1

     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 18, 2001.
                                                 REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------

                                 METLIFE, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)


                                                                
             DELAWARE                             6719                            13-4075851
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF      (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
  INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)      CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)            IDENTIFICATION NO.)


                            METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST II
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)


                                                                
             DELAWARE                             6719                       (TO BE APPLIED FOR)
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF      (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
  INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)      CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)            IDENTIFICATION NO.)


                           METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST III
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)


                                                                
             DELAWARE                             6719                       (TO BE APPLIED FOR)
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF      (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
  INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)      CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)            IDENTIFICATION NO.)


                            ------------------------

                               ONE MADISON AVENUE
                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10010-3690
                                 (212) 578-2211
    (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                  OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                            ------------------------

                              GARY A. BELLER, ESQ.
              SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                                 METLIFE, INC.
                               ONE MADISON AVENUE
                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10010-3690
                                 (212) 578-2211
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------

                                    COPY TO:
                             PHYLLIS G. KORFF, ESQ.
                           SUSAN J. SUTHERLAND, ESQ.
                    SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
                               FOUR TIMES SQUARE
                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036-6522
                                 (212) 735-3000
                            ------------------------

    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by
the registrants

    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [
]

    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [X]

    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
---------------

    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
---------------

    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]

                            ------------------------

    THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
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                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              PROPOSED MAXIMUM       PROPOSED MAXIMUM
       TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF             AMOUNT TO BE         OFFERING PRICE           AGGREGATE             AMOUNT OF
     SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED           REGISTERED          PER UNIT(1)(2)      OFFERING PRICE(2)(3)   REGISTRATION FEE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             
 Debt Securities of MetLife,
   Inc.(4)...........................          --                    --                     --                   --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Preferred Stock of MetLife, Inc.,
   $0.01 par value(5)................          --                    --                     --                   --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Common Stock of MetLife, Inc., $0.01
   par value, including Series A
   Junior Participating Preferred
   Stock purchase rights attached
   thereto(6)........................          --                    --                     --                   --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Trust Preferred Securities of
   MetLife Capital Trust II and
   MetLife Capital Trust III.........          --                    --                     --                   --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Guarantees of MetLife, Inc. with
   respect to the Trust Preferred
   Securities of MetLife Capital
   Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust
   III(7)............................          --                    --                     --                   --
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 TOTAL...............................    $4,000,000,000             100%              $4,000,000,000         $1,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


     (1) The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined from
         time to time by the registrants in connection with the issuance by the
         registrants of the securities registered hereunder.

     (2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
         pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The
         aggregate public offering price of all securities registered hereby
         will not exceed $4,000,000,000 or the equivalent thereof on the date of
         issuance in one or more foreign currencies, foreign currency units or
         composite currencies. Such amount represents the issue price rather
         than the principal amount of any debt securities issued at an original
         issue discount.

     (3) Exclusive of accrued interest, distributions and dividends, if any.

     (4) Including such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities as
         may, from time, be issued (i) at indeterminate prices or (ii) upon
         conversion or exchanges of securities registered hereunder to the
         extent any such securities are, by their terms, convertible into or
         exchangeable for debt securities.

     (5) Including such indeterminate number of shares of preferred stock as
         may, from time to time, be issued (i) at indeterminate prices or (ii)
         upon conversion or exchange of securities registered hereunder, to the
         extent any such securities are, by their terms, convertible into or
         exchangeable for preferred stock.

     (6) Including such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may,
         from time to time, be issued (i) at indeterminate prices or (ii) upon
         conversion or exchange of securities registered hereunder, to the
         extent any such securities are, by their terms, convertible into or
         exchangeable for common stock. The Series A Junior Participating
         Preferred Stock purchase rights initially are attached to and trade
         with all the shares of common stock outstanding as of, and issued
         subsequent to, April 4, 2000, pursuant to the terms of the Company's
         Rights Agreement, dated as of April 4, 2000. Until the occurrence of
         certain prescribed events, the rights are not exercisable, are
         evidenced by the certificates for the common stock and will be
         transferred only with the common stock. The value attributable to such
         rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of the common stock.

     (7) MetLife, Inc. is also registering under this registration statement all
         other obligations that it may have with respect to Trust Preferred
         Securities issued by MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust
         III. No separate consideration will be received for any Guarantee or
         any such other obligations.
   3

        THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.
        METLIFE, INC., METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST II AND METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST III
        MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED
        WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS
        PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT
        SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER
        OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED             , 2001

PROSPECTUS

                                 $4,000,000,000

                                 METLIFE, INC.
               DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON STOCK

                            METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST II
                           METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST III
                           TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
             FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY METLIFE, INC.,
                              AS SET FORTH HEREIN

     MetLife, Inc., MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III 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., MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III may
offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or
more underwriters, 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".

     None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities
commission, the New York Superintendent of Insurance 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.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

                The date of this prospectus is           , 2001
   4

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS



                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
                                                           
About This Prospectus.......................................    2
Where You Can Find More Information.........................    2
Forward Looking Statements..................................    3
Metlife, Inc................................................    5
The Trusts..................................................    5
Use of Proceeds.............................................    7
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges..........................    7
Description of Securities...................................    7
Description of Debt Securities..............................    7
Description of Capital Stock................................   16
Description of Trust Preferred Securities...................   23
Description of Guarantees...................................   25
Plan of Distribution........................................   28
Legal Opinions..............................................   29
Experts.....................................................   29

   5

                             ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references in
this prospectus to "MetLife," "we," "our," or "us" refer to MetLife, Inc.,
together with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and their respective direct
and indirect subsidiaries, while references to "MetLife, Inc." refer only to the
holding company on a nonconsolidated basis. References in this prospectus to the
"trusts" refer to MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III.

     This prospectus is part of a registration statement that MetLife, Inc.,
MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III filed with 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 and
common stock, and MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III may,
from time to time, sell trust preferred securities guaranteed by MetLife, Inc.,
as described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings up to a total dollar
amount of $4,000,000,000 or the equivalent thereof on the date of issuance in
one or more foreign currencies, foreign 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.

                      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 450 Fifth Street, N.W., 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
http://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. These reports, proxy statements and other information
can also be read at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.

     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. MetLife, Inc.
incorporates by reference the following documents which have been filed with the
SEC:

     - Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated March 31, 2000, relating to
       registration of shares of MetLife, Inc.'s common stock and Registration
       Statement on Form 8-A, dated March 31, 2000, relating to registration of
       MetLife, Inc.'s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchase
       rights;

     - Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000;

     - Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001;

                                        2
   6

     - Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 8, 2001; and

     - Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders Held on April 24,
       2001.

     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 until MetLife, Inc., MetLife
Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III file a post-effective amendment
which indicates the termination of the offering of the securities made by this
prospectus.

     MetLife, Inc. will provide without charge upon written or oral request, a
copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by reference into
this prospectus, other than exhibits which are specifically incorporated by
reference into those documents. Requests should be directed to Investor
Relations, MetLife, Inc., One Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010-3690
(telephone number 1-800-649-3593). You may also obtain some of the documents
incorporated by reference into this document at MetLife's website,
www.metlife.com. You should be aware that the information contained on MetLife's
website is not a part of this document.

                             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 Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of
future events. You can identify these statements 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 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 determining MetLife's
actual future results. 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, and there are no guarantees about the performance of any
securities offered by this prospectus. Actual results could differ materially
from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Among factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially are:

     - changes in general economic conditions, including the performance of
       financial markets and interest rates;

     - heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new
       competitors and the development of new products by new and existing
       competitors;

     - unanticipated changes in industry trends;

     - MetLife, Inc.'s primary reliance, as a holding company, on dividends from
       its subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations and the applicable
       regulatory restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such
       dividends;

     - deterioration in the experience of the "closed block" established in
       connection with the reorganization of MetLife, Inc.'s subsidiary
       Metropolitan Life Insurance Company;

     - catastrophe losses;

     - regulatory, accounting or tax changes that may affect the cost of, or
       demand for, our products or services;

                                        3
   7

     - downgrades in our ratings;

     - discrepancies between actual claims experience and assumptions used in
       setting prices for our products and establishing the liabilities for our
       obligations for future policy benefits and claims;

     - adverse litigation or arbitration results;

     - our ability to identify and consummate on successful terms any future
       acquisitions, and to successfully integrate acquired businesses with
       minimal disruption;

     - other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in MetLife,
       Inc.'s or the trusts' filings with the Securities and Exchange
       Commission;

     - the risk factors or uncertainties listed herein or listed from time to
       time in prospectus supplements or any document incorporated by reference
       herein; and

     - other risks and uncertainties that have not been identified at this time.

Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the trusts undertake any obligation to publicly
correct or update any forward-looking statement if MetLife, Inc. or the trusts
later become aware that it is not likely to be achieved. You are advised,
however, to consult any further disclosures MetLife, Inc. or the trusts make on
related subjects in reports to the SEC.

                                        4
   8

                                 METLIFE, INC.

     We are a leading provider of insurance and financial services to a broad
spectrum of individual and institutional customers. We currently provide
individual insurance, annuities and investment products to approximately nine
million households, or one of every 11 households in the U.S. We also provide
group insurance and retirement and savings products and services to
approximately 70,000 corporations and other institutions, including 87 of the
FORTUNE 100 largest companies. Our institutional clients have approximately 33
million employees and members.

     We distribute our products and services nationwide through multiple
channels, with the primary distribution systems being our core career agency
system, our general agency distribution systems, our regional sales forces, our
dedicated sales forces, financial intermediaries, independent agents and product
specialists. We operate in the international markets that we serve through
subsidiaries and joint ventures. Our international segment focuses on the
Asia/Pacific region, Latin America and selected European countries and currently
has insurance operations in twelve countries.

     MetLife, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Its
principal executive offices are located at One Madison Avenue, New York, New
York 10010-3690. Its telephone number is (212) 578-2211.

THE REORGANIZATION

     On April 7, 2000, pursuant to an order by the New York Superintendent of
Insurance approving its plan of reorganization, as amended, Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company converted from a mutual life insurance company to a stock life
insurance company and became MetLife, Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary. In
connection with the plan of reorganization, each policyholder's membership
interest was extinguished and each eligible policyholder received, in exchange
for that interest, trust interests representing shares of MetLife, Inc.'s common
stock to be held in the MetLife Policyholder Trust, cash or an adjustment to
policy values in the form of policy credits, as provided in the plan of
reorganization. A total of 494,466,664 shares of MetLife, Inc.'s common stock
were distributed to the MetLife Policyholder Trust for the benefit of
policyholders. For more information regarding the MetLife Policyholder Trust,
see "Description of Securities -- Description of Capital Stock -- MetLife
Policyholder Trust."

     Immediately following the demutualization, MetLife, Inc. conducted an
initial public offering of a total of 232,300,000 shares of common stock, and
MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory business trust
that MetLife, Inc. wholly owns, conducted a public offering of a total of
20,125,000 8.00% equity security units. Concurrently with the foregoing
offerings, MetLife, Inc. sold a total of 60,000,000 shares of common stock in
private placements. For more information regarding the private placements, see
"Description of Securities -- Description of Capital Stock -- Registration
Rights Granted, and Restrictions Imposed, in Connection With Private Placements
of MetLife, Inc.'s Common Stock."

                                   THE TRUSTS

     MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III are statutory
business trusts formed on May 17, 2001 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 form filed as an exhibit 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.

     The trusts exist for the exclusive purposes of:

     - issuing preferred securities and common securities;

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

                                        5
   9

     - 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 represent an aggregate
liquidation amount equal to at least 3% of each trust's total capitalization.
The preferred securities of each trust will represent the remaining 97% of each
trust's total capitalization. The common securities will have terms
substantially identical to, and will rank equal in priority of payment with, the
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 each have a term of approximately 55 years, but may terminate
earlier as provided in their respective declarations of trust. The trusts'
business and affairs 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 two, 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 of 1939, 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 noninterest 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 II and MetLife Capital Trust III,
including any amendments thereto, the trust preferred securities, the Delaware
Business Trust Act 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:
c/o Bank One Delaware, Inc., Three Christiana Center, 201 North Walnut Street,
Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The telephone number of each
trust is: (212) 373-1105.

     For financial reporting purposes,

     - the trusts will be treated as MetLife, Inc.'s subsidiaries; and

     - the accounts of the trusts will be included in MetLife, Inc.'s
       consolidated financial statements.

     The financial statements of the trusts will be consolidated in MetLife,
Inc.'s consolidated financial statements, with the trust preferred securities
shown on MetLife, Inc.'s consolidated balance sheets. The notes to our
consolidated financial statements will disclose that the sole assets of the
trusts will be the debt securities issued by MetLife, Inc. to the trusts.
Distributions on the trust preferred securities will be reported as a charge
                                        6
   10

to minority interest, which is included in Other Expenses in MetLife, Inc.'s
consolidated statements of income, whether paid or accrued.

     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

     Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the
proceeds of any securities sold for general corporate purposes. 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.

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     The following table sets forth MetLife's ratio of earnings to fixed
charges.



                                                 THREE
                                                MONTHS
                                                 ENDED            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                               MARCH 31,    ------------------------------------
                                                 2001       2000    1999    1998    1997    1996
                                               ---------    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
                                                                          
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)........    1.36       1.39    1.31    1.65    1.56    1.43


---------------
(1) For purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as income before
    provision for income taxes and discontinued operations and excluding
    undistributed income and losses from equity method investments, minority
    interest and fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest. Fixed charges
    are the sum of interest and debt issue costs, interest credited to
    policyholder account balances and an estimated interest component of rent
    expense.

                           DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the debt securities,
common stock and preferred stock that MetLife, Inc. may sell from time to time,
and the trust preferred securities guaranteed by MetLife, Inc. that MetLife
Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III may sell from time to time. These
summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security.
However, this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement contain the
material terms of the securities being offered.

                         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. Senior debt securities will be issued under a
"Senior Indenture" and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a
"Subordinated Indenture". This prospectus sometimes refers to the Senior
Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture collectively as the "Indentures".
Unless the applicable prospectus supplement states otherwise, the trustee under
the Indentures will be Bank One Trust Company, N.A., a national banking
association.

     The forms of Indentures are filed as exhibits to the registration
statement. 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.

                                        7
   11

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. The Indentures also do not 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;

     - the date or dates from which any interest will accrue 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
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   12

       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 United States 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 convert or exchange such
       debt securities into or for MetLife, Inc.'s common stock or other
       securities or property;

     - whether any of the debt securities will be issued in global 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;

     - the depositary for global or certificated debt securities;

     - any special tax implications of the 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, 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.

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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.

     Under the Subordinated Indenture, "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.

     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.

The terms of MetLife, Inc,'s guarantees with respect to the capital securities
and common securities of MetLife Capital Trust I and the terms of MetLife,
Inc.'s 8.00% Debentures due 2005 held by MetLife Capital Trust I expressly
provide that each shall rank equally in right of payment with all other senior
unsecured debt of MetLife, Inc.

     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
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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.

     The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the issuance of additional Senior
Indebtedness.

     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.

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   15

     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;

     - 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

     MetLife, Inc. may not (i) 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 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 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 preferred securities of the trusts are outstanding,
       such transaction is not prohibited under the applicable declaration of
       trust and the applicable preferred securities guarantee of each trust;
       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;

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   16

     - 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 debt securities for 90 days after
       MetLife, Inc. receives notice of such failure;

     - certain defaults with respect to MetLife, Inc.'s debt (other than the
       debt securities or non-recourse debt) in any aggregate principal amount
       in excess of $100,000,000 consisting of the failure to make any payment
       at maturity or that results in acceleration of the maturity of such 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 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 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.

     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 Indentures 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
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series under either
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

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(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 either
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 Indenture 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 of
counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not
recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of
such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to 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 federal income tax law occurring after the date of the relevant
Indenture. In addition, in the case of either defeasance or covenant defeasance,
the Company 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 a least a majority in aggregate principal amount of
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   18

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 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.

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

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

                                        15
   19

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, or 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 Securities Exchange
       Act of 1934 and no successor depositary has been appointed for 90 days;
       or

     - MetLife, Inc. determines, in its sole discretion, 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.

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRUSTEES

     The trustee under the Indentures is Bank One Trust Company, N.A. 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 MetLife,
Inc.'s common stock, preferred stock or other debt securities. 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.

                          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 no shares were issued or outstanding as of the date of this
       prospectus;

     - 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

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   20

     - 3,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which
       749,733,176 shares, as well as the same number of rights to purchase
       shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to the
       stockholder rights plan adopted by MetLife, Inc.'s board of directors on
       September 29, 1999, were outstanding as of May 4, 2001. See
       "-- Stockholder Rights Plan" for a description of the Series A Junior
       Participating Preferred Stock. 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 the
board of directors. The issuance of dividends will depend upon, among other
factors deemed relevant by MetLife, Inc.'s board of directors, MetLife's
financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, future prospects
and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company and MetLife, Inc.'s other subsidiaries. There is no
requirement or assurance that MetLife, Inc. will declare and pay any dividends.
In addition, the indenture governing the terms of our debentures issued to
MetLife Capital Trust I in connection with the offering of equity security units
prohibits the payment of dividends on common stock of MetLife, Inc. during a
deferral of interest payments on the debentures or an event of default under the
indenture or the related guarantee.

     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.

     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 Mellon Investor Services, successor to
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.

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 number of shares
constituting any such series and the designations, powers, preferences,
limitations and relative rights including dividend rights, dividend rate, voting
rights, terms of redemption, redemption price or prices, conversion rights and
liquidation preferences of the shares constituting any series, without any
further vote or action by stockholders.

     MetLife, Inc. has authorized 10,000,000 shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock for issuance in connection with its stockholder
rights plan. See "-- Stockholder Rights Plan" for a description of the Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

     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.

     Conversion or Exchange.  The prospectus supplement will describe the terms,
if any, on which the preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable for
MetLife, Inc.'s common stock, debt securities or other preferred stock. 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 preferred stock to be adjusted.

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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 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.

CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

     Pursuant to MetLife, Inc.'s certificate of incorporation, the directors are
divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with each
class having a term of three years. The classes serve staggered terms, such that
the term of one class of directors expires each year. Any effort to obtain
control of MetLife, Inc.'s board of directors by causing the election of a
majority of the board may require more time than would be required without a
staggered election structure. MetLife, Inc.'s certificate of incorporation also
provides that, subject to the rights of the holders of any class of preferred
stock, directors may be removed only for cause at a meeting of stockholders by a
vote of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote. This provision may have
the effect of slowing or impeding a change in membership of MetLife, Inc.'s
board of directors that would effect a change of control.

EXERCISE OF DUTIES BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     MetLife, Inc.'s certificate of incorporation provides that while the
Metropolitan Life Policyholder Trust 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 by resolution of the board of
directors, but the board of directors will at no time consist of fewer than
three directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any class of preferred
stock, stockholders can only remove a director for cause by a vote of a majority
of the shares entitled to vote, 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 for cause 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. If the vacancy is not so filled it will be filled by the stockholders
at the next annual meeting of stockholders. The stockholders are not permitted
to fill vacancies between annual meetings, except where the vacancy resulted
from a removal for cause. These provisions give incumbent directors significant
authority that may have the effect of limiting the ability of stockholders to
effect a change in management.
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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 requirements for
stockholder proposals and nominations for director. In addition, pursuant to the
provisions of both the certificate of incorporation and the by-laws, action may
not be taken by written consent of stockholders; rather, any action taken by the
stockholders must be effected at a duly called meeting. Moreover, the
stockholders do not have the power to call a special meeting. Only 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. These provisions make it more procedurally 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.

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 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 repurchase of MetLife, Inc.'s
       stock under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

     - actions or omissions pursuant to 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 benefitted 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. 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, settlements, 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.

SUPERMAJORITY VOTING REQUIREMENT FOR AMENDMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS

     Some of the provisions of MetLife, Inc.'s certificate of incorporation,
including those that authorize the board of directors to create stockholder
rights plans, that set forth the duties, election and exculpation from

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liability of directors and that prohibit stockholders from actions by written
consent, may not be amended, altered, changed or repealed unless the amendment
is approved by the vote of holders of 75% of the then outstanding shares
entitled to vote at an election of directors. This requirement exceeds the
majority vote of the outstanding stock that would otherwise be required by the
Delaware General Corporation Law for the repeal or amendment of such provisions
of the certificate of incorporation. MetLife, Inc.'s by-laws may be amended,
altered or repealed by the board of directors or by the vote of holders of 75%
of the then outstanding shares entitled to vote in the election of directors.
These provisions make it more difficult for any person to remove or amend any
provisions that have an antitakeover effect.

BUSINESS COMBINATION STATUTE

     In addition, as a Delaware corporation, 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 mean 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.

RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITIONS OF SECURITIES

     Section 7312 of the New York Insurance Law provides that, for a period of
five years after completion of the distribution of consideration pursuant to the
plan of reorganization, no person may directly or indirectly offer to acquire or
acquire in any manner the beneficial ownership (defined as the power to vote or
dispose of, or to direct the voting or disposition of, a security) of 5% or more
of any class of voting security (which term includes MetLife, Inc.'s common
stock) of MetLife, Inc. without the prior approval of the New York
Superintendent of Insurance. Pursuant to Section 7312, voting securities
acquired in excess of the 5% threshold without such prior approval will be
deemed non-voting.

     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 MetLife, Inc., and thus indirect control of Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company, without the prior approval of the New York
Superintendent of Insurance. 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, 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 determines that such
persons, directly or indirectly, exercise a controlling influence over MetLife,
Inc.'s management and 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 states
also regulate changes of control (generally presumed upon acquisitions of 10% or
more of voting securities) of insurance holding companies such as MetLife, Inc.

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STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

     MetLife, Inc.'s board of directors has adopted a stockholder rights plan
under which each outstanding share of MetLife, Inc.'s common stock issued
between April 4, 2000 and the distribution date (as described below) will be
coupled with a stockholder right. Initially, the stockholder rights will be
attached to the certificates representing outstanding shares of common stock,
and no separate rights certificates will be distributed. Each right will entitle
the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of MetLife, Inc.'s Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock. Each one one-hundredth of a share of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will have economic and voting
terms equivalent to one share of MetLife, Inc.'s common stock. Until it is
exercised, the right itself will not entitle the holder thereof to any rights as
a stockholder, including the right to receive dividends or to vote at
stockholder meetings. The description and terms of the rights are set forth in a
rights agreement entered into between MetLife, Inc. and Mellon Investor
Services, successor to ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as rights
agent. Although the material provisions of the rights agreement have been
accurately summarized, the statements below concerning the rights agreement are
not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the form of
rights agreement itself, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus
in its entirety. Each statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

     Stockholder rights are not exercisable until the distribution date and will
expire at the close of business on April 4, 2010, unless earlier redeemed or
exchanged by MetLife, Inc. A distribution date would occur upon the earlier of:

     - the tenth day after the first public announcement or communication to
       MetLife, Inc. that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
       (referred to as an "acquiring person") has acquired beneficial ownership
       of 10% or more of MetLife, Inc.'s outstanding common stock (the date of
       such announcement or communication is referred to as the stock
       acquisition time); or

     - the tenth business day after the commencement or announcement of the
       intention to commence a tender offer or exchange offer that would result
       in a person or group becoming an acquiring person.

If any person becomes an acquiring person, each holder of a stockholder right
will be entitled to exercise the right and receive, instead of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, common stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash,
a reduction in purchase price, property or other securities of MetLife, Inc.)
having a value equal to two times the purchase price of the stockholder right.
All stockholder rights that are beneficially owned by an acquiring person or its
transferee will become null and void.

     If at any time after a public announcement has been made or MetLife, Inc.
has received notice that a person has become an acquiring person, (1) MetLife,
Inc. is acquired in a merger or other business combination or (2) 50% or more of
MetLife, Inc.'s assets, cash flow or earning power is sold or transferred, each
holder of a stockholder right (except rights which previously have been voided
as set forth above) will have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock
of the acquiring company having a value equal to two times the purchase price of
the right.

     The purchase price payable, the number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock or other securities or property
issuable upon exercise of rights and the number of rights outstanding, are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution. With certain
exceptions, no adjustment in the purchase price or the number of shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of a
stockholder right will be required until the cumulative adjustment would require
an increase or decrease of at least one percent in the purchase price or number
of shares for which a right is exercisable.

     At any time until the earlier of (1) the stock acquisition time or (2) the
final expiration date of the rights agreement, MetLife, Inc. may redeem all the
stockholder rights at a price of $0.01 per right. At any time after a person has
become an acquiring person and prior to the acquisition by such person of 50% or
more of the outstanding shares of MetLife, Inc.'s common stock, MetLife, Inc.
may exchange the stockholder rights, in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio
of one share of common stock, or one one-hundredth of a share of

                                        21
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Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or
series of preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences and privileges),
per right.

     The stockholder rights plan is designed to protect stockholders in the
event of unsolicited offers to acquire MetLife, Inc. and other coercive takeover
tactics which, in the opinion of its board of directors, could impair its
ability to represent stockholder interests. The provisions of the stockholder
rights plan may render an unsolicited takeover more difficult or less likely to
occur or may prevent such a takeover, even though such takeover may offer
MetLife, Inc.'s stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price
above the prevailing market rate and may be favored by a majority of MetLife,
Inc.'s stockholders.

METLIFE POLICYHOLDER TRUST

     Under the plan of reorganization, MetLife established the MetLife
Policyholder Trust to hold the shares of common stock allocated to eligible
policyholders. 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 May 16, 2001, the trust held 440,904,570 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;

     - 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.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS GRANTED, AND RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED, IN CONNECTION WITH
PRIVATE PLACEMENTS OF METLIFE, INC.'S COMMON STOCK

     Banco Santander Central Hispano, S. A. and affiliates of Credit Suisse
Group purchased from MetLife, Inc. an aggregate of 60,000,000 shares of common
stock in private placements that closed concurrently with MetLife, Inc.'s
initial public offering of common stock and its offering of equity security
units. Pursuant to the registration rights granted to these purchasers, they are
able to have their shares of common stock registered for resale under the
Securities Act on not more than one occasion for each purchaser each year, or
not more than five occasions for each purchaser in total (known as a "demand"
registration right). In addition, MetLife,

                                        22
   26

Inc. has agreed to use its reasonable efforts to register the shares for resale
on a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 as soon as practicable after April
7, 2001. MetLife, Inc. expects to file this shelf registration statement with
the SEC during the second quarter of 2001. We have agreed that each purchaser
may make not more than two offerings under the registration statement each year,
subject to a minimum offering size of $50,000,000 per offering, although
underwritten offerings will be subject to the limitations on the number of
demand registrations described above. The purchasers are also able to
participate, subject to specified limitations, in registrations effected by
MetLife, Inc. for its own account or others.

     Sales of substantial amounts of MetLife, Inc. common stock, or the
perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market
prices for MetLife, Inc.'s common stock.

     In connection with the private placements, each purchaser has also agreed
that it will not, without MetLife, Inc.'s consent, increase its ownership of
voting securities above 4.9% of the outstanding shares (or 5.0% with the New
York Superintendent's approval), except for any increase resulting from
transactions in the ordinary course of the business of purchaser as underwriter,
broker/dealer, investment manager or investment adviser or from ordinary trading
activities (unless such transactions were made with the purpose of changing or
influencing the control of MetLife, Inc.), seek to obtain board representation,
solicit proxies in opposition to management or take certain other actions for
five years.

                   DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

     This section describes the general terms and provisions of the trust
preferred securities that may be offered by this prospectus. When the trusts
offer to sell a particular series of the trust preferred securities, a
prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series. The
prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general terms described in
this section apply to that particular series of trust preferred securities.

     Specified terms and provisions of the trust preferred securities are
described in this section. The summary is not complete. You should read this
description of the trust preferred securities and the amended and restated
declaration of trust and prospectus supplement relating to the applicable series
of the trust preferred securities before you buy any trust preferred securities.
The forms of amended and restated declarations of trust are filed as exhibits to
the registration statement.

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 is 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 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;

     - whether distributions on the trust preferred securities will be
       cumulative;
                                        23
   27

     - 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
          he purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part; and

        - 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

        - 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;

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

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

     The prospectus supplement relating to the trust preferred securities being
offered may specify that the trust preferred securities may be converted into
MetLife, Inc.'s common stock upon the terms set forth in the prospectus
supplement.

     All trust preferred securities offered will be guaranteed by MetLife, Inc.
to the extent set forth under "Description of Guarantees." Any material United
States 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 preferred securities, each trust will
issue one series of common securities. The declaration of each trust authorizes
the regular 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 preferred securities issued by such trust and the common
securities will rank equally, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with
the 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 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.

                                        24
   28

ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF PREFERRED SECURITIES

     If an event of default occurs, and is continuing, under the declaration of
trust of MetLife Capital Trust II or MetLife Capital Trust III, the holders of
the preferred securities of that trust 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's 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.

If the property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the applicable series
of debt securities, 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 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 preferred securities as determined after the due date specified in the
applicable series of debt securities.

                           DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES

     This section describes the general terms and provisions of the guarantees.
MetLife, Inc. will execute and deliver the guarantees for the benefit of the
holders of the trust preferred securities. The prospectus supplement will
describe the specific terms of the guarantees offered through that prospectus
supplement and any general terms outlined in this section that will not apply to
those guarantees.

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

     This section summarizes specified terms and provisions of the guarantees.
The summary is not complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions of,
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of guarantee, which
is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement which includes this
prospectus, and the Trust Indenture Act. Each guarantee will be held by the
guarantee trustee for the benefit of holders of the trust preferred securities
to which it relates.

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;

                                        25
   29

     - 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 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 preferred securities issued by such trust 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 the 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 preferred securities. However, upon an event of default under
the Indentures, holders of 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 to 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.

     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

                                        26
   30

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.

     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.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 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
                                        27
   31

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 Bank One 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.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     MetLife, Inc. may sell the common stock, preferred stock and any series of
debt securities, and MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III may
sell any of the preferred 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.
                                        28
   32

     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.

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the
validity of any debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, trust preferred
securities or guarantees offered hereby will be passed upon for MetLife, Inc.
and MetLife Capital Trust II and/or MetLife Capital Trust III by Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP maintains a
group life insurance policy with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and
beneficially owns an aggregate of less than 0.01% of MetLife, Inc.'s outstanding
common stock. Helene L. Kaplan, a director of MetLife, Inc. and Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company, is of counsel to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
LLP.

                                    EXPERTS

     The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement
schedules incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference,
and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given
upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                        29
   33

                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

     The expenses relating to the registration of the securities will be borne
by the registrant. Such expenses are estimated to be as follows:


                                                           
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee.........  $1,000,000
NASD Filing Fee.............................................  $   30,500
Trustees' Fees and Expenses.................................  $   20,000
Printing and Engraving Fees and Expenses....................  $   75,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................  $   25,000
Legal Fees..................................................  $  375,000
Miscellaneous...............................................  $    5,000
Total.......................................................  $1,530,500


ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     MetLife, Inc.'s directors and officers may be indemnified against
liabilities, fines, penalties and claims imposed upon or asserted against them
as provided in the Delaware General Corporation Law and MetLife, Inc.'s Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws. Such
indemnification covers all costs and expenses incurred by a director or officer
in his capacity as such. The board of directors, by a majority vote of a quorum
of disinterested directors or, under certain circumstances, independent counsel
appointed by the board of directors, must determine that the director or officer
seeking indemnification was not guilty of willful misconduct or a knowing
violation of the criminal law. In addition, the Delaware General Corporation Law
and MetLife, Inc.'s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may under
certain circumstances eliminate the liability of directors and officers in a
stockholder or derivative proceeding.

     If the person involved is not a director or officer of MetLife, Inc., the
board of directors may cause MetLife, Inc. to indemnify, to the same extent
allowed for MetLife, Inc.'s directors and officers, such person who was or is a
party to a proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was MetLife, Inc.'s
employee or agent, or is or was serving at MetLife, Inc.'s request as director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.

     MetLife, Inc. has in force and effect policies insuring its directors and
officers against losses which they or any of them will become legally obligated
to pay by reason of any actual or alleged error or misstatement or misleading
statement or act or omission or neglect or breach of duty by the directors and
of ficers in the discharge of their duties, individually or collectively, or any
matter claimed against them solely by reason of their being directors or
officers. Such coverage is limited by the specific terms and provisions of the
insurance policies.

     Pursuant to the forms of underwriting agreements filed as exhibits to this
registration statement, the underwriters will agree to indemnify directors and
officers of MetLife, Inc. and persons controlling MetLife, Inc., within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, against certain liabilities
that might arise out of or are based upon certain information furnished to
MetLife, Inc. by any such underwriter.

     The declarations of trust of MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital
Trust III provide that no trustee, affiliate of any trustee or any officers,
directors, stockholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents
of any trustee or any employee or agent of MetLife Capital Trust II or MetLife
Capital Trust III or their affiliates, each referred to as an indemnified
person, shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to
any employee or agent of MetLife Capital Trust II or MetLife Capital Trust III
or their affiliates or any officers, directors, stockholders, employees,
representatives or agents of MetLife, Inc. or its affiliates, or to any holders
of trust securities of MetLife Capital Trust II or MetLife

                                       II-1
   34

Capital Trust III for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or
omission performed or omitted by such indemnified person in good faith on behalf
of MetLife Capital Trust II or MetLife Capital Trust III and in a manner such
indemnified person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority
conferred on such indemnified person by the applicable declaration of trust or
by law, except that an indemnified person shall be liable for any such loss,
damage or claim incurred by reason of such indemnified person's gross negligence
(or, in the case of the property trustee of MetLife Capital Trust II or MetLife
Capital Trust III, negligence) or willful misconduct with respect to such acts
or omissions. The declarations of trust also provides that, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, MetLife, Inc. shall indemnify and hold
harmless each indemnified person from and against any loss, damage or claim
incurred by such indemnified person by reason of any act or omission performed
or omitted by such indemnified person in good faith on behalf of MetLife Capital
Trust II or MetLife Capital Trust III and in a manner such indemnified person
reasonably believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such
indemnified person by the declarations of trust, except that no indemnified
person shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or
claim incurred by such indemnified person by reason of gross negligence (or, in
the case of the property trustee of MetLife Capital Trust II or MetLife Capital
Trust III, negligence) or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or
omissions. Each declaration of trust further provides that to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, expenses (including legal fees) incurred by an
indemnified person in defending any claim, demand, action, suit, or the final
disposition of such claim, demand, action , suit or proceedings shall, from time
to time, be advanced by MetLife, Inc. prior to the final disposition of such
claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by MetLife, Inc. of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified person to repay such amount if it
shall be determined that the indemnified person is not entitled to be
indemnified pursuant to the declaration of trust.

ITEM 16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     The Exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Index to
Exhibits on page II-8.

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) To
     include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
     of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
     after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
     decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
     securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
     deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
     may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
     pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
     price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
     price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
     effective registration statement; (iii) To include any material information
     with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
     registration statement or any material change to such information in the
     registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs 1(i) and 1(ii)
     do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, S-8 or F-3, and
     the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
     those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished
     to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d)
     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference
     in the registration statement;

          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                       II-2
   35

          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth in Item 15, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the regis trant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the
purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection
(a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information
omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement
in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the
registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act
shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was
declared effective.

                                       II-3
   36

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York on May 18, 2001.

                                          METLIFE, INC.

                                          By /s/   ROBERT H. BENMOSCHE
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Robert H. Benmosche
                                            Title: Chairman

     KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature to this
Registration Statement appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Gary A.
Beller, Leland C. Launer, Jr. and Stewart G. Nagler, or any of them, as such
person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person's name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to
the Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, and
registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of
1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and does
hereby grant unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority
to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be
done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such
person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any substitute therefor, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.



                     SIGNATURE                                     TITLE                      DATE
                     ---------                                     -----                      ----
                                                                                    
              /s/ ROBERT H. BENMOSCHE                Chairman, President, Chief           May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------  Executive Officer and Director
                Robert H. Benmosche                  (Principal Executive Officer)

                 /s/ GERALD CLARK                    Vice-Chairman, Chief Investment      May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------  Officer and Director
                   Gerald Clark

               /s/ STEWART G. NAGLER                 Vice-Chairman, Chief Financial       May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------  Officer and Director
                 Stewart G. Nagler

              /s/ CURTIS H. BARNETTE                 Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                Curtis H. Barnette

               /s/ JOAN GANZ COONEY                  Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                 Joan Ganz Cooney

               /s/ JOHN C. DANFORTH                  Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                 John C. Danforth

                                                     Director                                   , 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                Burton A. Dole, Jr.


                                       II-4
   37



                     SIGNATURE                                     TITLE                      DATE
                     ---------                                     -----                      ----

                                                                                    
               /s/ JAMES R. HOUGHTON                 Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                 James R. Houghton

                /s/ HARRY P. KAMEN                   Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                  Harry P. Kamen

               /s/ HELENE L. KAPLAN                  Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                 Helene L. Kaplan

              /s/ CHARLES M. LEIGHTON                Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                Charles M. Leighton

              /s/ JOHN J. PHELAN, JR.                Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                John J. Phelan, Jr.

                 /s/ HUGH B. PRICE                   Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                   Hugh B. Price

                /s/ RUTH J. SIMMONS                  Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
                  Ruth J. Simmons

            /s/ WILLIAM C. STEERE, JR.               Director                             May 18, 2001
---------------------------------------------------
              William C. Steere, Jr.


                                       II-5
   38

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York on May 18, 2001.

                                          METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST II

                                          By: MetLife, Inc.,
                                            as sponsor

                                          By: /s/ LELAND C. LAUNER, JR.
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Leland C. Launer, Jr.
                                            Title: Senior Vice President and
                                              Treasurer

                                          METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST III

                                          By: MetLife, Inc.,
                                            as sponsor

                                          By: /s/ LELAND C. LAUNER, JR.
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: Leland C. Launer, Jr.
                                            Title: Senior Vice President and
                                              Treasurer

                                       II-6
   39

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



EXHIBIT
NO.                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
-------                     -----------------------
       
  1.1     Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities,
          Preferred Stock and Common Stock.
  1.2     Form of Underwriting Agreement for Trust Preferred
          Securities.
  2.1     Plan of Reorganization (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          2.1 to MetLife, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1
          (No. 333-91517) (the "S-1 Registration Statement").
  2.2     Amendment to Plan of Reorganization dated as of March 9,
          2000 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
  3.1     Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
          MetLife, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
          MetLife, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
          ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Commission on March
          14, 2001) (the "2000 Annual Report").
  3.2     Amended and Restated By-Laws of MetLife, Inc. (Incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the 2000 Annual Report).
  4.1     Form of Senior Indenture.
  4.2     Form of Subordinated Indenture.
  4.3     The form of any Senior Note with respect to each particular
          series of Senior Notes issued hereunder will be filed as an
          exhibit to a Current Report of MetLife, Inc. on Form 8-K and
          incorporated by reference herein.
  4.4     The form of any Subordinated Note with respect to each
          particular series of Subordinated Notes issued hereunder
          will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report of MetLife,
          Inc. on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.
  4.5     The form of any certificate of designation with respect to
          any preferred stock issued hereunder will be filed as an
          exhibit to a Current Report of MetLife, Inc. on Form 8-K and
          incorporated by reference herein.
  4.6     Certificate of Trust of MetLife Trust Capital II.
  4.7     Certificate of Trust of MetLife Trust Capital III.
  4.8     Declaration of Trust of MetLife Trust Capital II.
  4.9     Declaration of Trust of MetLife Trust Capital III.
  4.10    Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of MetLife
          Capital Trust II.
  4.11    Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of MetLife
          Capital Trust III.
  4.12    Form of Trust Preferred Security Certificate of MetLife
          Capital Trust II (Included in Exhibit 4.10).
  4.13    Form of Trust Preferred Security Certificate of MetLife
          Capital Trust III (Included in Exhibit 4.11).
  4.14    Form of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement for
          MetLife Capital Trust II.
  4.15    Form of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement for
          MetLife Capital Trust III.
  4.16    Form of Common Securities Guarantee Agreement for MetLife
          Capital Trust II.
  4.17    Form of Common Securities Guarantee Agreement for MetLife
          Capital Trust III.
  4.18    Form of Certificate for Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
          share (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
  4.19    Indenture between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York, as
          trustee, relating to the Debentures (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the 2000 Annual Report).
  4.20    First Supplemental Indenture between MetLife, Inc. and The
          Bank of New York, as trustee, relating to the Debentures
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the 2000 Annual
          Report).

   40



EXHIBIT
NO.                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
-------                     -----------------------
       
  4.21    Certificate of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust I
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to MetLife, Inc.'s
          and MetLife Capital Trust I's Registration Statement on Form
          S-1 (Nos. 333-32074 and 333-32074-01) (the "Trust
          Registration Statement").
  4.22    Declaration of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust I
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Trust
          Registration Statement).
  4.23    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of MetLife Capital
          Trust I (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the
          2000 Annual Report).
  4.24    Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement for MetLife Capital
          Trust I (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the
          2000 Annual Report).
  4.25    Capital Security Certificate of MetLife Capital Trust I
          (Included in Exhibit 4.21 incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 4.6 to the 2000 Annual Report).
  4.26    Purchase Contract Agreement (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 4.9 to the 2000 Annual Report).
  4.27    Pledge Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10
          to the 2000 Annual Report).
  4.28    Form of Debenture (Included in Exhibit 4.20 incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the 2000 Annual Report).
  4.29    Form of Normal Unit (Included in Exhibit 4.26 incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the 2000 Annual Report).
  4.30    Form of Stripped Unit (Included in Exhibit 4.26 incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the 2000 Annual Report).
  4.31    Common Securities Guarantee Agreement (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the 2000 Annual Report).
  5.1     Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to
          Validity of the Offered Securities.
 10.1     MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan 2000 for Senior Officers
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.2     MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan 2000 for Officers
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.3     Form of Employment Continuation Agreement with Messrs.
          Benmosche, Nagler and Clark (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.3 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.4     Form of Employment Continuation Agreement with Mr. Henrikson
          and other executive officers (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.4 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.5     Employment Continuation Agreement with Mr. Benson
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.6     Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6
          to the 2000 Annual Report).
 10.7     MetLife, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and
          restated on March 28, 2000 (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.7 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.8     MetLife, Inc. 2000 Directors Stock Plan, as amended and
          restated on March 28, 2000 (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.8 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.9     Amended and Restated Employment Continuation Agreement with
          Ms. Rein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the
          S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.10    Employment Continuation Agreement between Ms. Rein and
          Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company, dated
          March 3, 2000 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to
          the S-1 Registration Statement).

   41



EXHIBIT
NO.                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
-------                     -----------------------
       
 10.11    Employment Agreement between New England Life Insurance
          Company and James M. Benson, dated June 16, 1997
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.12    Policyholder Trust Agreement (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.12 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.13    Restatement of the Excess Asbestos Indemnity Insurance
          Policy, dated as of December 31, 1998, between Stockwood
          Reinsurance Company, Ltd. and Metropolitan Life Insurance
          Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the
          S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.14    Restatement of the Excess Asbestos Indemnity Insurance
          Policy, dated as of December 31, 1998, between European
          Reinsurance Corporation of America and Metropolitan Life
          Insurance Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.14 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.15    Restatement of the Excess Asbestos Indemnity Insurance
          Policy, dated as of December 31, 1998, between Granite State
          Insurance Company and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.16    Form of Reinsurance Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2000,
          between Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and certain
          reinsurers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to
          the 2000 Annual Report).
 10.17    Amended and Restated Aggregate Excess of Loss Reinsurance
          Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2000, between American
          International Life Assurance Company of New York and
          Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the MetLife, Inc. Report on
          Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 (the "First
          Quarter 2000 10-Q").
 10.18    Amended and Restated Aggregate Excess of Loss Reinsurance
          Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2000, between Stockwood
          Reinsurance Company, Ltd. and Metropolitan Life Insurance
          Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
          First Quarter 2000 10-Q).
 10.19    Five-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of April 27, 1998, and
          as amended as of April 26, 1999, among Metropolitan Life
          Insurance Company, MetLife Funding, Inc. and the other
          parties signatory thereto (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.18 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.20    Amendment No. 2, dated as of June 30, 2000, to the Five Year
          Credit Agreement, among Metropolitan Life Insurance Company,
          MetLife Funding, Inc. and the other parties signatory
          thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the
          2000 Annual Report).
 10.21    364-Day Credit Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2001, among
          MetLife, Inc., Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, MetLife
          Funding, Inc. and the other parties signatory thereto.
 10.22    Stipulation of Settlement, as amended, relating to
          Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Sales Practices
          Litigation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to
          the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.23    Consulting Agreement with Harry P. Kamen, effective July 1,
          1999 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.24    Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Long Term Performance
          Compensation Plan (for performance periods starting on or
          after January 1, 2000) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.24 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.25    Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Long Term Performance
          Compensation Plan (for performance periods starting on or
          after January 1, 1999) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.25 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.26    Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Long Term Performance
          Compensation Plan (for performance periods starting on or
          after January 1, 1998) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.26 to the S-1 Registration Statement).

   42



EXHIBIT
NO.                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
-------                     -----------------------
       
 10.27    Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Long Term Performance
          Compensation Plan (for performance periods starting on or
          after January 1, 1997) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.27 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.28    Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Annual Variable
          Incentive Plan (for performance periods starting on or after
          January 1, 2000) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28
          to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.29    The New Metropolitan Life Auxiliary Retirement Benefits
          Plan, as amended and restated, effective January 1, 1996
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.30    The New Metropolitan Life Supplemental Auxiliary Retirement
          Benefits Plan, effective January 1, 1996, and Amendment
          thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the
          S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.31    Metropolitan Life Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan,
          restated effective through August 15, 1998 (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the S-1 Registration
          Statement).
 10.32    Metropolitan Life Supplemental Auxiliary Savings and
          Investment Plan (as amended and restated as of September 1,
          1998) and Amendment thereto (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.32 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.33    Supplemental Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan of
          Participating Metropolitan Affiliates, effective January 1,
          1996 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.34    Metropolitan Life Supplemental Retirement Benefits Plan and
          Amendment thereto, effective January 1, 1995 (Incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the S-1 Registration
          Statement).
 10.35    New England Financial Annual Variable Incentive Plan (for
          performance periods starting on or after January 1, 2000)
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.36    New England Financial Long Term Performance Compensation
          Plan (for performance periods starting on or after January
          1, 2000) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the
          S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.37    New England Life Insurance Company Select Employees
          Supplemental 401(k) Plan, as amended and restated effective
          January 1, 2000 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37
          to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.38    New England Life Insurance Company Supplemental Retirement
          Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2000
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.39    The New England Life Insurance Company Select Employees
          Supplemental Retirement Plan, as amended and restated
          effective January 1, 2000 (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.39 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.40    The New England Life Insurance Company Senior Executive
          Nonqualified Elective Deferral Plan, effective January 1,
          1998 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.41    New England Financial Long Term Performance Compensation
          Plan (for each of the three-year performance periods
          commencing on January 1, 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively)
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.42    The New England Short-Term Incentive Plan (for performance
          periods starting on or after January 1, 1999) (Incorporated
          by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to the S-1 Registration
          Statement).

   43



EXHIBIT
NO.                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
-------                     -----------------------
       
 10.43    Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Annual Variable
          Incentive Plan (for performance periods starting on or after
          January 1, 1999) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43
          to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.44    Form of Capital Note (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.44 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.45    1993 Fiscal Agency Agreement between Metropolitan Life
          Insurance Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., dated
          as of November 1, 1993 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.45 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.46    1995 Fiscal Agency Agreement between Metropolitan Life
          Insurance Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., dated
          as of November 13, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.46 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.47    Fiscal Agency Agreement between New England Mutual Life
          Insurance Company and The First National Bank of Boston,
          dated as of February 10, 1994 (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.47 to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.48    Fiscal Agency Agreement between General American Life
          Insurance Company and The Bank of New York, dated as of
          January 24, 1994 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48
          to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.49    Amended and Restated Trust Agreement among GenAmerica
          Corporation and Wilmington Trust Company, David L. Herzog,
          John W. Hayden and Christopher A. Martin dated as of June 6,
          1997 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.50    Employment Continuation Agreement with Ms. Weber
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the S-1
          Registration Statement).
 10.51    Form of Stock Purchase Agreement among MetLife, Inc.,
          Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Credit Suisse Group or
          its affiliates and Banco Santander, Central Hispano S.A. or
          its affiliates (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51
          to the S-1 Registration Statement).
 10.52    MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers 2001
          (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the 2000
          Annual Report).
 10.53    MetLife Individual Business Special Deferred Compensation
          Plan 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.56 to the
          2000 Annual Report).
 10.54    Amendment to the New Metropolitan Life Auxiliary Retirement
          Benefits Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to
          the 2000 Annual Report).
 10.55    Amendment to the New Metropolitan Life Supplemental
          Auxiliary Retirement Benefits Plan (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 10.58 to the 2000 Annual Report).
 10.56    Amendment to the Metropolitan Life Supplemental Retirement
          Benefits Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.59 to
          the 2000 Annual Report).
 10.57    Amendment to the Metropolitan Life Supplemental Auxiliary
          Savings and Investment Plan (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.60 to the 2000 Annual Report).
 12.1     Statement re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
          Charges.
 21.1     Subsidiaries of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 21.1 to the 2000 Annual Report).
 23.1     Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Auditors.

   44



EXHIBIT
NO.                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
-------                     -----------------------
       
 23.2     Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
          (Included in Exhibit 5.1).
 24.1     Powers of Attorney of Certain Officers and Directors of
          MetLife, Inc. (Included in the signature pages hereto).
 25.1     Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of Bank One Trust
          Company, N.A., Trustee under the Senior Indenture, the
          Subordinated Indenture, the MetLife Capital Trust II Trust
          Preferred Securities Guarantee of MetLife, Inc. and the
          MetLife Capital Trust III Trust Preferred Securities
          Guarantee of MetLife, Inc.
 25.2     Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of Bank One Trust
          Company, N.A., Trustee under the Declaration of Trust and
          the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of MetLife
          Capital Trust II.
 25.3     Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of Bank One Trust
          Company, N.A., Trustee under the Declaration of Trust and
          the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of MetLife
          Capital Trust III.