fail to provide allocation instructions, we may allocate your Net
Premiums as described in the application. We will allocate your Net Premiums according to the following rules:
●
The minimum percentage of any allocation to an investment option is 10 percent of
the Net Premium.
●
Allocation percentages must be in whole numbers and the sum of the percentages must
equal 100.
●
The initial Net Premium will be allocated on the Investment Start Date, which is the later of the Effective Date of the Certificate or the date we receive the initial premium at our Administrative Office.
●
We will allocate Net Premiums (after the initial Net Premium) as of the date we receive them at our Administrative Office according to the premium allocations currently in effect for your Certificate, unless
otherwise specified.
●
You may change the allocation instructions for additional Net Premiums without charge at any time by providing us with written notice. Any change in allocation will take effect at the end of the Valuation
Period during which we receive the change.
Investment returns from amounts allocated to the
Divisions of the Separate Account will vary with the investment performance of the
Divisions and will be reduced by Certificate charges. You bear the entire investment risk for amounts you allocate to the
Divisions. Investment performance will affect the Certificate’s Cash
Value, and may affect the death benefit as well. You should periodically review your
allocation of premiums and values in light of market conditions and overall financial planning requirements.
If you send your premium payments or transaction requests to an address other
than the one that we have designated for receipt of such premium payments or requests, we may return the premium payment to you, or there may be a delay in applying the premium payment or transaction to your Certificate.
15
HOW YOUR CERTIFICATE CAN LAPSE
Lapse
A Certificate may enter a 62-day grace period and possibly lapse (terminate without value or death
benefit) if the Cash Surrender Value is not enough to cover the next monthly deduction. If
you have taken out a loan, then your Certificate also will enter a grace period and
possibly lapse whenever the Indebtedness exceeds the Cash Value on the Monthly Anniversary. Thus, the payment of premiums in any amount does not guarantee that the Certificate will remain in force until the Maturity Date.
We will notify you at the beginning of the grace period by mail. The notice will specify the amount of premium required to keep the Certificate in force, and the date the payment is due. Subject to minimum premium requirements, the amount of the
premium required to keep the Certificate in force will be the amount of the current monthly deduction. If we do not receive the specified minimum payment within the grace period, the
Certificate will lapse and terminate without Cash Value. Upon lapse, any
Indebtedness is extinguished and any collateral in the Loan Account is returned to the Company. If the Insured dies during the grace period, any overdue monthly deductions and Indebtedness will be deducted from the death benefit payable.
Your Certificate can also terminate in some cases if your Employer ends its participation in the Group Policy. This is discussed in detail under “Effect of Termination of Employer Participation in the Group Policy,” below. If your Employer replaces your
Plan with another plan that offers a life
insurance product designed to have Cash Value, we will
transfer your Cash Surrender Value to the other life insurance product. If the other life insurance product is not
designed to have Cash Value, or you are not covered by the new product, or your Employer does not replace your Plan with another
plan that offers a life insurance product, we will pay your Cash Surrender Value to you. The federal income tax consequences of the distribution to you would be the same as if you surrendered your
Certificate.
Effect of
Termination of Employer Participation in the Group Policy
Your Employer can terminate its participation in the Group Policy or change the
Plan to end coverage for a class or classes of Employees of
which you are a member. In addition, the Group Policy may contain a provision that allows
us to terminate your Employer’s participation in the Group Policy if:
●
during any 12 month period, the total Face Amount for all
Owners under the Group Policy or the number of Certificates fall by certain amounts or below the minimum levels we establish (these levels are set
forth in the Certificate), or
●
your
Employer makes available to its Employees another life
insurance product.
Your Employer and MetLife must provide 90 days written notice to each other before terminating participation in the
Group Policy. We will also notify you if we or your Employer terminate participation in the Group Policy. Termination
means that your Employer will no longer send premiums to us through the Payroll Deduction
Plan and
that no new Certificates will be issued to
Employees in your Employer’s group.
If your Employer or
MetLife terminates your Employer’s participation in the Group Policy, whether you will remain an Owner of your Certificate depends on your
Plan.
Under some Plans, you
will remain an Owner of your Certificate even if the
Plan terminates, coverage for a class or classes of Employees of
which you are a member ends, or the Employee’s employment ends. You cannot have
elected a paid-up Certificate and, in certain Plans,
your Certificate must have been in force for more than two
16
years.
If a Certificate was issued to you covering your Spouse, you will remain the
Owner of that
Certificate as well. We will bill you for planned premiums and you will have to pay us directly. A new planned premium schedule will be established with payments no more frequently than quarterly (unless you utilize the authorized electronic
funds transfer option). We may allow payment of planned premium through periodic (usually monthly) authorized
electronic funds transfer. Of course, unscheduled premium payments can be made at any time. Your payments may change as
a result of higher administrative charges and higher current cost of insurance charges but
the charges will never be higher than the guaranteed amounts for these charges. Also, we may no longer consider you a member of your Employer’s
group for purposes of determining cost of insurance rates and charges.
Under other Plans, if the Plan terminates,
coverage for a class or classes of Employees of which you are a member ends or the
Employee’s employment ends, we will terminate your Certificate. If your
Employer replaces your Plan
with another plan that offers a life insurance product designed to have cash value, we will transfer your Cash Surrender Value to the other life insurance product. If the other life insurance product is not designed to have Cash Value, or you are
not covered by the new product, or your Employer does not replace your Plan with another
plan that offers a life
insurance product, we will pay your Cash Surrender Value to you. We may pay any Cash Value
allocated to the Fixed Account over a period of up to five years in equal annual installments. If we pay the Cash Surrender Value to you, the federal income tax consequences of the distribution to you would be the same
as if you surrendered your Certificate.
You also have the option of choosing a paid-up Certificate. In addition, you may convert your Death Benefit into a new individual policy of life insurance from us without evidence of insurability but you must complete an application and the new policy will have new benefits and charges. If you choose the conversion rights, the insurance provided will be substantially less (and in some cases nominal) than the insurance provided under the Certificate.
Reinstatement
Unless you have surrendered the Certificate, you may reinstate a lapsed Certificate by written application at any time while the Insured is alive and within three years after the end of the Grace Period and before the Maturity Date. You may
not reinstate a lapsed Certificate if the Plan has been terminated and the Plan would not permit you
to retain your Certificate.
Reinstatement is subject to the following conditions:
●
Evidence of the insurability of the Insured satisfactory to us (including evidence of insurability of any person covered by a rider to reinstate the rider).
●
Payment of a premium that, after the deduction of any premium charges (premium
expense charge and premium tax charge), is large enough to cover: (a) the monthly deductions due at the time of lapse, and (b) two times the monthly deduction due at the time of reinstatement.
●
Payment or reinstatement of any Indebtedness. Any
Indebtedness reinstated will cause a Cash Value of an equal
amount also to be reinstated.
If
you meet the requirements to reinstate a lapsed Certificate your Face Amount will be reinstated to the amount in effect immediately prior to the lapse. If you reinstate a lapsed Certificate and elect to reinstate any Indebtedness existing immediately before the Certificate lapsed, the corresponding collateral for the Indebtedness would also be
reinstated as part of the Cash Value of the reinstated Certificate. The amount of Cash
Value on the date of reinstatement will be equal to the amount of any Indebtedness reinstated, increased by the Net Premiums paid at
reinstatement and any loans paid at the time of reinstatement.
17
If a Certificate is
reinstated after 90 days of lapse, a new Certificate will be issued to you. The effective
date of the new Certificate will be the Monthly Anniversary on or next following the date we approve the application for reinstatement. There will be a full
monthly deduction for the Certificate Month that includes that date. If the Group Policy was issued before January 1, 2020, the guaranteed cost of insurance rates for the new
Certificate will be based on the 2001 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Mortality Table C. If the Group Policy was issued on or after January 1, 2020, the guaranteed cost of insurance rates will be based on the 2017 Commissioners Standard Ordinary Male Mortality Table.
MAKING WITHDRAWALS: ACCESSING THE MONEY IN YOUR CERTIFICATE
Surrender and Partial Withdrawals
During the lifetime of the
Insured and while a Certificate is in force, you may surrender the Certificate, or make a
partial withdrawal of the Cash Value. We generally will forward amounts payable upon surrender or a partial withdrawal within seven days of
receipt of your request. We may postpone payment of surrenders and partial withdrawals under certain conditions. Surrenders and partial withdrawals may have federal
income tax consequences.
Surrender. You may surrender the Certificate by sending a written request, on a form provided by us, by mail, email or facsimile to our Administrative Office. We determine the Cash Surrender Value as of the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive the surrender request. To effect a surrender, we may require that you
return the Certificate to our Administrative Office along with the request to surrender the Certificate. Alternatively, we may require that the request be accompanied by a completed affidavit of lost Certificate. We can provide a lost Certificate upon request.
Upon surrender, we
will pay to you the Cash Surrender Value on the Valuation Day the surrender request is
received in good order. If we receive the request to surrender the Certificate on a Monthly
Anniversary, the monthly deduction otherwise deductible will be included in the amount
paid. Coverage and other benefits under a Certificate will terminate as of the date of
surrender and cannot be reinstated.
Partial Withdrawals. You may make up to one partial withdrawal each Certificate Month. You may request a partial withdrawal in writing on a form provided by us (by mail, email or facsimile)
to our Administrative Office or via the Internet. We will process each partial withdrawal using the Cash Value determined at the end of the Valuation Period during which we receive your request. The total amount available for withdrawal may not exceed the
total Cash Surrender Value of the Certificate.
The minimum amount of
a partial withdrawal, net of any transaction charges, is currently $200. We reserve the right to increase this minimum amount up to $500. The maximum amount that can be
withdrawn, including the partial withdrawal transaction charge, is the Cash Surrender
Value less twice the amount of the Monthly Deduction just prior to the partial withdrawal.
While we are currently allowing partial withdrawals in an amount, including the partial withdrawal transaction charge, equal to the Cash Surrender Value, we reserve the right to reduce the maximum withdrawal amount by twice the amount of the Monthly Deduction. The partial withdrawal transaction
charge equals the lesser of $25 or 2% of the amount withdrawn. In addition, the maximum amount that can be withdrawn in any Certificate Year, from the Fixed Account
is 25% of the largest amount in the Fixed Account over the last four Certificate Years (or since the Effective Date of the Certificate if the Certificate has been in effect for less than
four Certificate Years). We are not currently enforcing this restriction on partial withdrawals from the Fixed Account but reserve our right to do so in the future. Subject to the above conditions, you may allocate the
18
amount
withdrawn among the Divisions and/or the Fixed Account. If no allocation is specified, we will deduct the amount of the partial withdrawal (including any partial withdrawal transaction charge) from the Divisions and the Fixed Account on a pro-rata basis (that is, based on the proportion that the Certificate’s Cash
Value in the Fixed Account and in each
Division bears to the unloaned Cash Value of the
Certificate). If restrictions on amounts that may be withdrawn from the Fixed Account will not allow this proportionate allocation, we will request that you specify an acceptable
allocation. If, following a partial withdrawal, insufficient funds remain in a Division and/or in the
Fixed Account to pay the partial withdrawal transaction charge as allocated, the unpaid
charges will be allocated equally among the remaining Divisions and/or the Fixed
Account. You may request that the partial withdrawal transaction charge be paid from your
Cash Value in a particular Division and/or in the
Fixed Account.
You may not make a partial withdrawal if, or to the extent that, the partial withdrawal would reduce the Face Amount below
$10,000.
A partial withdrawal can affect the Face Amount, the death benefit and the net amount at risk (which is used to calculate the cost of insurance charge). If death benefit Option A is in effect and the death benefit equals the Face Amount, we will reduce the
Face Amount, and thus the death benefit, by the amount of the partial withdrawal (plus
the partial withdrawal transaction charge). If Option B is in effect and the death benefit equals the Face Amount plus the Cash Value, we
will not reduce the Face Amount, but will reduce the Cash Value and, thus, the death benefit by the amount of the partial withdrawal (plus the partial withdrawal transaction charge). If however, the death benefit is in a “tax corridor” under either Option A or Option B, that is, if the death benefit equals the Cash Value multiplied by
a percentage based on federal tax law requirements described in Section 7702(d) of the Code, then we will reduce the Face Amount to the extent that the amount of the partial withdrawal (plus the partial withdrawal transaction charge) exceeds the amount equal to the difference between the death benefit and the Face Amount. We will reduce the death benefit correspondingly. Face Amount decreases resulting from partial withdrawals will first reduce the most recent Face Amount increase, then the most recent increases in succession, and lastly the initial Face Amount.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FEES
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you will pay when buying, owning, and surrendering or making withdrawals from the Certificate. We may charge fees and use rates that are lower than the maximum
guaranteed charges reflected in the tables. The Employer
chooses which charges, Group A, Group B or Group C, will apply to the Certificates issued to the Employees of the Employer. Please refer to your Certificate specification page for information about the specific fees
you will pay each year based on the options you have elected.
The first table describes the fees and expenses that you will pay at the time that you buy the Certificate, surrender or make withdrawals from the Certificate, or transfer Cash Value between investment options.
Transaction Fees
| Charge |
When Charge is
Deducted |
Maximum Amount Deducted | ||
| Group A |
Group B |
Group C | ||
| Maximum Premium Expense Charge
(load)(1) |
Upon Receipt of
Premium Payment |
7.75% of
each premium
payment |
7.75% of
each premium
payment |
No explicit
charge (2) |
| Premium Tax Charge(1) |
Upon Receipt of
Premium Payment |
Group A |
Group B |
Group C |
| 2.25%
|
2.25%
|
No explicit
charge(2) | ||
19
| Charge |
When Charge is
Deducted |
Maximum Amount Deducted | ||
| Group A |
Group B |
Group C | ||
| Partial Withdrawal Charge |
Upon each partial
withdrawal from the
Certificate |
$25(3) | ||
| Transfer Charge |
Upon transfer in
excess of 12 in a
Certificate Year |
$25 per transfer(4) | ||
| Accelerated Benefits Rider
Administrative Charge |
At the time an
accelerated death
benefit is paid |
$150(4) | ||
(1)
On the specifications page of your Certificate the premium expense charge and the premium tax charge are combined into one amount that is referred to as the premium expense charge.
(2)
For
Certificates issued under a Group C charge structure, the premium expense charge and the
premium tax charge are not assessed as explicit charges; instead, they are included in the
insurance rates resulting in a higher cost of insurance
charge for these Certificates.
(3)
The partial withdrawal charge is equal to the lesser of $25 or 2% of the amount of
the withdrawal.
(4)
We
do not currently impose this charge.
20
The next table describes the fees and expenses that you will pay periodically during the time that you own the Certificate not including Portfolio fees and expenses.
Periodic Charges Other Than Annual
Portfolio Expenses
| Charge |
When Charge is
Deducted |
Maximum Amount Deducted | ||
| Base Contract Charges: |
|
| ||
| Cost of Insurance Charge(1) |
|
| ||
| ●Minimum and
Maximum
Charge |
Monthly |
$0.26
to $112.63 per
$1,000 of net amount at risk | ||
| ●Charge for a Representative Insured(2)
|
$0.81 per $1,000 of net amount at risk | |||
| Administrative Charge(3) |
Monthly |
Group A |
Group B |
Group C |
| $6.50
|
No
explicit charge(4) |
No explicit
charge (4) | ||
| Mortality and Expense Risk Charge(5) |
Daily |
0.90%
(annually) of the net assets of each Division of the
Separate Account | ||
| Loan Interest Spread(6) |
Annually |
2.0%
| ||
| Optional Benefit Charges: |
|
| ||
| Waiver of Monthly Deductions
Rider(7),(8) |
|
| ||
| ●Minimum and
Maximum
Charge |
Monthly |
$0.10
to $0.31per $1,000
of net amount at risk | ||
| ●Charge for a Representative Insured(2)
|
$0.00 per $1,000 of net amount at risk | |||
| Dependent Life Benefit Rider — Child |
Monthly |
$0.41
per $1,000 of coverage | ||
| Spouse’s Life Insurance Benefit(7),(9) |
|
| ||
| ●Minimum and
Maximum
Charge |
Monthly |
$0.26
to $112.63 per
$1,000 of net amount at risk | ||
| ●Charge for a Representative Insured(10)
|
$0.81 per $1,000 of net amount at risk | |||
| Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Insurance Rider(7)
|
|
| ||
| ●Minimum and
Maximum
Charge |
Monthly |
$0.26
to $112.63 per
$1,000 of net amount at risk | ||
| ●Charge for a Representative Insured(2)
|
$0.81 per $1,000 of net amount at risk | |||
(1)
Cost of
insurance charges vary based on the Insured’s Attained Age and rate class. The cost of insurance charge will also
vary depending on which charge structure the Employer has chosen for the Certificates. The cost of insurance
charge is greater for participants in a Plan that uses a Group B or Group C charge structure than those in a Plan that uses a Group A charge structure. The cost of insurance charges shown in the table may not be typical of the charges you will pay. Your Certificate will indicate the charge structure applicable to your Certificate. More detailed information concerning your cost of insurance charges
is available on request from our Administrative Office.
(2)
A representative Insured
is a person with an attained age of 43, actively at work.
(3)
The maximum administrative charge we can apply to any Certificate can vary but will not exceed the amounts in the table. Please refer to the specifications pages of your Certificate for the administrative charge that applies to your Certificate.
(4)
For
Certificates issued under a Group B or Group C charge structure, the administrative charge
is not assessed as an explicit charge; instead, it is included in the insurance rates resulting in a higher cost of insurance charge for these Certificates.
(5)
The Mortality and Expense Risk Charge is currently 0.75% (annually) of the net
assets of each Division of the Separate
Account.
(6)
While the amount we charge you is guaranteed not to exceed 8% annually and the
amount we credit is guaranteed not to be lower than the guaranteed minimum annual rate in effect on the issue date of your Group Policy, which in no event
21
will be lower than 1%. We also guarantee that the Loan Interest Spread will not be greater than 2%.
(7)
Charges for this rider vary based on the Insured’s individual characteristics. The rider charges shown in the table may not be representative of the charge that you will pay. Your Certificate will indicate the charges applicable to your Certificate. More detailed information concerning your charges is available on request from our Administrative Office.
(8)
The maximum charge for this rider does not increase the maximum charge outlined
under the maximum charge of the Cost of Insurance Charge. Similarly, the charge for a representative insured is also $0.00 per $1,000 of the net amount at risk because the charge is included in the current Cost of Insurance Charge.
(9)
The Spouse's Life Insurance Benefit can be provided by rider or by a separate
Certificate, depending upon what is available under your Group. The charges shown reflect the charges that apply to a Spouse Certificate. For a Spouse rider, the minimum and maximum charge is $0.26 to $112.63 per $1,000 of coverage and the charge for a representative insured is $0.81 per $1,000 of coverage.
(10)
For Spouse’s Life Insurance Benefit, a representative Insured is an
Employee’s Spouse that has an
attained age of 43.
The next table shows the minimum and maximum total operating expenses charged by the
Portfolios that you may pay periodically during the time that you own the
Certificate. A complete list of the Portfolios available under the Certificate, including their annual expenses, may be found in Appendix A at the back of this document.
Annual
Portfolio Expenses
| |
Minimum |
Maximum |
| Annual Portfolio Expenses (as a percentage of average net assets) (expenses that are deducted from Portfolio assets, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other expenses) |
0.27%
|
0.72% |
22
GLOSSARY
Administrative Office — The service office of the Company. The mailing address is: MetLife GVUL; Suite 600; 11330 Olive
Boulevard; St. Louis, MO 63141. Unless another location is specified, all applications, notices and requests should be directed to the Administrative Office at the address above or, if permitted, by facsimile (also referred to as “fax”), email or through the Internet. You may also contact us for information at (800) 756-0124.
Attained Age — The
Issue Age of the Insured plus the number of completed Certificate Years.
Associated Companies — The companies listed in a Group Policy’s specifications pages that are under common control through stock ownership, contract or otherwise, with
the Employer.
Beneficiary — The person(s) named in a Certificate or by later designation to receive Certificate proceeds in the
event of the Insured’s death. A Beneficiary may
be changed as set forth in the Certificate and this Prospectus. Unless otherwise stated in the Certificate, the Beneficiary has no
rights in a Certificate before the death of the Insured. If there is more than one Beneficiary at the death of the Insured, each will receive equal payments unless otherwise provided by the Owner.
Cash Value — The total amount that a Certificate provides for investment at any time. It is equal to the total of the amounts credited to the Owner in the Separate
Account, the Fixed Account, and in the Loan
Account.
Cash Surrender Value — The Cash Value of a
Certificate on the date of surrender, less any Indebtedness, any accrued
and unpaid monthly deduction, and any applicable transaction charge.
Certificate — A document issued to
Owners of
Certificates issued under Group Policies, setting forth or summarizing the Owner’s rights and benefits.
Certificate Anniversary — The same date each year as the Plan Anniversary Date.
Certificate Month — A month beginning on the Monthly Anniversary.
Certificate Year — A period beginning on a Certificate Anniversary and ending on the day immediately preceding the next Certificate Anniversary.
Division — A subaccount of the Separate Account. Each Division invests
exclusively in an available underlying Portfolio.
Effective Date of the
Certificate — The date on which insurance coverage shall take effect for an Insured.
Employee — A person who is employed and paid for services by an Employer on a regular basis and who is an eligible Employee under the
Employer’s Plan. To qualify as an
Employee, a person ordinarily must work for an Employer at least 30 hours per week. MetLife may waive or modify this requirement at its discretion. An
Employee may include a partner in a partnership if the Employer is a partnership. An Employee may also refer to members of sponsoring organizations.
Employer — The
Employer, association, or sponsoring organization that is issued a Group Policy or participates in the Group Policy issued
to the trust.
Face Amount
— The minimum death benefit under the Certificate so long as the
Certificate remains in force.
Fixed Account — The
Certificate option where your money earns annual interest at a rate that will not be lower
than the guaranteed minimum rate in effect on the issue date of your Group Policy, which in no event will be lower
23
than 1%. We may credit higher rates of interest, but are not obligated to do so. The Fixed
Account is part of the Company’s General Account. Aspects of the Fixed Account are briefly summarized in order to give a better understanding of how the Policy functions.
Fund – An underlying mutual fund in which the
Separate Account assets are invested.
General Account — The assets of Metropolitan Life other than those allocated to the Separate Account or any
other separate account.
Group Policy — A group variable universal life insurance policy issued by the Company to the Employer or to the MetLife Group
Insurance Trust or similar trust.
Indebtedness — The sum of all unpaid Certificate Loans and accrued interest charged on loans.
Insurance — Insurance provided under a Group Policy on an Employee or an
Employee’s Spouse.
Insured — The person whose life is insured under a
Certificate.
Investment Start Date — The date the initial premium is applied to the Fixed Account and/or to the Divisions
of the Separate Account. This date is the later of the Effective Date of the Certificate or the date the initial premium is received at our Company’s Administrative Office.
Issue Age — The Insured’s Age
as of the date the Certificate is issued.
Loan Account — The account of the Company to which amounts securing Certificate Loans are allocated. It is a part of the Company’s General Account assets.
Loan Value — The maximum amount that may be borrowed under a Certificate.
Maturity Date — The Certificate
Anniversary on which the Insured reaches a certain Attained Age, generally 95. In some
Plans, the
Attained Age may be later than 95. Please refer to the specifications page of your Certificate for the
Attained Age that applies to your Certificate. (Also the final date of the Certificate).
Monthly Anniversary — The same date in each succeeding month as the Effective Date of the Certificate except that whenever the
Monthly Anniversary falls on a date other than a Valuation Date, the
Monthly Anniversary will be deemed the next Valuation Date. If any Monthly
Anniversary would be the 29th, 30th, or 31st day of a month that does not have that number
of days, then the Monthly Anniversary will be the last day of that month.
Net Premium — The premium less any premium charges.
Owner (or you) — The Owner of a Certificate, as designated in the application or as subsequently changed.
Plan — The Group Variable Universal Life Insurance
Plan for
Employees of the Employer provided under a
Group Policy
issued directly to the Employer or through participation of the Employer in the Group
Policy issued to the MetLife Group Insurance Trust or similar trust.
Plan Anniversary
Date — The Effective Date of the Plan set forth on the specifications page of your Certificate.
Portfolio — A portfolio represents a
class (or series) of stock of a Fund in which a Division's assets are invested.
SEC (or the Commission) — The Securities and Exchange Commission.
24
Separate Account — Paragon Separate Account
B, a separate investment account established by the Company to receive and invest the Net
Premiums paid under the Certificate.
Spouse — An Employee’s legal
spouse.
Valuation Date — Each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading.
Valuation Period — The period between two successive Valuation Dates, commencing at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Time) on a Valuation Date and ending at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the next succeeding Valuation Date.
25
APPENDIX A: PORTFOLIOS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CERTIFICATE
The following is a list of the
Portfolios currently available under the Certificate. More information about the Portfolios is available in the prospectuses for the Portfolios, which may be amended from time to time and can be found online at dfinview.com/metlife/PUFT/MET000249. You can also request this information at no cost by calling (800) 756-0124 or by sending an email
request to [email protected].
The current expenses and performance information below reflects fees and expenses of the Portfolios, but does not
reflect the other fees and expenses that the Certificate may charge. Expenses would be higher and performance would be lower if these other charges were
included. Each Portfolio’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
| FUND
TYPE |
PORTFOLIO AND
ADVISER/SUBADVISER |
CURRENT
EXPENSES |
AVERAGE ANNUAL
TOTAL RETURNS
(as of 12/31/2025) | ||
| 1
YEAR |
5
YEAR |
10
YEAR | |||
| International Equity |
American Funds New World Fund®* - Class 1
Capital Research and Management CompanySM |
0.57% |
28.60% |
5.59% |
9.53% |
| US Fixed Income |
American Funds U.S. Government Securities Fund*
- Class 1
Capital Research and Management CompanySM |
0.25% |
8.01% |
0.01% |
1.95% |
| US Equity |
BlackRock Capital Appreciation Portfolio* -
Class A
Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: BlackRock Advisors, LLC |
0.56% |
13.19% |
11.07% |
15.80% |
| US Fixed Income |
BlackRock Ultra-Short Term Bond Portfolio* -
Class A
Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: BlackRock Advisors, LLC |
0.37% |
4.15% |
3.09% |
2.10% |
| US Equity |
Brighthouse/Wellington Large Cap Research
Portfolio* - Class A
Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Wellington Management Company LLP |
0.54% |
15.91% |
12.30% |
13.62% |
| Target Date |
Freedom 2020 Portfolio - Initial Class
Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC |
0.44% |
13.33% |
4.84% |
7.38% |
| Target Date |
Freedom 2030 Portfolio - Initial Class
Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC |
0.49% |
15.52% |
6.25% |
8.88% |
| Target Date |
Freedom 2040 Portfolio - Initial Class
Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC |
0.57% |
18.79% |
9.01% |
10.87% |
| Target Date |
Freedom 2050 Portfolio - Initial Class
Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC |
0.60% |
19.79% |
9.43% |
11.08% |
| Target Date |
Freedom 2060 Portfolio - Initial Class
Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC |
0.60% |
19.83% |
9.44% |
— |
| Global Equity |
Invesco Global Equity Portfolio* - Class A
Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Invesco Advisers, Inc. |
0.58% |
15.88% |
7.56% |
11.28% |
A-1
| FUND
TYPE |
PORTFOLIO AND
ADVISER/SUBADVISER |
CURRENT
EXPENSES |
AVERAGE ANNUAL
TOTAL RETURNS
(as of 12/31/2025) | ||
| 1
YEAR |
5
YEAR |
10
YEAR | |||
| US Fixed Income |
Limited-Term Bond Portfolio* -
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (T. Rowe Price or
Price Associates) |
0.50% |
5.71% |
2.17% |
2.34% |
| US Equity |
Loomis Sayles Growth Portfolio* - Class A
Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. |
0.55% |
15.21% |
15.06% |
14.19% |
| US Fixed Income |
MetLife Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio* - Class A
Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: MetLife Investment Management, LLC |
0.26% |
7.04% |
-0.64% |
1.75% |
| US Equity |
MetLife Mid Cap Stock Index Portfolio - Class A
Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: MetLife Investment Management, LLC |
0.30% |
7.19% |
8.81% |
10.43% |
| International Equity |
MetLife MSCI EAFE® Index Portfolio - Class
A Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: MetLife Investment Management, LLC |
0.37% |
31.02% |
8.62% |
8.04% |
| US Equity |
MetLife Russell 2000® Index Portfolio - Class
A Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: MetLife Investment Management, LLC |
0.30% |
12.66% |
5.99% |
9.55% |
| US Equity |
MetLife Stock Index Portfolio* - Class A
Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: MetLife Investment Management, LLC |
0.27% |
17.59% |
14.13% |
14.53% |
| Allocation |
MFS® Total Return Portfolio* -
Class A Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Massachusetts Financial Services Company |
0.62% |
11.11% |
6.42% |
7.65% |
| US Equity |
MFS® Value Portfolio* - Class
A Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Massachusetts Financial Services Company |
0.58% |
13.29% |
10.11% |
10.27% |
| US Fixed Income |
Western Asset Management Strategic Bond
Opportunities Portfolio* - Class A
Brighthouse Investment Advisers, LLC
Subadviser: Western Asset Management Company, LLC |
0.57% |
9.07% |
1.42% |
4.03% |
*
The
Portfolio is subject to an expense reimbursement or fee waiver arrangement. The annual
expenses shown reflect temporary fee reductions.
The fee and expense information regarding the Portfolios was provided by those Portfolios.
A-2
To
learn more about the Certificate, you should read the Prospectus and SAI dated the same
date as this Summary Prospectus which are incorporated herein by reference and are legally a part of this Summary Prospectus. They include additional information about the Certificates and the Separate
Account. You can find these documents online at dfinview.com/metlife/PUFT/MET000249. The SAI is available, without charge, upon request. For a free copy of the Prospectus and SAI, to receive free personalized illustrations of death benefits and Cash Values, and to request other information about the Certificate, please call (800) 756-0124, send an email request to [email protected] or write to us at ourAdministrative
Office.
Managing your variable life policy just got easier. We’re excited to share our enhanced website with you. Login or register today at online.metlife.comand enjoy a more convenient way to manage your policy and sign-up for eDelivery!
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