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

"Many people nearing retirement are more conservative aboutinvesting in equity markets because they are concerned about potentialloss of value, but realize equity and bond markets have the potentialto generate returns greater than inflation," said Lisa Kuklinski, vicepresident, Individual Annuities, MetLife. "At MetLife, we designed theGMAB with those concerns in mind, to provide downside protection, butalso a minimum guaranteed value."

"MetLife's GMAB has three asset allocation investment optionsdesigned to diversify a person's assets automatically, thereby helpingto reduce the risk of investing," added Elizabeth M. Forget, chiefmarketing officer, MetLife Investors, which offers MetLife's variableannuities and other investment products through third partyintermediaries including brokerages, independent planners, banks andother financial institutions. "Plus, each of the three options wereintended to allow a customer to benefit from market gains, andpotentially contribute value to their nest egg above and beyond theminimum guarantee."

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 Withdrawalstaken before age 59 1/2 may incur an additional 10% Federal income taxpenalty on income withdrawn.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

The new GMAB option guarantees that, on the 10 year contractanniversary, the contract's account value will be greater than orequal to the Guaranteed Accumulation Amount, which is 110% to 130% ofthe initial purchase payments made within 120 days of the contractissue, less withdrawals on a proportionate basis and withdrawalcharges. The amount of the guaranteed value depends on which of thethree available asset allocation investment options the customerelects to direct his or her purchase payments. At the end of the 10year period, if the contract value is higher than the guaranteedamount under the GMAB rider, the customer receives the higher amountand the customer would have paid for the GMAB benefit without it everbeing used.

In each case, the GMAB rider terminates after 10 years and theowner can then choose to annuitize, reallocate the contract value intoother available funding and investment options within the variableannuity, or select a systematic or lump sum withdrawal. Until the 10year contract anniversary, the Guaranteed Accumulation Amount does notguarantee a cash or account balance and is not available as a lump sumwithdrawal. Therefore, the surrender of the annuity prior to the GMABmaturity date could result in the loss to the investor to the extentthat the surrender charges apply and/or the contract has lost value tomarket conditions and fund performance.

How to elect the GMAB

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

A customer may select the Enhanced Dollar Cost Averaging (EDCA)program, which allows the individual to allocate amounts over a 6 or12 month period from the EDCA guaranteed fixed account option to oneof the three designated asset allocation investment options.Dollar-cost averaging cannot guarantee a profit or protect against aloss. This investment strategy involves continuous investment insecurities, regardless of fluctuating prices and the investor shouldconsider his or her financial ability to continue purchases throughperiods of low price levels.

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

GMAB Charges

The GMAB is available for an annual charge of 0.75% of the valueof the initial payments. The amount is deducted from the account oneach contract anniversary.

Variable annuities are offered by prospectus only, which isavailable from a registered representative. A customer shouldcarefully consider the product's features, risks, charges andexpenses, and the investment objectives, risks and policies of theunderlying portfolios, as well other information about the underlyingfunding choices. Amounts allocated to the variable investment optionsof an account balance are subject to market fluctuations, and whenwithdrawn or annuitized, may be worth more or less than their originalvalue. The principal value and rate of return in a variable annuitywill fluctuate due to market conditions. Therefore, at any point intime, the value of the annuity contract may be worth more or less thanthe owner's actual investment in the contract. There is no guaranteethat any of the variable options in this product will meet theirstated goals or objectives. This and other information is available inthe prospectus, which a customer should read carefully beforeinvesting. Product availability and features may vary by state. Allproduct guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of theissuing insurance company.

MetLife Investors offers individual life insurance and annuitiesthrough third party intermediaries including wirehouses, independentplanners, broker dealers and banks. MetLife, a subsidiary of MetLife,Inc. (NYSE: MET) is a leading provider of insurance and otherfinancial services to millions of individual and institutionalcustomers throughout the United States. Through its subsidiaries andaffiliates, MetLife, Inc. offers life insurance, annuities, automobileand homeowner's insurance and retail banking services to individuals,as well as group insurance, reinsurance and retirement and savingsproducts and services to corporations and other institutions. Outsidethe U.S., the MetLife companies have direct insurance operations inAsia Pacific, Latin America and Europe. For more information, pleasevisit www.metlife.com.

The information in this press release is not intended to (andcannot) be used by anyone to avoid IRS penalties. This press releasesupports the promotion and marketing of this annuity rider. Customersshould seek advice based on their particular circumstances from anindependent tax advisor.

Like most annuity contract, those contracts issued by the MetLifefamily of companies contain fees, charges, and holding periods inorder to keep the contract in force. Customers should consult theirqualified tax or legal professional before making an investmentdecision.

Prospectuses for MetLife's or any of its affiliated insurancecompanies individual variable annuities and the underlying investmentoptions can be obtained by contacting an authorized MetLife, MetLifeInvestors or New England Life Insurance Company representatives.MetLife's variable annuities are issued and distributed byMetropolitan Life Insurance Company, 200 Park Avenue New York, NY10166, MetLife Investors variable annuity products are issued byMetLife Investors Insurance Company, MetLife Investors InsuranceCompany of California and MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company(subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc.), 5 Park Plaza, Irvine, CA, 92614 anddistributed by MetLife Investors Distribution Company, and New EnglandLife Insurance Company's variable annuities are issued by New EnglandLife Insurance Company (a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc.) and distributedby New England Securities, 501 Boylston Street Boston, MA, 02116.

#2 in variable annuities based on 2004 sales premiums, VARDS, June2005