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Form 424B2 METLIFE INC

May 17, 2019 4:27 PM EDT
Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-214708

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of Securities Offered   Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)
  Amount of
Registration
Fee(2)(3)

0.495% Senior Notes due 2026

  $230,076,000   $27,885.21

0.769% Senior Notes due 2029

  $592,537,000   $71,815.48

0.898% Senior Notes due 2031

  $97,691,000   $11,840.15

1.189% Senior Notes due 2034

  $241,945,000   $29,323.73

1.385% Senior Notes due 2039

  $222,772,000   $26,999.97

 

 

 

(1)

The U.S. dollar equivalent of the maximum aggregate offering price has been calculated using a yen/U.S. dollar exchange rate of ¥1.00 = U.S. $0.00913, as announced by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board as of May 10, 2019.

(2)

Calculated in accordance with Rule 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and relates to the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-214708) filed by MetLife, Inc. on November 18, 2016.

(3)

A registration fee of $167,864.54 is due for this offering.


Table of Contents

Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus Dated November 18, 2016)

¥151,700,000,000

 

LOGO

MetLife, Inc.

¥25,200,000,000 0.495% Senior Notes due 2026

¥64,900,000,000 0.769% Senior Notes due 2029

¥10,700,000,000 0.898% Senior Notes due 2031

¥26,500,000,000 1.189% Senior Notes due 2034

¥24,400,000,000 1.385% Senior Notes due 2039

 

 

MetLife, Inc. is offering ¥25,200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 0.495% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Notes”), ¥64,900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 0.769% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Senior Notes”), ¥10,700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 0.898% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Senior Notes”), ¥26,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.189% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Senior Notes”) and ¥24,400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.385% Senior Notes due 2039 (the “2039 Senior Notes” and, together with the 2026 Senior Notes, the 2029 Senior Notes, the 2031 Senior Notes and the 2034 Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”). Interest will accrue at 0.495% per annum with respect to the 2026 Senior Notes, 0.769% per annum with respect to the 2029 Senior Notes, 0.898% per annum with respect to the 2031 Senior Notes, 1.189% per annum with respect to the 2034 Senior Notes and 1.385% per annum with respect to the 2039 Senior Notes, from May 23, 2019. Interest on each series of the Senior Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on May 23 and November 23 of each year, beginning on November 23, 2019.

The stated maturity of the 2026 Senior Notes will be May 22, 2026, of the 2029 Senior Notes will be May 23, 2029, of the 2031 Senior Notes will be May 23, 2031, of the 2034 Senior Notes will be May 23, 2034 and of the 2039 Senior Notes will be May 23, 2039. No series of the Senior Notes will be redeemable prior to maturity unless certain events occur involving U.S. taxation, as described under the caption “Description of the Senior Notes — Tax Redemption.”

The Senior Notes will be unsecured obligations of MetLife, Inc. and each series of the Senior Notes will rank equally in right of payment with each other series of the Senior Notes and all of MetLife, Inc.’s existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

 

 

SeeRisk Factors” beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement and the periodic reports MetLife, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to read about important factors you should consider before buying the Senior Notes.

Neither the SEC nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of the Senior Notes or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     Per 2026
Senior Note
    Per 2029
Senior Note
    Per 2031
Senior Note
    Per 2034
Senior Note
    Per 2039
Senior Note
    Total  

Price to the Public (1)

     100.000     100.000     100.000     100.000     100.000   ¥ 151,700,000,000  

Underwriting Discount

     0.400     0.450     0.500     0.600     0.700   ¥ 776,150,000  

Proceeds, before expenses, to MetLife, Inc. (1)

     99.600     99.550     99.500     99.400     99.300   ¥ 150,923,850,000  

 

(1)

Plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, from May 23, 2019.

No series of the Senior Notes will be listed on any securities exchange. Currently, there is no public market for the Senior Notes.

The underwriters expect to deliver each series of the Senior Notes, in book-entry form only, through Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) or Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”), as the case may be, on or about May 23, 2019, which is the fifth Tokyo business day following the date of this prospectus supplement. This settlement date may affect the trading of the Senior Notes.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

SMBC Nikko    Mizuho Securities    Morgan Stanley

Senior Co-Managers

 

Barclays   BNP PARIBAS   BofA Merrill Lynch   Citigroup
Credit Suisse   Deutsche Bank Securities   Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC   HSBC
J.P. Morgan   Nomura   Wells Fargo Securities

Co-Managers

 

Scotiabank

  

Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking

  

US Bancorp

Junior Co-Managers

 

Drexel Hamilton   Ramirez & Co., Inc.

 

 

Prospectus Supplement dated May 16, 2019.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

     S-1  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     S-4  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     S-5  

NOTE REGARDING RELIANCE ON STATEMENTS IN OUR CONTRACTS

     S-6  

SUMMARY

     S-7  

RISK FACTORS

     S-10  

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

     S-13  

CURRENCY CONVERSION

     S-15  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     S-16  

CAPITALIZATION

     S-17  

DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR NOTES

     S-18  

CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     S-27  

UNDERWRITING

     S-32  

LEGAL OPINIONS

     S-39  

EXPERTS

     S-39  

 

Prospectus

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     1  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     1  

NOTE REGARDING RELIANCE ON STATEMENTS IN OUR CONTRACTS

     3  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     3  

METLIFE, INC.

     5  

THE TRUSTS

     5  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     6  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     9  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     19  

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

     25  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     28  

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

     30  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

     31  

DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

     32  

DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES

     35  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     38  

LEGAL OPINIONS

     39  

EXPERTS

     39  

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provided you with additional or different information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the underwriters are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

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The Senior Notes are offered for sale in those jurisdictions where it is lawful to make such offers. The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the offering or sale of the Senior Notes in some jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus come are required by us and the underwriters to inform themselves about and to observe any applicable restrictions. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be used for or in connection with an offer or solicitation by any person in any jurisdiction in which that offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make that offer or solicitation. See “Underwriting — Offering Restrictions” in this prospectus supplement.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should read this prospectus supplement along with the accompanying prospectus carefully before investing in the Senior Notes. This prospectus supplement contains the terms of the Senior Notes. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, the information incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus may have added, updated or changed information in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with any information in the accompanying prospectus (or any information incorporated therein by reference), this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede such information.

It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the additional information under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

References in this prospectus supplement to “$,” “dollars” and “U.S. dollars” are to the currency of the United States of America; references to “¥” and “yen” are to the currency of Japan.

Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus supplement to “MetLife,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MetLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999, its subsidiaries and affiliates, while references to “MetLife, Inc.” refer only to the holding company on an unconsolidated basis.

MIFID II PRODUCT GOVERNANCE / PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS AND ECPs ONLY TARGET MARKET

Solely for the purposes of each manufacturer’s product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Senior Notes has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for the Senior Notes is eligible counterparties and professional clients only, each as defined in Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Senior Notes to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Senior Notes (a “distributor”) should take into consideration the manufacturers’ target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Senior Notes (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers’ target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

NOTICE TO EEA INVESTORS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of the Senior Notes in any member state (the “Member State”) of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”)

 

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will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of the Senior Notes. Accordingly, any person making or intending to make an offer in that Member State of the Senior Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive, in each case, in relation to such offer. Neither we nor any of the underwriters have authorized, nor do we or any of the underwriters authorize, the making of any offer of the Senior Notes in circumstances in which an obligation arises for us or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer. Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do we authorize, the making of any offer of the Senior Notes through any financial intermediary, other than offers made by the underwriters, which constitute the final placement of the Senior Notes contemplated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended or superseded, and includes any relevant implementing measure in any Member State.

The Senior Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97, as amended (the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”), for offering or selling the Senior Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Senior Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

NOTICE TO UNITED KINGDOM INVESTORS

In the United Kingdom, this document is for distribution only to persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (“high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.”) of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside the United Kingdom or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

NOTICE TO JAPAN INVESTORS

The Senior Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended, the “FIEL”). In respect of the solicitation relating to the Senior Notes in Japan, no securities registration statement under Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the FIEL has been filed since this solicitation constitutes a “solicitation targeting QIIs” as defined in Article 23-13, Paragraph 1 of the FIEL. Each underwriter will not offer or sell any Senior Notes, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, or to others for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except for a QII.

Any investor desiring to acquire the Senior Notes must be aware that the Senior Notes may not be Transferred to any other person unless such person is a QII.

 

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As used herein:

 

   

QII” means a qualified institutional investor as defined in the Cabinet Ordinance Concerning Definitions under Article 2 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Ordinance No. 14 of 1993 of the Ministry of Finance of Japan, as amended).

 

   

Transfer” means a sale, exchange, transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or other disposition of all or any portion of Senior Notes, either directly or indirectly, to another person. When used as a verb, the terms “Transfer” and “Transferred” shall have correlative meanings.

 

   

Resident of Japan” means a natural person having his/her place of domicile or residence in Japan, or a legal person having its main office in Japan. A branch, agency or other office in Japan of a non-resident, irrespective of whether it is legally authorized to represent its principal or not, shall be deemed to be a resident of Japan even if its main office is in any other country than Japan.

STABILIZATION

IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC (THE “STABILIZING MANAGER”) (OR ANY PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF ANY STABILIZING MANAGER(S)) MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WITH A VIEW TO SUPPORTING THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SENIOR NOTES AT A LEVEL HIGHER THAN THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL. THIS STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE STABILIZING MANAGER (OR PERSONS ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE STABILIZING MANAGER) WILL UNDERTAKE ANY STABILIZATION ACTION. ANY STABILIZATION ACTION MAY BEGIN ON OR AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH ADEQUATE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF THE TERMS OF THE OFFER OF THE SENIOR NOTES IS MADE AND, IF BEGUN, MAY BE ENDED AT ANY TIME, BUT IT MUST END NO LATER THAN THE EARLIER OF 30 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE DATE OF THE SENIOR NOTES AND 60 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THE ALLOTMENT OF THE SENIOR NOTES. ANY STABILIZATION ACTION OR OVER-ALLOTMENT MUST BE CONDUCTED BY THE STABILIZING MANAGER (OR PERSONS ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE STABILIZING MANAGER) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND RULES.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

MetLife, Inc. files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies that file electronically with the SEC, including MetLife, Inc. MetLife, Inc.’s common stock is listed and trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MET.” These reports, proxy statements and other information can also be read at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

The SEC allows “incorporation by reference” into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus of information that MetLife, Inc. files with the SEC. This permits MetLife, Inc. to disclose important information to you by referencing these filed documents. Any information referenced this way is considered part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information furnished under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of MetLife, Inc.’s Current Reports on Form 8-K is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. MetLife, Inc. incorporates by reference the following documents which have been filed with the SEC:

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the “2018 Form 10-K”);

 

   

The portions of MetLife, Inc.’s Definitive Proxy Statement, filed on April 25, 2019, for MetLife, Inc.’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders incorporated by reference into the 2018 Form 10-K;

 

   

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 (the “First Quarter Form 10-Q”); and

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed January 8, 2019, February 15, 2019, February 19, 2019 (only with respect to the Item 8.01 and 9.01 information), March  5, 2019, March 6, 2019 and May 15, 2019.

MetLife, Inc. incorporates by reference the documents listed above and any future filings made with the SEC in accordance with Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of MetLife, Inc.’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, until the termination or completion of the offering of the Senior Notes made by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Any such reports filed by MetLife, Inc. with the SEC, other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of MetLife, Inc.’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the date that the offering of the Senior Notes by means of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is terminated or completed will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

MetLife, Inc. will provide without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents, unless those exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. Requests should be directed to Investor Relations, MetLife, Inc., 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166 by electronic mail ([email protected]), or by telephone (212-578-9500). You may also obtain the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus at MetLife’s website, www.metlife.com. All other information contained on MetLife’s website is not a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and any references to MetLife’s website are intended to be inactive textual references only.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words and terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will,” and other words and terms of similar meaning, or are tied to future periods, in connection with a discussion of future performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, trends in operations and financial results.

Many factors will be important in determining the results of MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Forward-looking statements are based on our assumptions and current expectations, which may be inaccurate, and on the current economic environment, which may change. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors that might cause such differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the SEC. These factors include: (1) difficult economic conditions, including risks relating to interest rates, credit spreads, equity, real estate, obligors and counterparties, currency exchange rates, derivatives, and terrorism and security; (2) adverse global capital and credit market conditions, which may affect our ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital, including through our credit facilities; (3) downgrades in our claims paying ability, financial strength or credit ratings; (4) availability and effectiveness of reinsurance, hedging or indemnification arrangements; (5) increasing cost and limited market capacity for statutory life insurance reserve financings; (6) the impact on us of changes to and implementation of the wide variety of laws and regulations to which we are subject; (7) regulatory, legislative or tax changes relating to our operations that may affect the cost of, or demand for, our products or services; (8) adverse results or other consequences from litigation, arbitration or regulatory investigations; (9) legal, regulatory and other restrictions affecting MetLife, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends and repurchase common stock; (10) MetLife, Inc.’s primary reliance, as a holding company, on dividends from subsidiaries to meet free cash flow targets and debt payment obligations and the applicable regulatory restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such dividends; (11) investment losses, defaults and volatility; (12) potential liquidity and other risks resulting from our participation in a securities lending program and other transactions; (13) changes to investment valuations, allowances and impairments taken on investments, and methodologies, estimates and assumptions; (14) differences between actual claims experience and underwriting and reserving assumptions; (15) political, legal, operational, economic and other risks relating to our global operations; (16) competitive pressures, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors, consolidation of distributors, the development of new products by new and existing competitors, and for personnel; (17) the impact of technological changes on our businesses; (18) catastrophe losses; (19) a deterioration in the experience of the closed block established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (20) impairment of goodwill or other long-lived assets, or the establishment of a valuation allowance against our deferred income tax asset; (21) changes in assumptions related to deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements or value of business acquired; (22) exposure to losses related to guarantees in certain products; (23) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures or models; (24) a failure in our cybersecurity systems or other information security systems or our disaster recovery plans; (25) any failure to protect the confidentiality of client information; (26) changes in accounting standards; (27) our associates taking excessive risks; (28) difficulties in marketing and distributing products through our distribution channels; (29) increased expenses relating to pension and other postretirement benefit plans; (30) inability to protect our intellectual property rights or claims of infringement of others’ intellectual property rights; (31) difficulties, unforeseen liabilities, asset impairments, or rating agency actions arising from business acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, or other legal entity reorganizations; (32) unanticipated or adverse developments that could adversely affect our expected operational or other benefits from the separation of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries; (33) the possibility that MetLife, Inc.’s

 

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Board of Directors may influence the outcome of stockholder votes through the voting provisions of the MetLife Policyholder Trust; (34) provisions of laws and our incorporation documents that may delay, deter or prevent takeovers and corporate combinations involving MetLife; and (35) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the SEC.

MetLife, Inc. does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if MetLife, Inc. later becomes aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved. Please consult any further disclosures MetLife, Inc. makes on related subjects in reports to the SEC.

NOTE REGARDING RELIANCE ON STATEMENTS IN OUR CONTRACTS

In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates, or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:

 

   

should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;

 

   

have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;

 

   

may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and

 

   

were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.

Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

 

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SUMMARY

This summary contains basic information about us and the offering. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before purchasing any Senior Notes in the offering. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the periodic reports MetLife, Inc. files with the SEC, our financial statements and the notes thereto, and the other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment decision.

MetLife

MetLife is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

MetLife is also one of the largest institutional investors in the United States with a $465.4 billion general account portfolio invested primarily in investment grade corporate bonds, structured finance securities, mortgage loans and U.S. Treasury and agency securities, as well as real estate and corporate equity, at March 31, 2019.

MetLife’s well-recognized brand, leading market positions, competitive and innovative product offerings and financial strength and expertise should help drive future growth and enhance shareholder value, building on a long history of fairness, honesty and integrity. MetLife continues to pursue its refreshed enterprise strategy, focusing on transforming the Company to become more digital, driving efficiencies and innovation to achieve competitive advantage, and simplified, decreasing the costs and risks associated with MetLife’s highly complex industry to customers and shareholders.

MetLife is organized into five segments: U.S.; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Corporate & Other. See “Business — Segments and Corporate & Other” and Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2018 Form 10-K incorporated by reference herein and Note 2 of the Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the First Quarter Form 10-Q incorporated by reference herein for further information on MetLife’s segments and Corporate & Other. Management continues to evaluate the Company’s segment performance and allocated resources and may adjust related measurements in the future to better reflect segment profitability.

MetLife, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. MetLife, Inc.’s principal executive offices are located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166-0188, its telephone number is (212) 578-9500 and its internet address is www.metlife.com. Information contained on MetLife’s website does not constitute part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. This website address is an inactive textual reference and is not intended to be an actual link to the website.



 

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The Offering

 

Issuer

MetLife, Inc.

 

Securities Offered

¥25,200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 0.495% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Notes”).

 

  ¥64,900,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 0.769% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Senior Notes”).
 

 

  ¥10,700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 0.898% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Senior Notes”).

 

  ¥26,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 1.189% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Senior Notes”).

 

  ¥24,400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 1.385% Senior Notes due 2039 (the “2039 Senior Notes”).

 

Maturity Date

The 2026 Senior Notes will mature on May 22, 2026, the 2029 Senior Notes will mature on May 23, 2029, the 2031 Senior Notes will mature on May 23, 2031, the 2034 Senior Notes will mature on May 23, 2034 and the 2039 Senior Notes will mature on May 23, 2039 (each, a “Stated Maturity Date”).

 

Interest Rate

The Senior Notes will bear interest from May 23, 2019 at the rate of 0.495% per year with respect to the 2026 Senior Notes, 0.769% per year with respect to the 2029 Senior Notes, 0.898% per year with respect to the 2031 Senior Notes, 1.189% per year with respect to the 2034 Senior Notes and 1.385% per year with respect to the 2039 Senior Notes.

 

Interest Payment Dates

May 23 and November 23 of each year, beginning on November 23, 2019.

 

Currency of Payment

All payments of interest and principal, including payments made upon any redemption of the Senior Notes, will be made in yen. If the yen is unavailable to us due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond our control, then all payments in respect of the Senior Notes will be made in U.S. dollars until the yen is again available to us. See “Description of the Senior Notes — Issuance in Yen and Payment on the Senior Notes.”

 

Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

 

Paying Agent

The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch

 

Redemption

MetLife, Inc. may redeem each series of the Senior Notes at its option, in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date, at any time, upon the occurrence of certain changes affecting U.S. taxation as described under “Description of the Senior Notes — Tax Redemption.”


 

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Additional Amounts

Subject to certain exceptions, we will pay to beneficial owners of the Senior Notes who are non-U.S. persons Additional Amounts (as defined under “Description of the Senior Notes — Additional Amounts”) in the event that withholding or deduction for certain U.S. taxes is required with respect to payments on the Senior Notes, as described under “Description of the Senior Notes — Additional Amounts.”

 

Ranking

The Senior Notes will be unsecured obligations of MetLife, Inc. and each series of the Senior Notes will rank equally in right of payment with the other series of the Senior Notes and all of MetLife, Inc.’s existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

 

Denominations

¥100,000,000 and integral multiples of ¥10,000,000 in excess thereof.

 

Use of Proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes will be approximately ¥150.7 billion, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes for general corporate purposes and the repayment of indebtedness, which may include the repayment, in whole or in part, of (i) £400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of MetLife, Inc.’s 5.250% Senior Notes due 2020 and (ii) $367,828,000 aggregate principal amount of MetLife, Inc.’s 4.750% Senior Notes due 2021.

 

Form of Notes

Each series of the Senior Notes will be issued as Global Securities (as defined herein) registered in the name of a nominee of, and deposited with, a common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream, for the accounts of its direct and indirect participants. Beneficial interests in Senior Notes held in book-entry form will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes except in certain limited circumstances. For a description of certain factors relating to clearance and settlement, see “Description of the Senior Notes — Book-Entry; Delivery and Form.”

 

Listing

No series of the Senior Notes will be listed on any national securities exchange nor included in any automated quotation system.

 

Governing Law

The State of New York.

 

Risk Factors

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement and the periodic reports MetLife, Inc. files with the SEC to read about important factors you should consider before buying the Senior Notes.


 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the Senior Notes involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, you should consider carefully the following factors relating to us and the Senior Notes before making an investment in the Senior Notes offered hereby. In addition to the risk factors set forth below, please read the information included or incorporated by reference under “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and the 2018 Form 10-K, as updated by the First Quarter Form 10-Q. If any of the following risks or those incorporated by reference actually occur, our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows or prospects could be materially adversely affected, which in turn could adversely affect the market for or trading price of the Senior Notes. As a result, you may lose all or part of your original investment. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements.

The Indenture Does Not Limit the Amount of Indebtedness that MetLife, Inc. or Its Subsidiaries May Incur

Neither MetLife, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries are restricted from incurring additional debt or other liabilities, including additional senior debt securities, under the Indenture (as defined under “Description of the Senior Notes”). At March 31, 2019, MetLife, Inc. had $11.9 billion of unaffiliated senior debt outstanding. If we incur additional debt or liabilities, MetLife, Inc.’s ability to pay its obligations on the Senior Notes could be adversely affected. We expect that we will from time to time incur additional debt and other liabilities. In addition, MetLife, Inc. is not restricted from paying dividends on or issuing or repurchasing its securities under the Indenture.

There Are No Financial Covenants in the Indenture

There are no financial covenants in the Indenture. You are not protected under the Indenture in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, change of control, restructuring, merger or similar transaction that may adversely affect you, except to the limited extent described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities — Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other Transactions.”

The Senior Notes Are Not Guaranteed by Any of MetLife’s Subsidiaries and Are Structurally Subordinated to the Debt and Other Liabilities of Our Subsidiaries, Which Means that Creditors of Our Subsidiaries Will be Paid from Their Assets Before Holders of the Senior Notes Would Have Any Claims to Those Assets

MetLife, Inc. is a holding company and conducts substantially all of its operations through subsidiaries, which means that its ability to meet its obligations on the Senior Notes depends on its ability to receive distributions from these subsidiaries. However, the Senior Notes are obligations exclusively of MetLife, Inc. and are not guaranteed by any of its subsidiaries. As a result, the Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to all debt and other liabilities of MetLife, Inc.’s subsidiaries (including liabilities to policyholders and contractholders), which means that creditors of these subsidiaries will be paid from their assets before holders of the Senior Notes would have any claims to those assets. At March 31, 2019, MetLife, Inc.’s subsidiaries had $3.0 billion of total debt outstanding, which includes $5 million relating to variable interest entities and excludes intercompany liabilities.

An Active After-Market for the Senior Notes May Not Develop

The Senior Notes do not have an established trading market. We cannot assure you that an active after-market for the Senior Notes will develop or be sustained or that holders of the Senior Notes will be able to sell their Senior Notes at favorable prices or at all. Although the underwriters have indicated to us that they intend to make a market in the Senior Notes, as permitted by applicable laws and regulations, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any such market-making at any time without notice. Accordingly, no assurance can be

 

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given as to the liquidity of, or trading markets for, the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are not listed and we do not plan to apply to list the Senior Notes on any securities exchange or to include them in any automated quotation system.

If a Trading Market Does Develop, Changes in Our Credit Ratings or the Debt Markets Could Adversely Affect the Market Price of the Senior Notes

The market price for the Senior Notes depends on many factors, including:

 

   

our credit ratings with major credit rating agencies;

 

   

the prevailing interest rates being paid by other companies similar to us;

 

   

our financial condition, financial performance and future prospects; and

 

   

the overall condition of the financial markets.

The condition of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future. Such fluctuations could have an adverse effect on the price of the Senior Notes.

In addition, credit rating agencies continually review their ratings for the companies that they follow, including us. The credit rating agencies also evaluate the insurance industry as a whole and may change their credit rating for us based on their overall view of our industry. A negative change in our rating could have an adverse effect on the price of the Senior Notes.

Our Credit Ratings May Not Reflect All Risks of Your Investments in the Senior Notes

Our credit ratings are an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of the Senior Notes. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks relating to the Senior Notes. Agency ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other agency’s rating.

The Senior Notes Permit Us to Make Payments in U.S. Dollars If We Are Unable to Obtain Yen

If the yen is unavailable to us due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond our control, then all payments in respect of the Senior Notes will be made in U.S. dollars until the yen is again available to us. The amount payable on any date in yen will be converted into the U.S. dollars at a rate determined pursuant to the procedures set forth in “Description of the Senior Notes — Issuance in Yen and Payment on the Senior Notes.” Any payment in respect of the Senior Notes so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under any series of the Senior Notes or the Indenture.

An Investment in the Senior Notes by a Purchaser Whose Home Currency is Not Yen Entails Significant Risks

All payments of interest on and the principal of the Senior Notes and any redemption price for any series of the Senior Notes will be made in yen, except in limited circumstances. See “Description of the Senior Notes — Issuance in Yen and Payment on the Senior Notes.” An investment in the Senior Notes by a purchaser whose home currency is not yen entails significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant changes in rates of exchange between the holder’s home currency and yen and the possibility of the imposition or subsequent modification of foreign exchange controls.

These risks generally depend on factors over which we have no control, such as economic, financial and political events and the supply of and demand for the relevant currencies. In the past, rates of exchange between

 

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yen and certain currencies have been highly volatile, and each holder should be aware that volatility may occur in the future. Fluctuations in any particular exchange rate that have occurred in the past, however, are not necessarily indicative of fluctuations in the rate that may occur during the term of the Senior Notes. Depreciation of yen against the holder’s home currency would result in a decrease in the effective yield of the Senior Notes below its interest rate and, in certain circumstances, could result in a loss to a holder.

In a Lawsuit for Payment on the Senior Notes, an Investor May Bear Currency Exchange Risk

The Indenture is, and the Senior Notes and the Supplemental Indentures (as defined under “Description of the Senior Notes”) will be, governed by the laws of the State of New York. Under New York law, a New York state court rendering a judgment on the Senior Notes would be required to render the judgment in yen. However, the judgment would be converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of entry of the judgment. Consequently, in a lawsuit for payment on the Senior Notes, investors would bear currency exchange risk until a New York state court judgment is entered, which could be for an extended period of time. A federal court sitting in New York with diversity jurisdiction over a dispute arising in connection with the Senior Notes would apply the foregoing New York law.

In courts outside of New York, investors may not be able to obtain a judgment in a currency other than U.S. dollars. For example, judgment for money in an action based on the Senior Notes in many other U.S. federal or state courts ordinarily would be enforced in the United States only in U.S. dollars. The date used to determine the conversion of yen into U.S. dollars would depend upon various factors, including which court renders the judgment and when the judgment is rendered.

Trading in the Clearing Systems is Subject to Minimum Denomination Requirements

The terms of the Senior Notes provide that Senior Notes will be issued with a minimum denomination of ¥100,000,000 and multiples of ¥10,000,000 in excess thereof. It is possible that the clearing systems may process trades which could result in amounts being held in denominations smaller than the minimum denominations. If definitive notes are required to be issued in relation to any series of the Senior Notes in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Global Securities, a holder who does not have the minimum denomination or any integral multiple of ¥10,000,000 in excess thereof in its account with the relevant clearing system at the relevant time may not receive all of its entitlement in the form of definitive notes unless and until such time as its holding satisfies the minimum denomination requirement.

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables set forth selected historical consolidated financial data for MetLife. The selected historical consolidated financial data at December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the 2018 Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included therein. The selected historical consolidated financial data at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 has been derived from the selected financial data also included in the 2018 Form 10-K. The selected historical consolidated financial data at March 31, 2019 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 has been derived from the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in the First Quarter Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included therein. The following consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheet data have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

     Three Months
Ended
March 31,
    Years Ended December 31,  
     2019      2018     2018     2017     2016     2015      2014  
     (In millions, except per share data)  

Statement of Operations Data

                

Revenues

                

Premiums

   $ 9,405      $ 9,178     $ 43,840     $ 38,992     $ 37,202     $ 36,403      $ 36,970  

Universal life and investment-type product policy fees

     1,365        1,392       5,502       5,510       5,483       5,570        5,824  

Net investment income

     4,908        3,745       16,166       17,363       16,790       16,205        18,158  

Other revenues

     494        474       1,880       1,341       1,685       1,927        1,962  

Net investment gains (losses)

     15        (333     (298     (308     317       609        338  

Net derivative gains (losses)

     115        349       851       (590     (690     629        722  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

     16,302        14,805       67,941       62,308       60,787       61,343        63,974  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses

                

Policyholder benefits and claims

     9,072        8,718       42,656       38,313       36,358       35,144        35,393  

Interest credited to policyholder account balances

     1,961        769       4,013       5,607       5,176       4,415        5,726  

Policyholder dividends

     300        297       1,251       1,231       1,223       1,356        1,353  

Other expenses

     3,225        3,365       13,714       13,621       13,749       14,777        14,619  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     14,558        13,149       61,634       58,772       56,506       55,692        57,091  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax

     1,744        1,656       6,307       3,536       4,281       5,651        6,883  

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

     359        399       1,179       (1,470     693       1,590        1,936  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax

     1,385        1,257       5,128       5,006       3,588       4,061        4,947  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax (1)

     —          —         —         (986     (2,734     1,324        1,389  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     1,385        1,257       5,128       4,020       854       5,385        6,336  

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     4        4       5       10       4       12        27  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.

     1,381        1,253       5,123       4,010       850       5,373        6,309  

Less: Preferred stock dividends

     32        6       141       103       103       116        122  

Preferred stock repurchase premium

     —          —         —         —         —         42        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders

   $ 1,349      $ 1,247     $ 4,982     $ 3,907     $ 747     $ 5,215      $ 6,187  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Three Months
Ended
March 31,
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2019      2018      2018      2017     2016     2015      2014  
     (In millions, except per share data)  

EPS Data

                  

Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:

                  

Basic

   $ 1.41      $ 1.20      $ 4.95      $ 4.57     $ 3.16     $ 3.48      $ 4.25  

Diluted

   $ 1.40      $ 1.19      $ 4.91      $ 4.53     $ 3.13     $ 3.44      $ 4.20  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, per common share (1):

                  

Basic

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ (0.92   $ (2.48   $ 1.19      $ 1.23  

Diluted

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ (0.91   $ (2.46   $ 1.18      $ 1.22  

Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:

                  

Basic

   $ 1.41      $ 1.20      $ 4.95      $ 3.65     $ 0.68     $ 4.67      $ 5.48  

Diluted

   $ 1.40      $ 1.19      $ 4.91      $ 3.62     $ 0.67     $ 4.62      $ 5.42  

Cash dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.420      $ 0.400      $ 1.660      $ 1.600     $ 1.575     $ 1.475      $ 1.325  

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  
     (In millions)  

Balance Sheet Data

                 

Assets of disposed subsidiary (1)

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 216,983      $ 216,437      $ 219,937  

Separate account assets

   $ 185,765      $ 175,556      $ 205,001      $ 195,578      $ 187,152      $ 194,072  

Total assets

   $ 713,188      $ 687,538      $ 719,892      $ 898,764      $ 877,912      $ 902,322  

Policyholder liabilities and other policy-related balances (2)

   $ 393,595      $ 388,107      $ 378,810      $ 355,151      $ 342,047      $ 349,651  

Short-term debt

   $ 289      $ 268      $ 477      $ 242      $ 100      $ 100  

Long-term debt

   $ 12,850      $ 12,829      $ 15,686      $ 16,441      $ 17,936      $ 16,108  

Collateral financing arrangement

   $ 1,048      $ 1,060      $ 1,121      $ 1,274      $ 1,342      $ 1,399  

Junior subordinated debt securities

   $ 3,148      $ 3,147      $ 3,144      $ 3,169      $ 3,194      $ 3,193  

Liabilities of disposed subsidiary (1)

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 202,707      $ 204,314      $ 208,341  

Separate account liabilities

   $ 185,765      $ 175,556      $ 205,001      $ 195,578      $ 187,152      $ 194,072  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 6,911      $ 1,722      $ 7,427      $ 5,366      $ 4,767      $ 10,714  

Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity

   $ 58,509      $ 52,741      $ 58,676      $ 67,531      $ 68,098      $ 72,208  

Noncontrolling interests

   $ 229      $ 217      $ 194      $ 171      $ 470      $ 507  

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Other Data (3)

              

Return on MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity

     9.6      6.3      1.0      7.7      9.5

 

(1)

See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2018 Form 10-K.

(2)

Policyholder liabilities and other policy-related balances include future policy benefits, policyholder account balances, other policy-related balances, policyholder dividends payable and the policyholder dividend obligation.

(3)

Return on MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity is defined as net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders divided by MetLife, Inc.’s average common stockholders’ equity.

 

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CURRENCY CONVERSION

All payments of interest and principal, including payments made upon any redemption of the Senior Notes, will be made in yen. If the yen is unavailable to us due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond our control, then all payments in respect of the Senior Notes will be made in U.S. dollars until the yen is again available to us. In such circumstances, the amount payable on any date in yen will be converted by us into U.S. dollars at the rate mandated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of the close of business on the second business day prior to the relevant payment date or, if the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has not announced a rate of conversion, on the basis of the most recent U.S. dollar/yen exchange rate published in The Wall Street Journal on or prior to the second business day prior to the relevant payment date or, in the event The Wall Street Journal has not published such exchange rate, the rate will be determined in our sole discretion on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for yen. See “Description of the Senior Notes — Issuance in Yen and Payment on the Senior Notes.” Any payment in respect of the Senior Notes so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under any series of the Senior Notes or the Indenture.

As of May 10, 2019, the yen/U.S. dollar exchange rate was ¥1.00 = U.S.$0.00913, as announced by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.

Investors will be subject to foreign exchange risks as to payments of principal and interest that may have important economic and tax consequences to them. See “Risk Factors” and “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus supplement.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes will be approximately ¥150.7 billion, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes for general corporate purposes and the repayment of indebtedness, which may include the repayment, in whole or in part, of (i) £400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of MetLife, Inc.’s 5.250% Senior Notes due 2020 and (ii) $367,828,000 aggregate principal amount of MetLife, Inc.’s 4.750% Senior Notes due 2021.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization at March 31, 2019, on an actual basis, and as adjusted to give effect to the offering of Senior Notes. This information should be read in conjunction with the First Quarter Form 10-Q and our other financial information incorporated by reference herein.

 

     March 31, 2019  
     Actual      As Adjusted (1)  
     (In millions)  

Short-term debt

   $ 289      $ 289  

Long-term debt (2)

     12,850        14,225  

Collateral financing arrangement

     1,048        1,048  

Junior subordinated debt securities

     3,148        3,148  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

     17,335        18,710  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity:

     

Preferred stock, par value

     —          —    

Common stock, par value

     12        12  

Additional paid-in capital

     32,535        32,535  

Retained earnings

     29,944        29,944  

Treasury stock, at cost

     (10,893      (10,893

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     6,911        6,911  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity

     58,509        58,509  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 75,844      $ 77,219  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Reflects the U.S. dollar equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes being offered hereby, converted from yen using the exchange rate of ¥1.00 = U.S.$0.00913 on May 10, 2019, as announced by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. Related debt issuance costs of $9 million will be capitalized and amortized over the applicable term of each series of the Senior Notes.

(2)

Includes $5 million of long-term debt, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR NOTES

A description of the specific terms of the Senior Notes of MetLife, Inc. being offered is set forth below. The description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2001 (the “Indenture”), between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor in interest to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.)), as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by (i) the Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture, to be dated as of May 23, 2019 (the “Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture”), between MetLife, Inc. and the Trustee, under which the 2026 Senior Notes will be issued, (ii) the Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture, to be dated as of May 23, 2019 (the “Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture”), between MetLife, Inc. and the Trustee, under which the 2029 Senior Notes will be issued, (iii) the Thirty-Second Supplemental Indenture, to be dated as of May 23, 2019 (the “Thirty-Second Supplemental Indenture”), between MetLife, Inc. and the Trustee, under which the 2031 Senior Notes will be issued, (iv) the Thirty-Third Supplemental Indenture, to be dated as of May 23, 2019 (the “Thirty-Third Supplemental Indenture”), between MetLife, Inc. and the Trustee, under which the 2034 Senior Notes will be issued and (v) the Thirty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, to be dated as of May 23, 2019 (the “Thirty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture, the Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture, the Thirty-Second Supplemental Indenture and the Thirty-Third Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures”), between MetLife, Inc. and the Trustee, under which the 2039 Senior Notes will be issued. The Indenture has been qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The terms of the Indenture are those provided in the Indenture, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indentures, and those made part of the Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act. MetLife, Inc. has filed a copy of the Indenture with the SEC under the Exchange Act and the Indenture is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part.

The following description of certain terms of each series of the Senior Notes and certain provisions of the Indenture, as supplemented by the applicable Supplemental Indenture, supplements the description under “Description of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that the following description is not consistent with that contained in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities” you should rely on this description. This description is only a summary of the material terms and does not purport to be complete. We urge you to read the Indenture, as supplemented by the applicable Supplemental Indenture, in its entirety because it, and not this description, will define your rights as a beneficial holder of the Senior Notes.

Certain Terms of the Senior Notes

The Senior Notes will consist of five series of senior debt securities described in the accompanying prospectus. MetLife, Inc. will issue each series of the Senior Notes under the Indenture, as supplemented by the applicable Supplemental Indenture. The offering of each series of the Senior Notes is not conditioned on the completion of the offering of any other series of the Senior Notes. The 2026 Senior Notes will initially be limited in aggregate principal amount to ¥25,200,000,000, the 2029 Senior Notes will initially be limited in aggregate principal amount to ¥64,900,000,000, the 2031 Senior Notes will initially be limited in aggregate principal amount to ¥10,700,000,000, the 2034 Senior Notes will initially be limited in aggregate principal amount to ¥26,500,000,000 and the 2039 Senior Notes will initially be limited in aggregate principal amount to ¥24,400,000,000. There is no limit on the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes of each series that MetLife, Inc. may issue. Each series of the Senior Notes will be issued in denominations of ¥100,000,000 and integral multiples of ¥10,000,000 in excess thereof.

The 2026 Senior Notes will mature on May 22, 2026, the 2029 Senior Notes will mature on May 23, 2029, the 2031 Senior Notes will mature on May 23, 2031, the 2034 Senior Notes will mature on May 23, 2034 and the 2039 Senior Notes will mature on May 23, 2039, and will bear interest at 0.495% per annum with respect to the 2026 Senior Notes, 0.769% per annum with respect to the 2029 Senior Notes, 0.898% per annum with respect to the 2031 Senior Notes, 1.189% per annum with respect to the 2034 Senior Notes and 1.385% per annum with

 

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respect to the 2039 Senior Notes. Interest on each series of the Senior Notes will accrue from May 23, 2019 or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for.

Interest on each series of the Senior Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on May 23 and November 23 of each year, commencing November 23, 2019 (or, if such day is not a business day (as defined below), on the next succeeding business day (without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable), to the persons in whose names the Senior Notes are registered at the close of business on the preceding May 10 or November 10, as the case may be (whether or not a business day), provided that interest payable at the applicable Stated Maturity Date or upon redemption will be paid to the person to whom principal is payable. Interest on the Senior Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

No series of the Senior Notes will be entitled to any sinking fund.

Each series of the Senior Notes and the Supplemental Indentures will be, and the Indenture is, governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

The term “business day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in the City of New York, Tokyo or London, or the relevant place of payment, are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Issuance in Yen and Payment on the Senior Notes

Initial holders will be required to pay for the Senior Notes in yen, and all payments of principal of, the redemption price (if any), and interest and Additional Amounts (as defined below, if any), on any series of the Senior Notes, will be payable in yen.

If the yen is unavailable to us due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond our control, then all payments in respect of the Senior Notes will be made in U.S. dollars until the yen is again available to us. In such circumstances, the amount payable on any date in yen will be converted into U.S. dollars by us at the rate mandated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of the close of business on the second business day prior to the relevant payment date or, if the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has not announced a rate of conversion, on the basis of the most recent U.S. dollar/yen exchange rate published in The Wall Street Journal on or prior to the second business day prior to the relevant payment date or, in the event The Wall Street Journal has not published such exchange rate, the rate will be determined in our sole discretion on the basis of the most recently available market exchange rate for yen. Any payment in respect of the Senior Notes so made in U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under any series of the Senior Notes or the Indenture.

Investors will be subject to foreign exchange risks as to payments of principal and interest that may have important economic and tax consequences to them. See “Risk Factors” and “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this prospectus supplement.

Further Issues

MetLife, Inc. may, without the consent of the holders of any series of the Senior Notes, issue additional senior notes of a series having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as such series of the Senior Notes offered by this prospectus supplement, except for the price to the public and issue date and, in some cases, the first interest payment date and interest accrual date. Any additional senior notes having such similar terms will, together with the applicable series of Senior Notes offered by this prospectus

 

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supplement, constitute a single series of debt securities under the Indenture. No additional senior notes of the same series as the applicable series of Senior Notes may be issued unless such additional senior notes are treated as fungible with the applicable series of Senior Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. No additional senior notes of the same series as a series of the Senior Notes may be issued if an Event of Default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing with respect to outstanding Senior Notes of such series.

Ranking

The Senior Notes will be unsecured obligations of MetLife, Inc. and each series of the Senior Notes will rank equally in right of payment with each other series and with all of MetLife, Inc.’s existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Senior Notes will rank senior to any subordinated indebtedness of MetLife, Inc.

Because MetLife, Inc. is principally a holding company, its right to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary, upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of the holders of Senior Notes to benefit indirectly from any such distribution), is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent MetLife, Inc. may be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, MetLife, Inc.’s obligations under the Senior Notes will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries (including liabilities to policyholders and contractholders), and claimants should look only to its assets for payment thereunder. The Indenture does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt by MetLife, Inc., including senior debt. At March 31, 2019, MetLife, Inc. had $11.9 billion of unaffiliated senior debt outstanding and its subsidiaries had $3.0 billion of total debt outstanding, which includes $5 million relating to variable interest entities and excludes intercompany liabilities.

Additional Amounts

All payments of principal and interest in respect of the Senior Notes will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges of whatsoever nature imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United States (collectively, “Taxes”), unless such withholding or deduction is required by law (see “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”).

In the event such withholding or deduction of Taxes is required by law, subject to the limitations described below, MetLife, Inc. will pay to the holder or beneficial owner of any Senior Note that is a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined under “Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”) such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary in order that every net payment of principal of or interest on the Senior Notes (including upon redemption), after deduction or withholding for or on account of such Taxes, will not be less than the amount provided for in such Senior Notes to be then due and payable before deduction or withholding for or on account of such Taxes.

However, MetLife, Inc.’s obligation to pay Additional Amounts shall not apply to:

(a) any Taxes which would not have been so imposed, withheld or deducted but for:

 

  (1)

the existence of any present or former connection between such holder or beneficial owner (or between a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder or other equity owner of, or a person having a power over, such holder or beneficial owner, if such holder or beneficial owner is an estate, a trust, a limited liability company, a partnership, a corporation or other entity) and the United States or any political subdivision or territory or possession thereof, including, without limitation, such holder or beneficial owner (or such fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member, shareholder or other equity owner or person having such a power) being or having been a citizen or resident or treated as a resident thereof or being or having been engaged in a trade or business therein or being or having been present therein or having or having had a permanent establishment

 

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  therein or incorporated therein or otherwise having or having had some connection with the United States or such political subdivision, territory or possession other than the mere holding or ownership of a Senior Note;

 

  (2)

the failure of such holder or beneficial owner to comply with any applicable certification, information, documentation or other reporting requirement concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the United States (or any political subdivision or territory or possession thereof) of such holder or beneficial owner or otherwise to establish entitlement to a partial or complete exemption from such Taxes (including, but not limited to, the requirement to provide Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E, Form W-8ECI, or any subsequent versions thereof or successor thereto, and including, without limitation, any documentation requirement under an applicable income tax treaty); or

 

  (3)

such holder’s or beneficial owner’s present or former status as a personal holding company, controlled foreign corporation, passive foreign investment company or foreign tax exempt organization with respect to the United States or as a corporation that accumulates earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

(b) any Taxes imposed, withheld or deducted by reason of the holder or beneficial owner:

 

  (1)

owning or having owned, directly or indirectly, actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of MetLife, Inc.’s stock,

 

  (2)

being a bank receiving interest described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or

 

  (3)

being a controlled foreign corporation with respect to the United States that is related to MetLife, Inc. by stock ownership within the meaning of section 864(d)(4) of the Code;

(c) any Taxes which would not have been so imposed, withheld or deducted but for the presentation by the holder or beneficial owner of such Senior Note for payment on a date more than 10 days after the date on which such payment became due and payable or the date on which payment of the Senior Note is duly provided for and notice is given to holders, whichever occurs later, except to the extent that the holder or beneficial owner would have been entitled to such additional amounts on presenting such Senior Note on any date during such 10 day period;

(d) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, capital gains, personal property, excise, wealth, interest equalization or similar Taxes;

(e) any Taxes which are payable otherwise than by withholding from any payment of principal of or interest on such Senior Note;

(f) any Taxes which are payable by a holder that is not the beneficial owner of the Senior Note, or a portion of the Senior Note, or that is a fiduciary, partnership, limited liability company or other similar entity, but only to the extent that a beneficial owner, a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or member of such partnership, limited liability company or similar entity would not have been entitled to the payment of an additional amount had such beneficial owner, settlor, beneficiary or member received directly its beneficial or distributive share of the payment;

(g) any Taxes required to be withheld by any paying agent from any payment of principal of or interest on any Senior Note, if such payment can be made without such withholding by any other paying agent;

(h) any Taxes that would not have been imposed, withheld or deducted but for a change in any law, treaty, regulation, or administrative or judicial interpretation that becomes effective after the applicable payment becomes due or is duly provided for, whichever occurs later, to the extent such change in law, treaty, regulation or administrative interpretation would apply retroactively to such payment;

 

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(i) any Taxes imposed, withheld or deducted under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any amended or successor provisions that are substantively comparable) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof (“FATCA”), any agreement (including any intergovernmental agreement) entered into in connection therewith, or any law, regulation or other official guidance enacted in any jurisdiction implementing FATCA or an intergovernmental agreement in respect of FATCA; or

(j) any combination of items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i).

For purposes of this section, the acquisition, ownership, enforcement or holding of or the receipt of any payment with respect to a Senior Note will not constitute a connection (1) between the holder or beneficial owner and the United States or (2) between a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder or other equity owner of, or a person having a power over, such holder or beneficial owner if such holder or beneficial owner is an estate, a trust, a limited liability company, a partnership, a corporation or other entity and the United States.

Any reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, in the Indenture, the Supplemental Indentures or in the Senior Notes to principal or interest shall be deemed to refer also to Additional Amounts which may be payable under the provisions of this section.

Except as specifically provided in the Senior Notes, MetLife, Inc. will not be required to make any payment with respect to any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge imposed by any government or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in any government or political subdivision.

Tax Redemption

Except as provided below, no series of the Senior Notes may be redeemed prior to the applicable Stated Maturity Date. Unless previously redeemed or repurchased and canceled, each series of the Senior Notes will be repayable at par, including Additional Amounts, if any, on the applicable Stated Maturity Date, or such earlier date on which the same shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Senior Notes. However, if the applicable Stated Maturity Date is not a business day, the Senior Notes will be payable on the next succeeding business day and no interest shall accrue for the period from the applicable Stated Maturity Date to such payment date.

Each series of the Senior Notes may be redeemed at MetLife, Inc.’s option, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date, at any time, on giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice in accordance with “Notices” below if:

(a) MetLife, Inc. has or will become obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such series of the Senior Notes as a result of any change in or amendment to the laws, regulations or rulings of the United States or any political subdivision or any taxing authority of or in the United States affecting taxation, or any change in or amendment to an official application, interpretation, administration or enforcement of such laws, regulations or rulings, which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after the date of this prospectus supplement, or

(b) any action shall have been taken by a taxing authority, or any action has been brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, in the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in the United States, including any of those actions specified in (a) above, whether or not such action was taken or brought with respect to us, or any change, clarification, amendment, application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings shall be officially proposed, in any such case on or after the date of this prospectus supplement, which results in a substantial likelihood that MetLife, Inc. will be required to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such series of the Senior Notes on the next interest payment date.

However, no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which MetLife, Inc. would be, in the case of a redemption for the reasons specified in (a) above, or there would be a

 

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substantial likelihood that MetLife, Inc. would be, in the case of a redemption for the reasons specified in (b) above, obligated to pay such Additional Amounts if a payment in respect of the applicable series of the Senior Notes were then due and, at the time such notification of redemption is given, such circumstance remains in effect.

Prior to the mailing of any notice of redemption pursuant to this section, MetLife, Inc. will deliver to the Trustee:

(1) a certificate signed by one of MetLife, Inc.’s duly authorized officers stating that MetLife, Inc. is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to MetLife, Inc.’s right so to redeem have occurred, and

(2) a written opinion of independent legal counsel of nationally recognized standing to the effect that MetLife, Inc. has or will become obligated to pay such Additional Amounts as a result of such change or amendment or that there is a substantial likelihood that MetLife, Inc. will be required to pay such Additional Amounts as a result of such action or proposed change, clarification, amendment, application or interpretation, as the case may be.

Such notice, once delivered by MetLife, Inc. to the Trustee, will be irrevocable.

Defeasance

The discharge, defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the Indenture described under the caption “Description of Debt Securities — Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” on page 15 of the accompanying prospectus will apply to each series of the Senior Notes.

Notices

MetLife, Inc. will mail or transmit (as applicable) notices to the addresses of the holders of the Senior Notes that are shown on the applicable register for the Senior Notes.

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form

We have obtained the information in this section concerning Clearstream and Euroclear and their book-entry systems and procedures from sources that we believe to be reliable. We take no responsibility for an accurate portrayal of this information. In addition, the description of the clearing systems in this section reflects our understanding of the rules and procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear as they are currently in effect. These systems could change their rules and procedures at any time.

Each series of the Senior Notes will initially be represented by one or more fully registered global security certificates, each of which is referred to in this prospectus supplement as a “Global Security.” Each such Global Security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a common depositary, and registered in the name of the nominee of the common depositary for the accounts of Clearstream and Euroclear. You may hold your interests in the Global Securities through Clearstream or Euroclear, either as a participant in such systems or indirectly through organizations which are participants in such systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests in the Global Securities on behalf of their respective participating organizations or customers through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s or Euroclear’s names on the books of their respective depositaries. Book-entry interests in the Senior Notes and all transfers relating to the Senior Notes will be reflected in the book-entry records of Clearstream and Euroclear.

The distribution of the Senior Notes will be cleared through Clearstream and Euroclear. Any secondary market trading of book-entry interests in the Senior Notes will take place through Clearstream and Euroclear

 

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participants and will settle in same-day funds. Owners of book-entry interests in the Senior Notes will receive payments relating to their Senior Notes in yen, except in limited circumstances. See “— Issuance in Yen and Payment on the Senior Notes.”

Clearstream and Euroclear have established electronic securities and payment transfer, processing, depositary and custodial links among themselves and others, either directly or through custodians and depositaries. These links allow securities to be issued, held and transferred among the clearing systems without the physical transfer of certificates. Special procedures to facilitate clearance and settlement have been established among these clearing systems to trade securities across borders in the secondary market.

The policies of Clearstream and Euroclear will govern payments, transfers, exchange and other matters relating to the investor’s interest in securities held by them. We have no responsibility for any aspect of the records kept by Clearstream or Euroclear or any of their direct or indirect participants. We also do not supervise these systems in any way.

Clearstream and Euroclear and their participants perform these clearance and settlement functions under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers. You should be aware that they are not obligated to perform or continue to perform these procedures and may modify them or discontinue them at any time.

Because of time-zone differences, there may be problems with completing transactions involving Clearstream and Euroclear on the same business day as in the United States or Japan. U.S. investors who wish to transfer their interests in the Senior Notes, or to make or receive a payment or delivery of the Senior Notes, on a particular day, may find that the transactions will not be performed until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, depending on whether Clearstream or Euroclear is used.

Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in the Senior Notes will not be entitled to have the Senior Notes registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Senior Notes in definitive registered form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the Senior Notes under the Indenture, including for purposes of receiving any reports delivered by us or the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a Senior Note must rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, in order to exercise any rights of a holder of Senior Notes. In all events, the Senior Notes will be maintained in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) and Section 1.871-14(c)(1)(i) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations (and may be transferred only in accordance with such provisions).

Clearstream

Clearstream advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depository. Clearstream holds securities for its customers and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its customers through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its customers, thus eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to its customers, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in a number of countries.

Clearstream customers are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through, or maintain a custodial relationship with, a Clearstream customer either directly or indirectly.

The Euroclear System

Euroclear has advised us that the Euroclear System was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants in the Euroclear System and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous

 

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electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thus eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Transactions may now be settled in many currencies, including yen. The Euroclear System provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries.

The Euroclear System is operated by Euroclear, under contract with Euroclear Clearance System, S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation. Euroclear conducts all operations, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with Euroclear, not the cooperative. The cooperative establishes policy for the Euroclear System on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to the Euroclear System is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.

The Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System and applicable Belgian law govern securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with Euroclear. Specifically, these terms and conditions govern:

 

   

transfers of securities and cash within the Euroclear System;

 

   

withdrawal of securities and cash from the Euroclear System; and

 

   

receipts of payments with respect to securities in the Euroclear System.

All securities in the Euroclear System are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. Euroclear acts under the terms and conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding securities through Euroclear participants.

Euroclear further advises that investors that acquire, hold and transfer interests in the Senior Notes by book-entry through accounts with Euroclear or any other securities intermediary are subject to the laws and contractual provisions governing their relationship with their intermediary, as well as the laws and contractual provisions governing the relationship between such an intermediary and each other intermediary, if any, standing between themselves and the Senior Notes.

Euroclear advises that under Belgian law, investors that are credited with securities on the records of Euroclear have a co-property right in the fungible pool of interests in securities on deposit with Euroclear in an amount equal to the amount of interests in securities credited to their accounts. In the event of the insolvency of Euroclear, Euroclear participants would have a right under Belgian law to the return of the amount and type of interests in securities credited to their accounts with Euroclear. If Euroclear did not have a sufficient amount of interests in securities on deposit of a particular type to cover the claims of all Euroclear participants credited with such interests in securities on Euroclear’s records, all Euroclear participants having an amount of interests in securities of such type credited to their accounts with Euroclear would have the right under Belgian law to the return of their pro rata share of the amount of interest in securities actually on deposit.

Under Belgian law, Euroclear is required to pass on the benefits of ownership in any interests in securities on deposit with it, such as dividends, voting rights and other entitlements, to any person credited with such interests in securities on its records.

Clearance and Settlement Procedures

We understand that investors that hold their Senior Notes through Clearstream or Euroclear accounts will follow the settlement procedures that are applicable to conventional bonds in registered form. It is intended that Senior Notes will be credited to the securities custody accounts of Clearstream and Euroclear holders on the

 

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settlement date on a delivery against payment basis. None of the Senior Notes may be held through, no trades of the Senior Notes will be settled through, and no payments with respect to the Senior Notes will be made through, The Depository Trust Company in the United States of America.

We understand that secondary market trading between Clearstream and/or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way following the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear. Secondary market trading will be settled using procedures applicable to conventional bonds in registered form.

You should be aware that investors will only be able to make and receive deliveries, payments and other communications involving the Senior Notes through Clearstream and Euroclear on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

In addition, because of time-zone differences, there may be problems with completing transactions involving Clearstream and Euroclear on the same business day as in the United States. U.S. investors who wish to transfer their interests in the Senior Notes, or to make or receive a payment or delivery of the Senior Notes, on a particular day, may find that the transactions will not be performed until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, depending on whether Clearstream or Euroclear is used.

Clearstream or Euroclear will credit payments to the cash accounts of Clearstream customers or Euroclear participants in accordance with the relevant system’s rules and procedures, to the extent received by its depositary. Clearstream or Euroclear, as the case may be, will take any other action permitted to be taken by a holder under the Indenture on behalf of a Clearstream customer or Euroclear participant only in accordance with its relevant rules and procedures.

Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of the Senior Notes among participants of Clearstream and Euroclear. However, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform those procedures and they may discontinue those procedures at any time.

The Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the Trustee for each series of the Senior Notes.

The Paying Agent

The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch will act as paying agent for each series of the Senior Notes.

 

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CERTAIN MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion summarizes certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders (each as defined below) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Senior Notes. It is included herein for general information only and does not address all tax considerations that may be relevant to investors in light of their personal investment circumstances or that may be relevant to certain types of investors subject to special rules (for example, financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, retirement plans, persons that are broker-dealers, traders in securities who elect the mark to market method of accounting for their securities, U.S. Holders that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents, investors in partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons holding the Senior Notes as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction” or other integrated transaction). The discussion set forth below is limited to initial investors who acquire the Senior Notes pursuant to this offering at the public offering price and hold the Senior Notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. In addition, this discussion does not address the effect of federal alternative minimum, Medicare contribution, gift or estate tax laws, or any state, local or foreign tax laws. Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon provisions of the Code, the legislative history thereof, U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder and administrative rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof. Such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified (including changes in effective dates, and possibly with retroactive effect) so as to result in U.S. federal income tax considerations different from those discussed below.

For purposes of the following discussion, a “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of the Senior Notes that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of source; or

 

   

a trust, if (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a domestic trust.

For purposes of the following discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of the Senior Notes (other than a partnership or an entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not a U.S. Holder.

If a partnership or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes owns any of the Senior Notes, the tax treatment of a partner or an equity interest owner of such other entity will generally depend upon the status of the person and the activities of the person and the partnership or other entity treated as a partnership. Partnerships and other entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and partners or other equity interest owners in such entities, should consult their own tax advisors.

THIS DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS NOT INTENDED, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED, TO BE TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR IN OR HOLDER OF THE SENIOR NOTES. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSIDERATIONS ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAXING JURISDICTION OR ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATIES, AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECT OF CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAW.

 

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U.S. Holders

Payments of Interest

We expect, and this discussion assumes, that the Senior Notes will not be issued with more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount, if any.

For a U.S. Holder that uses the cash method of accounting, the amount of yen-denominated interest paid by MetLife, Inc. with respect to a Senior Note that is includible in income is the U.S. dollar value of such interest, as determined on the date of receipt by the U.S. Holder using the spot rate of exchange on such date.

For a U.S. Holder that uses the accrual method of accounting, such U.S. Holder will accrue interest income on a Senior Note in yen during the accrual period and translate such amount into U.S. dollars based on:

(1) the average rate of exchange in effect during the accrual period, or portion thereof, within such U.S. Holder’s taxable year, or

(2) at the U.S. Holder’s election, at the spot rate of exchange on (a) the last day of the accrual period, or the last day of the taxable year within such accrual period if the accrual period spans two taxable years, or (b) the date of receipt, if the last day of the accrual period is within five business days of such receipt. If such an election is made, it must be applied consistently by the U.S. Holder to all debt instruments from year to year and can be changed only with the consent of the IRS.

A U.S. Holder that uses the accrual method of tax accounting will recognize foreign currency exchange gain or loss on the receipt of interest paid by MetLife, Inc. on the Senior Note equal to the difference between (i) the value of the yen received as interest, as translated into U.S. dollars using the spot rate of exchange on the date of receipt and (ii) the U.S. dollar amount previously included in income with respect to such payment. Such foreign currency exchange gain or loss will be treated as ordinary income or loss but generally will not be treated as an adjustment to interest income received on the Senior Notes.

Sale, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of the Senior Notes

A U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange, retirement at maturity, redemption or other taxable disposition of Senior Notes (collectively, a “Disposition”) equal to the difference between (1) the amount realized on such Disposition, and (2) such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Senior Notes. As discussed below, all or a portion of such gain or loss may be treated as foreign currency exchange gain or loss resulting in ordinary income or loss with any remaining amount treated as capital gain or loss. However, any amounts realized in connection with a Disposition of the Senior Notes with respect to accrued interest not previously includible in income will be treated as ordinary interest income.

A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Senior Notes generally will equal the U.S. dollar value of the yen purchase price calculated at the spot rate of exchange on the date of purchase. The amount realized by a U.S. Holder on the Disposition of the Senior Notes will generally be the U.S. dollar value of the yen received calculated at the spot rate of exchange on the date of Disposition. However, if the Senior Notes are traded on an established securities market, a U.S. Holder that uses the cash method of tax accounting, and if it so elects, a U.S. Holder that uses the accrual method of tax accounting, will determine the U.S. dollar value of its adjusted tax basis in the Senior Note and the amount realized on the Disposition of the Senior Note by translating yen amounts at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the purchase or the Disposition, respectively. The election available to accrual basis U.S. Holders must be applied consistently by the U.S. Holder to all debt instruments from year to year and can be changed only with the consent of the IRS.

Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a Disposition of a Senior Note generally will be treated as foreign currency exchange gain or loss resulting in ordinary income or loss to the extent that the gain or loss is attributable to changes in the yen to U.S. dollar exchange rate during the period in which the U.S. Holder held

 

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such Senior Note. More specifically, such foreign currency exchange gain or loss will equal the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the yen purchase price of the Senior Note calculated at the spot rate of exchange on the date (1) the Disposition of the Senior Note (or the spot rate on the settlement date, if applicable) and (2) purchase of the Senior Note (or the spot rate on the settlement date, if applicable).

The recognition of such foreign currency exchange gain or loss will be limited by the amount of overall gain or loss realized on the Disposition of the Senior Note described above. Any overall gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder not treated as foreign currency exchange gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss. Any capital gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder in respect of the Disposition generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the Senior Notes for more than one year at the time of such Disposition. A non-corporate U.S. Holder may be entitled to preferential treatment for net long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Transaction in Yen

Yen received as interest on, or on a Disposition of, a Senior Note will have a tax basis equal to their U.S. dollar value at the time such interest is received or at the time such proceeds from Disposition are received. As discussed above, if the Senior Notes are traded on an established securities market, a cash basis U.S. Holder (or an electing accrual basis U.S. Holder) will determine the U.S. dollar value of the yen by translating the yen received at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the purchase or the Disposition. The amount of gain or loss recognized on a sale or other disposition of such yen will be equal to the difference between (1) the amount of U.S. dollars, or the fair market value in U.S. dollars of the other property received in such disposition, and (2) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in such yen. Any such gain or loss generally will be ordinary income or loss and will not be treated as interest income or expense.

A U.S. Holder that purchases a Senior Note with previously owned yen will generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such yen and the U.S. dollar fair market value of such Senior Note on the date of purchase. The conversion of U.S. dollars to yen and the immediate use of such yen to purchase a Senior Note generally will not result in any exchange gain or loss for a U.S. Holder.

Reportable Transaction Reporting

Under applicable Treasury Regulations, a U.S. Holder who participates in “reportable transactions” (as defined in the Treasury Regulations) must attach to its U.S. federal income tax return a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. The Treasury Regulations could be interpreted to cover transactions generally not regarded as tax shelters, including certain foreign currency transactions. Under the relevant rules, a U.S. Holder may be required to treat a foreign currency exchange loss from the Senior Notes as a reportable transaction if this loss exceeds the relevant threshold in the Treasury Regulations. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the tax reporting obligations, if any, including any requirement to file IRS Form 8886, with respect to the ownership or disposition of the Senior Notes or any related transaction such as the disposition of any yen received in respect of the Senior Notes.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax

Payments of interest made by MetLife, Inc. on, or the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of, the Senior Notes will be subject to information reporting to the IRS on IRS Form 1099 unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as certain corporations) and may be subject to U.S. federal backup withholding tax, currently at a rate of 24%, if the recipient of the payment fails to supply an accurate taxpayer identification number on IRS Form W-9 or otherwise fails to comply with applicable U.S. information reporting or certification requirements. Backup withholding does not represent an additional income tax. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules will be reported on IRS Form 1099, is allowable as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S.

 

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federal income tax and may entitle the U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders

Payments of Interest

Subject to the discussion of backup withholding and FATCA (as defined below) withholding below, payments of interest on the Senior Notes to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax; provided that (1) the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of MetLife, Inc. entitled to vote, (2) the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to MetLife, Inc. through actual or deemed stock ownership, (3) such interest is not effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States (and, if certain tax treaties apply, such interest is not attributable to a permanent establishment maintained within the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder), and (4) the Non-U.S. Holder either (a) completes an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) and certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person as defined under the Code, or (b) holds the Senior Notes through certain foreign intermediaries and the intermediary and the Non-U.S. Holder satisfy the certification or documentation requirements of applicable U.S. Treasury regulations.

If a Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements in the preceding paragraph, payments of interest made to such Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, currently at a rate of 30%, unless such Non-U.S. Holder timely provides the withholding agent with a properly executed (1) IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty, or (2) IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) certifying that interest paid on the Senior Notes is not subject to U.S. federal withholding tax because it is effectively connected with such Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If interest on the Senior Notes is effectively connected with the conduct by a Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder), such interest will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the rate applicable to U.S. persons generally (and, with respect to corporate holders, may also be subject to a branch profits tax). If interest is subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in accordance with these rules, such payments will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax so long as the relevant Non-U.S. Holder timely provides the withholding agent with the appropriate documentation.

Sale, Redemption or Other Taxable Disposition of the Senior Notes

Subject to the discussion of backup withholding and FATCA withholding below, any gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on the Disposition of the Senior Notes generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless (1) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by such Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder), in which case such gain will be taxed on a net income basis in the same manner as interest that is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to the branch profits tax as described above), or (2) the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of Disposition and certain other conditions are satisfied, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to tax, currently at a rate of 30%, on the excess, if any, of such gain plus all other U.S. source capital gains recognized by the Non-U.S. Holder during the same taxable year over the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. source capital losses recognized during such taxable year (except as provided by an applicable income tax treaty).

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax

Generally, the amount of interest paid on the Senior Notes and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments must be reported to the IRS and to Non-U.S. Holders. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or tax information exchange agreement.

In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to interest payments on the Senior Notes provided that the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person as defined under the Code, and such Non-U.S. Holder has provided the certification described above under the heading “Non-U.S. Holders — Payments of Interest.”

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding, will apply to the proceeds of a sale (including retirement or redemption) of the Senior Notes within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related persons, unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a Non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person as defined under the Code) or another exemption is otherwise established.

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act Withholding

Pursuant to FATCA, holders of the Senior Notes may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% on payments of interest received by non-U.S. financial institutions and certain non-U.S. non-financial entities (including, in some instances, where such an institution or entity is acting as an intermediary) unless, in each case, such institutions and entities satisfy certain reporting and compliance requirements. Prospective holders of the Senior Notes are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in the Senior Notes.

Under recently released proposed Treasury Regulations, gross proceeds on the Disposition of Senior Notes are not subject to FATCA withholding. In its preamble to such proposed Treasury Regulations, the IRS has stated that taxpayers may generally rely on the proposed Treasury Regulation until final Treasury Regulations are issued. You should consult your own tax advisors regarding the relevant U.S. law and other official guidance on FATCA withholding.

MetLife, Inc. will not pay any Additional Amounts in respect of FATCA withholding, so if this withholding applies, holders of the Senior Notes will receive significantly less than the amount that they would have otherwise received with respect to such Senior Notes. Depending on a holder’s circumstances, a holder may be entitled to a refund or credit in respect of some or all of this withholding. However, even if a holder is entitled to have any such withholding refunded, the required procedures could be cumbersome and significantly delay the holder’s receipt of any withheld amounts.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, dated May 16, 2019 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), and the Pricing Agreement, dated May 16, 2019, MetLife, Inc. has agreed to sell to each of the underwriters named below, severally, and each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the principal amount of each series of the Senior Notes set forth opposite its name below. SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc will act as bookrunners for the offering and are the representatives of the underwriters.

 

Underwriters

  Principal Amount of
2026 Senior Notes
    Principal Amount of
2029 Senior Notes
    Principal Amount of
2031 Senior Notes
    Principal Amount of
2034 Senior Notes
    Principal Amount of
2039 Senior Notes
 

SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.

  ¥ 6,380,000,000     ¥ 16,210,000,000     ¥ 2,660,000,000     ¥ 6,620,000,000     ¥ 6,090,000,000  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

    5,250,000,000       13,630,000,000       2,220,000,000       5,560,000,000       5,120,000,000  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc

    5,250,000,000       13,630,000,000       2,220,000,000       5,560,000,000       5,120,000,000  

Barclays Bank PLC

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

BNP Paribas

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

Citigroup Global Markets Limited

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

J.P. Morgan Securities plc

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

Merrill Lynch International

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

    610,000,000       1,560,000,000       260,000,000       640,000,000       590,000,000  

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

    470,000,000       1,230,000,000       180,000,000       500,000,000       460,000,000  

Société Générale

    470,000,000       1,230,000,000       180,000,000       500,000,000       460,000,000  

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

    470,000,000       1,230,000,000       180,000,000       500,000,000       460,000,000  

Drexel Hamilton, LLC

    100,000,000       290,000,000       100,000,000       110,000,000       100,000,000  

Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc.

    100,000,000       290,000,000       100,000,000       110,000,000       100,000,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  ¥ 25,200,000,000     ¥ 64,900,000,000     ¥ 10,700,000,000     ¥ 26,500,000,000     ¥ 24,400,000,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to purchase the Senior Notes offered hereby are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the Senior Notes of a series being offered, if any Senior Notes of such series are taken. In the event of default by any underwriter, the Underwriting Agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased, or the Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.

The underwriters initially propose to offer the Senior Notes to the public at the relevant initial public offering prices set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The offering of the Senior Notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part. Any Senior Notes sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to (i) 0.250% of the principal amount with respect to the 2026 Senior Notes, (ii) 0.300% of the principal amount with respect to the 2029 Senior Notes, (iii) 0.300% of the principal amount with respect to the 2031 Senior Notes, (iv) 0.350% of the principal amount with respect to the 2034 Senior Notes and (v) 0.450% of the principal amount with respect to the 2039 Senior Notes, from the respective initial public offering price. Any such securities dealers may resell any Senior Notes purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to (i) 0.050% of the principal amount with respect to the 2026 Senior Notes, (ii) 0.075% of the principal amount with respect to the 2029 Senior Notes, (iii) 0.100% of the principal amount with respect to the 2031 Senior Notes, (iv) 0.150% of the principal amount with respect to the 2034 Senior Notes and (v) 0.150% of the principal amount with respect to the 2039 Senior Notes, from the respective initial public offering price. After the initial offering of each series of the Senior Notes to the public, the relevant offering price and the other selling terms of such series may be varied from time to time.

The Senior Notes of each series are a new issue of securities with no established trading market and no series will be listed on any national securities exchange. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market for each series of the Senior Notes, but they have no obligation to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without providing any notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of any trading market for any series of the Senior Notes.

In addition to the underwriting discount, MetLife, Inc. estimates that its expenses for the offering of the Senior Notes will be approximately $2.1 million.

MetLife, Inc. has agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments which the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any such liabilities.

Any underwriter that is not a broker dealer registered with the SEC will only make sales of the Senior Notes in the United States through one or more SEC-registered broker dealers in compliance with applicable securities laws and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell the Senior Notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales in excess of the number of Senior Notes of a series to be purchased by the underwriters in this offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Senior Notes of a series while the offering is in progress.

In connection with this offering, Mizuho Securities USA LLC (the “stabilizing manager”) (or any person acting on behalf of any stabilizing manager(s)) may over-allot or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of any series of the Senior Notes at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. This stabilizing, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. There is no assurance that the stabilizing manager (or persons acting on behalf of the stabilizing manager) will undertake any stabilization action. Any stabilization

 

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action may begin on or after the date on which adequate public disclosure of the terms of the offer of the Senior Notes is made and, if begun, may be ended at any time, but it must end no later than the earlier of 30 days after the issue date of the Senior Notes and 60 days after the date of the allotment of the Senior Notes. Any stabilization action or over-allotment must be conducted by the stabilizing manager (or persons acting on behalf of the stabilizing manager) in accordance with all applicable laws and rules.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the underwriters, in covering short positions or making stabilizing purchases, repurchase Senior Notes originally sold by that syndicate member.

These activities by the underwriters, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of a series of the Senior Notes. As a result, the price of a series of the Senior Notes may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial, investment or retail banking transactions with us and our affiliates for which they have in the past received, and may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates are lenders under MetLife’s credit agreements.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of MetLife, Inc. or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the Senior Notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the Senior Notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Alternative Settlement Cycle

It is expected that delivery of the Senior Notes will be made to investors on or about May 23, 2019, which is the fifth Tokyo business day following the date of this prospectus supplement (such settlement being referred to as “T+5”). Under the E.U. Central Securities Depositories Regulation, trades in the secondary market are required to settle in two London business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Also, under Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market are required to settle in two New York business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade Senior Notes earlier than the second London business day, or the second New York business day, before May 23, 2019 will be required, by virtue of the fact that the Senior Notes initially will settle T+5, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent failed settlement, and so should consult their own advisors.

 

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Offering Restrictions

Each underwriter has represented and agreed with MetLife, Inc. as set forth below with respect to the following jurisdictions:

Canada

The Senior Notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the Senior Notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the EEA, no offer of Senior Notes may be made to the public in that Member State other than to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of Senior Notes shall require MetLife, Inc. or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this section, (i) the expression an “offer of Senior Notes to the public” in relation to any Senior Notes in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Senior Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Senior Notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and (ii) the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EC, and includes any relevant implementing measure in any Member State.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of the Senior Notes in any Member State of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of the Senior Notes. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive.

The Senior Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; (ii) a customer within the meaning of the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive. Consequently, no key information document required by the PRIIPs Regulation for offering or selling the Senior Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Senior Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

 

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Hong Kong

The Senior Notes may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Senior Notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Senior Notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Japan

The Senior Notes have not been and will not be registered under the FIEL. In respect of the solicitation relating to the Senior Notes in Japan, no securities registration statement under Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the FIEL has been filed since this solicitation constitutes a “solicitation targeting QIIs” as defined in Article 23-13, Paragraph 1 of the FIEL. Each underwriter will not offer or sell any Senior Notes, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, or to others for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except for a QII.

Any investor desiring to acquire the Senior Notes must be aware that the Senior Notes may not be Transferred to any other person unless such person is a QII.

Singapore

Each of the underwriters has acknowledged that this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (the “MAS”). Accordingly, each of the underwriters has represented, warranted and undertaken that it has not offered or sold any Senior Notes or caused the Senior Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell the Senior Notes or cause the Senior Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Senior Notes, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the MAS. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Senior Notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Senior Notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

 

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Where the Senior Notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

  (a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

  (b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Senior Notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

  (i)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A), or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

  (ii)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

  (iii)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

  (iv)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

  (v)

as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification—Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to Sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289 of Singapore), we have determined, and hereby notified all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the Senior Notes are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

South Korea

The Senior Notes may not be offered, sold and delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in South Korea or to any resident of South Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of South Korea, including the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and the decrees and regulations thereunder. The Senior Notes have not been registered with the Financial Services Commission of South Korea for public offering in South Korea. Furthermore, the Senior Notes may not be re-sold to South Korean residents unless the purchaser of the Senior Notes complies with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to government approval requirements under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and its subordinate decrees and regulations) in connection with their purchase.

Switzerland

The Senior Notes may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of, and has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Senior Notes or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

 

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Neither this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the Senior Notes have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will not be filed with, and the offer of Senior Notes will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, and the offer of Senior Notes has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (“CISA”). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of Senior Notes.

By accepting this prospectus supplement and prospectus or by subscribing to the Senior Notes, investors are deemed to have acknowledged and agreed to abide by these restrictions.

Taiwan

The Senior Notes have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan that requires a registration or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the Senior Notes in Taiwan.

United Kingdom

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Senior Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to MetLife, Inc., and that it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to any Senior Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

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LEGAL OPINIONS

Certain legal matters will be passed upon for MetLife, Inc. by Kristin H. Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel – General Corporate of MetLife Group, Inc., an affiliate of MetLife, Inc. Kristin H. Smith is paid a salary by an affiliate of MetLife, Inc., is a participant in various employee benefit plans offered by MetLife, Inc. and its affiliates to employees generally, is paid equity-based compensation in accordance with MetLife’s compensation programs and owns MetLife, Inc. common stock. Certain legal matters, including the validity of the Senior Notes, will be passed upon by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, New York, New York. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York is acting as counsel to the underwriters. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has in the past provided, and continues to provide, legal services to MetLife. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP each maintain various group insurance policies with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedules, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement from MetLife, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the effectiveness of MetLife, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

METLIFE, INC.

DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITARY SHARES,

COMMON STOCK, WARRANTS, PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND UNITS

METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST V

METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST VI

METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST VII

METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST VIII

METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST IX

TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by MetLife, Inc.,

As Described in this Prospectus and the Accompanying Prospectus Supplement

MetLife, Inc., or any of the trusts named above, may offer these securities, or any combination thereof, from time to time in amounts, at prices and on other terms to be determined at the time of the offering. MetLife, Inc., or any of the trusts named above, will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.

THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO SELL SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

MetLife, Inc., or any of the trusts named above, may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters, through agents, or directly to purchasers. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.

MetLife, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “MET”. Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus or an accompanying prospectus supplement, none of these securities will be listed on a securities exchange, other than MetLife, Inc.’s common stock.

MetLife, Inc., or any of the trusts named above, or any of their respective affiliates may use this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement in a remarketing or other resale transaction involving the securities after their initial sale. These transactions may be executed at negotiated prices that are related to market prices at the time of purchase or sale, or at other prices, as determined from time to time.

Investing in MetLife, Inc.’s securities or the securities of the trusts involves risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 1 of this prospectus.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission, the New York Superintendent of Financial Services or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. They have not made, nor will they make, any determination as to whether anyone should buy these securities. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is November 18, 2016


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus

     1  

Risk Factors

     1  

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     1  

Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts

     3  

Where You Can Find More Information

     3  

MetLife, Inc.

     5  

The Trusts

     5  

Use of Proceeds

     6  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     7  

Description of Securities

     8  

Description of Debt Securities

     9  

Description of Capital Stock

     19  

Description of Depositary Shares

     25  

Description of Warrants

     28  

Description of Purchase Contracts

     30  

Description of Units

     31  

Description of Trust Preferred Securities

     32  

Description of Guarantees

     35  

Plan of Distribution

     38  

Legal Opinions

     39  

Experts

     39  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “MetLife,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or “the Company” refer to MetLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, while references to “MetLife, Inc.” refer only to the holding company on an unconsolidated basis. References in this prospectus to the “trusts” refer to MetLife Capital Trust V, MetLife Capital Trust VI, MetLife Capital Trust VII, MetLife Capital Trust VIII and MetLife Capital Trust IX.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that MetLife, Inc. and the trusts filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, MetLife, Inc. may, from time to time, sell any combination of debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, warrants, purchase contracts and units and the trusts may, from time to time, sell trust preferred securities guaranteed by MetLife, Inc., as described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings in one or more currencies, currency units or composite currencies. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities MetLife, Inc. and the trusts may offer. Each time that securities are sold, a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering will be provided. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the trusts have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the trusts are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of the date of the prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in MetLife, Inc.’s securities or the securities of the trusts involve risks. We urge you to carefully consider the risk factors described in our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, pricing supplement or free writing prospectus used in connection with an offering of our securities, as well as the information relating to us identified herein in “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” before making an investment decision.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning, or are tied to future periods, in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective services or products, future performance or results of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, trends in operations and financial results.

Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in

 

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determining the actual future results of MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors that might cause such differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors include: (1) difficult conditions in the global capital markets; (2) increased volatility and disruption of the global capital and credit markets, which may affect our ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital, including through our credit facilities, generate fee income and market-related revenue and finance statutory reserve requirements and may require us to pledge collateral or make payments related to declines in value of specified assets, including assets supporting risks ceded to certain of our captive reinsurers or hedging arrangements associated with those risks; (3) exposure to global financial and capital market risks, including as a result of the pending withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, other disruption in Europe and possible withdrawal of one or more countries from the Euro zone; (4) impact on us of comprehensive financial services regulation reform, including potential regulation of MetLife, Inc. as a non-bank systemically important financial institution, or otherwise; (5) numerous rulemaking initiatives required or permitted by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which may impact how we conduct our business, including those compelling the liquidation of certain financial institutions; (6) regulatory, legislative or tax changes relating to our insurance, international, or other operations that may affect the cost of, or demand for, our products or services, or increase the cost or administrative burdens of providing benefits to employees; (7) adverse results or other consequences from litigation, arbitration or regulatory investigations; (8) unanticipated developments that could delay, prevent or otherwise adversely affect the separation of Brighthouse Financial, Inc., a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc.; (9) our ability to address difficulties, unforeseen liabilities, asset impairments, or rating agency actions arising from (a) business acquisitions and integrating and managing the growth of such acquired businesses, (b) dispositions of businesses via sale, initial public offering, spin-off or otherwise, including failure to achieve projected operation benefit from such transactions; (c) entry into joint ventures, or (d) legal entity reorganizations; (10) potential liquidity and other risks resulting from our participation in a securities lending program and other transactions; including any separated business’ incurrence of debt in connection with such a separation; (11) investment losses and defaults, and changes to investment valuations; (12) changes in assumptions related to investment valuations, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements, value of business acquired or goodwill; (13) impairments of goodwill and realized losses or market value impairments to illiquid assets; (14) defaults on our mortgage loans; (15) the defaults or deteriorating credit of other financial institutions that could adversely affect us; (16) economic, political, legal, currency and other risks relating to our international operations, including with respect to fluctuations of exchange rates; (17) downgrades in our claims paying ability, financial strength or credit ratings; (18) a deterioration in the experience of the closed block established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (19) availability and effectiveness of reinsurance, hedging or indemnification arrangements, as well as any default or failure of counterparties to perform; (20) differences between actual claims experience and underwriting and reserving assumptions; (21) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures; (22) catastrophe losses; (23) increasing cost and limited market capacity for statutory life insurance reserve financings; (24) heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors, consolidation of distributors, the development of new products by new and existing competitors, and for personnel; (25) exposure to losses related to variable annuity guarantee benefits, including from significant and sustained downturns or extreme volatility in equity markets, reduced interest rates, unanticipated policyholder behavior, mortality or longevity and any adjustment, for non-performance risk; (26) legal, regulatory and other restrictions affecting MetLife, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends and repurchase common stock; (27) MetLife, Inc.’s and its subsidiary holding companies’ primary reliance, as holding companies, on dividends from its subsidiaries to meet its free cash flow targets and debt payment obligations and the applicable regulatory restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such dividends; (28) the possibility that MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors may influence the outcome of stockholder votes through the voting provisions of the MetLife Policyholder Trust; (29) changes in accounting standards, practices and/or policies; (30) increased expenses relating to pension and postretirement benefit plans, as well as health care and other employee benefits; (31) inability to protect our intellectual property rights or claims of

 

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infringement of the intellectual property rights of others; (32) difficulties in marketing and distributing products through our distribution channels; (33) provisions of laws and our incorporation documents may delay, deter or prevent takeovers and corporate combinations involving MetLife; (34) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to disasters such as terrorist attacks, cyberattacks, other hostilities, or natural catastrophes, including any related impact on the value of our investment portfolio, our disaster recovery systems, cyber- or other information security systems and management continuity planning; (35) any failure to protect the confidentiality of client information; (36) the effectiveness of our programs and practices in avoiding giving our associates incentives to take excessive risks; (37) restrictions, liabilities, losses or indemnification obligations arising from any transitional services or tax arrangements related to the separation of any business, or from the failure of such a separation to qualify for any intended tax-free treatment; and (38) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

MetLife, Inc. does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if MetLife, Inc. later becomes aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved. Please consult any further disclosures MetLife, Inc. makes on related subjects in reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

NOTE REGARDING RELIANCE ON STATEMENTS IN OUR CONTRACTS

In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to any of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates, or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:

 

   

should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;

 

   

have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;

 

   

may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and

 

   

were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.

Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates may be found elsewhere in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as MetLife, Inc.’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

MetLife, Inc. files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information, including the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, can be read and copied at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies that file electronically with the SEC, including MetLife, Inc. MetLife, Inc.’s common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MET”. These reports, proxy statements and other information can also be read at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

 

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The SEC allows “incorporation by reference” into this prospectus of information that MetLife, Inc. files with the SEC. This permits MetLife, Inc. to disclose important information to you by referencing these filed documents. Any information referenced this way is considered part of this prospectus, and any information filed with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this information. Information furnished under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of MetLife, Inc.’s Current Reports on Form 8-K is not incorporated by reference in this registration statement and prospectus. MetLife, Inc. incorporates by reference the following documents which have been filed with the SEC:

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the “2015 Annual Report”), as revised by MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2016 (the “November 18 Form 8-K;” the 2015 Annual Report, as revised by the November 18 Form 8-K, the “2015 Form 10-K”), which revised the following Items of the Annual Report as and to the extent reflected in Exhibit 99.1 thereto:

 

   

Part I, Item 1. Business;

 

   

Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;

 

   

Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data; and

 

   

Part IV, Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules;

 

   

Quarterly Reports on Form  10-Q for the quarters ended March  31, 2016, June 30, 2016 and September  30, 2016;

 

   

Registration Statement on Form 8-A , dated March 31, 2000, relating to registration of shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock;

 

   

The portions of MetLife, Inc.’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 26, 2016 for MetLife, Inc.’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders incorporated by reference into the 2015 Annual Report; and

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 12, 2016February 19, 2016February  29, 2016 (only with respect to Item 1.01 information), March 7, 2016March 24, 2016May  16, 2016, June 14, 2016, June 15, 2016, August 3, 2016 (only with respect to Item  8.01 information), August 15, 2016, September 29, 2016, October 5, 2016, October 6, 2016, October 25, 2016, November 15, 2016 and November 18, 2016.

MetLife, Inc. incorporates by reference the documents listed above and any future filings made with the SEC in accordance with Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of MetLife, Inc.’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, until MetLife, Inc. and the trusts file a post-effective amendment which indicates the termination or completion of the offering of the securities made by this prospectus. Any reports filed by us with the SEC, other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of MetLife, Inc.’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, after the date of this prospectus and before the date that the offering of the securities by means of this prospectus is terminated or completed will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

MetLife, Inc. will provide without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents, unless those exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. Requests should be directed to Investor Relations, MetLife, Inc., 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, by electronic mail ([email protected]) or by telephone (212-578-2211). You may also obtain some of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus at MetLife’s website, www.metlife.com. All other information contained on MetLife’s website is not a part of this prospectus.

 

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METLIFE, INC.

MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, it holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Over the past several years, it has grown its core businesses, as well as successfully executed its growth strategy. This has included completing a number of transactions that have resulted in the acquisition and, in some cases, divestiture of certain businesses while also further strengthening its balance sheet to position MetLife for continued growth.

MetLife, Inc. is a holding company for its insurance and financial subsidiaries and does not have any significant operations of its own. Dividends from its subsidiaries and permitted payments to it under its tax sharing arrangements with its subsidiaries are its principal sources of cash to meet its obligations and to pay preferred and common stock dividends. MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends imposed by the regulators of their respective domiciles. The dividend limitation for U.S. insurance subsidiaries is based on the surplus to policyholders as of the immediately preceding calendar year and statutory net gain from operations of the immediately preceding calendar year. Statutory accounting practices, as prescribed by insurance regulators of various states in which we conduct business, differ in certain respects from accounting principles used in financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. The significant differences relate to the treatment of DAC, certain deferred income tax, required investment reserves, reserve calculation assumptions, goodwill and surplus notes.

MetLife, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. MetLife, Inc.’s principal executive offices are located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166-0188, and its telephone number is 212-578-9500.

THE TRUSTS

MetLife Capital Trust V, MetLife Capital Trust VI, MetLife Capital Trust VII, MetLife Capital Trust VIII and MetLife Capital Trust IX are statutory trusts formed on October 31, 2007 under Delaware law pursuant to declarations of trust between the trustees named therein and MetLife, Inc. and the filing of certificates of trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. MetLife, Inc., as sponsor of the trusts, and the trustees named in the declarations of trust will amend and restate the declarations of trust in their entirety substantially in the forms which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, as of or prior to the date the trusts issue any trust preferred securities. The declarations of trust will be qualified as indentures under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

The trusts exist for the exclusive purposes of:

 

   

issuing trust preferred securities offered by this prospectus and common securities to MetLife, Inc.;

 

   

investing the gross proceeds of the trust preferred securities and common securities in related series of debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated, issued by MetLife, Inc.; and

 

   

engaging in only those other activities which are necessary, appropriate, convenient or incidental to the purposes set forth above.

The payment of periodic cash distributions on the trust preferred securities and payments on liquidation and redemption with respect to the trust preferred securities, in each case to the extent the trusts have funds legally and immediately available, will be guaranteed by MetLife, Inc. to the extent set forth under “Description of Guarantees.”

MetLife, Inc. will own, directly or indirectly, all of the common securities of the trusts. The common securities will have terms substantially identical to, and will rank equal in priority of payment with, the trust

 

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preferred securities. However, if MetLife, Inc. defaults on the related series of debt securities, then cash distributions and liquidation, redemption and other amounts payable on the common securities will be subordinate to the trust preferred securities in priority of payment.

The trusts’ activities will be conducted by the trustees appointed by MetLife, Inc., as the direct or indirect holder of all of the common securities. The holder of the common securities of each trust will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace any of, or increase or reduce the number of, the trustees of the trust. However, the number of trustees shall be at least three, at least one of which shall be an administrative trustee. The duties and obligations of the trustees will be governed by the declaration of trust for each trust. A majority of the trustees of each trust will be persons who are employees or officers of or affiliated with MetLife, Inc. One trustee of each trust will be a financial institution which will be unaffiliated with MetLife, Inc. and which will act as property trustee and as indenture trustee for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act, pursuant to the terms set forth in a prospectus supplement. In addition, unless the property trustee maintains a principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, one trustee of each trust will have its principal place of business or reside in the State of Delaware.

The property trustee will hold title to the debt securities for the benefit of the holders of the trust securities and the property trustee will have the power to exercise all rights, powers and privileges under the indenture as the holder of the debt securities. In addition, the property trustee will maintain exclusive control of a segregated non-interest bearing bank account to hold all payments made in respect of the debt securities for the benefit of the holders of the trust securities. The property trustee will make payments of distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption and otherwise to the holders of the trust securities out of funds from this property account.

The rights of the holders of the trust preferred securities, including economic rights, rights to information and voting rights, are provided in the declarations of trust of MetLife Capital Trust V, MetLife Capital Trust VI, MetLife Capital Trust VII, MetLife Capital Trust VIII and MetLife Capital Trust IX, including any amendments thereto, the trust preferred securities, the Delaware Statutory Trust Act of 1988, as amended, and the Trust Indenture Act.

MetLife, Inc. will pay all fees and expenses related to the trusts and the offering of trust preferred securities. The principal offices of each trust is: BNY Mellon Trust of Delaware, Suite 102, Newark, Delaware 19711, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration. The telephone number of each trust is: 302-283-8905.

Please read the prospectus supplement relating to the trust preferred securities for further information concerning the trusts and the trust preferred securities.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We may use the proceeds of securities sold or re-sold under this registration statement for, among other things, general corporate purposes. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will specify the intended use of the proceeds of that offering. Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the trusts will use all of the proceeds they receive from the sale of trust preferred securities to purchase debt securities issued by MetLife, Inc.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth MetLife’s historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

 

     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2016      2015      2015      2014      2013      2012      2011  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (1)

     1.57        2.12        1.95        1.99        1.36        1.12        2.22  

 

1)

For purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as income before provision for income tax and discontinued operations and excluding undistributed income and losses from equity method investments, noncontrolling interests and fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest. Fixed charges are the sum of interest and debt issue costs, interest credited to bank deposits, interest credited to policyholder account balances, and an estimated interest component of rent expense. Interest costs include $5 million and $10 million related to variable interest entities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Excluding these costs would have no effect on the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and not have a significant effect for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Interest costs include $8 million, $38 million, $122 million, $163 million and $324 million related to variable interest entities for the years ended December 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Excluding these costs would have no effect on the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and would not have a significant effect on the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years ended December, 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, warrants, purchase contracts and units that MetLife, Inc. may sell from time to time, and the trust preferred securities guaranteed by MetLife, Inc. that the trusts may sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. However, this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together contain the material terms of the securities being offered.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

As used in this prospectus, debt securities means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that MetLife, Inc. may issue from time to time. The debt securities will either be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities.

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, senior debt securities will be issued under the Senior Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2001 (the “Senior Indenture”), between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.)), as trustee, and subordinated debt securities will be issued under the Subordinated Indenture, dated as of June 21, 2005 (the “Subordinated Indenture”), between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association), as trustee. This prospectus sometimes refers to the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture collectively as the “Indentures.”

The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The statements and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement regarding provisions of the Indentures and debt securities are summaries thereof, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the Indentures and the debt securities, including the definitions therein of certain terms.

General

The debt securities will be direct unsecured obligations of MetLife, Inc. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of MetLife, Inc.’s other senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of MetLife, Inc.’s present and future senior indebtedness.

Because MetLife, Inc. is principally a holding company, its right to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary, including Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent MetLife, Inc. may be recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, MetLife, Inc.’s obligations under the debt securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities of its subsidiaries, including liabilities under contracts of insurance and annuities written by MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries, and holders of debt securities should look only to MetLife, Inc.’s assets for payment thereunder.

The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that MetLife, Inc. may issue and provide that MetLife, Inc. may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. MetLife, Inc. may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable Indenture. None of the Indentures limit our ability to incur other debt.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to the specific series of debt securities being offered. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the title of debt securities and whether they are subordinated debt securities or senior debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the price or prices at which MetLife, Inc. will sell the debt securities;

 

   

the maturity date or dates of the debt securities;

 

   

the rate or rates of interest, if any, which may be fixed or variable, per annum at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates, if any;

 

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the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be payable, or the method by which such date or dates will be determined;

 

   

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of any such deferral period, including the maximum consecutive period during which interest payment periods may be extended;

 

   

whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to any index, formula or other method, such as one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices, and the manner of determining the amount of such payments;

 

   

the dates on which MetLife, Inc. will pay interest on the debt securities and the regular record date for determining who is entitled to the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

   

the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities will be payable;

 

   

if MetLife, Inc. possesses the option to do so, the periods within which and the prices at which MetLife, Inc. may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to optional redemption provisions, and the other terms and conditions of any such provisions;

 

   

MetLife, Inc.’s obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities by making periodic payments to a sinking fund or through an analogous provision or at the option of holders of the debt securities, and the period or periods within which and the price or prices at which MetLife, Inc. will redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and the other terms and conditions of such obligation;

 

   

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000;

 

   

the portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the principal amount of the debt securities which MetLife, Inc. must pay upon the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities in connection with an Event of Default (as described below), if other than the full principal amount;

 

   

the currency, currencies or currency unit in which MetLife, Inc. will pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities, if not U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. dollars;

 

   

provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events;

 

   

any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or MetLife, Inc.’s covenants with respect to the applicable series of debt securities, and whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with those contained in the applicable Indenture;

 

   

the application, if any, of the terms of the Indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance (which terms are described below) to the debt securities;

 

   

whether the subordination provisions summarized below or different subordination provisions will apply to the debt securities;

 

   

the terms, if any, upon which the holders may or are required to convert or exchange such debt securities into or for MetLife, Inc.’s common stock or other securities or property or into securities of a third party, including conversion price (which may be adjusted), the method of calculating the conversion price, or the conversion period;

 

   

whether any of the debt securities will be issued in global or certificated form and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which global debt securities may be exchanged for certificated debt securities;

 

   

any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable because of an Event of Default;

 

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the depositary for global or certificated debt securities;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to specific debt securities;

 

   

any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or other agents with respect to the debt securities; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indentures, as amended or supplemented.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued in fully registered form without coupons.

Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such debt securities. The debt securities may also be issued as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies or currency units, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement relating to any of the particular debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to specific debt securities will also describe any special considerations and certain additional tax considerations applicable to such debt securities.

Subordination

The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities will describe the specific subordination provisions. However, unless otherwise noted in the prospectus supplement, subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of MetLife, Inc.’s Senior Indebtedness (as described below).

For purposes of subordinated debt securities, “Senior Indebtedness” means all amounts due on obligations in connection with any of the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter incurred or created:

 

   

the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest in respect of indebtedness of MetLife, Inc. for borrowed money and indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by MetLife, Inc.;

 

   

all capital lease obligations of MetLife, Inc.;

 

   

all obligations of MetLife, Inc. issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of MetLife, Inc. and all obligations of MetLife, Inc. under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business);

 

   

all obligations of MetLife, Inc. for the reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction;

 

   

all obligations of MetLife, Inc. in respect of interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or options contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements;

 

   

all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons for the payment of which MetLife, Inc. is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and

 

   

all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of MetLife, Inc. (whether or not such obligation is assumed by MetLife, Inc.).

 

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Senior Indebtedness does not include:

 

   

indebtedness or monetary obligations to trade creditors created or assumed by MetLife, Inc. in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services;

 

   

indebtedness that is, by its terms, subordinated to, or ranks equal with, the subordinated debt securities; and

 

   

any indebtedness of MetLife, Inc. to its affiliates (including all debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt securities issued to any trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with MetLife, Inc. that is a financing vehicle of MetLife, Inc. in connection with the issuance by such financing entity of preferred securities or other securities guaranteed by MetLife, Inc.) unless otherwise expressly provided in the terms of any such indebtedness.

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Senior Indebtedness aggregated approximately $15.6 billion and $17.0 billion, respectively. The amount of Senior Indebtedness which MetLife, Inc. may issue is subject to limitations imposed by its board of directors.

Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.

Unless otherwise noted in the accompanying prospectus supplement, if MetLife, Inc. defaults in the payment of any principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Indebtedness when it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise, then, unless and until such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, MetLife, Inc. will make no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) in respect of the principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities or in respect of any redemption, retirement, purchase or other requisition of any of the subordinated debt securities.

In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the holders of all senior debt securities outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the senior debt securities before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the subordinated debt securities.

If any of the following events occurs, MetLife, Inc. will pay in full all Senior Indebtedness before it makes any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities or other property, to any holder of subordinated debt securities:

 

   

any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of MetLife, Inc., whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership;

 

   

any general assignment by MetLife, Inc. for the benefit of creditors; or

 

   

any other marshaling of MetLife, Inc.’s assets or liabilities.

In such event, any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities or other property, which would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of the subordinated debt securities, will be paid or delivered directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full. If any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities is received by the trustee of any subordinated debt securities in contravention of any of the terms of the Subordinated Indenture and before all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, such payment or distribution or security will be received in trust for the benefit of, and paid over or delivered and transferred to, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full.

None of the Indentures limit the issuance of additional Senior Indebtedness.

 

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If debt securities are issued to a trust in connection with the issuance of trust preferred securities, such debt securities may thereafter be distributed pro rata to the holders of such trust securities in connection with the dissolution of such trust upon the occurrence of certain events described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Restrictive Covenants

Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, the following restrictive covenants shall apply to each series of senior debt securities:

Limitation on Liens. So long as any senior debt securities are outstanding, neither MetLife, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries will create, assume, incur or guarantee any debt which is secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance on any capital stock of:

 

   

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company;

 

   

any successor to substantially all of the business of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company which is also a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc.; or

 

   

any corporation (other than MetLife, Inc.) having direct or indirect control of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or any such successor.

However, this restriction will not apply if the debt securities then outstanding are secured at least equally and ratably with the otherwise prohibited secured debt so long as it is outstanding.

Limitations on Dispositions of Stock of Certain Subsidiaries. So long as any senior debt securities are outstanding and subject to the provisions of the Senior Indenture regarding mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, neither MetLife, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries will sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of capital stock (other than preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind) of:

 

   

Metropolitan Life Insurance Company;

 

   

any successor to substantially all of the business of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company which is also a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc.; or

 

   

any corporation (other than MetLife, Inc.) having direct or indirect control of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or any such successor;

except for, in each case:

 

   

a sale or other disposition of any of such stock to a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. or of such subsidiary; or

 

   

a sale or other disposition of all of such stock for at least fair value (as determined by MetLife, Inc.’s board of directors acting in good faith); or a sale or other disposition required to comply with an order of a court or regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction, other than an order issued at MetLife, Inc.’s request or the request of any of MetLife, Inc.’s subsidiaries.

Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other Transactions

(i) MetLife, Inc. may not merge with or into or consolidate with another corporation or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any other corporation other than a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. and (ii) no corporation may merge with or into or consolidate with MetLife, Inc. or, except for any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to MetLife, Inc., unless:

 

   

MetLife, Inc. is the surviving corporation or the corporation formed by or surviving such merger or consolidation or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance has been made, if other

 

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than MetLife, Inc., has expressly assumed by supplemental indenture all the obligations of MetLife, Inc. under the debt securities, the Indentures, and any guarantees of trust preferred securities or common securities issued by the trusts;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

   

if at the time any trust preferred securities are outstanding, such transaction is not prohibited under the applicable declaration of trust and the applicable trust preferred securities guarantee; and

 

   

MetLife, Inc. delivers to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the supplemental indenture complies with the applicable Indenture.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, the following shall constitute “Events of Default” under the Indentures with respect to each series of debt securities:

 

   

MetLife, Inc.’s failure to pay any interest on any debt security of such series when due and payable, continued for 30 days;

 

   

MetLife, Inc.’s failure to pay principal (or premium, if any) on any debt security of such series when due, regardless of whether such payment became due because of maturity, redemption, acceleration or otherwise, or is required by any sinking fund established with respect to such series;

 

   

MetLife, Inc.’s failure to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements with respect to such series for 90 days after MetLife, Inc. receives notice of such failure;

 

   

certain defaults with respect to MetLife, Inc.’s debt which result in a principal amount in excess of $100,000,000 becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable (other than the debt securities or non-recourse debt);

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of MetLife, Inc.; and

 

   

certain events of dissolution or winding-up of the trusts in the event that debt securities are issued to the trusts or a trustee of the trusts in connection with the issuance of securities by the trusts.

If an Event of Default with respect to any debt securities of any series outstanding under either of the Indentures shall occur and be continuing, the trustee under such Indenture or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series outstanding may declare, by notice as provided in the applicable Indenture, the principal amount (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the debt securities of that series) of all the debt securities of that series outstanding to be due and payable immediately; provided that, in the case of an Event of Default involving certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, acceleration is automatic; and, provided further, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived. Upon the acceleration of the maturity of original issue discount debt securities, an amount less than the principal amount thereof will become due and payable. Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to any original issue discount debt securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of maturity thereof.

Any past default under either Indenture with respect to debt securities of any series, and any Event of Default arising therefrom, may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of such series outstanding under such Indenture, except in the case of (i) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt securities of such series, or (ii) default in respect of a covenant or provision which may not be amended or modified without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such series affected.

 

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The trustee is required, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default (which is known to the trustee and is continuing), with respect to the debt securities of any series (without regard to any grace period or notice requirements), to give to the holders of the debt securities of such series notice of such default; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment, on any debt securities of such series, the trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of the debt securities of such series.

The trustee, subject to its duties during default to act with the required standard of care, may require indemnification by the holders of the debt securities of any series with respect to which a default has occurred before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the applicable Indenture at the request of the holders of the debt securities of such series. Subject to such right of indemnification and to certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series under the applicable Indenture may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series.

No holder of a debt security of any series may institute any action against MetLife, Inc. under either of the Indentures (except actions for payment of overdue principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such debt security or for the conversion or exchange of such debt security in accordance with its terms) unless (i) the holder has given to the trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the debt securities of such series specifying an Event of Default, as required under the applicable Indenture, (ii) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding under such Indenture shall have requested the trustee to institute such action and offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, and (iii) the trustee shall not have instituted such action within 60 days of such request.

MetLife, Inc. is required to furnish annually to the trustee statements as to MetLife, Inc.’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under each Indenture.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc. may discharge or defease its obligations under each Indenture as set forth below.

MetLife, Inc. may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under either the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture which have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and which have either become due and payable or are by their terms due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or, in the case of debt securities payable only in U.S. dollars, U.S. government obligations (as defined in the applicable Indenture), as trust funds in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such debt securities.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc. may elect either (i) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of or within any series (except as otherwise provided in the relevant Indenture) (“defeasance”) or (ii) to be released from its obligations with respect to certain covenants applicable to the debt securities of or within any series (“covenant defeasance”), upon the deposit with the relevant trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money and/or government obligations which, through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such debt securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As a condition to defeasance or covenant defeasance, MetLife, Inc. must deliver to the trustee an opinion

 

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of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (i) above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law occurring after the date of the relevant Indenture. In addition, in the case of either defeasance or covenant defeasance, MetLife, Inc. shall have delivered to the trustee (i) an officers’ certificate to the effect that the relevant debt securities exchange(s) have informed it that neither such debt securities nor any other debt securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit, and (ii) an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with.

MetLife, Inc. may exercise its defeasance option with respect to such debt securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

Modification and Waiver

Under the Indentures, MetLife, Inc. and the applicable trustee may supplement the Indentures for certain purposes which would not materially adversely affect the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities of a series without the consent of those holders. MetLife, Inc. and the applicable trustee may also modify the Indentures or any supplemental indenture in a manner that affects the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series issued under the Indenture. However, the Indentures require the consent of each holder of debt securities that would be affected by any modification which would:

 

   

extend the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof;

 

   

reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount debt security or any other debt security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

   

change the currency in which any debt security or any premium or interest is payable;

 

   

impair the right to enforce any payment on or with respect to any debt security;

 

   

adversely change the right to convert or exchange, including decreasing the conversion rate or increasing the conversion price of, any debt security (if applicable);

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indentures or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indentures or for waiver of certain defaults;

 

   

reduce the requirements contained in the Indentures for quorum or voting; or

 

   

modify any of the above provisions.

If debt securities are held by a trust or a trustee of a trust, a supplemental indenture that affects the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities will not be effective until the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation preference of the trust preferred securities and common securities of the applicable trust, collectively, have consented to the supplemental indenture; provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security is required, the supplemental indenture will not be effective until each holder of the preferred securities and the common securities of the applicable trust has consented to the supplemental indenture.

Each Indenture permits the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series issued under such Indenture which is affected by the modification or amendment to waive MetLife, Inc.’s compliance with certain covenants contained in such Indenture.

 

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Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name a debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as MetLife, Inc. may designate for such purpose from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at MetLife, Inc.’s option, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent designated by MetLife, Inc. and located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, will act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. All paying agents initially designated by MetLife, Inc. for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. MetLife, Inc. may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that MetLife, Inc. will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All moneys paid by MetLife, Inc. to a paying agent for the payment of the principal, interest or premium on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, interest or premium has become due and payable will be repaid to MetLife, Inc. upon request, and the holder of such debt security thereafter may look only to MetLife, Inc. for payment thereof.

Denominations, Registrations and Transfer

Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities will be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of a nominee for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). In such case, each holder’s beneficial interest in the global securities will be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial interests will only be effected through DTC’s records.

A holder of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial interest in a global security for certificated securities registered in the holder’s name if:

 

   

DTC notifies MetLife, Inc. that it is unwilling or unable to continue serving as the depositary for the relevant global securities or DTC ceases to maintain certain qualifications under the Exchange Act and no successor depositary has been appointed for 90 days; or

 

   

MetLife, Inc. determines, in its sole discretion and subject to the procedures of DTC, that the global security shall be exchangeable.

If debt securities are issued in certificated form, they will only be issued in the minimum denomination specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of such denomination. Transfers and exchanges of such debt securities will only be permitted in such minimum denomination. Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be registered at the trustee’s corporate office or at the offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by MetLife, Inc. under the Indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different denominations may also be made at such locations.

Governing Law

The Indentures and debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.

 

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Relationship with the Trustees

The trustee under (i) the Senior Indenture is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.)) and (ii) the Subordinated Indenture is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association). MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries maintain ordinary banking and trust relationships with a number of banks and trust companies, including the trustee under the Indentures.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

The prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for securities described in this prospectus. These terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at MetLife, Inc.’s option. These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of such series of debt securities to be adjusted.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

MetLife, Inc.’s authorized capital stock consists of:

 

   

200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 25,500,000 shares were issued and outstanding as of October 31, 2016:

 

   

27,600,000 shares of Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), of which 24,000,000 shares were issued and outstanding as of October 31, 2016;

 

   

1,500,000 shares of 5.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) of which 1,500,000 shares were issued and outstanding as of October 31, 2016;

 

   

10,000,000 shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which no shares were issued or outstanding as of the date of this prospectus; and

 

   

3,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 1,099,135,417 shares were outstanding as of October 31, 2016. The remaining shares of authorized and unissued common stock will be available for future issuance without additional stockholder approval.

Common Stock

Dividends. The holders of common stock, after any preferences of holders of any preferred stock, are entitled to receive dividends as determined by MetLife, Inc.’s board of directors. The declaration and payment of common stock dividends will also depend on MetLife, Inc.’s financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, future prospects, regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries and other factors deemed relevant by MetLife, Inc.’s board of directors. In addition, the payment of dividends on MetLife, Inc.’s common stock may be subject to restrictions arising out of regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System if, in the future, MetLife, Inc. is designated by the Financial Stability Oversight Council as a non-bank systemically important financial institution. There is no requirement or assurance that MetLife, Inc. will declare and pay any dividends. In addition, (i) the certificates of designation for the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock, (ii) MetLife, Inc.’s 6.40% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2066, (iii) MetLife, Inc.’s 10.75% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2069 (the “10.75% JSDs due 2069”), (iv) MetLife, Inc.’s 6.817% Senior Debt Securities, Series A, due 2018 (the “6.817% SDS due 2018”), (v) MetLife, Inc.’s 7.717% Senior Debt Securities, Series B, due 2019 (the “7.717% SDS due 2019”), (vi) upon an exchange of the 7.875% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Exchangeable Surplus Trust Securities of MetLife Capital Trust IV, the related 7.875% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2067 of MetLife, Inc. (the “7.875% JSDs due 2067”), and (vii) upon exchange of the 9.250% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Exchangeable Surplus Trust Securities of MetLife Capital Trust X, the related 9.250% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2068 of MetLife, Inc. (the “9.25% JSDs due 2068”), all prohibit the declaration or payment of dividends or distributions on common stock under certain circumstances. Under the certificates of designation for the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock, if dividends on such securities are not paid, no dividends may be paid on the common stock. Similarly, under the 6.40% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2066, the 10.75% JSDs due 2069, the 7.875% JSDs due 2067 and the 9.25% JSDs due 2068, under certain circumstances, if interest is not paid in full on such securities, whether because of an optional deferral or a trigger event, subject to certain exceptions, then no dividends may be paid on the common stock. Further, the 6.817% SDS due 2018 and the 7.717% SDS due 2019 prohibit, during any period in which the payment of interest on either series is deferred, or certain other events have occurred, among other things, the declaration or payment of any dividends or distributions on, the redemption, purchase, or acquisition of or making a liquidation payment with respect to, any shares of capital stock.

Voting Rights. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote and do not have any cumulative voting rights.

 

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Liquidation and Dissolution. In the event of MetLife, Inc.’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in MetLife, Inc.’s assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of MetLife, Inc.’s liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding class or series of preferred stock.

Other Rights. The holders of common stock have no preemptive, conversion, redemption or sinking fund rights. The holders of shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock are not required to make additional capital contributions.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for MetLife, Inc.’s common stock is Computershare Inc. (successor in interest to Mellon Investor Services LLC).

Preferred Stock

General. MetLife, Inc.’s board of directors has the authority to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the title and number of shares constituting any such series and the designations, powers, preferences, limitations and relative rights including offering price, any dividend rights (including whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative), dividend rate, voting rights, terms of any redemption, any redemption price or prices, conversion or exchange rights and any liquidation preferences of the shares constituting any series, without any further vote or action by stockholders. The specific terms of the preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement.

MetLife, Inc. has authorized 10,000,000 shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for issuance in connection with a stockholder rights plan. The stockholder rights plan expired at the close of business on April 4, 2010 and was not renewed.

Voting Rights. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving fundamental changes in the rights of holders of such preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will describe the voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock.

Conversion or Exchange. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which the preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable for securities described in this prospectus. These terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at MetLife, Inc.’s option. These provisions may set forth the conversion price, the method of determining the conversion price and the conversion period and may allow or require the number of shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of preferred stock to be adjusted.

Redemption. The prospectus supplement will describe the obligation, if any, to redeem the preferred stock in whole or in part at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc. may not purchase or redeem any of the outstanding shares or any series of preferred stock unless full cumulative dividends, if any, have been paid or declared and set apart for payment upon all outstanding shares of any series of preferred stock for all past dividend periods, and unless all of MetLife, Inc.’s matured obligations with respect to all sinking funds, retirement funds or purchase funds for all series of preferred stock then outstanding have been met.

Certain Provisions in MetLife, Inc.’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws and in Delaware and New York Law

A number of provisions of MetLife, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws deal with matters of corporate governance and rights of stockholders. The following discussion is a general summary of selected provisions of MetLife, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws and regulatory provisions that might be

 

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deemed to have a potential “anti-takeover” effect. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt which is not approved by MetLife, Inc.’s board of directors but which individual stockholders may deem to be in their best interests or in which stockholders may receive a substantial premium for their shares over then current market prices. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. Such provisions will also render the removal of the incumbent board of directors or management more difficult. Some provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the New York Insurance Law may also have an anti-takeover effect. The following description of selected provisions of MetLife, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws and selected provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the New York Insurance Law is necessarily general and reference should be made in each case to MetLife, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and to the provisions of those laws.

Exercise of Duties by Board of Directors

MetLife, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation provides that while the MetLife Policyholder Trust (as described below) is in existence, each MetLife, Inc. director is required, in exercising his or her duties as a director, to take the interests of the trust beneficiaries into account as if they were holders of the shares of common stock held in the trust, except to the extent that any such director determines, based on advice of counsel, that to do so would violate his or her duties as a director under Delaware law.

Restriction on Maximum Number of Directors and Filling of Vacancies on MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors

Pursuant to MetLife, Inc.’s by-laws and subject to the rights of the holders of any class of preferred stock, the number of directors may be fixed and increased or decreased from time to time exclusively by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of directors, but the board of directors will at no time consist of fewer than three directors. Stockholders may remove a director with or without cause at a meeting of the stockholders by a vote of a majority in voting power of the outstanding stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, in which case the vacancy caused by such removal may be filled at such meeting by the stockholders entitled to vote for the election of the director so removed. Any vacancy on the board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors or resulting from a removal where the stockholders have not filled the vacancy, subject to the rights of the holders of any class of preferred stock, may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum. The stockholders are not permitted to fill vacancies between annual meetings. These provisions give incumbent directors significant authority that may have the effect of limiting the ability of stockholders to effect a change in management.

Advance Notice Requirements for Nomination of Directors and Presentation of New Business at Meetings of Stockholders; Action by Written Consent

MetLife, Inc.’s by-laws provide for advance notice and other provisions in respect of stockholder proposals and nominations for director. In addition, pursuant to the provisions of both the certificate of incorporation and the by-laws, stockholder action may not be taken by written consent. Rather, any action taken by the stockholders must be effected at a duly called meeting. The lead director, the chief executive officer or the secretary pursuant to a board resolution or, under some circumstances, the president or a director who also is an officer, may call a special meeting. MetLife, Inc.’s by-laws also permit stockholders representing ownership of 25% or more of outstanding shares of common stock to call a special meeting of the stockholders, provided that the stockholders satisfy the requirements specified in the by-laws. These provisions make it more difficult for a stockholder to place a proposal or nomination on the meeting agenda and prohibit a stockholder from taking action without a meeting, and therefore may reduce the likelihood that a stockholder will seek to take independent action to replace directors or with respect to other matters that are not supported by management for stockholder vote.

 

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Limitations on Director Liability

MetLife, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation contains a provision that is designed to limit the directors’ liability to the extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and any amendments to that law. Specifically, directors will not be held liable to MetLife, Inc. or its stockholders for monetary damages for an act or omission in their capacity as a director, except for liability as a result of:

 

   

a breach of the duty of loyalty to MetLife, Inc. or its stockholders;

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

payment of an improper dividend or improper redemption or repurchase of MetLife, Inc.’s stock under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

 

   

any transaction from which the director received an improper personal benefit.

The principal effect of the limitation on liability provision is that a stockholder is unable to prosecute an action for monetary damages against a director of MetLife, Inc. unless the stockholder can demonstrate one of the specified bases for liability. This provision, however, does not eliminate or limit director liability arising in connection with causes of action brought under the federal securities laws. MetLife, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation also does not eliminate the directors’ duty of care. The inclusion of the limitation on liability provision in the certificate may, however, discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited MetLife, Inc. and its stockholders. This provision should not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission based upon a director’s breach of the duty of care.

MetLife, Inc.’s by-laws also provide that MetLife, Inc. shall indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. MetLife, Inc. is required to indemnify its directors and officers for all judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement, legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with pending or threatened legal proceedings because of the director’s or officer’s position with MetLife, Inc. or another entity, including Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, that the director or officer serves at MetLife, Inc.’s request, subject to certain conditions, and to advance funds to MetLife, Inc.’s directors and officers to enable them to defend against such proceedings. To receive indemnification, the director or officer must succeed in the legal proceeding or act in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of MetLife, Inc. and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be lawful.

Business Combination Statute

In addition, as a Delaware corporation with a class of voting stock listed on a national securities exchange, MetLife, Inc. is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless it elects in its certificate of incorporation not to be governed by the provisions of Section 203. MetLife, Inc. has not made that election. Section 203 can affect the ability of an “interested stockholder” of MetLife, Inc. to engage in certain business combinations, including mergers, consolidations or acquisitions of additional shares of MetLife, Inc. for a period of three years following the time that the stockholder becomes an “interested stockholder.” An “interested stockholder” is defined to include any person owning, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation. The provisions of Section 203 are not applicable in some circumstances, including those in which (1) the business combination or transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an “interested stockholder” is approved by the corporation’s board of directors prior to the time the stockholder becomes an “interested stockholder” or (2) the “interested stockholder,” upon consummation of such transaction, owns at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding prior to such transaction.

 

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Restrictions on Acquisitions of Securities

The insurance laws and regulations of New York, the jurisdiction in which MetLife, Inc.’s principal insurance subsidiary, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, is organized, may delay or impede a business combination involving MetLife, Inc. In addition to the limitations described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the New York Insurance Law prohibits any person from acquiring control of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, either directly or indirectly through any acquisition of control of MetLife, Inc., without the prior approval of the New York Superintendent of Financial Services. That law presumes that control exists where any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds the power to vote or holds proxies representing 10% or more of MetLife, Inc.’s outstanding voting stock, unless the New York Superintendent of Financial Services, upon application, determines otherwise. Even persons who do not acquire beneficial ownership of more than 10% of the outstanding shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock may be deemed to have acquired such control, if the New York Superintendent of Financial Services determines that such persons, directly or indirectly, exercise a controlling influence over MetLife, Inc.’s management or policies. Therefore, any person seeking to acquire a controlling interest in MetLife, Inc. would face regulatory obstacles which may delay, deter or prevent an acquisition.

The insurance holding company law and other insurance laws of many other states also regulate changes of control (generally presumed upon acquisitions of 10% or more of voting securities) of domestic insurers (including insurers owned by MetLife, Inc.) and insurance holding companies such as MetLife, Inc.

MetLife Policyholder Trust

Under a plan of reorganization adopted in September 1999, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company converted from a mutual life insurance company to a stock life insurance company subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. MetLife established the MetLife Policyholder Trust to hold the shares of common stock allocated to eligible policyholders. A total of 494,466,664 shares of common stock were distributed to the MetLife Policyholder Trust on the effective date of the plan of reorganization. As of October 31, 2016, the trust held 164,466,416 shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock. Because of the number of shares held by the trust and the voting provisions of the trust, the trust may affect the outcome of matters brought to a stockholder vote.

The trustee will generally vote all of the shares of common stock held in the trust in accordance with the recommendations given by MetLife, Inc.’s board of directors to its stockholders or, if the board gives no such recommendation, as directed by the board, except on votes regarding certain fundamental corporate actions. As a result of the voting provisions of the trust, MetLife, Inc.’s board of directors will effectively be able to control votes on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, excluding those fundamental corporate actions described below, so long as the trust holds a substantial number of shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock.

If the vote relates to fundamental corporate actions specified in the trust, the trustee will solicit instructions from the beneficiaries and vote all shares held in the trust in proportion to the instructions it receives, which would give disproportionate weight to the instructions actually given by trust beneficiaries. These actions include:

 

   

an election or removal of directors in which a stockholder has properly nominated one or more candidates in opposition to a nominee or nominees of MetLife, Inc.’s board of directors or a vote on a stockholder’s proposal to oppose a board nominee for director, remove a director for cause or fill a vacancy caused by the removal of a director by stockholders, subject to certain conditions;

 

   

a merger or consolidation, a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets, or a recapitalization or dissolution of MetLife, Inc., in each case requiring a vote of MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders under applicable Delaware law;

 

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any transaction that would result in an exchange or conversion of shares of common stock held by the trust for cash, securities or other property; and

 

   

any proposal requiring MetLife, Inc.’s board of directors to amend or redeem the rights under the stockholder rights plan, other than a proposal with respect to which MetLife, Inc. has received advice of nationally-recognized legal counsel to the effect that the proposal is not a proper subject for stockholder action under Delaware law.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions of the depositary shares. Further terms of the depositary shares and the applicable deposit agreement will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the depositary shares in a prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the deposit agreement, a form of which has been or will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general provisions described below may apply to such depositary shares will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.

General

MetLife, Inc. may choose to offer fractional interests in debt securities or fractional shares of common stock or preferred stock. MetLife, Inc. may issue fractional interests in debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would represent a fractional interest in a security of a particular series of debt securities or a fraction of a share of common stock or of a particular series of preferred stock, as the case may be, and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt.

MetLife, Inc. will deposit the debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock represented by depositary shares under a deposit agreement between MetLife, Inc. and a depositary which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, as an owner of a depositary share, you will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a debt security or share of common stock or preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the debt security, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary share, including, as the case may be, interest, dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, sinking fund, repayment at maturity, subscription and liquidation rights.

Interest, Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all payments of interest, cash dividends or other cash distributions received on the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, to you in proportion to the number of depositary shares that you own. In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to you in an equitable manner, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make a distribution. In that case, the depositary may sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to you.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If a debt security, common stock or series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is redeemed, the depositary will redeem your depositary shares from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per debt security or share of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, payable in relation to the redeemed series of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock. Whenever MetLife, Inc. redeems debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing, as the case may be, fractional interests in the debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot, proportionately or by any other equitable method as the depositary may determine.

 

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Exercise of Rights under the Indentures or Voting the Common Stock or Preferred

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which you are entitled to vote, or of any request for instructions or directions from you as holder of fractional interests in debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, the depositary will mail to you the information contained in that notice. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary how to give instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities represented by that holder’s depositary shares or how to vote the amount of the common stock or preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent practicable, to give instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities or to vote the amount of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions. MetLife, Inc. will agree to take all reasonable action which the depositary may deem necessary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from giving instructions or directions with respect to your fractional interests in the debt securities or voting shares of the common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, if it does not receive specific instructions from you.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

MetLife, Inc. and the depositary may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement at any time. However, any amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of the holders of the depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.

The deposit agreement will terminate if:

 

   

all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed;

 

   

if applicable, the debt securities and the preferred stock represented by depositary shares have been converted into or exchanged for common stock or, in the case of debt securities, repaid in full; or

 

   

there has been a final distribution in respect of the common stock or preferred stock, including in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of MetLife, Inc., and the distribution proceeds have been distributed to you.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to MetLife, Inc. notice of its election to do so. MetLife, Inc. also may, at any time, remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. MetLife, Inc. must appoint the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having total assets of not less than $1,000,000,000.

Charges of Depositary

MetLife, Inc. will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. MetLife, Inc. will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the debt securities or common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, and issuance of depositary receipts, all withdrawals of depositary shares of debt securities or common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, by you and any repayment or redemption of the debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be. You will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges, as well as the other charges that are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for your account.

 

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Miscellaneous

The depositary will forward all reports and communications from MetLife, Inc. which are delivered to the depositary and which MetLife, Inc. is required or otherwise determines to furnish to holders of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be. Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the depositary will be liable under the deposit agreement to you other than for its gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceedings relating to any depositary shares, debt securities, common stock or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. MetLife, Inc. and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock for deposit, you or other persons believed to be competent and on documents which MetLife, Inc. and the depositary believe to be genuine.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

MetLife, Inc. may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or other securities described in this prospectus, or any combination of these securities, and these warrants may be issued independently or together with any underlying securities and may be attached or separate from the underlying securities. MetLife, Inc. will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between MetLife, Inc. and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as MetLife, Inc.’s agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and any description of the warrants in a prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the warrant agreement, a form of which has been or will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrants that MetLife, Inc. may offer, including the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the total number of warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;

 

   

the currency or currencies investors may use to pay for the warrants;

 

   

the designation and terms of the underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

   

the price at which and the currency, currencies, or currency units in which investors may purchase the underlying securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;

 

   

whether the warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

   

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each underlying security;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related underlying securities will be separately transferable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

 

   

the identity of the warrant agent;

 

   

the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants; and

 

   

any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.

Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and warrants may be exercised at the warrant agent’s corporate trust office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for debt securities will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be

 

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entitled to payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of preferred stock or common stock will not have any rights of holders of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon such exercise. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for other securities described in this prospectus will not have any rights of holders of such securities purchasable upon such exercise.

Exercise of Warrants

A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or that will be determinable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc. will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate is exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.

Enforceability of Rights; Governing Law

The holders of warrants, without the consent of the warrant agent, may, on their own behalf and for their own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against MetLife, Inc. to enforce their rights to exercise and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of their warrants. Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement, each issue of warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

As may be specified in a prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc. may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from MetLife, Inc., and MetLife, Inc. to sell to the holders, a number of debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred stock, or other securities described in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement at a future date or dates. The purchase contracts may require MetLife, Inc. to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts. These payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis to be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to any purchase contracts will specify the material terms of the purchase contracts and any applicable pledge or depositary arrangements, including one or more of the following:

 

   

The stated amount that a holder will be obligated to pay under the purchase contract in order to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, or other securities described in this prospectus or the formula by which such amount shall be determined.

 

   

The settlement date or dates on which the holder will be obligated to purchase such securities. The prospectus supplement will specify whether the occurrence of any events may cause the settlement date to occur on an earlier date and the terms on which an early settlement would occur.

 

   

The events, if any, that will cause MetLife, Inc.’s obligations and the obligations of the holder under the purchase contract to terminate.

 

   

The settlement rate, which is a number that, when multiplied by the stated amount of a purchase contract, determines the number of securities that MetLife, Inc. or a trust will be obligated to sell and a holder will be obligated to purchase under that purchase contract upon payment of the stated amount of that purchase contract. The settlement rate may be determined by the application of a formula specified in the prospectus supplement. If a formula is specified, it may be based on the market price of such securities over a specified period or it may be based on some other reference statistic.

 

   

Whether the purchase contracts will be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract and an underlying security with an aggregate principal amount equal to the stated amount. Any underlying securities will be pledged by the holder to secure its obligations under a purchase contract.

 

   

The type of underlying security, if any, that is pledged by the holder to secure its obligations under a purchase contract. Underlying securities may be debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, or other securities described in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

   

The terms of the pledge arrangement relating to any underlying securities, including the terms on which distributions or payments of interest and principal on any underlying securities will be retained by a collateral agent, delivered to MetLife, Inc. or be distributed to the holder.

 

   

The amount of the contract fee, if any, that may be payable by MetLife, Inc. to the holder or by the holder to MetLife, Inc., the date or dates on which the contract fee will be payable and the extent to which MetLife, Inc. or the holder, as applicable, may defer payment of the contract fee on those payment dates. The contract fee may be calculated as a percentage of the stated amount of the purchase contract or otherwise.

The descriptions of the purchase contracts and any applicable underlying security or pledge or depository arrangements in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the purchase contract agreement, pledge agreement and deposit agreement, forms of which have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc. may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit may also include debt obligations of third parties, such as U.S. Treasury securities. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The prospectus supplement will describe:

 

   

the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately;

 

   

a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;

 

   

a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units; and

 

   

whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

The descriptions of the units and any applicable underlying security or pledge or depositary arrangements in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of the applicable agreements, forms of which have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions of the trust preferred securities. Further terms of the trust preferred securities and the amended and restated declarations of trust will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms described in this section apply to that particular series of trust preferred securities. The following description and any description of the trust preferred securities and amended and restated declarations of trust in a prospectus supplement may not be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the amended and restated declarations of trust, forms of which have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General

Each trust may issue only one series of trust preferred securities having terms described in the prospectus supplement. The declaration of trust of each trust will authorize the administrative trustees, on behalf of the trust, to issue the trust preferred securities of the trust. The trusts will use all of the proceeds they receive from the sale of trust preferred securities and common securities to purchase debt securities issued by MetLife, Inc. The debt securities will be held in trust by the trust’s property trustee for the benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities and common securities.

The trust preferred securities of each trust will have such terms as are set forth in the trust’s declaration of trust, including as relates to distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights and the other preferred, deferral and special rights and restrictions. A prospectus supplement relating to the trust preferred securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the distinctive designation of the trust preferred securities;

 

   

the number of trust preferred securities issued by the trust;

 

   

the total and per-security liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities;

 

   

the annual distribution rate, or method of determining such rate, for trust preferred securities of the trust;

 

   

the date or dates on which distributions will be payable and any corresponding record dates;

 

   

whether distributions on the trust preferred securities will be cumulative;

 

   

if the trust preferred securities have cumulative distribution rights, the date or dates, or method of determining the date or dates, from which distributions on the trust preferred securities will be cumulative;

 

   

the amount or amounts that will be paid out of the assets of the trust to the holders of the trust preferred securities of the trust upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the trust;

 

   

the obligation, if any, of the trust to purchase or redeem the trust preferred securities;

 

   

if the trust is to purchase or redeem the trust preferred securities:

 

   

the price or prices at which the trust preferred securities will be purchased or redeemed in whole or in part;

 

   

the period or periods within which the trust preferred securities will be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part;

 

   

the terms and conditions upon which the trust preferred securities will be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part;

 

   

the voting rights, if any, of the trust preferred securities in addition to those required by law, including:

 

   

the number of votes per trust preferred security; and

 

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any requirement for the approval by the holders of trust preferred securities as a condition to specified action or amendments to the trust’s declaration of trust;

 

   

the rights, if any, to defer distributions on the trust preferred securities by extending the interest payment period on the related debt securities;

 

   

if the trust preferred securities may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for MetLife’s common stock or preferred stock or any other securities, the terms on which conversion, exercise or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at the option of each trust, the date on or the period during which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur, the initial conversion, exercise or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common stock or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange may be adjusted;

 

   

the terms upon which the debt securities may be distributed to holders of trust preferred securities;

 

   

whether the preferred securities are to be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global certificates;

 

   

certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

   

if applicable, any securities exchange upon which the trust preferred securities shall be listed;

 

   

provisions relating to events of default and the rights of holders of trust preferred securities in the event of default;

 

   

other agreements or other rights including upon the consolidation or merger of the trust; and

 

   

any other relative rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of the trust preferred securities not inconsistent with the trust’s declaration of trust or applicable law.

All trust preferred securities offered will be guaranteed by MetLife, Inc. to the extent set forth under “Description of Guarantees.” Certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an offering of trust preferred securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

In connection with the issuance of trust preferred securities, each trust will issue one series of common securities. The declaration of each trust authorizes the administrative trustees to issue on behalf of such trust one series of common securities having such terms including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth therein. The terms of the common securities issued by the trust will be substantially identical to the terms of the trust preferred securities and the common securities will rank equally, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the trust preferred securities. However, upon an event of default under the declaration of trust, the rights of the holders of the common securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the trust preferred securities. Except in certain limited circumstances, the common securities will also carry the right to vote, and appoint, remove or replace any of the trustees of a trust. MetLife, Inc. will own, directly or indirectly, all of the common securities of each trust.

Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Trust Preferred Securities

If an event of default occurs, and is continuing, under the declaration of trust of any of the trusts, the holders of the related trust preferred securities would typically rely on the property trustee to enforce its rights as a holder of the related debt securities against MetLife, Inc. Additionally, those who together hold a majority of the liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities will have the right to:

 

   

direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the property trustee; or

 

   

direct the exercise of any trust or power that the property trustee holds under the declaration of trust, including the right to direct the property trustee to exercise the remedies available to it as a holder of MetLife, Inc.’s debt securities.

 

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If the property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the applicable series of debt securities, to the fullest extent permitted by law, a holder of trust preferred securities of such trust may institute a legal proceeding directly against MetLife, Inc. to enforce the property trustee’s rights under the applicable series of debt securities without first instituting any legal proceeding against the property trustee or any other person or entity.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an event of default occurs and the event is attributable to MetLife, Inc.’s failure to pay interest or principal on the debt securities when due, including any payment on redemption, and this debt payment failure is continuing, a trust preferred securities holder of the trust may directly institute a proceeding for the enforcement of this payment. Such a proceeding will be limited, however, to enforcing the payment of this principal or interest only up to the value of the aggregate liquidation amount of the holder’s trust preferred securities as determined after the due date specified in the applicable series of debt securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES

The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions of the guarantees. Further terms of the guarantees will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms described in this section apply to those guarantees. The following description and any description of the guarantees in a prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the guarantee agreements, forms of which have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and the Trust Indenture Act.

MetLife, Inc. will execute and deliver the guarantees for the benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities. Each guarantee will be held by the guarantee trustee for the benefit of holders of the trust preferred securities to which it relates.

Each guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. will act as indenture trustee under each guarantee for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.

General

Pursuant to each guarantee, MetLife, Inc. will irrevocably and unconditionally agree, to the extent set forth in the guarantee, to pay in full, to the holders of the related trust preferred securities, the following guarantee payments, to the extent these guarantee payments are not paid by, or on behalf of, the related trust, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that MetLife, Inc. may have or assert against any person:

 

   

any accrued and unpaid distributions required to be paid on the trust preferred securities of the trust, but if and only if and to the extent that the trust has funds legally and immediately available to make those payments;

 

   

any distributions of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock or preferred stock or any of its other securities, in the event that the trust preferred securities may be converted into or exercised for common stock or preferred stock, to the extent the conditions of such conversion or exercise have occurred or have been satisfied and the trust does not distribute such shares or other securities but has received such shares or other securities;

 

   

the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption, with respect to any trust preferred securities called for redemption by the trust, but if and only to the extent the trust has funds legally and immediately available to make that payment; and

 

   

upon a dissolution, winding-up or termination of the trust, other than in connection with the distribution of debt securities to the holders of trust preferred securities of the trust, the lesser of:

 

   

the total of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions on the trust preferred securities of the trust to the date of payment, to the extent the trust has funds legally and immediately available to make that payment; and

 

   

the amount of assets of the trust remaining available for distribution to holders of trust preferred securities of the trust in liquidation of the trust.

MetLife, Inc. may satisfy its obligation to make a guarantee payment by directly paying the required amounts to the holders of the related trust preferred securities or by causing the related trust to pay such amounts to such holders.

Each guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payments with respect to the related trust preferred securities from the time of issuance of the trust preferred securities. The guarantees will not apply to the payment of distributions and other payments on the trust preferred securities when the related trust does not have sufficient

 

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funds legally and immediately available to make the distributions or other payments. If MetLife, Inc. does not make interest payments on the debt securities purchased by a trust, such trust will not pay distributions on the related trust preferred securities and will not have funds available therefor. The guarantee, when taken together with MetLife, Inc.’s obligations under the debt securities, the Indentures and the declarations of trust, will provide a full and unconditional guarantee by MetLife, Inc. of payments due on the trust preferred securities.

MetLife, Inc. will also agree separately, through guarantees of the common securities, to irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the obligations of the trusts with respect to the common securities to the same extent as the guarantees of the trust preferred securities. However, upon an event of default under the Indentures, holders of trust preferred securities shall have priority over holders of common securities with respect to distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise.

Subordination

MetLife, Inc.’s obligation under each guarantee to make the guarantee payments will be an unsecured obligation of MetLife, Inc. and, if subordinated debt securities are issued to the applicable trust and unless otherwise noted in the prospectus supplement, will rank:

 

   

subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of MetLife, Inc.’s other liabilities, including the subordinated debt securities, except those obligations or liabilities ranking equal or subordinate to the guarantees by their terms;

 

   

equally with any other securities, liabilities or obligations that may have equal ranking by their terms; and

 

   

senior to all of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock and preferred stock.

If subordinated debt securities are issued to the applicable trust, the terms of the trust preferred securities will provide that each holder of trust preferred securities, by accepting the trust preferred securities, agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of the guarantee related to subordination.

Each guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This means that the holder of trust preferred securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against MetLife, Inc. to enforce its rights under the guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity.

Each guarantee will be unsecured and, because MetLife, Inc. is principally a holding company, will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of MetLife, Inc.’s subsidiaries, including liabilities under contracts of insurance and annuities written by MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries. The guarantee does not limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt by MetLife, Inc.

Amendments and Assignment

For any changes that materially and adversely affect the rights of holders of the related trust preferred securities, each guarantee may be amended only if there is prior approval of the holders of more than 50% in liquidation amount of the outstanding trust preferred securities issued by the applicable trust. All guarantees and agreements contained in each guarantee will bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of MetLife, Inc. and will inure to the benefit of the holders of the related trust preferred securities of the applicable trust then outstanding.

Termination

Each guarantee will terminate and will have no further force and effect as to the related trust preferred securities upon:

 

   

distribution of debt securities to the holders of all trust preferred securities of the applicable trust; or

 

   

full payment of the amounts payable upon liquidation of the applicable trust.

 

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Each guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the related trust preferred securities must restore payment of any sums paid with respect to the trust preferred securities or under the guarantee.

Events of Default

Each guarantee provides that an event of default under a guarantee occurs upon MetLife, Inc.’s failure to perform any of its obligations under the applicable guarantee.

The holders of a majority or more in liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities to which any guarantee relates may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee with respect to the guarantee or may direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the guarantee trustee in respect of the guarantee.

If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce the guarantee, any holder of the related trust preferred securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against MetLife, Inc. to enforce the holder’s rights under such guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the trust, the guarantee trustee or any other person or entity.

Furthermore, if MetLife, Inc. fails to make a guarantee payment, a holder of trust preferred securities may directly institute a proceeding against MetLife, Inc. for enforcement of the trust preferred securities guarantee for such payment.

The holders of a majority or more in liquidation amount of trust preferred securities of any series may, by vote, on behalf of the holders of all the trust preferred securities of the series, waive any past event of default and its consequences.

Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee

Prior to an event of default with respect to any guarantee and after the curing or waiving of all events of default with respect to the guarantee, the guarantee trustee may perform only the duties that are specifically set forth in the guarantee.

Once a guarantee event of default has occurred and is continuing, the guarantee trustee is to exercise, with respect to the holder of the trust preferred securities of the series, the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Unless the guarantee trustee is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by the guarantee trustee by a holder of the related trust preferred securities, the guarantee trustee is not required to exercise any of its powers under any guarantee at the request of the holder. Additionally, the guarantee trustee is not required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties if the guarantee trustee reasonably believes that it is not assured repayment or adequate indemnity.

The guarantee trustee is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., which is one of a number of banks and trust companies with which MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries maintain ordinary banking and trust relationships.

Governing Law

Each guarantee will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

MetLife, Inc. may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

   

to underwriters or dealers for resale to the public or to institutional investors;

 

   

directly to institutional investors; or

 

   

through agents to the public or to institutional investors.

The prospectus supplement with respect to each series of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters or agents;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to be received by MetLife, Inc. or the applicable trust from the sale;

 

   

any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;

 

   

any initial public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

If MetLife, Inc. or the trusts use underwriters in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

 

   

negotiated transactions;

 

   

at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices related to prevailing market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

The securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for MetLife, Inc. or the trusts. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with MetLife, Inc. or the trusts and its compensation.

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.

If MetLife, Inc. sells the securities directly or through agents designated by it, MetLife, Inc. will identify any agent involved in the offering and sale of the securities and will list any commissions payable by MetLife, Inc. to the agent in the accompanying prospectus supplement. Unless indicated otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

MetLife, Inc. may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase securities and provide for payment and delivery on a future date specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. MetLife, Inc. will describe any such arrangement in the prospectus supplement. Any

 

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such institutional investor may be subject to limitations on the minimum amount of securities that it may purchase or on the portion of the aggregate principal amount of such securities that it may sell under such arrangements. Institutional investors from which such authorized offers may be solicited include:

 

   

commercial and savings banks;

 

   

insurance companies;

 

   

pension funds;

 

   

investment companies;

 

   

educational and charitable institutions; and

 

   

such other institutions as MetLife, Inc. may approve.

Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements entered into with MetLife, Inc. and/or the applicable trust, or both, to indemnification by MetLife, Inc. against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for MetLife, Inc., any trust, and/or MetLife, Inc.’s affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market other than the common stock which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Any common stock sold will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, upon official notice of issuance. The securities, other than the common stock, may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by MetLife, Inc. or any trust for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice.

Any offering of trust preferred securities will be made in compliance with Rule 2310 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

LEGAL OPINIONS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for MetLife, Inc. by Stephen Gauster, Chief Counsel — General Corporate, of MetLife Group, Inc., an affiliate of MetLife, Inc. Mr. Gauster is paid a salary by an affiliate of MetLife, Inc., is a participant in various employee benefit plans offered by MetLife, Inc. and its affiliates to employees generally, is paid equity-based compensation in accordance with MetLife’s compensation programs and owns MetLife, Inc. common stock. Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the trust preferred securities of MetLife Capital Trust V, MetLife Capital Trust VI, MetLife Capital Trust VII, MetLife Capital Trust VIII and MetLife Capital Trust IX will be passed upon for the trust by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel for the trusts.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedules incorporated in this prospectus by reference from MetLife, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as revised by MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2016, and the effectiveness of MetLife’s internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2015, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports (which express an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules and express an unqualified opinion on MetLife’s effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting), which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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