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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-K
     
(Mark One)    
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
or
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from          to          
 
Commission file number 001-15787
MetLife, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   13-4075851
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
200 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y.   10166-0188
(Address of principal
executive offices)
  (Zip Code)
(212) 578-2211
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01   New York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01
  New York Stock Exchange
6.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, par value $0.01
  New York Stock Exchange
5.875% Senior Notes
  New York Stock Exchange
5.375% Senior Notes
  Irish Stock Exchange
5.25% Senior Notes
  Irish Stock Exchange
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
     
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant at June 30, 2010 was approximately $31 billion. At February 18, 2011, 986,585,463 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates by reference certain information from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 26, 2011, to be filed by the registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2010.
 


 

 
Table Of Contents
 
             
        Page
        Number
 
Part I
Item 1.   Business     4  
Item 1A.   Risk Factors     28  
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments     65  
Item 2.   Properties     66  
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings     66  
Item 4.   (Removed and Reserved)     66  
 
Part II
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     67  
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data     69  
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     71  
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     180  
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     191  
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     192  
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures     192  
Item 9B.   Other Information     194  
 
Part III
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     195  
Item 11.   Executive Compensation     195  
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     195  
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     198  
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services     198  
 
Part IV
Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     199  
       
Signatures     200  
       
Exhibit Index     E-1  
 EX-3.6
 EX-4.12
 EX-4.13
 EX-4.14
 EX-4.41.A
 EX-4.42
 EX-4.43
 EX-4.61
 EX-4.69
 EX-4.83
 EX-4.86
 EX-10.18
 EX-10.19
 EX-10.20
 EX-10.29
 EX-10.30
 EX-10.31
 EX-10.48
 EX-10.52
 EX-10.55
 EX-10.57
 EX-10.58
 EX-10.65
 EX-10.80
 EX-10.82
 EX-10.83
 EX-10.96
 EX-10.97
 EX-10.98
 EX-10.101
 EX-10.102
 EX-12.1
 EX-21.1
 EX-23.1
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT


Table of Contents

As used in this Form 10-K, “MetLife,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MetLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999 (the “Holding Company”), its subsidiaries and affiliates.
 
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning 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 the actual future results of MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors that might cause such differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These factors include: (1) difficult conditions in the global capital markets; (2) increased volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets, which may affect our ability to seek financing or access our credit facilities; (3) uncertainty about the effectiveness of the U.S. government’s programs to stabilize the financial system, the imposition of fees relating thereto, or the promulgation of additional regulations; (4) impact of comprehensive financial services regulation reform on us; (5) exposure to financial and capital market risk; (6) changes in general economic conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest rates, which may affect our ability to raise capital, generate fee income and market-related revenue and finance statutory reserve requirements and may require us to pledge collateral or make payments related to declines in value of specified assets; (7) potential liquidity and other risks resulting from our participation in a securities lending program and other transactions; (8) investment losses and defaults, and changes to investment valuations; (9) impairments of goodwill and realized losses or market value impairments to illiquid assets; (10) defaults on our mortgage loans; (11) the impairment of other financial institutions that could adversely affect our investments or business; (12) our ability to address unforeseen liabilities, asset impairments, loss of key contractual relationships, or rating actions arising from acquisitions or dispositions, including our acquisition of American Life Insurance Company (“American Life”), a subsidiary of ALICO Holdings LLC (“ALICO Holdings”), and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (“DelAm,” together with American Life, collectively, “ALICO”) (the “Acquisition”) and to successfully integrate and manage the growth of acquired businesses with minimal disruption; (13) uncertainty with respect to the outcome of the closing agreement entered into between American Life and the United States Internal Revenue Service in connection with the Acquisition; (14) uncertainty with respect to any incremental tax benefits resulting from the planned elections for ALICO and certain of its subsidiaries under Section 338 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Section 338 Elections”); (15) the dilutive impact on our stockholders resulting from the issuance of equity securities to ALICO Holdings in connection with the Acquisition; (16) downward pressure on our stock price as a result of ALICO Holdings’ ability to sell its equity securities; (17) the conditional payment obligation of approximately $300 million to ALICO Holdings if the conversion of the preferred stock issued to ALICO Holdings in connection with the Acquisition into our common stock is not approved; (18) economic, political, currency and other risks relating to our international operations, including with respect to fluctuations of exchange rates; (19) our primary reliance, as a holding company, on dividends from our subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations and the applicable regulatory restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such dividends; (20) downgrades in our claims paying ability, financial strength or credit ratings; (21) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures; (22) availability and effectiveness of reinsurance or indemnification arrangements, as well as default or failure of counterparties to perform; (23) discrepancies between actual


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claims experience and assumptions used in setting prices for our products and establishing the liabilities for our obligations for future policy benefits and claims; (24) catastrophe losses; (25) heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors, consolidation of distributors, the development of new products by new and existing competitors, distribution of amounts available under U.S. government programs, and for personnel; (26) unanticipated changes in industry trends; (27) changes in accounting standards, practices and/or policies; (28) changes in assumptions related to deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements, value of business acquired or goodwill; (29) increased expenses relating to pension and postretirement benefit plans, as well as health care and other employee benefits; (30) exposure to losses related to variable annuity guarantee benefits, including from significant and sustained downturns or extreme volatility in equity markets, reduced interest rates, unanticipated policyholder behavior, mortality or longevity, and the adjustment for nonperformance risk; (31) deterioration in the experience of the “closed block” established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”); (32) adverse results or other consequences from litigation, arbitration or regulatory investigations; (33) inability to protect our intellectual property rights or claims of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others, (34) discrepancies between actual experience and assumptions used in establishing liabilities related to other contingencies or obligations; (35) regulatory, legislative or tax changes relating to our insurance, banking, international, or other operations that may affect the cost of, or demand for, our products or services, impair our ability to attract and retain talented and experienced management and other employees, or increase the cost or administrative burdens of providing benefits to employees; (36) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to terrorism, other hostilities, or natural catastrophes, including any related impact on our disaster recovery systems and management continuity planning which could impair our ability to conduct business effectively; (37) the effectiveness of our programs and practices in avoiding giving our associates incentives to take excessive risks; and (38) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in MetLife, Inc.’s filings with the SEC.
 
We do not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if we later become aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved. Please consult any further disclosures MetLife, Inc. makes on related subjects in reports to the SEC.
 
Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts
 
In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries or affiliates, or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:
 
  •  should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;
 
  •  have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;
 
  •  may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and
 
  •  were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.
 
Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about us may be found elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and MetLife, Inc.’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC website at www.sec.gov.


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Part I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
As used in this Form 10-K, “MetLife,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MetLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999 (the “Holding Company”), its subsidiaries and affiliates.
 
With a more than 140-year history, we have grown to become a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers in over 60 countries. Through our subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States (“U.S.”), Japan, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Over the past several years, we have grown our core businesses, as well as successfully executed on our growth strategy. This has included completing a number of transactions that have resulted in the acquisition and, in some cases, divestiture of certain businesses while also further strengthening our balance sheet to position MetLife for continued growth.
 
On November 1, 2010 (the “Acquisition Date”), MetLife, Inc. completed the acquisition of American Life Insurance Company (“American Life”), from ALICO Holdings LLC (“ALICO Holdings”), a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”), and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (“DelAm,”) from AIG, (American Life, together with DelAm, collectively, “ALICO”) (the “Acquisition”) for a total purchase price of $16.4 billion. The business acquired in the Acquisition provides consumers and businesses with products and services, life insurance, accident and health insurance, retirement and wealth management solutions. This transaction delivers on our global growth strategies, adding significant scale and reach to MetLife’s international footprint, furthering our diversification in geographic mix and product offerings, as well as increasing our distribution strength. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
MetLife is organized into five segments: Insurance Products, Retirement Products, Corporate Benefit Funding and Auto & Home (collectively, “U.S. Business”) and International. The assets and liabilities of ALICO as of November 30, 2010 and the operating results of ALICO from the Acquisition Date through November 30, 2010 are included in the International segment. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Banking, Corporate & Other, which includes MetLife Bank, National Association (“MetLife Bank”) and other business activities. For reporting periods beginning in 2011, our non-U.S. Business results will be presented within two separate segments: Japan and Other International Regions. MetLife’s management continues to evaluate the Company’s segment performance and allocated resources and may adjust such measurements in the future to better reflect segment profitability.
 
U.S. Business provides a variety of insurance and financial services products — including life, dental, disability, auto and homeowner insurance, guaranteed interest and stable value products, and annuities — through both proprietary and independent retail distribution channels, as well as at the workplace. This business serves over 60,000 group customers, including over 90 of the top one hundred FORTUNE 500® companies, and provides protection and retirement solutions to millions of individuals.
 
International operates in Japan and 64 countries within Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. MetLife is the largest life insurer in Mexico and also holds leading market positions in Japan, Poland, Chile and South Korea. This business provides life insurance, accident and health insurance, credit insurance, annuities, endowment and retirement & savings products to both individuals and groups. International is the fastest-growing of MetLife’s businesses, and we believe it will be one of the largest future growth areas.
 
Within the U.S., we also provide a variety of mortgage and deposit products through MetLife Bank. Results of our banking operation are reported in Banking, Corporate & Other.
 
Operating revenues derived from any customer did not exceed 10% of consolidated operating revenues in any of the last three years. Financial information, including revenues, expenses, operating earnings, and total assets by segment, is provided in Note 22 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating revenues and operating earnings are performance measures that are not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for definitions of such measures.


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We are one of the largest institutional investors in the U.S. with a $476 billion general account portfolio invested primarily in investment grade corporate bonds, structured finance securities, commercial and agricultural mortgage loans, U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities, as well as real estate and corporate equity. Over the past several years, we have taken a number of actions to further diversify and strengthen our general account portfolio.
 
Our well-recognized brand, leading market positions, competitive and innovative product offerings and financial strength and expertise should help drive future growth and enhance shareholder value, building on a long history of fairness, honesty and integrity. Over the course of the next several years, we will pursue the following objectives to achieve our goals:
 
  •  Strengthen our growth platform
 
– Focus on targeted, disciplined global growth of our businesses
 
– Build on our widely recognized brand name
 
– Capitalize on our large base of institutional and individual customers
 
  •  Optimize our delivery and operations
 
– Expand and leverage our broad, diverse distribution channels
 
– Focus on margin improvement and return on equity expansion
 
  •  Protect and extend our risk management
 
– Build on our strong risk management and investment expertise
 
– Maintain a balanced focus on income and protection products
 
  •  Enhance organizational effectiveness
 
– Further our commitment to a diverse, high performance workplace
 
  •  Capitalize on innovation
 
– Continue to introduce innovative and competitive products
 
U.S. Business
 
Overview
 
Insurance Products
 
Our Insurance Products segment offers a broad range of protection products and services aimed at serving the financial needs of our customers throughout their lives. These products are sold to individuals and corporations, as well as other institutions and their respective employees. We have built a leading position in the U.S. group insurance market through long-standing relationships with many of the largest corporate employers in the U.S., and are one of the largest issuers of individual life insurance products in the U.S. We are organized into three businesses: Group Life, Individual Life and Non-Medical Health.
 
Our Group Life insurance products and services include variable life, universal life, and term life products. We offer group insurance products as employer-paid benefits or as voluntary benefits where all or a portion of the premiums are paid by the employee. These group products and services also include employee paid supplemental life and are offered as standard products or may be tailored to meet specific customer needs.
 
Our Individual Life insurance products and services include variable life, universal life, term life and whole life products. Additionally, through our broker-dealer affiliates, we offer a full range of mutual funds and other securities products. The elimination of transactions from activity between the segments within U.S. Business occurs within Individual Life.


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The major products within both Group Life and Individual Life are as follows:
 
Variable Life.  Variable life products provide insurance coverage through a contract that gives the policyholder flexibility in investment choices and, depending on the product, in premium payments and coverage amounts, with certain guarantees. Most importantly, with variable life products, premiums and account balances can be directed by the policyholder into a variety of separate account investment options or directed to the Company’s general account. In the separate account investment options, the policyholder bears the entire risk of the investment results. We collect specified fees for the management of the investment options. The policyholder’s cash value reflects the investment return of the selected investment options, net of management fees and insurance-related and other charges. In some instances, third-party money management firms manage these investment options. With some products, by maintaining a certain premium level, policyholders may have the advantage of various guarantees that may protect the death benefit from adverse investment experience.
 
Universal Life.  Universal life products provide insurance coverage on the same basis as variable life, except that premiums, and the resulting accumulated balances, are allocated only to the Company’s general account. Universal life products may allow the insured to increase or decrease the amount of death benefit coverage over the term of the contract and the owner to adjust the frequency and amount of premium payments. We credit premiums to an account maintained for the policyholder. Premiums are credited net of specified expenses. Interest is credited to the policyholder’s account at interest rates we determine, subject to specified minimums. Specific charges are made against the policyholder’s account for the cost of insurance protection and for expenses. With some products, by maintaining a certain premium level, policyholders may have the advantage of various guarantees that may protect the death benefit from adverse investment experience.
 
Term Life.  Term life products provide a guaranteed benefit upon the death of the insured for a specified time period in return for the periodic payment of premiums. Specified coverage periods range from one year to 30 years, but in no event are they longer than the period over which premiums are paid. Death benefits may be level over the period or decreasing. Decreasing coverage is used principally to provide for loan repayment in the event of death. Premiums may be guaranteed at a level amount for the coverage period or may be non-level and non-guaranteed. Term insurance products are sometimes referred to as pure protection products, in that there are typically no savings or investment elements. Term contracts expire without value at the end of the coverage period when the insured party is still living.
 
Whole Life.  Whole life products provide a guaranteed benefit upon the death of the insured in return for the periodic payment of a fixed premium over a predetermined period. Premium payments may be required for the entire life of the contract period, to a specified age or period, and may be level or change in accordance with a predetermined schedule. Whole life insurance includes policies that provide a participation feature in the form of dividends. Policyholders may receive dividends in cash or apply them to increase death benefits, increase cash values available upon surrender or reduce the premiums required to maintain the contract in-force. Because the use of dividends is specified by the policyholder, this group of products provides significant flexibility to individuals to tailor the product to suit their specific needs and circumstances, while at the same time providing guaranteed benefits.
 
Our Non-Medical Health products and services include dental insurance, group short- and long-term disability, individual disability income, long-term care (“LTC”), critical illness and accidental death & dismemberment coverages. Other products and services include employer-sponsored auto and homeowners insurance provided through the Auto & Home segment and prepaid legal plans. We also sell administrative services-only (“ASO”) arrangements to some employers. The major products in this area are:
 
Dental.  Dental products provide insurance and ASO plans that assist employees, retirees and their families in maintaining oral health while reducing out-of-pocket expenses and providing superior customer service. Dental plans include the Preferred Dentist Program and the Dental Health Maintenance Organization.
 
Disability.  Disability products provide a benefit in the event of the disability of the insured. In most instances, this benefit is in the form of monthly income paid until the insured reaches age 65. In addition to


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income replacement, the product may be used to provide for the payment of business overhead expenses for disabled business owners or mortgage payment protection. This is offered on both a group and individual basis.
 
Long-term Care.  LTC products provide protection against the potentially high costs of LTC services. They generally pay benefits to insureds who need assistance with activities of daily living or have a cognitive impairment. In November 2010, we announced our decision to discontinue all new sales of individual and employer group LTC products, as well as our intent to file for an in-force rate increase on our employer group business. We remain committed to our existing LTC insureds and will ensure that they continue to receive the same high level of service.
 
Retirement Products
 
Our Retirement products segment includes a variety of variable and fixed annuities that are primarily sold to individuals and employees of corporations and other institutions. The major products in this area are:
 
Variable Annuities.  Variable annuities provide for both asset accumulation and asset distribution needs. Variable annuities allow the contractholder to make deposits into various investment options in a separate account, as determined by the contractholder. The risks associated with such investment options are borne entirely by the contractholder, except where guaranteed minimum benefits are involved. In certain variable annuity products, contractholders may also choose to allocate all or a portion of their account to the Company’s general account and are credited with interest at rates we determine, subject to certain minimums. In addition, contractholders may also elect certain minimum death benefit and minimum living benefit guarantees for which additional fees are charged.
 
Fixed Annuities.  Fixed annuities provide for both asset accumulation and asset distribution needs. Fixed annuities do not allow the same investment flexibility provided by variable annuities, but provide guarantees related to the preservation of principal and interest credited. Deposits made into deferred annuity contracts are allocated to the Company’s general account and are credited with interest at rates we determine, subject to certain minimums. Credited interest rates are guaranteed not to change for certain limited periods of time, ranging from one to ten years. Fixed income annuities provide a guaranteed monthly income for a specified period of years and/or for the life of the annuitant.
 
In the fourth quarter of 2010, management realigned certain income annuity products within the Company’s segments to better conform to the way it manages and assesses its business and began reporting such product results in the Retirement Products segment previously reported in the Corporate Benefit Funding segment. Accordingly, prior period segment results have been adjusted to reflect such product reclassifications. See Note 1 and Note 22 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
Corporate Benefit Funding
 
Our Corporate Benefit Funding segment includes an array of annuity and investment products, including, guaranteed interest products and other stable value products, income annuities, and separate account contracts for the investment management of defined benefit and defined contribution plan assets. This segment also includes certain products to fund postretirement benefits and company, bank or trust owned life insurance used to finance non-qualified benefit programs for executives. The major products in this area are:
 
Stable Value Products.  We offer general account guaranteed interest contracts, separate account guaranteed interest contracts, and similar products used to support the stable value option of defined contribution plans. We also offer private floating rate funding agreements that are used for money market funds, securities lending cash collateral portfolios and short-term investment funds.
 
Pensions Closeouts.  We offer general account and separate account annuity products, generally in connection with the termination of defined benefit pension plans, both in the U.S. and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). We also offer partial risk transfer solutions that allow for partial transfers of pension liabilities and annuity products that include single premium buyouts.


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Torts and Settlements.  We offer innovative strategies for complex litigation settlements, primarily structured settlement annuities.
 
Capital Markets Investment Products.  Products offered include funding agreements, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and funding agreement-backed commercial paper.
 
Other Corporate Benefit Funding Products and Services.  We offer specialized life insurance products designed specifically to provide solutions for non-qualified benefit and retiree benefit funding purposes.
 
Auto & Home
 
Our Auto & Home segment includes personal lines property and casualty insurance offered directly to employees at their employer’s worksite, as well as to individuals through a variety of retail distribution channels, including independent agents, property and casualty specialists, direct response marketing and the individual distribution sales group. Auto & Home primarily sells auto insurance, which represented 68% of Auto & Home’s total net earned premiums in 2010. Homeowners and other insurance represented 32% of Auto & Home’s total net earned premiums in 2010. The major products in this area are:
 
Auto Coverages.  Auto insurance policies provide coverage for private passenger automobiles, utility automobiles and vans, motorcycles, motor homes, antique or classic automobiles and trailers. Auto & Home offers traditional coverage such as liability, uninsured motorist, no fault or personal injury protection, as well as collision and comprehensive.
 
Homeowners and Other Coverages.  Homeowners’ insurance policies provide protection for homeowners, renters, condominium owners and residential landlords against losses arising out of damage to dwellings and contents from a wide variety of perils, as well as coverage for liability arising from ownership or occupancy. Other insurance includes personal excess liability (protection against losses in excess of amounts covered by other liability insurance policies), and coverage for recreational vehicles and boat owners. Most of Auto & Home’s homeowners’ policies are traditional insurance policies for dwellings, providing protection for loss on a “replacement cost” basis. These policies also provide additional coverage for reasonable, normal living expenses incurred by policyholders that have been displaced from their homes.
 
Sales Distribution
 
U.S. Business markets our products and services through various distribution groups. Our life insurance and retirement products targeted to individuals are sold via sales forces, comprised of MetLife employees, in addition to third-party organizations. Our group life, non-medical health and corporate benefit funding products are sold via sales forces primarily comprised of MetLife employees. Personal lines property and casualty insurance products are directly marketed to employees at their employer’s worksite. Auto & Home products are also marketed and sold to individuals by independent agents and property and casualty specialists through a direct response channel and the individual distribution sales group. MetLife sales employees work with all distribution groups to better reach and service customers, brokers, consultants and other intermediaries.
 
Individual Distribution
 
Our individual distribution sales group targets the large middle-income market, as well as affluent individuals, owners of small businesses and executives of small- to medium-sized companies. We have also been successful in selling our products in various multi-cultural markets.
 
Insurance Products are sold through our individual distribution sales group and also through various third-party organizations utilizing two models. In the coverage model, wholesalers sell to high net worth individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses through independent general agencies, financial advisors, consultants, brokerage general agencies and other independent marketing organizations under contractual arrangements. In the point of sale model, wholesalers sell through financial intermediaries, including regional broker-dealers, brokerage firms, financial planners and banks.


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Retirement Products are sold through our individual distribution sales group and also through various third-party organizations such as regional broker-dealers, New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) brokerage firms, financial planners and banks.
 
The individual distribution sales group is comprised of three channels: the MetLife distribution channel, a career agency system, the New England financial distribution channel, a general agency system, and MetLife Resources, a career agency system.
 
The MetLife distribution channel had 5,053 MetLife agents under contract in 54 agencies at December 31, 2010. The career agency sales force focuses on the large middle-income and affluent markets, including multi-cultural markets. We support our efforts in multi-cultural markets through targeted advertising, specially trained agents and sales literature written in various languages.
 
The New England financial distribution channel included 33 general agencies providing support to 2,102 general agents and a network of independent brokers throughout the U.S. at December 31, 2010. The New England financial distribution channel targets high net worth individuals, owners of small businesses and executives of small- to medium-sized companies.
 
MetLife Resources, a focused distribution channel of MetLife, markets retirement, annuity and other financial products on a national basis through 547 MetLife agents and independent brokers at December 31, 2010. MetLife Resources targets the nonprofit, educational and healthcare markets.
 
We market and sell Auto & Home products through independent agents, property and casualty specialists, a direct response channel and the direct distribution group. In recent years, we have increased the number of independent agents appointed to sell these products.
 
In 2010, Auto & Home’s business was concentrated in the following states, as measured by amount and percentage of total direct earned premiums:
 
                 
    For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
    (In millions)   Percent
 
New York
  $ 391       13 %
Massachusetts
  $ 258       9 %
Illinois
  $ 203       7 %
Florida
  $ 164       5 %
Connecticut
  $ 153       5 %
Texas
  $ 142       5 %
 
Group Distribution
 
Insurance Products distributes its group life and non-medical health products and services through a sales force that is segmented by the size of the target customer. Marketing representatives sell either directly to corporate and other group customers or through an intermediary, such as a broker or consultant. Voluntary products are sold through the same sales channels, as well as by specialists for these products. Employers have been emphasizing such voluntary products and, as a result, we have increased our focus on communicating and marketing to such employees in order to further foster sales of those products. At December 31, 2010, the group life and non-medical health sales channels had 356 marketing representatives.
 
Retirement Products markets its retirement, savings, investment and payout annuity products and services to sponsors and advisors of benefit plans of all sizes. These products and services are offered to private and public pension plans, collective bargaining units, nonprofit organizations, recipients of structured settlements and the current and retired members of these and other institutions.
 
Corporate Benefit Funding products and services are distributed through dedicated sales teams and relationship managers located in 12 offices around the country. In addition, the retirement & benefits funding organization works with individual distribution and group life and non-medical health distribution areas to better reach and service customers, brokers, consultants and other intermediaries.


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Auto & Home is a leading provider of personal lines property and casualty insurance products offered to employees at their employer’s worksite. At December 31, 2010, 2,215 employers offered MetLife Auto & Home products to their employees.
 
Group marketing representatives market personal lines property and casualty insurance products to employers through a variety of means, including broker referrals and cross-selling to group customers. Once permitted by the employer, MetLife commences marketing efforts to employees. Employees who are interested in the auto and homeowners products can call a toll-free number to request a quote to purchase coverage and to request payroll deduction over the telephone. Auto & Home has also developed a proprietary software that permits an employee in most states to obtain a quote for auto insurance through Auto & Home’s internet website.
 
We have entered into several joint ventures and other arrangements with third parties to expand the marketing and distribution opportunities of group products and services. We also seek to sell our group products and services through sponsoring organizations and affinity groups. In addition, we also provide life and dental coverage to federal employees.
 
International
 
Overview
 
International provides life insurance, accident and health insurance, credit insurance, annuities, endowment and retirement & savings products to both individuals and groups. We focus on markets primarily within Japan, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. We operate in international markets through subsidiaries and affiliates. See “Risk Factors — Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Could Negatively Affect Our Profitability,” and “Risk Factors — Our International Operations Face Political, Legal, Operational and Other Risks, Including Exposure to Local and Regional Economic Conditions, That Could Negatively Affect Those Operations or Our Profitability,” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
 
Japan
 
Our Japan operation (excluding our Japan joint venture, as described below under “— Asia Pacific”) is comprised of the business acquired in the Acquisition. Our Japan operation is among the largest foreign life insurers in Japan and ranks 6th in the Japanese life insurance industry measured by total premiums according to the Statistics of Life Insurance in Japan 2009. It provides life insurance, accident and health insurance, annuities and endowment products to both individuals and groups. Its products are distributed through a multi-distribution platform consisting of captive agents, independent agents, brokers, bancassurance, and direct marketing (“DM”).
 
Latin America
 
We operate in 20 countries in Latin America, with the largest operations in Mexico, Chile and Argentina. The Mexican operation is the largest life insurance company in both the individual and group businesses in Mexico according to Asociación Mexicana de Instituciones de Seguro, a Mexican industry trade group which provides rankings for insurance companies. Our Chilean operation is the largest annuity company in Chile, based on market share according to Superintendencia Valores y Seguros, the Chilean insurance regulator. The Chilean operation also offers individual life insurance and group insurance products. We also actively market individual life insurance, group insurance products and credit life coverage in Argentina, but the nationalization of the pension system substantially reduced our presence in Argentina. The business environment in Argentina has been, and may continue to be, affected by governmental and legal actions which impact our results of operations.
 
Asia Pacific
 
We operate in 5 countries in Asia Pacific with the largest operations in South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia. Our South Korean operation has significant sales of variable universal life and annuity products. Our Hong Kong operation has significant sales of variable universal life and endowment products. Our Australia operation has significant sales of credit insurance and group life products. We also operate through joint ventures in Japan and China, the results of which are reflected in net investment income and are not consolidated in the financial results.


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We have a quota share reinsurance agreement with the joint venture in Japan, whereby we assume 100% of the living and death guarantee benefits associated with the variable annuity business written after April 2005 by the joint venture. As discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company reached an agreement to sell its 50% interest in the joint venture in Japan.
 
Europe and the Middle East
 
We operate in 39 countries in Europe and the Middle East with our largest operations in Poland, the U.K., France, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as through a consolidated joint venture in India. Our Poland operation is a leading provider of life insurance, accident and health insurance, and credit insurance. It is consistently ranked as a top 3 company in net profits according to “Rzeczpospolita” financial daily. Our U.K. operation provides life insurance, accident and health insurance and variable annuities in its home market and throughout Europe. Our operation in France provides life insurance, accident and health insurance and credit insurance. In the Middle East, we provide life insurance, accident and health insurance, credit insurance, annuities, endowment and retirement & savings products.
 
Sales Distribution
 
International markets its products and services through a multi-distribution strategy which varies by geographic region. The various distribution channels include: agency, bancassurance, DM, brokerage and e-commerce. In developing countries, agency covers the needs of the emerging middle class with primarily traditional products (e.g., endowment and accident and health). In more developed and mature markets, agents, while continuing to serve their existing customers to keep pace with their developing financial needs, also target upper middle class and high net worth customer bases with a more sophisticated product set including more investment-sensitive products, such as universal life, mutual fund and single premium deposits.
 
In the bancassurance channel, International leverages partnerships that span all regions. In addition, DM has extensive and far reaching capabilities in all regions. The DM operations deploy both broadcast marketing approaches (e.g. direct response TV, web-based lead generation) and traditional DM techniques such as telemarketing. Japan represents the largest DM market.
 
Japan
 
Japan’s multi-channel distribution strategy consists of captive agents, independent agents, bancassurance and DM. While face-to-face channels continue to be core to Japan’s business, other channels, including bancassurance and DM, have become a critical part of Japan’s distribution strategy. Our Japan operation has maintained its position in bancassurance due to its strong distribution relationship with Japan’s mega banks, trust banks and various regional banks, as well as with the Japan Post. The DM channel is supported by an industry-leading marketing platform, state-of-the-art call center infrastructure and its own campaign management system.
 
Japan has 5,397 captive agents, 10,642 independent agents, 96 bancassurance relationships, including Japan Post, and 195 DM sponsors.
 
Latin America
 
Latin America’s key distribution channels include captive agents, large multinational brokers and small-and medium-sized brokers, direct and group sales forces (mostly for group policies without broker intermediation), DM, bancassurance and worksite marketing. The region has an exclusive and captive agency distribution network with more than 3,000 agents also selling a variety of individual life, accident and health, and pension products (“AFORE”), as well as small- and medium-sized group life and medical solutions products. We currently work with over 3,300 active brokers with registered sales of group and individual life, accident and health, group medical, dental and pension products. Worksite marketing has over 2,300 agents.


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Asia Pacific
 
In Asia Pacific, distribution strategies differ by country but generally utilize a combination of captive agents, bancassurance relationships and DM. Agency sales are achieved through a force of approximately 7,500 agents and a growing force of independent general agents. Bancassurance sales are currently reliant upon a significant regional strategic partnership along with a number of smaller partnerships in each market. Throughout the region, our Asia Pacific operation leverages its expertise in DM operations management to conduct its own campaigns and provide those DM capabilities to third-party sponsors.
 
While not a significant part of the region’s overall business, sales of group life and pension business are primarily achieved through independent brokers and an employee sales force.
 
Europe and the Middle East
 
Our operation in Central and Eastern Europe (“CEE”) has a multi-channel distribution strategy, which includes significant face to face channels, built on a strong captive agency force of more than 3,450 agents, and relationships with more than 150 independent brokers and third-party multi-level agency networks. Our CEE operation also has a group/corporate business direct sales force of more than 70 and distribution relationships with more than 90 banks, other financial and non financial institutions, as well as a fast growing DM channel. The primary method of distribution is captive and third party agency and captive direct sales forces, with a growing presence in bank, other financial and non financial institutions, and DM.
 
Our operation in Continental Western Europe (“CWE”) also has a multi-channel distribution strategy, including DM, brokerage, banks and financial institutions. Our U.K. operation has built a strong position in the U.K. independent financial advisor sector through its strong distribution relationships with Britain’s leading advisory networks, serving the mainstream markets specializing particularly in guaranteed products. Recent arrangements with two U.K. banks should enhance our distribution capability going forward. Our U.K. operation also has an agency force which focuses on the protection market.
 
In the Middle East, our products are distributed via a variety of channels including approximately 16,400 agents, bancassurance, brokers and DM. Agency distribution is the primary channel, with MetLife having the largest captive network in the Middle East. Bancassurance is a growing channel with approximately 100 relationships, and approximately 250 programs providing access to millions of bank customers.
 
Banking, Corporate & Other
 
Banking, Corporate & Other contains the excess capital not allocated to the segments, which is invested to optimize investment spread and to fund company initiatives and various start-up and run-off entities. Banking, Corporate & Other also includes interest expense related to the majority of our outstanding debt and expenses associated with certain legal proceedings, as well as the financial results of MetLife Bank, which offers a variety of mortgage and deposit products. The elimination of transactions from activity between U.S. Business, International, and Banking, Corporate & Other occurs within Banking, Corporate & Other.
 
Mortgage products offered by MetLife Bank include forward and reverse residential mortgage loans. Residential mortgage loans are originated through MetLife Bank’s national sales force, mortgage brokers and mortgage correspondents.
 
The residential mortgage banking activities include the origination and servicing of mortgage loans. Mortgage loans are held-for-investment or sold primarily into Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) or Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) securities. MetLife Bank also leverages MetLife’s investment platform to source commercial and agriculture loans as investments on its balance sheet. MetLife Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB of NY”) and is subject to regulation, examination and supervision by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) and secondarily by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Federal Reserve.


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The origination of forward and reverse mortgage single family loans include both variable and fixed rate products. MetLife Bank does not originate sub-prime or alternative residential mortgage loans (“Alt-A”) and the funding for the mortgage banking activities is provided by deposits and borrowings.
 
Deposit products include traditional savings accounts, money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit (“CDs”) and individual retirement accounts. MetLife Bank participates in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service program through which certain customer CDs are exchanged for CDs of similar amounts from participating banks. The deposit products provide a relatively stable source of funding and liquidity and are used to fund securities and loans. In addition, MetLife Bank principally seeks deposits from direct customers via the Internet and postal mail, and takes advantage of cross-marketing opportunities, including through voluntary benefits platforms of its affiliates’ customers.
 
Policyholder Liabilities
 
We establish, and carry as liabilities, actuarially determined amounts that are calculated to meet our policy obligations when a policy matures or is surrendered, an insured dies or becomes disabled or upon the occurrence of other covered events, or to provide for future annuity payments. We compute the amounts for actuarial liabilities reported in our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. For more details on Policyholder Liabilities see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Liability for Future Policy Benefits” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Policyholder Liabilities.”
 
Pursuant to state insurance laws and country regulators, the Holding Company’s insurance subsidiaries establish statutory reserves, reported as liabilities, to meet their obligations on their respective policies. These statutory reserves are established in amounts sufficient to meet policy and contract obligations, when taken together with expected future premiums and interest at assumed rates. Statutory reserves generally differ from actuarial liabilities for future policy benefits determined using GAAP.
 
The New York Insurance Law and regulations require certain MetLife entities to submit to the New York Superintendent of Insurance or other state insurance departments, with each annual report, an opinion and memorandum of a “qualified actuary” that the statutory reserves and related actuarial amounts recorded in support of specified policies and contracts, and the assets supporting such statutory reserves and related actuarial amounts, make adequate provision for their statutory liabilities with respect to these obligations. See “— U.S. Regulation — Insurance Regulation — Policy and Contract Reserve Sufficiency Analysis.”
 
Underwriting and Pricing
 
Underwriting
 
Underwriting generally involves an evaluation of applications for Insurance Products, Retirement Products, Corporate Benefit Funding, and Auto & Home by a professional staff of underwriters and actuaries, who determine the type and the amount of risk that we are willing to accept. In addition to the products described above, with the exception of Auto & Home, International also offers credit insurance, accident and health, and medical products. We employ detailed underwriting policies, guidelines and procedures designed to assist the underwriter to properly assess and quantify risks before issuing policies to qualified applicants or groups.
 
Insurance underwriting considers not only an applicant’s medical history, but also other factors such as financial profile, foreign travel, vocations and alcohol, drug and tobacco use. Group underwriting generally evaluates the risk characteristics of each prospective insured group, although with certain voluntary products and for certain coverages, members of a group may be underwritten on an individual basis. We generally perform our own underwriting; however, certain policies are reviewed by intermediaries under guidelines established by us. Generally, we are not obligated to accept any risk or group of risks from, or to issue a policy or group of policies to, any employer or intermediary. Requests for coverage are reviewed on their merits and generally a policy is not issued unless the particular risk or group has been examined and approved by our underwriters.


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Our remote underwriting offices, intermediaries, as well as our corporate underwriting office, are periodically reviewed via continuous on-going internal underwriting audits to maintain high-standards of underwriting and consistency. Such offices are also subject to periodic external audits by reinsurers with whom we do business.
 
We have established senior level oversight of the underwriting process that facilitates quality sales and serves the needs of our customers, while supporting our financial strength and business objectives. Our goal is to achieve the underwriting, mortality and morbidity levels reflected in the assumptions in our product pricing. This is accomplished by determining and establishing underwriting policies, guidelines, philosophies and strategies that are competitive and suitable for the customer, the agent and us.
 
Auto & Home’s underwriting function has six principal aspects: evaluating potential worksite marketing employer accounts and independent agencies; establishing guidelines for the binding of risks; reviewing coverage bound by agents; underwriting potential insureds, on a case by case basis, presented by agents outside the scope of their binding authority; pursuing information necessary in certain cases to enable Auto & Home to issue a policy within our guidelines; and ensuring that renewal policies continue to be written at rates commensurate with risk.
 
Subject to very few exceptions, agents in each of the U.S. Business distribution channels have binding authority for risks which fall within its published underwriting guidelines. Risks falling outside the underwriting guidelines may be submitted for approval to the underwriting department; alternatively, agents in such a situation may call the underwriting department to obtain authorization to bind the risk themselves. In most states, we generally have the right within a specified period (usually the first 60 days) to cancel any policy.
 
Pricing
 
Pricing has traditionally reflected our corporate underwriting standards. Product pricing is based on the expected payout of benefits calculated through the use of assumptions for mortality, morbidity, expenses, persistency and investment returns, as well as certain macroeconomic factors, such as inflation. Investment-oriented products are priced based on various factors, which may include investment return, expenses, persistency and optionality. For certain investment oriented products in the U.S. and certain business sold internationally, pricing may include prospective and retrospective experience rating features. Prospective experience rating involves the evaluation of past experience for the purpose of determining future premium rates and all prior year gains and losses are borne by us. Retrospective experience rating also involves the evaluation of past experience for the purpose of determining the actual cost of providing insurance for the customer, however, the contract includes certain features that allow us to recoup certain losses or distribute certain gains back to the policyholder based on actual prior years’ experience.
 
Rates for group life, non-medical health, and medical health products are based on anticipated results for the book of business being underwritten. Renewals are generally reevaluated annually or biannually and are repriced to reflect actual experience on such products. Products offered by Corporate Benefit Funding are priced frequently and are very responsive to bond yields, and such prices include additional margin in periods of market uncertainty. This business is predominantly illiquid, because a majority of the policyholders have no contractual rights to cash values and no options to change the form of the product’s benefits.
 
Rates for individual life insurance products are highly regulated and must be approved by the regulators of the jurisdictions in which the product is sold. Generally such products are renewed annually and may include pricing terms that are guaranteed for a certain period of time. Fixed and variable annuity products are also highly regulated and approved by the respective regulators. Such products generally include penalties for early withdrawals and policyholder benefit elections to tailor the form of the product’s benefits to the needs of the opting policyholder. We periodically reevaluate the costs associated with such options and will periodically adjust pricing levels on our guarantees. Further, from time to time, we may also reevaluate the type and level of guarantee features currently being offered.
 
Rates for Auto & Home’s major lines of insurance are based on its proprietary database, rather than relying on rating bureaus. Auto & Home determines prices in part from a number of variables specific to each risk. The pricing of personal lines insurance products takes into account, among other things, the expected frequency and severity of losses, the costs of providing coverage (including the costs of acquiring policyholders and administering policy


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benefits and other administrative and overhead costs), competitive factors and profit considerations. The major pricing variables for personal lines insurance include characteristics of the insured property, such as age, make and model or construction type, as well as characteristics of the insureds, such as driving record and loss experience, and the insured’s personal financial management. Auto & Home’s ability to set and change rates is subject to regulatory oversight.
 
As a condition of our license to do business in each state, Auto & Home, like all other automobile insurers, is required to write or share the cost of private passenger automobile insurance for higher risk individuals who would otherwise be unable to obtain such insurance. This “involuntary” market, also called the “shared market,” is governed by the applicable laws and regulations of each state, and policies written in this market are generally written at rates higher than standard rates.
 
We continually review our underwriting and pricing guidelines so that our policies remain competitive and supportive of our marketing strategies and profitability goals. The current economic environment, with its volatility and uncertainty is not expected to materially impact the pricing of our products.
 
Reinsurance Activity
 
We participate in reinsurance activities in order to limit losses, minimize exposure to significant risks, and provide additional capacity for future growth. We enter into various agreements with reinsurers that cover individual risks, group risks or defined blocks of business, primarily on a coinsurance, yearly renewable term, excess or catastrophe excess basis. These reinsurance agreements spread risk and minimize the effect of losses. The extent of each risk retained by us depends on our evaluation of the specific risk, subject, in certain circumstances, to maximum retention limits based on the characteristics of coverages. We also cede first dollar mortality risk under certain contracts. In addition to reinsuring mortality risk, we reinsure other risks, as well as specific coverages. We obtain reinsurance for capital requirement purposes and also when the economic impact of the reinsurance agreement makes it appropriate to do so.
 
Under the terms of the reinsurance agreements, the reinsurer agrees to reimburse us for the ceded amount in the event a claim is paid. Cessions under reinsurance arrangements do not discharge our obligations as the primary insurer. In the event that reinsurers do not meet their obligations under the terms of the reinsurance agreements, reinsurance balances recoverable could become uncollectible.
 
We reinsure our business through a diversified group of well-capitalized, highly rated reinsurers. We analyze recent trends in arbitration and litigation outcomes in disputes, if any, with our reinsurers. We monitor ratings and evaluate the financial strength of our reinsurers by analyzing their financial statements. In addition, the reinsurance recoverable balance due from each reinsurer is evaluated as part of the overall monitoring process. Recoverability of reinsurance recoverable balances is evaluated based on these analyses. We generally secure large reinsurance recoverable balances with various forms of collateral, including secured trusts, funds withheld accounts and irrevocable letters of credit.
 
U.S. Business
 
For our individual life insurance products, we have historically reinsured the mortality risk primarily on an excess of retention basis or a quota share basis. We currently reinsure 90% of the mortality risk in excess of $1 million for most products and reinsure up to 90% of the mortality risk for certain other products. In addition to reinsuring mortality risk as described above, we reinsure other risks, as well as specific coverages. Placement of reinsurance is done primarily on an automatic basis and also on a facultative basis for risks with specified characteristics. On a case by case basis, we may retain up to $20 million per life and reinsure 100% of amounts in excess of the amount we retain. We evaluate our reinsurance programs routinely and may increase or decrease our retention at any time.
 
For other policies within the Insurance Products segment, we generally retain most of the risk and only cede particular risks on certain client arrangements.
 
Our Retirement Products segment reinsures a portion of the living and death benefit guarantees issued in connection with our variable annuities. Under these reinsurance agreements, we pay a reinsurance premium


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generally based on fees associated with the guarantees collected from policyholders, and receive reimbursement for benefits paid or accrued in excess of account values, subject to certain limitations.
 
Our Corporate Benefit Funding segment has periodically engaged in reinsurance activities, as considered appropriate.
 
Our Auto & Home segment purchases reinsurance to manage its exposure to large losses (primarily catastrophe losses) and to protect statutory surplus. We cede to reinsurers a portion of losses and premiums based upon the exposure of the policies subject to reinsurance. To manage exposure to large property and casualty losses, we utilize property catastrophe, casualty and property per risk excess of loss agreements.
 
International
 
For certain of our life insurance products, we reinsure risks above the corporate retention limit of up to $5 million to external reinsurers on a yearly renewable term basis. We may also reinsure certain risks with external reinsurers depending upon the nature of the risk and local regulatory requirements.
 
For selected large corporate clients, our International segment reinsures group employee benefits or credit insurance business with various client-affiliated reinsurance companies, covering policies issued to the employees or customers of the clients. Additionally, we cede and assume risk with other insurance companies when either company requires a business partner with the appropriate local licensing to issue certain types of policies in certain countries. In these cases, the assuming company typically underwrites the risks, develops the products and assumes most or all of the risk.
 
Our International segment also has reinsurance agreements in force that reinsure a portion of the living and death benefit guarantees issued in connection with our variable annuities. Under these agreements, we pay reinsurance fees associated with the guarantees collected from policyholders, and receive reimbursement for benefits paid or accrued in excess of account values, subject to certain limitations.
 
Banking, Corporate & Other
 
We also reinsure through 100% quota share reinsurance agreements certain run-off LTC and workers’ compensation business written by MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut (“MICC”), a subsidiary of the Company.
 
Catastrophe Coverage
 
We have exposure to catastrophes, which could contribute to significant fluctuations in our results of operations. We also use excess of retention and quota share reinsurance arrangements to provide greater diversification of risk and minimize exposure to larger risks. For our International segment, we currently purchase catastrophe coverage to insure risks within certain countries deemed by management to be exposed to the greatest catastrophic risks.
 
Reinsurance Recoverables
 
For information regarding ceded reinsurance recoverable balances, included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets, see Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
U.S. Regulation
 
Insurance Regulation
 
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”) is licensed to transact insurance business in, and is subject to regulation and supervision by, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands. Each of MetLife’s insurance subsidiaries is licensed and regulated in each U.S. and international jurisdiction where it conducts insurance business. The extent of such regulation varies, but most jurisdictions have laws and regulations governing the financial aspects of insurers, including standards of


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solvency, statutory reserves, reinsurance and capital adequacy, and the business conduct of insurers. In addition, statutes and regulations usually require the licensing of insurers and their agents, the approval of policy forms and certain other related materials and, for certain lines of insurance, the approval of rates. Such statutes and regulations also prescribe the permitted types and concentration of investments. New York Insurance Law limits the amount of compensation that insurers doing business in New York may pay to their agents, as well as the amount of total expenses, including sales commissions and marketing expenses, that such insurers may incur in connection with the sale of life insurance policies and annuity contracts throughout the U.S.
 
Each insurance subsidiary is required to file reports, generally including detailed annual financial statements, with insurance regulatory authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which it does business, and its operations and accounts are subject to periodic examination by such authorities. These subsidiaries must also file, and in many jurisdictions and in some lines of insurance obtain regulatory approval for, rules, rates and forms relating to the insurance written in the jurisdictions in which they operate.
 
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) has established a program of accrediting state insurance departments. NAIC accreditation contemplates that accredited states will conduct periodic examinations of insurers domiciled in such states. NAIC-accredited states will not accept reports of examination of insurers from unaccredited states, except under limited circumstances. As a direct result, insurers domiciled in unaccredited states may be subject to financial examination by accredited states in which they are licensed, in addition to any examinations conducted by their domiciliary states. In 2009, the New York State Department of Insurance (the “Department”), MLIC’s principal insurance regulator, received accreditation from the NAIC. Previously, the Department was not accredited by the NAIC, but the absence of this accreditation did not have a significant impact upon our ability to conduct our insurance businesses.
 
State and federal insurance and securities regulatory authorities and other state law enforcement agencies and attorneys general from time to time make inquiries regarding compliance by the Holding Company and its insurance subsidiaries with insurance, securities and other laws and regulations regarding the conduct of our insurance and securities businesses. We cooperate with such inquiries and take corrective action when warranted. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Holding Company Regulation.  The Holding Company and its U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulation under the insurance holding company laws of various jurisdictions. The insurance holding company laws and regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but generally require a controlled insurance company (insurers that are subsidiaries of insurance holding companies) to register with state regulatory authorities and to file with those authorities certain reports, including information concerning its capital structure, ownership, financial condition, certain intercompany transactions and general business operations.
 
State insurance statutes also typically place restrictions and limitations on the amount of dividends or other distributions payable by insurance company subsidiaries to their parent companies, as well as on transactions between an insurer and its affiliates. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Holding Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Dividends from Subsidiaries.”
 
Guaranty Associations and Similar Arrangements.  Most of the jurisdictions in which our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are admitted to transact business require life and property and casualty insurers doing business within the jurisdiction to participate in guaranty associations, which are organized to pay certain contractual insurance benefits owed pursuant to insurance policies issued by impaired, insolvent or failed insurers. These associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurers in a particular state on the basis of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent or failed insurer is engaged. Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets.
 
In the past five years, the aggregate assessments levied against MetLife have not been material. We have established liabilities for guaranty fund assessments that we consider adequate for assessments with respect to insurers that are currently subject to insolvency proceedings. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the insolvency assessments.


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Statutory Insurance Examination.  As part of their regulatory oversight process, state insurance departments conduct periodic detailed examinations of the books, records, accounts, and business practices of insurers domiciled in their states. State insurance departments also have the authority to conduct examinations of non-domiciliary insurers that are licensed in their states. During the three-year period ended December 31, 2010, MetLife has not received any material adverse findings resulting from state insurance department examinations of its insurance subsidiaries conducted during this three-year period.
 
Regulatory authorities in a small number of states, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and, occasionally, the SEC, have had investigations or inquiries relating to sales of individual life insurance policies or annuities or other products by MLIC, MetLife Securities, Inc., New England Life Insurance Company, New England Securities Corporation, General American Life Insurance Company, Walnut Street Securities, Inc., MICC and Tower Square Securities, Inc. These investigations often focus on the conduct of particular financial services representatives and the sale of unregistered or unsuitable products or the misuse of client assets. Over the past several years, these and a number of investigations by other regulatory authorities were resolved for monetary payments and certain other relief, including restitution payments. We may continue to resolve investigations in a similar manner.
 
Policy and Contract Reserve Sufficiency Analysis.  Annually, our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are required to conduct an analysis of the sufficiency of all statutory reserves. In each case, a qualified actuary must submit an opinion which states that the statutory reserves, when considered in light of the assets held with respect to such reserves, make good and sufficient provision for the associated contractual obligations and related expenses of the insurer. If such an opinion cannot be provided, the insurer must set up additional reserves by moving funds from surplus. Since inception of this requirement, our U.S. insurance subsidiaries which are required by their states of domicile to provide these opinions have provided such opinions without qualifications.
 
Surplus and Capital.  Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject to the supervision of the regulators in each jurisdiction in which they are licensed to transact business. Regulators have discretionary authority, in connection with the continued licensing of these insurance subsidiaries, to limit or prohibit sales to policyholders if, in their judgment, the regulators determine that such insurer has not maintained the minimum surplus or capital or that the further transaction of business will be hazardous to policyholders. See “— Risk-Based Capital.”
 
Risk-Based Capital (“RBC”).  Each of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries that is subject to RBC requirements reports its RBC based on a formula calculated by applying factors to various asset, premium and statutory reserve items, as well as taking into account the risk characteristics of the insurer. The major categories of risk involved are asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk, market risk and business risk. The formula is used as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and not as a means to rank insurers generally. State insurance laws provide insurance regulators the authority to require various actions by, or take various actions against, insurers whose RBC ratio does not meet or exceed certain RBC levels. As of the date of the most recent annual statutory financial statements filed with insurance regulators, the RBC of each of these subsidiaries was in excess of each of those RBC levels. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Capital.”
 
Statutory Accounting Principles.  The NAIC provides standardized insurance industry accounting and reporting guidance through its Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual (the “Manual”). However, statutory accounting principles continue to be established by individual state laws, regulations and permitted practices. The Department has adopted the Manual with certain modifications for the preparation of statutory financial statements of insurance companies domiciled in New York. Changes to the Manual or modifications by the various state insurance departments may impact the statutory capital and surplus of the Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries.
 
Regulation of Investments.  Each of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject to state laws and regulations that require diversification of our investment portfolios and limit the amount of investments in certain asset categories, such as below investment grade fixed income securities, equity real estate, other equity investments, and derivatives. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations would cause investments exceeding regulatory limitations to be treated as non-admitted assets for purposes of measuring surplus and, in some instances, would


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require divestiture of such non-qualifying investments. We believe that the investments made by each of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries complied, in all material respects, with such regulations at December 31, 2010.
 
Until various studies are completed and final regulations are promulgated pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”), the full impact of Dodd-Frank on the investments, investment activities and insurance and annuity products of the Company remain unclear. See “Risk Factors — Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth.”
 
Federal Initiatives.  Although the federal government generally does not directly regulate the insurance business, federal initiatives often have an impact on our business in a variety of ways. See “Risk Factors — Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth.” From time to time, federal measures are proposed which may significantly affect the insurance business. These areas include financial services regulation, securities regulation, pension regulation, health care regulation, privacy, tort reform legislation and taxation. In addition, various forms of direct and indirect federal regulation of insurance have been proposed from time to time, including proposals for the establishment of an optional federal charter for insurance companies. Dodd-Frank established the Federal Insurance Office within the Department of Treasury to collect information about the insurance industry, recommend prudential standards, and represent the U.S. in dealings with foreign insurance regulators. See “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Heavily Regulated, and Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth.”
 
Financial Holding Company Regulation
 
Regulatory Agencies.  As the owner of a federally-chartered bank, MetLife, Inc. is a bank holding company and financial holding company. As such, the Holding Company is subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”), and to inspection, examination, and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. In addition, MetLife Bank is subject to regulation and examination primarily by the OCC and secondarily by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the FDIC, as described below under “— Banking Regulation.”
 
Financial Holding Company Activities.  As a financial holding company, MetLife, Inc.’s activities and investments are restricted by the BHC Act, as amended by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the “GLB Act”), to those that are “financial” in nature or “incidental” or “complementary” to such financial activities. Activities that are financial in nature include securities underwriting, dealing and market making, sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies, insurance underwriting and agency, merchant banking and activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be closely related to banking. In addition, under the insurance company investment portfolio provision of the GLB Act, financial holding companies are authorized to make investments in other financial and non-financial companies, through their insurance subsidiaries, that are in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with state insurance law, provided the financial holding company does not routinely manage or operate such companies except as may be necessary to obtain a reasonable return on investment. Under Dodd-Frank, as a large, interconnected bank holding company with assets of $50 billion or more, or possibly as an otherwise systemically important financial company, MetLife, Inc. will be subject to enhanced prudential standards imposed on systemically significant financial companies. Enhanced standards will be applied to RBC, liquidity, leverage (unless another, similar standard is appropriate for the Company), resolution plan and credit exposure reporting, concentration limits, and risk management. The so-called “Volcker Rule” provisions of Dodd-Frank restrict the ability of affiliates of insured depository institutions (such as MetLife Bank) to engage in proprietary trading or sponsor or invest in hedge funds or private equity funds. See “Risk Factors — Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth.”
 
Capital.  MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Bank are subject to risk-based and leverage capital guidelines issued by the federal banking regulatory agencies for banks and financial holding companies. The federal banking regulatory agencies are required by law to take specific prompt corrective actions with respect to institutions that do not meet minimum capital standards. MetLife, Inc. may become required to comply with further requirements relating to the


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calculation of capital, commonly referred to as “Basel II,” which could require significant investment by the Company, including software. In addition, in December 2010, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published its final rules for increased capital and liquidity requirements (commonly referred to as “Basel III”) for bank holding companies, such as MetLife, Inc. Assuming these requirements are endorsed and adopted by the U.S., they are to be phased in beginning January 1, 2013. It is possible that even more stringent capital and liquidity requirements could be imposed under Dodd-Frank if MetLife, Inc. is determined to be a systemically important company. The ability of MetLife Bank and MetLife, Inc. to pay dividends could be reduced by any additional capital requirements that might be imposed as a result of the enactment of Dodd-Frank and/or the endorsement and adoption by the U.S. of Basel III. See “Risk Factors — Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth” and “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Heavily Regulated, and Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth.” At December 31, 2010, MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Bank were in compliance with applicable requirements currently in effect.
 
Consumer Protection Laws.  Numerous other federal and state laws also affect the Holding Company’s and MetLife Bank’s earnings and activities, including federal and state consumer protection laws. The GLB Act included consumer privacy provisions that, among other things, require disclosure of a financial institution’s privacy policy to customers. In addition, these provisions permit states to adopt more extensive privacy protections through legislation or regulation. As part of Dodd-Frank, Congress established the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to supervise and regulate institutions that provide certain financial products and services to consumers. Although the consumer financial services subject to the Bureau’s jurisdiction generally exclude insurance business of the kind in which we engage, the Bureau does have authority to regulate consumer services provided by MetLife Bank.
 
Change of Control and Restrictions on Mergers and Acquisitions.  Because MetLife, Inc. is a financial holding company and bank holding company, no person may acquire control of MetLife, Inc. without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board. A change of control is conclusively presumed upon acquisition of 25% or more of any class of voting securities and rebuttably presumed upon acquisition of 10% or more of any class of voting securities. Further, as a result of MetLife, Inc.’s ownership of MetLife Bank, approval from the OCC would be required in connection with a change of control (generally presumed upon the acquisition of 10% or more of any class of voting securities) of MetLife, Inc. As a result of Dodd-Frank, Federal Reserve approval would be required after July 21, 2011, for any acquisition of a non-bank firm by a bank holding company having more than $10 billion of assets, such as MetLife, Inc. As a bank holding company with assets of $50 billion or more, MetLife, Inc. will be required to provide prior notice to the Federal Reserve before acquiring control of voting shares of a company engaged in financial activities that has $10 billion or more of consolidated assets. MetLife, Inc. received the approval of the Federal Reserve prior to consummating the Acquisition.
 
Banking Regulation
 
As a federally chartered national association, MetLife Bank is subject to a wide variety of banking laws, regulations and guidelines. Federal banking laws regulate most aspects of the business of MetLife Bank, but certain state laws may apply as well. MetLife Bank is principally regulated by the OCC and secondarily by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the FDIC. Federal banking laws and regulations address various aspects of MetLife Bank’s business and operations with respect to, among other things, chartering to carry on business as a bank; maintaining minimum capital ratios; capital management in relation to the bank’s assets; safety and soundness standards; loan loss and other statutory reserves; liquidity; financial reporting and disclosure standards; counterparty credit concentration; restrictions on related party and affiliate transactions; lending limits; payment of interest; unfair or deceptive acts or practices; privacy; and bank holding company and bank change of control. MetLife Bank is also subject to the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection created by Dodd-Frank to promulgate and enforce consumer protection rules for certain kinds of financial products. Dodd-Frank established a statutory standard for Federal preemption of state consumer financial protection laws, which standard will require national banks to comply with many state consumer financial protection laws that previously were considered preempted by Federal law. The FDIC has the right to assess FDIC-insured banks for funds to help pay the obligations of insolvent banks to depositors. Federal and state banking regulators regularly


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re-examine existing laws and regulations applicable to banks and their products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, are often made for the benefit of the consumer at the expense of the bank.
 
Securities, Broker-Dealer and Investment Adviser Regulation
 
Some of our subsidiaries and their activities in offering and selling variable insurance products are subject to extensive regulation under the federal securities laws administered by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These subsidiaries issue variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies through separate accounts that are registered with the SEC as investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Each registered separate account is generally divided into sub-accounts, each of which invests in an underlying mutual fund which is itself a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act. In addition, the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the separate accounts are registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Other subsidiaries are registered with the SEC as broker-dealers under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are members of, and subject to, regulation by FINRA. Further, some of our subsidiaries are registered as investment advisers with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”), and are also registered as investment advisers in various states, as applicable. Certain variable contract separate accounts sponsored by our subsidiaries are exempt from registration, but may be subject to other provisions of the federal securities laws.
 
Federal and state securities regulatory authorities and FINRA from time to time make inquiries and conduct examinations regarding compliance by the Holding Company and its subsidiaries with securities and other laws and regulations. We cooperate with such inquiries and examinations and take corrective action when warranted.
 
Federal and state securities laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect investors in the securities markets and generally grant regulatory agencies broad rulemaking and enforcement powers, including the power to limit or restrict the conduct of business for failure to comply with such laws and regulations. We may also be subject to similar laws and regulations in the foreign countries in which we provide investment advisory services, offer products similar to those described above, or conduct other activities.
 
Environmental Considerations
 
As an owner and operator of real property, we are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Inherent in such ownership and operation is also the risk that there may be potential environmental liabilities and costs in connection with any required remediation of such properties. In addition, we hold equity interests in companies that could potentially be subject to environmental liabilities. We routinely have environmental assessments performed with respect to real estate being acquired for investment and real property to be acquired through foreclosure. We cannot provide assurance that unexpected environmental liabilities will not arise. However, based on information currently available to us, we believe that any costs associated with compliance with environmental laws and regulations or any remediation of such properties will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) Considerations
 
We provide products and services to certain employee benefit plans that are subject to ERISA, or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As such, our activities are subject to the restrictions imposed by ERISA and the Code, including the requirement under ERISA that fiduciaries must perform their duties solely in the interests of ERISA plan participants and beneficiaries and the requirement under ERISA and the Code that fiduciaries may not cause a covered plan to engage in prohibited transactions with persons who have certain relationships with respect to such plans. The applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code are subject to enforcement by the Department of Labor (“DOL”), the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
 
In John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company v. Harris Trust and Savings Bank (1993), the U.S. Supreme Court held that certain assets in excess of amounts necessary to satisfy guaranteed obligations under a participating group annuity general account contract are “plan assets.” Therefore, these assets are subject to certain fiduciary


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obligations under ERISA, which requires fiduciaries to perform their duties solely in the interest of ERISA plan participants and beneficiaries. On January 5, 2000, the Secretary of Labor issued final regulations indicating, in cases where an insurer has issued a policy backed by the insurer’s general account to or for an employee benefit plan, the extent to which assets of the insurer constitute plan assets for purposes of ERISA and the Code. The regulations apply only with respect to a policy issued by an insurer on or before December 31, 1998 (“Transition Policy”). No person will generally be liable under ERISA or the Code for conduct occurring prior to July 5, 2001, where the basis of a claim is that insurance company general account assets constitute plan assets. An insurer issuing a new policy that is backed by its general account and is issued to or for an employee benefit plan after December 31, 1998 will generally be subject to fiduciary obligations under ERISA, unless the policy is a guaranteed benefit policy.
 
The regulations indicate the requirements that must be met so that assets supporting a Transition Policy will not be considered plan assets for purposes of ERISA and the Code. These requirements include detailed disclosures to be made to the employee benefits plan and the requirement that the insurer must permit the policyholder to terminate the policy on 90 day notice and receive without penalty, at the policyholder’s option, either (i) the unallocated accumulated fund balance (which may be subject to market value adjustment) or (ii) a book value payment of such amount in annual installments with interest. We have taken and continue to take steps designed to ensure compliance with these regulations.
 
Legislative and Regulatory Developments
 
Dodd-Frank, enacted in July 2010, effected the most far-reaching overhaul of financial regulation in the U.S. in decades. Dodd-Frank also establishes the framework for new regulations relating to prudential standards for systemically significant financial companies, certain investment activities, consumer protection, the liquidation of bank holding companies, derivative transitions, corporate governance and executive compensation. These changes are particularly relevant to the Company as an insurer, public company and bank holding company. The potential impact of these changes on the Company are more fully discussed under “Risk Factors — Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth,” “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Heavily Regulated, and Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth” and “Risk Factors — New and Impending Compensation and Corporate Governance Regulations Could Hinder or Prevent Us From Attracting and Retaining Management and Other Employees with the Talent and Experience to Manage and Conduct Our Business Effectively.” The full impact of Dodd-Frank on us will depend on the numerous rulemaking initiatives required or permitted by Dodd-Frank and the various studies mandated by Dodd-Frank, which are scheduled to be completed over the next few years.
 
We cannot predict what other proposals may be made, what legislation may be introduced or enacted or the impact of any such legislation on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
International Regulation
 
With the acquisition of ALICO, the Company has significantly expanded its scope of operations in foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s international operations are regulated in the jurisdictions in which they are located or operate. The Company’s international insurance operations are subject to minimum capital, solvency and operational requirements. The authority of the Company’s international operations to conduct business is subject to licensing requirements, permits and approvals, and these authorizations are subject to modification and revocation. Periodic examinations of insurance company books and records, financial reporting requirements, market conduct examinations and policy filing requirements are among the techniques used by regulators to supervise our non-U.S. insurance businesses. The Company also has investment and pension companies in certain foreign jurisdictions that provide mutual fund, pension and other financial products and services. Those entities are subject to securities, investment, pension and other laws and regulations, and oversight by the relevant securities, pension and other authorities of the countries in which the companies operate.
 
The Company’s international operations are exposed to increased political, legal, financial, operational and other risks. Our international operations may be materially adversely affected by the actions and decisions of foreign authorities and regulators, such as through nationalization or expropriation of assets, the imposition of limits


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on foreign ownership of local companies, changes in laws (including tax laws and regulations), their application or interpretation, political instability, dividend limitations, price controls, currency exchange controls or other restrictions that prevent us from transferring funds from these operations out of the countries in which they operate or converting local currencies we hold into U.S. dollars or other currencies, as well as other adverse actions by foreign governmental authorities and regulators. Such actions may negatively affect our business in these jurisdictions. See “Risk Factors — Our International Operations Face Political, Legal, Operational and Other Risks, Including Exposure to Local and Regional Economic Conditions, That Could Negatively Affect Those Operations or Our Profitability.”
 
Certain of the Company’s international insurance operations, including Japan, may be subject to assessments, generally based on their proportionate share of business written in the relevant jurisdiction, for certain obligations to policyholders and claimants resulting from the insolvency of insurance companies. Under the Japanese Insurance Business Law, all licensed life insurers in Japan are assessed on a pre-funded basis by the Life Insurance Policyholders Protection Corporation of Japan. These assessments are aggregated across all licensed life insurers in Japan and used to satisfy certain obligations to policyholders and claimants of insolvent life insurance companies. As we cannot predict the timing and scope of future assessments, they may materially affect the results of operations of the Company’s international insurance operations in particular quarterly or annual periods. In addition, in some jurisdictions, some of the Company’s insurance products are considered “securities” under local law and may be subject to local securities regulations and oversight by local securities regulators.
 
Our operations in Japan are subject to regulation and examination by Japan’s Financial Services Agency (“FSA”). Our operations in Japan are required to file with the FSA annual reports which include financial statements. Similar to the U.S., Japanese law provides that insurers in Japan must maintain specified solvency standards for the protection of policyholders and to support the financial strength of licensed insurers. As of September 30, 2010, the date of our most recent regulatory filing in Japan, the solvency margin ratio of our Japan operations was 1,466%, which is significantly in excess of the legally mandated solvency margin in Japan. The FSA has issued a proposal to revise the current method of calculating the solvency margin ratio. The FSA intends to apply the revised method to life insurance companies for the fiscal year-end 2011 (March 31, 2012) for life insurance companies in Japan, and require the disclosure of the ratio as reference information for fiscal year-end 2010 (March 31, 2011).
 
A portion of the annual earnings of our Japan operations may be repatriated each year, and may further be distributed to the Holding Company as a dividend. We may determine not to repatriate profits from the Japan operations or to repatriate a reduced amount in order to maintain or improve the solvency margin of the Japan operations or for other reasons. In addition, the FSA may limit or not permit profit repatriations or other transfers of funds to the U.S. if such transfers would be detrimental to the solvency or financial strength of our Japan operations or for other reasons.
 
In addition, the European Commission has established Solvency II as a new capital adequacy regime for the European insurance industry, which will become effective beginning in 2013. Solvency II sets capital standards for insurers on a risk basis and has a three-pillar structure covering quantitative requirements, supervisory review, and market disclosure. Regulators in certain other countries, such as Mexico, are also establishing new capital regimes similar to Solvency II. Compliance with these new capital standards may impact the level of capital required to be held at individual legal entities. Further, the efforts required to comply with these regulations may increase operating costs at these entities.
 
We expect the scope and extent of regulation outside of the U.S., as well as regulatory oversight, generally to continue to increase. That oversight, and the legal and regulatory environment in the countries in which the Company operates, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
 
Governmental Responses to Extraordinary Market Conditions
 
U.S. Federal Governmental Responses
 
Dodd-Frank was enacted in response to the recent economic crisis. See “— Legislative and Regulatory Developments.” Actions taken by Congress, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the U.S. Treasury and other


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agencies of the U.S. Federal government prior to the enactment of Dodd-Frank were increasingly aggressive and, together with a series of interest rate reductions that began in the second half of 2007, intended to provide liquidity to financial institutions and markets, to avert a loss of investor confidence in particular troubled institutions and to prevent or contain the spread of the financial crisis. These measures included:
 
  •  expanding the types of institutions that have access to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s discount window;
 
  •  providing asset guarantees and emergency loans to particular distressed companies;
 
  •  a temporary ban on short selling of shares of certain financial institutions (including, for a period, MetLife);
 
  •  programs intended to reduce the volume of mortgage foreclosures by modifying the terms of mortgage loans for distressed borrowers;
 
  •  temporarily guaranteeing money market funds; and
 
  •  programs to support the mortgage-backed securities market and mortgage lending.
 
Many of the actions outlined above expired or terminated by mid-2010 or earlier.
 
In addition to these actions, pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”), enacted in October 2008, the U.S. Treasury injected capital into selected financial institutions and their holding companies. EESA also authorized the U.S. Treasury to purchase mortgage-backed and other securities from financial institutions as part of the overall $700 billion available for the purpose of stabilizing the financial markets; this authority expired in October 2010. The Federal government, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, FDIC and other governmental and regulatory bodies also took other actions to address the financial crisis. For example, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York made funds available to commercial and financial companies under a number of programs, including the Commercial Paper Funding Facility (the “CPFF”), and the FDIC established the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (the “FDIC Program”). In March 2009, MetLife, Inc. issued $397 million of senior notes guaranteed by the FDIC under the FDIC Program. The FDIC Program and the CPFF expired in late 2009 and early 2010, respectively. During the period of its existence, the Company made limited use of the CPFF, and no amounts were outstanding under the CPFF at December 31, 2009.
 
In February 2009, the Treasury Department outlined a financial stability plan with additional measures to provide capital relief to institutions holding troubled assets, including a capital assistance program for banks that have undergone a “stress test” (the “Capital Assistance Program”) and a public-private investment fund to purchase troubled assets from financial institutions. MetLife was eligible to participate in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program, a voluntary capital infusion program established under EESA, but elected not to participate in that program. MetLife took part in the “stress test” and was advised by the Federal Reserve in May 2009 that, based on the stress test’s economic scenarios and methodology, MetLife had adequate capital to sustain a further deterioration in the economy. In January 2011, MetLife submitted to the Federal Reserve a comprehensive capital plan, as mandated by the Federal Reserve for the same bank holding companies that completed the 2009 stress test. The capital plan projects MetLife’s capital levels to the end of 2012 under baseline and stress scenarios. The Federal Reserve has stated that it will consider the results of the capital plan exercise in evaluating proposed capital actions by participating bank holding companies, such as common stock dividend increases and stock repurchases. The Federal Reserve has indicated that it will provide its assessment of participating institutions’ capital plans in late March 2011.
 
State Insurance Regulatory Responses
 
The NAIC adopted a number of reserve and capital relief proposals during 2009. The NAIC revisited many of those adoptions and studied related and additional topics for potential adoption during 2010.
 
The NAIC revisited the mortgage experience adjustment factor (the “MEAF”) which is utilized in calculating RBC charges that are assigned to commercial and agricultural mortgages held by our domestic insurers. The MEAF calculation includes the ratio of an insurer’s commercial and agricultural mortgage default experience to the industry average commercial and agricultural mortgage default experience and, in 2009, a cap of 125% and a floor


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of 75% were adopted. The NAIC adopted during 2010 a cap of 175% and a floor of 80%. As a result of this revision in MEAF for 2010, the RBC impact on our U.S. insurance subsidiaries is not likely to be material.
 
In late 2009, the NAIC issued Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles (“SSAP”) 10R (“SSAP 10R”). SSAP 10R increased the amount of deferred tax assets that may be admitted on a statutory basis. The admission criteria for realizing the value of deferred tax assets was increased from a one year to a three year period. Further, the aggregate cap on deferred tax assets that may be admitted was increased from 10% to 15% of surplus. These changes increased the capital and surplus of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries, thereby positively impacting RBC at December 31, 2009. To temper this positive RBC impact, and as a temporary measure at December 31, 2009 only, a 5% pre-tax RBC charge must be applied to the additional admitted deferred tax assets generated by SSAP 10R. The adoption for 2009 had a December 31, 2009 sunset; however, during 2010, the 2009 adoption, including the 5% pre-tax RBC charge, was extended through December 31, 2011.
 
In late 2009, following rating agency downgrades of virtually all residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) from certain vintages, the NAIC engaged PIMCO Advisory (“PIMCO”), a provider of investment advisory services, to analyze approximately 20,000 RMBS held by insurers and evaluate the likely loss that holders of those securities would suffer in the event of a default. PIMCO’s analysis showed that the severity of expected losses on those securities evaluated that are held by our U.S. insurance companies was significantly less than would be implied by the rating agencies’ ratings of such securities. The NAIC incorporated the results of PIMCO’s analysis into the RBC charges assigned to the evaluated securities, with a beneficial impact on the RBC of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries. The NAIC utilized the solution again for 2010. The NAIC adopted a similar solution for 2010 for commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) by selecting BlackRock Solutions, a provider of investment advisory services, to assist in the RBC determination process. BlackRock Solutions will serve as a third-party modeler of the 7,000 CMBS holdings of U.S. insurance companies, including MetLife’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries. The impact of the implementation for 2010 of the modeling solution for CMBS is not known at the current time but the RBC impact on our U.S. insurance subsidiaries is not expected to be material.
 
Foreign Governmental and Intergovernmental Responses
 
In an effort to strengthen the financial condition of key financial institutions or avert their collapse, and to forestall or reduce the effects of reduced lending activity, a number of foreign governments and intergovernmental entities have taken action to enhance stability and liquidity, reduce risk and increase regulatory controls and oversight. Foreign government and intergovernmental responses have been similar to some of those taken by the U.S. Federal government, including injecting capital into domestic financial institutions in exchange for ownership stakes and, in the case of certain European Union member states such as Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland, providing or making available certain funds and rescue packages to support the solvency of such countries or financial institutions, and such responses are intended to achieve similar goals. We cannot predict whether foreign government and/or intergovernmental actions will achieve their intended purpose or how such actions will impact competition in the financial services industry. We expect the scope and extent of regulation outside the U.S., as well as regulatory oversight, generally to continue to increase. That oversight, and the legal and regulatory environment in the countries in which the Company operates, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
 
Competition
 
We believe that competition faced by our segments is based on a number of factors, including service, product features, scale, price, financial strength, claims-paying ratings, credit ratings, e-business capabilities and name recognition. We compete with a large number of other insurance companies, as well as non-insurance financial services companies, such as banks, broker-dealers and asset managers, for individual consumers, employer and other group customers as well as agents and other distributors of insurance and investment products. Some of these companies offer a broader array of products, have more competitive pricing or, with respect to other insurance companies, have higher claims paying ability ratings. Many of our insurance products are underwritten annually and, accordingly, there is a risk that group purchasers may be able to obtain more favorable terms from competitors rather than renewing coverage with us.


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We believe that the turbulence in financial markets that began in the second half of 2007, its impact on the capital position of many competitors, and subsequent actions by regulators and rating agencies have altered the competitive environment. In particular, we believe that these factors have highlighted financial strength as the most significant differentiator from the perspective of some customers and certain distributors. We believe the Company is well positioned to compete in this environment. In particular, the Company distributes many of its individual products through other financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers. These distribution partners are currently placing greater emphasis on the financial strength of the company whose products they sell. In addition, the financial market turbulence has highlighted the extent of the risk associated with certain variable annuity products and has led many companies in our industry to re-examine the pricing and features of the products they offer. The effects of current market conditions may also lead to consolidation in the life insurance industry. Although we cannot predict the ultimate impact of these conditions, we believe that the strongest companies will enjoy a competitive advantage as a result of the current circumstances.
 
We must attract and retain productive sales representatives to sell our insurance, annuities and investment products. Strong competition exists among insurance companies for sales representatives with demonstrated ability. We compete with other insurance companies for sales representatives primarily on the basis of our financial position, support services and compensation and product features. See “— U.S. Business — Sales Distribution.” In the U.S. and selected international markets, we continue to undertake several initiatives to grow our career agency force, while continuing to enhance the efficiency and production of our existing sales force. We cannot provide assurance that these initiatives will succeed in attracting and retaining new agents. Sales of individual insurance, annuities and investment products and our results of operations and financial position could be materially adversely affected if we are unsuccessful in attracting and retaining agents. See “Risk Factors — We May Be Unable to Attract and Retain Sales Representatives for Our Products.”
 
Numerous aspects of our business are subject to regulation. Legislative and other changes affecting the regulatory environment can affect our competitive position within the life insurance industry and within the broader financial services industry. See “— U.S. Regulation,” “— International Regulation,” “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Heavily Regulated, and Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth” and “Risk Factors — Changes in U.S. Federal and State Securities Laws and Regulations, and State Insurance Regulations Regarding Suitability of Annuity Product Sales, May Affect Our Operations and Our Profitability.”
 
Employees
 
At December 31, 2010, we had approximately 66,000 employees. We believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory.
 
Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
Set forth below is information regarding the executive officers of MetLife, Inc.:
 
C. Robert Henrikson, age 63, has been Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC since April 25, 2006. Previously, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC from March 1, 2006, President and Chief Operating Officer of MetLife, Inc. from June 2004, and President of the U.S. Insurance and Financial Services businesses of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC from July 2002 to June 2004. He served as President of Institutional Business of MetLife, Inc. from September 1999 to July 2002 and President of Institutional Business of MLIC from May 1999 through June 2002. He was Senior Executive Vice President, Institutional Business, of MLIC from December 1997 to May 1999, Executive Vice President, Institutional Business, from January 1996 to December 1997, and Senior Vice President, Pensions, from January 1991 to January 1995. He is a director of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC.
 
Gwenn L. Carr, age 65, has been Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC since August 2009. Previously, she was Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC from June 2009, Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MetLife, Inc, and MLIC from 2007, Senior Vice President and Secretary of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC from October 2004, and Vice President


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and Secretary of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC from August 1999. Ms. Carr was Vice President and Secretary of ITT Corporation from 1990 to 1999.
 
Kathleen A. Henkel, age 62, has been Executive Vice President, Human Resources, of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC since March 2010. Previously, she was Senior Vice President, Human Resources, of MLIC from July 2008 to March 2010 and Senior Vice President, Institutional Business, of MLIC from December 2005 to July 2008. Ms. Henkel was promoted to Senior Vice President of MLIC after serving as a Vice President of MLIC from 1992 to 2004. Ms. Henkel joined the Company in 1966 and has served in various senior management positions since that time.
 
Steven A. Kandarian, age 58, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC since April 2005. Previously, he was the executive director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation from 2001 to 2004. Before joining the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Mr. Kandarian was founder and managing partner of Orion Capital Partners, LP, where he managed a private equity fund specializing in venture capital and corporate acquisitions for eight years. He is a director of MetLife Bank.
 
Nicholas D. Latrenta, age 59, has been Executive Vice President of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC since August 2010 and General Counsel of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC since May 2010. Previously, he was Senior Chief Counsel of MLIC supporting the Insurance Group from March 2007 to April 2010, Chief Counsel of MLIC supporting Institutional Business, ERISA and the Product Tax Legal Group from April 2006 to February 2007, Chief Counsel of MLIC supporting MetLife Business-Legal from July 2004 to March 2006, and Senior Vice President of MLIC Institutional Business from October 2000 to June 2004. Mr. Latrenta was promoted to Senior Vice President of MLIC in 1997 after serving as a Vice President of MLIC from 1986 to 1997. Mr. Latrenta joined the Company in 1969 and has served in various senior management positions since that time. Mr. Latrenta is a director of American Life Insurance Company.
 
Maria R. Morris, age 48, has been Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations, of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC since January 2008. Previously, she was Executive Vice President of MLIC from December 2005 to January 2008, Senior Vice President of MLIC from July 2003 to December 2005, and Vice President of MLIC from March 1997 to July 2003. Ms. Morris is a director of MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut.
 
William J. Mullaney, age 51, has been President, U.S. Business of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC since August 2009. Previously, he was President, Institutional Business, of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC from January 2007 to July 2009, President of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company from January 2005 to January 2007, Senior Vice President of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company from July 2002 to December 2004, Senior Vice President, Institutional Business, of MLIC from August 2001 to July 2002, and a Vice President of MLIC for more than five years. He is a director of MetLife Bank.
 
William J. Toppeta, age 62, has been President, International, of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC since June 2001. He was President of Client Services and Chief Administrative Officer of MetLife, Inc. from September 1999 to June 2001 and President of Client Services and Chief Administrative Officer of MLIC from May 1999 to June 2001. He was Senior Executive Vice President, Head of Client Services, of MLIC from March 1999 to May 1999, Senior Executive Vice President, Individual, from February 1998 to March 1999, Executive Vice President, Individual Business, from July 1996 to February 1998, Senior Vice President from October 1995 to July 1996 and President and Chief Executive Officer of its Canadian Operations from July 1993 to October 1995. Mr. Toppeta is a director of American Life Insurance Company.
 
William J. Wheeler, age 49, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MetLife, Inc. and MLIC since December 2003, prior to which he was a Senior Vice President of MLIC from 1997 to December 2003. Previously, he was a Senior Vice President of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette for more than five years. Mr. Wheeler is a director of MetLife Bank.
 
Trademarks
 
We have a worldwide trademark portfolio that we consider important in the marketing of our products and services, including, among others, the trademark “MetLife.” We also have the exclusive license to use the Peanuts® characters in the area of financial services and healthcare benefit services in the U.S. and internationally under an


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advertising and premium agreement with Peanuts Worldwide, LLC until December 31, 2014. We also have a non-exclusive license to use certain Citigroup-owned trademarks in connection with the marketing, distribution or sale of life insurance and annuity products under a licensing agreement with Citigroup until June 30, 2015. Furthermore, as result of the recent Acquisition, we acquired American Life Insurance Company and its trademarks, including the “Alico” trademark. We believe that our rights in our trademarks and under our Peanuts® characters license and our Citigroup license are well protected.
 
Available Information
 
MetLife files periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be obtained by visiting the Public Reference Room of the SEC at its Headquarters Office, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090 or 1-800-SEC-0330 (Office of Investor Education and Advocacy). In addition, the SEC maintains an internet website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including MetLife, Inc.
 
MetLife makes available, free of charge, on its website (www.metlife.com) through the Investor Relations page, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to all those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing (furnishing) such reports to the SEC. Other information found on the website is not part of this or any other report filed with or furnished to the SEC.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
Difficult Conditions in the Global Capital Markets and the Economy Generally May Materially Adversely Affect Our Business and Results of Operations and These Conditions May Not Improve in the Near Future
 
Our business and results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy generally, both in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. Stressed conditions, volatility and disruptions in global capital markets or in particular markets or financial asset classes can have an adverse effect on us, in part because we have a large investment portfolio and our insurance liabilities are sensitive to changing market factors. Disruptions in one market or asset class can also spread to other markets or asset classes. Although the disruption in the global financial markets that began in late 2007 has moderated, not all global financial markets are functioning normally, and some remain reliant upon government intervention and liquidity. Upheavals in the financial markets can also affect our business through their effects on general levels of economic activity, employment and customer behavior. Although the recent recession in the U.S. ended in June of 2009, the recovery from the recession has been below historic averages and the unemployment rate is expected to remain high for some time. In addition, inflation is expected to remain at low levels for some time. Some economists believe that some level of disinflation and deflation risk remains in the U.S. economy. The global recession and disruption of the financial markets has led to concerns over capital markets access and the solvency of certain European Union member states, including Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain. The Japanese economy, to which we face increased exposure as a result of the Acquisition, continues to experience low nominal growth, a deflationary environment, and weak consumer spending.
 
Our revenues and net investment income are likely to remain under pressure in such circumstances and our profit margins could erode. Also, in the event of extreme prolonged market events, such as the recent global credit crisis, we could incur significant capital and/or operating losses. Even in the absence of a market downturn, we are exposed to substantial risk of loss due to market volatility.
 
We are a significant writer of variable annuity products. The account values of these products decrease as a result of downturns in capital markets. Decreases in account values reduce the fees generated by our variable annuity products, cause the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) to accelerate and could increase the level of insurance liabilities we must carry to support those variable annuities issued with any associated guarantees.
 
Factors such as consumer spending, business investment, government spending, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, and inflation all affect the business and economic environment and, ultimately, the amount and


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profitability of our business. In an economic downturn characterized by higher unemployment, lower family income, lower corporate earnings, lower business investment and lower consumer spending, the demand for our financial and insurance products could be adversely affected. Group insurance, in particular, is affected by the higher unemployment rate. In addition, we may experience an elevated incidence of claims and lapses or surrenders of policies. Our policyholders may choose to defer paying insurance premiums or stop paying insurance premiums altogether. Adverse changes in the economy could affect earnings negatively and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The recent market turmoil has precipitated, and may continue to raise the possibility of, legislative, regulatory and governmental actions. We cannot predict whether or when such actions may occur, or what impact, if any, such actions could have on our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “— Actions of the U.S. Government, Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Other Governmental and Regulatory Bodies for the Purpose of Stabilizing and Revitalizing the Financial Markets and Protecting Investors and Consumers May Not Achieve the Intended Effect or Could Adversely Affect MetLife’s Competitive Position,” “— Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth,” “— Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Heavily Regulated, and Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth” and “— Competitive Factors May Adversely Affect Our Market Share and Profitability.”
 
Adverse Capital and Credit Market Conditions May Significantly Affect Our Ability to Meet Liquidity Needs, Access to Capital and Cost of Capital
 
The capital and credit markets are sometimes subject to periods of extreme volatility and disruption. Such volatility and disruption could cause liquidity and credit capacity for certain issuers to be limited.
 
We need liquidity to pay our operating expenses, interest on our debt and dividends on our capital stock, maintain our securities lending activities and replace certain maturing liabilities. Without sufficient liquidity, we will be forced to curtail our operations, and our business will suffer. The principal sources of our liquidity are insurance premiums, annuity considerations, deposit funds, and cash flow from our investment portfolio and assets, consisting mainly of cash or assets that are readily convertible into cash. Sources of liquidity in normal markets also include short-term instruments such as funding agreements and commercial paper. Sources of capital in normal markets include long-term instruments, medium- and long-term debt, junior subordinated debt securities, capital securities and equity securities.
 
In the event market or other conditions have an adverse impact on our capital and liquidity beyond expectations and our current resources do not satisfy our needs, we may have to seek additional financing. The availability of additional financing will depend on a variety of factors such as market conditions, regulatory considerations, the general availability of credit, the volume of trading activities, the overall availability of credit to the financial services industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, as well as the possibility that customers or lenders could develop a negative perception of our long- or short-term financial prospects if we incur large investment losses or if the level of our business activity decreases due to a market downturn. Similarly, our access to funds may be impaired if regulatory authorities or rating agencies take negative actions against us. Our internal sources of liquidity may prove to be insufficient and, in such case, we may not be able to successfully obtain additional financing on favorable terms, or at all.
 
Our liquidity requirements may change if, among other things, we are required to return significant amounts of cash collateral on short notice under securities lending agreements.
 
Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets may also limit our access to capital required to operate our business, most significantly our insurance operations. Such market conditions may limit our ability to replace, in a timely manner, maturing liabilities; satisfy regulatory capital requirements (under both insurance and banking laws); and access the capital necessary to grow our business. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Financial Holding Company Regulation” for information relating to the possible impact of Basel II and Basel III on the Company. As such, we may be forced to delay raising capital, issue different types of securities than we would otherwise, less effectively deploy such capital, issue shorter tenor securities than we prefer, or bear an unattractive cost of capital which could decrease our profitability and significantly reduce our financial flexibility. Our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and statutory capital position could be materially adversely affected by disruptions in the financial markets.


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Actions of the U.S. Government, Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Other Governmental and Regulatory Bodies for the Purpose of Stabilizing and Revitalizing the Financial Markets and Protecting Investors and Consumers May Not Achieve the Intended Effect or Could Adversely Affect MetLife’s Competitive Position
 
In recent years, Congress, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the FDIC, the U.S. Treasury and other agencies of the U.S. federal government took a number of increasingly aggressive actions (in addition to continuing a series of interest rate reductions that began in the second half of 2007) intended to provide liquidity to financial institutions and markets, to avert a loss of investor confidence in particular troubled institutions, to prevent or contain the spread of the financial crisis and to spur economic growth. Most of these programs have largely run their course or been discontinued. More likely to be relevant to MetLife, Inc. is the monetary policy implemented by the Federal Reserve Board, as well as Dodd-Frank, which will significantly change financial regulation in the U.S. in a number of areas that could affect MetLife. Given the large number of provisions that must be implemented through regulatory action, we cannot predict what impact this could have on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
It is not certain what effect the enactment of Dodd-Frank will have on the financial markets, the availability of credit, asset prices and MetLife’s operations. See “— Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth.” In addition, the U.S. federal government (including the FDIC) and private lenders have instituted programs to reduce the monthly payment obligations of mortgagors and/or reduce the principal payable on residential mortgage loans. As a result of such programs or of any legislation requiring loan modifications, we may need to maintain or increase our engagement in similar activities in order to comply with program or statutory requirements and to remain competitive. We cannot predict whether the funds made available by the U.S. federal government and its agencies will be enough to continue stabilizing or to further revive the financial markets or, if additional amounts are necessary, whether the Federal Reserve Board will make funds available, whether Congress will be willing to make the necessary appropriations, what the public’s sentiment would be towards any such appropriations, or what additional requirements or conditions might be imposed on the use of any such additional funds.
 
The choices made by the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC in their distribution of funds under EESA and any future asset purchase programs, as well as any decisions made regarding the imposition of additional regulation on large financial institutions may have, over time, the effect of supporting or burdening some aspects of the financial services industry more than others. Some of our competitors have received, or may in the future receive, benefits under one or more of the federal government’s programs. This could adversely affect our competitive position. See “— Competitive Factors May Adversely Affect Our Market Share and Profitability.” See also “— New and Impending Compensation and Corporate Governance Regulations Could Hinder or Prevent Us From Attracting and Retaining Management and Other Employees with the Talent and Experience to Manage and Conduct Our Business Effectively” and “— Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Heavily Regulated, and Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth.”
 
Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Heavily Regulated, and Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth
 
Our insurance operations are subject to a wide variety of insurance and other laws and regulations. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Insurance Regulation.” State insurance laws regulate most aspects of our U.S. insurance businesses, and our insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the insurance departments of the states in which they are domiciled and the states in which they are licensed. Our non-U.S. insurance operations are principally regulated by insurance regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which they are domiciled or operate. See “Business — International Regulation.”
 
State laws in the U.S. grant insurance regulatory authorities broad administrative powers with respect to, among other things:
 
  •  licensing companies and agents to transact business;
 
  •  calculating the value of assets to determine compliance with statutory requirements;
 
  •  mandating certain insurance benefits;


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  •  regulating certain premium rates;
 
  •  reviewing and approving policy forms;
 
  •  regulating unfair trade and claims practices, including through the imposition of restrictions on marketing and sales practices, distribution arrangements and payment of inducements;
 
  •  regulating advertising;
 
  •  protecting privacy;
 
  •  establishing statutory capital and reserve requirements and solvency standards;
 
  •  fixing maximum interest rates on insurance policy loans and minimum rates for guaranteed crediting rates on life insurance policies and annuity contracts;
 
  •  approving changes in control of insurance companies;
 
  •  restricting the payment of dividends and other transactions between affiliates; and
 
  •  regulating the types, amounts and valuation of investments.
 
State insurance guaranty associations have the right to assess insurance companies doing business in their state for funds to help pay the obligations of insolvent insurance companies to policyholders and claimants. Because the amount and timing of an assessment is beyond our control, the liabilities that we have currently established for these potential liabilities may not be adequate. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Insurance Regulation — Guaranty Associations and Similar Arrangements.”
 
State insurance regulators and the NAIC regularly reexamine existing laws and regulations applicable to insurance companies and their products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, are often made for the benefit of the consumer at the expense of the insurer and, thus, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Currently, the U.S. federal government does not directly regulate the business of insurance. However, Dodd-Frank allows federal regulators to compel state insurance regulators to liquidate an insolvent insurer under some circumstances if the state regulators have not acted within a specific period. It also establishes the Federal Insurance Office which has the authority to participate in the negotiations of international insurance agreements with foreign regulators for the U.S. The Federal Insurance Office also is authorized to collect information about the insurance industry and recommend prudential standards.
 
Federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas can significantly and adversely affect insurance companies. These areas include financial services regulation, securities regulation, pension regulation, health care regulation, privacy, tort reform legislation and taxation. In addition, various forms of direct and indirect federal regulation of insurance have been proposed from time to time, including proposals for the establishment of an optional federal charter for insurance companies. Other aspects of our insurance operations could also be affected by Dodd-Frank. For example, Dodd-Frank imposes new restrictions on the ability of affiliates of insured depository institutions (such as MetLife Bank) to engage in proprietary trading or sponsor or invest in hedge funds or private equity funds. See “— Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth.”
 
As a federally chartered national association, MetLife Bank is subject to a wide variety of banking laws, regulations and guidelines. Federal banking laws regulate most aspects of the business of MetLife Bank, but certain state laws may apply as well. MetLife Bank is principally regulated by the OCC, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC.
 
Federal banking laws and regulations address various aspects of MetLife Bank’s business and operations with respect to, among other things:
 
  •  chartering to carry on business as a bank;
 
  •  the permissibility of certain activities;
 
  •  maintaining minimum capital ratios;


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  •  capital management in relation to the bank’s assets;
 
  •  dividend payments;
 
  •  safety and soundness standards;
 
  •  loan loss and other related liabilities;
 
  •  liquidity;
 
  •  financial reporting and disclosure standards;
 
  •  counterparty credit concentration;
 
  •  restrictions on related party and affiliate transactions;
 
  •  lending limits (and, in addition, Dodd-Frank includes the credit exposures arising from securities lending by MetLife Bank within lending limits otherwise applicable to loans);
 
  •  payment of interest;
 
  •  unfair or deceptive acts or practices;
 
  •  privacy; and
 
  •  bank holding company and bank change of control.
 
Federal and state banking regulators regularly re-examine existing laws and regulations applicable to banks and their products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, are often made for the benefit of the consumer at the expense of the bank and, thus, could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of MetLife Bank.
 
In addition, Dodd-Frank establishes a new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection that supervises and regulates institutions providing certain financial products and services to consumers. Although the consumer financial services to which this legislation applies exclude insurance business of the kind in which we engage, the new Bureau has authority to regulate consumer services provided by MetLife Bank and non-insurance consumer services provided elsewhere throughout MetLife. Dodd-Frank established a statutory standard for Federal pre-emption of state consumer financial protection laws, which standard will require national banks to comply with many state consumer financial protection laws that previously were considered preempted by Federal law. As a result, the regulatory and compliance burden on MetLife Bank may increase and could adversely affect its business and results of operations. Dodd-Frank also includes provisions on mortgage lending, anti-predatory lending and other regulatory and supervisory provisions that could impact the business and operations of MetLife Bank.
 
Dodd-Frank also authorizes the SEC to establish a standard of conduct applicable to brokers and dealers when providing personalized investment advice to retail and other customers. This standard of conduct would be to act in the best interest of the customer without regard to the financial or other interest of the broker or dealer providing the advice. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Banking Regulation” and “— Changes in U.S. Federal and State Securities Laws and Regulations, and State Insurance Regulations Regarding Suitability of Annuity Product Sales, May Affect Our Operations and Our Profitability.”
 
In December 2010, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published Basel III for banks and bank holding companies, such as MetLife, Inc. Assuming regulators in the U.S. endorse and adopt Basel III, it will require banks and bank holding companies to hold greater amounts of capital, to comply with requirements for short-term liquidity and to reduce reliance on short-term funding sources. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Financial Holding Company Regulation — Capital” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends — Financial and Economic Environment.” It is not clear how these new requirements will compare to the enhanced prudential standards that may apply to us under Dodd-Frank. See “— Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth.”


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As a bank holding company, MetLife, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends may be restricted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. In addition, the ability of MetLife Bank and MetLife, Inc. to pay dividends could be restricted by any additional capital requirements that might be imposed as a result of the enactment of Dodd-Frank and/or the endorsement and adoption by the U.S. of Basel III.
 
The FDIC has the right to assess FDIC-insured banks for funds to help pay the obligations of insolvent banks to depositors. Because the amount and timing of an assessment is beyond our control, the liabilities that we have currently established for these potential liabilities may not be adequate. In addition, Dodd-Frank will result in increased assessment for banks with assets of $10.0 billion or more, which includes MetLife Bank.
 
Our international operations are subject to regulation in the jurisdictions in which they operate, as described further under “Business — International Regulation.” A significant portion of our revenues are generated through operations in foreign jurisdictions, including many countries in early stages of economic and political development. Our international operations may be materially adversely affected by foreign authorities and regulators, such as through nationalization or expropriation of assets, the imposition of limits on foreign ownership, changes in laws or their interpretation or application, political instability, dividend limitations, price controls, currency exchange controls or other restrictions that prevent us from transferring funds from these operations out of the countries in which they operate or converting local currencies we hold to U.S. dollars or other currencies, as well as adverse actions by foreign governmental authorities and regulators. This may also impact many of our customers and independent sales intermediaries. Changes in the regulations that affect their operations also may affect our business relationships with them and their ability to purchase or distribute our products. Accordingly, these changes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our international operations are subject to local laws and regulations, and we expect the scope and extent of regulation outside of the U.S., as well as regulatory oversight, generally to continue to increase. The authority of our international operations to conduct business is subject to licensing requirements, permits and approvals, and these authorizations are subject to modification and revocation. The regulatory environment in the countries in which we operate and changes in laws could have a material adverse effect on us and our foreign operations. See “— Our International Operations Face Political, Legal, Operational and Other Risks, Including Exposure to Local and Regional Economic Conditions, that Could Negatively Affect Those Operations or Our Profitability” and “Business — International Regulation.”
 
Furthermore, the increase in our international operations as a result of the acquisition of ALICO may also subject us to increased supervision by the Federal Reserve Board, since the size of a bank holding company’s foreign activities is taken as an indication of the holding company’s complexity. It may also have an effect on the manner in which MetLife, Inc. is required to calculate its RBC.
 
Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is time consuming and personnel-intensive, and changes in these laws and regulations may materially increase our direct and indirect compliance and other expenses of doing business, thus having a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
From time to time, regulators raise issues during examinations or audits of MetLife, Inc.’s regulated subsidiaries that could, if determined adversely, have a material impact on us. We cannot predict whether or when regulatory actions may be taken that could adversely affect our operations. In addition, the interpretations of regulations by regulators may change and statutes may be enacted with retroactive impact, particularly in areas such as accounting or statutory reserve requirements.
 
We are also subject to other regulations and may in the future become subject to additional regulations. See “Business — U.S. Regulation” and “Business — International Regulation.”


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Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth
 
On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed Dodd-Frank. Various provisions of Dodd-Frank could affect our business operations and our profitability and limit our growth. For example:
 
  •  As a large, interconnected bank holding company with assets of $50 billion or more, or possibly as an otherwise systemically important financial company, MetLife, Inc. will be subject to enhanced prudential standards imposed on systemically significant financial companies. Enhanced standards will be applied to RBC, liquidity, leverage (unless another, similar, standard is appropriate), resolution plan and credit exposure reporting, concentration limits, and risk management. Off-balance sheet activities are required to be accounted for in meeting capital requirements. In addition, if it were determined that MetLife posed a substantial threat to U.S. financial stability, the applicable federal regulators would have the right to require it to take one or more other mitigating actions to reduce that risk, including limiting its ability to merge with or acquire another company, terminating activities, restricting its ability to offer financial products or requiring it to sell assets or off-balance sheet items to unaffiliated entities. Enhanced standards would also permit, but not require, regulators to establish requirements with respect to contingent capital, enhanced public disclosures and short-term debt limits. These standards are described as being more stringent than those otherwise imposed on bank holding companies; however, the Federal Reserve Board is permitted to apply them on an institution-by-institution basis, depending on its determination of the institution’s riskiness. In addition, under Dodd-Frank, all bank holding companies that have elected to be treated as financial holding companies, such as MetLife, Inc. will be required to be “well capitalized” and “well managed” as defined by the Federal Reserve Board, on a consolidated basis and not just at their depository institution(s), a higher standard than was applicable to financial holding companies before Dodd-Frank.
 
  •  MetLife, Inc., as a bank holding company, will have to meet minimum leverage ratio and RBC requirements on a consolidated basis to be established by the Federal Reserve Board that are not less than those applicable to insured depository institutions under so-called prompt corrective action regulations as in effect on the date of the enactment of Dodd-Frank. One consequence of these new rules will ultimately be the inability of bank holding companies to include trust-preferred securities as part of their Tier 1 capital. Because of the phase-in period for these new rules, they should have little practical effect on MetLife’s ability to treat its currently outstanding trust-preferred securities as part of its Tier 1 capital, but they do prevent MetLife, Inc. from treating the common equity units issued as part of the consideration for the Acquisition as Tier I capital, since the new rules apply immediately to instruments issued after May 19, 2010.
 
  •  Under the provisions of Dodd-Frank relating to the resolution or liquidation of certain types of financial institutions, including bank holding companies, if MetLife, Inc. were to become insolvent or were in danger of defaulting on its obligations, it could be compelled to undergo liquidation with the FDIC as receiver. For this new regime to be applicable, a number of determinations would have to be made, including that a default by the affected company would have serious adverse effects on financial stability in the U.S. If the FDIC were to be appointed as the receiver for such a company, the liquidation of that company would occur under the provisions of the new liquidation authority, and not under the Bankruptcy Code. In such a liquidation, the holders of such company’s debt could in certain a respects be treated differently than under the Bankruptcy Code. In particular, unsecured creditors and shareholders are intended to bear the losses of the company being liquidated. The FDIC is authorized to establish rules for the priority of creditors’ claims and, under certain circumstances, to treat similarly situated creditors differently. These provisions could apply to some financial institutions whose outstanding debt securities we hold in our investment portfolios. Dodd-Frank also provides for the assessment of bank holding companies with assets of $50.0 billion or more, non-bank financial companies supervised by the Federal Reserve Bank, and other financial companies with assets of $50.0 billion or more to cover the costs of liquidating any financial company subject to the new liquidation authority. Although it is not possible to assess the full impact of the liquidation authority at this time, it could affect the funding costs of large bank holding companies or financial companies that might be viewed as systemically significant. It could also lead to an increase in secured financings.
 
  •  Dodd-Frank also includes a new framework of regulation of the OTC derivatives markets which will require clearing of certain types of transactions currently traded OTC and could potentially impose additional costs,


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  including new capital, reporting and margin requirements and additional regulation on the Company. Increased margin requirements on MetLife, Inc.’s part and a smaller universe of securities that will qualify as eligible collateral could reduce its liquidity and require an increase in its holdings of cash and government securities with lower yields causing a reduction in income. However, increased margin requirements and the expanded ability to transfer trades between MetLife, Inc.’s counterparties could reduce MetLife, Inc.’s exposure to its counterparties’ default. MetLife, Inc. uses derivatives to mitigate a wide range of risks in connection with its businesses, including the impact of increased benefit exposures from our annuity products that offer guaranteed benefits. The derivative clearing requirements of Dodd-Frank could increase the cost of our risk mitigation and expose us to the risk of a default by a clearinghouse or one of its members. In addition, we are subject to the risk that hedging and other management procedures prove ineffective in reducing the risks to which insurance policies expose us or that unanticipated policyholder behavior or mortality, combined with adverse market events, produces economic losses beyond the scope of the risk management techniques employed. Any such losses could be increased by any higher costs of writing derivatives (including customized derivatives) that might result from the enactment of Dodd-Frank.
 
  •  Dodd-Frank restricts the ability of insured depository institutions and of companies, such as MetLife, Inc., that control an insured depository institution and their affiliates, to engage in proprietary trading and to sponsor or invest in funds (hedge funds and private equity funds) that rely on certain exemptions from the Investment Company Act. Dodd-Frank provides an exemption for investment activity by a regulated insurance company or its affiliate solely for the general account of such insurance company if such activity is in compliance with the insurance company investments laws of the state or jurisdiction in which such company is domiciled and the appropriate Federal regulators after consultation with relevant insurance commissioners have not jointly determined such laws to be insufficient to protect the safety and soundness of the institution or the financial stability of the U.S. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the appropriate Federal regulatory authorities are permitted under the legislation to impose, as part of rulemaking, additional capital requirements and other restrictions on any exempted activity. Dodd-Frank provides for a period of study and rule making during which the effects of the statutory language may be clarified. Among other considerations, the study is to assess and include recommendations so as to appropriately accommodate the business of insurance within an insurance company subject to regulation in accordance with relevant insurance company investments laws. While these provisions of Dodd-Frank are supposed to accommodate the business of insurance, until the related study and rulemaking are complete, it is unclear whether MetLife, Inc. may have to alter any of its future investment activities to comply.
 
  •  Until various studies are completed and final regulations are promulgated pursuant to Dodd-Frank, the full impact of Dodd-Frank on the investments and investment activities and insurance and annuity products of MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries remains unclear. For example, besides directly limiting our future investment activities, Dodd-Frank could potentially negatively impact the market for, the returns from, or liquidity in, primary and secondary investments in private equity funds and hedge funds that are connected to (either through a fund sponsorship or investor relationship) an insured depository institution. The number of sponsors of such funds going forward may diminish, which may impact our available fund investment opportunities. Although Dodd-Frank provides for various transition periods for coming into compliance, fund sponsors that are subject to Dodd-Frank, and whose funds we have invested in, may have to spin off their funds business or reduce their ownership stakes in their funds, thereby potentially impacting our related investments in such funds. In addition, should such funds be required or choose to liquidate or sell their underlying assets, the market value and liquidity of such assets or the broader related asset classes could negatively be affected, including securities and real estate assets that MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries hold or may plan to sell. Secondary sales of fund interests at significant discounts by banking institutions and their affiliates, which are not fund sponsors but nevertheless are subject to the divestment requirements of Dodd-Frank, could reduce the returns realized by investors such as MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries seeking to access liquidity by selling their fund interests. In addition, our existing derivatives counterparties and the financial institutions subject to Dodd-Frank in which we have invested also could be negatively impacted by Dodd-Frank. See also “— New and Impending Compensation and Corporate Governance Regulations Could Hinder or Prevent Us From Attracting and Retaining Management and Other Employees with the Talent and Experience to Manage and Conduct Our Business Effectively.”


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  •  In addition, Dodd-Frank statutorily imposes the requirement that MetLife, Inc. serve as a source of strength for MetLife Bank.
 
The addition of a new regulatory regime over MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries, the likelihood of additional regulations, and the other changes discussed above could require changes to MetLife, Inc.’s operations. Whether such changes would affect our competitiveness in comparison to other institutions is uncertain, since it is possible that at least some of our competitors, for example insurance holding companies that control thrifts, rather than banks, will be similarly affected. Competitive effects are possible, however, if MetLife, Inc. were required to pay any new or increased assessments and capital requirements are imposed, and to the extent any new prudential supervisory standards are imposed on MetLife, Inc. but not on its competitors. We cannot predict whether other proposals will be adopted, or what impact, if any, the adoption of Dodd-Frank or other proposals and the resulting studies and regulations could have on our business, financial condition or results of operations or on our dealings with other financial companies. See also “— Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses are Heavily Regulated, and Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth” and “— New and Impending Compensation and Corporate Governance Regulations Could Hinder or Prevent Us From Attracting and Retaining Management and Other Employees with the Talent and Experience to Manage and Conduct Our Business Effectively.”
 
Moreover, Dodd-Frank potentially affects such a wide range of the activities and markets in which MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries engage and participate that it may not be possible to anticipate all of the ways in which it could affect us. For example, many of our methods for managing risk and exposures are based upon the use of observed historical market behavior or statistics based on historical models. Historical market behavior may be altered by the enactment of Dodd-Frank. As a result of this enactment and otherwise, these methods may not fully predict future exposures, which could be significantly greater than our historical measures indicate.
 
The Resolution of Several Issues Affecting the Financial Services Industry Could Have a Negative Impact on Our Reported Results or on Our Relations with Current and Potential Customers
 
We will continue to be subject to legal and regulatory actions in the ordinary course of our business, both in the U.S. and internationally. This could result in a review of business sold in the past under previously acceptable market practices at the time. Regulators are increasingly interested in the approach that product providers use to select third-party distributors and to monitor the appropriateness of sales made by them. In some cases, product providers can be held responsible for the deficiencies of third-party distributors.
 
As a result of publicity relating to widespread perceptions of industry abuses, there have been numerous regulatory inquiries and proposals for legislative and regulatory reforms.
 
In Asia, where MetLife derives and will continue to derive a significant portion of its income, regulatory regimes are developing at different speeds, driven by a combination of global factors and local considerations. New requirements may be introduced that are retrospectively applied to sales made prior to their introduction.
 
We Are Exposed to Significant Financial and Capital Markets Risk Which May Adversely Affect Our Results of Operations, Financial Condition and Liquidity, and May Cause Our Net Investment Income to Vary from Period to Period
 
We are exposed to significant financial and capital markets risk, including changes in interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, real estate markets, foreign currency exchange rates, market volatility, the performance of the global economy in general, the performance of the specific obligors, including governments, included in our portfolio and other factors outside our control.
 
Our exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates will impact the net unrealized gain or loss position of our fixed income investment portfolio. If long-term interest rates rise dramatically within a six to twelve month time period, certain of our life insurance businesses and fixed annuity business may be exposed to disintermediation risk. Disintermediation risk refers to the risk that our policyholders may surrender their contracts in a rising interest rate environment, requiring us to liquidate fixed income investments in an unrealized loss position. Due to the long-term


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nature of the liabilities associated with certain of our life insurance businesses, guaranteed benefits on variable annuities, and structured settlements, sustained declines in long-term interest rates may subject us to reinvestment risks and increased hedging costs. In other situations, declines in interest rates may result in increasing the duration of certain life insurance liabilities, creating asset-liability duration mismatches.
 
Our investment portfolio also contains interest rate sensitive instruments, such as fixed income securities, which may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates from governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. Changes in interest rates will impact both the net unrealized gain or loss position of our fixed income portfolio and the rates of return we receive on funds invested. Our mitigation efforts with respect to interest rate risk are primarily focused towards maintaining an investment portfolio with diversified maturities that has a weighted average duration that is approximately equal to the duration of our estimated liability cash flow profile. However, our estimate of the liability cash flow profile may be inaccurate and we may be forced to liquidate fixed income investments prior to maturity at a loss in order to cover the cash flow profile of the liability. Although we take measures to manage the economic risks of investing in a changing interest rate environment, we may not be able to mitigate the interest rate risk of our fixed income investments relative to our liabilities. See also “— Changes in Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect Our Profitability.”
 
Our exposure to credit spreads primarily relates to market price volatility and cash flow variability associated with changes in credit spreads. A widening of credit spreads will adversely impact both the net unrealized gain or loss position of the fixed-income investment portfolio, will increase losses associated with credit-based non-qualifying derivatives where we assume credit exposure, and, if issuer credit spreads increase significantly or for an extended period of time, will likely result in higher other-than-temporary impairments. Credit spread tightening will reduce net investment income associated with new purchases of fixed maturity securities. In addition, market volatility can make it difficult to value certain of our securities if trading becomes less frequent. As such, valuations may include assumptions or estimates that may have significant period to period changes which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Credit spreads on both corporate and structured securities widened significantly during 2008, resulting in continuing depressed pricing. As a result of improved conditions, credit spreads narrowed in 2009 and changed to a lesser extent in 2010. If there is a resumption of significant volatility in the markets, it could cause changes in credit spreads and defaults and a lack of pricing transparency which, individually or in tandem, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity or cash flows through realized investment losses, impairments, and changes in unrealized loss positions.
 
Our primary exposure to equity risk relates to the potential for lower earnings associated with certain of our insurance businesses where fee income is earned based upon the estimated fair value of the assets under management. Downturns and volatility in equity markets can have a material adverse effect on the revenues and investment returns from our savings and investment products and services. Because these products and services generate fees related primarily to the value of assets under management, a decline in the equity markets could reduce our revenues from the reduction in the value of the investments we manage. The retail variable annuity business in particular is highly sensitive to equity markets, and a sustained weakness in the equity markets could decrease revenues and earnings in variable annuity products. Furthermore, certain of our variable annuity products offer guaranteed benefits which increase our potential benefit exposure should equity markets decline. MetLife, Inc. uses derivatives and reinsurance to mitigate the impact of such increased potential benefit exposures. We are also exposed to interest rate and equity risk based upon the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return assumptions associated with our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations. Sustained declines in long-term interest rates or equity returns likely would have a negative effect on the funded status of these plans. Lastly, we invest a portion of our investments in public and private equity securities, leveraged buy-out funds, hedge funds and other private equity funds and the estimated fair value of such investments may be impacted by downturns or volatility in equity markets.
 
Our primary exposure to real estate risk relates to commercial and agricultural real estate. Our exposure to commercial and agricultural real estate risk stems from various factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, market conditions including the demand and supply of leasable commercial space, creditworthiness of tenants and partners, capital markets volatility and the inherent interest rate movement. In addition, our real estate joint venture development program is subject to risks, including, but not limited to, reduced property sales and decreased availability of financing which could adversely impact the joint venture developments and/or operations. The state of the economy


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and speed of recovery in fundamental and capital market conditions in the commercial and agricultural real estate sectors will continue to influence the performance of our investments in these sectors. These factors and others beyond our control could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity or cash flows through net investment income, realized investment losses and levels of valuation allowances.
 
Our investment portfolio contains investments in government bonds issued by European nations. Recently, the European Union member states have experienced above average public debt, inflation and unemployment as the global economic downturn has developed. A number of member states are significantly impacted by the economies of their more influential neighbors, such as Germany. In addition, financial troubles of one nation can trigger a domino effect on others. In particular, a number of large European banks hold significant amounts of sovereign financial institution debt of other European nations and could experience difficulties as a result of defaults or declines in the value of such debt. Our investment portfolio also contains investments in revenue bonds issued under the auspices of U.S. states and municipalities and a limited amount of general obligation bonds of U.S. states and municipalities (collectively, “Municipal Bonds”). Recently, certain U.S. states and municipalities have faced budget deficits and financial difficulties. There can be no assurance that the financial difficulties of such U.S. states and municipalities would not have an adverse impact on our Municipal Bond portfolio.
 
Our primary foreign currency exchange risks are described under “— Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Could Negatively Affect Our Profitability.” Changes in these factors, which are significant risks to us, can affect our net investment income in any period, and such changes can be substantial.
 
A portion of our investments are made in leveraged buy-out funds, hedge funds and other private equity funds, many of which make private equity investments. The amount and timing of net investment income from such investment funds tends to be uneven as a result of the performance of the underlying investments, including private equity investments. The timing of distributions from the funds, which depends on particular events relating to the underlying investments, as well as the funds’ schedules for making distributions and their needs for cash, can be difficult to predict. As a result, the amount of net investment income that we record from these investments can vary substantially from quarter to quarter. Recovering private equity markets and stabilizing credit and real estate markets during 2010 had a positive impact on returns and net investment income on private equity funds, hedge funds and real estate joint ventures, which are included within other limited partnership interests and real estate and real estate joint venture portfolios. Although volatility in most global financial markets has moderated, if there is a resumption of significant volatility, it could adversely impact returns and net investment income on these alternative investment classes.
 
Continuing challenges include continued weakness in the U.S. real estate market and increased residential mortgage loan and other consumer loan delinquencies, investor anxiety over the U.S. and European economies, rating agency downgrades of various structured products and financial issuers, unresolved issues with structured investment vehicles and monoline financial guarantee insurers, deleveraging of financial institutions and hedge funds and the continuing recovery in the inter-bank market. If there is a resumption of significant volatility in the markets, it could cause changes in interest rates, declines in equity prices, and the strengthening or weakening of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar which, individually or in tandem, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity or cash flows through realized investment losses, impairments, increased valuation allowances and changes in unrealized gain or loss positions.
 
Changes in Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect Our Profitability
 
Some of our products, principally traditional whole life insurance, fixed annuities and guaranteed interest contracts, expose us to the risk that changes in interest rates will reduce our investment margin or “spread,” or the difference between the amounts that we are required to pay under the contracts in our general account and the rate of return we are able to earn on general account investments intended to support obligations under the contracts. Our spread is a key component of our net income.
 
As interest rates decrease or remain at low levels, we may be forced to reinvest proceeds from investments that have matured or have been prepaid or sold at lower yields, reducing our investment margin. Moreover, borrowers may prepay or redeem the fixed income securities, commercial or agricultural mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities in our investment portfolio with greater frequency in order to borrow at lower market rates, which exacerbates this risk.


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Lowering interest crediting rates can help offset decreases in investment margins on some products. However, our ability to lower these rates could be limited by competition or contractually guaranteed minimum rates and may not match the timing or magnitude of changes in asset yields. As a result, our spread could decrease or potentially become negative. Our expectation for future spreads is an important component in the amortization of DAC and value of business acquired (“VOBA”), and significantly lower spreads may cause us to accelerate amortization, thereby reducing net income in the affected reporting period. In addition, during periods of declining interest rates, life insurance and annuity products may be relatively more attractive investments to consumers, resulting in increased premium payments on products with flexible premium features, repayment of policy loans and increased persistency, or a higher percentage of insurance policies remaining in force from year to year, during a period when our new investments carry lower returns. A decline in market interest rates could also reduce our return on investments that do not support particular policy obligations. Accordingly, declining interest rates may materially affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows and significantly reduce our profitability. We recognize that a low interest rate environment will adversely affect our earnings, but we do not believe any such impact will be material in 2011.
 
The sufficiency of our life insurance statutory reserves in Taiwan is highly sensitive to interest rates and other related assumptions. This is due to the sustained low interest rate environment in Taiwan coupled with long-term interest rate guarantees of approximately 6% embedded in the life and health contracts sold prior to 2003 and the lack of availability of long-duration investments in the Taiwanese capital markets to match such long-duration liabilities. The key assumptions include current Taiwan government bond yield rates increasing approximately 1% from current levels over the next ten years, lapse rates, mortality and morbidity levels remaining consistent with recent experience, and U.S. dollar-denominated investments making up to 35% of total assets backing life insurance statutory reserves. Current reserve adequacy analysis shows that provisions are adequate; however, adverse changes in key assumptions for interest rates, lapse experience and mortality and morbidity levels could lead to a need to strengthen reserves.
 
Increases in market interest rates could also negatively affect our profitability. In periods of rapidly increasing interest rates, we may not be able to replace, in a timely manner, the investments in MetLife’s general account with higher yielding investments needed to fund the higher crediting rates necessary to keep interest sensitive products competitive. We, therefore, may have to accept a lower spread and, thus, lower profitability or face a decline in sales and greater loss of existing contracts and related assets. In addition, policy loans, surrenders and withdrawals may tend to increase as policyholders seek investments with higher perceived returns as interest rates rise. This process may result in cash outflows requiring that we sell investments at a time when the prices of those investments are adversely affected by the increase in market interest rates, which may result in realized investment losses. Unanticipated withdrawals and terminations may cause us to accelerate the amortization of DAC, VOBA and negative VOBA, which reduces net income. An increase in market interest rates could also have a material adverse effect on the value of our investment portfolio, for example, by decreasing the estimated fair values of the fixed income securities that comprise a substantial portion of our investment portfolio. Lastly, an increase in interest rates could result in decreased fee income associated with a decline in the value of variable annuity account balances invested in fixed income funds.
 
Some of Our Investments Are Relatively Illiquid and Are in Asset Classes That Have Been Experiencing Significant Market Valuation Fluctuations
 
We hold certain investments that may lack liquidity, such as privately-placed fixed maturity securities; mortgage loans; policy loans and leveraged leases; equity real estate, including real estate joint ventures and funds; and other limited partnership interests. These asset classes represented 26.6% of the carrying value of our total cash and investments at December 31, 2010. In recent years, even some of our very high quality investments experienced reduced liquidity during periods of market volatility or disruption. If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of normal cash requirements or are required to post or return cash collateral in connection with our investment portfolio, derivatives transactions or securities lending program, we may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner, be forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize, or both. The reported value of our relatively illiquid types of investments, our investments in the asset classes described above and, at times, our high quality, generally liquid asset classes, do not necessarily reflect the lowest current market price for the asset. If we were forced to sell certain of our investments in the global market, there can be no assurance that we will be able to sell them for the prices at which we have recorded them and we could be forced to sell them at significantly lower prices.


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Our Participation in a Securities Lending Program Subjects Us to Potential Liquidity and Other Risks
 
We participate in a securities lending program whereby blocks of securities, which are included in fixed maturity securities and short-term investments, are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. We generally obtain collateral in an amount equal to 102% of the estimated fair value of the loaned securities, which is obtained at the inception of a loan and maintained at a level greater than or equal to 100% for the duration of the loan. Returns of loaned securities by the third parties would require us to return the collateral associated with such loaned securities. In addition, in some cases, the maturity of the securities held as invested collateral (i.e., securities that we have purchased with cash collateral received from the third parties) may exceed the term of the related securities on loan and the estimated fair value may fall below the amount of cash received as collateral and invested. If we are required to return significant amounts of cash collateral on short notice and we are forced to sell securities to meet the return obligation, we may have difficulty selling such collateral that is invested in securities in a timely manner, be forced to sell securities in a volatile or illiquid market for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize under normal market conditions, or both. In addition, under stressful capital market and economic conditions, liquidity broadly deteriorates, which may further restrict our ability to sell securities. If we decrease the amount of our securities lending activities over time, the amount of net investment income generated by these activities will also likely decline. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Securities Lending.”
 
Our Requirements to Pledge Collateral or Make Payments Related to Declines in Estimated Fair Value of Specified Assets May Adversely Affect Our Liquidity and Expose Us to Counterparty Credit Risk
 
Some of our transactions with financial and other institutions specify the circumstances under which the parties are required to pledge collateral related to any decline in the estimated fair value of the specified assets. In addition, under the terms of some of our transactions, we may be required to make payments to our counterparties related to any decline in the estimated fair value of the specified assets. The amount of collateral we may be required to pledge and the payments we may be required to make under these agreements may increase under certain circumstances, which could adversely affect our liquidity. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Collateral Financing Arrangements” and Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Gross Unrealized Losses on Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities May Be Realized or Result in Future Impairments, Resulting in a Reduction in Our Net Income
 
Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at their estimated fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and are, therefore, excluded from net income. Our gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities available for sale at December 31, 2010 were $6.9 billion. The portion of the $6.9 billion of gross unrealized losses for fixed maturity and equity securities where the estimated fair value has declined and remained below amortized cost or cost by 20% or more for six months or greater was $2.1 billion at December 31, 2010. The accumulated change in estimated fair value of these available-for-sale securities is recognized in net income when the gain or loss is realized upon the sale of the security or in the event that the decline in estimated fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary and an impairment charge to earnings is taken. Realized losses or impairments may have a material adverse effect on our net income in a particular quarterly or annual period.
 
The Determination of the Amount of Allowances and Impairments Taken on Our Investments is Highly Subjective and Could Materially Impact Our Results of Operations or Financial Position
 
The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments varies by investment type and is based upon our periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. We update our evaluations regularly and reflect changes in allowances and impairments in net investment losses as such evaluations are revised. Additional impairments may need to be taken or allowances provided for in the future. Furthermore, historical trends may not be indicative of future impairments or allowances.


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For example, the cost of our fixed maturity and equity securities is adjusted for impairments deemed to be other-than-temporary. The assessment of whether impairments have occurred is based on our case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in estimated fair value. The review of our fixed maturity and equity securities for impairments includes an analysis of the total gross unrealized losses by three categories of securities: (i) securities where the estimated fair value has declined and remained below cost or amortized cost by less than 20%; (ii) securities where the estimated fair value has declined and remained below cost or amortized cost by 20% or more for less than six months; and (iii) securities where the estimated fair value has declined and remained below cost or amortized cost by 20% or more for six months or greater.
 
Additionally, we consider a wide range of factors about the security issuer and use our best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for near term recovery. Inherent in our evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential. Considerations in the impairment evaluation process include, but are not limited to: (i) the length of time and the extent to which the estimated fair value has been below cost or amortized cost; (ii) the potential for impairments of securities when the issuer is experiencing significant financial difficulties; (iii) the potential for impairments in an entire industry sector or sub-sector; (iv) the potential for impairments in certain economically depressed geographic locations; (v) the potential for impairments of securities where the issuer, series of issuers or industry has suffered a catastrophic type of loss or has exhausted natural resources; (vi) with respect to fixed maturity securities, whether we have the intent to sell or will more likely than not be required to sell a particular security before recovery of the decline in estimated fair value below amortized cost; (vii) with respect to equity securities, whether we have the ability and intent to hold a particular security for a period of time sufficient to allow for the recovery of its estimated fair value to an amount at least equal to its cost; (viii) unfavorable changes in forecasted cash flows on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities (“ABS”); and (ix) other subjective factors, including concentrations and information obtained from regulators and rating agencies.
 
Defaults on Our Mortgage Loans and Volatility in Performance May Adversely Affect Our Profitability
 
Our mortgage loans face default risk and are principally collateralized by commercial, agricultural and residential properties. We establish valuation allowances for estimated impairments at the balance sheet date. Such valuation allowances are based on the excess carrying value of the loan over the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, the estimated fair value of the loan’s collateral if the loan is in the process of foreclosure or otherwise collateral dependent, or the loan’s observable market price. We also establish valuation allowances for loan losses for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics, such as property types, or loans having similar loan-to-value ratios and debt service coverage ratios, when based on past experience, it is probable that a credit event has occurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These valuation allowances are based on loan risk characteristics, historical default rates and loss severities, real estate market fundamentals and outlook as well as other relevant factors. At December 31, 2010, mortgage loans that were either delinquent or in the process of foreclosure totaled less than 0.6% of our mortgage loan investments. The performance of our mortgage loan investments, however, may fluctuate in the future. In addition, substantially all of our mortgage loans held-for-investment have balloon payment maturities. An increase in the default rate of our mortgage loan investments could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition through realized investment losses or increases in our valuation allowances.
 
Further, any geographic or sector concentration of our mortgage loans may have adverse effects on our investment portfolios and consequently on our results of operations or financial condition. While we seek to mitigate this risk by having a broadly diversified portfolio, events or developments that have a negative effect on any particular geographic region or sector may have a greater adverse effect on the investment portfolios to the extent that the portfolios are concentrated. Moreover, our ability to sell assets relating to such particular groups of related assets may be limited if other market participants are seeking to sell at the same time. In addition, legislative proposals that would allow or require modifications to the terms of mortgage loans could be enacted. We cannot predict whether these proposals will be adopted, or what impact, if any, such proposals or, if enacted, such laws, could have on our business or investments. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments — Mortgage Loans.”


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The Impairment of Other Financial Institutions Could Adversely Affect Us
 
We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds and other investment funds and other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty. In addition, with respect to secured transactions, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due to us. We also have exposure to these financial institutions in the form of unsecured debt instruments, non-redeemable and redeemable preferred securities, derivative transactions, joint venture, hedge fund and equity investments. Further, potential action by governments and regulatory bodies in response to the financial crisis affecting the global banking system and financial markets, such as investment, nationalization, conservatorship, receivership and other intervention, whether under existing legal authority or any new authority that may be created, could negatively impact these instruments, securities, transactions and investments. There can be no assurance that any such losses or impairments to the carrying value of these investments would not materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
 
We Face Unforeseen Liabilities, Asset Impairments or Rating Actions Arising from Acquisitions, Including ALICO, and Dispositions of Businesses or Difficulties Integrating and Managing Growth of Such Businesses
 
We have engaged in dispositions and acquisitions of businesses in the past, and expect to continue to do so in the future. Acquisition and disposition activity exposes us to a number of risks.
 
There could be unforeseen liabilities or asset impairments, including goodwill impairments, that arise in connection with the businesses that we may sell or the businesses that we may acquire in the future.
 
In addition, there may be liabilities or asset impairments that we fail, or are unable, to discover in the course of performing due diligence investigations on each business that we have acquired or may acquire. Furthermore, even for obligations and liabilities that we do discover during the due diligence process, neither the valuation adjustment nor the contractual protections we negotiate may be sufficient to fully protect us from losses. For example, in connection with the acquisition of ALICO, we may be exposed to obligations and liabilities of ALICO that are not adequately covered, in amount, scope or duration, by the indemnification provisions in the Stock Purchase Agreement or reflected or reserved for in ALICO’s historical financial statements. Although we have rights to indemnification from ALICO Holdings under the Stock Purchase Agreement for certain losses, our rights are limited by survival periods for bringing claims and monetary limitations on the amount we may recover, and we cannot be certain that indemnification will be, among other things, collectible or sufficient in amount, scope or duration to fully offset any loss we may suffer.
 
Furthermore, the use of our own funds as consideration in any acquisition would consume capital resources that would no longer be available for other corporate purposes. We also may not be able to raise sufficient funds to consummate an acquisition if, for example, we are unable to sell our securities or close related bridge credit facilities. Moreover, as a result of uncertainty and risks associated with potential acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, rating agencies may take certain actions with respect to the ratings assigned to MetLife, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
 
Our ability to achieve certain benefits we anticipate from any acquisitions of businesses will depend in large part upon our ability to successfully integrate such businesses in an efficient and effective manner. We may not be able to integrate such businesses smoothly or successfully, and the process may take longer than expected. The integration of operations and differences in operational culture may require the dedication of significant management resources, which may distract management’s attention from day-to-day business. If we are unable to successfully integrate the operations of such acquired businesses, we may be unable to realize the benefits we expect to achieve as a result of such acquisitions and our business and results of operations may be less than expected.


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The success with which we are able to integrate acquired operations, will depend on our ability to manage a variety of issues, including the following:
 
  •  Loss of key personnel or higher than expected employee attrition rates could adversely affect the performance of the acquired business and our ability to integrate it successfully.
 
  •  Customers of the acquired business may reduce, delay or defer decisions concerning their use of its products and services as a result of the acquisition or uncertainty related to the consummation of the acquisition, including, for example, potential unfamiliarity with the MetLife brand in regions where MetLife did not have a market presence prior to the acquisition.
 
  •  If the acquired business relies upon independent distributors to distribute its products, these distributors may not continue to generate the same volume of business for MetLife after the acquisition. Independent distributors may reexamine the scope of their relationship with the acquired business or MetLife as a result of the acquisition and decide to curtail or eliminate distribution of our products.
 
  •  Integrating acquired operations with our existing operations may require us to coordinate geographically separated organizations, address possible differences in corporate culture and management philosophies, merge financial processes and risk and compliance procedures, combine separate information technology platforms and integrate operations that were previously closely tied to the former parent of the acquired business or other service providers.
 
  •  In cases where we or an acquired business operates in certain markets through joint ventures, the acquisition may affect the continued success and prospects of the joint venture. Our ability to exercise management control or influence over these joint venture operations and our investment in them will depend on the continued cooperation between the joint venture participants and on the terms of the joint venture agreements, which allocate control among the joint venture participants. We may face financial or other exposure in the event that any of these joint venture partners fail to meet their obligations under the joint venture, encounter financial difficulty or elect to alter, modify or terminate the relationship.
 
  •  We may incur significant costs in connection with any acquisition and the related integration. The costs and liabilities actually incurred in connection with an acquisition and subsequent integration process may exceed those anticipated.
 
All of these challenges are present in our integration of ALICO, which we expect to extend over a substantial period.
 
The prospects of our business also may be materially and adversely affected if we are not able to manage the growth of any acquired business successfully. For example, the life insurance markets in many of the international markets in which ALICO operates have experienced significant growth in recent years. Management of ALICO’s growth to date has required significant management and operational resources and is likely to continue to do so. Future growth of our combined business will require, among other things, the continued development of adequate underwriting and claim handling capabilities and skills, sufficient capital base, increased marketing and sales activities, and the hiring and training of new personnel.
 
There can be no assurance that we will be successful in managing future growth of any acquired business, including ALICO. In particular, there may be difficulties in hiring and training sufficient numbers of customer service personnel and agents to keep pace with any future growth in the number of customers in our developing or developed markets. In addition, we may experience difficulties in upgrading, developing and expanding information technology systems quickly enough to accommodate any future growth. If we are unable to manage future growth, our prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
 
There Can Be No Assurance That the Closing Agreement American Life Entered Into With the IRS Will Achieve Its Intended Effect, or That American Life Will Be Able to Comply with the Related Agreed Upon Plan
 
On March 4, 2010, American Life entered into a closing agreement with the Commissioner of the IRS with respect to a U.S. withholding tax issue arising from payments by foreign branches of a life insurance company


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incorporated under U.S. law. IRS Revenue Ruling 2004-75, effective January 1, 2005, requires foreign branches of U.S. life insurance companies in certain circumstances to withhold U.S. income taxes on payments of taxable income made with respect to certain insurance and annuity products paid to customers resident in a foreign country. The closing agreement provides transitional relief under Section 7805(b) of the Code to American Life, such that American Life’s foreign branches will not be required to withhold U.S. income tax on the income portion of payments made pursuant to American Life’s life insurance and annuity contracts (“Covered Payments”) under IRS Revenue Ruling 2004-75 for any tax periods beginning on January 1, 2005 and ending on December 31, 2013 (the “Deferral Period”). In accordance with the closing agreement, American Life submitted a plan to the IRS indicating the steps American Life will take (on a country by country basis) to ensure that no substantial amount of U.S. withholding tax will arise from Covered Payments made by American Life’s foreign branches to foreign customers after the Deferral Period. In addition, the closing agreement requires that such plan be updated in quarterly filings with the IRS. The closing agreement is final and binding upon American Life and the IRS; provided, however, that the agreement can be reopened in the event of malfeasance, fraud or a misrepresentation of a material fact, and is subject to change of law risk that occurs after the effective date of the closing agreement (with certain exceptions). In addition, the closing agreement provides that no legislative amendment to Section 861(a)(1)(A) of the Code shall shorten the Deferral Period, regardless of when such amendment is enacted. The plan American Life delivered to the IRS involves the transfer of businesses from certain of the foreign branches of American Life to one or more existing or newly-formed foreign affiliates of American Life; however, the plan is subject to change pursuant to the quarterly updates that American Life will provide to the IRS. An estimate of the costs to comply with the plan has been recorded in the financial statements. Also the achievement of the plan presented to the IRS within the required time frame of December 31, 2013 is contingent upon regulatory approvals and other requirements. Failure to achieve the plan in a timely manner could cause American Life to be required to withhold U.S. income taxes on the taxable portion of payments made by American Life’s foreign branches after December 31, 2013 to customers resident in a foreign country, which could put American Life at a competitive disadvantage with its competitors that sell similar products through foreign entities and could have a material adverse effect on American Life’s future revenues or expenses or both.
 
There Can Be No Assurance That Any Incremental Tax Benefit Will Result From the Currently Planned Elections Under Section 338 of the Code
 
MetLife, Inc. currently plans to make Section 338 Elections with respect to ALICO and certain of its subsidiaries, and MetLife, Inc. believes that ALICO and such subsidiaries should have additional amortizable basis in their assets for U.S. tax purposes as a result of such elections. No assurance can be given, however, as to the incremental tax benefit, if any, that will result from any such elections, if made.
 
The Issuance of Certain Equity Securities to ALICO Holdings in Connection with the Acquisition Will Have a Dilutive Impact on MetLife, Inc.’s Stockholders
 
As part of the consideration paid to ALICO Holdings pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, MetLife, Inc. issued to ALICO Holdings (A) 78,239,712 shares of its common stock, (B) 6,857,000 shares of the Series B Contingent Convertible Junior Participating Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”), which will be convertible into approximately 68,570,000 shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock (subject to anti-dilution adjustments) upon a favorable vote of MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders, and (C) $3.0 billion aggregate stated amount of MetLife, Inc.’s common equity units, which initially consist of (x) purchase contracts obligating the holder to purchase a variable number of shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock on each of three specified future settlement dates (approximately two, three and four years after the closing of the Acquisition, subject to deferral under certain circumstances) for a fixed amount per purchase contract (an aggregate of $1.0 billion on each settlement date) (the “Stock Purchase Contracts”) and (y) an interest in each of three series of debt securities of MetLife, Inc. The aggregate amount of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock expected to be issued to ALICO Holdings in connection with the Acquisition (including shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock and shares of common stock issuable upon settlement of the Stock Purchase Contracts) is expected to be approximately 214,600,000 to 231,500,000 shares.


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As a result of the issuance of these securities, more shares of common stock will be outstanding and each existing stockholder will own a smaller percentage of our common stock then outstanding.
 
Subject to Certain Limitations, ALICO Holdings Will Be Able to Sell MetLife, Inc.’s Equity Securities at Any Time From and After the Date 270 Days After the Closing of the Acquisition, Which Could Cause MetLife, Inc.’s Stock Price to Decrease
 
ALICO Holdings agreed in the Investor Rights Agreement entered into in connection with the Acquisition, not to transfer any of MetLife, Inc.’s securities received pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, at any time up to the date 270 days after the closing of the Acquisition, without the consent of MetLife, Inc. However, from and after such date, ALICO Holdings will be able to transfer up to half of such equity securities, and from and after the first anniversary of the closing of the Acquisition, ALICO Holdings will be able to transfer all of such securities, subject in each case to certain limited volume and timing restrictions set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement. Moreover, ALICO Holdings will agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to transfer, and it will cause its affiliates to so transfer, all of MetLife, Inc.’s securities received in connection with the Acquisition prior to the later of (i) the fifth anniversary of the closing of the Acquisition, and (ii) the first anniversary of the third stock purchase date under the Stock Purchase Contracts. Subject to certain conditions, we have agreed to register the resale of MetLife, Inc.’s equity and other securities to be issued to ALICO Holdings under the Securities Act. The sale or transfer of a substantial number of these securities within a short period of time could cause MetLife, Inc.’s stock price to decrease, make it more difficult for us to raise funds through future offerings of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock or acquire other businesses using MetLife, Inc.’s common stock as consideration.
 
If MetLife, Inc.’s Stockholders Do Not Vote to Approve the Conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock Into Common Stock, MetLife, Inc. Will Be Required to Pay Approximately $300 Million to ALICO Holdings
 
ALICO Holdings received shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock upon completion of the Acquisition. Each share of Convertible Preferred Stock will convert into 10 shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock (subject to anti-dilution adjustments) if conversion is approved by MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders. If we fail to obtain such approval prior to the first anniversary of the closing of the Acquisition, November 1, 2011, MetLife, Inc. will be required to pay approximately $300 million to ALICO Holdings, assuming no purchase price adjustments, and, upon request, register the Convertible Preferred Stock for sale by ALICO Holdings in a public offering and list the Convertible Preferred Stock on the NYSE.
 
Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Could Negatively Affect Our Profitability
 
We are exposed to risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar resulting from our holdings of non-U.S. dollar denominated investments, investments in foreign subsidiaries and net income from foreign operations and issuance of non-U.S. dollar denominated instruments, including guaranteed interest contracts and funding agreements. These risks relate to potential decreases in estimated fair value and income resulting from a strengthening or weakening in foreign exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar. In general, the weakening of foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar will adversely affect the estimated fair value of our non-U.S. dollar denominated investments, our investments in foreign subsidiaries, and our net income from foreign operations. Although we use foreign currency swaps and forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency exchange rate risk, we cannot provide assurance that these methods will be effective or that our counterparties will perform their obligations. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
 
From time to time, various emerging market countries have experienced severe economic and financial disruptions, including significant devaluations of their currencies. Our exposure to foreign exchange rate risk is exacerbated by our investments in certain emerging markets.
 
Historically, we have matched substantially all of our foreign currency liabilities in our foreign subsidiaries with investments denominated in their respective foreign currency, which limits the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuation on local operating results; however, fluctuations in such rates affect the translation of these results into our U.S. dollar basis consolidated financial statements. Although we take certain actions to address this risk, foreign


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currency exchange rate fluctuation could materially adversely affect our reported results due to unhedged positions or the failure of hedges to effectively offset the impact of the foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
 
The Acquisition has increased our exposure to risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and increased our exposure to emerging markets. Fluctuations in the yen/ U.S. dollar exchange rate can have a significant effect on our reported financial position and results of operations because ALICO has substantial operations in Japan and a significant portion of its premiums and investment income are received in yen. Claims and expenses are also paid in yen and ALICO primarily purchases yen-denominated assets to support yen-denominated policy liabilities. These and other yen-denominated financial statement items are, however, translated into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, fluctuations in the yen/U.S. dollar exchange rate can have a significant effect on our reported financial position and results of operations.
 
Due to our significant international operations, during periods when any foreign currency in which we derive our revenues (such as the Japanese yen) weakens, translating amounts expressed in that currency into U.S. dollars causes fewer U.S. dollars to be reported. When the relevant foreign currency strengthens, translating such currency into U.S. dollars causes more U.S. dollars to be reported. Between September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010, the Japanese yen has strengthened against the U.S. dollar, which fluctuated from a low point of ¥80.40 to the U.S. dollar on October 29, 2010 to a high point of ¥84.26 to the U.S. dollar on November 29, 2010, which has been somewhat offset by the weakening of the euro, which fluctuated from a high point of 0.7702 euro to the U.S. dollar on November 30, 2010, to 0.7039 euro to the U.S. dollar on November 4, 2010. Any unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The weakening of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar will generally adversely affect the value of investments in U.S. dollar terms and reduce the level of reserves denominated in that currency.
 
Our International Operations Face Political, Legal, Operational and Other Risks, Including Exposure to Local and Regional Economic Conditions, That Could Negatively Affect Those Operations or Our Profitability
 
Our international operations face political, legal, operational and other risks that we do not face in our domestic operations. We face the risk of discriminatory regulation, nationalization or expropriation of assets, price controls and exchange controls or other restrictions that prevent us from transferring funds from these operations out of the countries in which they operate or converting local currencies we hold into U.S. dollars or other currencies. Some of our foreign insurance operations are, and are likely to continue to be, in emerging markets where these risks are heightened. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” In addition, we rely on local sales forces in these countries and may encounter labor problems resulting from workers’ associations and trade unions in some countries. In several countries, including Japan, China and India, we operate with local business partners with the resulting risk of managing partner relationships to the business objectives. If our business model is not successful in a particular country, we may lose all or most of our investment in building and training the sales force in that country. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Executive Summary” and Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
We are expanding our international operations in certain markets where we operate and in selected new markets. This may require considerable management time, as well as start-up expenses for market development before any significant revenues and earnings are generated. Operations in new foreign markets may achieve low margins or may be unprofitable, and expansion in existing markets may be affected by local economic and market conditions. Therefore, as we expand internationally, we may not achieve expected operating margins and our results of operations may be negatively impacted.
 
In addition, in recent years, the operating environment in Argentina has been very challenging. In Argentina, we were formerly principally engaged in the pension business. In December 2008, the Argentine government nationalized private pensions and seized the pension funds’ investments, eliminating the private pensions business in Argentina. As a result, we have experienced and will continue to experience reductions in the operation’s revenues and cash flows. The Argentine government now controls all assets which previously were managed by our


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Argentine pension operations. Further governmental or legal actions related to our operations in Argentina could negatively impact our operations in Argentina and result in future losses.
 
We have market presence in over 60 different countries and increased exposure to risks posed by local and regional economic conditions. Europe has recently experienced a deep recession and countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal and, in particular, Greece and Ireland, have been particularly affected by the recession, resulting in increased national debts and depressed economic activity. We have significant operations and investments in these countries which could be adversely affected by economic developments such as higher taxes, growing inflation, decreasing government spending, rising unemployment and currency instability.
 
In addition to fluctuations in the yen/U.S. dollar exchange rate discussed above, we face increased exposure to the Japanese markets as a result of ALICO’s considerable presence there. Deterioration in Japan’s economic recovery could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
We also have operations in the Middle East where the legal and political systems and regulatory frameworks are subject to instability and disruptions. Lack of legal certainty and stability in the region exposes our operations to increased risk of disruption and to adverse or unpredictable actions by regulators and may make it more difficult for us to enforce our contracts, which may negatively impact our business in this region. See also “— Changes in Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect Our Profitability” regarding the impact of low interest rates on our Taiwanese operations.
 
As a Holding Company, MetLife, Inc. Depends on the Ability of Its Subsidiaries to Transfer Funds to It to Meet Its Obligations and Pay Dividends
 
MetLife, Inc. is a holding company for its insurance and financial subsidiaries and does not have any significant operations of its own. Dividends from its subsidiaries and permitted payments to it under its tax sharing arrangements with its subsidiaries are its principal sources of cash to meet its obligations and to pay preferred and common stock dividends. If the cash MetLife, Inc. receives from its subsidiaries is insufficient for it to fund its debt service and other holding company obligations, MetLife, Inc. may be required to raise cash through the incurrence of debt, the issuance of additional equity or the sale of assets.
 
The payment of dividends and other distributions to MetLife, Inc. by its insurance subsidiaries is regulated by insurance laws and regulations. In general, dividends in excess of prescribed limits require insurance regulatory approval. In addition, insurance regulators may prohibit the payment of dividends or other payments by its insurance subsidiaries to MetLife, Inc. if they determine that the payment could be adverse to our policyholders or contractholders. The payment of dividends and other distributions by insurance companies is also influenced by business conditions and rating agency considerations. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Insurance Regulation” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Holding Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Dividends from Subsidiaries.” The ability of MetLife Bank to pay dividends is also subject to regulation by the OCC.
 
Any payment of interest, dividends, distributions, loans or advances by our foreign subsidiaries and branches to MetLife, Inc. could be subject to taxation or other restrictions on dividends or repatriation of earnings under applicable law, monetary transfer restrictions and foreign currency exchange regulations in the jurisdiction in which such foreign subsidiaries operate. See “Business — International Regulation” and “— Our International Operations Face Political, Legal, Operational and Other Risks, Including Exposure to Local and Regional Economic Conditions, That Could Negatively Affect Those Operations or Our Profitability.”
 
A Downgrade or a Potential Downgrade in Our Financial Strength or Credit Ratings Could Result in a Loss of Business and Materially Adversely Affect Our Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Financial strength ratings, which various Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSRO”) publish as indicators of an insurance company’s ability to meet contractholder and policyholder obligations, are important to maintaining public confidence in our products, our ability to market our products and our competitive position.


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Downgrades in our financial strength ratings could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations in many ways, including:
 
  •  reducing new sales of insurance products, annuities and other investment products;
 
  •  adversely affecting our relationships with our sales force and independent sales intermediaries;
 
  •  materially increasing the number or amount of policy surrenders and withdrawals by contractholders and policyholders;
 
  •  requiring us to reduce prices for many of our products and services to remain competitive; and
 
  •  adversely affecting our ability to obtain reinsurance at reasonable prices or at all.
 
In addition to the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, various NRSROs also publish credit ratings for MetLife, Inc. and several of its subsidiaries. Credit ratings are indicators of a debt issuer’s ability to meet the terms of debt obligations in a timely manner and are important factors in our overall funding profile and ability to access certain types of liquidity. Downgrades in our credit ratings could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations in many ways, including adversely limiting our access to capital markets, potentially increasing the cost of debt, and requiring us to post collateral. For example, with respect to derivative transactions with credit ratings downgrade triggers, a one-notch downgrade would have increased our derivative collateral requirements by $99 million at December 31, 2010. Also, $375 million of liabilities associated with funding agreements and other capital market products were subject to credit ratings downgrade triggers that permit early termination subject to a notice period of 90 days.
 
In view of the difficulties experienced during 2008 and 2009 by many financial institutions, including our competitors in the insurance industry, we believe it is possible that the NRSROs will continue to heighten the level of scrutiny that they apply to such institutions, will continue to increase the frequency and scope of their credit reviews, will continue to request additional information from the companies that they rate, and may adjust upward the capital and other requirements employed in the NRSRO models for maintenance of certain ratings levels. Rating agencies use an “outlook statement” of “positive,” “stable,” “negative” or “developing” to indicate a medium- or long-term trend in credit fundamentals which, if continued, may lead to a ratings change. A rating may have a “stable” outlook to indicate that the rating is not expected to change; however, a “stable” rating does not preclude a rating agency from changing a rating at any time, without notice. Certain rating agencies assign rating modifiers such as “CreditWatch” or “Under Review” to indicate their opinion regarding the potential direction of a rating. These ratings modifiers are generally assigned in connection with certain events such as potential mergers and acquisitions, or material changes in a company’s results, in order for the rating agencies to perform their analyses to fully determine the rating implications of the event. Certain rating agencies have recently implemented rating actions, including downgrades, outlook changes and modifiers, for MetLife, Inc.’s and certain of its subsidiaries’ insurer financial strength and credit ratings.
 
Based on the announcement in February 2010 that MetLife was in discussions to acquire ALICO, in February 2010, S&P and A.M. Best placed the ratings of MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries on “CreditWatch with negative implications” and “under review with negative implications,” respectively. Also in connection with the announcement, in March 2010, Moody’s changed the ratings outlook of MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries from “stable” to “negative” outlook. Upon completion of the public financing transactions related to the Acquisition, in August 2010, S&P affirmed the ratings of MetLife, Inc. and subsidiaries with a “negative” outlook, and removed them from “CreditWatch.” On November 1, 2010, upon closing of the Acquisition, S&P changed the rating outlook of ALICO to “positive” from “negative” and affirmed its financial strength rating; the ratings of MetLife, Inc. and its other subsidiaries were unaffected by this ratings action. Also on November 1, 2010, Fitch Ratings upgraded by one notch (and changed the rating outlook from “Rating Watch Positive” to “stable”) the financial strength rating of American Life and affirmed all existing ratings for MetLife, Inc. and its other subsidiaries. On November 4, 2010, A.M. Best upgraded by one notch the financial strength rating of American Life and changed the rating outlook from “under review with positive implications” to “negative.” A.M. Best also changed the outlook for MetLife, Inc. and certain of its other subsidiaries to “negative” from “under review with negative implications.” Effective as of January in 2011, MetLife withdrew the American Life financial strength ratings by A.M. Best and Fitch Ratings as once it became a subsidiary of MetLife it was not deemed necessary to maintain stand-alone ratings.


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On July 1, 2010, Moody’s published revised guidance called “Revisions to Moody’s Hybrid Tool Kit” (the “Guidance”) for assigning equity credit to so-called hybrid securities, i.e., securities with both debt and equity characteristics (“Hybrids”). Moody’s evaluates Hybrids using certain specified criteria and then places each such security into a “basket,” with a specific percentage of debt and equity being associated with each basket, which is then used to adjust full sets of financial statements for purposes of, among other things, calculating the issuing company’s financial leverage. Under the Guidance, Hybrids are one element that Moody’s considers within the context of an issuer’s overall credit profile. As of December 31, 2010, we have approximately $11.1 billion of Hybrids outstanding, which includes approximately $6.2 billion of debt securities and $4.9 billion of equity securities. Application of the Guidance has resulted in Moody’s significantly reducing the amount of equity credit it assigns to these securities, including the common equity units issued to ALICO Holdings in connection with the Acquisition. We do not expect at this time, as a result of the Guidance, that a reduction in Moody’s equity treatment of our Hybrids, including the common equity units, would result in any material negative impact on MetLife, Inc.’s credit rating or the financial strength ratings of its insurance company subsidiaries. However, if we decided to increase our adjusted capital as a result of the application of the Guidance, we may seek to (i) issue additional common equity or higher equity content Hybrids satisfying the Guidance’s revised rating criteria, and/or (ii) redeem, repurchase or restructure existing Hybrids. Any sale of additional common equity would have a dilutive effect on our common stockholders.
 
We cannot predict what actions rating agencies may take, or what actions we may take in response to the actions of rating agencies, which could adversely affect our business. As with other companies in the financial services industry, our ratings could be downgraded at any time and without any notice by any NRSRO.
 
An Inability to Access Our Credit Facilities Could Result in a Reduction in Our Liquidity and Lead to Downgrades in Our Credit and Financial Strength Ratings
 
In October 2010, we entered into two senior unsecured credit facilities: a three-year $3 billion facility and a 364-day $1 billion facility. We also have other facilities which we enter into in the ordinary course of business. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities” and Notes 11 and 24 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
We rely on our credit facilities as a potential source of liquidity. The availability of these facilities could be critical to our credit and financial strength ratings and our ability to meet our obligations as they come due in a market when alternative sources of credit are tight. The credit facilities contain certain administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. We must comply with covenants under our credit facilities, including a requirement to maintain a specified minimum consolidated net worth.
 
Our right to make borrowings under these facilities is subject to the fulfillment of certain important conditions, including our compliance with all covenants, and our ability to borrow under these facilities is also subject to the continued willingness and ability of the lenders that are parties to the facilities to provide funds. Our failure to comply with the covenants in the credit facilities or fulfill the conditions to borrowings, or the failure of lenders to fund their lending commitments (whether due to insolvency, illiquidity or other reasons) in the amounts provided for under the terms of the facilities, would restrict our ability to access these credit facilities when needed and, consequently, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Defaults, Downgrades or Other Events Impairing the Carrying Value of Our Fixed Maturity or Equity Securities Portfolio May Reduce Our Earnings
 
We are subject to the risk that the issuers, or guarantors, of fixed maturity securities we own may default on principal and interest payments they owe us. We are also subject to the risk that the underlying collateral within loan-backed securities, including mortgage-backed securities, may default on principal and interest payments causing an adverse change in cash flows. Fixed maturity securities represent a significant portion of our investment portfolio. The occurrence of a major economic downturn, acts of corporate malfeasance, widening risk spreads, or other events that adversely affect the issuers, guarantors or underlying collateral of these securities could cause the estimated fair value of our fixed maturity securities portfolio and our earnings to decline and the default rate of the


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fixed maturity securities in our investment portfolio to increase. A ratings downgrade affecting issuers or guarantors of particular securities, or similar trends that could worsen the credit quality of issuers, such as the corporate issuers of securities in our investment portfolio, could also have a similar effect. With economic uncertainty, credit quality of issuers or guarantors could be adversely affected. Similarly, a ratings downgrade affecting a security we hold could indicate the credit quality of that security has deteriorated and could increase the capital we must hold to support that security to maintain our RBC levels. Any event reducing the estimated fair value of these securities other than on a temporary basis could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Levels of writedowns or impairments are impacted by our assessment of intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell, fixed maturity securities and the intent and ability to hold equity securities which have declined in value until recovery. If we determine to reposition or realign portions of the portfolio so as not to hold certain equity securities, or intend to sell or determine that it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell, certain fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position prior to recovery, then we will incur an other-than-temporary impairment charge in the period that the decision was made not to hold the equity security to recovery, or to sell, or the determination was made it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the fixed maturity security.
 
Our Risk Management Policies and Procedures May Leave Us Exposed to Unidentified or Unanticipated Risk, Which Could Negatively Affect Our Business
 
Management of risk requires, among other things, policies and procedures to record properly and verify a large number of transactions and events. We have devoted significant resources to develop our risk management policies and procedures and expect to continue to do so in the future. Nonetheless, our policies and procedures may not be comprehensive. Many of our methods for managing risk and exposures are based upon the use of observed historical market behavior or statistics based on historical models. As a result, these methods may not fully predict future exposures, which can be significantly greater than our historical measures indicate. Other risk management methods depend upon the evaluation of information regarding markets, clients, catastrophe occurrence or other matters that is publicly available or otherwise accessible to us. This information may not always be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
 
Reinsurance May Not Be Available, Affordable or Adequate to Protect Us Against Losses
 
As part of our overall risk management strategy, we purchase reinsurance for certain risks underwritten by our various business segments. See “Business — Reinsurance Activity.” While reinsurance agreements generally bind the reinsurer for the life of the business reinsured at generally fixed pricing, market conditions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection for new business. In certain circumstances, the price of reinsurance for business already reinsured may also increase. Any decrease in the amount of reinsurance will increase our risk of loss and any increase in the cost of reinsurance will, absent a decrease in the amount of reinsurance, reduce our earnings. Accordingly, we may be forced to incur additional expenses for reinsurance or may not be able to obtain sufficient reinsurance on acceptable terms, which could adversely affect our ability to write future business or result in the assumption of more risk with respect to those policies we issue.
 
If the Counterparties to Our Reinsurance or Indemnification Arrangements or to the Derivative Instruments We Use to Hedge Our Business Risks Default or Fail to Perform, We May Be Exposed to Risks We Had Sought to Mitigate, Which Could Materially Adversely Affect Our Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
We use reinsurance, indemnification and derivative instruments to mitigate our risks in various circumstances. In general, reinsurance does not relieve us of our direct liability to our policyholders, even when the reinsurer is liable to us. Accordingly, we bear credit risk with respect to our reinsurers and indemnitors. We cannot provide assurance that our reinsurers will pay the reinsurance recoverables owed to us or that indemnitors will honor their obligations now or in the future or that they will pay these recoverables on a timely basis. A reinsurer’s or indemnitor’s insolvency, inability or unwillingness to make payments under the terms of reinsurance agreements or indemnity agreements with us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.


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In addition, we use derivative instruments to hedge various business risks. We enter into a variety of derivative instruments, including options, forwards, interest rate, credit default and currency swaps with a number of counterparties. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Investments.” If our counterparties fail or refuse to honor their obligations under these derivative instruments, our hedges of the related risk will be ineffective. This is a more pronounced risk to us in view of the stresses suffered by financial institutions over the past few years. Such failure could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Differences Between Actual Claims Experience and Underwriting and Reserving Assumptions May Adversely Affect Our Financial Results
 
Our earnings significantly depend upon the extent to which our actual claims experience is consistent with the assumptions we use in setting prices for our products and establishing liabilities for future policy benefits and claims. Our liabilities for future policy benefits and claims are established based on estimates by actuaries of how much we will need to pay for future benefits and claims. For life insurance and annuity products, we calculate these liabilities based on many assumptions and estimates, including estimated premiums to be received over the assumed life of the policy, the timing of the event covered by the insurance policy, the amount of benefits or claims to be paid and the investment returns on the investments we make with the premiums we receive. We establish liabilities for property and casualty claims and benefits based on assumptions and estimates of damages and liabilities incurred. To the extent that actual claims experience is less favorable than the underlying assumptions we used in establishing such liabilities, we could be required to increase our liabilities.
 
Due to the nature of the underlying risks and the high degree of uncertainty associated with the determination of liabilities for future policy benefits and claims, we cannot determine precisely the amounts which we will ultimately pay to settle our liabilities. Such amounts may vary from the estimated amounts, particularly when those payments may not occur until well into the future. We evaluate our liabilities periodically based on accounting requirements, which change from time to time, the assumptions used to establish the liabilities, as well as our actual experience. We charge or credit changes in our liabilities to expenses in the period the liabilities are established or re-estimated. If the liabilities originally established for future benefit payments prove inadequate, we must increase them. Such increases could affect earnings negatively and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Catastrophes May Adversely Impact Liabilities for Policyholder Claims and Reinsurance Availability
 
Our life insurance operations are exposed to the risk of catastrophic mortality, such as a pandemic or other event that causes a large number of deaths. Significant influenza pandemics have occurred three times in the last century, but neither the likelihood, timing, nor the severity of a future pandemic can be predicted. A significant pandemic could have a major impact on the global economy or the economies of particular countries or regions, including travel, trade, tourism, the health system, food supply, consumption, overall economic output and, eventually, on the financial markets. In addition, a pandemic that affected our employees or the employees of our distributors or of other companies with which we do business could disrupt our business operations. The effectiveness of external parties, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, in combating the spread and severity of such a pandemic could have a material impact on the losses experienced by us. In our group insurance operations, a localized event that affects the workplace of one or more of our group insurance customers could cause a significant loss due to mortality or morbidity claims. These events could cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations in any period and, depending on their severity, could also materially and adversely affect our financial condition.
 
Our Auto & Home business has experienced, and will likely in the future experience, catastrophe losses that may have a material adverse impact on the business, results of operations and financial condition of the Auto & Home segment. Although Auto & Home makes every effort to manage our exposure to catastrophic risks through volatility management and reinsurance programs, these efforts do not eliminate all risk. Catastrophes can be caused by various events, including hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, tornadoes, explosions, severe winter weather (including snow, freezing water, ice storms and blizzards), fires and man-made events such as terrorist attacks. Historically, substantially all of our catastrophe-related claims have related to homeowners coverages.


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However, catastrophes may also affect other Auto & Home coverages. Due to their nature, we cannot predict the incidence, timing and severity of catastrophes. In addition, changing climate conditions, primarily rising global temperatures, may be increasing, or may in the future increase, the frequency and severity of natural catastrophes such as hurricanes.
 
Hurricanes and earthquakes are of particular note for our homeowners coverages. Areas of major hurricane exposure include coastal sections of the northeastern U.S. (including lower New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts), the Gulf Coast (including Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas) and Florida. We also have some earthquake exposure, primarily along the New Madrid fault line in the central U.S. and in the Pacific Northwest.
 
The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in the area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Most catastrophes are restricted to small geographic areas; however, hurricanes, earthquakes and man-made catastrophes may produce significant damage or loss of life in larger areas, especially those that are heavily populated. Claims resulting from natural or man-made catastrophic events could cause substantial volatility in our financial results for any fiscal quarter or year and could materially reduce our profitability or harm our financial condition. Also, catastrophic events could harm the financial condition of our reinsurers and thereby increase the probability of default on reinsurance recoveries. Our ability to write new business could also be affected. It is possible that increases in the value, caused by the effects of inflation or other factors, and geographic concentration of insured property, could increase the severity of claims from catastrophic events in the future.
 
Most of the jurisdictions in which our insurance subsidiaries are admitted to transact business require life and property and casualty insurers doing business within the jurisdiction to participate in guaranty associations, which are organized to pay contractual benefits owed pursuant to insurance policies issued by impaired, insolvent or failed insurers. These associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurers in a particular state on the basis of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent or failed insurer is engaged. In addition, certain states have government owned or controlled organizations providing life and property and casualty insurance to their citizens. The activities of such organizations could also place additional stress on the adequacy of guaranty fund assessments. Many of these organizations also have the power to levy assessments similar to those of the guaranty associations described above. Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Insurance Regulation — Guaranty Associations and Similar Arrangements” and “Business — International Regulation.”
 
While in the past five years, the aggregate assessments levied against MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries have not been material, it is possible that a large catastrophic event could render such guaranty funds inadequate and we may be called upon to contribute additional amounts, which may have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations in a particular period. We have established liabilities for guaranty fund assessments that we consider adequate for assessments with respect to insurers that are currently subject to insolvency proceedings, but additional liabilities may be necessary. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Consistent with industry practice and accounting standards, we establish liabilities for claims arising from a catastrophe only after assessing the probable losses arising from the event. We cannot be certain that the liabilities we have established will be adequate to cover actual claim liabilities. From time to time, states have passed legislation that has the effect of limiting the ability of insurers to manage risk, such as legislation restricting an insurer’s ability to withdraw from catastrophe-prone areas. While we attempt to limit our exposure to acceptable levels, subject to restrictions imposed by insurance regulatory authorities, a catastrophic event or multiple catastrophic events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Our ability to manage this risk and the profitability of our property and casualty and life insurance businesses depends in part on our ability to obtain catastrophe reinsurance, which may not be available at commercially acceptable rates in the future. See “— Reinsurance May Not Be Available, Affordable or Adequate to Protect Us Against Losses.”


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Our Statutory Reserve Financings May Be Subject to Cost Increases and New Financings May Be Subject to Limited Market Capacity
 
To support statutory reserves for several products, including, but not limited to, our level premium term life and universal life with secondary guarantees and MLIC’s closed block, we currently utilize capital markets solutions for financing a portion of our statutory reserve requirements. While we have financing facilities in place for our previously written business and have remaining capacity in existing facilities to support writings through the end of 2010 or later, certain of these facilities are subject to cost increases upon the occurrence of specified ratings downgrades of MetLife or are subject to periodic repricing. Any resulting cost increases could negatively impact our financial results.
 
Future capacity for these statutory reserve funding structures in the marketplace is not guaranteed. If capacity becomes unavailable for a prolonged period of time, hindering our ability to obtain funding for these new structures, our ability to write additional business in a cost effective manner may be impacted.
 
Competitive Factors May Adversely Affect Our Market Share and Profitability
 
Our segments are subject to intense competition. We believe that this competition is based on a number of factors, including service, product features, scale, price, financial strength, claims-paying ratings, credit ratings, e-business capabilities and name recognition. We compete with a large number of other insurers, as well as non-insurance financial services companies, such as banks, broker-dealers and asset managers, for individual consumers, employers and other group customers and agents and other distributors of insurance and investment products. Some of these companies offer a broader array of products, have more competitive pricing or more attractive features in their products or, with respect to other insurers, have higher claims paying ability ratings. Some may also have greater financial resources with which to compete. National banks, which may sell annuity products of life insurers in some circumstances, also have pre-existing customer bases for financial services products. Many of our group insurance products are underwritten annually, and, accordingly, there is a risk that group purchasers may be able to obtain more favorable terms from competitors rather than renewing coverage with us. The effect of competition may, as a result, adversely affect the persistency of these and other products, as well as our ability to sell products in the future.
 
In addition, the investment management and securities brokerage businesses have relatively few barriers to entry and continually attract new entrants. See “Business — Competition.”
 
Finally, the new requirements imposed on the financial industry by Dodd-Frank could similarly have differential effects. See “— Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth.”
 
Industry Trends Could Adversely Affect the Profitability of Our Businesses
 
Our segments continue to be influenced by a variety of trends that affect the insurance industry, including competition with respect to product features, price, distribution capability, customer service and information technology. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Industry Trends.” The impact on our business and on the life insurance industry generally of the volatility and instability of the financial markets is difficult to predict, and our business plans, financial condition and results of operations may be negatively impacted or affected in other unexpected ways. In addition, the life insurance industry is subject to state regulation, and, as complex products are introduced, regulators may refine capital requirements and introduce new reserving standards. Dodd-Frank, Basel III and the market environment in general may also lead to changes in regulation that may benefit or disadvantage us relative to some of our competitors. See “Business — Competition,” “— Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Heavily Regulated, and Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth” and “— Competitive Factors May Adversely Affect Our Market Share and Profitability.”


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Consolidation of Distributors of Insurance Products May Adversely Affect the Insurance Industry and the Profitability of Our Business
 
The insurance industry distributes many of its individual products through other financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers. An increase in bank and broker-dealer consolidation activity may negatively impact the industry’s sales, and such consolidation could increase competition for access to distributors, result in greater distribution expenses and impair our ability to market insurance products to our current customer base or to expand our customer base. Consolidation of distributors and/or other industry changes may also increase the likelihood that distributors will try to renegotiate the terms of any existing selling agreements to terms less favorable to us.
 
Our Valuation of Fixed Maturity, Equity and Trading and Other Securities and Short-Term Investments May Include Methodologies, Estimations and Assumptions Which Are Subject to Differing Interpretations and Could Result in Changes to Investment Valuations That May Materially Adversely Affect Our Results of Operations or Financial Condition
 
Fixed maturity, equity, and trading and other securities and short-term investments which are reported at estimated fair value on the consolidated balance sheets represent the majority of our total cash and investments. We have categorized these securities into a three-level hierarchy, based on the priority of the inputs to the respective valuation technique.
 
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset or liability’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. The input levels are as follows:
 
  Level 1 —  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. We define active markets based on average trading volume for equity securities. The size of the bid/ask spread is used as an indicator of market activity for fixed maturity securities.
 
  Level 2 —  Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities other than quoted prices in Level 1; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other significant inputs that are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
 
  Level 3 —  Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the estimated fair value of the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of the estimated fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
 
At December 31, 2010, 7.0%, 85.8% and 7.2% of these securities represented Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3, respectively. The Level 1 securities primarily consist of certain U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed fixed maturity securities; certain foreign government fixed maturity securities; exchange-traded common stock; certain trading securities; certain fair value option securities and certain short-term investments. The Level 2 assets include fixed maturity and equity securities priced principally through independent pricing services using observable inputs. These fixed maturity securities include most U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities, as well as the majority of U.S. and foreign corporate securities, RMBS, CMBS, state and political subdivision securities, foreign government securities, and ABS. Equity securities classified as Level 2 primarily consist of non-redeemable preferred securities and certain equity securities where market quotes are available but are not considered actively traded and are priced by independent pricing services. We review the valuation methodologies used by the independent pricing services on an ongoing basis and ensure that any changes to valuation methodologies are justified. Level 3 assets include fixed maturity securities priced principally through independent non-binding broker quotations or market standard valuation methodologies using inputs that are not


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market observable or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 consists of less liquid fixed maturity securities with very limited trading activity or where less price transparency exists around the inputs to the valuation methodologies including: U.S. and foreign corporate securities — including below investment grade private placements; RMBS; CMBS; and ABS — including all of those supported by sub-prime mortgage loans. Equity securities classified as Level 3 securities consist principally of nonredeemable preferred stock and common stock of companies that are privately held or companies for which there has been very limited trading activity or where less price transparency exists around the inputs to the valuation.
 
Prices provided by independent pricing services and independent non-binding broker quotations can vary widely even for the same security.
 
The determination of estimated fair values by management in the absence of quoted market prices is based on: (i) valuation methodologies; (ii) securities we deem to be comparable; and (iii) assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances. The fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about financial instruments, including estimates of the timing and amounts of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer or counterparty. Factors considered in estimating fair value include: coupon rate, maturity, estimated duration, call provisions, sinking fund requirements, credit rating, industry sector of the issuer, and quoted market prices of comparable securities. The use of different methodologies and assumptions may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. During periods of market disruption including periods of significantly rising or high interest rates, rapidly widening credit spreads or illiquidity, it may be difficult to value certain of our securities, for example sub-prime mortgage-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities where the underlying loans are Alt-A and CMBS, if trading becomes less frequent and/or market data becomes less observable. In times of financial market disruption, certain asset classes that were in active markets with significant observable data may become illiquid. In such cases, more securities may fall to Level 3 and thus require more subjectivity and management judgment. As such, valuations may include inputs and assumptions that are less observable or require greater estimation, as well as valuation methods which are more sophisticated or require greater estimation thereby resulting in estimated fair values which may be greater or less than the amount at which the investments may be ultimately sold. Further, rapidly changing and unprecedented credit and equity market conditions could materially impact the valuation of securities as reported within our consolidated financial statements and the period-to-period changes in estimated fair value could vary significantly. Decreases in value may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
 
If Our Business Does Not Perform Well, We May Be Required to Recognize an Impairment of Our Goodwill or Other Long-Lived Assets or to Establish a Valuation Allowance Against the Deferred Income Tax Asset, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Results of Operations or Financial Condition
 
Goodwill represents the excess of the amounts we paid to acquire subsidiaries and other businesses over the estimated fair value of their net assets at the date of acquisition. As of December 31, 2010, our goodwill was $11,781, of which $6,959 of goodwill was established in connection with the acquisition of ALICO. We test goodwill at least annually for impairment. Impairment testing is performed based upon estimates of the estimated fair value of the “reporting unit” to which the goodwill relates. The reporting unit is the operating segment or a business one level below that operating segment if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at that level. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is impacted by the performance of the business. The performance of our businesses may be adversely impacted by prolonged market declines. If it is determined that the goodwill has been impaired, we must write down the goodwill by the amount of the impairment, with a corresponding charge to net income. Such writedowns could have an adverse effect on our results of operation or financial position. For example, our goodwill has increased substantially as a result of the Acquisition. Market factors, the failure of ALICO to perform well, or issues relating to the integration of ALICO could result in the reporting units containing parts of ALICO having fair values lower than their respective carrying values, which would result in a writedown of goodwill and, consequently, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Goodwill.”
 
Long-lived assets, including assets such as real estate, also require impairment testing to determine whether changes in circumstances indicate that MetLife will be unable to recover the carrying amount of the asset group


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through future operations of that asset group or market conditions that will impact the estimated fair value of those assets. Such writedowns could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.
 
Deferred income tax represents the tax effect of the differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are assessed periodically by management to determine if they are realizable. Factors in management’s determination include the performance of the business including the ability to generate future taxable income. If based on available information, it is more likely than not that the deferred income tax asset will not be realized then a valuation allowance must be established with a corresponding charge to net income. Such charges could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.
 
If Our Business Does Not Perform Well or if Actual Experience Versus Estimates Used in Valuing and Amortizing DAC, Deferred Sales Inducements (“DSI”) and VOBA Vary Significantly, We May Be Required to Accelerate the Amortization and/or Impair the DAC, DSI and VOBA Which Could Adversely Affect Our Results of Operations or Financial Condition
 
We incur significant costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal business. Those costs that vary with and are primarily related to the production of new and renewal business are deferred and referred to as DAC. Bonus amounts credited to certain policyholders, either immediately upon receiving a deposit or as excess interest credits for a period of time, are referred to as DSI. The recovery of DAC and DSI is dependent upon the future profitability of the related business. The amount of future profit or margin is dependent principally on investment returns in excess of the amounts credited to policyholders, mortality, morbidity, persistency, interest crediting rates, dividends paid to policyholders, expenses to administer the business, creditworthiness of reinsurance counterparties and certain economic variables, such as inflation. Of these factors, we anticipate that investment returns are most likely to impact the rate of amortization of such costs. The aforementioned factors enter into management’s estimates of gross profits or margins, which generally are used to amortize such costs.
 
If the estimates of gross profits or margins were overstated, then the amortization of such costs would be accelerated in the period the actual experience is known and would result in a charge to income. Significant or sustained equity market declines could result in an acceleration of amortization of the DAC and DSI related to variable annuity and variable universal life contracts, resulting in a charge to income. Such adjustments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
 
VOBA is an intangible asset that represents the excess of book value over the estimated fair value of acquired insurance, annuity, and investment-type contracts in-force at the acquisition date. The estimated fair value of the acquired liabilities is based on actuarially determined projections, by each block of business, of future policy and contract charges, premiums, mortality and morbidity, separate account performance, surrenders, operating expenses, investment returns, nonperformance risk adjustment and other factors. Actual experience on the purchased business may vary from these projections. Revisions to estimates result in changes to the amounts expensed in the reporting period in which the revisions are made and could result in a charge to income. Also, as VOBA is amortized similarly to DAC and DSI, an acceleration of the amortization of VOBA would occur if the estimates of gross profits or margins were overstated. Accordingly, the amortization of such costs would be accelerated in the period in which the actual experience is known and would result in a charge to net income. Significant or sustained equity market declines could result in an acceleration of amortization of the VOBA related to variable annuity and variable universal life contracts, resulting in a charge to income. Such adjustments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired” for further consideration of DAC and VOBA.
 
Changes in Accounting Standards Issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or Other Standard- Setting Bodies May Adversely Affect Our Financial Statements
 
Our financial statements are subject to the application of GAAP, which is periodically revised and/or expanded. Accordingly, from time to time we are required to adopt new or revised accounting standards issued by recognized authoritative bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Market conditions have prompted accounting standard setters to expose new guidance which further interprets or seeks to revise accounting


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pronouncements related to financial instruments, structures or transactions, as well as to issue new standards expanding disclosures. The impact of accounting pronouncements that have been issued but not yet implemented is disclosed in this annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. An assessment of proposed standards is not provided as such proposals are subject to change through the exposure process and, therefore, the effects on our financial statements cannot be meaningfully assessed. It is possible that future accounting standards we are required to adopt could change the current accounting treatment that we apply to our consolidated financial statements and that such changes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Changes in Our Discount Rate, Expected Rate of Return and Expected Compensation Increase Assumptions for Our Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans May Result in Increased Expenses and Reduce Our Profitability
 
We determine our pension and other postretirement benefit plan costs based on our best estimates of future plan experience. These assumptions are reviewed regularly and include discount rates, expected rates of return on plan assets and expected increases in compensation levels and expected medical inflation. Changes in these assumptions may result in increased expenses and reduce our profitability. See Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details on how changes in these assumptions would affect plan costs.
 
Guarantees Within Certain of Our Products that Protect Policyholders Against Significant Downturns in Equity Markets May Decrease Our Earnings, Increase the Volatility of Our Results if Hedging or Risk Management Strategies Prove Ineffective, Result in Higher Hedging Costs and Expose Us to Increased Counterparty Risk
 
Certain of our variable annuity products include guaranteed benefits. These include guaranteed death benefits, guaranteed withdrawal benefits, lifetime withdrawal guarantees, guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits, and guaranteed minimum income benefits. Periods of significant and sustained downturns in equity markets, increased equity volatility, or reduced interest rates could result in an increase in the valuation of the future policy benefit or policyholder account balance liabilities associated with such products, resulting in a reduction to net income. We use reinsurance in combination with derivative instruments to mitigate the liability exposure and the volatility of net income associated with these liabilities, and while we believe that these and other actions have mitigated the risks related to these benefits, we remain liable for the guaranteed benefits in the event that reinsurers or derivative counterparties are unable or unwilling to pay. In addition, we are subject to the risk that hedging and other management procedures prove ineffective or that unanticipated policyholder behavior or mortality, combined with adverse market events, produces economic losses beyond the scope of the risk management techniques employed. These, individually or collectively, may have a material adverse effect on net income, financial condition or liquidity. We are also subject to the risk that the cost of hedging these guaranteed minimum benefits increases as implied volatilities increase and/or interest rates decrease, resulting in a reduction to net income.
 
The valuation of certain of the foregoing liabilities (carried at fair value) includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk that reflects the credit standing of the issuing entity. This adjustment, which is not hedged, is based in part on publicly available information regarding credit spreads related to the Holding Company’s debt, including credit default swaps. In periods of extreme market volatility, movements in these credit spreads can have a significant impact on net income.
 
Guarantees Within Certain of Our Life and Annuity Products May Increase Our Exposure to Foreign Exchange Risk, and Decrease Our Earnings
 
Certain of our life and annuity products are exposed to foreign exchange risk. Payments under these contracts may be required to be made in different currencies, depending on the circumstances. Therefore, payments may be required in a different currency than the currency upon which the liability valuation is based. If the currency upon which expected future payments are made strengthens relative to the currency upon which the liability valuation is based, the liability valuation may increase, resulting in a reduction of net income.


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We May Need to Fund Deficiencies in Our Closed Block; Assets Allocated to the Closed Block Benefit Only the Holders of Closed Block Policies
 
MLIC’s plan of reorganization, as amended (the “Plan”), required that we establish and operate an accounting mechanism, known as a closed block, to ensure that the reasonable dividend expectations of policyholders who own certain individual insurance policies of MLIC are met. See Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We allocated assets to the closed block in an amount that will produce cash flows which, together with anticipated revenue from the policies included in the closed block, are reasonably expected to be sufficient to support obligations and liabilities relating to these policies, including, but not limited to, provisions for the payment of claims and certain expenses and tax, and to provide for the continuation of the policyholder dividend scales in effect for 1999, if the experience underlying such scales continues, and for appropriate adjustments in such scales if the experience changes. We cannot provide assurance that the closed block assets, the cash flows generated by the closed block assets and the anticipated revenue from the policies included in the closed block will be sufficient to provide for the benefits guaranteed under these policies. If they are not sufficient, we must fund the shortfall. Even if they are sufficient, we may choose, for competitive reasons, to support policyholder dividend payments with our general account funds.
 
The closed block assets, the cash flows generated by the closed block assets and the anticipated revenue from the policies in the closed block will benefit only the holders of those policies. In addition, to the extent that these amounts are greater than the amounts estimated at the time the closed block was funded, dividends payable in respect of the policies included in the closed block may be greater than they would be in the absence of a closed block. Any excess earnings will be available for distribution over time only to closed block policyholders.
 
Litigation and Regulatory Investigations Are Increasingly Common in Our Businesses and May Result in Significant Financial Losses and/or Harm to Our Reputation
 
We face a significant risk of litigation and regulatory investigations and actions in the ordinary course of operating our businesses, including the risk of class action lawsuits. Our pending legal and regulatory actions include proceedings specific to us and others generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which we operate. In connection with our insurance operations, plaintiffs’ lawyers may bring or are bringing class actions and individual suits alleging, among other things, issues relating to sales or underwriting practices, claims payments and procedures, product design, disclosure, administration, denial or delay of benefits and breaches of fiduciary or other duties to customers. Plaintiffs in class action and other lawsuits against us may seek very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, and the damages claimed and the amount of any probable and estimable liability, if any, may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Due to the vagaries of litigation, the outcome of a litigation matter and the amount or range of potential loss at particular points in time may normally be difficult to ascertain. Uncertainties can include how fact finders will evaluate documentary evidence and the credibility and effectiveness of witness testimony, and how trial and appellate courts will apply the law in the context of the pleadings or evidence presented, whether by motion practice, or at trial or on appeal. Disposition valuations are also subject to the uncertainty of how opposing parties and their counsel will themselves view the relevant evidence and applicable law.
 
On a quarterly and annual basis, we review relevant information with respect to litigation and contingencies to be reflected in our consolidated financial statements. The review includes senior legal and financial personnel. Estimates of possible losses or ranges of loss for particular matters cannot in the ordinary course be made with a reasonable degree of certainty. Liabilities are established when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.
 
Liabilities have been established for a number of matters noted in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. It is possible that some of the matters could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that could not be estimated at December 31, 2010.


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MLIC and its affiliates are currently defendants in numerous lawsuits including class actions and individual suits, alleging improper marketing or sales of individual life insurance policies, annuities, mutual funds or other products.
 
In addition, MLIC is a defendant in a large number of lawsuits seeking compensatory and punitive damages for personal injuries allegedly caused by exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing products. These lawsuits principally have focused on allegations with respect to certain research, publication and other activities of one or more of MLIC’s employees during the period from the 1920’s through approximately the 1950’s and have alleged that MLIC learned or should have learned of certain health risks posed by asbestos and, among other things, improperly publicized or failed to disclose those health risks. Additional litigation relating to these matters may be commenced in the future. The ability of MLIC to estimate its ultimate asbestos exposure is subject to considerable uncertainty, and the conditions impacting its liability can be dynamic and subject to change. The availability of reliable data is limited and it is difficult to predict with any certainty the numerous variables that can affect liability estimates, including the number of future claims, the cost to resolve claims, the disease mix and severity of disease in pending and future claims, the impact of the number of new claims filed in a particular jurisdiction and variations in the law in the jurisdictions in which claims are filed, the possible impact of tort reform efforts, the willingness of courts to allow plaintiffs to pursue claims against MLIC when exposure took place after the dangers of asbestos exposure were well known, and the impact of any possible future adverse verdicts and their amounts. The number of asbestos cases that may be brought or the aggregate amount of any liability that MLIC may incur, and the total amount paid in settlements in any given year are uncertain and may vary significantly from year to year. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that our total exposure to asbestos claims may be materially greater than the liability recorded by us in our consolidated financial statements and that future charges to income may be necessary. The potential future charges could be material in the particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are recorded.
 
We are also subject to various regulatory inquiries, such as information requests, subpoenas and books and record examinations, from state and federal regulators and other authorities. A substantial legal liability or a significant regulatory action against us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, even if we ultimately prevail in the litigation, regulatory action or investigation, we could suffer significant reputational harm, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our ability to attract new customers, retain our current customers and recruit and retain employees. Regulatory inquiries and litigation may cause volatility in the price of stocks of companies in our industry.
 
The New York Attorney General announced on July 29, 2010 that his office had launched a major fraud investigation into the life insurance industry for practices related to the use of retained asset accounts as a settlement option for death benefits and that subpoenas requesting comprehensive data related to retained asset accounts have been served on MetLife and other insurance carriers. We received the subpoena on July 30, 2010. We also have received requests for documents and information from U.S. congressional committees and members as well as various state regulatory bodies, including the New York Insurance Department. It is possible that other state and federal regulators or legislative bodies may pursue similar investigations or make related inquiries. We cannot predict what effect any such investigations might have on our earnings or the availability of our retained asset account known as the Total Control Account (“TCA”), but we believe that our financial statements taken as a whole would not be materially affected. We believe that any allegations that information about the TCA is not adequately disclosed or that the accounts are fraudulent or violate state or federal laws are without merit.
 
We cannot give assurance that current claims, litigation, unasserted claims probable of assertion, investigations and other proceedings against us will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. It is also possible that related or unrelated claims, litigation, unasserted claims probable of assertion, investigations and proceedings may be commenced in the future, and we could become subject to further investigations and have lawsuits filed or enforcement actions initiated against us. In addition, increased regulatory


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scrutiny and any resulting investigations or proceedings could result in new legal actions and precedents and industry-wide regulations that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We May Not be Able to Protect Our Intellectual Property and May be Subject to Infringement Claims
 
We rely on a combination of contractual rights with third parties and copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret laws to establish and protect our intellectual property. Although we endeavor to protect our rights, third parties may infringe or misappropriate our intellectual property. We may have to litigate to enforce and protect our copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets and know-how or to determine their scope, validity or enforceability. This would represent a diversion of resources that may be significant and our efforts may not prove successful. The inability to secure or protect our intellectual property assets could have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to compete.
 
We may be subject to claims by third parties for (i) patent, trademark or copyright infringement, (ii) breach of copyright, trademark or license usage rights, or (iii) misappropriation of trade secrets. Any such claims and any resulting litigation could result in significant expense and liability for damages. If we were found to have infringed or misappropriated a third-party patent or other intellectual property right, we could in some circumstances be enjoined from providing certain products or services to our customers or from utilizing and benefiting from certain methods, processes, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets or licenses. Alternatively, we could be required to enter into costly licensing arrangements with third parties or implement a costly work around. Any of these scenarios could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
 
New and Impending Compensation and Corporate Governance Regulations Could Hinder or Prevent Us From Attracting and Retaining Management and Other Employees with the Talent and Experience to Manage and Conduct Our Business Effectively
 
The compensation and corporate governance practices of financial institutions have become and will continue to be subject to increasing regulation and scrutiny. Dodd-Frank includes new requirements that will affect our corporate governance and compensation practices, including some that have resulted in (or are likely to lead to) shareholders having the limited right to use MetLife, Inc.’s proxy statement to solicit proxies to vote for their own candidates for director, impose additional requirements for membership on Board committees, requirements for additional shareholder votes on compensation matters, requirements for policies to recover compensation previously paid to certain executives under certain circumstances, elimination of broker discretionary voting on compensation matters, requirements for additional performance and compensation disclosure, and other requirements. See “— Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth.” In addition, the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and other U.S. bank regulators have released guidelines on incentive compensation that may apply to or impact MetLife, Inc. as a bank holding company. These requirements and restrictions, and others Congress or regulators may propose or implement, could hinder or prevent us from attracting and retaining management and other employees with the talent and experience to manage and conduct our business effectively.
 
Although AIG has received assurances from the Troubled Asset Relief Program Special Master for Executive Compensation that neither we nor ALICO will be subject to compensation related requirements and restrictions under programs established in whole or in part under EESA, there can be no assurance that the Acquisition will not lead to greater public or governmental scrutiny, regulation, or restrictions on our compensation practices as a result of the Acquisition and expansion into new markets outside the U.S., whether in connection with AIG’s having received U.S. government funding or as a result of other factors.
 
Legislative and Regulatory Activity in Health Care and Other Employee Benefits Could Increase the Costs or Administrative Burdens of Providing Benefits to Our Employees or Hinder or Prevent Us From Attracting and Retaining Employees, or Affect our Profitability As a Provider of Life Insurance, Annuities, and Non-Medical Health Insurance Benefit Products
 
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed into law on March 23, 2010, and The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, signed into law on March 30, 2010 (together, the “Health Care Act”), may


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lead to fundamental changes in the way that employers, including us, provide health care benefits, other benefits, and other forms of compensation to their employees and former employees. Among other changes, and subject to various effective dates, the Health Care Act generally restricts certain limits on benefits, mandates coverage for certain kinds of care, extends the required coverage of dependent children through age 26, eliminates pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations, requires cost reporting and, in some cases, requires premium rebates to participants under certain circumstances, limits coverage waiting periods, establishes several penalties on employers who fail to offer sufficient coverage to their full-time employees, and requires employers under certain circumstances to provide employees with vouchers to purchase their own health care coverage. The Health Care Act also provides for increased taxation of “high cost” coverage, restricts the tax deductibility of certain compensation paid by health insurers, reduces the tax deductibility of retiree health care costs to the extent of any retiree prescription drug benefit subsidy provided to the employer by the federal government, increases Medicare taxes on certain high earners, and establishes health insurance “exchanges” for individual purchases of health insurance.
 
The impact of the Health Care Act on us as an employer and on the benefit plans we sponsor for employees or retirees and their dependents, whether those benefits remain competitive or effective in meeting their business objectives, and our costs to provide such benefits and our tax liabilities in connection with benefits or compensation, cannot be predicted. Furthermore, we cannot predict the impact of choices that will be made by various regulators, including the U.S. Treasury, the IRS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and state regulators, to promulgate regulations or guidance, or to make determinations under or related to the Health Care Act. Either the Health Care Act or any of these regulatory actions could adversely affect our ability to attract, retain, and motivate talented associates. They could also result in increased or unpredictable costs to provide employee benefits, and could harm our competitive position if we are subject to fees, penalties, tax provisions or other limitations in the Health Care Act and our competitors are not.
 
The Health Care Act also imposes requirements on us as a provider of non-medical health insurance benefit products, subject to various effective dates. It also imposes requirements on the purchasers of certain of these products and has implications for certain other MLIC products, such as annuities. We cannot predict the impact of the Act or of regulations, guidance or determinations made by various regulators, on the various products that we offer. Either the Health Care Act or any of these regulatory actions could adversely affect our ability to offer certain of these products in the same manner as we do today. They could also result in increased or unpredictable costs to provide certain products, and could harm our competitive position if the Health Care Act has a disparate impact on our products compared to products offered by our competitors.
 
The Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010 also includes certain provisions for defined benefit pension plan funding relief. These provisions may impact the likelihood and/or timing of corporate plan sponsors terminating their plans and/or engaging in transactions to partially or fully transfer pension obligations to an insurance company. As part of our Corporate Benefit Funding segment, we offer general account and separate account group annuity products that enable a plan sponsor to transfer these risks, often in connection with the termination of defined benefit pension plans. Consequently, this legislation could indirectly affect the mix of our business, with fewer closeouts and more non-guaranteed funding products, and adversely impact our results of operations.
 
Changes in U.S. Federal and State Securities Laws and Regulations, and State Insurance Regulations Regarding Suitability of Annuity Product Sales, May Affect Our Operations and Our Profitability
 
Federal and state securities laws and regulations apply to insurance products that are also “securities,” including variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. As a result, some of MetLife, Inc.’s subsidiaries and their activities in offering and selling variable insurance contracts and policies are subject to extensive regulation under these securities laws. These subsidiaries issue variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies through separate accounts that are registered with the SEC as investment companies under the Investment Company Act. Each registered separate account is generally divided into sub-accounts, each of which invests in an underlying mutual fund which is itself a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act. In addition, the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the separate accounts are registered with the SEC under the Securities Act. Other subsidiaries are registered with the SEC as


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broker-dealers under the Exchange Act, and are members of and subject to regulation by FINRA. Further, some of our subsidiaries are registered as investment advisers with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and are also registered as investment advisers in various states, as applicable.
 
Federal and state securities laws and regulations are primarily intended to ensure the integrity of the financial markets and to protect investors in the securities markets, as well as protect investment advisory or brokerage clients. These laws and regulations generally grant regulatory agencies broad rulemaking and enforcement powers, including the power to limit or restrict the conduct of business for failure to comply with the securities laws and regulations. A number of changes have recently been suggested to the laws and regulations that govern the conduct of our variable insurance products business and our distributors that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For example, Dodd-Frank authorizes the SEC to establish a standard of conduct applicable to brokers and dealers when providing personalized investment advice to retail and other customers. This standard of conduct would be to act in the best interest of the customer without regard to the financial or other interest of the broker or dealer providing the advice. Further, proposals have been made that the SEC establish a self-regulatory organization with respect to registered investment advisers, which could increase the level of regulatory oversight over such investment advisers.
 
In addition, state insurance regulators are becoming more active in adopting and enforcing suitability standards with respect to sales of annuities, both fixed and variable. In particular, the NAIC has adopted a revised Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation (“SAT”), that will, if enacted by the states, place new responsibilities upon issuing insurance companies with respect to the suitability of annuity sales, including responsibilities for training agents. Several states have already enacted laws based on the SAT.
 
We also may be subject to similar laws and regulations in the foreign countries in which we offer products or conduct other activities similar to those described above. See “Business — International Regulation.”
 
Changes in Tax Laws, Tax Regulations, or Interpretations of Such Laws or Regulations Could Increase Our Corporate Taxes; Changes in Tax Laws Could Make Some of Our Products Less Attractive to Consumers
 
Changes in tax laws, Treasury and other regulations promulgated thereunder, or interpretations of such laws or regulations could increase our corporate taxes. The Obama Administration has proposed corporate tax changes. Changes in corporate tax rates could affect the value of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities. Furthermore, the value of deferred tax assets could be impacted by future earnings levels.
 
Changes in tax laws could make some of our products less attractive to consumers. A shift away from life insurance and annuity contracts and other tax-deferred products would reduce our income from sales of these products, as well as the assets upon which we earn investment income. The Obama Administration has proposed certain changes to individual income tax rates and rules applicable to certain policies.
 
We cannot predict whether any tax legislation impacting corporate taxes or insurance products will be enacted, what the specific terms of any such legislation will be or whether, if at all, any legislation would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Changes to Regulations Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Could Adversely Affect Our Distribution Model by Restricting Our Ability to Provide Customers With Advice
 
The prohibited transaction rules of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code generally restrict the provision of investment advice to ERISA plans and participants and Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”) if the investment recommendation results in fees paid to the individual advisor, his or her firm or their affiliates that vary according to the investment recommendation chosen. In March 2010, the DOL issued proposed regulations which provide limited relief from these investment advice restrictions. If the proposed rules are issued in final form and no additional relief is provided regarding these investment advice restrictions, the ability of our affiliated broker-dealers and their registered representatives to provide investment advice to ERISA plans and participants, and with respect to IRAs, would likely be significantly restricted. Also, the fee and revenue arrangements of certain advisory


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programs may be required to be revenue neutral, resulting in potential lost revenues for these broker-dealers and their affiliates.
 
Other proposed regulatory initiatives under ERISA also may negatively impact the current business model of our broker-dealers. In particular, the DOL issued a proposed regulation in October 2010 that would, if adopted as proposed, significantly broaden the circumstances under which a person or entity providing investment advice with respect to ERISA plans or IRAs would be deemed a fiduciary under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code. If adopted, the proposed regulations may make it easier for the DOL in enforcement actions, and for plaintiffs’ attorneys in ERISA litigation, to attempt to extend fiduciary status to advisors who would not be deemed fiduciaries under current regulations.
 
In addition, the DOL has issued a number of regulations recently that increase the level of disclosure that must be provided to plan sponsors and participants, and may issue additional such regulations in 2011. These ERISA disclosure requirements will likely increase the regulatory and compliance burden upon MetLife, resulting in increased costs.
 
We May Be Unable to Attract and Retain Sales Representatives for Our Products
 
We must attract and retain productive sales representatives to sell our insurance, annuities and investment products. Strong competition exists among insurers for sales representatives with demonstrated ability. In addition, there is competition for representatives with other types of financial services firms, such as independent broker-dealers.
 
We compete with other insurers for sales representatives primarily on the basis of our financial position, support services and compensation and product features. We continue to undertake several initiatives to grow our career agency force while continuing to enhance the efficiency and production of our existing sales force. We cannot provide assurance that these initiatives will succeed in attracting and retaining new agents. Sales of individual insurance, annuities and investment products and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected if we are unsuccessful in attracting and retaining agents. See “Business — Competition.”
 
MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors May Control the Outcome of Stockholder Votes on Many Matters Due to the Voting Provisions of the MetLife Policyholder Trust
 
Under the Plan, we established the MetLife Policyholder Trust (the “Trust”) to hold the shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock allocated to eligible policyholders not receiving cash or policy credits under the plan. As of February 18, 2011, the Trust held 220,255,199 shares, or 22.3%, of the outstanding shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock. Because of the number of shares held in the Trust and the voting provisions of the Trust, the Trust may affect the outcome of matters brought to a stockholder vote.
 
Except on votes regarding certain fundamental corporate actions described below, the trustee will 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 recommendations, as directed by the Board. As a result of the voting provisions of the Trust, the Board of Directors may be able to control votes on matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, excluding those fundamental corporate actions, so long as the Trust holds a substantial number of shares of common stock.
 
If the vote relates to fundamental corporate actions specified in the Trust, the trustee will solicit instructions from the Trust beneficiaries and vote all shares held in the Trust in proportion to the instructions it receives. 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;


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  •  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 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 MetLife, Inc.’s stockholder rights plan, other than a proposal with respect to which we have received advice of nationally-recognized legal counsel to the effect that the proposal is not a proper subject for stockholder action under Delaware law. MetLife, Inc. does not currently have a stockholder rights plan.
 
If a vote concerns any of these fundamental corporate actions, the trustee will vote all of the shares of common stock held by the Trust in proportion to the instructions it received, which will give disproportionate weight to the instructions actually given by Trust beneficiaries.
 
ALICO Holdings has agreed to vote all shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock acquired by it in connection with the Acquisition in proportion to the votes cast by all other stockholders of MetLife, Inc., including the Trust.
 
State Laws, Federal Laws, Our Certificate of Incorporation and Our By-Laws May Delay, Deter or Prevent Takeovers and Business Combinations that Stockholders Might Consider in Their Best Interests
 
State laws and our certificate of incorporation and by-laws may delay, deter or prevent a takeover attempt that stockholders might consider in their best interests. For instance, they may prevent stockholders from receiving the benefit from any premium over the market price of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock if they are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future.
 
Any person seeking to acquire a controlling interest in us would face various regulatory obstacles which may delay, deter or prevent a takeover attempt that stockholders of MetLife, Inc. might consider in their best interests. First, the insurance laws and regulations of the various states in which MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries are organized may delay or impede a business combination involving us. State insurance laws prohibit an entity from acquiring control of an insurance company without the prior approval of the domestic insurance regulator. Under most states’ statutes, an entity is presumed to have control of an insurance company if it owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting stock of that insurance company or its parent company. We are also subject to banking regulations, and may in the future become subject to additional regulations. Dodd-Frank contains provisions that could restrict or impede consolidation, mergers and acquisitions by systemically significant firms and/or large bank holding companies. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Financial Holding Company Regulation — Change of Control and Restrictions on Mergers and Acquisitions.” In addition, the Investment Company Act would require approval by the contract owners of our variable contracts in order to effectuate a change of control of any affiliated investment adviser to a mutual fund underlying our variable contracts. Finally, FINRA approval would be necessary for a change of control of any FINRA registered broker-dealer that is a direct or indirect subsidiary of MetLife, Inc.
 
In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law may affect the ability of an “interested stockholder” to engage in certain business combinations, including mergers, consolidations or acquisitions of additional shares, for a period of three years following the time that the stockholder becomes an “interested stockholder.” An “interested stockholder” is defined to include persons owning, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation.
 
MetLife, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws also contain provisions that may delay, deter or prevent a takeover attempt that stockholders might consider in their best interests. These provisions may adversely affect prevailing market prices for MetLife, Inc.’s common stock and include: classification of MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors into three classes; a prohibition on the calling of special meetings by stockholders; advance notice procedures for the nomination of candidates to the Board of Directors and stockholder proposals to be considered at stockholder meetings; and supermajority voting requirements for the amendment of certain provisions of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws.


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The Continued Threat of Terrorism and Ongoing Military Actions May Adversely Affect the Level of Claim Losses We Incur and the Value of Our Investment Portfolio
 
The continued threat of terrorism, both within the U.S. and abroad, ongoing military and other actions and heightened security measures in response to these types of threats may cause significant volatility in global financial markets and result in loss of life, property damage, additional disruptions to commerce and reduced economic activity. Some of the assets in our investment portfolio may be adversely affected by declines in the credit and equity markets and reduced economic activity caused by the continued threat of terrorism. We cannot predict whether, and the extent to which, companies in which we maintain investments may suffer losses as a result of financial, commercial or economic disruptions, or how any such disruptions might affect the ability of those companies to pay interest or principal on their securities or mortgage loans. The continued threat of terrorism also could result in increased reinsurance prices and reduced insurance coverage and potentially cause us to retain more risk than we otherwise would retain if we were able to obtain reinsurance at lower prices. Terrorist actions also could disrupt our operations centers in the U.S. or abroad. In addition, the occurrence of terrorist actions could result in higher claims under our insurance policies than anticipated. See “— Difficult Conditions in the Global Capital Markets and the Economy Generally May Materially Adversely Affect Our Business and Results of Operations and These Conditions May Not Improve in the Near Future.”
 
The Occurrence of Events Unanticipated in Our Disaster Recovery Systems and Management Continuity Planning Could Impair Our Ability to Conduct Business Effectively
 
In the event of a disaster such as a natural catastrophe, an epidemic, an industrial accident, a blackout, a computer virus, a terrorist attack or war, unanticipated problems with our disaster recovery systems could have a material adverse impact on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial position, particularly if those problems affect our computer-based data processing, transmission, storage and retrieval systems and destroy valuable data. We depend heavily upon computer systems to provide reliable service. Despite our implementation of a variety of security measures, our computer systems could be subject to physical and electronic break-ins, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering. In addition, in the event that a significant number of our managers were unavailable in the event of a disaster, our ability to effectively conduct business could be severely compromised. These interruptions also may interfere with our suppliers’ ability to provide goods and services and our employees’ ability to perform their job responsibilities.
 
Our Associates May Take Excessive Risks Which Could Negatively Affect Our Financial Condition and Business
 
As an insurance enterprise, we are in the business of being paid to accept certain risks. The associates who conduct our business, including executive officers and other members of management, sales managers, investment professionals, product managers, sales agents, and other associates, do so in part by making decisions and choices that involve exposing us to risk. These include decisions such as setting underwriting guidelines and standards, product design and pricing, determining what assets to purchase for investment and when to sell them, which business opportunities to pursue, and other decisions. Although we endeavor, in the design and implementation of our compensation programs and practices, to avoid giving our associates incentives to take excessive risks, associates may take such risks regardless of the structure of our compensation programs and practices. Similarly, although we employ controls and procedures designed to monitor associates’ business decisions and prevent us from taking excessive risks, there can be no assurance that these controls and procedures are or may be effective. If our associates take excessive risks, the impact of those risks could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or business operations.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
MetLife has no unresolved comments from the SEC staff regarding its periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act.


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Item 2.   Properties
 
In 2006, we signed a lease for approximately 410,000 rentable square feet on 12 floors in an office building in Manhattan, New York. The term of that lease commenced during 2008 and continues for 21 years. In August 2009, we subleased 32,000 rentable square feet of that space to a subtenant, which has met our standards of review with respect to creditworthiness, and we currently have approximately 34,000 rentable square feet of space available for sublease. We moved certain operations from our Long Island City, Queens facility, to the Manhattan space in late 2008, but continue to maintain an on-going presence in Long Island City. Our lease in Long Island City covers 686,000 rentable square feet under a long-term lease arrangement that commenced during 2003 and continues for 20 years. In connection with the move of certain operations to Manhattan, in late 2008, we subleased 330,000 rentable square feet to four subtenants, each of which has met our standards of review with respect to creditworthiness. To date, with our occupancy and the four subtenants we have secured, we are fully subscribed at the Long Island City location.
 
In connection with the 2005 sale of the 200 Park Avenue property, we have retained rights to existing signage and are leasing space for associates in the property for 20 years with optional renewal periods through 2205.
 
We continue to own 15 other buildings in the U.S. that we use in the operation of our business. These buildings contain approximately four million rentable square feet and are located in the following states: Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Our computer center in Rensselaer, New York is not owned in fee but rather is occupied pursuant to a long-term ground lease. We lease space in approximately 700 other locations throughout the U.S., and these leased facilities consist of 8.9 million rentable square feet. Approximately 50% of these leases are occupied as sales offices for the U.S. Business operations. The balance of space is utilized for MetLife Bank and other corporate functions supporting business activities. We also own over 70 properties outside the U.S., comprised of 10 significant properties and the balance of condominium units. We lease approximately 1,200 sites in various locations outside the U.S. Of the aforementioned international locations, approximately 70 owned sites and approximately 700 leased sites were acquired recently in connection with the Acquisition. We believe that these properties are suitable and adequate for our current and anticipated business operations.
 
We arrange for property and casualty coverage on our properties, taking into consideration our risk exposures and the cost and availability of commercial coverages, including deductible loss levels. In connection with the renewal of those coverages, we have arranged $700 million of property insurance, including coverage for terrorism, on our real estate portfolio through May 15, 2011, its renewal date.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Item 4.   (Removed and Reserved)


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Part II
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Issuer Common Equity
 
MetLife, Inc.’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “MET” on April 5, 2000.
 
The following table presents high and low closing prices for the common stock on the NYSE for the periods indicated:
 
                                 
    2010
    1st Quarter   2nd Quarter   3rd Quarter   4th Quarter
 
Common Stock Price
                               
High
  $ 43.34     $ 47.10     $ 42.73     $ 44.92  
Low
  $ 33.64     $ 37.76     $ 36.49     $ 37.74  
 
                                 
    2009
    1st Quarter   2nd Quarter   3rd Quarter   4th Quarter
 
Common Stock Price
                               
High
  $ 35.97     $ 35.50     $ 40.83     $ 38.35  
Low
  $ 12.10     $ 23.43     $ 26.90     $ 33.22  
 
At February 18, 2011, there were 90,250 stockholders of record of common stock.
 
The table below presents dividend declaration, record and payment dates, as well as per share and aggregate dividend amounts, for the common stock:
 
                             
            Dividend
Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date   Per Share   Aggregate
            (In millions,
            except per share data)
 
October 26, 2010
  November 9, 2010     December 14, 2010     $ 0.74     $ 784  (1)
October 29, 2009
  November 9, 2009     December 14, 2009     $ 0.74     $ 610  
 
 
(1) Includes dividends paid on Series B Contingent Convertible Junior Participating Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”).
 
Future common stock dividend decisions will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors after taking into consideration factors such as our current earnings, expected medium-term and long-term earnings, financial condition, regulatory capital position, and applicable governmental regulations and policies. Furthermore, the payment of dividends and other distributions to the Company by its insurance subsidiaries is regulated by insurance laws and regulations. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Insurance Regulation,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Holding Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Dividends from Subsidiaries” and Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Purchases of common stock made by or on behalf of the Company or its affiliates during the quarter ended December 31, 2010 are set forth below:
 
                                 
            (c) Total Number
  (d) Maximum Number
            of Shares
  (or Approximate
            Purchased as Part
  Dollar Value) of
    (a) Total Number
      of Publicly
  Shares that May Yet
    of Shares
  (b) Average Price
  Announced Plans
  Be Purchased Under the
Period   Purchased (1)   Paid per Share   or Programs   Plans or Programs (2)
 
October 1- October 31, 2010
    1,241     $ 38.92           $ 1,260,735,127  
November 1- November 30, 2010
    160     $ 42.90           $ 1,260,735,127  
December 1- December 31, 2010
    987     $ 43.90           $ 1,260,735,127  
 
 
(1) During the periods October 1 through October 31, 2010, November 1 through November 30, 2010 and December 1 through December 31, 2010, separate account affiliates of the Company purchased 1,241 shares, 160 shares and 987 shares, respectively, of common stock on the open market in nondiscretionary transactions to rebalance index funds. Except as disclosed above, no shares of common stock were repurchased by the Company.
 
(2) At December 31, 2010, the Company had $1,261 million remaining under its common stock repurchase program authorizations. In April 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an additional $1.0 billion common stock repurchase program, which will begin after the completion of the January 2008 $1.0 billion common stock repurchase program, of which $261 million remained outstanding at December 31, 2010. Under these authorizations, the Company may purchase its common stock from the MetLife Policyholder Trust, in the open market (including pursuant to the terms of a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act) and in privately negotiated transactions. Whether or not to purchase any common stock and the size and timing of any such purchases will be determined in the Company’s complete discretion.
 
See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Share Repurchases” for further information relating to common stock repurchases.


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The following selected financial data has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. The statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and the balance sheet data at December 31, 2010 and 2009 have been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements included elsewhere herein. The statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the balance sheet data at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 have been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements not included herein. The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere herein.
 
                                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
    (In millions)  
 
Statement of Operations Data (1)
                                       
Revenues:
                                       
Premiums
  $ 27,394     $ 26,460     $ 25,914     $ 22,970     $ 22,052  
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    6,037       5,203       5,381       5,238       4,711  
Net investment income
    17,615       14,837       16,289       18,055       16,239  
Other revenues
    2,328       2,329       1,586       1,465       1,301  
Net investment gains (losses)
    (392 )     (2,906 )     (2,098 )     (318 )     (1,174 )
Net derivative gains (losses)
    (265 )     (4,866 )     3,910       (260 )     (208 )
                                         
Total revenues
    52,717       41,057       50,982       47,150       42,921  
                                         
Expenses:
                                       
Policyholder benefits and claims
    29,545       28,336       27,437       23,783       22,869  
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    4,925       4,849       4,788       5,461       4,899  
Policyholder dividends
    1,486       1,650       1,751       1,723       1,698  
Other expenses
    12,803       10,556       11,947       10,405       9,514  
                                         
Total expenses
    48,759       45,391       45,923       41,372       38,980  
                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax
    3,958       (4,334 )     5,059       5,778       3,941  
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    1,181       (2,015 )     1,580       1,675       1,027  
                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
    2,777       (2,319 )     3,479       4,103       2,914  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
    9       41       (201 )     362       3,526  
                                         
Net income (loss)
    2,786       (2,278 )     3,278       4,465       6,440  
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (4 )     (32 )     69       148       147  
                                         
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
    2,790       (2,246 )     3,209       4,317       6,293  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    122       122       125       137       134  
                                         
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 2,668     $ (2,368 )   $ 3,084     $ 4,180     $ 6,159  
                                         
 


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    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance Sheet Data (1)
                                       
Assets:
                                       
General account assets (2)
  $ 547,569     $ 390,273     $ 380,839     $ 399,007     $ 383,758  
Separate account assets
    183,337       149,041       120,839       160,142       144,349  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 730,906     $ 539,314     $ 501,678     $ 559,149     $ 528,107  
                                         
Liabilities:
                                       
Policyholder liabilities and other policy-related balances (3)
  $ 401,905     $ 283,759     $ 282,261     $ 261,442     $ 252,099  
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
    27,272       24,196       31,059       44,136       45,846  
Bank deposits
    10,316       10,211       6,884       4,534       4,638  
Short-term debt
    306       912       2,659       667       1,449  
Long-term debt (2)
    27,586       13,220       9,667       9,100       8,822  
Collateral financing arrangements
    5,297       5,297       5,192       4,882        
Junior subordinated debt securities
    3,191       3,191       3,758       4,075       3,381  
Other (2)
    22,583       15,989       15,374       33,186       32,277  
Separate account liabilities
    183,337       149,041       120,839       160,142       144,349  
                                         
Total liabilities
    681,793       505,816       477,693       522,164       492,861  
                                         
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated securities
    117                          
                                         
Equity:
                                       
MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity:
                                       
Preferred stock, at par value
    1       1       1       1       1  
Convertible preferred stock, at par value
                             
Common stock, at par value
    10       8       8       8       8  
Additional paid-in capital
    26,423       16,859       15,811       17,098       17,454  
Retained earnings
    21,363       19,501       22,403       19,884       16,574  
Treasury stock, at cost
    (172 )     (190 )     (236 )     (2,890 )     (1,357 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    1,000       (3,058 )     (14,253 )     1,078       1,118  
                                         
Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity
    48,625       33,121       23,734       35,179       33,798  
Noncontrolling interests
    371       377       251       1,806       1,448  
                                         
Total equity
    48,996       33,498       23,985       36,985       35,246  
                                         
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 730,906     $ 539,314     $ 501,678     $ 559,149     $ 528,107  
                                         
 

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    Years Ended December 31,
    2010   2009   2008   2007   2006
    (In millions, except per share data)
 
Other Data (1), (4)
                             
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 2,668   $ (2,368)   $ 3,084   $ 4,180   $ 6,159
Return on MetLife, Inc.’s common equity
    6.9%     (9.0)%     11.2%     12.9%     20.9%
Return on MetLife, Inc.’s common equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    7.0%     (6.8)%     9.1%     13.3%     22.1%
EPS Data (1), (5)
                             
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Available to MetLife, Inc.’s Common Shareholders Per Common Share:
                             
Basic
  $ 3.01   $ (2.94)   $ 4.60   $ 5.32   $ 3.64
Diluted
  $ 2.99   $ (2.94)   $ 4.54   $ 5.19   $ 3.59
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations Per Common Share:
                             
Basic
  $ 0.01   $ 0.05   $ (0.41)   $ 0.30   $ 4.45
Diluted
  $ 0.01   $ 0.05   $ (0.40)   $ 0.29   $ 4.40
Net Income (Loss) Available to MetLife, Inc.’s Common Shareholders Per Common Share:
                             
Basic
  $ 3.02   $ (2.89)   $ 4.19   $ 5.62   $ 8.09
Diluted
  $ 3.00   $ (2.89)   $ 4.14   $ 5.48   $ 7.99
Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share
  $ 0.74   $ 0.74   $ 0.74   $ 0.74   $ 0.59
 
 
(1) On November 1, 2010, the Holding Company acquired ALICO. The results of the Acquisition are reflected in the 2010 selected financial data. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(2) At December 31, 2010, general account assets, long-term debt and other liabilities include amounts relating to variable interest entities of $11,080 million, $6,902 million and $93 million, respectively.
 
(3) Policyholder liabilities and other policy-related balances include future policy benefits, policyholder account balances, other policy-related balances, policyholder dividends payable and the policyholder dividend obligation.
 
(4) Return on MetLife, Inc.’s common equity is defined as net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders divided by MetLife, Inc.’s average common stockholders’ equity.
 
(5) For the year ended December 31, 2009, shares related to the assumed exercise or issuance of stock-based awards have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as these assumed shares are anti-dilutive.
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
For purposes of this discussion, “MetLife,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MetLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999 (the “Holding Company”), its subsidiaries and affiliates. Following this summary is a discussion addressing the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of the Company for the periods indicated. This discussion should be read in conjunction with “Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors,” “Selected Financial Data” and the Company’s consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
 
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning 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

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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. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
 
The following discussion includes references to our performance measures operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders, that are not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Operating earnings is the measure of segment profit or loss we use to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources and, consistent with GAAP accounting guidance for segment reporting, is our measure of segment performance. Operating earnings is also a measure by which our senior management’s and many other employees’ performance is evaluated for the purposes of determining their compensation under applicable compensation plans. Operating earnings is defined as operating revenues less operating expenses, net of income tax. Operating earnings available to common shareholders, which is used to evaluate the performance of Banking, Corporate & Other, as well as MetLife, is defined as operating earnings less preferred stock dividends.
 
Operating revenues is defined as GAAP revenues (i) less net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses); (ii) less amortization of unearned revenue related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses); (iii) plus scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives that are hedges of investments but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment; (iv) plus income from discontinued real estate operations; (v) less net investment income related to contractholder-directed unit-linked investments; and (vi) plus, for operating joint ventures reported under the equity method of accounting, the aforementioned adjustments, those identified in the definition of operating expenses and changes in the fair value of hedges of operating joint venture liabilities, all net of income tax.
 
Operating expenses is defined as GAAP expenses (i) less changes in policyholder benefits associated with asset value fluctuations related to experience-rated contractholder liabilities and certain inflation-indexed liabilities; (ii) less costs related to business combinations (since January 1, 2009) and noncontrolling interests; (iii) less amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) and changes in the policyholder dividend obligation related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses); (iv) less interest credited to policyholder account balances (“PABs”) related to contractholder-directed unit-linked investments; and (v) plus scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives that are hedges of PABs but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.
 
In addition, operating revenues and operating expenses do not reflect the consolidation of certain securitization entities that are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) as required under GAAP.
 
We believe the presentation of operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders as we measure it for management purposes enhances the understanding of our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of our businesses. Operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders should not be viewed as substitutes for GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax. Reconciliations of operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders to GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, are included in “— Results of Operations.”
 
In this discussion, we sometimes refer to sales activity for various products. These sales statistics do not correspond to revenues under GAAP, but are used as relevant measures of business activity.
 
Executive Summary
 
MetLife is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs throughout the United States (“U.S.”), Japan, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife offers life insurance, annuities, auto and homeowners insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. MetLife is organized into five segments: Insurance Products, Retirement Products, Corporate Benefit Funding and Auto & Home (collectively, “U.S. Business”) and International. The assets and liabilities of American Life Insurance Company (“American Life”) and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (“DelAm,” together with American Life, collectively, “ALICO”) as of November 30, 2010 and


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the operating results of ALICO from November 1, 2010 (the “Acquisition Date”) through November 30, 2010 are included in the International segment. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Banking, Corporate & Other, which is comprised of MetLife Bank, National Association (“MetLife Bank”) and other business activities. For reporting periods beginning in 2011, our non-U.S. Business results will be presented within two separate segments: Japan and Other International Regions.
 
On the Acquisition Date, the Holding Company completed the acquisition of American Life from ALICO Holdings LLC (“ALICO Holdings”), a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”), and DelAm from AIG, (the “Acquisition”) for a total purchase price of $16.4 billion. The business acquired in the Acquisition provides consumers and businesses with life insurance, accident and health insurance, retirement and wealth management solutions. This transaction delivers on our global growth strategies, adding significant scale and reach to MetLife’s international footprint, furthering our diversification in geographic mix and product offerings, as well as increasing our distribution strength. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
As the U.S. and global financial markets continue to recover, we have experienced a significant improvement in net investment income and favorable changes in net investment and net derivative gains (losses). We also continue to experience an increase in market share and sales in some of our businesses, in part, from a flight to quality in the industry. These positive factors were somewhat dampened by the negative impact of general economic conditions, including high levels of unemployment, on the demand for certain of our products.
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
  $ 2,777     $ (2,319 )   $ 3,479  
Less: Net investment gains (losses)
    (392 )     (2,906 )     (2,098 )
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
    (265 )     (4,866 )     3,910  
Less: Adjustments to continuing operations (1)
    (981 )     283       (664 )
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
    401       2,683       (488 )
                         
Operating earnings
    4,014       2,487       2,819  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    122       122       125  
                         
Operating earnings available to common shareholders
  $ 3,892     $ 2,365     $ 2,694  
                         
 
 
(1) See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses for the components of such adjustments.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010 compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, MetLife’s income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax increased $5.1 billion to a gain of $2.8 billion from a loss of $2.3 billion in 2009, of which $2 million in losses is from the inclusion of ALICO results for one month in 2010 and the impact of financing costs for the Acquisition. The change was predominantly due to a $4.6 billion favorable change in net derivative gains (losses), before income tax, and a $2.5 billion favorable change in net investment gains (losses), before income tax. Offsetting these favorable variances were unfavorable changes in adjustments related to continuing operations of $1.3 billion, before income tax, and $2.2 billion of income tax, resulting in a total favorable variance of $3.6 billion. In addition, operating earnings available to common shareholders increased $1.5 billion to $3.9 billion in the current year from $2.4 billion in the prior year.
 
The favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) of $3.0 billion was primarily driven by net gains on freestanding derivatives in the current year compared to net losses in the prior year, partially offset by an unfavorable change in embedded derivatives from gains in the prior year to losses in the current year. The favorable change in freestanding derivatives was primarily attributable to market factors, including falling long-term and mid-term interest rates, a stronger recovery in equity markets in the prior year than the current year, equity volatility, which decreased more in the prior year as compared to the current year, a strengthening U.S. dollar and widening corporate credit spreads in the financial services sector. The favorable change in net investment gains (losses) of


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$1.6 billion was primarily driven by a decrease in impairments and a decrease in the provision for credit losses on mortgage loans. These favorable changes in net derivative and net investment gains (losses) were partially offset by an unfavorable change of $514 million in related adjustments.
 
The improvement in the financial markets, which began in the second quarter of 2009 and continued into 2010, was a key driver of the $1.5 billion increase in operating earnings available to common shareholders. Such market improvement was most evident in higher net investment income and policy fees, as well as a decrease in variable annuity guarantee benefit costs. These increases were partially offset by an increase in amortization of DAC, VOBA and deferred sales inducements (“DSI”) as a result of an increase in average separate account balances and higher current year gross margins in the closed block driven by increased investment yields and the impact of dividend scale reductions. The 2010 period also includes one month of ALICO results, contributing $114 million to the increase in operating earnings. The favorable impact of a reduction in discretionary spending associated with our enterprise-wide cost reduction and revenue enhancement initiative was more than offset by an increase in other expenses related to our International business. This increase primarily stemmed from the impact of a benefit recorded in the prior year related to the pesification in Argentina, as well as current year business growth in the segment.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009 compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, MetLife’s income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, decreased $5.8 billion to a loss of $2.3 billion from income of $3.5 billion in the comparable 2008 period. The year over year change is predominantly due to an $8.8 billion unfavorable change in net derivative gains (losses), before income tax, to losses of $4.9 billion in 2009 from gains of $3.9 billion in 2008. In addition, there was an $808 million unfavorable change in net investment gains (losses), before income tax. Offsetting these variances were favorable changes in adjustments related to continuing operations of $947 million, before income tax, and $3.2 billion of income tax, resulting in a total unfavorable variance of $5.5 billion. In addition, operating earnings available to common shareholders decreased by $329 million to $2.4 billion in 2009 from $2.7 billion in 2008.
 
The unfavorable change in net derivative gains (losses) of $8.8 billion was primarily driven by losses on freestanding derivatives, partially offset by gains on embedded derivatives, most of which were associated with variable annuity minimum benefit guarantees, and lower losses on fixed maturity securities. The unfavorable change in net investment gains (losses) of $808 million was primarily driven by an increase in impairments. These unfavorable changes in gains (losses) were partially offset by a favorable change of $947 million in related adjustments.
 
The positive impact of business growth and favorable mortality in several of our businesses was more than offset by a decline in net investment income, resulting in a decrease in operating earnings of $329 million. The decrease in net investment income caused significant declines in the operating earnings of many of our businesses, especially the interest spread businesses. Also contributing to the decline in operating earnings was an increase in net guaranteed annuity benefit costs and a charge related to our closed block of business, a specific group of participating life policies that were segregated in connection with the demutualization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”). The favorable impact of our enterprise-wide cost reduction and revenue enhancement initiative, was more than offset by higher pension and postretirement benefit costs, driving the increase in other expenses. The declines in operating earnings were partially offset by a change in amortization related to DAC, DSI and unearned revenue.
 
Consolidated Company Outlook
 
As a result of the Acquisition, operations outside the U.S. are expected to contribute approximately 30% of the premiums, fees and other revenues and approximately 40% of MetLife’s operating earnings in 2011.


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In 2010, general economic conditions improved and interest rates remained low throughout the year. In 2011, we expect a significant improvement in the operating earnings of the Company, driven primarily by the following:
 
  •  Premiums, fees and other revenues growth in 2011 of approximately 30%, of which 27% is directly attributable to the Acquisition. The remaining 3% increase is driven by:
 
  •  Increases in our non-U.S. businesses from continuing organic growth throughout our various geographic regions;
 
  •  Higher fees earned on separate accounts, as the equity markets continue to improve, thereby increasing the value of those separate accounts. In addition, net flows of variable annuities are expected to continue to be strong in 2011, which also increases the account values upon which these fees are earned;
 
  •  Increased sales in the pension closeout business, both in the U.S. and the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), as we expect the demand for these products to return to a more normal level in 2011.
 
  •  Focus on disciplined underwriting. We see no significant changes to the underlying trends that drive underwriting results and anticipate solid results in 2011.
 
  •  Focus on expense management. We continue to focus on expense control throughout the Company, specifically managing the costs associated with the integration of ALICO. We also expect to begin realizing cost synergies later in 2011.
 
  •  Returns on investment portfolio. Although the market environment remains challenging, we expect the returns on our investment portfolio in 2011, with respect to both income and realized gains and losses, will be in line with the results achieved in 2010.
 
More difficult to predict is the impact of potential changes in fair value of freestanding and embedded derivatives as even relatively small movements in market variables, including interest rates, equity levels and volatility, can have a large impact on the fair value of derivatives and net derivative gains (losses). Additionally, changes in fair value of embedded derivatives within certain insurance liabilities may have a material impact on net derivative gains (losses) related to the inclusion of an adjustment for nonperformance risk.
 
Industry Trends
 
Despite improvement in general economic conditions in 2010, we continue to be impacted by the unstable global financial and economic environment that has been affecting the industry.
 
Financial and Economic Environment.  Our business and results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy, generally, both in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. The global economy and markets are now recovering from a period of significant stress that began in the second half of 2007 and substantially increased through the first quarter of 2009. This disruption adversely affected the financial services industry, in particular. The U.S. economy entered a recession in late 2007. This recession ended in mid-2009, but the recovery from the recession has been below historic averages and the unemployment rate is expected to remain high for some time. In addition, inflation has fallen over the last several years and is expected to remain at low levels for some time. Some economists believe that some level of disinflation and deflation risk remains in the economy.
 
Throughout 2008 and continuing in 2009, Congress, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), the U.S. Treasury and other agencies of the Federal government took a number of increasingly aggressive actions (in addition to continuing a series of interest rate reductions that began in the second half of 2007) intended to provide liquidity to financial institutions and markets, to avert a loss of investor confidence in particular troubled institutions, to prevent or contain the spread of the financial crisis and to spur economic growth. Most of these programs have run their course or have been discontinued. The monetary policy by the Federal Reserve Board and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”), which was signed by President Obama in July 2010, are more likely to be relevant to MetLife, Inc. and will significantly change financial regulation in the U.S. See “— Regulatory Changes.” In addition, the oversight body of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision announced in December 2010 increased capital and liquidity requirements (commonly referred


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to as “Basel III”) for bank holding companies, such as MetLife, Inc. Assuming these requirements are endorsed and adopted by the U.S., they are to be phased in beginning January 1, 2013. It is possible that even more stringent capital and liquidity requirements could be imposed under Dodd-Frank and Basel III.
 
It is not certain what effect the enactment of Dodd-Frank or Basel III will have on the financial markets, the availability of credit, asset prices and MetLife’s operations. We cannot predict whether the funds made available by the U.S. Federal government and its agencies will be enough to continue stabilizing or to further revive the financial markets or, if additional amounts are necessary, whether Congress will be willing to make the necessary appropriations, what the public’s sentiment would be towards any such appropriations, or what additional requirements or conditions might be imposed on the use of any such additional funds.
 
The imposition of additional regulation on large financial institutions may have, over time, the effect of supporting some aspects of the financial services industry more than others. This could adversely affect our competitive position.
 
Although the disruption in the global financial markets has moderated, not all such markets are functioning normally, and some remain reliant upon government intervention and liquidity. The global recession and disruption of the financial markets has also led to concerns over capital markets access and the solvency of certain European Union member states, including Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain. In response, on May 10, 2010, the European Union, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund announced a rescue package of up to €750 billion, or approximately $1 trillion, for European nations in the Eurozone. This rescue package is intended to stabilize these economies. The Japanese economy, to which we face increased exposure as a result of the Acquisition, continues to experience low nominal growth, a deflationary environment, and weak consumer spending.
 
Recent global economic conditions have had and could continue to have an adverse effect on the financial results of companies in the financial services industry, including MetLife. Such global economic conditions, as well as the global financial markets, continue to impact our net investment income, our net investment and net derivative gains (losses), and the demand for and the cost and profitability of certain of our products, including variable annuities and guarantee benefits. See ‘‘— Results of Operations” and “— Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
 
Competitive Pressures.  The life insurance industry remains highly competitive. The product development and product life-cycles have shortened in many product segments, leading to more intense competition with respect to product features. Larger companies have the ability to invest in brand equity, product development, technology and risk management, which are among the fundamentals for sustained profitable growth in the life insurance industry. In addition, several of the industry’s products can be quite homogeneous and subject to intense price competition. Sufficient scale, financial strength and financial flexibility are becoming prerequisites for sustainable growth in the life insurance industry. Larger market participants tend to have the capacity to invest in additional distribution capability and the information technology needed to offer the superior customer service demanded by an increasingly sophisticated industry client base. We believe that the turbulence in financial markets that began in the second half of 2007, its impact on the capital position of many competitors, and subsequent actions by regulators and rating agencies have highlighted financial strength as a significant differentiator from the perspective of customers and certain distributors. In addition, the financial market turbulence and the economic recession have led many companies in our industry to re-examine the pricing and features of the products they offer and may lead to consolidation in the life insurance industry.
 
Regulatory Changes.  The U.S. life insurance industry is regulated at the state level, with some products and services also subject to Federal regulation. As life insurers introduce new and often more complex products, regulators refine capital requirements and introduce new reserving standards for the life insurance industry. Regulations recently adopted or currently under review can potentially impact the statutory reserve and capital requirements of the industry. In addition, regulators have undertaken market and sales practices reviews of several markets or products, including equity-indexed annuities, variable annuities and group products. The regulation of the financial services industry in the U.S. and internationally has received renewed scrutiny as a result of the disruptions in the financial markets in 2008 and 2009. Significant regulatory reforms have been proposed and these or other reforms could be implemented. See “Business — U.S. Regulation” and “Business — International Regulation.” We cannot predict whether any such reforms will be adopted, the form they will take or their effect upon us. We also cannot predict how the various government responses to the recent financial and economic difficulties will affect the financial services and insurance industries or the standing of particular companies, including us, within those industries. See “Business — Governmental


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Responses to Extraordinary Market Conditions,” “Risk Factors — Our Insurance, Brokerage and Banking Businesses Are Heavily Regulated, and Changes in Regulation May Reduce Our Profitability and Limit Our Growth” and “Risk Factors — Changes in U.S. Federal and State Securities Laws and Regulations, and State Insurance Regulations Regarding Suitability of Annuity Product Sales, May Affect Our Operations and Our Profitability.” Until various studies are completed and final regulations are promulgated pursuant to Dodd-Frank, the full impact of Dodd-Frank on the investments, investment activities and insurance and annuity products of the Company remain unclear. See “Risk Factors — Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth.” Under Dodd-Frank, as a large, interconnected bank holding company with assets of $50 billion or more, or possibly as an otherwise systemically important financial company, MetLife, Inc. will be subject to enhanced prudential standards imposed on systemically significant financial companies. Enhanced standards will be applied to Tier 1 and total risk-based capital (“RBC”), liquidity, leverage (unless another, similar standard is appropriate for the Company), resolution plan and credit exposure reporting, concentration limits, and risk management. The so-called “Volcker Rule” provisions of Dodd-Frank restrict the ability of affiliates of insured depository institutions (such as MetLife Bank) to engage in proprietary trading or sponsor or invest in hedge funds or private equity funds. See “Risk Factors — Various Aspects of Dodd-Frank Could Impact Our Business Operations, Capital Requirements and Profitability and Limit Our Growth.”
 
Mortgage and Foreclosure-Related Exposures.  In 2008 MetLife Bank acquired certain assets to enter the forward and reverse residential mortgage origination and servicing business, including rights to service residential mortgage loans. At various times since then, including most recently in the third quarter of 2010, MetLife Bank has acquired additional residential mortgage loan servicing rights. As an originator and servicer of mortgage loans, which are usually sold to an investor shortly after origination, MetLife Bank has obligations to repurchase loans upon demand by the investor due to (i) a determination that material representations made in connection with the sale of the loans (relating, for example, to the underwriting and origination of the loans) are incorrect or (ii) defects in servicing of the loan. MetLife Bank is indemnified by the sellers of the acquired assets, for various periods depending on the transaction and the nature of the claim, for origination and servicing deficiencies that occurred prior to MetLife Bank’s acquisition, including indemnification for any repurchase claims made from investors who purchased mortgage loans from the sellers. Substantially all mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) that were acquired by MetLife Bank relate to loans sold to Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”). Since the 2008 acquisitions, MetLife Bank has originated and sold mortgages primarily to FNMA, FHLMC and Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) (collectively, the “Agency Investors”) and, to a limited extent, a small number of private investors. Currently 99% of MetLife Bank’s $83 billion servicing portfolio is comprised of products sold to Agency Investors. Other than repurchase obligations which are subject to indemnification by sellers of acquired assets as described above, MetLife Bank’s exposure to repurchase obligations and losses related to origination deficiencies is limited to the approximately $52 billion of loans originated by MetLife Bank (all of which have been originated since August 2008) and to servicing deficiencies after the date of acquisition, and management is satisfied that adequate provision has been made in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable repurchase obligations and losses.
 
In light of recent events concerning foreclosure proceedings within the industry, MetLife Bank has undertaken a close review of its procedures. MetLife Bank verifies the accuracy of borrower information included in affidavits filed in foreclosure proceedings. We do not believe that MetLife Bank has material exposure to potential losses arising from challenges to its foreclosure procedures. Like other mortgage servicers, MetLife Bank has been the subject of recent inquiries and investigations from state attorneys general and banking regulators. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. The most critical estimates include those used in determining:
 
  (i)  the estimated fair value of investments in the absence of quoted market values;
 
  (ii)  investment impairments;


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  (iii)  the recognition of income on certain investment entities and the application of the consolidation rules to certain investments;
 
  (iv)  the estimated fair value of and accounting for freestanding derivatives and the existence and estimated fair value of embedded derivatives requiring bifurcation;
 
  (v)  the capitalization and amortization of DAC and the establishment and amortization of VOBA;
 
  (vi)  the measurement of goodwill and related impairment, if any;
 
  (vii)  the liability for future policyholder benefits and the accounting for reinsurance contracts;
 
  (viii)  accounting for income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets;
 
  (ix)  accounting for employee benefit plans; and
 
  (x)  the liability for litigation and regulatory matters.
 
The application of purchase accounting requires the use of estimation techniques in determining the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed — the most significant of which relate to aforementioned critical accounting estimates. In applying the Company’s accounting policies, we make subjective and complex judgments that frequently require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. Many of these policies, estimates and related judgments are common in the insurance and financial services industries; others are specific to the Company’s businesses and operations. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
Fair Value
 
The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In many cases, the exit price and the transaction (or entry) price will be the same at initial recognition. However, in certain cases, the transaction price may not represent fair value. The fair value of a liability is based on the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability to a third party with the same credit standing. It requires that fair value be a market-based measurement in which the fair value is determined based on a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date, considered from the perspective of a market participant. When quoted prices are not used to determine fair value of an asset, the Company considers three broad valuation techniques: (i) the market approach, (ii) the income approach, and (iii) the cost approach. The Company determines the most appropriate valuation technique to use, given what is being measured and the availability of sufficient inputs. The Company prioritizes the inputs to fair valuation techniques and allows for the use of unobservable inputs to the extent that observable inputs are not available. The Company categorizes its assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value into a three-level hierarchy, based on the priority of the inputs to the respective valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset or liability’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input to its valuation. The input levels are as follows:
 
  Level 1   Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company defines active markets based on average trading volume for equity securities. The size of the bid/ask spread is used as an indicator of market activity for fixed maturity securities.
 
  Level 2   Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities other than quoted prices in Level 1; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other significant inputs that are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
 
  Level 3   Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the estimated fair value of the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as


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  instruments for which the determination of estimated fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
 
Prior to January 1, 2009, the measurement and disclosures of fair value based on exit price excluded certain items such as nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities initially measured at estimated fair value in a business combination, reporting units measured at estimated fair value in the first step of a goodwill impairment test and indefinite-lived intangible assets measured at estimated fair value for impairment assessment.
 
In addition, the Company elected the fair value option (“FVO”) for certain of its financial instruments to better match measurement of assets and liabilities in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Estimated Fair Value of Investments
 
The Company’s investments in fixed maturity and equity securities, investments in trading and other securities, certain short-term investments, most mortgage loans held-for-sale, and MSRs are reported at their estimated fair value. In determining the estimated fair value of these investments, various methodologies, assumptions and inputs are utilized, as described further below.
 
When available, the estimated fair value of securities is based on quoted prices in active markets that are readily and regularly obtainable. Generally, these are the most liquid of the Company’s securities holdings and valuation of these securities does not involve management judgment.
 
When quoted prices in active markets are not available, the determination of estimated fair value is based on market standard valuation methodologies. The market standard valuation methodologies utilized include: discounted cash flow methodologies, matrix pricing or other similar techniques. The inputs to these market standard valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to: interest rates, credit standing of the issuer or counterparty, industry sector of the issuer, coupon rate, call provisions, sinking fund requirements, maturity, estimated duration and management’s assumptions regarding liquidity and estimated future cash flows. Accordingly, the estimated fair values are based on available market information and management’s judgments about financial instruments.
 
The significant inputs to the market standard valuation methodologies for certain types of securities with reasonable levels of price transparency are inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Such observable inputs include benchmarking prices for similar assets in active, liquid markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active and observable yields and spreads in the market.
 
When observable inputs are not available, the market standard valuation methodologies for determining the estimated fair value of certain types of securities that trade infrequently, and therefore have little or no price transparency, rely on inputs that are significant to the estimated fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. These unobservable inputs can be based in large part on management judgment or estimation, and cannot be supported by reference to market activity. Even though unobservable, these inputs are based on assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances and consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such securities.
 
The estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans held-for-sale is determined based on observable pricing of residential mortgage loans held-for-sale with similar characteristics, or observable pricing for securities backed by similar types of loans, adjusted to convert the securities prices to loan prices. Generally, quoted market prices are not available. When observable pricing for similar loans or securities that are backed by similar loans are not available, the estimated fair values of residential mortgage loans held-for-sale are determined using independent broker quotations, which is intended to approximate the amounts that would be received from third parties. Certain other mortgage loans have also been designated as held-for-sale which are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value less expected disposition costs determined on an individual loan basis. For these loans, estimated fair value is determined using independent broker quotations or, when the loan is in foreclosure or otherwise determined to be collateral dependent, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral estimated using internal models.


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MSRs, which are recorded in other invested assets, are measured at estimated fair value and are either acquired or are generated from the sale of originated residential mortgage loans where the servicing rights are retained by the Company. The estimated fair value of MSRs is principally determined through the use of internal discounted cash flow models which utilize various assumptions. Valuation inputs and assumptions include generally observable items such as type and age of loan, loan interest rates, current market interest rates, and certain unobservable inputs, including assumptions regarding estimates of discount rates, loan prepayments and servicing costs, all of which are sensitive to changing markets conditions. The use of different valuation assumptions and inputs, as well as assumptions relating to the collection of expected cash flows, may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of MSRs.
 
Financial markets are susceptible to severe events evidenced by rapid depreciation in asset values accompanied by a reduction in asset liquidity. The Company’s ability to sell securities, or the price ultimately realized for these securities, depends upon the demand and liquidity in the market and increases the use of judgment in determining the estimated fair value of certain securities.
 
Investment Impairments
 
One of the significant estimates related to available-for-sale securities is the evaluation of investments for impairments. The assessment of whether impairments have occurred is based on our case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in estimated fair value. The Company’s review of its fixed maturity and equity securities for impairments includes an analysis of the total gross unrealized losses by three categories of severity and/or age of the gross unrealized loss, as described more fully in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. An extended and severe unrealized loss position on a fixed maturity security may not have any impact on the ability of the issuer to service all scheduled interest and principal payments and the Company’s evaluation of recoverability of all contractual cash flows or the ability to recover an amount at least equal to its amortized cost based on the present value of the expected future cash flows to be collected. In contrast, for certain equity securities, greater weight and consideration are given by the Company to a decline in estimated fair value and the likelihood such estimated fair value decline will recover.
 
Additionally, we consider a wide range of factors about the security issuer and use our best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for near-term recovery. Inherent in our evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential. Considerations used by the Company in the impairment evaluation process include, but are not limited to:
 
  (i)  the length of time and the extent to which the estimated fair value has been below cost or amortized cost;
 
  (ii)  the potential for impairments of securities when the issuer is experiencing significant financial difficulties;
 
  (iii)  the potential for impairments in an entire industry sector or sub-sector;
 
  (iv)  the potential for impairments in certain economically depressed geographic locations;
 
  (v)  the potential for impairments of securities where the issuer, series of issuers or industry has suffered a catastrophic type of loss or has exhausted natural resources;
 
  (vi)  with respect to fixed maturity securities, whether the Company has the intent to sell or will more likely than not be required to sell a particular security before recovery of the decline in estimated fair value below cost or amortized cost;
 
  (vii)  with respect to equity securities, whether the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for the recovery of its value to an amount equal to or greater than cost;
 
  (viii)  unfavorable changes in projected cash flows on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities (“ABS”); and
 
  (ix)  other subjective factors, including concentrations and information obtained from regulators and rating agencies.


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The cost of fixed maturity and equity securities is adjusted for the credit loss component of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (“OTTI”) in the period in which the determination is made. When an OTTI of a fixed maturity security has occurred, the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings depends on whether the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of the decline in estimated fair value below amortized cost. If the fixed maturity security meets either of these two criteria, the OTTI recognized in earnings is equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost and its estimated fair value at the impairment measurement date. For OTTI of fixed maturity securities that do not meet either of these two criteria, the net amount recognized in earnings is equal to the difference between the amortized cost of the fixed maturity security and the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected from this security (“credit loss”). If the estimated fair value is less than the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected, this portion of OTTI related to other than credit factors (“noncredit loss”) is recorded as other comprehensive income (loss). For equity securities, the carrying value of the equity security is impaired to its estimated fair value, with a corresponding charge to earnings. The Company does not make any adjustments for subsequent recoveries in value.
 
The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments on other invested asset classes is highly subjective and is based upon the Company’s periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available.
 
Recognition of Income on Certain Investment Entities
 
The recognition of income on certain investments (e.g. loan-backed securities, including mortgage-backed and ABS, certain structured investment transactions, trading and other securities) is dependent upon market conditions, which could result in prepayments and changes in amounts to be earned.
 
Application of the Consolidation Rules to Certain Investments
 
The Company has invested in certain structured transactions that are VIEs. These structured transactions include reinsurance trusts, asset-backed securitizations, hybrid securities, real estate joint ventures, other limited partnership interests and limited liability companies. The Company is required to consolidate those VIEs for which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The accounting rules for the determination of when an entity is a VIE and when to consolidate a VIE are complex. The determination of the VIE’s primary beneficiary requires an evaluation of the contractual and implied rights and obligations associated with each party’s relationship with or involvement in the entity, an estimate of the entity’s expected losses and expected residual returns and the allocation of such estimates to each party involved in the entity. The Company generally uses a qualitative approach to determine whether it is the primary beneficiary.
 
For most VIEs, the entity that has both the ability to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary. However, for VIEs that are investment companies or apply measurement principles consistent with those utilized by investment companies, the primary beneficiary is based on a risks and rewards model and is defined as the entity that will absorb a majority of a VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of a VIE’s expected residual returns if no single entity absorbs a majority of expected losses, or both. The Company reassesses its involvement with VIEs on a quarterly basis. The use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs in the determination of the primary beneficiary could have a material effect on the amounts presented within the consolidated financial statements.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The Company enters into freestanding derivative transactions including swaps, forwards, futures and option contracts to manage various risks relating to its ongoing business operations. To a lesser extent, the Company uses credit derivatives, such as credit default swaps, to synthetically replicate investment risks and returns which are not readily available in the cash market.


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The estimated fair value of derivatives is determined through the use of quoted market prices for exchange-traded derivatives and interest forwards to sell certain to-be-announced securities or through the use of pricing models for over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives. The determination of estimated fair value, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that are assumed to be consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing the instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk (including the counterparties to the contract), volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on significant inputs into the OTC derivative pricing models and credit risk adjustment.
 
The accounting for derivatives is complex and interpretations of the primary accounting guidance continue to evolve in practice. Judgment is applied in determining the availability and application of hedge accounting designations and the appropriate accounting treatment under such accounting guidance. If it was determined that hedge accounting designations were not appropriately applied, reported net income could be materially affected. Differences in judgment as to the availability and application of hedge accounting designations and the appropriate accounting treatment may result in a differing impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company from that previously reported. Assessments of hedge effectiveness and measurements of ineffectiveness of hedging relationships are also subject to interpretations and estimations and different interpretations or estimates may have a material effect on the amount reported in net income.
 
Embedded Derivatives
 
The Company issues certain variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits. These include guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”), guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMAB”), and certain guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIB”). GMWB, GMAB and certain GMIB are embedded derivatives, which are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity product, with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses).
 
The estimated fair values of these embedded derivatives are determined based on the present value of projected future benefits minus the present value of projected future fees. The projections of future benefits and future fees require capital market and actuarial assumptions including expectations concerning policyholder behavior. A risk neutral valuation methodology is used under which the cash flows from the guarantees are projected under multiple capital market scenarios using observable risk free rates. The valuation of these embedded derivatives also includes an adjustment for the Company’s nonperformance risk and risk margins for non-capital market inputs. The nonperformance risk adjustment is determined by taking into consideration publicly available information relating to spreads in the secondary market for the Holding Company’s debt, including related credit default swaps. These observable spreads are then adjusted, as necessary, to reflect the priority of these liabilities and the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance subsidiaries compared to the Holding Company. Risk margins are established to capture the non-capital market risks of the instrument which represent the additional compensation a market participant would require to assume the risks related to the uncertainties of such actuarial assumptions as annuitization, premium persistency, partial withdrawal and surrenders. The establishment of risk margins requires the use of significant management judgment.
 
The accounting for embedded derivatives is complex and interpretations of the primary accounting standards continue to evolve in practice. If interpretations change, there is a risk that features previously not bifurcated may require bifurcation and reporting at estimated fair value in the consolidated financial statements and respective changes in estimated fair value could materially affect net income.
 
These guaranteed minimum benefits may be more costly than expected in volatile or declining equity markets. Market conditions including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, equity indices, market volatility and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in the Company’s nonperformance risk, variations in actuarial assumptions regarding policyholder behavior, mortality and risk margins related to non-capital market inputs may result in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of the guarantees that could materially affect net income.


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The Company ceded the risk associated with certain of the GMIB and GMAB described in the preceding paragraphs. The value of the embedded derivatives on the ceded risk is determined using a methodology consistent with that described previously for the guarantees directly written by the Company.
 
As part of its regular review of critical accounting estimates, the Company periodically assesses inputs for estimating nonperformance risk in fair value measurements. During the second quarter of 2010, the Company completed a study that aggregated and evaluated data, including historical recovery rates of insurance companies as well as policyholder behavior observed over the past two years as the recent financial crisis evolved. As a result, at the end of the second quarter of 2010, the Company refined the manner in which its insurance subsidiaries incorporate expected recovery rates into the nonperformance risk adjustment for purposes of estimating the fair value of investment-type contracts and embedded derivatives within insurance contracts. The refinement impacted the Company’s income from continuing operations, net of income tax, with no effect on operating earnings.
 
As described above, the valuation of variable annuity guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives includes an adjustment for the Company’s nonperformance risk, which is subject to variability. The table below illustrates the impact that a range of reasonably likely variances in credit spreads would have on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, excluding the effect of income tax. Changes in the carrying values of PABs would be reported in net investment gains (losses) and changes in the carrying value of DAC and VOBA would be reported in other expenses. However, these estimated effects do not take into account potential changes in other variables, such as equity price levels and market volatility, that can also contribute significantly to changes in carrying values. Therefore, the table does not necessarily reflect the ultimate impact on the consolidated financial statements under the credit spread variance scenarios presented below.
 
In determining the ranges, the Company has considered current market conditions as well as the market level of spreads that can reasonably be anticipated over the near term. The ranges do not reflect extreme market conditions experienced during the 2008 and 2009 economic crisis as the Company does not consider those to be reasonably likely events in the near future.
 
                 
    Carrying Value
 
    At December 31, 2010  
          DAC and
 
    PABs     VOBA  
    (In millions)  
 
100% increase in the Company’s credit spread
  $ 1,551     $ 79  
As reported
  $ 2,357     $ 110  
50% decrease in the Company’s credit spread
  $ 2,852     $ 130  
 
The estimated fair value of the embedded equity and bond indexed derivatives contained in certain funding agreements is determined using market standard swap valuation models and observable market inputs, including an adjustment for the Company’s nonperformance risk that takes into consideration publicly available information relating to the Company’s debt, as well as its claims paying ability. Changes in equity and bond indices, interest rates and the Company’s credit standing may result in significant fluctuations in estimated the fair value of these embedded derivatives that could materially affect net income.
 
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired
 
The Company incurs significant costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal insurance business. Costs that vary with and relate to the production of new business are deferred as DAC. Such costs consist principally of commissions and agency and policy issuance expenses. VOBA is an intangible asset that represents the excess of book value over the estimated fair value of acquired insurance, annuity, and investment-type contracts in-force at the acquisition date. The estimated fair value of the acquired liabilities is based on actuarially determined projections, by each block of business, of future policy and contract charges, premiums, mortality and morbidity, separate account performance, surrenders, operating expenses, investment returns, nonperformance risk adjustment and other factors. Actual experience on the purchased business may vary from these projections. The recovery of DAC and VOBA is dependent upon the future profitability of the related business. DAC and VOBA are aggregated in the consolidated financial statements for reporting purposes.


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Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements describes the Company’s accounting policy relating to DAC and VOBA amortization for various types of contracts.
 
Separate account rates of return on variable universal life contracts and variable deferred annuity contracts affect in-force account balances on such contracts each reporting period which can result in significant fluctuations in amortization of DAC and VOBA. The Company’s practice to determine the impact of gross profits resulting from returns on separate accounts assumes that long-term appreciation in equity markets is not changed by short-term market fluctuations, but is only changed when sustained interim deviations are expected. The Company monitors these events and only changes the assumption when its long-term expectation changes. The effect of an increase/(decrease) by 100 basis points in the assumed future rate of return is reasonably likely to result in a decrease/(increase) in the DAC and VOBA amortization of approximately $128 million with an offset to the Company’s unearned revenue liability of approximately $19 million for this factor.
 
The Company also periodically reviews other long-term assumptions underlying the projections of estimated gross margins and profits. These include investment returns, policyholder dividend scales, interest crediting rates, mortality, persistency, and expenses to administer business. We annually update assumptions used in the calculation of estimated gross margins and profits which may have significantly changed. If the update of assumptions causes expected future gross margins and profits to increase, DAC and VOBA amortization will decrease, resulting in a current period increase to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the assumption update causes expected future gross margins and profits to decrease.
 
The Company’s most significant assumption updates resulting in a change to expected future gross margins and profits and the amortization of DAC and VOBA were due to revisions to expected future investment returns, expenses, in-force or persistency assumptions and policyholder dividends on contracts included within the Insurance Products and Retirement Products segments. The Company expects these assumptions to be the ones most reasonably likely to cause significant changes in the future. Changes in these assumptions can be offsetting and the Company is unable to predict their movement or offsetting impact over time.
 
Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides a rollforward of DAC and VOBA for the Company for each of the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, as well as a breakdown of DAC and VOBA by segment and reporting unit at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
At December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, DAC and VOBA for the Company was $27.3 billion, $19.3 billion and $20.1 million, respectively. The DAC and VOBA balance increased significantly as a result of the Acquisition, which contributed $8.9 billion to the balance at December 31, 2010. Approximately 55%, of the Company’s DAC and VOBA was associated with the Insurance Products and Retirement Products segments at December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, DAC and VOBA for these segments was $14.9 billion, $16.1 billion and $17.4 billion, respectively. Amortization of DAC and VOBA associated with the variable and universal life and the annuities contracts within the Insurance Products and Retirement Products segments is significantly impacted by movements in equity markets. The following chart illustrates the effect on DAC and VOBA within the Company’s U.S. Business of changing each of the respective assumptions, as well as updating estimated gross margins or profits with actual gross margins or profits during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Increases (decreases) in DAC and VOBA balances, as presented below, resulted in a corresponding decrease (increase) in amortization.
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010      2009      2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Investment return
  $ 3     $ 141     $ 70  
Separate account balances
    21       (32 )     (708 )
Net investment gain (loss)
    (124 )     712       (521 )
Expense
    89       60       61  
In-force/Persistency
    17       (87 )     (159 )
Policyholder dividends and other
    (192 )     174       (30 )
                         
Total
  $ (186 )   $ 968     $ (1,287 )
                         


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The following represents significant items contributing to the changes to DAC and VOBA amortization in 2010:
 
  •  Changes in net investment gains (losses) resulted in the following changes in DAC and VOBA amortization:
 
  –  Actual gross profits increased as a result of a decrease in liabilities associated with guarantee obligations on variable annuities, resulting in an increase of DAC and VOBA amortization of $197 million, excluding the impact from the Company’s nonperformance risk and risk margins, which are described below. This increase in actual gross profits was partially offset by freestanding derivative losses associated with the hedging of such guarantee obligations, which resulted in a decrease in DAC and VOBA amortization of $88 million.
 
  –  The narrowing of the Company’s nonperformance risk adjustment increased the valuation of guarantee liabilities, decreased actual gross profits and decreased DAC and VOBA amortization by $96 million. In addition, higher risk margins which increased the guarantee liability valuations, decreased actual gross profits and decreased DAC and VOBA amortization by $18 million.
 
  –  The remainder of the impact of net investment gains (losses), which increased DAC amortization by $129 million, was primarily attributable to current period investment activities.
 
  •  Included in policyholder dividends and other was an increase in DAC and VOBA amortization of $42 million as a result of changes to long-term assumptions. In addition, amortization increased by $39 million as a result of favorable gross margin variances. The remainder of the increase was due to various immaterial items.
 
The following represents significant items contributing to the changes to DAC and VOBA amortization in 2009:
 
  •  Actual gross profits decreased as a result of increased investment losses from the portfolios associated with the hedging of guaranteed insurance obligations on variable annuities, resulting in a decrease of DAC and VOBA amortization of $141 million.
 
  •  Changes in net investment gains (losses) resulted in the following changes in DAC and VOBA amortization:
 
  –  Actual gross profits increased as a result of a decrease in liabilities associated with guarantee obligations on variable annuities, resulting in an increase of DAC and VOBA amortization of $995 million, excluding the impact from the Company’s nonperformance risk and risk margins, which are described below. This increase in actual gross profits was partially offset by freestanding derivative losses associated with the hedging of such guarantee obligations, which resulted in a decrease in DAC and VOBA amortization of $636 million.
 
  –  The narrowing of the Company’s nonperformance risk adjustment increased the valuation of guarantee liabilities, decreased actual gross profits and decreased DAC and VOBA amortization by $607 million. This was partially offset by lower risk margins which decreased the guarantee liability valuations, increased actual gross profits and increased DAC and VOBA amortization by $20 million.
 
  –  The remainder of the impact of net investment gains (losses), which decreased DAC amortization by $484 million, was primarily attributable to current period investment activities.
 
  •  Included in policyholder dividends and other was a decrease in DAC and VOBA amortization of $90 million as a result of changes to long-term assumptions. The remainder of the decrease was due to various immaterial items.
 
The following represents significant items contributing to the changes in DAC and VOBA amortization in 2008:
 
  •  The decrease in equity markets during the year significantly lowered separate account balances which led to a significant reduction in expected future gross profits on variable universal life contracts and variable deferred annuity contracts resulting in an increase of $708 million in DAC and VOBA amortization.


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  •  Changes in net investment gains (losses) resulted in the following changes in DAC and VOBA amortization:
 
  –  Actual gross profits decreased as a result of an increase in liabilities associated with guarantee obligations on variable annuities resulting in a reduction of DAC and VOBA amortization of $1,047 million. This decrease in actual gross profits was mitigated by freestanding derivative gains associated with the hedging of such guarantee obligations which resulted in an increase in actual gross profits and an increase in DAC and VOBA amortization of $625 million.
 
  –  The widening of the Company’s nonperformance risk adjustment decreased the valuation of guarantee liabilities, increased actual gross profits and increased DAC and VOBA amortization by $739 million. This was partially offset by higher risk margins which increased the guarantee liability valuations, decreased actual gross profits and decreased DAC and VOBA amortization by $100 million.
 
  –  Reductions in both actual and expected cumulative earnings of the closed block resulting from recent experience in the closed block combined with changes in expected dividend scales resulted in an increase in closed block DAC amortization of $195 million, $175 million of which was related to net investment gains (losses).
 
  –  The remainder of the impact of net investment gains (losses) on DAC amortization of $129 million was attributable to numerous immaterial items.
 
  •  Increases in DAC and VOBA amortization in 2008 resulting from changes in assumptions related to in-force/persistency of $159 million were driven by higher than anticipated mortality and lower than anticipated premium persistency during 2008.
 
The Company’s DAC and VOBA balance is also impacted by unrealized investment gains (losses) and the amount of amortization which would have been recognized if such gains and losses had been recognized. The increase in unrealized investment gains decreased the DAC and VOBA balance by $1.4 billion in 2010. The decrease in unrealized investment losses decreased the DAC and VOBA balance by $2.8 billion in 2009, whereas the increase in unrealized investment losses increased the DAC and VOBA balance by $3.4 billion in 2008. Notes 3 and 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements include the DAC and VOBA offset to unrealized investment losses.
 
Goodwill
 
Goodwill is the excess of cost over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances, such as adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that there may be justification for conducting an interim test.
 
Impairment testing is performed using the fair value approach, which requires the use of estimates and judgment, at the “reporting unit” level. A reporting unit is the operating segment or a business one level below the operating segment, if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at that level.
 
For purposes of goodwill impairment testing, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, there might be an indication of impairment. In such instances, the implied fair value of the goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill that would be determined in a business acquisition. The excess of the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill would be recognized as an impairment and recorded as a charge against net income.
 
The key inputs, judgments and assumptions necessary in determining estimated fair value of the reporting units include projected operating earnings, current book value (with and without accumulated other comprehensive income), the level of economic capital required to support the mix of business, long-term growth rates, comparative market multiples, the account value of in-force business, projections of new and renewal business, as well as margins on such business, the level of interest rates, credit spreads, equity market levels, and the discount rate that we believe is appropriate for the respective reporting unit. The estimated fair values of the retirement products and individual life reporting units are particularly sensitive to the equity market levels.


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We apply significant judgment when determining the estimated fair value of our reporting units and when assessing the relationship of market capitalization to the aggregate estimated fair value of our reporting units. The valuation methodologies utilized are subject to key judgments and assumptions that are sensitive to change. Estimates of fair value are inherently uncertain and represent only management’s reasonable expectation regarding future developments. These estimates and the judgments and assumptions upon which the estimates are based will, in all likelihood, differ in some respects from actual future results. Declines in the estimated fair value of our reporting units could result in goodwill impairments in future periods which could materially adversely affect our results of operations or financial position.
 
On an ongoing basis, we evaluate potential triggering events that may affect the estimated fair value of our reporting units to assess whether any goodwill impairment exists. Deteriorating or adverse market conditions for certain reporting units may have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of these reporting units and could result in future impairments of goodwill.
 
Liability for Future Policy Benefits
 
The Company establishes liabilities for amounts payable under insurance policies, including traditional life insurance, traditional annuities, certain accident and health, and non-medical health insurance. Generally, amounts are payable over an extended period of time and related liabilities are calculated as the present value of future expected benefits to be paid reduced by the present value of future expected premiums. Such liabilities are established based on methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, morbidity, policy lapse, renewal, retirement, disability incidence, disability terminations, investment returns, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type and geographical area. These assumptions are established at the time the policy is issued and are intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable. Utilizing these assumptions, liabilities are established on a block of business basis. If experience is less favorable than assumptions, additional liabilities may be required, resulting in a charge to policyholder benefits and claims.
 
Future policy benefit liabilities for disabled lives are estimated using the present value of benefits method and experience assumptions as to claim terminations, expenses and interest.
 
Liabilities for unpaid claims and claim expenses for property and casualty insurance are included in future policyholder benefits and represent the amount estimated for claims that have been reported but not settled and claims incurred but not reported. Other policy-related balances include claims that have been reported but not settled and claims incurred but not reported on life and non-medical health insurance. Liabilities for unpaid claims are estimated based upon the Company’s historical experience and other actuarial assumptions that consider the effects of current developments, anticipated trends and risk management programs, reduced for anticipated salvage and subrogation.
 
Future policy benefit liabilities for minimum death and income benefit guarantees relating to certain annuity contracts and secondary and paid-up guarantees relating to certain life policies are based on estimates of the expected value of benefits in excess of the projected account balance and recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. Liabilities for universal and variable life secondary guarantees and paid-up guarantees are determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits payable when the account balance is projected to be zero and recognizing those benefits ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. The assumptions used in estimating these liabilities are consistent with those used for amortizing DAC, and are thus subject to the same variability and risk. The assumptions of investment performance and volatility for variable products are consistent with historical experience of the appropriate underlying equity index, such as the Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) 500 Index.
 
The Company periodically reviews its estimates of actuarial liabilities for future policy benefits and compares them with its actual experience. Differences between actual experience and the assumptions used in pricing of these policies and guarantees and in the establishment of the related liabilities result in variances in profit and could result in losses.


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Reinsurance
 
The Company enters into reinsurance agreements primarily as a purchaser of reinsurance for its various insurance products and also as a provider of reinsurance for some insurance products issued by third parties. Accounting for reinsurance requires extensive use of assumptions and estimates, particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business and the potential impact of counterparty credit risks. The Company periodically reviews actual and anticipated experience compared to the aforementioned assumptions used to establish assets and liabilities relating to ceded and assumed reinsurance and evaluates the financial strength of counterparties to its reinsurance agreements using criteria similar to that evaluated in the security impairment process discussed previously. Additionally, for each of its reinsurance agreements, the Company determines whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk, in accordance with applicable accounting standards. The Company reviews all contractual features, particularly those that may limit the amount of insurance risk to which the reinsurer is subject or features that delay the timely reimbursement of claims. If the Company determines that a reinsurance agreement does not expose the reinsurer to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, the Company records the agreement using the deposit method of accounting.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes represent the net amount of income taxes that the Company expects to pay to or receive from various taxing jurisdictions in connection with its operations. The Company provides for federal, state and foreign income taxes currently payable, as well as those deferred due to temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company’s accounting for income taxes represents management’s best estimate of various events and transactions.
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities are measured at the balance sheet date using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years the temporary differences are expected to reverse.
 
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company anticipates making an election under the Internal Revenue Code Section 338 as it relates to the Acquisition. As such, the tax basis in the acquired assets and liabilities is adjusted as of the Acquisition Date resulting in a change to the related deferred income taxes.
 
The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryback or carryforward periods under the tax law in the applicable tax jurisdiction. Valuation allowances are established when management determines, based on available information, that it is more likely than not that deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Factors in management’s determination consider the performance of the business including the ability to generate capital gains. Significant judgment is required in determining whether valuation allowances should be established, as well as the amount of such allowances. When making such determination, consideration is given to, among other things, the following:
 
  (i)  future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;
 
  (ii)  future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;
 
  (iii)  taxable income in prior carryback years; and
 
  (iv)  tax planning strategies.
 
The Company determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit is recorded in the financial statements. A tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement. The Company may be required to change its provision for income taxes when the ultimate deductibility of certain items is challenged by taxing authorities or when estimates used in determining valuation allowances on deferred tax assets significantly change, or when receipt of new information indicates the need for adjustment in valuation allowances. Additionally, future events, such as changes in tax laws, tax regulations, or interpretations of such laws or regulations, could have an impact on the provision for income tax and the effective tax rate. Any such changes could significantly affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements in the year these changes occur.


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Employee Benefit Plans
 
Certain subsidiaries of the Holding Company sponsor and/or administer pension and other postretirement benefit plans covering employees who meet specified eligibility requirements. The obligations and expenses associated with these plans require an extensive use of assumptions such as the discount rate, expected rate of return on plan assets, rate of future compensation increases, healthcare cost trend rates, as well as assumptions regarding participant demographics such as rate and age of retirements, withdrawal rates and mortality. In consultation with our external consulting actuarial firms, we determine these assumptions based upon a variety of factors such as historical performance of the plan and its assets, currently available market and industry data, and expected benefit payout streams. The assumptions used may differ materially from actual results due to, among other factors, changing market and economic conditions and changes in participant demographics. These differences may have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and liquidity.
 
Litigation Contingencies
 
The Company is a party to a number of legal actions and is involved in a number of regulatory investigations. Given the inherent unpredictability of these matters, it is difficult to estimate the impact on the Company’s financial position. Liabilities are established when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities related to certain lawsuits, including the Company’s asbestos-related liability, are especially difficult to estimate due to the limitation of available data and uncertainty regarding numerous variables that can affect liability estimates. The data and variables that impact the assumptions used to estimate the Company’s asbestos-related liability include the number of future claims, the cost to resolve claims, the disease mix and severity of disease in pending and future claims, the impact of the number of new claims filed in a particular jurisdiction and variations in the law in the jurisdictions in which claims are filed, the possible impact of tort reform efforts, the willingness of courts to allow plaintiffs to pursue claims against the Company when exposure to asbestos took place after the dangers of asbestos exposure were well known, and the impact of any possible future adverse verdicts and their amounts. On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company reviews relevant information with respect to liabilities for litigation, regulatory investigations and litigation-related contingencies to be reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. It is possible that an adverse outcome in certain of the Company’s litigation and regulatory investigations, including asbestos-related cases, or the use of different assumptions in the determination of amounts recorded could have a material effect upon the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
 
Economic Capital
 
Economic capital is an internally developed risk capital model, the purpose of which is to measure the risk in the business and to provide a basis upon which capital is deployed. The economic capital model accounts for the unique and specific nature of the risks inherent in our businesses. As a part of the economic capital process, a portion of net investment income is credited to the segments based on the level of allocated equity. This is in contrast to the standardized regulatory RBC formula, which is not as refined in its risk calculations with respect to the nuances of our businesses.
 
Acquisitions and Dispositions
 
See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Results of Operations
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010 compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
We have experienced growth and an increase in market share in several of our businesses, which, together with improved overall market conditions compared to conditions a year ago, positively impacted our results most significantly through increased net cash flows, improved yields on our investment portfolio and increased policy fee income. Sales of our domestic annuity products were up 14%, driven by an increase in variable annuity sales compared with the prior year. We benefited in 2010 from strong sales of structured settlement products. Market penetration continues in our pension closeout business in the U.K.; however, although improving, our domestic


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pension closeout business has been adversely impacted by a combination of poor equity returns and lower interest rates. High levels of unemployment continue to depress growth across our group insurance businesses due to lower covered payrolls. While we experienced growth in our group life business, sales of non-medical health and individual life products declined. Sales of new homeowner and auto policies increased 11% and 4%, respectively, as the housing and automobile markets have improved. We experienced a 30% increase in sales of retirement and savings products abroad. During 2010, mortgage refinancing activity continued to return to more moderate levels compared to the unusually high levels experienced in 2009.
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2010     2009     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
Revenues
                               
Premiums
  $ 27,394     $ 26,460     $ 934       3.5 %
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    6,037       5,203       834       16.0 %
Net investment income
    17,615       14,837       2,778       18.7 %
Other revenues
    2,328       2,329       (1 )     %
Net investment gains (losses)
    (392 )     (2,906 )     2,514       86.5 %
Net derivative gains (losses)
    (265 )     (4,866 )     4,601       94.6 %
                                 
Total revenues
    52,717       41,057       11,660       28.4 %
                                 
Expenses
                               
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
    31,031       29,986       1,045       3.5 %
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    4,925       4,849       76       1.6 %
Interest credited to bank deposits
    137       163       (26 )     (16.0 )%
Capitalization of DAC
    (3,343 )     (3,019 )     (324 )     (10.7 )%
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    2,801       1,307       1,494       114.3 %
Interest expense on debt
    1,550       1,044       506       48.5 %
Other expenses
    11,658       11,061       597       5.4 %
                                 
Total expenses
    48,759       45,391       3,368       7.4 %
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax
    3,958       (4,334 )     8,292       191.3 %
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    1,181       (2,015 )     3,196       158.6 %
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
    2,777       (2,319 )     5,096       219.7 %
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
    9       41       (32 )     (78.0 )%
                                 
Net income (loss)
    2,786       (2,278 )     5,064       222.3 %
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (4 )     (32 )     28       87.5 %
                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
    2,790       (2,246 )     5,036       224.2 %
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    122       122             %
                                 
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 2,668     $ (2,368 )   $ 5,036       212.7 %
                                 
 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax increased $5.1 billion to a gain of $2.8 billion from a loss of $2.3 billion in 2009, of which $2 million in losses was from the inclusion of one month of ALICO results in 2010. The change was predominantly due to a $3.0 billion favorable change in net derivative gains (losses) and a $1.6 billion favorable change in net investment gains (losses). Offsetting these favorable variances totaling $4.6 billion were unfavorable changes in adjustments related to net derivative and net investment gains (losses) of $514 million, net of income tax, principally associated with DAC and


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VOBA amortization, resulting in a total favorable variance related to net derivative and net investment gains (losses), net of related adjustments and income tax, of $4.1 billion.
 
We manage our investment portfolio using disciplined Asset/Liability Management (“ALM”) principles, focusing on cash flow and duration to support our current and future liabilities. Our intent is to match the timing and amount of liability cash outflows with invested assets that have cash inflows of comparable timing and amount, while optimizing, net of income tax, risk-adjusted net investment income and risk-adjusted total return. Our investment portfolio is heavily weighted toward fixed income investments, with over 80% of our portfolio invested in fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans. These securities and loans have varying maturities and other characteristics which cause them to be generally well suited for matching the cash flow and duration of insurance liabilities. Other invested asset classes including, but not limited to, equity securities, other limited partnership interests and real estate and real estate joint ventures, provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement in addition to supporting the cash flow and duration objectives of our investment portfolio. We also use derivatives as an integral part of our management of the investment portfolio to hedge certain risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currencies, credit spreads and equity market levels. Additional considerations for our investment portfolio include current and expected market conditions and expectations for changes within our specific mix of products and business segments. In addition, the general account investment portfolio includes within trading and other securities, contractholder-directed investments supporting unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities, which do not qualify for reporting and presentation as separate account assets. The returns on these investments, which can vary significantly period to period include changes in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase, inure to contractholders and are offset in earnings by a corresponding change in policyholder account balances through interest credited to policyholder account balances.
 
The composition of the investment portfolio of each business segment is tailored to the specific characteristics of its insurance liabilities, causing certain portfolios to be shorter in duration and others to be longer in duration. Accordingly, certain portfolios are more heavily weighted in longer duration, higher yielding fixed maturity securities, or certain sub-sectors of fixed maturity securities, than other portfolios.
 
Investments are purchased to support our insurance liabilities and not to generate net investment gains and losses. However, net investment gains and losses are generated and can change significantly from period to period, due to changes in external influences, including movements in interest rates, foreign currencies, credit spreads and equity markets, counterparty specific factors such as financial performance, credit rating and collateral valuation, and internal factors such as portfolio rebalancing, that can generate gains and losses. As an investor in the fixed income, equity security, mortgage loan and certain other invested asset classes, we are exposed to the above stated risks, which can lead to both impairments and credit-related losses.
 
Freestanding derivatives are used to hedge certain investments and liabilities. For those hedges not designated as accounting hedges, changes in these market risks can lead to the recognition of fair value changes in net derivative gains (losses) without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged even though these are effective economic hedges. Additionally, we issue liabilities and purchase assets that contain embedded derivatives whose changes in estimated fair value are sensitive to changes in market risks and are also recognized in net derivative gains (losses).
 
The favorable variance in net derivative gains (losses) of $3.0 billion, from losses of $3.2 billion in 2009 to losses of $172 million in 2010 was primarily driven by a favorable change in freestanding derivatives of $4.4 billion, comprised of a $4.5 billion favorable change from losses in the prior year of $4.3 billion to gains in the current year of $203 million and $123 million in ALICO freestanding derivative losses. This favorable variance was partially offset by an unfavorable change in embedded derivatives primarily associated with variable annuity minimum benefit guarantees of $1.4 billion from gains in the prior year of $1.1 billion to losses in the current year of $257 million, net of $5 million in ALICO embedded derivative gains.
 
We use freestanding interest rate, currency, credit and equity derivatives to provide economic hedges of certain invested assets and insurance liabilities, including embedded derivatives, within certain of our variable annuity minimum benefit guarantees. The $4.5 billion favorable variance in freestanding derivatives was primarily attributable to market factors, including falling long-term and mid-term interest rates, a stronger recovery in equity markets in the prior year than the current year, a greater decrease in equity volatility in the prior year as


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compared to the current year, a strengthening U.S. dollar and widening corporate credit spreads in the financial services sector. Falling long-term and mid-term interest rates in the current year compared to rising long-term and mid-term interest rates in the prior year had a positive impact of $2.6 billion on our interest rate derivatives, $931 million of which is attributable to hedges of variable annuity minimum benefit guarantee liabilities, which are accounted for as embedded derivatives. In addition, stronger equity market recovery and lower equity market volatility in the prior year as compared to the current year had a positive impact of $1.1 billion on our equity derivatives, which we use to hedge variable annuity minimum benefit guarantees. U.S. dollar strengthening had a positive impact of $554 million on certain of our foreign currency derivatives, which are used to hedge foreign-denominated asset and liability exposures. Finally, widening corporate credit spreads in the financial services sector had a positive impact of $221 million on our purchased protection credit derivatives.
 
Certain variable annuity products with minimum benefit guarantees contain embedded derivatives that are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity contract, with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). These embedded derivatives also include an adjustment for nonperformance risk of the related liabilities carried at estimated fair value. The $1.4 billion unfavorable change in embedded derivatives was primarily attributable to the impact of market factors, including falling long-term and mid-term interest rates, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, equity volatility and equity market movements. Falling long-term and mid-term interest rates in the current year compared to rising long-term and mid-term interest rates in the prior year had a negative impact of $1.4 billion. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a negative impact of $468 million. Equity volatility decreased more in the prior year than in the current year causing a negative impact of $284 million, and a stronger recovery in the equity markets in the prior year than in the current year had a negative impact of $228 million. The unfavorable impact from these hedged risks was partially offset by a favorable change related to the adjustment for nonperformance risk of $1.2 billion, from losses of $1.3 billion in 2009 to losses of $62 million in 2010. This $62 million loss was net of a $621 million loss related to a refinement in estimating the spreads used in the adjustment for nonperformance risk made in the second quarter of 2010. Gains on the freestanding derivatives that hedged these embedded derivative risks largely offset the change in liabilities attributable to market factors, excluding the adjustment for nonperformance risk, which does not have an economic impact on the Company.
 
Improved or stabilizing market conditions across several invested asset classes and sectors as compared to the prior year resulted in decreases in impairments and in net realized losses from sales and disposals of investments in most components of our investment portfolio. These decreases, coupled with a decrease in the provision for credit losses on mortgage loans due to improved market conditions, resulted in a $1.6 billion improvement in net investment gains (losses).
 
Income from continuing operations, net of income tax for 2010 includes $138 million of expenses related to the acquisition and integration of ALICO. These expenses, which primarily consisted of investment banking and legal fees, are recorded in Banking, Corporate & Other and are not a component of operating earnings.
 
As more fully described in the discussion of performance measures above, we use operating earnings, which does not equate to income (loss) from continuing operations as determined in accordance with GAAP, to analyze our performance, evaluate segment performance, and allocate resources. Operating earnings is also a measure by which senior management’s and many other employees’ performance is evaluated for the purpose of determining their compensation under applicable compensation plans. We believe that the presentation of operating earnings, as we measure it for management purposes, enhances the understanding of our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Operating earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax. Operating earnings available to common shareholders increased by $1.5 billion to $3.9 billion in 2010 from $2.4 billion in 2009.


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Reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, to operating earnings available to common shareholders
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
                                                         
                Corporate
                Banking,
       
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto &
          Corporate
       
    Products     Products     Funding     Home     International     & Other     Total  
                (In millions)                    
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
  $ 1,371     $ 813     $ 1,002     $ 295     $ (131 )   $ (573 )   $ 2,777  
Less: Net investment gains (losses)
    103       139       176       (7 )     (273 )     (530 )     (392 )
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
    215       266       (193 )     (1 )     (491 )     (61 )     (265 )
Less: Adjustments to continuing operations (1)
    (237 )     (282 )     143             (427 )     (178 )     (981 )
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
    (31 )     (49 )     (44 )     3       268       254       401  
                                                         
Operating earnings
  $ 1,321     $ 739     $ 920     $ 300     $ 792       (58 )     4,014  
                                                         
Less: Preferred stock dividends
                                            122       122  
                                                         
Operating earnings available to common shareholders
                                          $ (180 )   $ 3,892  
                                                         
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
                                                         
                Corporate
                Banking,
       
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto &
          Corporate
       
    Products     Products     Funding     Home     International     & Other     Total  
                (In millions)                    
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
  $ (418 )   $ (628 )   $ (581 )   $ 321     $ (280 )   $ (733 )   $ (2,319 )
Less: Net investment gains (losses)
    (472 )     (533 )     (1,486 )     (41 )     (105 )     (269 )     (2,906 )
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
    (1,786 )     (1,426 )     (421 )     39       (798 )     (474 )     (4,866 )
Less: Adjustments to continuing operations (1)
    (139 )     519       125             (206 )     (16 )     283  
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
    837       504       621       1       366       354       2,683  
                                                         
Operating earnings
  $ 1,142     $ 308     $ 580     $ 322     $ 463       (328 )     2,487  
                                                         
Less: Preferred stock dividends
                                            122       122  
                                                         
Operating earnings available to common shareholders
                                          $ (450 )   $ 2,365  
                                                         
 
 
(1) See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses for the components of such adjustments.


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Reconciliation of GAAP revenues to operating revenues and GAAP expenses to operating expenses
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
                                                         
                Corporate
                Banking,
       
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto &
          Corporate
       
    Products     Products     Funding     Home     International     & Other     Total  
                (In millions)                    
 
Total revenues
  $ 26,451     $ 6,881     $ 7,540     $ 3,146     $ 6,794     $ 1,905     $ 52,717  
Less: Net investment gains (losses)
    103       139       176       (7 )     (273 )     (530 )     (392 )
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
    215       266       (193 )     (1 )     (491 )     (61 )     (265 )
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
    1                                     1  
Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
    (144 )     (248 )     193             44       449       294  
                                                         
Total operating revenues
  $ 26,276     $ 6,724     $ 7,364     $ 3,154     $ 7,514     $ 2,047     $ 53,079  
                                                         
Total expenses
  $ 24,338     $ 5,622     $ 5,999     $ 2,781     $ 6,987     $ 3,032     $ 48,759  
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
    90       35                   (7 )           118  
Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)
    4       (1 )     50             478       627       1,158  
                                                         
Total operating expenses
  $ 24,244     $ 5,588     $ 5,949     $ 2,781     $ 6,516     $ 2,405     $ 47,483  
                                                         
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
                                                         
                Corporate
                Banking,
       
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto &
          Corporate
       
    Products     Products     Funding     Home     International     & Other     Total  
                (In millions)                    
 
Total revenues
  $ 23,483     $ 3,725     $ 5,486     $ 3,113     $ 4,383     $ 867     $ 41,057  
Less: Net investment gains (losses)
    (472 )     (533 )     (1,486 )     (41 )     (105 )     (269 )     (2,906 )
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
    (1,786 )     (1,426 )     (421 )     39       (798 )     (474 )     (4,866 )
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
    (27 )                                   (27 )
Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
    (74 )     (219 )     188             (169 )     22       (252 )
                                                         
Total operating revenues
  $ 25,842     $ 5,903     $ 7,205     $ 3,115     $ 5,455     $ 1,588     $ 49,108  
                                                         
Total expenses
  $ 24,165     $ 4,690     $ 6,400     $ 2,697     $ 4,868     $ 2,571     $ 45,391  
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
    39       (739 )                             (700 )
Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)
    (1 )     1       63             37       38       138  
                                                         
Total operating expenses
  $ 24,127     $ 5,428     $ 6,337     $ 2,697     $ 4,831     $ 2,533     $ 45,953  
                                                         
 
 
(1) See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses for the components of such adjustments.


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Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax and are on a constant currency basis. The constant currency basis amounts for both periods are calculated using the average foreign currency exchange rates of 2010.
 
The improvement in the financial markets was the primary driver of the increase in operating earnings as evidenced by higher net investment income and an increase in average separate account balances, which resulted in an increase in policy fee income. Interest rate and equity market changes resulted in a decrease in variable annuity guarantee benefit costs. Partially offsetting this improvement was an increase in amortization of DAC, VOBA and DSI. The increase in operating earnings also includes the positive impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates in 2010. This improved reported operating earnings by $38 million for 2010 compared to 2009. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, operating earnings increased $1.5 billion from the prior period. Furthermore, the 2010 period also includes one month of ALICO results, contributing $114 million to the increase in operating earnings. The current period also benefited from the dividend scale reduction in the fourth quarter of 2009. The improvement in 2010 results compared to 2009 was partially offset by a decline in residential mortgage loan production and the prior period impact of pesification in Argentina.
 
In addition to a $133 million increase due to the inclusion of ALICO results, net investment income increased by $792 million from higher yields and $515 million from growth in average invested assets. Yields were positively impacted by the effects of stabilizing real estate markets and recovering private equity markets year over year on real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests, and by the effects of continued repositioning of the accumulated liquidity in our portfolio to longer duration and higher yielding investments, including investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities. Growth in our investment portfolio was primarily due to positive net cash flows from growth in our domestic individual and group life businesses, as well as certain international businesses; increased bank deposits, higher cash collateral balances received from our derivative counterparties, as well as the temporary investment of proceeds from the debt and common stock issuances in anticipation of the Acquisition. With the exception of the cash flows from such securities issuances, which were temporarily invested in lower yielding liquid investments, we continued to reposition the accumulated liquidity in our portfolio to longer duration and higher yielding investments.
 
Since many of our products are interest spread-based, higher net investment income is typically offset by higher interest credited expense. However, interest credited expense, including amounts reflected in policyholder benefits and claims, decreased $147 million, primarily in our domestic funding agreement business, which experienced lower average crediting rates combined with lower average account balances. Our fixed annuities business also experienced lower crediting rates. Certain crediting rates can move consistently with the underlying market indices, primarily the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”), which were lower than the prior year. The impact from the growth in our structured settlement, long-term care and disability businesses partially offset those decreases in interest credited expense.
 
A significant increase in average separate account balances is largely attributable to favorable market performance resulting from improved market conditions since the second quarter of 2009 and positive net cash flows from the annuity business. This resulted in higher policy fees and other revenues of $471 million, most notably in our Retirement Products segment. The improvement in fees is partially offset by greater DAC, VOBA and DSI amortization of $377 million. Policy fees are typically calculated as a percentage of the average assets in the separate accounts. DAC, VOBA and DSI amortization is based on the earnings of the business, which in the retirement business are derived, in part, from fees earned on separate account balances. A portion of the increase in amortization was due to the impact of higher current year gross margins, a primary component in the determination of the amount of amortization for our Insurance Products segment, mostly in the closed block resulting from increased investment yields and the impact of dividend scale reductions.
 
There was a $59 million decrease in variable annuity guaranteed benefit costs. Costs associated with our annuity guaranteed benefit liabilities, hedge programs and reinsurance programs are impacted by equity markets and interest rate levels to varying degrees. While 2010 and 2009 both experienced equity market improvements, the improvement in 2009 was greater. Interest rate levels declined in the current year and increased in the prior year. Annuity guaranteed benefit liabilities, net of a decrease in paid claims, increased benefits by $93 million primarily from our annual unlocking of assumptions related to these liabilities. The hedge and reinsurance programs which are used to mitigate the risk associated with these guarantees produced losses in both periods, but the losses in the


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prior period were more significant due to the 2009 equity market recovery. The change in hedge and reinsurance program costs decreased by $152 million. These hedge and reinsurance programs, which are a key part of our risk management strategy, performed as anticipated.
 
The reduction in the dividend scale in the fourth quarter of 2009 resulted in a $109 million decrease in policyholder dividends in the traditional life business in the current period.
 
Claims experience varied amongst our businesses with a net unfavorable impact of $153 million to operating earnings compared to the prior year. We had unfavorable claims experience in our Auto & Home segment, primarily due to increased catastrophes. Our Insurance Products segment experienced mixed claims experience with a net unfavorable impact. We experienced less favorable mortality experience in our Corporate Benefit Funding segment despite favorable experience in our structured settlements business.
 
A $15.2 billion decline in residential mortgage loan production resulted in a $131 million decrease in operating earnings, $32 million of which is reflected in net investment income from lower investment levels with the remainder largely attributable to a reduction in fee income. The increase in the serviced residential mortgage loan portfolio improved operating earnings by $41 million, including $23 million of costs associated with investment and growth in our banking business as discussed below.
 
Interest expense increased $64 million primarily as a result of the full year impact of debt issuances in 2009 and of senior notes and debt securities issued in anticipation of the Acquisition, partially offset by the impact of lower interest rates on variable rate collateral financing arrangements.
 
In addition to a $269 million increase associated with the Acquisition, operating expenses increased due to the impact of a $95 million benefit recorded in the prior period related to the pesification in Argentina, as well as an $83 million increase related to the investment and growth in our international and banking businesses. In addition, the current period includes a $14 million increase in charitable contributions and $13 million of costs associated with the integration of ALICO. Offsetting these increases was a $76 million reduction in discretionary spending, such as consulting, rent and postemployment related costs. In addition, we experienced a $47 million decline in market driven expenses, primarily pension and post retirement benefit costs. Also contributing to the decrease was a $35 million reduction in real estate-related charges and $15 million of lower legal costs.
 
Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $1,181 million, or 30% of income from continuing operations before provision for income tax, compared with income tax benefit of $2,015 million, or 47% of the loss from continuing operations before benefit for income tax, for the comparable 2009 period. The Company’s 2010 and 2009 effective tax rates differ from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the impact of certain permanent tax differences, including non-taxable investment income and tax credits for investments in low income housing, in relation to income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax, as well as certain foreign permanent tax differences.
 
The 2010 period includes $75 million of charges related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (together, the “Health Care Act”). The Federal government currently provides a Medicare Part D subsidy. The Health Care Act reduced the tax deductibility of retiree health care costs to the extent of any Medicare Part D subsidy received beginning in 2013. Because the deductibility of future retiree health care costs is reflected in our financial statements, the entire future impact of this change in law was required to be recorded as a charge in the period in which the legislation was enacted. Changes to the provision for income taxes in both periods contributed to an increase in operating earnings of $86 million for our International segment, resulting from a $34 million unfavorable impact in 2009 due to a change in assumption regarding the repatriation of earnings and a benefit of $52 million in the current year from additional permanent reinvestment of earnings, the reversal of tax provisions and favorable changes in liabilities for tax uncertainties. In addition, in 2009 we had a larger benefit of $71 million as compared to 2010 related to the utilization of tax preferenced investments which provide tax credits and deductions.


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Insurance Products
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2010     2009     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $ 17,200     $ 17,168     $ 32       0.2 %
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    2,247       2,281       (34 )     (1.5 )%
Net investment income
    6,068       5,614       454       8.1 %
Other revenues
    761       779       (18 )     (2.3 )%
                                 
Total operating revenues
    26,276       25,842       434       1.7 %
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    19,075       19,111       (36 )     (0.2 )%
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    963       952       11       1.2 %
Capitalization of DAC
    (841 )     (873 )     32       3.7 %
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    966       725       241       33.2 %
Interest expense on debt
    1       6       (5 )     (83.3 )%
Other expenses
    4,080       4,206       (126 )     (3.0 )%
                                 
Total operating expenses
    24,244       24,127       117       0.5 %
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    711       573       138       24.1 %
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 1,321     $ 1,142     $ 179       15.7 %
                                 
 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
 
The improvement in the global financial markets had a positive impact on net investment income, which contributed to the increase in Insurance Products’ operating earnings. In addition, we experienced overall modest revenue growth in several of our businesses despite this challenging environment. High levels of unemployment continue to depress growth across most of our group insurance businesses due to lower covered payrolls. Growth in our group life business was dampened by a decline in our non-medical health and individual life businesses. However, our dental business benefited from higher enrollment and pricing actions, partially offset by lower persistency and the loss of existing subscribers, driven by high unemployment. This business also experienced more stable utilization and benefits costs in the current year. The revenue growth from our dental business was more than offset by a decline in revenues from our disability business, mainly due to net customer cancellations, changes in benefit levels and lower covered lives. Our long-term care revenues were flat year over year, concurrent with the discontinuance of the sale of this coverage at the end of 2010. In our individual life business, the change in revenues was suppressed by the impact of a benefit recorded in the prior year related to the positive resolution of certain legal matters. Excluding this impact, the traditional life business experienced 8% growth in our open block of business. The expected run-off of our closed block more than offset this growth.
 
The significant components of the $179 million increase in operating earnings were an improvement in net investment income and the impact of a reduction in dividends to certain policyholders, coupled with lower expenses. These improvements were partially offset by an increase in DAC amortization, as well as net unfavorable claims experience across several of our businesses.
 
Higher net investment income of $295 million was due to a $202 million increase from growth in average invested assets and a $93 million increase from higher yields. Growth in the investment portfolio was attributed to an increase in net cash flows from the majority of our businesses. The increase in yields was largely due to the positive effects of recovering private equity markets and stabilizing real estate markets on other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures. To manage the needs of our intermediate to longer-term liabilities, our portfolio consists primarily of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans, structured finance securities (comprised of mortgage and asset-backed securities) and U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed fixed maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, certain other invested asset classes, including other


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limited partnership interests, real estate joint ventures and other invested assets which provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement.
 
The increase in net investment income was partially offset by a $36 million increase in interest credited on long duration contracts, which is reflected in the change in policyholder benefits and dividends, primarily due to growth in future policyholder benefits in our long-term care and disability businesses.
 
Other expenses decreased by $82 million, largely due to a decrease of $40 million from the impact of market conditions on certain expenses, such as pension and post-retirement benefit costs. In addition, a decrease in information technology expenses of $29 million contributed to the improvement in operating earnings. A decrease in variable expenses, such as commissions and premium taxes, further reduced expenses by $11 million, a portion of which is offset by DAC capitalization.
 
The reduction in the dividend scale in the fourth quarter of 2009 resulted in a $109 million decrease in policyholder dividends in the traditional life business in the current year.
 
Claims experience varied amongst Insurance Products’ businesses with a net unfavorable impact of $42 million to operating earnings. We experienced excellent mortality results in our group life business due to a decrease in severity, as well as favorable reserve refinements in the current year. In addition, an improvement in our long-term care results was driven by favorable claim experience mainly due to higher terminations and less claimants in the current year, coupled with the impact of unfavorable reserve refinements in the prior year. Our improved dental results were driven by higher enrollment and pricing actions, as well as improved claim experience in the current year. The impact of this positive experience was surpassed by solid, but less favorable mortality, in our individual life business combined with higher incidence and severity of group disability claims in the current year, and the impact of a gain from the recapture of a reinsurance arrangement in the prior year.
 
Higher DAC amortization of $157 million was primarily driven by the impact of higher gross margins, a primary component in the determination of the amount of amortization, mostly in the closed block resulting from increased investment yields and the impact of dividend scale reductions. In addition, the net impact of various model refinements in both the prior and current year increased DAC amortization.
 
Certain events reduced operating earnings, including the impact of a benefit being recorded in the prior year of $17 million related to the positive resolution of certain legal matters and an increase in current income tax expense of $27 million, resulting from an increase in our effective tax rate.


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Retirement Products
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2010     2009     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $ 875     $ 920     $ (45 )     (4.9 )%
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    2,234       1,712       522       30.5 %
Net investment income
    3,395       3,098       297       9.6 %
Other revenues
    220       173       47       27.2 %
                                 
Total operating revenues
    6,724       5,903       821       13.9 %
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    1,879       1,950       (71 )     (3.6 )%
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    1,612       1,688       (76 )     (4.5 )%
Capitalization of DAC
    (1,067 )     (1,067 )           %
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    724       424       300       70.8 %
Interest expense on debt
    3             3        
Other expenses
    2,437       2,433       4       0.2 %
                                 
Total operating expenses
    5,588       5,428       160       2.9 %
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    397       167       230       137.7 %
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 739     $ 308     $ 431       139.9 %
                                 
 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
 
During 2010, overall annuity sales decreased 5% compared to 2009 as declines in fixed annuity sales were partially offset by increased sales of our variable annuity products. The financial market turmoil in early 2009 resulted in extraordinarily high sales of fixed annuity products in 2009. The high sales level was not expected to continue after the financial markets returned to more stable levels. Variable annuity product sales increased primarily due to the expansion of alternative distribution channels and fewer competitors in the market place. Surrender rates for both our variable and fixed annuities remained low during the current period as we believe our customers continue to value our products compared to other alternatives in the marketplace.
 
Interest rate and equity market changes were the primary driver of the $431 million increase in operating earnings, with the largest impact resulting from a $370 million increase in policy fees and other revenues, a $193 million increase in net investment income, and a $59 million decrease in variable annuity guarantee benefit costs, offset by a $204 million increase in DAC, VOBA and DSI amortization and a $39 million increase in commission expense resulting from growth in annuity contract balances.
 
A significant increase in average separate account balances was largely attributable to favorable market performance resulting from improved market conditions since the second quarter of 2009 and positive net cash flows from the annuity business. This resulted in higher policy fees and other revenues of $370 million, partially offset by greater DAC, VOBA and DSI amortization. Policy fees are typically calculated as a percentage of the average assets in the separate account. DAC, VOBA and DSI amortization is based on the earnings of the business, which in the retirement business are derived, in part, from fees earned on separate account balances.
 
Financial market improvements also resulted in the increase in net investment income of $193 million as a $291 million increase from higher yields was partially offset by a $98 million decrease from a decline in average invested assets. Yields were positively impacted by the effects of the continued repositioning of the accumulated liquidity in our investment portfolio to longer duration and higher yielding assets, including investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities. Yields were also positively impacted by the effects of recovering private equity markets and stabilizing real estate markets on other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures. Despite positive net cash flows, a reduction in the general account investment portfolio was due to the impact of


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more customers gaining confidence in the equity markets and, as a result, electing to transfer funds into our separate account investment options as market conditions improved. To manage the needs of our intermediate to longer-term liabilities, our investment portfolio consists primarily of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, structured finance securities, mortgage loans and U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed fixed maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, certain other invested asset classes, including other limited partnership interests, real estate joint ventures and other invested assets, in order to provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement.
 
There was a $59 million decrease in variable annuity guaranteed benefit costs in 2010 compared to 2009. Costs associated with our annuity guaranteed benefit liabilities, hedge programs and reinsurance programs are impacted by equity markets and interest rate levels to varying degrees. While the equity market improved in both 2010 and 2009, the improvement in 2009 was greater. Interest rate levels declined in the current year and increased in the prior year. Annuity guaranteed benefit liabilities, net of a decrease in paid claims, increased benefits by $93 million primarily from our annual unlocking of assumptions related to these liabilities. The hedge and reinsurance programs which are used to mitigate the risk associated with these guarantees produced losses in both periods, but the losses in the prior period were more significant due to the 2009 equity market recovery. The costs related to our hedge and reinsurance programs decreased by $152 million in 2010 compared to 2009. These hedge and reinsurance programs, which are a key part of our risk management strategy, performed as anticipated.
 
Interest credited expense decreased $49 million driven by lower average crediting rates on fixed annuities and higher amortization of excess interest reserve due to one large case surrender in 2010, partially offset by growth in our fixed annuity policyholder account balances.
 
Corporate Benefit Funding
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2010     2009     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $     1,938     $     2,264     $     (326 )     (14.4 )%
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    226       176       50       28.4 %
Net investment income
    4,954       4,527       427       9.4 %
Other revenues
    246       238       8       3.4 %
                                 
Total operating revenues
    7,364       7,205       159       2.2 %
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    4,041       4,245       (204 )     (4.8 )%
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    1,445       1,632       (187 )     (11.5 )%
Capitalization of DAC
    (19 )     (14 )     (5 )     (35.7 )%
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    16       15       1       6.7 %
Interest expense on debt
    6       3       3       100.0 %
Other expenses
    460       456       4       0.9 %
                                 
Total operating expenses
    5,949       6,337       (388 )     (6.1 )%
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    495       288       207       71.9 %
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 920     $ 580     $ 340       58.6 %
                                 
 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
 
Corporate Benefit Funding benefited in 2010 from strong sales of structured settlement products and continued market penetration of our pension closeout business in the U.K. However, structured settlement premiums have declined $174 million, before income tax, from 2009 reflecting extraordinary sales in the fourth quarter of 2009. While market penetration continued in our pension closeout business in the U.K. as the number of sold cases


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increased, the average premium has declined, resulting in a decrease in premiums of $216 million, before income tax. Although improving, a combination of poor equity returns and lower interest rates have contributed to pension plans remaining underfunded, both in the U.S. and in the U.K., which reduces our customers’ flexibility to engage in transactions such as pension closeouts. For each of these businesses, the movement in premiums is almost entirely offset by the related change in policyholder benefits. The insurance liability that is established at the time we assume the risk under these contracts is typically equivalent to the premium recognized.
 
The $340 million increase in operating earnings was primarily driven by an improvement in net investment income and the impact of lower crediting rates, partially offset by the impact of prior period favorable liability refinements and less favorable mortality.
 
The primary driver of the $340 million increase in operating earnings was higher net investment income of $278 million, reflecting a $187 million increase from higher yields and a $91 million increase in average invested assets. Yields were positively impacted by the effects of stabilizing real estate markets and recovering private equity markets on real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests. These improvements in yields were partially offset by decreased yields on fixed maturity securities due to the reinvestment of proceeds from maturities and sales during this lower interest rate environment. Growth in the investment portfolio is due to an increase in average policyholder account balances and growth in the securities lending program. To manage the needs of our longer-term liabilities, our portfolio consists primarily of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, structured finance securities, mortgage loans and U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities, and, to a lesser extent, certain other invested asset classes including other limited partnership interests, real estate joint ventures and other invested assets in order to provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement. For our short-term obligations, we invest primarily in structured finance securities, mortgage loans and investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities. The yields on these short-term investments have moved consistently with the underlying market indices, primarily LIBOR and U.S. Treasury, on which they are based.
 
As many of our products are interest spread-based, changes in net investment income are typically offset by a corresponding change in interest credited expense. However, interest credited expense decreased $122 million, primarily related to our funding agreement business as a result of lower average crediting rates combined with lower average account balances. Certain crediting rates can move consistently with the underlying market indices, primarily LIBOR, which were lower than the prior year. Interest credited expense related to the structured settlement businesses increased $40 million as a result of the increase in the average policyholder liabilities.
 
Mortality experience was mixed and reduced operating earnings in 2010 by $26 million. Less favorable mortality in our pension closeouts and corporate owned life insurance businesses compared to 2009 was only slightly offset by favorable mortality experience in our structured settlements business.
 
Liability refinements in both the current and prior year resulted in a $28 million decrease to operating earnings. These were largely offset by the impact of a charge in the 2009 period related to a refinement of a reinsurance recoverable in the small business recordkeeping business which increased operating earnings by $20 million.


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Auto & Home
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2010     2009     Change     % Change  
           (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $ 2,923     $ 2,902     $ 21       0.7 %
Net investment income
    209       180       29       16.1 %
Other revenues
    22       33       (11 )     (33.3 )%
                                 
Total operating revenues
    3,154       3,115       39       1.3 %
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    2,021       1,932       89       4.6 %
Capitalization of DAC
    (448 )     (435 )     (13 )     (3.0 )%
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    439       436       3       0.7 %
Other expenses
    769       764       5       0.7 %
                                 
Total operating expenses
    2,781       2,697       84       3.1 %
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    73       96       (23 )     (24.0 )%
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 300     $ 322     $ (22 )     (6.8 )%
                                 
 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
 
The improving housing and automobile markets have provided opportunities that led to increased new business sales for both homeowners and auto policies in 2010. Sales of new policies increased 11% for our homeowners business and 4% for our auto business in 2010 compared to 2009. Average premium per policy also improved in 2010 over 2009 in our homeowners businesses but remained flat in our auto business.
 
The primary driver of the $22 million decrease in operating earnings was unfavorable claims experience, partially offset by higher net investment income and increased premiums.
 
Catastrophe-related losses increased by $58 million compared to 2009 due to increases in both the number and severity of storms. Current period claim costs decreased $19 million as a result of lower frequencies in both our auto and homeowners businesses; however, this was partially offset by a $13 million increase in claims due to higher severity in our homeowners business. Also contributing to the decline in operating earnings was an increase of $7 million in loss adjusting expenses, primarily related to a decrease in our unallocated loss adjusting expense liabilities at the end of 2009.
 
The impact of the items discussed above can be seen in the unfavorable change in the combined ratio, including catastrophes, increasing to 94.6% in 2010 from 92.3% in 2009 and the favorable change in the combined ratio, excluding catastrophes, decreasing to 88.1% in 2010 from 88.9% in 2009.
 
A $19 million increase in net investment income partially offset the declines in operating earnings discussed above. Net investment income was higher primarily as a result of an increase in average invested assets, including changes in allocated equity, partially offset by a decrease in yields. This portfolio is comprised primarily of high quality municipal bonds.
 
The increase in average premium per policy in our homeowners businesses improved operating earnings by $10 million as did an increase in exposures which improved operating earnings by $1 million. Exposures are primarily each automobile for the auto line of business and each residence for the property line of business. Also improving operating earnings, through an increase in premiums, was a $5 million reduction in reinsurance costs.
 
The slight increase in other expenses was more than offset by an $8 million increase in DAC capitalization, resulting primarily from increased premiums written.
 
In addition, a first quarter 2010 write-off of an equity interest in a mandatory state underwriting pool required by a change in legislation and a decrease in income from a retroactive reinsurance contract in run-off, both of which


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were recorded in other revenues, drove a $7 million decrease in operating earnings. Auto & Home also benefited from a lower effective tax rate which improved operating earnings by $8 million primarily as a result of tax free interest income representing a larger portion of pre-tax income.
 
International
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2010     2009     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $ 4,447     $ 3,187     $ 1,260       39.5 %
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    1,329       1,061       268       25.3 %
Net investment income
    1,703       1,193       510       42.7 %
Other revenues
    35       14       21       150.0 %
                                 
Total operating revenues
    7,514       5,455       2,059       37.7 %
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    3,723       2,660       1,063       40.0 %
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    683       581       102       17.6 %
Capitalization of DAC
    (968 )     (630 )     (338 )     (53.7 )%
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    537       415       122       29.4 %
Interest expense on debt
    3       8       (5 )     (62.5 )%
Other expenses
    2,538       1,797       741       41.2 %
                                 
Total operating expenses
    6,516       4,831       1,685       34.9 %
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    206       161       45       28.0 %
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 792     $ 463     $ 329       71.1 %
                                 
 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax and are on a constant currency basis. The constant currency basis amounts for both periods are calculated using the average foreign currency exchange rates for 2010.
 
The improvement in the global financial markets has resulted in continued growth, with a 24% increase in sales in the current period compared to the prior period excluding the results of our Japan joint venture. Retirement and savings sales increased 30% driven by strong annuity, universal life and pension sales in Europe, Mexico, Chile, South Korea and China. In our Europe and the Middle East operations, sales of annuities and universal life products remained strong, more than doubling from the prior year, partially offset by lower pension and variable universal life sales in India due to the loss of a major distributor, as well as lower credit life sales. Our Latin America operation experienced an overall increase in sales resulting from solid growth in pension and universal life sales in Mexico and an increase in fixed annuity sales in Chile due to market recovery, slightly offset by lower bank sales in Brazil resulting from incentives offered in the prior year. Sales in our Asia Pacific operation, excluding the results of our Japan joint venture, increased primarily due to higher variable universal life sales in South Korea, slightly offset by the decline in annuity sales and strong bank channel sales in China. We have experienced lower sales in Taiwan following the announcement of the planned sale of this business. While the third party’s application for approval of the sale of our Taiwan affiliate was rejected by the Taiwan Financial Supervising Commission, the Company continues to explore strategic options with respect to this affiliate.
 
Reported operating earnings increased by $329 million over the prior year. The positive impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates improved reported earnings by $38 million for 2010 compared to 2009. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, operating earnings increased $291 million, or 58%. Reported operating earnings reflect the operating results of ALICO from the Acquisition Date through November 30, 2010, which contributed $114 million to our 2010 operating earnings. As previously noted,


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ALICO’s accounting year-end is November 30; therefore, International’s results for the year include one month of ALICO results.
 
Changes in assumptions for measuring the impact of inflation on certain inflation-indexed fixed maturity securities increased operating earnings by $124 million. Changes to the provision for income taxes in both periods contributed to an increase in operating earnings of $86 million, resulting from a $34 million unfavorable impact in 2009 from a change in assumption regarding the repatriation of earnings and a benefit $52 million in the current year from additional permanent reinvestment of earnings, the reversal of tax provisions and favorable changes in liabilities for tax uncertainties. Business growth in our Latin America operation contributed to an increase in operating earnings. Operating earnings in Mexico increased $56 million from growth in our institutional and individual businesses, partially offset by the impact of unfavorable claims experience of $26 million. Higher investment yields resulting from portfolio restructuring was the primary driver in Argentina contributing $23 million to the improvement in operating earnings. India’s results benefited by $10 million primarily due to lower expenses resulting from the loss of a major distributor and slower growth resulting from market conditions.
 
Partially offsetting these increases is the impact of pesification in Argentina, which favorably impacted 2009 reported earnings by $95 million. This prior period benefit was due to a liability release resulting from a reassessment of our approach in managing existing and potential future claims related to certain social security pension annuity contractholders in Argentina. In addition, operating earnings in Australia were lower by $9 million, which was primarily due to a write-off of DAC attributable to a change in a product feature in the current period.
 
In addition to a $133 million increase due to the inclusion of ALICO results, net investment income increased $102 million from growth in average invested assets and $88 million from improved yields. Growth in average invested assets reflects growth in our businesses. Improved yields reflects the impact of increased inflation, primarily in Chile, as well as the impact of changes in assumptions for measuring the effects of inflation on certain inflation-indexed fixed maturity securities. The increase in net investment income from higher inflation was offset by an increase in the related insurance liabilities due to higher inflation. Although diversification into higher yielding investments had a positive impact on yields, this was partially offset by decreased trading and other securities results driven by a stronger recovery in equity markets in 2009 compared to 2010, primarily in Hong Kong, and by a decrease in the results of our operating joint ventures. The reduction in net investment income from our trading portfolio is entirely offset by a corresponding decrease in the interest credited on the related contractholder account balances and therefore had no impact on operating earnings.
 
In addition to a $269 million increase associated with the Acquisition, operating expenses increased due to the impact of the pesification in Argentina noted above, as well as current period business growth in South Korea, Brazil and Mexico, which resulted in $93 million of increased commissions and compensation. These increases were partially offset by $33 million of lower commissions and business expenses in India.


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Banking, Corporate & Other
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2010     2009     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $ 11     $ 19     $ (8 )     (42.1 )%
Net investment income
    992       477       515       108.0 %
Other revenues
    1,044       1,092       (48 )     (4.4 )%
                                 
Total operating revenues
    2,047       1,588       459       28.9 %
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    (14 )     4       (18 )     (450.0 )%
Interest credited to bank deposits
    137       163       (26 )     (16.0 )%
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    1       3       (2 )     (66.7 )%
Interest expense on debt
    1,126       1,027       99       9.6 %
Other expenses
    1,155       1,336       (181 )     (13.5 )%
                                 
Total operating expenses
    2,405       2,533       (128 )     (5.1 )%
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    (300 )     (617 )     317       51.4 %
                                 
Operating earnings
    (58 )     (328 )     270       82.3 %
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    122       122             %
                                 
Operating earnings available to common shareholders
  $ (180 )   $ (450 )   $ 270       60.0 %
                                 
 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts discussed below are net of income tax.
 
During 2010, mortgage refinancing activity continued to return to more moderate levels compared to the unusually high levels experienced in 2009. Consistent with these market conditions, we experienced a $15.2 billion decline in residential mortgage production during 2010, while our serviced residential mortgage loans increased $20.1 billion, which includes a $16.5 billion purchase from a FDIC receivership bank in the third quarter of 2010 and a net sale of $4.8 billion to FNMA in the second quarter of 2010. Servicing run-off of existing business slowed to 18.2% in 2010 compared with 19.6% in 2009.
 
The Holding Company completed four debt financings in August 2010 in anticipation of the Acquisition, issuing $1.0 billion of 2.375% senior notes, $1.0 billion of 4.75% senior notes, $750 million of 5.875% senior notes, and $250 million of floating rate senior notes. The Holding Company also issued debt securities, which are part of the $3.0 billion stated value of common equity units. The proceeds from these debt issuances were used to finance the Acquisition. The Holding Company completed three debt issuances in 2009 in response to the economic crisis, issuing $397 million of floating rate senior notes in March 2009, $1.3 billion of senior notes in May 2009, and $500 million of junior subordinated debt securities in July 2009. The proceeds from these debt issuances were used for general corporate purposes.
 
Operating earnings available to common shareholders and operating earnings, which excludes preferred stock dividends, each increased $270 million, primarily due to an increase in net investment income and a reduction in operating expenses, partially offset by a decline in mortgage banking revenues, a decrease in tax benefit and an increase in interest expense resulting from the debt issuances noted above.
 
Net investment income increased $335 million reflecting an increase of $189 million due to higher yields and an increase of $146 million from growth in average invested assets. Yields were positively impacted by the effects of recovering private equity markets and stabilizing real estate markets on other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures. This was partially offset by lower fixed maturities yields which were adversely impacted by the reinvestment of proceeds from maturities and sales during this lower interest rate environment and from decreased trading and other securities results due to a stronger recovery in equity markets in 2009 as compared to 2010. In addition, due to the lower interest rate environment in the current year, less net investment income was credited to the segments in 2010 compared to 2009. Growth in average invested assets was primarily due to an


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increase in bank deposits, higher cash collateral balances received from our derivative counterparties and the temporary investment of the proceeds from the debt and common stock issuances in anticipation of the Acquisition. Our investments primarily include structured finance securities, investment grade corporate fixed maturities, mortgage loans and U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed fixed maturity securities. In addition, our investment portfolio includes the excess capital not allocated to the segments. Accordingly, it includes a higher allocation of certain other invested asset classes to provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement, including leveraged leases, other limited partnership interests, real estate, real estate joint ventures, trading securities and equity securities.
 
Banking, Corporate & Other benefited in 2010 from a $76 million reduction in discretionary spending, such as consulting and postemployment related costs, a $35 million decrease in real estate-related charges and $15 million of lower legal costs. Other expenses also include a $48 million decrease in commissions as a result of the decline in residential mortgage loan production discussed below. These savings were partially offset by a $14 million increase in charitable contributions. The current year also included $44 million of internal resource costs for associates committed to the Acquisition and a $23 million increase in expenses associated with expanding the infrastructure of our banking business. Additionally, the positive resolution of certain legal matters increased operating earnings by $27 million.
 
The $15.2 billion decline in residential mortgage loan production resulted in a $131 million decrease in operating earnings, $32 million of which is reflected in net investment income with the remainder largely attributable to a reduction in fee income. The increase in the serviced residential mortgage loan portfolio improved operating earnings by $41 million despite the increased infrastructure expenses discussed above.
 
Maturing time deposits and the need for liquidity in the lower interest rate environment of 2010 resulted in a $17 million decrease in interest credited to bank deposits, despite growth of $1.7 billion in deposits.
 
Interest expense increased $64 million primarily as a result of the debt issuances in 2009 and the senior notes and debt securities issued in anticipation of the Acquisition, partially offset by the impact of lower interest rates on variable rate collateral financing arrangements.
 
The 2010 period includes $75 million of charges related to the Health Care Act. The Federal government currently provides a Medicare Part D subsidy. The Health Care Act reduced the tax deductibility of retiree health care costs to the extent of any Medicare Part D subsidy received beginning in 2013. Because the deductibility of future retiree health care costs is reflected in our financial statements, the entire future impact of this change in law was required to be recorded as a charge in the period in which the legislation was enacted. As a result, we incurred a $75 million charge in the first quarter of 2010. The Health Care Act also amended Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) as a result of which MetLife was initially considered a healthcare provider, as defined, and would be subject to limits on tax deductibility of certain types of compensation. In December 2010, the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2011-2 which clarified that the executive compensation deduction limitation included in the Health Care Act did not apply to insurers like MetLife selling de minimis amounts of health care coverage. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2010, we reversed $18 million of previously recorded taxes for 2010. In 2009, Banking, Corporate & Other received a larger benefit of $36 million as compared to 2010 related to the utilization of tax preferenced investments which provide tax credits and deductions.
 
Results of Operations
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009 compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
Unfavorable market conditions continued through 2009, providing a challenging business environment. The largest and most significant impact continued to be on our investment portfolio as declining yields resulted in lower net investment income. Market sensitive expenses were also negatively impacted by the market conditions as evidenced by an increase in pension and postretirement benefit costs. Higher levels of unemployment continued to impact certain group businesses as a decrease in covered payrolls reduced growth. Our auto and homeowners business was impacted by a declining housing market, the deterioration of the new auto sales market and the continuation of credit availability issues, all of which contributed to a decrease in insured exposures. Despite the challenging business environment, revenue growth remained solid in the majority of our businesses. A flight to


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quality during the year contributed to an improvement in sales in both our domestic fixed and variable annuity products. We also saw an increase in market share, especially in the structured settlement business, where we experienced an increase of 53% in premiums. An improvement in the global financial markets contributed to a recovery of sales in most of our international regions and resulted in improved investment performance in some regions during the second half of 2009. We also benefited domestically from a strong residential mortgage refinance market and healthy growth in the reverse mortgage arena.
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2009     2008     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
Revenues
                               
Premiums
  $ 26,460     $ 25,914     $ 546       2.1 %
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    5,203       5,381       (178 )     (3.3 )%
Net investment income
    14,837       16,289       (1,452 )     (8.9 )%
Other revenues
    2,329       1,586       743       46.8 %
Net investment gains (losses)
    (2,906 )     (2,098 )     (808 )     (38.5 )%
Net derivative gains (losses)
    (4,866 )     3,910       (8,776 )     (224.5 )%
                                 
Total revenues
    41,057       50,982       (9,925 )     (19.5 )%
                                 
Expenses
                               
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
    29,986       29,188       798       2.7 %
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    4,849       4,788       61       1.3 %
Interest credited to bank deposits
    163       166       (3 )     (1.8 )%
Capitalization of DAC
    (3,019 )     (3,092 )     73       2.4 %
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    1,307       3,489       (2,182 )     (62.5 )%
Interest expense on debt
    1,044       1,051       (7 )     (0.7 )%
Other expenses
    11,061       10,333       728       7.0 %
                                 
Total expenses
    45,391       45,923       (532 )     (1.2 )%
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax
    (4,334 )     5,059       (9,393 )     (185.7 )%
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    (2,015 )     1,580       (3,595 )     (227.5 )%
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
    (2,319 )     3,479       (5,798 )     (166.7 )%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
    41       (201 )     242       120.4 %
                                 
Net income (loss)
    (2,278 )     3,278       (5,556 )     (169.5 )%
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (32 )     69       (101 )     (146.4 )%
                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
    (2,246 )     3,209       (5,455 )     (170.0 )%
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    122       125       (3 )     (2.4 )%
                                 
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ (2,368 )   $ 3,084     $ (5,452 )     (176.8 )%
                                 
 
Unless otherwise stated, all amounts are net of income tax.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, MetLife’s income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax decreased $5.8 billion to a loss of $2.3 billion from income of $3.5 billion in the comparable 2008 period. The year over year change was predominantly due to a $5.7 billion unfavorable change in net derivative gains (losses) to losses of $3.2 billion in 2009 from gains of $2.5 billion in 2008, and a $525 million unfavorable change in net investment gains (losses). Offsetting these unfavorable variances totaling $6.2 billion were favorable changes in adjustments related to net derivative and net investment gains (losses) of $972 million, net of income tax, principally associated with DAC and VOBA amortization, resulting in a total unfavorable variance related to net derivative and net investment gains (losses), net of related adjustments and income tax, of $5.2 billion.
 
We manage our investment portfolio using disciplined ALM principles, focusing on cash flow and duration to support our current and future liabilities. Our intent is to match the timing and amount of liability cash outflows with invested assets that have cash inflows of comparable timing and amount, while optimizing, net of income tax, risk-adjusted net investment income and risk-adjusted total return. Our investment portfolio is heavily weighted toward fixed income investments, with over 80% of our portfolio invested in fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans.


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These securities and loans have varying maturities and other characteristics which cause them to be generally well suited for matching the cash flow and duration of insurance liabilities. Other invested asset classes including, but not limited to equity securities, other limited partnership interests and real estate and real estate joint ventures provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement in addition to supporting the cash flow and duration objectives of our investment portfolio. We also use derivatives as an integral part of our management of the investment portfolio to hedge certain risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currencies, credit spreads and equity market levels. Additional considerations for our investment portfolio include current and expected market conditions and expectations for changes within our unique mix of products and business segments.
 
The composition of the investment portfolio of each business segment is tailored to the unique characteristics of its insurance liabilities, causing certain portfolios to be shorter in duration and others to be longer in duration. Accordingly, certain portfolios are more heavily weighted in fixed maturity securities, or certain sub-sectors of fixed maturity securities, than other portfolios.
 
Investments are purchased to support our insurance liabilities and not to generate net investment gains and losses. However, net investment gains and losses are generated and can change significantly from period to period, due to changes in external influences including movements in interest rates, foreign currencies and credit spreads, counterparty specific factors such as financial performance, credit rating and collateral valuation, and internal factors such as portfolio rebalancing that can generate gains and losses. As an investor in the fixed income, equity security, mortgage loan and certain other invested asset classes, we are exposed to the above stated risks, which can lead to both impairments and credit-related losses.
 
In addition to the above risk management strategies, as an integral part of our management of the investment portfolio, we use freestanding derivatives to hedge market risks including changes in interest rates, foreign currencies, credit spreads and the equity market. We also use freestanding derivatives to hedge these same risks in certain of our liabilities, including variable annuity minimum benefit guarantees. For those hedges not designated as an accounting hedge, changes in these market risks can lead to the recognition of fair value changes in net derivative gains (losses) without an offsetting gain or loss recognized in earnings for the item being hedged even though these are effective economic hedges. Additionally, we issue liabilities and purchase assets that contain embedded derivatives whose changes in estimated fair value are sensitive to changes in market risks and are also recognized in net derivative gains (losses).
 
The unfavorable variance in net derivative gains (losses) of $5.7 billion, from gains of $2.5 billion in 2008 to losses of $3.2 billion in 2009 was primarily driven by an unfavorable change in freestanding derivatives of $8.6 billion from gains in the prior period of $4.3 billion to losses in the current period of $4.3 billion. This unfavorable variance was partially offset by a favorable change in embedded derivatives primarily associated with variable annuity minimum benefit guarantees of $2.9 billion from losses in the prior period of $1.7 billion to gains in the current period of $1.2 billion.
 
The $8.6 billion unfavorable variance in freestanding derivatives was primarily attributable to market factors, including rising interest rates, improving equity markets on equity options and futures, decreased equity volatility, weakening U.S. dollar, and narrowing credit spreads. Long-term and mid-term interest rates increased in the current period which caused a negative impact of $4.4 billion on our interest rate derivatives, $1.2 billion of which is attributable to hedges of variable annuity minimum benefit guarantees. Equity markets improved while equity volatility decreased in the current period, which had a net negative impact of $3.1 billion on our equity derivatives, which we use to hedge variable annuity minimum benefit guarantees. Weakening of the U.S. dollar in the current period had a negative impact of $646 million on certain foreign currency derivatives that are used to hedge foreign-denominated asset and liability exposures. Narrowing corporate credit spreads had a negative impact of $453 million on our purchased protection credit derivatives.
 
The variable annuity products with minimum benefit guarantees containing embedded derivatives are measured at fair value separately from the host variable annuity contract, with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). The estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives also includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk of the related liabilities carried at estimated fair value. The $2.9 billion favorable change in embedded derivatives was primarily attributable to rising interest rates, improving equity market performance, a decrease in equity volatility, and weakening of the U.S. dollar, which was offset by the


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unfavorable change in the adjustment for nonperformance risk. Both long-term and mid-term interest rates increased in the current period which had a positive impact of $2.2 billion. Improving equity markets in the current period had a positive impact of $1.5 billion. Lower equity market volatility in the current period compared to the prior period had a positive impact of $817 million, and the weakening U.S. dollar had a positive impact of $456 million. The favorable results from these hedged risks was partially offset by an unfavorable change related to the adjustment for nonperformance risk of $3.2 billion, from gains of $1.9 billion in 2008 to losses of $1.3 billion in 2009. Gains on the freestanding derivatives that hedged these embedded derivative risks more than offset the change in liabilities attributable to market factors, excluding the adjustment for nonperformance risk. Finally, there was a favorable change of $1.1 billion for all other unhedged risks on the variable annuity minimum benefit guarantee liabilities.
 
The $525 million unfavorable change in net investment gains (losses) was primarily attributable to higher net losses on mortgage loans and other limited partnership interests. The increase in losses on mortgage loans was principally due to increases in mortgage valuation allowances resulting from weakening of the real estate market and other economic fundamentals. The increase in losses on other limited partnership interests was principally due to higher impairments on certain cost method investments which experienced a reduction in net asset values of the underlying portfolio companies. The underlying valuations of the portfolio companies have decreased due to the current economic environment.
 
As more fully described in the discussion of performance measures above, operating earnings is the measure of segment profit or loss we use to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP accounting guidance for segment reporting, it is our measure of performance, as reported below. Operating earnings is not determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax. We believe that the presentation of operating earnings enhances the understanding of our performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Operating earnings available to common shareholders decreased by $329 million to $2.4 billion in 2009 from $2.7 billion in 2008.
 
Reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, to operating earnings available to common shareholders
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
                                                         
                Corporate
                Banking,
       
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto &
          Corporate
       
    Products     Products     Funding     Home     International     & Other     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
  $ (418 )   $ (628 )   $ (581 )   $ 321     $ (280 )   $ (733 )   $ (2,319 )
Less: Net investment gains (losses)
    (472 )     (533 )     (1,486 )     (41 )     (105 )     (269 )     (2,906 )
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
    (1,786 )     (1,426 )     (421 )     39       (798 )     (474 )     (4,866 )
Less: Adjustments to continuing operations (1)
    (139 )     519       125             (206 )     (16 )     283  
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
    837       504       621       1       366       354       2,683  
                                                         
Operating earnings
  $ 1,142     $ 308     $ 580     $ 322     $ 463       (328 )     2,487  
                                                         
Less: Preferred stock dividends
                                            122       122  
                                                         
Operating earnings available to common shareholders
                                          $ (450 )   $ 2,365  
                                                         


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Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
                                                         
                Corporate
                Banking,
       
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto &
          Corporate
       
    Products     Products     Funding     Home     International     & Other     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
  $ 2,195     $ 539     $ (256 )   $ 275     $ 553     $ 173     $ 3,479  
Less: Net investment gains (losses)
    (1,219 )     (669 )     (1,682 )     (89 )     (91 )     1,652       (2,098 )
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
    2,777       1,842       (219 )     (45 )     260       (705 )     3,910  
Less: Adjustments to continuing operations (1)
    (193 )     (622 )     82             52       17       (664 )
Less: Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
    (480 )     (192 )     637       46       (147 )     (352 )     (488 )
                                                         
Operating earnings
  $ 1,310     $ 180     $ 926     $ 363     $ 479       (439 )     2,819  
                                                         
Less: Preferred stock dividends
                                            125       125  
                                                         
Operating earnings available to common shareholders
                                          $ (564 )   $ 2,694  
                                                         
 
 
(1) See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses for the components of such adjustments.
 
Reconciliation of GAAP revenues to operating revenues and GAAP expenses to operating expenses
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
                                                         
                Corporate
                Banking,
       
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto &
          Corporate
       
    Products     Products     Funding     Home     International     & Other     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Total revenues
  $ 23,483     $ 3,725     $ 5,486     $ 3,113     $ 4,383     $ 867     $ 41,057  
Less: Net investment gains (losses)
    (472 )     (533 )     (1,486 )     (41 )     (105 )     (269 )     (2,906 )
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
    (1,786 )     (1,426 )     (421 )     39       (798 )     (474 )     (4,866 )
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
    (27 )                                   (27 )
Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
    (74 )     (219 )     188             (169 )     22       (252 )
                                                         
Total operating revenues
  $ 25,842     $ 5,903     $ 7,205     $ 3,115     $ 5,455     $ 1,588     $ 49,108  
                                                         
Total expenses
  $ 24,165     $ 4,690     $ 6,400     $ 2,697     $ 4,868     $ 2,571     $ 45,391  
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
    39       (739 )                             (700 )
Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)
    (1 )     1       63             37       38       138  
                                                         
Total operating expenses
  $ 24,127     $ 5,428     $ 6,337     $ 2,697     $ 4,831     $ 2,533     $ 45,953  
                                                         


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Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
                                                         
                Corporate
                Banking,
       
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto &
          Corporate
       
    Products     Products     Funding     Home     International     & Other     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Total revenues
  $ 26,754     $ 6,487     $ 6,700     $ 3,061     $ 6,001     $ 1,979     $ 50,982  
Less: Net investment gains (losses)
    (1,219 )     (669 )     (1,682 )     (89 )     (91 )     1,652       (2,098 )
Less: Net derivative gains (losses)
    2,777       1,842       (219 )     (45 )     260       (705 )     3,910  
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
    18                                     18  
Less: Other adjustments to revenues (1)
    (1 )     (45 )     53             69       13       89  
                                                         
Total operating revenues
  $ 25,179     $ 5,359     $ 8,548     $ 3,195     $ 5,763     $ 1,019     $ 49,063  
                                                         
Total expenses
  $ 23,418     $ 5,665     $ 7,119     $ 2,728     $ 5,044     $ 1,949     $ 45,923  
Less: Adjustments related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses)
    262       577                               839  
Less: Other adjustments to expenses (1)
    (52 )           (29 )           17       (4 )     (68 )
                                                         
Total operating expenses
  $ 23,208     $ 5,088     $ 7,148     $ 2,728     $ 5,027     $ 1,953     $ 45,152  
                                                         
 
 
(1) See definitions of operating revenues and operating expenses for the components of such adjustments.
 
The volatile market conditions that began in 2008 and continued into 2009 impacted several key components of our operating earnings available to common shareholders including net investment income, hedging costs, and certain market sensitive expenses. The markets also positively impacted our operating earnings available to common shareholders as conditions began to improve during 2009, resulting in lower DAC and DSI amortization.
 
A $722 million decline in net investment income was the result of decreasing yields, including the effects of our higher quality, more liquid, but lower yielding investment position in response to the extraordinary market conditions. The impact of declining yields caused a $1.6 billion decrease in net investment income, which was partially offset by an increase of $846 million due to growth in average invested assets calculated excluding unrealized gains and losses. The decrease in yields resulted from the disruption and dislocation in the global financial markets experienced in 2008, which continued, but moderated, in 2009. The adverse yield impact was concentrated in the following four invested asset classes:
 
  •  Fixed maturity securities — primarily due to lower yields on floating rate securities from declines in short-term interest rates and an increased allocation to lower yielding, higher quality, U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities, to increase liquidity in response to the extraordinary market conditions, as well as decreased income on our securities lending program, primarily due to the smaller size of the program in the current year. These adverse impacts were offset slightly as conditions improved late in 2009 and we began to reallocate our portfolio to higher-yielding assets;
 
  •  Real estate joint ventures — primarily due to declining property valuations on certain investment funds that carry their real estate at estimated fair value and operating losses incurred on properties that were developed for sale by development joint ventures;
 
  •  Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments — primarily due to declines in short-term interest rates; and
 
  •  Mortgage loans — primarily due to lower prepayments on commercial mortgage loans and lower yields on variable rate loans reflecting declines in short-term interest rates.


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Equity markets experienced some recovery in 2009, which led to improved yields on other limited partnership interests. As many of our products are interest spread-based, the lower net investment income was significantly offset by lower interest credited expense on our investment and insurance products.
 
The financial market conditions also resulted in a $348 million increase in net guaranteed annuity benefit costs in our Retirement Products segment, as increased hedging losses were only partially offset by lower guaranteed benefit costs.
 
The key driver of the increase in other expenses stemmed from the impact of market conditions on certain expenses, primarily pension and postretirement benefit costs, reinsurance expenses and letter of credit fees. These increases coupled with higher variable costs, such as commissions and premium taxes, some of which have been capitalized, more than offset the favorable impact of lower information technology, travel, professional services and advertising expenses, which include the impact of our enterprise-wide cost reduction and revenue enhancement initiative.
 
The market improvement which began in the second quarter of 2009 was a key factor in the determination of our expected future gross profits, the increase of which triggered a decrease in DAC and DSI amortization, most significantly in the Retirement Products segment. The increase in our expected future gross profits stemmed primarily from an increase in the market value of our separate account balances, which is attributable, in part, to the improving financial markets. Our Insurance Products segment benefited, in the current year, from an increase in amortization of unearned revenue, primarily as a result of our annual review of assumptions that are used in the determination of the amount of amortization recognized. These collective changes in amortization resulted in a $720 million benefit, partially offsetting the declines in operating earnings available to common shareholders discussed above.
 
A portion of the decline in operating earnings available to common shareholders was caused by a $200 million reduction in the results of our closed block of business, a specific group of participating life policies that were segregated in connection with the demutualization of MLIC. Until early 2009, the operating earnings of the closed block did not have a full impact on operating earnings as the operating earnings or loss was partially offset by a change in the policyholder dividend obligation, a liability established at the time of demutualization. However, in early 2009 the policyholder dividend obligation was depleted and, as a result, the total operating earnings or loss related to the closed block for the year ended December 31, 2009 was, and in the future may be a component of operating earnings.
 
Business growth, from the majority of our businesses, along with net favorable mortality experience, had a positive impact on operating earnings available to common shareholders. These impacts were somewhat dampened by higher benefit utilization in our dental business and mixed claim activity in our Auto & Home segment. In addition, our forward and reverse residential mortgage platform acquisitions in late 2008 benefited Banking, Corporate & Other’s 2009 results.


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Insurance Products
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2009     2008     Change     % Change  
        (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $   17,168     $   16,402     $   766       4.7 %
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    2,281       2,171       110       5.1 %
Net investment income
    5,614       5,787       (173 )     (3.0 )%
Other revenues
    779       819       (40 )     (4.9 )%
                                 
Total operating revenues
    25,842       25,179       663       2.6 %
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    19,111       18,183       928       5.1 %
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    952       930       22       2.4 %
Capitalization of DAC
    (873 )     (849 )     (24 )     (2.8 )%
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    725       743       (18 )     (2.4 )%
Interest expense on debt
    6       5       1       20.0 %
Other expenses
    4,206       4,196       10       0.2 %
                                 
Total operating expenses
    24,127       23,208       919       4.0 %
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    573       661       (88 )     (13.3 )%
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 1,142     $ 1,310     $ (168 )     (12.8 )%
                                 
 
Unfavorable market conditions, which continued through 2009, provided a challenging business environment for our Insurance Products segment. This resulted in lower net investment income and an increase in market sensitive expenses, primarily pension and postretirement benefit costs. We also experienced higher utilization of dental benefits along with a lower number of recoveries in our disability business. Higher levels of unemployment continued to impact certain group businesses as a decrease in covered payrolls reduced growth. However, revenue growth remained solid in all of our businesses. Revenue growth in our dental and individual life businesses reflected strong sales and renewals.
 
The significant components of the $168 million decline in operating earnings were the aforementioned decline in net investment income, especially in the closed block business, partially offset by an increase in the amortization of unearned revenue, the impact of a reduction in dividends to certain policyholders and favorable mortality in the individual life business.
 
Until early 2009, the earnings of the closed block did not have a full impact on operating earnings as the earnings or loss was partially offset by a change in the policyholder dividend obligation. However, in early 2009 the policyholder dividend obligation was depleted and, as a result, the total operating earnings or loss related to the closed block for the year ended December 31, 2009 was, and in the future may be, a component of operating earnings. This resulted in a $200 million decline in operating earnings in 2009.
 
The decrease in net investment income of $112 million was primarily due to a $317 million decrease from lower yields, partially offset by a $205 million increase from growth in average invested assets. Yields were adversely impacted by the severe downturn in the global financial markets, which primarily impacted other invested assets, real estate joint ventures and fixed maturity securities. In addition, income from our securities lending program decreased primarily due to the smaller size of the program in 2009. The growth in the average invested asset base was primarily from an increase in net flows from our individual life, non-medical health, and group life businesses. The moderate recovery in equity markets in 2009 led to improved yields on other limited partnership interests, which partially offset the overall reduction in yields. To manage the needs of our intermediate to longer-term liabilities, our portfolio consists primarily of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, structured finance securities (comprised of mortgage and asset-backed securities), mortgage loans, and U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed fixed maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, certain other invested asset classes


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including real estate joint ventures and other invested assets to provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement.
 
Other expenses were essentially flat despite an increase of $137 million from the impact of market conditions on certain expenses, primarily pension and postretirement benefit costs. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $85 million, predominantly from declines in information technology, travel, and professional services, including the positive impact of our enterprise-wide cost reduction and revenue enhancement initiative. A further reduction of expenses was achieved through a decrease in variable expenses, such as commissions and premium taxes of $46 million, a portion of which is offset by DAC capitalization.
 
The aforementioned declines in operating earnings were partially offset by the favorable impact of a $63 million decrease in policyholder dividends in the traditional life business, the result of a dividend scale reduction in the fourth quarter of 2009. In addition, favorable mortality in the individual life business was partially offset by higher benefit utilization in the dental business during 2009, reflecting the negative employment trends in the marketplace. The net impact of these two items benefited operating earnings by $36 million. The 2009 results were also favorably impacted by our review of assumptions used to determine estimated gross profits and margins, which in turn are factors in determining the amortization for DAC and unearned revenue. This review resulted in an unlocking event related to unearned revenue and, coupled with the impact from the prior year’s review, generated an increase in operating earnings of $82 million. This increase was recorded in universal life and investment-type product policy fees. Partially offsetting these increases was the impact of lower separate account balances, which resulted in lower fee income of $25 million.
 
DAC amortization reflects lower current year amortization of $108 million, stemming from the impact of the improvement in the financial markets in 2009, which increased our expected future gross profits, as well as lower current year gross margins in the closed block. This decrease was partially offset by the net impact of refinements in both the prior and current years of $98 million, the majority of which was recorded in the prior year as a result of the 2008 review of certain DAC related assumptions.
 
Retirement Products
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2009     2008     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $      920     $      696     $      224       32.2 %
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    1,712       1,870       (158 )     (8.4 )%
Net investment income
    3,098       2,624       474       18.1 %
Other revenues
    173       169       4       2.4 %
                                 
Total operating revenues
    5,903       5,359       544       10.2 %
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    1,950       1,271       679       53.4 %
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    1,688       1,338       350       26.2 %
Capitalization of DAC
    (1,067 )     (980 )     (87 )     (8.9 )%
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    424       1,356       (932 )     (68.7 )%
Interest expense on debt
          2       (2 )     (100.0 )%
Other expenses
    2,433       2,101       332       15.8 %
                                 
Total operating expenses
    5,428       5,088       340       6.7 %
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    167       91       76       83.5 %
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 308     $ 180     $ 128       71.1 %
                                 
 
In 2009, Retirement Products benefited from a flight to quality, which contributed to a 10% improvement in combined sales of our fixed and variable products and a 28% reduction in surrenders and withdrawals. Our variable


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annuity sales have outpaced the industry, increasing our market share. Fixed annuity sales benefited from enhanced marketing on our income annuity with life contingency products, which increased our premium revenues by $224 million, or 32%, before income taxes. In the annuity business, the movement in premiums is almost entirely offset by the related change in policyholder benefits, as the insurance liability that we establish at the time we assume the risk under these contracts is typically equivalent to the premium earned less the amount of acquisition expenses. Our average PAB grew by $7.2 billion in 2009, primarily due to an increase in sales of fixed annuity products and more customers electing the fixed option on variable annuity sales. This has a favorable impact on earnings by increasing net investment income, which is somewhat offset by higher interest credited expense. Unfavorable market conditions resulted in poor investment performance, which outweighed the impact of higher variable annuity sales on our separate account balances causing the average separate account balance to remain lower than the previous year. This resulted in lower policy fees and other revenues which are based on daily asset balances in the policyholder separate accounts.
 
The improvement in the financial markets was the primary driver of the $128 million increase in operating earnings, with the largest impact resulting in a decrease in DAC, VOBA and DSI amortization of $655 million. The 2008 results reflected increased, or accelerated, amortization primarily stemming from a decline in the market value of our separate account balances. A factor that determines the amount of amortization is expected future earnings, which in the annuity business are derived, in part, from fees earned on separate account balances. The market value of our separate account balances declined significantly in 2008, resulting in a decrease in the expected future gross profits, triggering an acceleration of amortization in 2008. Beginning in the second quarter of 2009, the market conditions began to improve and the market value of our separate account balances began to increase, resulting in an increase in the expected future gross profits and a corresponding lower level of amortization in 2009.
 
Also contributing to the increase in operating earnings was an increase in net investment income of $308 million, which was primarily due to a $286 million increase from growth in average invested assets and a $22 million increase in yields. The increase in average invested assets was due to increased cash flows from the sales of fixed annuity products and more customers electing the fixed option on variable annuity sales, which were reinvested primarily in fixed maturity securities, other invested assets and mortgage loans. The increase in yields was due to moderate improvement in the equity markets in 2009 which led to an increase in yields principally for other limited partnership interests and certain other invested assets, which was partially offset by a decrease in yields on real estate joint ventures, reflecting the severe downturn in the global financial markets. To manage the needs of our intermediate to longer-term liabilities, our portfolio consists primarily of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, structured finance securities, mortgage loans and U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed fixed maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, certain other invested asset classes, including real estate joint ventures in order to provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement. As is typically the case with fixed annuity products, higher net investment income was somewhat offset by higher interest credited expense. Growth in our fixed annuity policyholder account balances increased interest credited expense by $186 million in 2009 and higher average crediting rates on fixed annuities increased interest credited expense by $27 million.
 
Operating earnings were negatively impacted by $348 million of operating losses related to the hedging programs for variable annuity minimum death and income benefit guarantees, which are not embedded derivatives, partially offset by a decrease in the liability established for these variable annuity guarantees. The various hedging strategies in place to offset the risk associated with these variable annuity guarantee benefits were more sensitive to market movements than the liability for the guaranteed benefit. Market volatility, improvements in the equity markets, and higher interest rates produced operating losses on these hedging strategies in the current year. Our hedging strategies, which are a key part of our risk management, performed as anticipated. The decrease in annuity guarantee benefit liabilities was due to the improvement in the equity markets, higher interest rates and the annual unlocking of future market expectations.
 
Other expenses increased by $216 million primarily due to an increase of $123 million from the impact of market conditions on certain expenses. These expenses are largely comprised of reinsurance costs, pension and postretirement benefit expenses, and letter of credit fees. In addition, variable expenses, such as commissions and premium taxes, increased $77 million, the majority of which have been offset by DAC capitalization. The positive impact of our enterprise-wide cost reduction and revenue enhancement initiative was reflected in lower travel,


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professional services and advertising expenses, but was more than offset by increases largely due to business growth.
 
Finally, policy fees and other revenues decreased by $100 million, mainly due to lower average separate account balances in the current year versus prior year.
 
Corporate Benefit Funding
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2009     2008     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $ 2,264     $ 2,348     $ (84 )     (3.6 )%
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    176       227       (51 )     (22.5 )%
Net investment income
    4,527       5,615       (1,088 )     (19.4 )%
Other revenues
    238       358       (120 )     (33.5 )%
                                 
Total operating revenues
    7,205       8,548       (1,343 )     (15.7 )%
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    4,245       4,398       (153 )     (3.5 )%
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    1,632       2,297       (665 )     (29.0 )%
Capitalization of DAC
    (14 )     (18 )     4       22.2 %
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    15       29       (14 )     (48.3 )%
Interest expense on debt
    3       2       1       50.0 %
Other expenses
    456       440       16       3.6 %
                                 
Total operating expenses
    6,337       7,148       (811 )     (11.3 )%
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    288       474       (186 )     (39.2 )%
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 580     $ 926     $ (346 )     (37.4 )%
                                 
 
Corporate Benefit Funding benefited in certain markets in 2009 as a flight to quality helped drive our increase in market share, especially in the structured settlement business, where we experienced a 53% increase in premiums. Our pension closeout business in the U.K .continues to expand and experienced premium growth during 2009 of almost $400 million, or 105% before income taxes. However, this growth was more than offset by a decline in our domestic pension closeout business driven by unfavorable market conditions and regulatory changes. A combination of poor equity returns and lower interest rates have contributed to pension plans being under funded, which reduces our customers’ flexibility to engage in transactions such as pension closeouts. Our customers’ plans funded status may be affected by a variety of factors, including the ongoing phased implementation of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, a comprehensive reform of defined benefit and defined contribution plan rules. For each of these businesses, the movement in premiums is almost entirely offset by the related change in policyholder benefits. The insurance liability that is established at the time we assume the risk under these contracts is typically equivalent to the premium earned.
 
Market conditions also contributed to a lower demand for several of our investment-type products. The decrease in sales of these investment-type products is not necessarily evident in our results of operations as the transactions related to these products are recorded through the balance sheet. Our funding agreement products, primarily the LIBOR based contracts, experienced the most significant impact from the volatile market conditions. As companies seek greater liquidity, investment managers are refraining from repurchasing the contracts when they mature and are opting for more liquid investments. In addition, unfavorable market conditions continued to impact the demand for global guaranteed interest contracts, a type of funding agreement.
 
Policyholder account balances for our investment-type products were down by approximately $10 billion during 2009, as issuances were more than offset by scheduled maturities. However, due to the timing of issuances and maturities, the average policyholder account balances and liabilities increased from 2008 to 2009. The impact


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of the decrease in policyholder account balances resulted in lower net investment income, which was somewhat offset by lower interest credited expense.
 
The primary driver of the $346 million decrease in operating earnings was lower net investment income of $707 million reflecting a $682 million decrease from lower yields and a $25 million increase due to growth in average invested assets. Yields were adversely impacted by the severe downturn in the global financial markets which impacted real estate joint ventures, fixed maturity securities, other invested assets and mortgage loans. In addition, income from our securities lending program decreased, primarily due to the smaller size of the program during the year. To manage the needs of our longer-term liabilities, our portfolio consists primarily of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans, U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities and, to a lesser extent, certain other invested asset classes including real estate joint ventures in order to provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement. For our shorter-term obligations, we invest primarily in structured finance securities, mortgage loans and investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities. The yields on these investments have moved consistent with the underlying market indices, primarily LIBOR and Treasury, on which they are based. The growth in the average invested asset base is consistent with the increase in the average policyholder account balances and liabilities.
 
As many of our products are interest spread-based, the lower net investment income was somewhat offset by lower net interest credited expense of $380 million. The decrease in interest credited expense is attributed to $431 million from lower crediting rates. Crediting rates have moved consistent with the underlying market indices, primarily LIBOR, on which they are based. The increase in the average policyholder account balances resulted in a $51 million increase in interest credited expense.
 
The year over year decline in operating earnings was also due in part to lower other revenues as the prior year benefited by $44 million in fees for the cancellation of a bank owned life insurance stable value wrap policy combined with the surrender of a global guaranteed interest contract. In addition, a refinement to a reinsurance recoverable in the small business record keeping line of business in the latter part of 2009 also contributed $20 million to the decrease in operating earnings.
 
Current year results benefited from favorable liability refinements as compared to unfavorable liability refinements in 2008, as well as improved mortality experience in the current year, all in the pension closeouts business. These items improved 2009 operating earnings by approximately $90 million. Other products generated mortality gains or losses; however, the net change did not have a material impact on our year over year results.
 
Although our other expenses only increased marginally and are not a significant driver of the decrease in operating earnings, the general themes associated with the increase are consistent with those factors discussed above in the discussion of our consolidated results of operations. Market conditions triggered an increase in our pension and postretirement benefit expenses of $26 million. In addition, variable expenses, such as commissions and premium taxes, have increased $20 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $36 million, primarily in information technology, travel and professional services expenses, all of which were largely due to our enterprise-wide cost reduction and revenue enhancement initiative.


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Auto & Home
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2009     2008     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $ 2,902     $ 2,971     $ (69 )     (2.3 )%
Net investment income
    180       186       (6 )     (3.2 )%
Other revenues
    33       38       (5 )     (13.2 )%
                                 
Total operating revenues
    3,115       3,195       (80 )     (2.5 )%
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    1,932       1,924       8       0.4 %
Capitalization of DAC
    (435 )     (444 )     9       2.0 %
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    436       454       (18 )     (4.0 )%
Other expenses
    764       794       (30 )     (3.8 )%
                                 
Total operating expenses
    2,697       2,728       (31 )     (1.1 )%
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    96       104       (8 )     (7.7 )%
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 322     $ 363     $ (41 )     (11.3 )%
                                 
 
Auto & Home was negatively impacted in 2009 by a declining housing market, the deterioration of the new auto sales market and the continuation of credit availability issues, all of which contributed to a decrease in insured exposures in 2009. Average premiums per policy increased slightly for our homeowners’ policies but decreased for auto policies, primarily as a result of a business shift in insured exposures by state. In particular, we experienced a large decrease in earned exposures in Massachusetts, whose market was impacted by a regulatory change, which resulted in a marked increase in competition.
 
A return to more normal weather conditions in 2009 resulted in fewer, and less severe, catastrophe events than in 2008. This was more than offset by an increase in both non-catastrophe claim frequencies and non-catastrophe claim severities in 2009.
 
Mixed claim experience and the impact of lower exposures were the primary drivers of the $41 million decrease in operating earnings. While we had a $90 million decrease in catastrophe-related losses compared to the prior year, we also recorded $68 million less of a benefit in 2009 from favorable development of prior year non-catastrophe losses. Current year claim costs rose primarily as a result of a $29 million increase in claim frequency from both our auto and homeowners products. In addition, we had a $15 million net increase in claim severity, stemming from higher severity in our auto line of business that was partially offset by lower severity in our homeowners line of business. In 2009, we experienced a decline in insured exposures, which contributed approximately $16 million to the decrease in operating earnings. While this decrease in exposures had a positive impact on the amount of claims, it was more than offset by the negative impact on premiums. The decrease in exposures is largely attributable to slightly higher non-renewal rates, partially offset by greater sales of new policies. Also contributing to the decline in earnings was a decrease of $9 million in the average premium per policy, which is primarily due to a shift in earned exposures to lower average premium states and an increase of $10 million in loss adjustment expenses, primarily related to a decrease in unallocated loss adjusting expense liabilities at the end of 2008.
 
The impact of the items discussed above can be seen in the unfavorable change in the combined ratio, excluding catastrophes, to 88.9% in 2009 from 83.1% in 2008 and the unfavorable change in the combined ratio, including catastrophes, to 92.3% in 2009 from 91.2% in 2008.
 
A $25 million decrease in other expenses, including the net change in DAC, partially offset the declines in operating earnings discussed above. This improvement resulted from decreases in sales-related expenses and from minor fluctuations in a number of expense categories, a portion of which is due to our enterprise-wide cost reduction and revenue enhancement initiative.


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Also contributing to the decrease in operating earnings was a decline in net investment income of $4 million which was primarily due to a $9 million decrease from a decline in average invested assets, partially offset by an increase of $5 million due to improved yields.
 
International
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2009     2008     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $ 3,187     $ 3,470     $ (283 )     (8.2 )%
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    1,061       1,095       (34 )     (3.1 )%
Net investment income
    1,193       1,180       13       1.1 %
Other revenues
    14       18       (4 )     (22.2 )%
                                 
Total operating revenues
    5,455       5,763       (308 )     (5.3 )%
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    2,660       3,185       (525 )     (16.5 )%
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    581       171       410       239.8 %
Capitalization of DAC
    (630 )     (798 )     168       21.1 %
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    415       381       34       8.9 %
Interest expense on debt
    8       9       (1 )     (11.1 )%
Other expenses
    1,797       2,079       (282 )     (13.6 )%
                                 
Total operating expenses
    4,831       5,027       (196 )     (3.9 )%
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    161       257       (96 )     (37.4 )%
                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 463     $ 479     $ (16 )     (3.3 )%
                                 
 
An improvement in the global financial markets contributed to a recovery of sales in the majority of our International regions and resulted in improved investment performance in some regions during the second half of 2009. Sales in Asia Pacific were down primarily from a decrease in variable annuity sales in Japan, primarily as a result of pricing actions we took during the latter half of 2009. This decline was somewhat offset by growth in South Korea’s fixed annuities product and an increase of variable universal life sales, which are indications that markets are beginning to recover. We experienced growth in the pension, group life, and medical businesses of our Latin America region, specifically in Mexico. Our operations in Europe and the Middle East continue to have strong growth in the European variable annuity business.
 
The reduction in operating earnings includes the adverse impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates in 2009 as the U.S. dollar strengthened against the various foreign currencies. This decreased operating earnings by $99 million in 2009 relative to 2008. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, operating earnings increased $83 million, or 22%, from the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by higher operating earnings of $184 million in our Asia Pacific region, while operating earnings from our Latin America and Europe and Middle East decreased by $83 million and $18 million, respectively.
 
Asia Pacific.  Improving financial market conditions was the primary driver of the increase in operating earnings. net investment income in the region increased by $422 million due to an increase of $278 million from improved yields on our investment portfolio, $111 million from the change in results of operating joint ventures, and $33 million from an increase in average invested assets. The increase in yields was primarily due to higher income of $277 million on the trading and other securities portfolio, stemming from equity markets experiencing some recovery in 2009. As our trading and other securities portfolio backs unit-linked policyholder liabilities, this increase in income was entirely offset by a corresponding increase in interest credited expense. The income of the Japan joint venture improved by $103 million due to favorable investment results and lower amortization of DAC and VOBA. The decrease in DAC and VOBA amortization was primarily due to an increase in the market value of


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the joint venture’s separate account balances, which is directly tied to the improving financial markets. A factor that determines the amount of DAC and VOBA amortization is expected future fees earned on separate account balances. Since the market value of separate account balances have increased, it is expected that future earnings on this block of business will be higher than previously anticipated. As a result, the amortization of DAC and VOBA was less in the current year.
 
Operating earnings in this region also benefited from higher surrender charges of $16 million. Difficult economic conditions in South Korea during the first half of the year resulted in a higher level of surrenders. Growth in our Japan reinsurance business and an increase in reinsurance rates contributed $21 million to the increase in operating earnings. In addition, the favorable impact of a reduction in the liability for our variable annuity guarantees contributed $22 million to operating earnings. The change in the liability was primarily due to an increase in separate account balances in the Japan joint venture. These liabilities are accrued over the life of the contract in proportion to actual and future expected policy assessments based on the level of guaranteed minimum benefits generated using multiple scenarios of separate account returns. The scenarios use best estimate assumptions consistent with those used to amortize DAC. Because separate account balances have had positive returns relative to the prior year, current estimates of future benefits are lower than that previously projected which resulted in a decrease in this liability in the current period. Partially offsetting these increases, higher DAC amortization of $49 million resulted from business growth and favorable investment results.
 
Latin America.  The decrease in operating earnings was primarily driven by lower net investment income. Net investment income decreased by $297 million due to a decrease of $383 million from lower yields, partially offset by an increase of $86 million due to an increase in average invested assets. The decrease in yields was due, in part, to the impact of changes in assumptions for measuring the effects of inflation on certain inflation-indexed fixed maturity securities. This decrease was partially offset by a reduction of $221 million in the related insurance liability primarily due to lower inflation. The increase in net investment income attributable to an increase in average invested assets was primarily due to business growth and, as such, was largely offset by increases in policyholder benefits and interest credited expense.
 
Higher claims experience in Mexico resulted in a $45 million decline in operating earnings. The nationalization and reform of the pension business in Argentina impacted both years earnings, resulting in a net $36 million decline in operating earnings. In addition, operating earnings decreased due to a net income tax increase of $8 million in Mexico, resulting from a change in assumption regarding the repatriation of earnings, partially offset by the favorable impact of a lower effective tax rate in 2009.
 
Partially offsetting these decreases in operating earnings was the combination of growth in Mexico’s individual and institutional businesses and higher premium rates in its institutional business, which increased operating earnings by $51 million. Pesification in Argentina impacted both the current year and prior year earnings, resulting in a net $73 million increase in operating earnings. This benefit was largely due to a reassessment of our approach in managing existing and potential future claims related to certain social security pension annuity contract holders in Argentina resulting in a liability release. Lower expenses of $8 million resulted primarily from the impact of operational efficiencies achieved through our enterprise-wide cost reduction and revenue enhancement initiative.
 
Europe and Middle East.  The impact of foreign currency transaction gains and a tax benefit, both of which occurred in the prior year, contributed $12 million to the decline in operating earnings. Our investment of $9 million in our distribution capability and growth initiatives in 2009 also reduced operating earnings. There was an increase in net investment income of $76 million, which was due to an increase of $65 million from an improvement in yields and $11 million from an increase in average invested assets. The increase in yields was primarily due to favorable results on the trading and other securities portfolio, stemming from the equity markets experiencing some recovery in 2009. As our trading and other securities portfolio backs unit-linked policyholder liabilities, the trading and other securities portfolio results were entirely offset by a corresponding increase in interest credited expense. The increase in net investment income attributable to an increase in average invested assets was primarily due to business growth and was largely offset by increases in policyholder benefits and interest credited expense, also due to business growth.


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Banking, Corporate & Other
 
                                 
    Years Ended December 31,              
    2009     2008     Change     % Change  
    (In millions)        
 
OPERATING REVENUES
                               
Premiums
  $ 19     $ 27     $ (8 )     (29.6 )%
Net investment income
    477       808       (331 )     (41.0 )%
Other revenues
    1,092       184       908       493.5 %
                                 
Total operating revenues
    1,588       1,019       569       55.8 %
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Policyholder benefits and dividends
    4       46       (42 )     (91.3 )%
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
          7       (7 )     (100.0 )%
Interest credited to bank deposits
    163       166       (3 )     (1.8 )%
Capitalization of DAC
          (3 )     3       100.0 %
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    3       5       (2 )     (40.0 )%
Interest expense on debt
    1,027       1,033       (6 )     (0.6 )%
Other expenses
    1,336       699       637       91.1 %
                                 
Total operating expenses
    2,533       1,953       580       29.7 %
                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    (617 )     (495 )     (122 )     (24.6 )%
                                 
Operating earnings
    (328 )     (439 )     111       25.3 %
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    122       125       (3 )     (2.4 )%
                                 
Operating earnings available to common shareholders
  $ (450 )   $ (564 )   $ 114       20.2 %
                                 
 
Banking, Corporate & Other recognized the full year impact of our forward and reverse residential mortgage platform acquisitions, a strong residential mortgage refinance market, healthy growth in the reverse mortgage arena, and a favorable interest spread environment. Our forward and reverse residential mortgage production of $37.4 billion in 2009 was up 484% compared to 2008 production. The increase in mortgage production drove higher investments in residential mortgage loans held-for-sale and MSRs. At December 31, 2009, our residential mortgage loans servicing portfolio was $64.1 billion comprised of agency (FNMA, FHLMC, and GNMA) portfolios. Transaction and time deposits, which provide a relatively stable source of funding and liquidity and are used to fund loans and fixed income securities purchases, grew 48% in 2009 to $10.2 billion. Borrowings decreased 10% in 2009 to $2.4 billion. During 2009, we participated in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Term Auction Facility, which provided short term liquidity with low funding costs.
 
In response to the economic crisis and unusual financial market events that occurred in 2008 and continued into 2009, we decided to utilize excess debt capacity. The Holding Company completed three debt issuances in 2009. The Holding Company issued $397 million of floating rate senior notes in March 2009, $1.3 billion of senior notes in May 2009, and $500 million of junior subordinated debt securities in July 2009. In February 2009, in connection with the initial settlement of the stock purchase contracts issued as part of the common equity units sold in June 2005, the Holding Company issued common stock for $1.0 billion. The proceeds from these equity and debt issuances were used for general corporate purposes and have resulted in increased investments and cash and cash equivalents held within Banking, Corporate & Other.
 
Operating earnings available to common shareholders improved by $114 million, of which $254 million was due to MetLife Bank and its acquisitions of a residential mortgage origination and servicing business and a reverse mortgage business, both during 2008. Excluding the impact of MetLife Bank, our operating earnings available to common shareholders decreased $140 million, primarily due to lower net investment income, partially offset by the impact of a lower effective tax rate. The lower effective tax rate provided an increased benefit of $139 million from the prior year. This benefit was the result of a partial settlement of certain prior year tax audit issues and increased utilization of tax preferenced investments, which provide tax credits and deductions.


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Excluding a $68 million increase from MetLife Bank, net investment income decreased $283 million, which was primarily due a decrease of $287 million due to lower yields, partially offset by an increase of $4 million due to an increase in average invested assets. Consistent with the consolidated results of operations discussion above, yields were adversely impacted by the severe downturn in the global financial markets, which primarily impacted fixed maturity securities and real estate joint ventures. The increased average invested asset base was due to cash flows from debt issuances during 2009. Our investments primarily include structured finance securities, investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans. In addition, our investment portfolio includes the excess capital not allocated to the segments. Accordingly, it includes a higher allocation of certain other invested asset classes to provide additional diversification and opportunity for long-term yield enhancement including leveraged leases, other limited partnership interests, real estate, real estate joint ventures and equity securities.
 
After excluding the impact of a $394 million increase from MetLife Bank, other expenses increased by $20 million. Deferred compensation costs, which are tied to equity market performance, were higher due to a significant market rebound. We also had an increase in costs associated with the implementation of our enterprise-wide cost reduction and revenue enhancement initiative. These increases were partially offset by lower postemployment related costs and corporate-related expenses, specifically legal costs. Legal costs were lower largely due to the prior year commutation of asbestos policies. In addition, interest expense declined slightly as a result of rate reductions on variable rate collateral financing arrangements offset by debt issuances in 2009 and 2008.
 
Effects of Inflation
 
The Company does not believe that inflation has had a material effect on its consolidated results of operations, except insofar as inflation may affect interest rates.
 
Inflation in the U.S. has remained contained and been in a general downward trend for an extended period. However, in light of recent and ongoing aggressive fiscal and monetary stimulus measures by the U.S. federal government and foreign governments, it is possible that inflation could increase in the future. Globally, inflation trends can vary by region and between developed and emerging markets. The Japanese economy, to which we face increased exposure as a result of the Acquisition, continues to experience low nominal growth and a deflationary environment. As the global economy improves, inflation trends are increasing in other regions, particularly in emerging markets like China and India. In the more developed Eurozone countries, inflation rates, while not as high, have trended upward at a greater pace than in the U.S.
 
An increase in inflation could affect our business in several ways. During inflationary periods, the value of fixed income investments falls which could increase realized and unrealized losses. Inflation also increases expenses for labor and other materials, potentially putting pressure on profitability if such costs can not be passed through in our product prices. Inflation could also lead to increased costs for losses and loss adjustment expenses in certain of our businesses, which could require us to adjust our pricing to reflect our expectations for future inflation. Prolonged and elevated inflation could adversely affect the financial markets and the economy generally, and dispelling it may require governments to pursue a restrictive fiscal and monetary policy, which could constrain overall economic activity, inhibit revenue growth and reduce the number of attractive investment opportunities.
 
Investments
 
Investment Risks.  The Company’s primary investment objective is to optimize, net of income tax, risk-adjusted investment income and risk-adjusted total return while ensuring that assets and liabilities are managed on a cash flow and duration basis. The Company is exposed to four primary sources of investment risk:
 
  •  credit risk, relating to the uncertainty associated with the continued ability of a given obligor to make timely payments of principal and interest;
 
  •  interest rate risk, relating to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in market interest rates;


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  •  liquidity risk, relating to the diminished ability to sell certain investments in times of strained market conditions; and
 
  •  market valuation risk, relating to the variability in the estimated fair value of investments associated with changes in market factors such as credit spreads.
 
The Company manages risk through in-house fundamental analysis of the underlying obligors, issuers, transaction structures and real estate properties. The Company also manages credit risk, market valuation risk and liquidity risk through industry and issuer diversification and asset allocation. For real estate and agricultural assets, the Company manages credit risk and market valuation risk through geographic, property type and product type diversification and asset allocation. The Company manages interest rate risk as part of its asset and liability management strategies; product design, such as the use of market value adjustment features and surrender charges; and proactive monitoring and management of certain non-guaranteed elements of its products, such as the resetting of credited interest and dividend rates for policies that permit such adjustments. The Company also uses certain derivative instruments in the management of credit, interest rate, currency and equity market risks.
 
Current Environment.  The global economy and markets are now recovering from a period of significant stress that began in the second half of 2007 and substantially increased through the first quarter of 2009. This disruption adversely affected the financial services industry, in particular. The U.S. economy entered a recession in late 2007. This recession ended in mid-2009, but the recovery from the recession has been below historic averages and the unemployment rate is expected to remain high for some time. In addition, inflation has fallen over the last several years and is expected to remain at low levels for some time. Some economists believe that some level of disinflation and deflation risk remains in the U.S. economy.
 
Although the disruption in the global financial markets has moderated, not all such markets are functioning normally, and some remain reliant upon government intervention and liquidity. The global recession and disruption of the financial markets has also led to concerns over capital markets access and the solvency of certain European Union member states, including Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain. The Japanese economy, to which we face increased exposure to as a result of the Acquisition, continues to experience low nominal growth, a deflationary environment, and weak consumer spending. See “— Industry Trends.” See also “Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — Summary” in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about exposure to sovereign fixed maturity securities of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the net unrealized loss position on fixed maturity and equity securities improved from a net unrealized loss of $2.2 billion at December 31, 2009 to a net unrealized gain of $7.3 billion at December 31, 2010, as a result of a decrease in interest rates, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in credit spreads.
 
Investment Outlook.  Recovering private equity markets and stabilizing credit and real estate markets during 2010 had a positive impact on returns and net investment income on private equity funds, hedge funds and real estate funds, which are included within other limited partnership interests and real estate and real estate joint venture portfolios. Although the disruption in the global financial markets has moderated, if there is a resumption of significant disruption, it could adversely impact returns and net investment income on these alternative investment classes. Net cash flows arising from our business and our investment portfolio will be reinvested in a prudent manner and according to our ALM discipline in appropriate assets over time. We will maintain a sufficient level of liquidity to meet business needs. Net investment income may be adversely affected if excess liquidity is required over an extended period of time to meet changing business needs.


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Composition of Investment Portfolio and Investment Portfolio Results
 
The following yield table presents the investment income, investment portfolio gains (losses), annualized yields on average ending assets and ending carrying value for each of the asset classes within the Company’s investment portfolio, as well as investment income and investment portfolio gains (losses) for the investment portfolio as a whole. The yield table also presents gains (losses) on derivative instruments which are used to manage risk for certain invested assets and certain insurance liabilities:
 
                         
    At and for the Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Fixed Maturity Securities:
                       
Yield (1)
    5.53 %     5.77 %     6.40 %
Investment income (2), (3), (4)
  $ 12,650     $ 11,899     $ 12,403  
Investment gains (losses) (3)
  $ (255 )   $ (1,663 )   $ (1,953 )
Ending carrying value (2), (3)
  $ 327,878     $ 230,026     $ 189,197  
Mortgage Loans:
                       
Yield (1)
    5.51 %     5.38 %     6.08 %
Investment income (3), (4)
  $ 2,823     $ 2,735     $ 2,774  
Investment gains (losses) (3)
  $ 22     $ (442 )   $ (136 )
Ending carrying value (3)
  $ 55,536     $ 50,909     $ 51,364  
Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures:
                       
Yield (1)
    1.10 %     (7.47 )%     2.98 %
Investment income
  $ 77     $ (541 )   $ 217  
Investment gains (losses)
  $ (40 )   $ (156 )   $ (9 )
Ending carrying value
  $ 8,030     $ 6,896     $ 7,586  
Policy Loans:
                       
Yield (1)
    6.37 %     6.54 %     6.22 %
Investment income
  $ 657     $ 648     $ 601  
Ending carrying value
  $ 11,914     $ 10,061     $ 9,802  
Equity Securities:
                       
Yield (1)
    4.39 %     5.12 %     5.25 %
Investment income
  $ 128     $ 175     $ 249  
Investment gains (losses)
  $ 104     $ (399 )   $ (253 )
Ending carrying value
  $ 3,606     $ 3,084     $ 3,197  
Other Limited Partnership Interests:
                       
Yield (1)
    14.99 %     3.22 %     (2.77 )%
Investment income
  $ 879     $ 173     $ (170 )
Investment gains (losses)
  $ (18 )   $ (356 )   $ (140 )
Ending carrying value
  $ 6,416     $ 5,508     $ 6,039  
Cash and Short-Term Investments:
                       
Yield (1)
    0.46 %     0.44 %     1.62 %
Investment income
  $ 81     $ 94     $ 307  
Investment gains (losses)
  $ 2     $ 6     $ 3  
Ending carrying value (3)
  $ 22,394     $ 18,486     $ 38,085  
Other Invested Assets: (5)
                       
Investment income
  $ 491     $ 339     $ 279  
Investment gains (losses)
  $ (8 )   $ (32 )   $ 313  
Ending carrying value
  $ 15,430     $ 12,709     $ 17,248  
Total Investments:
                       
Gross investment income yield (1)
    5.29 %     4.90 %     5.68 %
Investment fees and expenses yield
    (0.14 )     (0.14 )     (0.16 )
                         
Investment Income Yield (3)
    5.15 %     4.76 %     5.52 %
                         
Gross investment income
  $ 17,786     $ 15,522     $ 16,660  
Investment fees and expenses
    (465 )     (433 )     (460 )
                         
Investment Income (3), (6)
  $ 17,321     $ 15,089     $ 16,200  
                         
Ending Carrying Value (3)
  $ 451,204     $ 337,679     $ 322,518  
                         
Gross investment gains (3)
  $ 1,200     $ 1,232     $ 1,802  
Gross investment losses (3)
    (848 )     (1,429 )     (1,935 )
Writedowns
    (545 )     (2,845 )     (2,042 )
                         
Investment Portfolio Gains (Losses) (3), (6)
  $ (193 )   $ (3,042 )   $ (2,175 )
Investment portfolio gains (losses) income tax (expense) benefit
    53       1,121       795  
                         
Investment Portfolio Gains (Losses), Net of Income Tax
  $ (140 )   $ (1,921 )   $ (1,380 )
                         
Derivative Gains (Losses) (6)
  $ (614 )   $ (5,106 )   $ 3,782  
Derivative gains (losses) income tax (expense) benefit
  $ 160     $ 1,803     $ (1,438 )
                         
Derivative Gains (Losses), Net of Income Tax
  $ (454 )   $ (3,303 )   $ 2,344  
                         


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  As described in the footnotes below, the yield table reflects certain differences from the presentation of invested assets, net investment income, net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses) as presented in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations, including the exclusion of contractholder-directed unit-linked investments classified within trading and other securities, as the contractholder, not the Company, directs the investment of the funds; and the exclusion of the effects of consolidating under GAAP certain VIEs that are consolidated securitization entities (“CSEs”). We believe this yield table presentation is consistent with how we measure our investment performance for management purposes enhances understanding.
 
  (1)  Yields are based on average of quarterly average asset carrying values, excluding recognized and unrealized investment gains (losses), collateral received from counterparties associated with our securities lending program, the effects of consolidating under GAAP certain VIEs that are treated as CSEs and, effective October 1, 2010, contractholder-directed unit-linked investments. Yields also exclude investment income recognized on mortgage loans and securities held by CSEs and, effective October 1, 2010, contractholder-directed unit-linked investments.
 
  (2)  Fixed maturity securities include $594 million, $2,384 million and $946 million at estimated fair value of trading and other securities at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Fixed maturity securities include $234 million, $400 million and ($193) million of investment income related to trading and other securities for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
  (3)  (a) Fixed maturity securities ending carrying values as presented herein, exclude (i) contractholder-directed unit-linked investments — reported within trading and other securities of $17,794 million, and (ii) securities held by CSEs that are consolidated under GAAP — reported within trading and other securities of $201 million at December 31, 2010. Net investment income as presented herein, excludes investment income on contractholder-directed unit-linked investments — reported within trading and other securities effective October 1, 2010 as shown in footnote (6) to this yield table.
 
     (b) Ending carrying values, investment income and investment gains (losses) as presented herein, exclude the effects of consolidating under GAAP certain VIEs that are treated as CSEs. The adjustment to investment income and investment gains (losses) in the aggregate are as shown in footnote (6) to this yield table. The adjustments to ending carrying value, investment income and investment gains (losses) by invested asset class are presented below. Both the invested assets and long-term debt of the CSEs are accounted for under the FVO. The adjustment to investment gains (losses) presented below and in footnote (6) to this yield table includes the effects of remeasuring both the invested assets and long-term debt in accordance with the FVO.
 
                         
    At or for the Year Ended December 31, 2010
        Impact of Excluding
  Total — With all
    As Reported in the
  Trading and Other
  Trading and Other
    Yield Table   Securities and CSEs   Securities and CSEs
    (In millions)
 
Trading and Other Securities (included within Fixed Maturity Securities):
                       
Ending carrying value
  $ 594     $ 17,995     $ 18,589  
Investment income
  $ 234     $ 226     $ 460  
Investment gains (losses)
  $     $ (30 )   $ (30 )
Mortgage Loans:
                       
Ending carrying value
  $ 55,536     $ 6,840     $ 62,376  
Investment income
  $ 2,823     $ 396     $ 3,219  
Investment gains (losses)
  $ 22     $ 36     $ 58  
Cash and Short-Term Investments:
                       
Ending carrying value
  $ 22,394     $ 39     $ 22,433  
Total Investments:
                       
Ending carrying value
  $ 451,204     $ 24,874     $ 476,078  


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  (4)  Investment income from fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans includes prepayment fees.
 
  (5)  Other invested assets are principally comprised of freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values and leveraged leases. Freestanding derivatives with negative estimated fair values are included within other liabilities. However, the accruals of settlement payments in other liabilities are included in net investment income as shown in Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As yield is not considered a meaningful measure of performance for other invested assets, it has been excluded from the yield table.
 
  (6)  Investment income, investment portfolio gains (losses) and derivative gains (losses) presented in this yield table vary from the most directly comparable measures presented in the GAAP consolidated statements of operations due to certain reclassifications affecting net investment income, net investment gains (losses), net derivative gains (losses), and interest credited to PABs and to exclude the effects of consolidating under GAAP certain VIEs that are treated as CSEs. Such reclassifications are presented in the tables below.
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Investment income — in the above yield table
  $ 17,321     $ 15,089     $ 16,200  
Real estate discontinued operations — deduct from net investment income
    10       (8 )     (11 )
Scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting — deduct from net investment income, add to net derivative gains (losses)
    (208 )     (88 )     (5 )
Equity method operating joint ventures — add to net investment income, deduct from net derivative gains (losses)
    (130 )     (156 )     105  
Net investment income on contractholder-directed unit-linked investments — reported within trading and other securities — add to net investment income
    211              
Incremental net investment income from CSEs— add to net investment income
    411              
                         
Net investment income — GAAP consolidated statements of operations
  $ 17,615     $ 14,837     $ 16,289  
                         
                         
Investment portfolio gains (losses) — in the above yield table
  $ (193 )   $ (3,042 )   $ (2,175 )
Real estate discontinued operations — deduct from net investment gains (losses)
    (14 )     (8 )     (8 )
Investment gains (losses) related to CSEs — add to net investment gains (losses)
    6              
Purchased credit default swaps that offset losses incurred on certain fixed maturity securities — deduct from net investment gains (losses)
                (183 )
Other gains (losses) — add to net investment gains (losses)
    (191 )     144       268  
                         
Net investment gains (losses) — GAAP consolidated statements of operations
  $ (392 )   $ (2,906 )   $ (2,098 )
                         
                         
Derivative gains (losses) — in the above yield table
  $ (614 )   $ (5,106 )   $ 3,782  
                         
Scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting — add to net derivative gains (losses), deduct from net investment income
    208       88       5  
Scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting — add to net derivative gains (losses), deduct from interest credited to PABs
    11       (4 )     45  
Purchased credit default swaps that offset losses incurred on certain fixed maturity securities — add to net derivative gains (losses)
                183  
Equity method operating joint ventures — add to net investment income, deduct from net derivative gains (losses)
    130       156       (105 )
                         
Net derivative gains (losses) — GAAP consolidated statements of operations
  $ (265 )   $ (4,866 )   $ 3,910  
                         


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See “— Results of Operations — Year Ended December 31, 2010 compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2009 and Year Ended December 31, 2009 compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2008,” for an analysis of the year over year changes in net investment income and net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses).
 
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale
 
Fixed maturity securities, which consisted principally of publicly-traded and privately placed fixed maturity securities, were $327.3 billion and $227.6 billion, or 69% and 67% of total cash and invested assets at estimated fair value, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Publicly-traded fixed maturity securities represented $286.5 billion and $191.4 billion, or 88% and 84% of total fixed maturity securities at estimated fair value, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Privately placed fixed maturity securities represented $40.8 billion and $36.2 billion, or 12% and 16% of total fixed maturity securities at estimated fair value, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Equity securities, which consisted principally of publicly-traded and privately-held common and preferred stocks, including certain perpetual hybrid securities and mutual fund interests, were $3.6 billion and $3.1 billion, or 0.8% and 0.9% of total cash and invested assets at estimated fair value, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Publicly-traded equity securities represented $2.3 billion and $2.1 billion, or 64% and 68% of total equity securities at estimated fair value, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Privately-held equity securities represented $1.3 billion and $1.0 billion, or 36% and 32% of total equity securities at estimated fair value, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Valuation of Securities.  We are responsible for the determination of estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of publicly-traded fixed maturity, equity and trading and other securities, as well as short-term securities is determined by management after considering one of three primary sources of information: quoted market prices in active markets, independent pricing services, or independent broker quotations. The number of quotes obtained varies by instrument and depends on the liquidity of the particular instrument. Generally, we obtain prices from multiple pricing services to cover all asset classes and obtain multiple prices for certain securities, but ultimately utilize the price with the highest placement in the fair value hierarchy. Independent pricing services that value these instruments use market standard valuation methodologies based on inputs that are market observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Such observable inputs include benchmarking prices for similar assets in active, liquid markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active and observable yields and spreads in the market. The market standard valuation methodologies utilized include: discounted cash flow methodologies, matrix pricing or similar techniques. The assumptions and inputs in applying these market standard valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to, interest rates, credit standing of the issuer or counterparty, industry sector of the issuer, coupon rate, call provisions, sinking fund requirements, maturity, estimated duration, and management’s assumptions regarding liquidity and estimated future cash flows. When a price is not available in the active market or through an independent pricing service, management will value the security primarily using independent non-binding broker quotations. Independent non-binding broker quotations utilize inputs that are not market observable or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
 
Senior management, independent of the trading and investing functions, is responsible for the oversight of control systems and valuation policies, including reviewing and approving new transaction types and markets, for ensuring that observable market prices and market-based parameters are used for valuation, wherever possible, and for determining that judgmental valuation adjustments, if any, are based upon established policies and are applied consistently over time. We review our valuation methodologies on an ongoing basis and ensure that any changes to valuation methodologies are justified. We gain assurance on the overall reasonableness and consistent application of input assumptions, valuation methodologies and compliance with accounting standards for fair value determination through various controls designed to ensure that the financial assets and financial liabilities are appropriately valued and represent an exit price. The control systems and procedures include, but are not limited to, analysis of portfolio returns to corresponding benchmark returns, comparing a sample of executed prices of securities sold to the fair value estimates, comparing fair value estimates to management’s knowledge of the current market, reviewing the bid/ask spreads to assess activity and ongoing confirmation that independent pricing services use, wherever possible, market-based parameters for valuation. We determine the observability of inputs used in


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estimated fair values received from independent pricing services or brokers by assessing whether these inputs can be corroborated by observable market data. The Company also follows a formal process to challenge any prices received from independent pricing services that are not considered representative of estimated fair value. If we conclude that prices received from independent pricing services are not reflective of market activity or representative of estimated fair value, we will seek independent non-binding broker quotes or use an internally developed valuation to override these prices. Such overrides are classified as Level 3. Despite the credit events prevalent since the second half of 2007 described above, including market dislocation, volatility in valuation of certain investments, and reduced levels of liquidity, which has since moderated but is still present in certain portions of the global financial markets and in certain asset sectors, our internally developed valuations of current estimated fair value, which reflect our estimates of liquidity and non-performance risks, compared with pricing received from the independent pricing services, did not produce material differences for the vast majority of our fixed maturity securities portfolio. Our estimates of liquidity and non-performance risks are generally based on available market evidence and on what other market participants would use. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. As a result, we generally continued to use the price provided by the independent pricing service under our normal pricing protocol and pricing overrides were not material. The Company uses the results of this analysis for classifying the estimated fair value of these instruments in Level 1, 2 or 3. For example, we will review the estimated fair values received to determine whether corroborating evidence (i.e., similar observable positions and actual trades) will support a Level 2 classification in the fair value hierarchy. Security prices which cannot be corroborated due to relatively less pricing transparency and diminished liquidity will be classified as Level 3. Even some of our very high quality invested assets have been more illiquid for periods of time as a result of the market conditions described above.
 
For privately placed fixed maturity securities, the Company determines the estimated fair value generally through matrix pricing, discounted cash flow techniques or from independent pricing services after assessing that the observability of inputs used can be corroborated with observable market data. The discounted cash flow valuations rely upon the estimated future cash flows of the security, credit spreads of comparable public securities and secondary transactions, as well as taking into account, among other factors, the credit quality of the issuer and the reduced liquidity associated with privately placed debt securities.
 
The Company has reviewed the significance and observability of inputs used in the valuation methodologies to determine the appropriate fair value hierarchy level for each of its securities. Based on the results of this review and investment class analyses, each instrument is categorized as Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the priority of the inputs to the respective valuation methodologies. Certain U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed fixed maturity securities, certain foreign government fixed maturity securities, residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), principally to-be-announced securities, exchange-traded common stock and mutual fund interests, registered mutual fund interests priced using daily net asset value provided by fund managers included within trading and other securities, certain other securities classified as trading and other securities which are similar to the above described fixed maturity and equity securities and certain short-term money market securities, including U.S. Treasury bills, have been classified into Level 1 because of high volumes of trading activity and narrow bid/ask spreads. Most securities valued by independent pricing services have been classified into Level 2 because the significant inputs used in pricing these securities are market observable or can be corroborated using market observable information. Most investment grade privately placed fixed maturity securities and certain below investment grade privately placed fixed maturity securities priced by independent pricing services that use observable inputs have been classified within Level 2. Distressed privately placed fixed maturity securities have been classified within Level 3. Below investment grade privately placed fixed maturity securities and less liquid securities with very limited trading activity where estimated fair values are determined by independent pricing services or by independent non-binding broker quotations that use unobservable inputs or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, are classified as Level 3. Use of independent non-binding broker quotations generally indicates there is a lack of liquidity or the general lack of transparency in the process to develop these price estimates causing them to be considered Level 3.
 
Effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted accounting guidance that clarified existing guidance regarding (1) estimating the estimated fair value of an asset or liability if there was a significant decrease in the volume and level of trading activity for these assets or liabilities and (2) identifying transactions that are not orderly. The


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Company’s valuation policies as described above and in “— Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Estimated Fair Values of Investments” already incorporated the key concepts from this additional guidance, accordingly, this guidance results in no material changes in our valuation policies. At April 1, 2009 and at each subsequent quarterly period in 2009 and 2010, we evaluated the markets that our fixed maturity and equity securities trade in and in our judgment, despite the increased illiquidity discussed above, believe none of these fixed maturity and equity securities trading markets should be characterized as distressed and disorderly. We will continue to re-evaluate and monitor such fixed maturity and equity securities trading markets on an ongoing basis.
 
Fair Value Hierarchy.  Fixed maturity securities and equity securities available-for-sale measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value pricing sources and fair value hierarchy are as follows:
 
                                 
    December 31, 2010  
    Fixed Maturity
    Equity
 
    Securities     Securities  
    (In millions)  
 
Level 1:
                               
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
  $ 15,025       4.6 %   $ 832       23.1 %
                                 
Level 2:
                               
Independent pricing source
    257,625       78.7       616       17.1  
Internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques
    31,839       9.8       985       27.3  
                                 
Significant other observable inputs
    289,464       88.5       1,601       44.4  
                                 
Level 3:
                               
Independent pricing source
    10,481       3.2       1,011       28.0  
Internal matrix pricing or discounted cash flow techniques
    9,872       3.0       149       4.1  
Independent broker quotations
    2,442       0.7       13       0.4  
                                 
Significant unobservable inputs
    22,795       6.9       1,173       32.5  
                                 
Total estimated fair value
  $ 327,284       100.0 %   $ 3,606       100.0 %
                                 
 


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    December 31, 2010  
    Fair Value Measurements Using  
    Quoted Prices
    Significant
             
    in Active
    Other
    Significant
       
    Markets for
    Observable
    Unobservable
    Total
 
    Identical Assets
    Inputs
    Inputs
    Estimated
 
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Fair Value  
          (In millions)        
 
Fixed Maturity Securities:
                               
U.S. corporate securities
  $     $ 85,419     $ 7,149     $ 92,568  
Foreign corporate securities
          62,401       5,777       68,178  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    274       43,037       1,422       44,733  
Foreign government securities
    149       40,092       3,159       43,400  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    14,602       18,623       79       33,304  
Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)
          19,664       1,011       20,675  
Asset-backed securities
          10,142       4,148       14,290  
State and political subdivision securities
          10,083       46       10,129  
Other fixed maturity securities
          3       4       7  
                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 15,025     $ 289,464     $ 22,795     $ 327,284  
                                 
Equity Securities:
                               
Common stock
  $ 832     $ 1,094     $ 268     $ 2,194  
Non-redeemable preferred stock
          507       905       1,412  
                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 832     $ 1,601     $ 1,173     $ 3,606  
                                 
 
The composition of fair value pricing sources for and significant changes in Level 3 securities at December 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
  •  The majority of the Level 3 fixed maturity and equity securities (84%, as presented above) were concentrated in four sectors: U.S. and foreign corporate securities, ABS and foreign government securities.
 
  •  Level 3 fixed maturity securities are priced principally through market standard valuation methodologies, independent pricing services and independent non-binding broker quotations using inputs that are not market observable or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 fixed maturity securities consists of less liquid fixed maturity securities with very limited trading activity or where less price transparency exists around the inputs to the valuation methodologies including alternative residential mortgage loan RMBS and less liquid prime RMBS, certain below investment grade private placements and less liquid investment grade corporate securities (included in U.S. and foreign corporate securities) and less liquid ABS including securities supported by sub-prime mortgage loans (included in ABS).
 
  •  During the year ended December 31, 2010, Level 3 fixed maturity securities increased by $371 million, or 2%, excluding the impact of the Acquisition, and $5,605 million, or 33%, including the impact of the Acquisition. The Level 3 fixed maturity securities acquired from ALICO of $5,435 million have been included in purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the table below. The increase was driven by net purchases in excess of sales and increases in estimated fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Net purchases in excess of sales of fixed maturity securities were concentrated in foreign government and ABS. The increase in estimated fair value in fixed maturity securities was concentrated in U.S. and foreign corporate securities and ABS (including RMBS backed by sub-prime mortgage loans) due to improving or stabilizing market conditions including an improvement in liquidity coupled with the effect of decreased interest rates on such securities.

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A rollforward of the fair value measurements for fixed maturity securities and equity securities available-for-sale measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs is as follows:
 
                 
    Year Ended December 31, 2010  
    Fixed Maturity
    Equity
 
    Securities     Securities  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 17,190     $ 1,240  
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
               
Earnings
    (39 )     51  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    1,072       19  
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (1)
    4,519       (122 )
Transfers into and/or out of Level 3
    53       (15 )
                 
Balance, end of year
  $ 22,795     $ 1,173  
                 
 
 
(1) Includes securities acquired from ALICO of $5,435 million for fixed maturity securities and $68 million for equity securities.
 
An analysis of transfers into and/or out of Level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:
 
  •  Total gains and losses in earnings and other comprehensive income (loss) are calculated assuming transfers in or out of Level 3 occurred at the beginning of the period. Items transferred in and out for the same period are excluded from the rollforward.
 
  •  Total gains and losses for fixed maturity securities included in earnings of ($2) million and other comprehensive income (loss) of $19 million respectively, were incurred for transfers subsequent to their transfer to Level 3, for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
  •  Net transfers into and/or out of Level 3 for fixed maturity securities were $53 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, and were comprised of transfers in of $1,736 million and transfers out of ($1,683) million, respectively.
 
Overall, transfers into and/or out of Level 3 are attributable to a change in the observability of inputs. Assets and liabilities are transferred into Level 3 when a significant input cannot be corroborated with market observable data. This occurs when market activity decreases significantly and underlying inputs cannot be observed, current prices are not available, and when there are significant variances in quoted prices, thereby affecting transparency. Assets and liabilities are transferred out of Level 3 when circumstances change such that a significant input can be corroborated with market observable data. This may be due to a significant increase in market activity, a specific event, or one or more significant input(s) becoming observable. Transfers into and/or out of any level are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. Significant transfers in and/or out of Level 3 assets and liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2010 are summarized below.
 
  •  During the year ended December 31, 2010, fixed maturity securities transfers into Level 3 of $1,736 million resulted primarily from current market conditions characterized by a lack of trading activity, decreased liquidity and credit ratings downgrades (e.g., from investment grade to below investment grade). These current market conditions have resulted in decreased transparency of valuations and an increased use of broker quotations and unobservable inputs to determine estimated fair value principally for certain private placements included in U.S. and foreign corporate securities and certain CMBS.
 
  •  During the year ended December 31, 2010, fixed maturity securities transfers out of Level 3 of ($1,683) million resulted primarily from increased transparency of both new issuances that subsequent to issuance and establishment of trading activity, became priced by independent pricing services and existing issuances that, over time, the Company was able to corroborate pricing received from independent pricing services with observable inputs, or there were increases in market activity and upgraded credit ratings primarily for certain U.S. and foreign corporate securities, RMBS and ABS.


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See “— Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Estimated Fair Value of Investments” for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported above.
 
See “— Fair Value — Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value — Recurring Fair Value Measurements — Valuation Techniques and Inputs by Level Within the Three-Level Fair Value Hierarchy by Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities” in Note 5 for further information about the valuation techniques and inputs by level by major classes of invested assets that affect the amounts reported above.
 
Fixed Maturity Securities Credit Quality — Ratings.  The Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) evaluates the fixed maturity security investments of insurers for regulatory reporting and capital assessment purposes and assigns securities to one of six credit quality categories called “NAIC designations.” If no rating is available from the NAIC, then as permitted by the NAIC, an internally developed rating is used. The NAIC ratings are generally similar to the credit quality designations of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organizations (“NRSROs”) for marketable fixed maturity securities, called “rating agency designations,” except for certain structured securities as described below. NAIC ratings 1 and 2 include fixed maturity securities generally considered investment grade (i.e., rated “Baa3” or better by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) or rated “BBB” or better by S&P and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”)) by such rating organizations. NAIC ratings 3 through 6 include fixed maturity securities generally considered below investment grade (i.e., rated “Ba1” or lower by Moody’s or rated “BB+” or lower by S&P and Fitch) by such rating organizations.
 
The NAIC adopted revised rating methodologies for non-agency RMBS, including RMBS backed by sub-prime mortgage loans reported within ABS, that became effective December 31, 2009 and for CMBS and all other ABS that became effective December 31, 2010. The NAIC’s objective with the revised rating methodologies for these structured securities was to increase the accuracy in assessing expected losses, and to use the improved assessment to determine a more appropriate capital requirement for such structured securities. The revised methodologies reduce regulatory reliance on rating agencies and allow for greater regulatory input into the assumptions used to estimate expected losses from such structured securities.
 
The three tables below present fixed maturity securities based on rating agency designations and equivalent designations of the NAIC, with the exception of certain structured securities held by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries that file NAIC statutory financial statements. Non-agency RMBS, including RMBS backed by sub-prime mortgage loans reported within ABS, CMBS and all other ABS held by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries that file NAIC statutory financial statements are presented based on final ratings from the revised NAIC rating methodologies described above (which may not correspond to rating agency designations). All NAIC designation (e.g., NAIC 1) amounts and percentages presented herein are based on the revised NAIC methodologies described above. All rating agency designation (e.g., Aaa/AAA) amounts and percentages presented herein are based on rating agency designations without adjustment for the revised NAIC methodologies described above.
 
The following three tables present information about the Company’s fixed maturity securities holdings by NAIC credit quality ratings. Comparisons between NAIC ratings and rating agency designations are published by the NAIC. Rating agency designations are based on availability of applicable ratings from rating agencies on the NAIC acceptable rating organizations list, including Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and Realpoint, LLC. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.


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The following table presents the Company’s total fixed maturity securities by NRSRO designation and the equivalent designations of the NAIC, except for certain structured securities, which are presented using final ratings from the revised NAIC rating methodologies as described above, as well as the percentage, based on estimated fair value, that each designation is comprised of at:
 
                                                     
        December 31,  
        2010     2009  
              Estimated
                Estimated
       
NAIC
      Amortized
    Fair
    % of
    Amortized
    Fair
    % of
 
Rating   Rating Agency Designation:   Cost     Value     Total     Cost     Value     Total  
        (In millions)                          
 
1
  Aaa/Aa/A   $ 228,875     $ 233,540       71.4 %   $ 151,391     $ 151,136       66.4 %
2
  Baa     65,550       68,858       21.0       55,508       56,305       24.7  
3
  Ba     15,335       15,294       4.7       13,184       12,003       5.3  
4
  B     8,752       8,316       2.5       7,474       6,461       2.9  
5
  Caa and lower     1,343       1,146       0.4       1,809       1,425       0.6  
6
  In or near default     153       130             343       312       0.1  
                                                     
   
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 320,008     $ 327,284       100.0 %   $ 229,709     $ 227,642       100.0 %
                                                     
 
The following tables present the Company’s total fixed maturity securities, based on estimated fair value, by sector classification and by NRSRO designation and the equivalent designations of the NAIC, except for certain structured securities, which are presented as described above, that each designation is comprised of at December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
                                                         
    Fixed Maturity Securities — by Sector & Credit Quality Rating at December 31, 2010  
NAIC Rating   1     2     3     4     5     6     Total
 
                            Caa and
    In or Near
    Estimated
 
Rating Agency Designation:   Aaa/Aa/A     Baa     Ba     B     Lower     Default     Fair Value  
    (In millions)  
 
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 46,754     $ 34,326     $ 7,635     $ 3,460     $ 353     $ 40     $ 92,568  
Foreign corporate securities
    39,652       24,414       2,476       1,454       173       9       68,178  
RMBS (1)
    38,984       1,109       2,271       1,993       331       45       44,733  
Foreign government securities
    32,957       7,184       2,179       1,080                   43,400  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    33,304                                     33,304  
CMBS (1)
    19,385       665       363       205       56       1       20,675  
ABS (1)
    13,136       435       338       120       226       35       14,290  
State and political subdivision securities
    9,368       722       32             7             10,129  
Other fixed maturity securities
          3             4                   7  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 233,540     $ 68,858     $ 15,294     $ 8,316     $ 1,146     $ 130     $ 327,284  
                                                         
Percentage of total
    71.4 %     21.0 %     4.7 %     2.5 %     0.4 %     %     100.0 %
 


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    Fixed Maturity Securities — by Sector & Credit Quality Rating at December 31, 2009  
NAIC Rating   1     2     3     4     5     6     Total
 
                            Caa and
    In or Near
    Estimated
 
Rating Agency Designation:   Aaa/Aa/A     Baa     Ba     B     Lower     Default     Fair Value  
    (In millions)  
 
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 31,848     $ 30,266     $ 6,319     $ 2,965     $ 616     $ 173     $ 72,187  
Foreign corporate securities
    16,678       17,393       2,067       1,530       281       81       38,030  
RMBS (1)
    38,464       1,563       2,260       1,391       339       3       44,020  
Foreign government securities
    5,786       4,841       890       415             15       11,947  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    25,447                                     25,447  
CMBS
    15,000       434       152       22       14             15,622  
ABS
    11,573       1,033       275       124       117       40       13,162  
State and political subdivision securities
    6,337       765       40       8       58             7,208  
Other fixed maturity securities
    3       10             6                   19  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 151,136     $ 56,305     $ 12,003     $ 6,461     $ 1,425     $ 312     $ 227,642  
                                                         
Percentage of total
    66.4 %     24.7 %     5.3 %     2.9 %     0.6 %     0.1 %     100.0 %
 
 
(1) Presented using the final rating from revised NAIC rating methodologies.
 
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale.  See “Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for tables summarizing the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, including noncredit loss component of OTTI loss, and estimated fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities on a sector basis, and selected information about certain fixed maturity securities held by the Company that were below investment grade or non-rated, non-income producing, credit enhanced by financial guarantor insurers — by sector, and the ratings of the financial guarantor insurers providing the credit enhancement at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk (Equity Securities).  The Company was not exposed to any significant concentrations of credit risk in its equity securities portfolio of any single issuer greater than 10% of the Company’s equity, or 1% of total investments, at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — Summary.  See “Investments— Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-Sale Concentrations” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of the concentrations of credit risk related to fixed maturity securities holdings.
 
Corporate Fixed Maturity Securities.  The Company maintains a diversified portfolio of corporate fixed maturity securities across industries and issuers. This portfolio does not have exposure to any single issuer in excess of 1% of the total investments. See “Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — U.S. and Foreign Corporate Securitiesin Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the tables that present the major industry types that comprise the corporate fixed maturity securities holdings, the largest exposure to a single issuer and the combined holdings in the ten issuers to which it had the largest exposure at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

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Structured Securities.  The following table presents the types of structured securities and portion rated Aaa/AAA and portion rated NAIC 1 at:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Estimated
          Estimated
       
    Fair
    % of
    Fair
    % of
 
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
          (In millions)        
 
RMBS
  $ 44,733       56.1 %   $ 44,020       60.5 %
CMBS
    20,675       26.0       15,622       21.4  
ABS
    14,290       17.9       13,162       18.1  
                                 
Total structured securities
  $ 79,698       100.0 %   $ 72,804       100.0 %
                                 
Ratings profile:
                               
RMBS rated Aaa/AAA
  $ 36,085       80.7 %   $ 35,626       80.9 %
RMBS rated NAIC 1
  $ 38,984       87.1 %   $ 38,464       87.4 %
CMBS rated Aaa/AAA
  $ 16,901       81.7 %   $ 13,355       85.5 %
CMBS rated NAIC 1
  $ 19,385       93.7 %   $ 15,000       96.0 %
ABS rated Aaa/AAA
  $ 10,411       72.9 %   $ 9,354       71.1 %
ABS rated NAIC 1
  $ 13,136       91.9 %   $ 11,573       87.9 %
 
RMBS.  See “Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — RMBS” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the tables that present the Company’s RMBS holdings by security type and risk profile at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
The majority of RMBS held by the Company was rated Aaa/AAA by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch; and the majority was rated NAIC 1 by the NAIC at December 31, 2010 and 2009, as presented above. The majority of the agency RMBS held by the Company was guaranteed or otherwise supported by FNMA, FHLMC or GNMA. Non-agency RMBS includes prime and alternative residential mortgage loans (“Alt-A”) RMBS. Prime residential mortgage lending includes the origination of residential mortgage loans to the most creditworthy borrowers with high quality credit profiles. Alt-A is a classification of mortgage loans where the risk profile of the borrower falls between prime and sub-prime. Sub-prime mortgage lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to borrowers with weak credit profiles. Included within Alt-A RMBS are resecuritization of real estate mortgage investment conduit (“Re-REMIC”) securities. Re-REMIC Alt-A RMBS involve the pooling of previous issues of Alt-A RMBS and restructuring the combined pools to create new senior and subordinated securities. The credit enhancement on the senior tranches is improved through the resecuritization. The Company’s holdings are in senior tranches with significant credit enhancement.
 
The Company’s Alt-A securities portfolio has superior structure to the overall Alt-A market. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company’s Alt-A securities portfolio has no exposure to option adjustable rate mortgages (“ARMs”) and a minimal exposure to hybrid ARMs. The Company’s Alt-A securities portfolio is comprised primarily of fixed rate mortgages which have performed better than both option ARMs and hybrid ARMs in the overall Alt-A market. Additionally, 85% and 90% at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, of the Company’s Alt-A securities portfolio has super senior credit enhancement, which typically provides double the credit enhancement of a standard Aaa/AAA rated fixed maturity security. See “Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — RMBS” in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a table that presents the estimated fair value of Alt-A securities held by the Company by vintage year, net unrealized loss, portion of holdings rated Aa/AA or better by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, portion rated NAIC 1 by the NAIC, and portion of holdings that are backed by fixed rate collateral or hybrid ARM collateral at December 31, 2010 and 2009. The Company’s holdings of Re-REMIC Alt-A RMBS reported within Alt-A RMBS were all rated NAIC 1 and were $703 million and $782 million at estimated fair value at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


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RMBS in which the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected is less than amortized cost are reviewed for impairment in accordance with our impairment policy. Based upon the analysis of the Company’s exposure to RMBS, including Alt-A RMBS, the Company expects to receive payments in accordance with the contractual terms of the securities that are considered temporarily impaired.
 
CMBS.  There have been disruptions in the CMBS market due to market perceptions that default rates will increase in part as a result of weakness in commercial real estate market fundamentals and in part to relaxed underwriting standards by some originators of commercial mortgage loans within the more recent vintage years (i.e., 2006 and later). These factors caused a pull-back in market liquidity, increased credit spreads and repricing of risk, which has led to higher levels of unrealized losses as compared to historical levels through the first quarter of 2010. However, in the second quarter of 2010, market conditions continued to improve and interest rates continue to decrease, causing our portfolio to be in a net unrealized gain position of 2% of amortized cost at December 31, 2010.
 
CMBS in which the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected is less than amortized cost are reviewed for impairment in accordance with our impairment policy. Based upon the analysis of the Company’s exposure to CMBS, the Company expects to receive payments in accordance with the contractual terms of the securities that are considered temporarily impaired.
 
The Company’s holdings in CMBS were $20.7 billion and $15.6 billion, at estimated fair value at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. See “Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — CMBS” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for tables that present the amortized cost and estimated fair value, rating agency designation by Moody’s, S&P, Fitch or Realpoint, LLC and holdings by vintage year of such securities held by the Company at December 31, 2010 and 2009. The Company had no exposure to CMBS index securities at December 31, 2010 or 2009. The Company’s holdings of commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations securities were $138 million and $111 million at estimated fair value at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The weighted average credit enhancement of the Company’s CMBS holdings was 26% and 28% at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. This credit enhancement percentage represents the current weighted average estimated percentage of outstanding capital structure subordinated to the Company’s investment holding that is available to absorb losses before the security incurs the first dollar of loss of principal. The credit protection does not include any equity interest or property value in excess of outstanding debt.
 
ABS.  The Company’s ABS are diversified both by collateral type and by issuer. See “Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — ABS” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a table that presents the Company’s ABS by collateral type, portion rated Aaa/AAA, portion rated NAIC 1, and portion credit enhanced held by the Company at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
The slowing U.S. housing market, greater use of affordable mortgage products and relaxed underwriting standards for some originators of sub-prime mortgage loans have recently led to higher delinquency and loss rates, especially within the 2006 and 2007 vintage years. These factors have caused a pull-back in market liquidity and repricing of risk, which has led to higher levels of unrealized losses on securities backed by sub-prime mortgage loans as compared to historical levels. However, in 2010, market conditions improved, credit spreads narrowed on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities and net unrealized losses on ABS backed by sub-prime mortgage loans decreased from 36% to 22% of amortized cost from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2010.
 
ABS in which the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected is less than amortized cost are reviewed for impairment in accordance with our impairment policy. Based upon the analysis of the Company’s ABS, including sub-prime mortgage loans through its exposure to ABS, the Company expects to receive payments in accordance with the contractual terms of the securities that are considered temporarily impaired.
 
See “Investments— Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — ABS” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for tables that present the Company’s holdings of ABS supported by sub-prime mortgage loans by rating agency designation and by vintage year and by NAIC rating at December 31, 2010 and 2009.


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The Company had ABS supported by sub-prime mortgage loans with estimated fair values of $1,119 million and $1,044 million and unrealized losses of $317 million and $593 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Approximately 54% of this portfolio was rated Aa or better, of which 88% was in vintage year 2005 and prior at December 31, 2010. Approximately 61% of this portfolio was rated Aa or better, of which 91% was in vintage year 2005 and prior at December 31, 2009. These older vintages from 2005 and prior benefit from better underwriting, improved enhancement levels and higher residential property price appreciation. All of the $1,119 million and $1,044 million of ABS supported by sub-prime mortgage loans were classified as Level 3 fixed maturity securities in the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
ABS also include collateralized debt obligations backed by sub-prime mortgage loans at an aggregate cost of $18 million with an estimated fair value of $17 million at December 31, 2010 and an aggregate cost of $22 million with an estimated fair value of $8 million at December 31, 2009.
 
Evaluating Available-for-Sale Securities for Other-Than-Temporary Impairment
 
See “Investments — Evaluating Available-for-Sale Securities for Other-Than-Temporary Impairment” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the regular evaluation of available-for-sale securities holdings in accordance with our impairment policy, whereby we evaluate whether such investments are other-than-temporarily impaired, new OTTI guidance adopted in 2009 and factors considered by security classification in the regular OTTI evaluation.
 
See “— Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates.”
 
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
 
See “Investments — Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the components of net unrealized investment gains (losses), included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and the changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) at December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of ($601) million at December 31, 2010, includes ($859) million recognized prior to January 1, 2010, ($212) million (($202) million, net of DAC) of noncredit OTTI losses recognized in the year ended December 31, 2010, $16 million transferred to retained earnings in connection with the adoption of guidance related to the consolidation of VIEs (see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements) for the year ended December 31, 2010, $137 million related to securities sold for the year ended December 31, 2010, for which a noncredit OTTI loss was previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and $317 million of subsequent increases in estimated fair value during the year ended December 31, 2010, on such securities for which a noncredit OTTI loss was previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
 
Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of ($859) million at December 31, 2009, includes ($126) million related to the transition adjustment recorded in 2009 upon the adoption of guidance on the recognition and presentation of OTTI, ($939) million (($857) million, net of DAC) of noncredit OTTI losses recognized in the year ended December 31, 2009 (as more fully described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), $20 million related to securities sold during the year ended December 31, 2009 for which a noncredit loss was previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and $186 million of subsequent increases in estimated fair value during the year ended December 31, 2009 on such securities for which a noncredit OTTI loss was previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
 
Aging of Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale
 
See “Investments— Aging of Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the tables that present the


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cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized loss, including the portion of OTTI loss on fixed maturity securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2010, gross unrealized loss as a percentage of cost or amortized cost and number of securities for fixed maturity and equity securities where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost or amortized cost by less than 20%, or 20% or more at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Concentration of Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale
 
See “Investments — Concentration of Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the tables that present the concentration by sector and industry of the Company’s gross unrealized losses related to its fixed maturity and equity securities, including the portion of OTTI loss on fixed maturity securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $6.9 billion and $10.8 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Evaluating Temporarily Impaired Available-for-Sale Securities
 
See “Investments— Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Evaluating Temporarily Impaired Available-for-Sale Securities” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a table that presents the Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities each with a gross unrealized loss of greater than $10 million, the number of securities, total gross unrealized loss and percentage of total gross unrealized loss at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Fixed maturity and equity securities, each with a gross unrealized loss greater than $10 million, decreased $2.5 billion during the year ended December 31, 2010. The cause of the decline in, or improvement in, gross unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2010 was primarily attributable to a decrease in interest rates and narrowing of credit spreads. These securities were included in the Company’s OTTI review process. Based upon the Company’s current evaluation of these securities in accordance with its impairment policy and the Company’s current intentions and assessments (as applicable to the type of security) about holding, selling, and any requirements to sell these securities, the Company has concluded that these securities are not other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
In the Company’s impairment review process, the duration and severity of an unrealized loss position for equity securities is given greater weight and consideration than for fixed maturity securities. An extended and severe unrealized loss position on a fixed maturity security may not have any impact on the ability of the issuer to service all scheduled interest and principal payments and the Company’s evaluation of recoverability of all contractual cash flows or the ability to recover an amount at least equal to its amortized cost based on the present value of the expected future cash flows to be collected. In contrast, for an equity security, greater weight and consideration is given by the Company to a decline in market value and the likelihood such market value decline will recover.
 
See “Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Evaluating Temporarily Impaired Available-for-Sale Securities” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a table that presents certain information about the Company’s equity securities available-for-sale with a gross unrealized loss of 20% or more at December 31, 2010.
 
In connection with the equity securities impairment review process at December 31, 2010, the Company evaluated its holdings in non-redeemable preferred stock, particularly those of financial services companies. The Company considered several factors including whether there has been any deterioration in credit of the issuer and the likelihood of recovery in value of non-redeemable preferred stock with a severe or an extended unrealized loss. The Company also considered whether any non-redeemable preferred stock with an unrealized loss held by the Company, regardless of credit rating, have deferred any dividend payments. No such dividend payments had been deferred.


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With respect to common stock holdings, the Company considered the duration and severity of the unrealized losses for securities in an unrealized loss position of 20% or more and the duration of unrealized losses for securities in an unrealized loss position of less than 20% in an extended unrealized loss position (i.e., for 12 months or greater).
 
Future OTTI will depend primarily on economic fundamentals, issuer performance (including changes in the present value of future cash flows expected to be collected), changes in credit rating, changes in collateral valuation, changes in interest rates and changes in credit spreads. If economic fundamentals and any of the above factors deteriorate, additional OTTI may be incurred in upcoming quarters.
 
Net Investment Gains (Losses) Including OTTI Losses Recognized in Earnings
 
Effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted guidance on the recognition and presentation of OTTI that amends the methodology to determine for fixed maturity securities whether an OTTI exists, and for certain fixed maturity securities, changes how OTTI losses that are charged to earnings are measured. There was no change in the methodology for identification and measurement of OTTI losses charged to earnings for impaired equity securities.
 
See “Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Net Investment Gains (Losses)” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a table that presents proceeds from sales or disposals of fixed maturity and equity securities and the components of fixed maturity and equity securities net investment gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Overview of Fixed Maturity and Equity Security OTTI Losses Recognized in Earnings.  Impairments of fixed maturity and equity securities were $484 million, $1.9 billion and $1.7 billion for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Impairments of fixed maturity securities were $470 million, $1.5 billion and $1.3 billion for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Impairments of equity securities were $14 million, $400 million and $430 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
The Company’s credit-related impairments of fixed maturity securities were $423 million, $1.1 billion and $1.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
The Company’s three largest impairments totaled $105 million, $508 million and $528 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
The Company records OTTI losses charged to earnings within net investment gains (losses) and adjusts the cost basis of the fixed maturity and equity securities accordingly. The Company does not change the revised cost basis for subsequent recoveries in value.
 
The Company sold or disposed of fixed maturity and equity securities at a loss that had an estimated fair value of $18.2 billion, $10.2 billion and $29.9 billion for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Gross losses excluding impairments for fixed maturity and equity securities were $628 million, $1.2 billion and $1.8 billion for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Explanations of changes in fixed maturity and equity securities impairments are as follows:
 
  •  Year Ended December 31, 2010 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2009 — Overall OTTI losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturity and equity securities were $484 million for the current year as compared to $1.9 billion in the prior year. Improving or stabilizing market conditions across all sectors and industries, particularly the financial services industry, as compared to the prior year when there was significant stress in the global financial markets, resulted in a higher level of impairments in fixed maturity and equity securities in the prior year. The most significant decrease in the current year, as compared to the prior year, was in the Company’s financial services industry holdings which comprised $799 million in fixed maturity and equity security impairments in the prior year, as compared to $129 million in impairments in the current year. Of the $799 million in financial services industry impairments in the year, $340 million were in equity securities, of which $310 million were in financial services industry perpetual hybrid securities which were impaired as a result of deterioration in the credit rating of the issuer to below investment grade and due to a severe and extended unrealized loss position on these securities. Impairments


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  in the current year were concentrated in the RMBS, ABS and CMBS sectors reflecting current economic conditions including higher unemployment levels and continued weakness within the real estate markets. Of the fixed maturity and equity securities impairments of $484 million and $1,900 million in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, $287 million and $449 million, or 59% and 24% respectively, were in the Company’s RMBS, ABS and CMBS holdings.
 
  •  Year Ended December 31, 2009 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2008 — Overall OTTI losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturity and equity securities were $1.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $1.7 billion in the prior year. The stress in the global financial markets that caused a significant increase in impairments in 2008 as compared to 2007, continued into 2009. Significant impairments were incurred in several industry sectors in 2009, including the financial services industry, but to a lesser degree in the financial services industry sector than in 2008. In 2008 certain financial institutions entered bankruptcy, entered FDIC receivership or received significant government capital infusions causing 2008 financial services industry impairments to be higher than in 2009. Of the fixed maturity and equity securities impairments of $1,900 million in 2009, $799 million were concentrated in the Company’s financial services industry holdings and were comprised of $459 million in impairments on fixed maturity securities and $340 million in impairments on equity securities, and the $799 million included $623 million of perpetual hybrid securities, which were comprised of $313 million on securities classified as fixed maturity securities and $310 million on securities classified as non-redeemable preferred stock. Overall impairments in 2009 were higher due to increased fixed maturity security impairments across several industry sectors, which more than offset a reduction in impairments in the financial services industry sector. Impairments across these several industry sectors increased in 2009 due to increased financial restructurings, bankruptcy filings, ratings downgrades, collateral deterioration or difficult operating environments of the issuers as a result of the challenging economic environment. Impairments on perpetual hybrid securities in 2009 were a result of deterioration in the credit rating of the issuer to below investment grade and due to a severe and extended unrealized loss position.
 
See “Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Net Investment Gains (Losses)” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for tables that present fixed maturity security OTTI losses recognized in earnings by sector and by industry within the U.S. and foreign corporate securities sector for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively; and equity security OTTI losses recognized in earnings by sector and industry for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Future Impairments.  Future OTTI will depend primarily on economic fundamentals, issuer performance, changes in credit ratings, changes in collateral valuation, changes in interest rates and changes in credit spreads. If economic fundamentals and other of the above factors deteriorate, additional OTTI may be incurred in upcoming periods. See also “ — Investments — Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale — Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses).”
 
Credit Loss Rollforward — Rollforward of the Cumulative Credit Loss Component of OTTI Loss Recognized in Earnings on Fixed Maturity Securities Still Held for Which a Portion of the OTTI Loss was Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
See “Investments — Credit Loss Rollforward — Rollforward of the Cumulative Credit Loss Component of OTTI Loss Recognized in Earnings on Fixed Maturity Securities Still Held for Which a Portion of the OTTI Loss was Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the table that presents a rollforward of the cumulative credit loss component of OTTI loss recognized in earnings on fixed maturity securities still held by the Company at December 31, 2010 and 2009 for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.


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Securities Lending
 
The Company participates in securities lending programs whereby blocks of securities, which are included in fixed maturity securities and short-term investments, are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. The Company generally obtains collateral, generally cash, in an amount equal to 102% of the estimated fair value of the loaned securities, which is obtained at the inception of a loan and maintained at a level greater than or equal to 100% for the duration of the loan. Securities loaned under such transactions may be sold or repledged by the transferee. The Company is liable to return to its counterparties the cash collateral under its control. These transactions are treated as financing arrangements and the associated liability recorded at the amount of the cash received.
 
See “Investments — Securities Lending” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s securities lending program.
 
The estimated fair value of the securities on loan related to the cash collateral on open at December 31, 2010 was $2,699 million, of which $2,317 million were U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities which, if put to the Company, can be immediately sold to satisfy the cash requirements. The remainder of the securities on loan were primarily U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities, and very liquid RMBS. The U.S. Treasury securities on loan are primarily holdings of on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities, the most liquid U.S. Treasury securities available. If these high quality securities that are on loan are put back to the Company, the proceeds from immediately selling these securities can be used to satisfy the related cash requirements. The reinvestment portfolio acquired with the cash collateral consisted principally of fixed maturity securities (including RMBS, U.S. corporate, U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed, and ABS). If the on loan securities or the reinvestment portfolio become less liquid, the Company has the liquidity resources of most of its general account available to meet any potential cash demands when securities are put back to the Company.
 
Security collateral on deposit from counterparties in connection with the securities lending transactions may not be sold or repledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Separately, the Company had $49 million and $46 million, at estimated fair value, of cash and security collateral on deposit from a counterparty to secure its interest in a pooled investment that is held by a third-party trustee, as custodian, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. This pooled investment is included within fixed maturity securities and had an estimated fair value of $49 million and $51 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral
 
See “Investments — Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a table of the invested assets on deposit, invested assets held in trust and invested assets pledged as collateral at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
See also “ — Investments — Securities Lending” for the amount of the Company’s cash and invested assets received from and due back to counterparties pursuant to its securities lending program.
 
Trading and Other Securities
 
The Company has a trading securities portfolio, principally invested in fixed maturity securities, to support investment strategies that involve the active and frequent purchase and sale of securities (“Actively Traded Securities”) and the execution of short sale agreements. Trading and other securities also include securities for which the FVO has been elected (“FVO Securities”). FVO Securities include certain fixed maturity and equity securities held for investment by the general account to support asset and liability matching strategies for certain insurance products. FVO Securities also include contractholder-directed investments supporting unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities which do not qualify for presentation as separate account summary total assets and liabilities. These investments are primarily mutual funds, and to a lesser extent, fixed maturity and equity securities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents. The investment returns on these investments inure to contractholders and are offset by a corresponding change in PABs through interest credited to PABs. Changes in


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estimated fair value of such trading and other securities subsequent to purchase are included in net investment income. FVO Securities also include securities held by CSEs (former qualifying special purpose entities) with changes in estimated fair value subsequent to consolidation included in net investment gains (losses). Trading and other securities were $18.6 billion and $2.4 billion, or 3.9% and 0.7% of total cash and invested assets at estimated fair value, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The significant increase in trading and other securities in 2010 was driven primarily by inclusion of ALICO’s contractholder-directed unit-linked investments, and to a lesser extent, growth in this book of business that occurred during the ten month period ended October 31, 2010 prior to the Acquisition. See “Investments — Trading and Other Securities” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for tables which present information about the Actively Traded Securities and FVO Securities, related short sale agreement liabilities, investments pledged to secure short sale agreement liabilities, net investment income, changes in estimated fair value included in net investment income for trading and other securities and changes in estimated fair value included in net investment gains (losses) for FVO Securities held by CSEs at December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
 
Trading and other securities and trading (short sale agreement) liabilities, measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value hierarchy, are presented as follows:
 
                                 
    December 31, 2010  
    Trading and Other Securities     Trading Liabilities  
    (In millions)  
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1)
  $ 6,270       33.7 %   $ 46       100.0 %
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) (1)
    11,497       61.9              
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
    822       4.4              
                                 
Total estimated fair value
  $ 18,589       100.0 %   $ 46       100.0 %
                                 
 
 
(1) All FVO Securities held by CSEs are classified as Level 2.
 
A rollforward of the fair value measurements for trading and other securities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs for the year ended December 31, 2010, is as follows:
 
         
    Year Ended December 31, 2010  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance, at January 1,
  $ 83  
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
       
Earnings
    (7 )
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (1)
    727  
Transfer in and/or out of Level 3
    19  
         
Balance, at December 31,
  $ 822  
         
 
 
(1) Includes securities acquired from ALICO of $582 million.
 
See “ — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates” for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported above.
 
Mortgage Loans
 
The Company’s mortgage loans are principally collateralized by commercial real estate, agricultural real estate and residential properties. The carrying value of mortgage loans was $62.4 billion and $50.9 billion, or 13.1% and 15.1% of total cash and invested assets at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. See “Investments — Mortgage Loans” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a table that presents the Company’s mortgage loans held-for-investment of $59.1 billion and $48.2 billion by portfolio segment at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, as well as the components of the mortgage loans held-for-sale of $3.3 billion and $2.7 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The information presented on Mortgage


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Loans herein excludes the effects of consolidating under GAAP certain VIEs that are treated as CSEs. Such amounts are presented in the aforementioned table. See “Investments — Mortgage Loans” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Commercial Mortgage Loans by Geographic Region and Property Type.  Commercial mortgage loans are the most significant component of the mortgage loan invested asset class as it represents 72% of total mortgage loans held-for-investment (excluding the effects of consolidating under GAAP certain VIEs that are treated as CSEs) at both December 31, 2010 and 2009. The Company diversifies its commercial mortgage loan portfolio by both geographic region and property type to reduce the risk of concentration. Additionally, the Company manages risk, when originating commercial and agricultural mortgage loans, by generally lending only up to 75% of the estimated fair value of the underlying real estate. The tables below present the diversification across geographic regions and property types for commercial mortgage loans at:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
          % of
          % of
 
    Amount     Total     Amount     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Region:
                               
Pacific
  $ 8,974       23.7 %   $ 8,822       25.1 %
South Atlantic
    8,016       21.2       7,460       21.2  
Middle Atlantic
    6,484       17.1       6,042       17.2  
International
    4,216       11.2       3,620       10.3  
West South Central
    3,266       8.6       2,916       8.3  
East North Central
    3,066       8.1       2,531       7.2  
New England
    1,531       4.1       1,448       4.1  
Mountain
    884       2.3       959       2.7  
West North Central
    666       1.8       675       1.9  
East South Central
    461       1.2       449       1.3  
Other
    256       0.7       254       0.7  
                                 
Total recorded investment
    37,820       100.0 %     35,176       100.0 %
                                 
Less valuation allowances
    562               589          
                                 
Carrying value, net of valuation allowances
  $ 37,258             $ 34,587          
                                 
Property Type:
                               
Office
  $ 16,857       44.6 %   $ 15,205       43.2 %
Retail
    9,215       24.3       7,964       22.6  
Apartments
    3,630       9.6       3,731       10.6  
Hotel
    3,089       8.2       3,117       8.9  
Industrial
    2,910       7.7       2,797       8.0  
Other
    2,119       5.6       2,362       6.7  
                                 
Total recorded investment
    37,820       100.0 %     35,176       100.0 %
                                 
Less valuation allowances
    562               589          
                                 
Carrying value, net of valuation allowances
  $ 37,258             $ 34,587          
                                 
 
Mortgage Loan Credit Quality — Restructured, Potentially Delinquent, Delinquent or Under Foreclosure.  The Company monitors its mortgage loan investments on an ongoing basis, including reviewing loans that are restructured, potentially delinquent, and delinquent or under foreclosure. These loan classifications are consistent with those used in industry practice.


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The Company defines restructured mortgage loans as loans in which the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. The Company defines potentially delinquent loans as loans that, in management’s opinion, have a high probability of becoming delinquent in the near term. The Company defines delinquent mortgage loans consistent with industry practice, when interest and principal payments are past due as follows: commercial mortgage loans — 60 days past due; agricultural mortgage loans — 90 days past due; and residential mortgage loans — 60 days past due. The Company defines mortgage loans under foreclosure as loans in which foreclosure proceedings have formally commenced.
 
The following table presents the recorded investment and valuation allowance for all mortgage loans held-for-investment distributed by the above stated loan classifications at:
 
                                                                     
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
                      % of
                      % of
 
    Recorded
    % of
    Valuation
    Recorded
    Recorded
    % of
    Valuation
    Recorded
 
    Investment     Total     Allowance     Investment     Investment     Total     Allowance     Investment  
    (In millions)  
 
Commercial:
                                                                   
Performing
  $ 37,489       99.1 %   $ 528       1.4 %     $ 35,066       99.7 %   $ 548       1.6 %  
Restructured
    93       0.2       6       6.5 %                         %  
Potentially delinquent
    180       0.5       28       15.6 %       102       0.3       41       40.2 %  
Delinquent or under foreclosure
    58       0.2             %       8                   %  
                                                                     
Total
  $ 37,820       100.0 %   $ 562       1.5 %     $ 35,176       100.0 %   $ 589       1.7 %  
                                                                     
Agricultural (1):
                                                                   
Performing
  $ 12,486       97.9 %   $ 35       0.3 %     $ 11,950       97.5 %   $ 33       0.3 %  
Restructured
    33       0.3       8       24.2 %       36       0.3       10       27.8 %  
Potentially delinquent
    62       0.5       11       17.7 %       128       1.0       34       26.6 %  
Delinquent or under foreclosure
    170       1.3       34       20.0 %       141       1.2       38       27.0 %  
                                                                     
Total
  $ 12,751       100.0 %   $ 88       0.7 %     $ 12,255       100.0 %   $ 115       0.9 %  
                                                                     
Residential (2):
                                                                   
Performing
  $ 2,221       96.2 %   $ 12       0.5 %     $ 1,389       94.4 %   $ 16       1.2 %  
Restructured
    4       0.2             %       1       0.1             %  
Potentially delinquent
    4       0.2             %       10       0.7             %  
Delinquent or under foreclosure
    79       3.4       2       2.5 %       71       4.8       1       1.4 %  
                                                                     
Total
  $ 2,308       100.0 %   $ 14       0.6 %     $ 1,471       100.0 %   $ 17       1.2 %  
                                                                     
 
 
(1) Of the $12.8 billion of agricultural mortgage loans outstanding at December 31, 2010, 53% were subject to rate resets prior to maturity. A substantial portion of these mortgage loans have been successfully renegotiated and remain outstanding to maturity.
 
(2) Residential mortgage loans held-for-investment consist primarily of first lien residential mortgage loans, and to a much lesser extent, second lien residential mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit.
 
See “Investments — Mortgage Loans” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for tables that present, by portfolio segment, mortgage loans by credit quality indicator and impaired loans, as well as information on past due and nonaccrual mortgage loans for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Mortgage Loan Credit Quality — Monitoring Process — Commercial and Agricultural Mortgage Loans.  The Company reviews all commercial mortgage loans on an ongoing basis. These reviews may include an analysis of the property financial statements and rent roll, lease rollover analysis, property inspections, market analysis, estimated valuations of the underlying collateral, loan-to-value ratios, debt service coverage ratios, and tenant


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creditworthiness. The monitoring process focuses on higher risk loans, which include those that are classified as restructured, potentially delinquent, delinquent or in foreclosure, as well as loans with higher loan-to-value ratios and lower debt service coverage ratios. The monitoring process for agricultural mortgage loans is generally similar, with a focus on higher risk loans, such as loans with higher loan-to-value ratios, including reviews on a geographic and property type basis.
 
Loan-to-value ratios and debt service coverage ratios are common measures in the assessment of the quality of commercial mortgage loans. Loan-to-value ratios are a common measure in the assessment of the quality of agricultural mortgage loans. Loan-to-value ratios compare the amount of the loan to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. A loan-to-value ratio greater than 100% indicates that the loan amount is greater than the collateral value. A loan-to-value ratio of less than 100% indicates an excess of collateral value over the loan amount. The debt service coverage ratio compares a property’s net operating income to amounts needed to service the principal and interest due under the loan. For commercial mortgage loans, the average loan-to-value ratio was 66% and 68% at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and the average debt service coverage ratio was 2.4x, as compared to 2.2x at December 31, 2009. For agricultural mortgage loans, the average loan-to-value ratio was 49% at both December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The values utilized in calculating these ratios are developed in connection with our review of the commercial and agricultural mortgage loans, and are updated routinely, including a periodic quality rating process and an evaluation of the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral.
 
Mortgage Loan Credit Quality — Monitoring Process — Residential Mortgage Loans.  The Company has a conservative residential mortgage loan portfolio and does not hold any option ARMs, sub-prime or low teaser rate. Higher risk loans include those that are classified as restructured, potentially delinquent, delinquent or in foreclosure, as well as loans with higher loan-to-value ratios and interest-only loans. The Company’s investment in residential junior lien loans and residential mortgage loans with a loan-to-value ratio of 80% or more was $95 million and $76 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and the majority of the higher loan-to-value residential mortgage loans have mortgage insurance coverage which reduces the loan-to-value ratio to less than 80%. Additionally, the Company’s investment in traditional residential interest-only mortgage loans was $389 million and $323 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowances.  The Company’s valuation allowances are established both on a loan specific basis for those loans considered impaired where a property specific or market specific risk has been identified that could likely result in a future loss, as well as for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics where a property specific or market specific risk has not been identified, but for which the Company expects to incur a loss. Accordingly, a valuation allowance is provided to absorb these estimated probable credit losses. The Company records additions to and decreases in its valuation allowances and gains and losses from the sale of loans in net investment gains (losses).
 
The Company records valuation allowances for loans considered to be impaired when it is probable that, based upon current information and events, the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Based on the facts and circumstances of the individual loans being impaired, loan specific valuation allowances are established for the excess carrying value of the loan over either: (i) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate; (ii) the estimated fair value of the loan’s underlying collateral if the loan is in the process of foreclosure or otherwise collateral dependent; or (iii) the loan’s observable market price.
 
The Company also establishes valuation allowances for loan losses for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics, such as property types, loan-to-value ratios and debt service coverage ratios when, based on past experience, it is probable that a credit event has occurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. These valuation allowances are based on loan risk characteristics, historical default rates and loss severities, real estate market fundamentals and outlook, as well as, other relevant factors.
 
The determination of the amount of, and additions or decreases to, valuation allowances is based upon the Company’s periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with its loan portfolios. Such evaluations and assessments are based upon several factors, including the Company’s experience for loan losses, defaults and loss severity, and loss expectations for loans with similar risk characteristics. These evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. We update our evaluations


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regularly, which can cause the valuation allowances to increase or decrease over time as such evaluations are revised. Negative credit migration including an actual or expected increase in the level of problem loans will result in an increase in the valuation allowance. Positive credit migration including an actual or expected decrease in the level of problem loans will result in a decrease in the valuation allowance. Such changes in the valuation allowance are recorded in net investment gains (losses).
 
See “Investments — Mortgage Loans” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a table that presents the activity in the Company’s valuation allowances, by portfolio segment, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively; and for tables that present the Company’s valuation allowances, by type of credit loss, by portfolio segment, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The Company held $197 million and $210 million in mortgage loans which are carried at estimated fair value based on the value of the underlying collateral or independent broker quotations, if lower, of which $164 million and $202 million relate to impaired mortgage loans held-for-investment and $33 million and $8 million to certain mortgage loans held-for-sale, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These impaired mortgage loans were recorded at estimated fair value and represent a nonrecurring fair value measurement. The estimated fair value is categorized as Level 3. Included within net investment gains (losses) for such impaired mortgage loans were net impairments of $17 million and $93 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Subsequent improvements in estimated fair value on previously impaired loans recorded through a reduction in the previously established provision to the valuation allowance are reported as a (release) above.
 
Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures
 
The Company diversifies its real estate investments by both geographic region and property type to reduce risk of concentration. Of the Company’s real estate investments, 88% are located in the U.S. with the remaining 12% located outside the U.S., at December 31, 2010. The carrying value of the Company’s real estate investments was $8.0 billion, or 1.7%, and $6.9 billion, or 2.0%, of total cash and invested assets at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. See “Investments — Real Estate” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for tables that present the Company’s real estate investments by investment strategy and by property type at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Properties acquired through foreclosure were $165 million, $127 million and less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and includes commercial, agricultural and residential properties. After the Company acquires properties through foreclosure, it evaluates whether the property is appropriate for retention in its traditional real estate portfolio. Foreclosed real estate held at December 31, 2010 and 2009 includes those properties the Company has not selected for retention in its traditional real estate portfolio and which do not meet the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale.
 
Impairments recognized on real estate held-for-investment were $48 million, $160 million and $20 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Impairments recognized on real estate held-for-sale were $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. There were no impairments recognized on real estate held-for-sale for each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. The Company’s carrying value of real estate held-for-sale has been reduced by impairments recorded prior to 2009 of $1 million at both December 31, 2010 and 2009. The carrying value of non-income producing real estate was $137 million, $76 million and $28 million at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
The impaired cost method basis real estate joint ventures were recorded at estimated fair value and represent a non-recurring fair value measurement. The estimated fair value was categorized as Level 3. Impairments to estimated fair value for such cost method basis real estate joint ventures of $25 million, $82 million, and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were recognized within net investment gains (losses) and are included in the $48 million, $160 million and $20 million of impairments on real estate investments held-for-investment for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The estimated fair value of the impaired cost method real estate joint ventures after these impairments was $8 million and $93 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


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Other Limited Partnership Interests
 
The carrying value of other limited partnership interests (which primarily represent ownership interests in pooled investment funds that principally make private equity investments in companies in the U.S. and overseas) was $6.4 billion and $5.5 billion, or 1.3% and 1.6% of total cash and invested assets at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Included within other limited partnership interests were $1.0 billion, at both December 31, 2010 and 2009, of investments in hedge funds.
 
Impairments on cost basis limited partnership interests are recognized at estimated fair value determined from information provided in the financial statements of the underlying other limited partnership interests in the period in which the impairment is recognized. Consistent with equity securities, greater weight and consideration is given in the other limited partnership interests impairment review process to the severity and duration of unrealized losses on such other limited partnership interests holdings. Impairments to estimated fair value for such other limited partnership interests of $12 million, $354 million and $105 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were recognized within net investment gains (losses). The estimated fair value of the impaired other limited partnership interests after these impairments was $23 million, $561 million and $137 million at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These impairments to estimated fair value represent non-recurring fair value measurements that have been classified as Level 3 due to the limited activity and price transparency inherent in the market for such investments.
 
Other Invested Assets
 
See “Investments — Other Invested Assets” in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a table that presents the Company’s other invested assets by type at December 31, 2010 and 2009 and related information.
 
Short-term Investments
 
The carrying value of short-term investments, which include investments with remaining maturities of one year or less, but greater than three months, at the time of purchase was $9.4 billion and $8.4 billion, or 2.0% and 2.5% of total cash and invested assets at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company is exposed to concentrations of credit risk related to securities of the U.S. government and certain U.S. government agencies included within short-term investments, which were $4.0 billion and $7.5 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Cash Equivalents
 
The carrying value of cash equivalents, which includes investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less, at the time of purchase was $9.6 billion and $8.4 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company is exposed to concentrations of credit risk related to securities of the U.S. government and certain U.S. government agencies included within cash equivalents, which were $5.8 billion and $6.0 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Derivatives.  The Company is exposed to various risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, credit risk, and equity market risk. The Company uses a variety of strategies to manage these risks, including the use of derivative instruments. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for:
 
  •  A comprehensive description of the nature of the Company’s derivative instruments, including the strategies for which derivatives are used in managing various risks.
 
  •  Information about the notional amount, estimated fair value, and primary underlying risk exposure of the Company’s derivative financial instruments, excluding embedded derivatives held at December 31, 2010 and 2009.


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Hedging.  See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about:
 
  •  The notional amount and estimated fair value of derivatives and non-derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments by type of hedge designation at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
  •  The notional amount and estimated fair value of derivatives that are not designated or do not qualify as hedging instruments by derivative type at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
  •  The statement of operations effects of derivatives in cash flow, fair value, or non-qualifying hedge relationships for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.
 
See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Management of Market Risk Exposures — Hedging Activities” for more information about the Company’s use of derivatives by major hedge program.
 
Fair Value Hierarchy.  Derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value hierarchy, are presented as follows:
 
                                 
    December 31, 2010  
    Derivative
    Derivative
 
    Assets     Liabilities  
    (In millions)  
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1)
  $ 156       2 %   $ 45       1 %
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
    7,176       92       4,245       93  
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
    445       6       272       6  
                                 
Total estimated fair value
  $ 7,777       100 %   $ 4,562       100 %
                                 
 
The valuation of Level 3 derivatives involves the use of significant unobservable inputs and generally requires a higher degree of management judgment or estimation than the valuations of Level 1 and Level 2 derivatives. Although Level 3 inputs are based on assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances and are assumed to be consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments, the use of different inputs or methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair value of Level 3 derivatives and could materially affect net income.
 
Derivatives categorized as Level 3 at December 31, 2010 include: interest rate forwards with maturities which extend beyond the observable portion of the yield curve; interest rate lock commitments with certain unobservable inputs, including pull-through rates; equity variance swaps with unobservable volatility inputs or that are priced via independent broker quotations; foreign currency swaps which are cancelable and priced through independent broker quotations; interest rate swaps with maturities which extend beyond the observable portion of the yield curve; credit default swaps based upon baskets of credits having unobservable credit correlations, as well as credit default swaps with maturities which extend beyond the observable portion of the credit curves and credit default swaps priced through independent broker quotes; foreign currency forwards priced via independent broker quotations or with liquidity adjustments; implied volatility swaps with unobservable volatility inputs or that are priced via independent broker quotations; equity options with unobservable volatility inputs or that are priced via independent broker quotations; currency options based upon baskets of currencies having unobservable currency correlations; and credit forwards having unobservable repurchase rates.
 
At December 31, 2010 and 2009, 2.0% and 5.5%, respectively, of the net derivative estimated fair value was priced via independent broker quotations.


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A rollforward of the fair value measurements for derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs for the year ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:
 
         
    Year Ended December 31, 2010  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance, at January 1,
  $ 356  
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
       
Earnings
    (5 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    (81 )
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
    (75 )
Transfer in and/or out of Level 3
    (22 )
         
Balance, at December 31,
  $ 173  
         
 
See “ — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Derivative Financial Instruments” for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported above.
 
Credit Risk. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about how the Company manages credit risk related to its freestanding derivatives, including the use of master netting agreements and collateral arrangements.
 
Credit Derivatives. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the estimated fair value and maximum amount at risk related to the Company’s written credit default swaps.
 
Embedded Derivatives.  The embedded derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis and their corresponding fair value hierarchy, are presented as follows:
 
                                 
    December 31, 2010  
    Net Embedded Derivatives Within  
    Asset Host Contracts     Liability Host Contracts  
    (In millions)  
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1)
  $       %   $       %
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
                11        
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
    185       100       2,623       100  
                                 
Total estimated fair value
  $ 185       100 %   $ 2,634       100 %
                                 
 
A rollforward of the fair value measurements for net embedded derivatives measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs is as follows:
 
         
    Year Ended December 31, 2010  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance, at January 1,
  $ (1,455 )
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in:
       
Earnings
    (335 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    (226 )
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
    (422 )
Transfer in and/or out of Level 3
     
         
Balance, at December 31,
  $ (2,438 )
         
 
The valuation of guaranteed minimum benefits includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. Included in net derivative gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were gains (losses) of ($96) million and ($1,932) million, respectively, in connection with this adjustment. These amounts are net of a loss of $955 million relating to a refinement for estimating nonperformance risk in fair value measurements implemented at June 30, 2010. See “ — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates.”


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See “ — Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates — Embedded Derivatives” for further information on the estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported above.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
Commitments to Fund Partnership Investments
 
The Company makes commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business for the purpose of enhancing the Company’s total return on its investment portfolio. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $3.8 billion and $4.1 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company anticipates that these amounts will be invested in partnerships over the next five years.
 
Mortgage Loan Commitments
 
The Company has issued interest rate lock commitments on certain residential mortgage loan applications totaling $2.5 billion and $2.7 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company intends to sell the majority of these originated residential mortgage loans. Interest rate lock commitments to fund mortgage loans that will be held-for-sale are considered derivatives pursuant to the guidance on derivatives and hedging, and their estimated fair value and notional amounts are included within interest rate forwards.
 
The Company also commits to lend funds under certain other mortgage loan commitments that will be held-for-investment in the normal course of business for the purpose of enhancing the Company’s total return on its investment portfolio. The amounts of these mortgage loan commitments were $3.8 billion and $2.2 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Commitments to Fund Bank Credit Facilities, Bridge Loans and Private Corporate Bond Investments
 
The Company commits to lend funds under bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments in the normal course of business for the purpose of enhancing the Company’s total return on its investment portfolio. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $2.4 billion and $1.3 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
There are no other material obligations or liabilities arising from the commitments to fund partnership investments, mortgage loans, bank credit facilities, and bridge loans and private corporate bond investment arrangements.
 
Lease Commitments
 
The Company, as lessee, has entered into various lease and sublease agreements for office space, information technology and other equipment. The Company’s commitments under such lease agreements are included within the contractual obligations table. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Contractual Obligations.”
 
Credit Facilities, Committed Facilities and Letters of Credit
 
The Company maintains committed and unsecured credit facilities and letters of credit with various financial institutions. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities,” for further descriptions of such arrangements.
 
Guarantees
 
See “Guarantees” in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Collateral for Securities Lending
 
The Company has no non-cash collateral for securities lending on deposit from customers, which cannot be sold or repledged, and which has not been recorded on its consolidated balance sheets.


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Insolvency Assessments
 
See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Policyholder Liabilities
 
The Company establishes, and carries as liabilities, actuarially determined amounts that are calculated to meet policy obligations when a policy matures or is surrendered, an insured dies or becomes disabled or upon the occurrence of other covered events, or to provide for future annuity payments. Amounts for actuarial liabilities are computed and reported in the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. For more details on Policyholder Liabilities, see “— Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates.” Also see Notes 1 and 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for an analysis of certain policyholder liabilities at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Due to the nature of the underlying risks and the high degree of uncertainty associated with the determination of actuarial liabilities, the Company cannot precisely determine the amounts that will ultimately be paid with respect to these actuarial liabilities, and the ultimate amounts may vary from the estimated amounts, particularly when payments may not occur until well into the future.
 
However, we believe our actuarial liabilities for future benefits are adequate to cover the ultimate benefits required to be paid to policyholders. We periodically review our estimates of actuarial liabilities for future benefits and compare them with our actual experience. We revise estimates, to the extent permitted or required under GAAP, if we determine that future expected experience differs from assumptions used in the development of actuarial liabilities.
 
The Company has experienced, and will likely in the future experience, catastrophe losses and possibly acts of terrorism, and turbulent financial markets that may have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Catastrophes can be caused by various events, including pandemics, hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail, tornadoes, explosions, severe winter weather (including snow, freezing water, ice storms and blizzards), fires and man-made events such as terrorist attacks. Due to their nature, we cannot predict the incidence, timing, severity or amount of losses from catastrophes and acts of terrorism, but we make broad use of catastrophic and non-catastrophic reinsurance to manage risk from these perils.
 
Future Policy Benefits
 
The Company establishes liabilities for amounts payable under insurance policies. Generally, amounts are payable over an extended period of time and related liabilities are calculated as the present value of expected future benefits to be paid, reduced by the present value of expected future net premiums. Such liabilities are established based on methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits include mortality, morbidity, policy lapse, renewal, retirement, investment returns, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type. These assumptions are established at the time the policy is issued and are intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable. Utilizing these assumptions, liabilities are established on a block of business basis. If experience is less favorable than assumed and future losses are projected under loss recognition testing, then additional liabilities may be required, resulting in a charge to policyholder benefits and claims.
 
Insurance Products.  Future policy benefits are comprised mainly of liabilities for disabled lives under disability waiver of premium policy provisions, liabilities for survivor income benefit insurance, long-term care (“LTC”) policies, active life policies and premium stabilization and other contingency liabilities held under participating life insurance contracts. In order to manage risk, the Company has often reinsured a portion of the mortality risk on new individual life insurance policies. The reinsurance programs are routinely evaluated and this may result in increases or decreases to existing coverage. The Company entered into various derivative positions, primarily interest rate swaps and swaptions, to mitigate the risk that investment of premiums received and reinvestment of maturing assets over the life of the policy will be at rates below those assumed in the original pricing of these contracts.


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Retirement Products.  Future policy benefits are comprised mainly of liabilities for life-contingent income annuities, supplemental contracts with and without life contingencies, liabilities for Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits (“GMDBs”) included in certain annuity contracts, and a certain portion of guaranteed living benefits. See “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.”
 
Corporate Benefit Funding.  Liabilities are primarily related to structured settlement annuities. There is no interest rate crediting flexibility on these liabilities. A sustained low interest rate environment could negatively impact earnings as a result. The Company has various derivative positions, primarily interest rate floors and interest rate swaps, to mitigate the risks associated with such a scenario.
 
Auto & Home.  Future policy benefits include liabilities for unpaid claims and claim expenses for property and casualty insurance and represent the amount estimated for claims that have been reported but not settled and claims incurred but not reported. Liabilities for unpaid claims are estimated based upon assumptions such as rates of claim frequencies, levels of severities, inflation, judicial trends, legislative changes or regulatory decisions. Assumptions are based upon the Company’s historical experience and analyses of historical development patterns of the relationship of loss adjustment expenses to losses for each line of business, and consider the effects of current developments, anticipated trends and risk management programs, reduced for anticipated salvage and subrogation.
 
International.  Future policy benefits are held primarily for traditional life and accident and health contracts in Japan, Asia Pacific and immediate annuities in Latin America. They are also held for total return pass-thru provisions included in certain universal life and savings products mainly in Japan and Latin America, and traditional life, endowment and annuity contracts sold in various countries in Asia Pacific. They also include certain liabilities for variable annuity guarantees of minimum death benefits, and longevity guarantees sold in Japan and Asia Pacific. Finally, in Europe and the Middle East, they also include unearned premium liabilities established for credit insurance contracts covering death, disability and involuntary loss of employment, as well as traditional life, accident and health and endowment contracts. Factors impacting these liabilities include sustained periods of lower yields than rates established at issue, lower than expected asset reinvestment rates, higher than expected lapse rates, asset default and more rapid improvement of mortality levels than anticipated for life contingent immediate annuities. The Company mitigates its risks by implementing an asset/liability matching policy and through the development of periodic experience studies. See “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.”
 
Estimates for the liabilities for unpaid claims and claim expenses are reset as actuarial indications change and these changes in the liability are reflected in the current results of operation as either favorable or unfavorable development of prior year losses.
 
Banking, Corporate & Other.  Future policy benefits primarily include liabilities for quota-share reinsurance agreements for certain LTC and workers’ compensation business written by MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut (“MICC”), prior to its acquisition by MetLife, Inc. These are run-off businesses that have been included within Banking, Corporate & Other since the acquisition of MICC.
 
Policyholder Account Balances
 
Policyholder account balances are generally equal to the account value, which includes accrued interest credited, but exclude the impact of any applicable surrender charge that may be incurred upon surrender.
 
Insurance Products.  Policyholder account balances are held for death benefit disbursement retained asset accounts, universal life policies, the fixed account of variable life insurance policies, specialized life insurance products for benefit programs and general account universal life policies. Policyholder account balances are credited interest at a rate set by the Company, which are influenced by current market rates. The majority of the policyholder account balances have a guaranteed minimum credited rate between 0.5% and 6.0%. A sustained low interest rate environment could negatively impact earnings as a result of the minimum credited rate guarantees. The Company has various derivative positions, primarily interest rate floors, to partially mitigate the risks associated with such a scenario.
 
Retirement Products.  Policyholder account balances are held for fixed deferred annuities and the fixed account portion of variable annuities, for certain income annuities, and for certain portions of guaranteed benefits.


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Policyholder account balances are credited interest at a rate set by the Company. Credited rates for deferred annuities are influenced by current market rates, and most of these contracts have a minimum guaranteed rate between 1.0% and 4.0%. See “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.”
 
Corporate Benefit Funding.  Policyholder account balances are comprised of funding agreements. Interest crediting rates vary by type of contract, and can be fixed or variable. Variable interest crediting rates are generally tied to an external index, most commonly 1-month or 3-month LIBOR. MetLife is exposed to interest rate risks, and foreign exchange risk when guaranteeing payment of interest and return of principal at the contractual maturity date. The Company may invest in floating rate assets, or enter into floating rate swaps, also tied to external indices, as well as caps to mitigate the impact of changes in market interest rates. The Company also mitigates its risks by implementing an asset/liability matching policy and seeks to hedge all foreign currency risk through the use of foreign currency hedges, including cross currency swaps.
 
International.  Policyholder account balances are held largely for fixed income retirement and savings plans in Japan and Latin America and to a lesser degree, amounts for unit-linked-type funds in certain countries across all regions that do not meet the GAAP definition of separate accounts. Also included are certain liabilities for retirement and savings products sold in certain countries in Japan and Asia Pacific that generally are sold with minimum credited rate guarantees. Liabilities for guarantees on certain variable annuities in Japan and Asia Pacific are established in accordance with derivatives and hedging guidance and are also included within policyholder account balances. These liabilities are generally impacted by sustained periods of low interest rates, where there are interest rate guarantees. The Company mitigates its risks by implementing an asset/liability matching policy and by hedging its variable annuity guarantees. Liabilities for unit-linked-type funds are impacted by changes in the fair value of the associated underlying investments, as the return on assets is generally passed directly to the policyholder. See “— Variable Annuity Guarantees.”
 
Variable Annuity Guarantees
 
The Company issues certain variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefits that provide the policyholder a minimum return based on their initial deposit (i.e., the benefit base) less withdrawals. In some cases the benefit base may be increased by additional deposits, bonus amounts, accruals or market value resets. These guarantees are accounted for as insurance liabilities or as embedded derivatives depending on how and when the benefit is paid. Specifically, a guarantee is accounted for as an embedded derivative if a guarantee is paid without requiring (i) the occurrence of specific insurable event, or (ii) the policyholder to annuitize. Alternatively, a guarantee is accounted for as an insurance liability if the guarantee is paid only upon either (i) the occurrence of a specific insurable event, or (ii) upon annuitization. In certain cases, a guarantee may have elements of both an insurance liability and an embedded derivative and in such cases the guarantee is accounted for under a split of the two models.
 
The net amount at risk (“NAR”) for guarantees can change significantly during periods of sizable and sustained shifts in equity market performance, increased equity volatility, or changes in interest rates. The NAR disclosed in Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements represents management’s estimate of the current value of the benefits under these guarantees if they were all exercised simultaneously at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. However, there are features, such as deferral periods and benefits requiring annuitization or death, that limit the amount of benefits that will be payable in the near future.
 
Guarantees, including portions thereof, accounted for as embedded derivatives, are recorded at estimated fair value and included in policyholder account balances. Guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives include GMAB, the non life-contingent portion of GMWB and the portion of certain GMIB that do not require annuitization. For more detail on the determination of estimated fair value, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


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The table below contains the carrying value for guarantees included in policyholder account balances at:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
U.S. Business:
               
Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit
  $ 44     $ 60  
Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit
    173       154  
Guaranteed minimum income benefit
    (51 )     66  
International:
               
Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit
    454       195  
Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit
    1,936       1,025  
                 
Total
  $ 2,556     $ 1,500  
                 
 
Included in net derivative gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were gains (losses) of ($269) million and $1,806 million, respectively, in embedded derivatives related to the change in estimated fair value of the guarantees. The carrying amount of guarantees accounted for at estimated fair value includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. In connection with this adjustment, gains (losses) of ($96) million and ($1,932) million are included in the gains (losses) of ($269) million and $1,806 million in net derivative gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The estimated fair value of guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives can change significantly during periods of sizable and sustained shifts in equity market performance, equity volatility, interest rates or foreign exchange rates. Additionally, because the estimated fair value for guarantees accounted for at estimated fair value includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk, a decrease in the Company’s credit spreads could cause the value of these liabilities to increase. Conversely, a widening of the Company’s credit spreads could cause the value of these liabilities to decrease. The Company uses derivative instruments and reinsurance to mitigate the liability exposure, risk of loss and the volatility of net income associated with these liabilities. The derivative instruments used are primarily equity and treasury futures, equity options and variance swaps, and interest rate swaps. The change in valuation arising from the nonperformance risk is not hedged.
 
The table below presents the estimated fair value of the derivatives hedging guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives:
 
                                                         
          December 31,  
          2010     2009  
Primary Underlying
        Notional
    Estimated Fair Value     Notional
    Estimated Fair Value  
Risk Exposure   Derivative Type     Amount     Assets     Liabilities     Amount     Assets     Liabilities  
          (In millions)  
 
Interest rate
    Interest rate swaps     $ 13,762     $ 401     $ 193     $ 8,847     $ 194     $ 275  
      Interest rate futures       5,822       32       10       4,997       5       4  
      Interest rate options       614       15                          
Foreign currency
    Foreign currency forwards       2,320       46       1       2,016       4       30  
      Currency options                         327       14        
Equity market
    Equity futures       6,959       17       9       6,033       31       20  
      Equity options       32,942       1,720       1,196       26,661       1,596       1,018  
      Variance swaps       17,635       190       118       13,267       174       58  
      Total rate of return swaps       1,547                   126              
                                                         
      Total     $ 81,601     $ 2,421     $ 1527     $ 62,274     $ 2,018     $ 1,405  
                                                         
 
Included in net derivative gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were gains (losses) of $113 million and ($3,654) million related to the change in estimated fair value of the above derivatives.


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Additionally, included in net derivative gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were gains (losses) of ($35) million and $0, respectively, related to ceded reinsurance.
 
Guarantees, including portions thereof, have liabilities established that are included in future policy benefits. Guarantees accounted for in this manner include GMDBs, the life-contingent portion of certain GMWB, and the portion of GMIB that require annuitization. These liabilities are accrued over the life of the contract in proportion to actual and future expected policy assessments based on the level of guaranteed minimum benefits generated using multiple scenarios of separate account returns. The scenarios use best estimate assumptions consistent with those used to amortize deferred acquisition costs. When current estimates of future benefits exceed those previously projected or when current estimates of future assessments are lower than those previously projected, liabilities will increase, resulting in a current period charge to net income. The opposite result occurs when the current estimates of future benefits are lower than that previously projected or when current estimates of future assessments exceed those previously projected. At each reporting period, the Company updates the actual amount of business remaining in-force, which impacts expected future assessments and the projection of estimated future benefits resulting in a current period charge or increase to earnings.
 
The table below contains the carrying value for guarantees included in future policy benefits at:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
U.S. Business:
               
Guaranteed minimum death benefit
  $ 167     $ 137  
Guaranteed minimum income benefit
    507       394  
International:
               
Guaranteed minimum death benefit
    66       23  
Guaranteed minimum income benefit
    116        
                 
Total
  $ 856     $ 554  
                 
 
Included in policyholder benefits and claims for the year ended December 31, 2010 is a charge of $302 million and for the year ended December 31, 2009 is a credit of $92 million, related to the respective change in liabilities for the above guarantees.
 
The carrying amount of guarantees accounted for as insurance liabilities can change significantly during periods of sizable and sustained shifts in equity market performance, increased equity volatility, or changes in interest rates. The Company uses reinsurance in combination with derivative instruments to mitigate the liability exposure, risk of loss and the volatility of net income associated with these liabilities. Derivative instruments used are primarily equity futures, treasury futures and interest rate swaps.
 
Included in policyholder benefits and claims associated with the hedging of the guarantees in future policy benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were gains (losses) of $8 million and ($114) million, respectively, related to reinsurance treaties containing embedded derivatives carried at estimated fair value and gains (losses) of ($275) million and ($376) million, respectively, related to freestanding derivatives.
 
While the Company believes that the hedging strategies employed for guarantees included in both policyholder account balances and in future policy benefits, as well as other management actions, have mitigated the risks related to these benefits, the Company remains liable for the guaranteed benefits in the event that reinsurers or derivative counterparties are unable or unwilling to pay. Certain of the Company’s reinsurance agreements and most derivative positions are collateralized and derivatives positions are subject to master netting agreements, both of which, significantly reduces the exposure to counterparty risk. In addition, the Company is subject to the risk that hedging and other management procedures prove ineffective or that unanticipated policyholder behavior or mortality, combined with adverse market events, produces economic losses beyond the scope of the risk management techniques employed. Lastly, because the valuation of the guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk that is not hedged, changes in the nonperformance risk may result in significant volatility in net income.


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Other Policy-related Balances
 
Other policy-related balances include policy and contract claims, unearned revenue liabilities, premiums received in advance, policyholder dividends due and unpaid, and policyholder dividends left on deposit.
 
The liability for policy and contract claims generally relates to incurred but not reported death, disability, LTC and dental claims, as well as claims that have been reported but not yet settled. The liability for these claims is based on the Company’s estimated ultimate cost of settling all claims. The Company derives estimates for the development of incurred but not reported claims principally from actuarial analyses of historical patterns of claims and claims development for each line of business. The methods used to determine these estimates are continually reviewed. Adjustments resulting from this continuous review process and differences between estimates and payments for claims are recognized in policyholder benefits and claims expense in the period in which the estimates are changed or payments are made.
 
The unearned revenue liability relates to universal life-type and investment-type products and represents policy charges for services to be provided in future periods. The charges are deferred as unearned revenue and amortized using the product’s estimated gross profits and margins, similar to deferred acquisition costs. Such amortization is recorded in universal life and investment-type product policy fees.
 
Also included in other policy-related balances are policyholder dividends due and unpaid on participating policies and policyholder dividends left on deposit. Such liabilities are presented at amounts contractually due to policyholders.
 
Policyholder Dividends Payable
 
Policyholder dividends payable consists of liabilities related to dividends payable in the following calendar year on participating policies.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Overview
 
Our business and results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the global capital markets and the economy, generally, both in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. The global economy and markets are now recovering from a period of significant stress that began in the second half of 2007 and substantially increased through the first quarter of 2009. This disruption adversely affected the financial services industry, in particular. Consequently, financial institutions paid higher spreads over benchmark U.S. Treasury securities than before the market disruption began. The U.S. economy entered a recession in late 2007. This recession ended in mid-2009, but the recovery from the recession has been below historic averages and the unemployment rate is expected to remain high for some time. Although conditions in the financial markets continued to materially improve in 2010, there is still some uncertainty as to whether the stressed conditions that prevailed during the market disruption could recur, which could affect the Company’s ability to meet liquidity needs and obtain capital.
 
Liquidity Management
 
Based upon the strength of its franchise, diversification of its businesses and strong financial fundamentals, we continue to believe the Company has ample liquidity to meet business requirements under current market conditions and unlikely but reasonably possible stress scenarios. The Company’s short-term liquidity position (cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, excluding cash collateral received under the Company’s securities lending program that has been reinvested in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities, and cash collateral received from counterparties in connection with derivative instruments) was $17.6 billion and $11.7 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We continuously monitor and adjust our liquidity and capital plans for the Holding Company and its subsidiaries in light of changing needs and opportunities.


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The Company
 
Liquidity
 
Liquidity refers to a company’s ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet its needs. Liquidity needs are determined from a rolling 6-month forecast by portfolio of investment assets and are monitored daily. Asset mix and maturities are adjusted based on the forecast. Cash flow testing and stress testing provide additional perspectives on liquidity, which include various scenarios of the potential risk of early contractholder and policyholder withdrawal. The Company includes provisions limiting withdrawal rights on many of its products, including general account institutional pension products (generally group annuities, including funding agreements, and certain deposit fund liabilities) sold to employee benefit plan sponsors. Certain of these provisions prevent the customer from making withdrawals prior to the maturity date of the product.
 
In the event of significant cash requirements beyond anticipated liquidity needs, the Company has various alternatives available depending on market conditions and the amount and timing of the liquidity need. These options include cash flows from operations, the sale of liquid assets, global funding sources and various credit facilities.
 
Under certain stressful market and economic conditions, the Company’s access to, or cost of, liquidity may deteriorate. If the Company requires significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of anticipated cash requirements, the Company may have difficulty selling investment assets in a timely manner, be forced to sell them for less than the Company otherwise would have been able to realize, or both. In addition, in the event of such forced sale, accounting rules require the recognition of a loss for certain securities in an unrealized loss position and may require the impairment of other securities based upon the Company’s ability to hold such securities, which may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition.
 
In extreme circumstances, all general account assets — other than those which may have been pledged to a specific purpose — within a statutory legal entity are available to fund obligations of the general account within that legal entity.
 
Capital
 
The Company’s capital position is managed to maintain its financial strength and credit ratings and is supported by its ability to generate strong cash flows at the operating companies, borrow funds at competitive rates and raise additional capital to meet its operating and growth needs.
 
The Company raised new capital from its debt issuances during the difficult market conditions prevailing since the second half of 2008, as well as during the rebound and recovery periods beginning in the second quarter of 2009 (see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Debt Issuances and Other Borrowings”). The increase in credit spreads experienced since then has resulted in an increase in the cost of such new capital, as well as increases in facility fees. Conversely, as a result of reductions in interest rates, the Company’s interest expense and dividends on floating rate securities have been lower.
 
Despite the still unsettled financial markets, the Company also raised new capital from a successful offering of the Holding Company’s common stock in August 2010, which provided financing for the Acquisition. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Common Stock.”
 
Rating Agencies.  Rating agencies assign insurer financial strength ratings to the Holding Company’s domestic life insurance subsidiaries and credit ratings to the Holding Company and certain of its subsidiaries. The level and composition of regulatory capital at the subsidiary level and equity capital of the Company are among the many factors considered in determining the Company’s insurer financial strength and credit ratings. Each agency has its own capital adequacy evaluation methodology, and assessments are generally based on a combination of factors. In addition to heightening the level of scrutiny that they apply to insurance companies, rating agencies have increased and may continue to increase the frequency and scope of their credit reviews, may request additional information from the companies that they rate and may adjust upward the capital and other requirements employed in the rating agency models for maintenance of certain ratings levels.


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A downgrade in the credit or insurer financial strength ratings of the Holding Company or its subsidiaries would likely impact the cost and availability of financing for the Company and its subsidiaries and result in additional collateral requirements or other required payments under certain agreements, which are eligible to be satisfied in cash or by posting securities held by the subsidiaries subject to the agreements.
 
Statutory Capital and Dividends.  Our insurance subsidiaries have statutory surplus well above levels to meet current regulatory requirements.
 
Except for American Life, RBC requirements are used as minimum capital requirements by the NAIC and the state insurance departments to identify companies that merit regulatory action. RBC is based on a formula calculated by applying factors to various asset, premium and statutory reserve items. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of the insurer, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk and business risk and is calculated on an annual basis. The formula is used as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and not as a means to rank insurers generally. These rules apply to each of the Holding Company’s domestic insurance subsidiaries. State insurance laws provide insurance regulators the authority to require various actions by, or take various actions against, insurers whose total adjusted capital does not meet or exceed certain RBC levels. At the date of the most recent annual statutory financial statements filed with insurance regulators, the total adjusted capital of each of these subsidiaries was in excess of each of those RBC levels.
 
American Life does not write business in Delaware or any other domestic state and, as such, is exempt from RBC by Delaware law. In addition to Delaware, American Life operations are regulated by applicable authorities of the countries in which the company operates and are subject to capital and solvency requirements in those countries.
 
The amount of dividends that our insurance subsidiaries can pay to the Holding Company or other parent entities is constrained by the amount of surplus we hold to maintain our ratings and provides an additional margin for risk protection and investment in our businesses. We proactively take actions to maintain capital consistent with these ratings objectives, which may include adjusting dividend amounts and deploying financial resources from internal or external sources of capital. Certain of these activities may require regulatory approval. Furthermore, the payment of dividends and other distributions to the Company by its insurance subsidiaries is regulated by insurance laws and regulations. See “Business — U.S. Regulation — Insurance Regulation,” “— The Holding Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Dividends from Subsidiaries” and Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.”


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Summary of Primary Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital.  The Company’s primary sources and uses of liquidity and capital are described below, and summarized as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Sources:
                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 7,996     $ 3,803     $ 10,702  
Net cash provided by changes in policyholder account balances
    4,557             13,645  
Net cash provided by changes in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
    3,076              
Net cash provided by changes in bank deposits
          3,164       2,185  
Net cash provided by short-term debt issuances
                1,992  
Long-term debt issued, net of issuance costs
    5,076       2,931       305  
Collateral financing arrangements issued
          105       310  
Net cash received in connection with collateral financing arrangements
          375        
Junior subordinated debt securities issued
          500       750  
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs
    3,576             290  
Common stock issued to settle stock forward contracts
          1,035        
Treasury stock issued in connection with common stock issuance, net of issuance costs
                1,936  
Treasury stock issued to settle stock forward contracts
                1,035  
Cash provided by other, net
                7  
Cash provided by the effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates
          108        
                         
Total sources
    24,281       12,021       33,157  
                         
Uses:
                       
Net cash used in investing activities
    18,314       13,935       2,671  
Net cash used for changes in policyholder account balances
          2,282        
Net cash used for changes in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
          6,863       13,077  
Net cash used for changes in bank deposits
    32              
Net cash used for short-term debt repayments
    606       1,747        
Long-term debt repaid
    1,061       555       422  
Net cash paid in connection with collateral financing arrangements
                800  
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchase agreements
                1,250  
Dividends on preferred stock
    122       122       125  
Dividends on common stock
    784       610       592  
Cash used in other, net
    299       34        
Cash used in the effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates
    129             349  
                         
Total uses
    21,347       26,148       19,286  
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,934     $ (14,127 )   $ 13,871  
                         
 
Liquidity and Capital Sources
 
Cash Flows from Operations.  The Company’s principal cash inflows from its insurance activities come from insurance premiums, annuity considerations and deposit funds. A primary liquidity concern with respect to these


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cash inflows is the risk of early contractholder and policyholder withdrawal. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Contractual Obligations.”
 
Cash Flows from Investments.  The Company’s principal cash inflows from its investment activities come from repayments of principal, proceeds from maturities, sales of invested assets and net investment income. The primary liquidity concerns with respect to these cash inflows are the risk of default by debtors and market volatility. The Company closely monitors and manages these risks through its credit risk management process.
 
Liquid Assets.  An integral part of the Company’s liquidity management is the amount of liquid assets it holds. Liquid assets include cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities, excluding: (i) cash collateral received under the Company’s securities lending program that has been reinvested in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities; (ii) cash collateral received from counterparties in connection with derivative instruments; (iii) cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and securities on deposit with regulatory agencies; and (iv) securities held in trust in support of collateral financing arrangements and pledged in support of debt and funding agreements. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had $245.7 billion and $158.4 billion in liquid assets, respectively. For further discussion of invested assets on deposit with regulatory agencies, held in trust in support of collateral financing arrangements and pledged in support of debt and funding agreements, see “— Investments — Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral.”
 
Global Funding Sources.  Liquidity is provided by a variety of short-term instruments, including funding agreements, credit facilities and commercial paper. Capital is provided by a variety of instruments, including short-term and long-term debt, preferred securities, junior subordinated debt securities and equity and equity-linked securities. The diversity of the Company’s funding sources enhances funding flexibility, limits dependence on any one market or source of funds and generally lowers the cost of funds. The Company’s global funding sources include:
 
  •  The Holding Company and MetLife Funding, Inc. (“MetLife Funding”) each have commercial paper programs supported by $4.0 billion in general corporate credit facilities (see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities”). MetLife Funding, a subsidiary of MLIC, serves as a centralized finance unit for the Company. MetLife Funding raises cash from its commercial paper program and uses the proceeds to extend loans, through MetLife Credit Corp., another subsidiary of MLIC, to the Holding Company, MLIC and other affiliates in order to enhance the financial flexibility and liquidity of these companies. Outstanding balances for the commercial paper program fluctuate in line with changes to affiliates’ financing arrangements. Pursuant to a support agreement, MLIC has agreed to cause MetLife Funding to have a tangible net worth of at least one dollar. At both December 31, 2010 and 2009, MetLife Funding had a tangible net worth of $12 million. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, MetLife Funding had total outstanding liabilities for its commercial paper program, including accrued interest payable, of $102 million and $319 million, respectively.
 
  •  MetLife Bank is a depository institution that is approved to use the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Discount Window borrowing privileges. To utilize these privileges, MetLife Bank has pledged qualifying loans and investment securities to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as collateral. At both December 31, 2010 and 2009, MetLife Bank had no liability for advances from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York under this facility.
 
  •  MetLife Bank has a cash need to fund residential mortgage loans that it originates and generally holds for a relatively short period before selling them to one of the government-sponsored enterprises such as FNMA or FHLMC. The outstanding volume of residential mortgage originations varies from month to month and is cyclical within a month. To meet the variable funding requirements from this mortgage activity, as well as to increase overall liquidity from time to time, MetLife Bank takes advantage of short-term collateralized borrowing opportunities with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB of NY”). MetLife Bank has entered into advances agreements with the FHLB of NY whereby MetLife Bank has received cash advances and under which the FHLB of NY has been granted a blanket lien on certain of MetLife Bank’s residential mortgages, mortgage loans held-for-sale, commercial mortgages and mortgage-backed securities to collateralize MetLife Bank’s repayment obligations. Upon any event of default by MetLife Bank, the


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  FHLB of NY’s recovery is limited to the amount of MetLife Bank’s liability under the advances agreement. MetLife Bank has received advances from the FHLB of NY on both short- and long-term bases, with a total liability of $3.8 billion and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
  •  The Company also had obligations under funding agreements with the FHLB of NY of $12.6 billion and $13.7 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for MLIC, and with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB of Boston”) of $100 million and $326 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for MICC. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In September 2010, MetLife Investors Insurance Company and General American Life Insurance Company, subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc., each became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (“FHLB of Des Moines”), and each purchased $10 million of FHLB of Des Moines common stock. Membership in the FHLB of Des Moines provides an additional source of contingent liquidity for the Company. There were no funding agreements with the FHLB of Des Moines at December 31, 2010.
 
  •  The Company issues fixed and floating rate funding agreements, which are denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies, to certain special purpose entities (“SPEs”) that have issued either debt securities or commercial paper for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such funding agreements. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company issued $34.1 billion, $28.6 billion and $20.9 billion, respectively, and repaid $30.9 billion, $32.0 billion and $19.8 billion, respectively, of such funding agreements. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, funding agreements outstanding, which are included in policyholder account balances, were $27.2 billion and $23.3 billion, respectively.
 
  •  MLIC and MICC have each issued funding agreements to certain SPEs that have issued debt securities for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such funding agreements, and such debt securities are also guaranteed as to payment of interest and principal by the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, a federally chartered instrumentality of the U.S. The obligations under these funding agreements are secured by a pledge of certain eligible agricultural real estate mortgage loans and may, under certain circumstances, be secured by other qualified collateral. The amount of the Company’s liability for funding agreements issued to such SPEs was $2.8 billion and $2.5 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which is included in policyholder account balances. The obligations under these funding agreements are collateralized by designated agricultural real estate mortgage loans with estimated fair values of $3.2 billion and $2.9 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Outstanding Debt.  The following table summarizes the outstanding debt of the Company at:
 
                 
    December 31,
    2010   2009
    (In millions)
 
Short-term debt
  $ 306     $ 912  
Long-term debt (1)
  $ 20,766     $ 13,156  
Collateral financing arrangements
  $ 5,297     $ 5,297  
Junior subordinated debt securities
  $ 3,191     $ 3,191  
 
 
(1) Excludes $6,820 million at December 31, 2010 of long-term debt relating to CSEs.
 
Debt Issuances and Other Borrowings.  In connection with the financing of the Acquisition (see Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), in November 2010, MetLife, Inc. issued to ALICO Holdings $3,000 million in three series of debt securities (the “Series C Debt Securities,” the “Series D Debt Securities” and the “Series E Debt Securities,” and, together, the “Debt Securities”), which constitute a part of the MetLife, Inc. common equity units (the “Equity Units”) more fully described in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Debt Securities are subject to remarketing, initially bear interest at 1.56%, 1.92% and 2.46%, respectively (an average rate of 1.98%), and carry initial maturity dates of June 15, 2023, June 15, 2024 and June 15, 2045, respectively. The interest rates will be reset in connection with the successful remarketings of the Debt Securities. Prior to the first scheduled attempted remarketing of the Series C Debt Securities, such Debt Securities will be divided into two tranches equal in principal amount with maturity dates of June 15, 2018 and June 15, 2023. Prior to the first scheduled attempted remarketing of the Series E Debt Securities, such Debt


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Securities will be divided into two tranches equal in principal amount with maturity dates of June 15, 2018 and June 15, 2045.
 
In August 2010, in anticipation of the Acquisition, the Holding Company issued senior notes as follows:
 
  •  $1,000 million senior notes due February 6, 2014, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.375%, payable semi-annually;
 
  •  $1,000 million senior notes due February 8, 2021, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.75%, payable semi-annually;
 
  •  $750 million senior notes due February 6, 2041, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.875%, payable semi-annually; and
 
  •  $250 million floating rate senior notes due August 6, 2013, which bear interest at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR, reset quarterly, plus 1.25%, payable quarterly.
 
In connection with these offerings, the Holding Company incurred $15 million of issuance costs which have been capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the terms of the senior notes.
 
In July 2009, the Holding Company issued $500 million of junior subordinated debt securities with a final maturity of August 2069. Interest is payable semi-annually at a fixed rate of 10.75% up to, but not including, August 1, 2039, the scheduled redemption date. In the event the debt securities are not redeemed on or before the scheduled redemption date, interest will accrue at an annual rate of 3-month LIBOR plus a margin equal to 7.548%, payable quarterly in arrears. In connection with the offering, the Holding Company incurred $5 million of issuance costs which have been capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the term of the securities. See Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the terms of the junior subordinated debt securities.
 
In May 2009, the Holding Company issued $1.3 billion of senior notes due June 1, 2016. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.75%, payable semi-annually. In connection with the offering, the Holding Company incurred $6 million of issuance costs which have been capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the term of the notes.
 
In March 2009, the Holding Company issued $397 million of floating rate senior notes due June 2012 under the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program. The notes bear interest at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR, reset quarterly, plus 0.32%. The notes are not redeemable prior to their maturity. In connection with the offering, the Holding Company incurred $15 million of issuance costs which have been capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the term of the notes.
 
In February 2009, the Holding Company remarketed its existing $1.0 billion 4.91% Series B junior subordinated debt securities as 7.717% senior debt securities, Series B, due 2019. In August 2008, the Holding Company remarketed its existing $1.0 billion 4.82% Series A junior subordinated debt securities as 6.817% senior debt securities, Series A, due 2018. Interest on both series of debt securities is payable semi-annually. The Series A and Series B junior subordinated debt securities were originally issued in 2005 in connection with the common equity units. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Remarketing of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities and Settlement of Stock Purchase Contracts.”
 
In April 2008, MetLife Capital Trust X, a VIE consolidated by the Company, issued exchangeable surplus trust securities (the “2008 Trust Securities”) with a face amount of $750 million. Interest on the 2008 Trust Securities or debt securities is payable semi-annually at a fixed rate of 9.25% up to, but not including, April 8, 2038, the scheduled redemption date. In the event the 2008 Trust Securities or debt securities are not redeemed on or before the scheduled redemption date, interest will accrue at an annual rate of 3-month LIBOR plus a margin equal to 5.540%, payable quarterly in arrears. See Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the terms of these debt securities.


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Collateral Financing Arrangements.  As described more fully in Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
  •  In December 2007, the Holding Company, in connection with the collateral financing arrangement associated with MetLife Reinsurance Company of Charleston’s (“MRC”) reinsurance of the closed block liabilities, entered into an agreement with the unaffiliated financial institution that referenced the $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 35-year surplus notes issued by MRC. Under the agreement, the Holding Company is entitled to the interest paid by MRC on the surplus notes of 3-month LIBOR plus 0.55% in exchange for the payment of 3-month LIBOR plus 1.12%, payable quarterly on such amount as adjusted, as described below.
 
Under this agreement, the Holding Company may also be required to pledge collateral or make payments to the unaffiliated financial institution related to any decline in the estimated fair value of the surplus notes. Any such payments would be accounted for as a receivable and included in other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and would not reduce the principal amount outstanding of the surplus notes. Such payments would, however, reduce the amount of interest payments due from the Holding Company under the agreement. Any payment received from the unaffiliated financial institution would reduce the receivable by an amount equal to such payment and would also increase the amount of interest payments due from the Holding Company under the agreement. In addition, the unaffiliated financial institution may be required to pledge collateral to the Holding Company related to any increase in the estimated fair value of the surplus notes. During 2008, the Holding Company paid an aggregate of $800 million to the unaffiliated financial institution relating to declines in the estimated fair value of the surplus notes. The Holding Company did not receive any payments from the unaffiliated financial institution during 2008. During 2009, on a net basis, the Holding Company received $375 million from the unaffiliated financial institution related to changes in the estimated fair value of the surplus notes. No payments were made or received by the Holding Company during 2010. Since the closing of the collateral financing arrangement in December 2007, on a net basis, the Holding Company has paid $425 million to the unaffiliated financial institution related to changes in the estimated fair value of the surplus notes. In addition, at December 31, 2010, the Holding Company had pledged collateral with an estimated fair value of $49 million to the unaffiliated financial institution. At December 31, 2009, the Holding Company had no collateral pledged to the unaffiliated financial institution in connection with this agreement. The Holding Company may also be required to make a payment to the unaffiliated financial institution in connection with any early termination of this agreement.
 
  •  In May 2007, the Holding Company, in connection with the collateral financing arrangement associated with MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina’s (“MRSC”) reinsurance of universal life secondary guarantees, entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated financial institution under which the Holding Company is entitled to the return on the investment portfolio held by trusts established in connection with this collateral financing arrangement in exchange for the payment of a stated rate of return to the unaffiliated financial institution of 3-month LIBOR plus 0.70%, payable quarterly. The collateral financing agreement may be extended by agreement of the Holding Company and the unaffiliated financial institution on each anniversary of the closing. The Holding Company may also be required to make payments to the unaffiliated financial institution, for deposit into the trusts, related to any decline in the estimated fair value of the assets held by the trusts, as well as amounts outstanding upon maturity or early termination of the collateral financing arrangement. During 2010, no payments were made or received by the Holding Company. During 2009 and 2008, the Holding Company contributed $360 million and $320 million, respectively, as a result of declines in the estimated fair value of the assets in the trusts. Cumulatively, since May 2007, the Holding Company has contributed a total of $680 million as a result of declines in the estimated fair value of the assets in the trusts, all of which was deposited into the trusts.
 
In addition, the Holding Company may be required to pledge collateral to the unaffiliated financial institution under this agreement. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Holding Company had pledged $63 million and $80 million under the agreement, respectively.


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Remarketing of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities and Settlement of Stock Purchase Contracts.  In February 2009, the Holding Company closed the successful remarketing of the Series B portion of the junior subordinated debt securities underlying the common equity units. The Series B junior subordinated debt securities were modified as permitted by their terms to be 7.717% senior debt securities, Series B, due February 15, 2019. The Holding Company did not receive any proceeds from the remarketing. Most common equity unit holders chose to have their junior subordinated debt securities remarketed and used the remarketing proceeds to settle their payment obligations under the applicable stock purchase contract. For those common equity unit holders that elected not to participate in the remarketing and elected to use their own cash to satisfy the payment obligations under the stock purchase contract, the terms of the debt are the same as the remarketed debt. The subsequent settlement of the stock purchase contracts occurred on February 17, 2009, providing proceeds to the Holding Company of $1,035 million in exchange for shares of the Holding Company’s common stock. The Holding Company delivered 24,343,154 shares of its newly issued common stock to settle the stock purchase contracts.
 
In August 2008, the Holding Company closed the successful remarketing of the Series A portion of the junior subordinated debt securities underlying the common equity units. The Series A junior subordinated debt securities were modified as permitted by their terms to be 6.817% senior debt securities, Series A, due August 15, 2018. The Holding Company did not receive any proceeds from the remarketing. Most common equity unit holders chose to have their junior subordinated debt securities remarketed and used the remarketing proceeds to settle their payment obligations under the applicable stock purchase contract. For those common equity unit holders that elected not to participate in the remarketing and elected to use their own cash to satisfy the payment obligations under the stock purchase contract, the terms of the debt are the same as the remarketed debt. The initial settlement of the stock purchase contracts occurred on August 15, 2008, providing proceeds to the Holding Company of $1,035 million in exchange for shares of the Holding Company’s common stock. The Holding Company delivered 20,244,549 shares of its common stock held in treasury at a value of $1,064 million to settle the stock purchase contracts.
 
Other.  In March 2009, the Company sold Cova Corporation, the parent company of Texas Life Insurance Company, for $130 million in cash consideration, excluding $1 million of transaction costs. The proceeds of the transaction were paid to the Holding Company.
 
Credit and Committed Facilities.  The Company maintains unsecured credit facilities and committed facilities, which aggregated $4.0 billion and $12.4 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2010. When drawn upon, these facilities bear interest at varying rates in accordance with the respective agreements.
 
The unsecured credit facilities are used for general corporate purposes, to support the borrowers’ commercial paper programs and for the issuance of letters of credit. At December 31, 2010, the Company had outstanding $1.5 billion in letters of credit and no drawdowns against these facilities. Remaining unused commitments were $2.5 billion at December 31, 2010.
 
The committed facilities are used for collateral for certain of the Company’s affiliated reinsurance liabilities. At December 31, 2010, the Company had outstanding $5.4 billion in letters of credit and $2.8 billion in aggregate drawdowns against these facilities. Remaining unused commitments were $4.2 billion at December 31, 2010.
 
See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these facilities.
 
We have no reason to believe that our lending counterparties will be unable to fulfill their respective contractual obligations under these facilities. As commitments associated with letters of credit and financing arrangements may expire unused, these amounts do not necessarily reflect the Company’s actual future cash funding requirements.
 
As a result of the successful offerings of certain senior notes and common stock in August 2010, the commitment letter for a $5.0 billion senior credit facility, which the Holding Company signed to partially finance the Acquisition, was terminated. During March 2010, the Holding Company paid $28 million in fees related to this senior credit facility, all of which were expensed during the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Covenants.  Certain of the Company’s debt instruments, credit facilities and committed facilities contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. The Company believes it was in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2010 and 2009.


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Preferred Stock.  During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Holding Company did not issue any non-convertible preferred stock. In December 2008, the Holding Company entered into a replacement capital covenant (the “Replacement Capital Covenant”) whereby the Company agreed for the benefit of holders of one or more series of the Company’s unsecured long-term indebtedness designated from time to time by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Replacement Capital Covenant (“Covered Debt”), that the Company will not repay, redeem or purchase and will cause its subsidiaries not to repay, redeem or purchase, on or before the termination of the Replacement Capital Covenant on December 31, 2018 (or earlier termination by agreement of the holders of Covered Debt or when there is no longer any outstanding series of unsecured long-term indebtedness which qualifies for designation as “Covered Debt”), the Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, of the Holding Company or the 6.500% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, of the Holding Company, unless such repayment, redemption or purchase is made from the proceeds of the issuance of certain replacement capital securities and pursuant to the other terms and conditions set forth in the Replacement Capital Covenant.
 
Convertible Preferred Stock.  In November 2010, the Holding Company issued to ALICO Holdings in connection with the financing of the Acquisition 6,857,000 shares of Series B contingent convertible junior participating non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”) convertible into approximately 68,570,000 shares (valued at $40.90 per share at the time of the Acquisition) of the Holding Company’s common stock (subject to anti-dilution adjustments) upon a favorable vote of the Holding Company’s common stockholders. If a favorable vote of its common stockholders is not obtained by the first anniversary of the Acquisition Date, then the Holding Company must pay ALICO Holdings $300 million and use reasonable efforts to list the preferred stock on NYSE. Management considers the likelihood that the Holding Company will fail to obtain a vote of its common stockholders to be remote.
 
Common Stock.  In November 2010, the Holding Company issued to ALICO Holdings in connection with the financing of the Acquisition 78,239,712 new shares of its common stock at $40.90 per share. The aggregate amount of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock to be issued to ALICO Holdings in connection with the transaction is expected to be 214.6 million to 231.5 million shares, consisting of the 78.2 million shares issued at closing, 68.6 million shares to be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock (with the stockholder vote on such conversion to be held within one year after the closing) (together with $3.0 billion aggregate stated amount of Equity Units of MetLife, Inc., the “Securities”) and between 67.8 million and 84.7 million shares of common stock, in total, issuable upon settlement of the purchase contracts forming part of the Equity Units (in three tranches approximately two, three and four years after the closing). The ownership of the Securities is subject to an investor rights agreement, which grants to ALICO Holdings certain rights and sets forth certain agreements with respect to ALICO Holdings’ ownership, voting and transfer of the Securities, including minimum holding periods, restrictions on the number of shares ALICO Holdings can sell at one time, its agreement to vote the common stock in the same proportion as the common stock voted by all other stockholders, and its agreement not to seek control or influence the Company’s management or Board of Directors. ALICO Holdings has indicated that it intends to monetize the Securities over time, subject to market conditions, following the lapse of agreed-upon minimum holding periods. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Equity Units.”
 
In August 2010, the Holding Company issued 86,250,000 new shares of its common stock at a price of $42.00 per share for gross proceeds of $3,623 million. In connection with the offering of common stock, the Holding Company incurred $94 million of issuance costs which have been recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in-capital.
 
In connection with the remarketing of the junior subordinated debt securities, in February 2009, the Holding Company delivered 24,343,154 shares of its newly issued common stock, and in August 2008, the Holding Company delivered 20,244,549 shares of its common stock from treasury stock, to settle the stock purchase contracts. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Remarketing of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities and Settlement of Stock Purchase Contracts.”
 
In October 2008, the Holding Company issued 86,250,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $26.50 per share for gross proceeds of $2.3 billion. Of these shares issued, 75,000,000 shares were issued from treasury stock, and 11,250,000 were newly issued shares.


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During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, 332,121 shares, 861,586 shares and 2,271,188 shares of common stock were issued from treasury stock for $18 million, $46 million and $118 million, respectively, to satisfy various stock option exercises. During the year ended December 31, 2010, 2,182,174 new shares of common stock were issued for $74 million to satisfy various stock option exercises. During both the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, no new shares of common stock were issued to satisfy stock option exercises.
 
Equity Units.  In November 2010, the Holding Company issued to ALICO Holdings in connection with the financing of the Acquisition $3.0 billion aggregate stated amount of Equity Units. The Equity Units, which are mandatorily convertible securities, will initially consist of (i) purchase contracts obligating the holder to purchase a variable number of shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock on each of three specified future settlement dates (expected to be approximately two, three and four years after closing of the Acquisition), for a fixed amount per purchase contract, (an aggregate of $1.0 billion on each settlement date) and (ii) an interest in each of three series of Debt Securities of MetLife, Inc. The value of the purchase contracts at issuance of $247 million was calculated as the present value of the future contract payments and was recorded in other liabilities. At future dates, the Series C, D and E Debt Securities will be subject to remarketing and sold to investors. Holders of the Equity Units who elect to include their Debt Securities in a remarketing can use the proceeds thereof to meet their obligations under the purchase contracts.
 
See Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Equity Units.
 
Liquidity and Capital Uses
 
Acquisitions.  The computation of the purchase price of the Acquisition is presented below:
 
         
    November 1, 2010  
    (In millions)  
 
Cash (includes $396 million of contractual purchase price adjustments)
  $ 7,196  
MetLife, Inc.’s common stock (78,239,712 shares at $40.90 per share)
    3,200  
MetLife, Inc.’s Convertible Preferred Stock
    2,805  
MetLife, Inc.’s Equity Units ($3.0 billion aggregate stated amount)
    3,189  
         
Total purchase price
  $ 16,390  
         
 
Debt Repayments.  During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, MetLife Bank made repayments of $349 million, $497 million and $371 million, respectively, to the FHLB of NY related to long-term borrowings. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, MetLife Bank made repayments to the FHLB of NY related to short-term borrowings of $12.9 billion, $26.4 billion and $4.6 billion, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, MetLife Bank made repayments related to short-term borrowings to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York of $21.2 billion and 650 million, respectively. No repayments were made to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York during the year ended December 31, 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2009, MICC made repayments of $300 million to the FHLB of Boston related to short-term borrowings. No repayments were made to the FHLB of Boston during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2008.
 
Debt Repurchases.  We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Any such repurchases or exchanges will be dependent upon several factors, including our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, general market conditions, and applicable regulatory, legal and accounting factors. Whether or not to repurchase any debt and the size and timing of any such repurchases will be determined in the Company’s discretion.
 
Insurance Liabilities.  The Company’s principal cash outflows primarily relate to the liabilities associated with its various life insurance, property and casualty, annuity and group pension products, operating expenses and income tax, as well as principal and interest on its outstanding debt obligations. Liabilities arising from its insurance activities primarily relate to benefit payments under the aforementioned products, as well as payments for policy


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surrenders, withdrawals and loans. For annuity or deposit type products, surrender or lapse product behavior differs somewhat by segment. In the Retirement Products segment, which includes individual annuities, lapses and surrenders tend to occur in the normal course of business. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, general account surrenders and withdrawals from annuity products were $3.8 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively. In the Corporate Benefit Funding segment, which includes pension closeouts, bank owned life insurance and other fixed annuity contracts, as well as funding agreements (including funding agreements with the FHLB of NY and the FHLB of Boston) and other capital market products, most of the products offered have fixed maturities or fairly predictable surrenders or withdrawals. With regard to Corporate Benefit Funding liabilities that provide customers with limited liquidity rights, at December 31, 2010 there were $1,615 million of funding agreements and other capital market products that could be put back to the Company after a period of notice. Of these liabilities, $1,565 million were subject to notice periods between 15 and 90 days. The remainder of the balance was subject to a notice period of 9 months or greater. An additional $375 million of Corporate Benefit Funding liabilities were subject to credit ratings downgrade triggers that permit early termination subject to a notice period of 90 days. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Contractual Obligations.”
 
Dividends.  The table below presents declaration, record and payment dates, as well as per share and aggregate dividend amounts, for the common stock:
 
                                 
            Dividend
Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date   Per Share   Aggregate
            (In millions, except per share data)
 
October 26, 2010
    November 9, 2010       December 14, 2010     $ 0.74     $ 784 (1)
October 29, 2009
    November 9, 2009       December 14, 2009     $ 0.74     $ 610  
October 28, 2008
    November 10, 2008       December 15, 2008     $ 0.74     $ 592  
 
 
(1) Includes dividends on Convertible Preferred Stock issued in November 2010. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Convertible Preferred Stock.”
 
Future common stock dividend decisions will be determined by the Holding Company’s Board of Directors after taking into consideration factors such as the Company’s current earnings, expected medium- and long-term earnings, financial condition, regulatory capital position, and applicable governmental regulations and policies. Furthermore, the payment of dividends and other distributions to the Holding Company by its insurance subsidiaries is regulated by insurance laws and regulations.


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Information on the declaration, record and payment dates, as well as per share and aggregate dividend amounts, for the Holding Company’s Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A and 6.500% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:
 
                                         
            Dividend  
            Series A
    Series A
    Series B
    Series B
 
Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date   Per Share     Aggregate     per Share     Aggregate  
            (In millions, except per share data)  
 
November 15, 2010
  November 30, 2010   December 15, 2010   $ 0.2527777     $ 7     $ 0.4062500     $ 24  
August 16, 2010
  August 31, 2010   September 15, 2010   $ 0.2555555       6     $ 0.4062500       24  
May 17, 2010
  May 31, 2010   June 15, 2010   $ 0.2555555       7     $ 0.4062500       24  
March 5, 2010
  February 28, 2010   March 15, 2010   $ 0.2500000       6     $ 0.4062500       24  
                                         
                    $ 26             $ 96  
                                         
November 16, 2009
  November 30, 2009   December 15, 2009   $ 0.2527777     $ 7     $ 0.4062500     $ 24  
August 17, 2009
  August 31, 2009   September 15, 2009   $ 0.2555555       6     $ 0.4062500       24  
May 15, 2009
  May 31, 2009   June 15, 2009   $ 0.2555555       7     $ 0.4062500       24  
March 5, 2009
  February 28, 2009   March 16, 2009   $ 0.2500000       6     $ 0.4062500       24  
                                         
                    $ 26             $ 96  
                                         
November 17, 2008
  November 30, 2008   December 15, 2008   $ 0.2527777     $ 7     $ 0.4062500     $ 24  
August 15, 2008
  August 31, 2008   September 15, 2008   $ 0.2555555       6     $ 0.4062500       24  
May 15, 2008
  May 31, 2008   June 16, 2008   $ 0.2555555       7     $ 0.4062500       24  
March 5, 2008
  February 29, 2008   March 17, 2008   $ 0.3785745       9     $ 0.4062500       24  
                                         
                    $ 29             $ 96  
                                         
 
Share Repurchases.  At January 1, 2008, the Company had $511 million remaining under its common stock repurchase program authorizations. In both January and April 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized $1.0 billion common stock repurchase programs. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 19,716,418 shares for $1.2 billion under accelerated share repurchases and 1,550,000 shares for $88 million in open market repurchases. At December 31, 2008, the Company had $1.3 billion remaining under its common stock repurchase program authorizations. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company did not repurchase any shares.
 
Under these common stock repurchase program authorizations, the Holding Company may purchase its common stock from the MetLife Policyholder Trust, in the open market (including pursuant to the terms of a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act) and in privately negotiated transactions. Any future common stock repurchases will be dependent upon several factors, including the Company’s capital position, its liquidity, its financial strength and credit ratings, general market conditions and the price of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock compared to management’s assessment of the stock’s underlying value and applicable regulatory, legal and accounting factors. Whether or not to purchase any common stock and the size and timing of any such purchases will be determined in the Company’s complete discretion.
 
Residential Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale.  At December 31, 2010, the Company held $3,321 million in residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, compared with $2,728 million at December 31, 2009, an increase of $593 million. From time to time, MetLife Bank has an increased cash need to fund mortgage loans that it generally holds for a relatively short period before selling them to one of the government-sponsored enterprises such as FNMA or FHLMC. To meet these increased funding requirements, as well as to increase overall liquidity, MetLife Bank takes advantage of collateralized borrowing opportunities with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the FHLB of NY. For further detail on MetLife Bank’s use of these funding sources, see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Global Funding Sources.”
 
Investment and Other.  Additional cash outflows include those related to obligations of securities lending activities, investments in real estate, limited partnerships and joint ventures, as well as litigation-related liabilities. Also, the Company pledges collateral to, and has collateral pledged to it by, counterparties under the Company’s current derivative transactions. With respect to derivative transactions with credit ratings downgrade triggers, a two-


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notch downgrade would have increased the Company’s derivative collateral requirements by $159 million at December 31, 2010. In addition, the Company has pledged collateral and has had collateral pledged to it, and may be required from time to time to pledge additional collateral or be entitled to have additional collateral pledged to it, in connection with collateral financing arrangements related to the reinsurance of closed block liabilities and universal life secondary guarantee liabilities. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Collateral Financing Arrangements.”
 
Securities Lending.  The Company participates in a securities lending program whereby blocks of securities, which are included in fixed maturity securities and short-term investments, are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks, and the Company receives cash collateral from the borrower, which must be returned to the borrower when the loaned securities are returned to the Company. Under the Company’s securities lending program, the Company was liable for cash collateral under its control of $24.6 billion and $21.5 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Of these amounts, $2.8 billion and $3.3 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were on open terms, meaning that the related loaned security could be returned to the Company on the next business day upon return of cash collateral. Of the $2.7 billion of estimated fair value of the securities related to the cash collateral on open terms at December 31, 2010, $2.3 billion were U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities which, if put to the Company, can be immediately sold to satisfy the cash requirements. See “— Investments — Securities Lending” for further information.
 
Other.  In September 2008, in connection with the split-off of Reinsurance Group of America (“RGA”) as described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company received from MetLife stockholders 23,093,689 shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock with a market value of $1.3 billion and, in exchange, delivered 29,243,539 shares of RGA Class B common stock with a net book value of $1.7 billion resulting in a loss on disposition, including transaction costs, of $458 million.
 
Contractual Obligations.  The following table summarizes the Company’s major contractual obligations at December 31, 2010:
 
                                         
                More Than
    More Than
       
          One Year
    One Year to
    Three Years
    More Than
 
Contractual Obligations   Total     or Less     Three Years     to Five Years     Five Years  
    (In millions)  
 
Future policy benefits
  $ 319,565     $ 6,271     $ 10,295     $ 12,205     $ 290,794  
Policyholder account balances
    289,823       35,981       46,274       35,280       172,288  
Other policyholder liabilities
    9,983       7,995       485       124       1,379  
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
    27,272       27,272                    
Bank deposits
    10,406       8,879       1,499       28        
Short-term debt
    306       306                    
Long-term debt
    31,184       2,340       4,773       5,932       18,139  
Collateral financing arrangements
    6,696       64       127       127       6,378  
Junior subordinated debt securities
    10,191       258       517       516       8,900  
Commitments to lend funds
    12,537       11,215       710       55       557  
Operating leases
    2,151       366       517       303       965  
Other
    15,356       14,873       52       3       428  
                                         
Total
  $ 735,470     $ 115,820     $ 65,249     $ 54,573     $ 499,828  
                                         
 
 
 
    Future policy benefits — Future policy benefits include liabilities related to traditional whole life policies, term life policies, pension closeout and other group annuity contracts, structured settlements, master terminal funding agreements, single premium immediate annuities, long-term disability policies, individual disability income policies, LTC policies and property and casualty contracts. Included within future policy benefits are contracts where the Company is currently making payments and will continue to do so until the occurrence of a specific event such as death, as well as those where the timing of a portion of the payments has been determined


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by the contract. Also included are contracts where the Company is not currently making payments and will not make payments until the occurrence of an insurable event, such as death or illness, or where the occurrence of the payment triggering event, such as a surrender of a policy or contract, is outside the control of the Company. The Company has estimated the timing of the cash flows related to these contracts based on historical experience, as well as its expectation of future payment patterns.
 
    Liabilities related to accounting conventions, or which are not contractually due, such as shadow liabilities, excess interest reserves and property and casualty loss adjustment expenses, of $1.4 billion have been excluded from amounts presented in the table above.
 
    Amounts presented in the table above, excluding those related to property and casualty contracts, represent the estimated cash payments for benefits under such contracts including assumptions related to the receipt of future premiums and assumptions related to mortality, morbidity, policy lapse, renewal, retirement, inflation, disability incidence, disability terminations, policy loans and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type. Payments for case reserve liabilities and incurred but not reported liabilities associated with property and casualty contracts of $1.5 billion have been included using an estimate of the ultimate amount to be settled under the policies based upon historical payment patterns. The ultimate amount to be paid under property and casualty contracts is not determined until the Company reaches a settlement with the claimant, which may vary significantly from the liability or contractual obligation presented above especially as it relates to incurred but not reported liabilities. All estimated cash payments presented in the table above are undiscounted as to interest, net of estimated future premiums on policies currently in-force and gross of any reinsurance recoverable. The more than five years category includes estimated payments due for periods extending for more than 100 years from the present date.
 
    The sum of the estimated cash flows shown for all years in the table of $319.6 billion exceeds the liability amount of $173.4 billion included on the consolidated balance sheet principally due to the time value of money, which accounts for at least 80% of the difference, as well as differences in assumptions, most significantly mortality, between the date the liabilities were initially established and the current date.
 
    For the majority of the Company’s insurance operations, estimated contractual obligations for future policy benefits and policyholder account balance liabilities as presented in the table above are derived from the annual asset adequacy analysis used to develop actuarial opinions of statutory reserve adequacy for state regulatory purposes. These cash flows are materially representative of the cash flows under GAAP. (See “— Policyholder account balances” below.)
 
    Actual cash payments to policyholders may differ significantly from the liabilities as presented in the consolidated balance sheet and the estimated cash payments as presented in the table above due to differences between actual experience and the assumptions used in the establishment of these liabilities and the estimation of these cash payments.
 
    Policyholder account balances — Policyholder account balances include liabilities related to conventional guaranteed interest contracts, guaranteed interest contracts associated with formal offering programs, funding agreements, individual and group annuities, total control accounts, individual and group universal life, variable universal life and company-owned life insurance.
 
    Included within policyholder account balances are contracts where the amount and timing of the payment is essentially fixed and determinable. These amounts relate to policies where the Company is currently making payments and will continue to do so, as well as those where the timing of the payments has been determined by the contract. Other contracts involve payment obligations where the timing of future payments is uncertain and where the Company is not currently making payments and will not make payments until the occurrence of an insurable event, such as death, or where the occurrence of the payment triggering event, such as a surrender of or partial withdrawal on a policy or deposit contract, is outside the control of the Company. The Company has estimated the timing of the cash flows related to these contracts based on historical experience, as well as its expectation of future payment patterns.
 
    Excess interest reserves representing purchase accounting adjustments of $539 million, as well as $2.4 billion relating to embedded derivatives, have been excluded from amounts presented in the table above as they represent accounting conventions and not contractual obligations.


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    Amounts presented in the table above represent the estimated cash payments to be made to policyholders undiscounted as to interest and including assumptions related to the receipt of future premiums and deposits; withdrawals, including unscheduled or partial withdrawals; policy lapses; surrender charges; annuitization; mortality; future interest credited; policy loans and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type. Such estimated cash payments are also presented net of estimated future premiums on policies currently in-force and gross of any reinsurance recoverable. For obligations denominated in foreign currencies, cash payments have been estimated using current spot rates.
 
    The sum of the estimated cash flows shown for all years in the table of $289.8 billion exceeds the liability amount of $211.0 billion included on the consolidated balance sheet principally due to the time value of money, which accounts for at least 80% of the difference, as well as differences in assumptions between the date the liabilities were initially established and the current date. See the comments under “— Future policy benefits” above regarding the source and uncertainties associated with the estimation of the contractual obligations related to future policyholder benefits and policyholder account balances.
 
    Other policyholder liabilities — Other policyholder liabilities are comprised of other policy-related balances, policyholder dividends payable and the policyholder dividend obligation. Amounts included in the table above related to these balances are as follows:
 
   
a. Other policy-related balances includes liabilities for incurred but not reported claims and claims payable on group term life, long-term disability, long-term care and dental; policyholder dividends left on deposit and policyholder dividends due and unpaid related primarily to traditional life and group life and health; and premiums received in advance. Liabilities related to unearned revenue and negative VOBA of $2.2 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively, have been excluded from the cash payments presented in the table above because they reflect accounting conventions and not contractual obligations. With the exception of policyholder dividends left on deposit, and those items excluded as noted in the preceding sentence, the contractual obligation presented in the table above related to other policy-related balances is equal to the liability reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. Such amounts are reported in the one year or less category due to the short-term nature of the liabilities. Contractual obligations on policyholder dividends left on deposit are projected based on assumptions of policyholder withdrawal activity.
 
   
b. Policyholder dividends payable consists of liabilities related to dividends payable in the following calendar year on participating policies. As such, the contractual obligation related to policyholder dividends payable is presented in the table above in the one year or less category at the amount of the liability presented in the consolidated balance sheet.
 
   
c. The nature of the policyholder dividend obligation is described in Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Because the exact timing and amount of the ultimate policyholder dividend obligation is subject to significant uncertainty and the amount of the policyholder dividend obligation is based upon a long-term projection of the performance of the closed block, we have reflected the obligation at the amount of the liability, if any, presented in the consolidated balance sheet in the more than five years category. This was presented to reflect the long-duration of the liability and the uncertainty of the ultimate cash payment.
 
    Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions — The Company has accepted cash collateral in connection with securities lending and derivative transactions. As the securities lending transactions expire within the next year or the timing of the return of the collateral is uncertain, the return of the collateral has been included in the one year or less category in the table above. The Company also holds non-cash collateral, which is not reflected as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet, of $984 million at December 31, 2010.
 
    Bank deposits — Bank deposits of $10.4 billion exceed the amount on the balance sheet of $10.3 billion due to the inclusion of estimated interest payments. Liquid deposits, including demand deposit accounts, money market accounts and savings accounts, are assumed to mature at carrying value within one year. Certificates of deposit are assumed to pay all interest and principal at maturity.
 
    Short-term debt, long-term debt, collateral financing arrangements and junior subordinated debt securities — Amounts presented in the table above for short-term debt, long-term debt, collateral financing arrangements and junior subordinated debt securities differ from the balances presented on the consolidated balance sheet as the amounts presented in the table above do not include premiums or discounts upon issuance or purchase


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accounting fair value adjustments. The amounts presented above also include interest on such obligations as described below.
 
    Short-term debt consists of borrowings with original maturities of one year or less carrying fixed interest rates. The contractual obligation for short-term debt presented in the table above represents the principal amounts due upon maturity plus the related interest for the period from January 1, 2011 through maturity.
 
    Long-term debt bears interest at fixed and variable interest rates through their respective maturity dates. Interest on fixed rate debt was computed using the stated rate on the obligations for the period from January 1, 2011 through maturity. Interest on variable rate debt was computed using prevailing rates at December 31, 2010 and, as such, does not consider the impact of future rate movements. Long-term debt also includes payments under capital lease obligations of $3 million, $2 million, $0 and $27 million, in the one year or less, more than one year to three years, more than three years to five years and more than five years categories, respectively. Long-term debt presented in the table above excludes $6,820 million at December 31, 2010 of long-term debt relating to CSEs.
 
    Collateral financing arrangements bear interest at fixed and variable interest rates through their respective maturity dates. Interest on fixed rate debt was computed using the stated rate on the obligations for the period from January 1, 2011 through maturity. Interest on variable rate debt was computed using prevailing rates at December 31, 2010 and, as such, does not consider the impact of future rate movements. Pursuant to these collateral financing arrangements, the Holding Company may be required to deliver cash or pledge collateral to the respective unaffiliated financial institutions. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Collateral Financing Arrangements.”
 
    Junior subordinated debt securities bear interest at fixed interest rates through their respective redemption dates. Interest was computed using the stated rates on the obligations for the period from January 1, 2011 through the scheduled redemption dates as it is the Company’s expectation that the debt will be redeemed at that time. Inclusion of interest payments on junior subordinated debt through the final maturity dates would increase the contractual obligation by $7.7 billion.
 
    Commitments to lend funds — The Company commits to lend funds under mortgage loans, partnerships, bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments. In the table above, the timing of the funding of mortgage loans and private corporate bond investments is based on the expiration date of the commitment. As it relates to commitments to lend funds to partnerships and under bank credit facilities, the Company anticipates that these amounts could be invested any time over the next five years; however, as the timing of the fulfillment of the obligation cannot be predicted, such obligations are presented in the one year or less category in the table above. Commitments to fund bridge loans are short-term obligations and, as a result, are presented in the one year or less category in the table above. See “— Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.”
 
    Operating leases — As a lessee, the Company has various operating leases, primarily for office space. Contractual provisions exist that could increase or accelerate those lease obligations presented, including various leases with early buyouts and/or escalation clauses. However, the impact of any such transactions would not be material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations. See “— Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.”
 
    Other — Includes other miscellaneous contractual obligations of $32 million not included elsewhere in the table above. Other liabilities presented in the table above are principally comprised of amounts due under reinsurance arrangements, payables related to securities purchased but not yet settled, securities sold short, accrued interest on debt obligations, estimated fair value of derivative obligations, deferred compensation arrangements, guaranty liabilities, the estimated fair value of forward stock purchase contracts, as well as general accruals and accounts payable due under contractual obligations. If the timing of any of the other liabilities is sufficiently uncertain, the amounts are included within the one year or less category.
 
    The other liabilities presented in the table above differ from the amount presented in the consolidated balance sheet by $5.0 billion due primarily to the exclusion of items such as legal liabilities, pension and postretirement benefit obligations, taxes due other than income tax, unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest, accrued severance and employee incentive compensation and other liabilities such as deferred gains and losses. Such items have been excluded from the table above as they represent accounting conventions or are not liabilities due under contractual obligations.


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    The net funded status of the Company’s pension and other postretirement liabilities included within other liabilities has been excluded from the amounts presented in the table above. Rather, the amounts presented represent the discretionary contributions of $175 million to be made by the Company to our pension plan in 2011 and the discretionary contributions of $120 million, based on the current year’s expected gross benefit payments to participants, to be made by the Company to the postretirement benefit plans during 2011. Virtually all contributions to the pension and postretirement benefit plans are made by the insurance subsidiaries of the Holding Company with little impact on the Holding Company’s cash flows.
 
    Excluded from the table above are unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest of $810 million and $221 million, respectively, for which the Company cannot reliably determine the timing of payment. Current income tax payable is also excluded from the table.
 
    See also “— Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.”
 
Separate account liabilities are excluded from the table above. Generally, the separate account owner, rather than the Company, bears the investment risk of these funds. The separate account assets are legally segregated and are not subject to the claims that arise out of any other business of the Company. Net deposits, net investment income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses on the separate accounts are fully offset by corresponding amounts credited to contractholders whose liability is reflected with the separate account liabilities. Separate account liabilities are fully funded by cash flows from the separate account assets and are set equal to the estimated fair value of separate account assets.
 
The Company also enters into agreements to purchase goods and services in the normal course of business; however, these purchase obligations were not material to its consolidated results of operations or financial position at December 31, 2010.
 
Additionally, the Company has agreements in place for services it conducts, generally at cost, between subsidiaries relating to insurance, reinsurance, loans and capitalization. Intercompany transactions have appropriately been eliminated in consolidation. Intercompany transactions among insurance subsidiaries and affiliates have been approved by the appropriate departments of insurance as required.
 
Support Agreements.  The Holding Company and several of its subsidiaries (each, an “Obligor”) are parties to various capital support commitments, guarantees and contingent reinsurance agreements with certain subsidiaries of the Holding Company and a corporation in which the Holding Company owns 50% of the equity. Under these arrangements, each Obligor, with respect to the applicable entity, has agreed to cause such entity to meet specified capital and surplus levels, has guaranteed certain contractual obligations or has agreed to provide, upon the occurrence of certain contingencies, reinsurance for such entity’s insurance liabilities. We anticipate that in the event that these arrangements place demands upon the Company, there will be sufficient liquidity and capital to enable the Company to meet anticipated demands. See “— The Holding Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Support Agreements.”
 
Litigation.  Putative or certified class action litigation and other litigation, and claims and assessments against the Company, in addition to those discussed elsewhere herein and those otherwise provided for in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, have arisen in the course of the Company’s business, including, but not limited to, in connection with its activities as an insurer, mortgage lending bank, employer, investor, investment advisor and taxpayer. Further, state insurance regulatory authorities and other federal and state authorities regularly make inquiries and conduct investigations concerning the Company’s compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations.
 
It is not possible to predict or determine the ultimate outcome of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. In some of the matters referred to herein, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Although in light of these considerations, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain cases could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial position, based on information currently known by the Company’s management, in its opinion, the outcome of such pending investigations and legal proceedings are not likely to have such an effect. However, given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse


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outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
 
The Holding Company
 
Capital
 
Restrictions and Limitations on Bank Holding Companies and Financial Holding Companies.  The Holding Company and its insured depository institution subsidiary, MetLife Bank, are subject to risk-based and leverage capital guidelines issued by the federal banking regulatory agencies for banks and bank and financial holding companies. The federal banking regulatory agencies are required by law to take specific prompt corrective actions with respect to institutions that do not meet minimum capital standards. As of their most recently filed reports with the federal banking regulatory agencies, the Holding Company and MetLife Bank met the minimum capital standards as per federal banking regulatory agencies with all of MetLife Bank’s risk-based and leverage capital ratios meeting the federal banking regulatory agencies “well capitalized” standards and all of the Holding Company’s risk-based and leverage capital ratios meeting the “adequately capitalized” standards. In addition to requirements which may be imposed in connection with the implementation of Dodd-Frank, if endorsed and adopted in the U.S., Basel III will also lead to increased capital and liquidity requirements for bank holding companies, such as MetLife, Inc. See “— Industry Trends — Financial and Economic Environment— Regulatory Changes.”
 
The following table contains the RBC ratios and the regulatory requirements for MetLife, Inc., as a bank holding company, and MetLife Bank:
 
MetLife, Inc.
RBC Ratios — Bank Holding Company
 
                                 
            Regulatory
  Regulatory
    December 31,   Requirements
  Requirements
    2010   2009   Minimum   “Well Capitalized”
 
Total RBC Ratio
    8.52 %     9.88 %     8.00 %     10.00 %
Tier 1 RBC Ratio
    8.21 %     9.44 %     4.00 %     6.00 %
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
    5.11 %     5.71 %     4.00 %     n/a  
 
MetLife Bank
RBC Ratios — Bank
 
                                 
            Regulatory
  Regulatory
    December 31,   Requirements
  Requirements
    2010   2009   Minimum   “Well Capitalized”
 
Total RBC Ratio
    15.00 %     13.41 %     8.00 %     10.00 %
Tier 1 RBC Ratio
    14.16 %     12.16 %     4.00 %     6.00 %
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
    7.14 %     6.64 %     4.00 %     5.00 %
 
Summary of Primary Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital.  For information regarding the primary sources and uses of Holding Company liquidity and capital, see “— The Company — Capital — Summary of Primary Sources and Uses of Liquidity and Capital.”
 
Liquidity and Capital
 
Liquidity and capital are managed to preserve stable, reliable and cost-effective sources of cash to meet all current and future financial obligations and are provided by a variety of sources, including a portfolio of liquid assets, a diversified mix of short- and long-term funding sources from the wholesale financial markets and the ability to borrow through credit and committed credit facilities. The Holding Company is an active participant in the global financial markets through which it obtains a significant amount of funding. These markets, which serve as cost-effective sources of funds, are critical components of the Holding Company’s liquidity and capital management. Decisions to access these markets are based upon relative costs, prospective views of balance


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sheet growth and a targeted liquidity profile and capital structure. A disruption in the financial markets could limit the Holding Company’s access to liquidity.
 
The Holding Company’s ability to maintain regular access to competitively priced wholesale funds is fostered by its current credit ratings from the major credit rating agencies. We view our capital ratios, credit quality, stable and diverse earnings streams, diversity of liquidity sources and our liquidity monitoring procedures as critical to retaining such credit ratings. See “— The Company — Capital — Rating Agencies.”
 
Liquidity is monitored through the use of internal liquidity risk metrics, including the composition and level of the liquid asset portfolio, timing differences in short-term cash flow obligations, access to the financial markets for capital and debt transactions and exposure to contingent draws on the Holding Company’s liquidity.
 
Liquidity and Capital Sources
 
Dividends from Subsidiaries.  The Holding Company relies in part on dividends from its subsidiaries to meet its cash requirements. The Holding Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends imposed by the regulators of their respective domiciles. The dividend limitation for U.S. insurance subsidiaries is generally based on the surplus to policyholders at the end of the immediately preceding calendar year and statutory net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year. Statutory accounting practices, as prescribed by insurance regulators of various states in which the Company conducts business, differ in certain respects from accounting principles used in financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. The significant differences relate to the treatment of DAC, certain deferred income tax, required investment liabilities, statutory reserve calculation assumptions, goodwill and surplus notes.
 
The table below sets forth the dividends permitted to be paid by the respective insurance subsidiary without insurance regulatory approval and the respective dividends paid:
 
                                                         
    2011   2010   2009   2008
    Permitted
      Permitted
      Permitted
      Permitted
    w/o
      w/o
      w/o
      w/o
Company   Approval (1)   Paid (2)   Approval (3)   Paid (2)   Approval (3)   Paid (2)   Approval (3)
            (In millions)            
 
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  $ 1,321     $ 631 (4)   $ 1,262     $     $ 552     $ 1,318 (5)   $ 1,299  
American Life Insurance Company (6)
  $ 661     $     $ 511       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut
  $ 517     $ 330     $ 659     $     $ 714     $ 500     $ 1,026  
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company
  $     $ 260     $     $ 300     $ 9     $ 300     $  
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company
  $ 80     $ 569 (7)   $ 93     $     $ 88     $ 277 (8)   $ 113  
 
 
(1) Reflects dividend amounts that may be paid during 2011 without prior regulatory approval. However, because dividend tests may be based on dividends previously paid over rolling 12-month periods, if paid before a specified date during 2011, some or all of such dividends may require regulatory approval.
 
(2) All amounts paid, including those requiring regulatory approval.
 
(3) Reflects dividend amounts that could have been paid during the relevant year without prior regulatory approval.
 
(4) Includes securities transferred to the Holding Company of $399 million.
 
(5) Consists of shares of RGA stock distributed by MLIC to the Holding Company as an in-kind dividend of $1,318 million.
 
(6) Reflects dividends permitted to be paid and the respective dividends paid since the Acquisition Date. See Note 2 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(7) Includes shares of an affiliate distributed to the Holding Company as an in-kind dividend of $475 million.


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(8) Includes shares of an affiliate distributed to the Holding Company as an in-kind dividend of $164 million.
 
In addition to the amounts presented in the table above, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, cash dividends in the aggregate amount of $0, $215 million and $235 million, respectively, were paid to the Holding Company.
 
The dividend capacity of non-U.S. operations is subject to similar restrictions established by the local regulators. The non-U.S. regulatory regimes also commonly limit the dividend payments to the parent to a portion of the prior year’s statutory income, as determined by the local accounting principles. The regulators of the non-U.S. operations, including the Japan branch of American Life, may also limit or not permit profit repatriations or other transfers of funds to the U.S. if such transfers would be detrimental to the solvency or financial strength of the operations of the non-U.S. operations, or for other reasons. Most of the non-U.S. subsidiaries are second tier subsidiaries and are not directly owned by the Holding Company. The capital and rating considerations applicable to the first tier subsidiaries may also impact the dividend flow into the Holding Company.
 
The Company’s management actively manages its target and excess capital levels and dividend flows on a pro-active basis and forecasts local capital positions as part of the financial planning cycle. The dividend capacity of certain U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries is also subject to business targets in excess of the minimum capital necessary to maintain the desired rating or level of financial strength in the relevant market. Management of the Holding Company cannot provide assurances that the Holding Company’s subsidiaries will have statutory earnings to support payment of dividends to the Holding Company in an amount sufficient to fund its cash requirements and pay cash dividends and that the applicable regulators will not disapprove any dividends that such subsidiaries must submit for approval. See Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Liquid Assets.  An integral part of the Holding Company’s liquidity management is the amount of liquid assets it holds. Liquid assets include cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities, excluding: (i) cash collateral received under the Company’s securities lending program that has been reinvested in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and publicly-traded securities; and (ii) cash collateral received from counterparties in connection with derivative instruments. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Holding Company had $2.8 billion and $3.8 billion, respectively, in liquid assets. In addition, the Holding Company has pledged collateral and has had collateral pledged to it, and may be required from time to time to pledge additional collateral or be entitled to have additional collateral pledged to it. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Holding Company had pledged $362 million and $289 million, respectively, of liquid assets under collateral support agreements.
 
Shelf Registration.  In November 2010, the Holding Company filed a shelf registration statement (the “2010 Shelf Registration Statement”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which was automatically effective upon filing, in accordance with SEC rules. SEC rules also allow for pay-as-you-go fees and the ability to add securities by filing automatically effective amendments for companies, such as the Holding Company, which qualify as “Well-Known Seasoned Issuers.” The 2010 Shelf Registration Statement registered an unlimited amount of debt and equity securities and replaces the shelf registration statement that the Holding Company filed in November 2007, which expired in the fourth quarter of 2010. The terms of any offering will be established at the time of the offering.
 
Global Funding Sources.  Liquidity is also provided by a variety of short-term instruments, including commercial paper. Capital is provided by a variety of instruments, including medium- and long-term debt, junior subordinated debt securities, collateral financing arrangements, capital securities and stockholders’ equity. The diversity of the Holding Company’s funding sources enhances funding flexibility, limits dependence on any one source of funds and generally lowers the cost of funds. Other sources of the Holding Company’s liquidity include programs for short-and long-term borrowing, as needed.
 
We continuously monitor and adjust our liquidity and capital plans for the Holding Company and its subsidiaries in light of changing requirements and market conditions.


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Long-term Debt.  The following table summarizes the outstanding long-term debt of the Holding Company at:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Long-term debt — unaffiliated
  $ 16,258     $ 10,458  
Long-term debt — affiliated
  $ 665 (1)   $ 500  
Collateral financing arrangements
  $ 2,797     $ 2,797  
Junior subordinated debt securities
  $ 1,748     $ 1,748  
 
 
(1) Includes $165 million of affiliated senior notes associated with bonds held by ALICO.
 
Short-term Debt.  MetLife, Inc. maintains a commercial paper program, proceeds of which can be used to finance the general liquidity needs of MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The Holding Company had no short-term debt outstanding at both December 31, 2010 and 2009. There was no short-term debt activity in 2010. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the weighted average interest rate on short-term debt, comprised only of commercial paper, was 1.25% and 2.5%, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the average daily balance on short-term debt was $5 million, and the average days outstanding was 6 days.
 
Debt Issuances and Other Borrowings.  For information on debt issuances and other borrowings entered into by the Holding Company, see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Debt Issuances and Other Borrowings.”
 
Senior Notes.  The following table summarizes the Holding Company’s outstanding senior notes series by maturity date, excluding any premium or discount, at December 31, 2010:
 
             
Maturity Date   Principal   Interest Rate
    (In millions)    
 
2011
  $ 750     6.13%
2012
  $ 400     5.38%
2012
  $ 397     3-month LIBOR + .032%
2013
  $ 500     5.00%
2013
  $ 250     3-month LIBOR + 1.25%
2014
  $ 350     5.50%
2014
  $ 1,000     2.38%
2015
  $ 1,000     5.00%
2016
  $ 1,250     6.75%
2018
  $ 1,035     6.82%
2018 (1)
  $ 500     1.56%
2018 (2)
  $ 500     2.46%
2019
  $ 1,035     7.72%
2020
  $ 729     5.25%
2021
  $ 1,000     4.75%
2023 (1)
  $ 500     1.56%
2024
  $ 1,000     1.92%
2024
  $ 673     5.38%
2032
  $ 600     6.50%
2033
  $ 200     5.88%
2034
  $ 750     6.38%
2035
  $ 1,000     5.70%
2041
  $ 750     5.88%
2045 (2)
  $ 500     2.46%
 
 
(1) Represents one of two tranches comprising the Series C Debt Securities.
 
(2) Represents one of two tranches comprising the Series E Debt Securities.


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Collateral Financing Arrangements.  For information on collateral financing arrangements entered into by the Holding Company, see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Collateral Financing Arrangements.”
 
Credit and Committed Facilities.  At December 31, 2010, the Holding Company, along with MetLife Funding, maintained $4.0 billion in unsecured credit facilities, the proceeds of which are available to be used for general corporate purposes, to support the borrowers’ commercial paper programs and for the issuance of letters of credit. At December 31, 2010, the Holding Company had outstanding $1.5 billion in letters of credit and no drawdowns against this facility. Remaining unused commitments were $2.5 billion at December 31, 2010.
 
The Holding Company maintains committed facilities with a capacity of $300 million. At December 31, 2010, the Holding Company had outstanding $300 million in letters of credit and no drawdowns against these facilities. There were no remaining unused commitments at December 31, 2010. In addition, the Holding Company is a party to committed facilities of certain of its subsidiaries, which aggregated $12.1 billion at December 31, 2010. The committed facilities are used as collateral for certain of the Company’s affiliated reinsurance liabilities.
 
See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail on these facilities.
 
Covenants.  Certain of the Holding Company’s debt instruments, credit facilities and committed facilities contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. The Holding Company believes it was in compliance with all covenants at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Preferred Stock, Convertible Preferred Stock, Common Stock and Equity Units.   For information on preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, common stock and common equity units issued by the Holding Company, see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Preferred Stock,” “— Convertible Preferred Stock,” “— Common Stock,” and “— Equity Units,” respectively.
 
Liquidity and Capital Uses
 
The primary uses of liquidity of the Holding Company include debt service, cash dividends on preferred, convertible preferred and common stock, capital contributions to subsidiaries, payment of general operating expenses and acquisitions. Based on our analysis and comparison of our current and future cash inflows from the dividends we receive from subsidiaries that are permitted to be paid without prior insurance regulatory approval, our asset portfolio and other cash flows and anticipated access to the capital markets, we believe there will be sufficient liquidity and capital to enable the Holding Company to make payments on debt, make cash dividend payments on its preferred, convertible preferred and common stock, contribute capital to its subsidiaries, pay all general operating expenses and meet its cash needs.
 
Acquisitions.  For information regarding the purchase price of the Acquisition, see “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Uses — Acquisitions.”
 
Affiliated Capital Transactions.  During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Holding Company invested an aggregate of $699 million (excludes the Acquisition), $986 million and $2.6 billion, respectively, in various subsidiaries.
 
The Holding Company lends funds, as necessary, to its subsidiaries, some of which are regulated, to meet their capital requirements. Such loans are included in loans to subsidiaries and consisted of the following at:
 
                         
            December 31,  
Subsidiaries   Interest Rate   Maturity Date   2010     2009  
            (In millions)  
 
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  6-month LIBOR + 1.80%   December 31, 2011   $ 775     $ 775  
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  6-month LIBOR + 1.80%   December 31, 2011           300  
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  7.13%   December 15, 2032     400       400  
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  7.13%   January 15, 2033     100       100  
                         
Total
          $ 1,275     $ 1,575  
                         


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Debt Repayments.  The Holding Company intends to either repay all or refinance in whole or in part the debt that is due in December 2011. See “— The Holding Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Senior Notes.”
 
Support Agreements.  The Holding Company is party to various capital support commitments and guarantees with certain of its subsidiaries and a corporation in which it owns 50% of the equity. Under these arrangements, the Holding Company has agreed to cause each such entity to meet specified capital and surplus levels or has guaranteed certain contractual obligations.
 
In November 2010, the Holding Company guaranteed the obligations of Exeter Reassurance Company, Ltd. (“Exeter”) in an aggregate amount up to $1.0 billion, under a reinsurance agreement with MetLife Europe Limited (“MEL”), under which Exeter reinsures the guaranteed living benefits and guaranteed death benefits associated with certain unit-linked annuity contracts issued by MEL.
 
In January 2010, the Holding Company guaranteed the obligations of its subsidiary, Missouri Reinsurance (Barbados) Inc. (“MoRe”), under a retrocession agreement with RGA Reinsurance (Barbados) Inc., pursuant to which MoRe retrocedes certain group term life insurance issued by MLIC.
 
In December 2009, the Holding Company, in connection with MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont (“MRV”)’s reinsurance of certain universal life and term life insurance risks, committed to the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration to take necessary action to cause the third protected cell of MRV to maintain total adjusted capital equal to or greater than 200% of such protected cell’s authorized control level RBC, as defined in state insurance statutes. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities” and Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Holding Company, in connection with MRV’s reinsurance of certain universal life and term life insurance risks, committed to the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration to take necessary action to cause each of the two initial protected cells of MRV to maintain total adjusted capital equal to or greater than 200% of such protected cell’s authorized control level RBC, as defined in state insurance statutes. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Credit and Committed Facilities” and Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Holding Company, in connection with the collateral financing arrangement associated with MRC’s reinsurance of a portion of the liabilities associated with the closed block, committed to the South Carolina Department of Insurance to make capital contributions, if necessary, to MRC so that MRC may at all times maintain its total adjusted capital at a level of not less than 200% of the company action level RBC, as defined in state insurance statutes as in effect on the date of determination or December 31, 2007, whichever calculation produces the greater capital requirement, or as otherwise required by the South Carolina Department of Insurance. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Debt Issuances and Other Borrowings” and Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Holding Company, in connection with the collateral financing arrangement associated with MRSC’s reinsurance of universal life secondary guarantees, committed to the South Carolina Department of Insurance to take necessary action to cause MRSC to maintain total adjusted capital equal to the greater of $250,000 or 100% of MRSC’s authorized control level RBC, as defined in state insurance statutes. See “— The Company — Liquidity and Capital Sources — Debt Issuances and Other Borrowings” and Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Holding Company has net worth maintenance agreements with two of its insurance subsidiaries, MetLife Investors Insurance Company and First MetLife Investors Insurance Company. Under these agreements, as subsequently amended, the Holding Company agreed, without limitation as to the amount, to cause each of these subsidiaries to have a minimum capital and surplus of $10 million, total adjusted capital at a level not less than 150% of the company action level RBC, as defined by state insurance statutes, and liquidity necessary to enable it to meet its current obligations on a timely basis.
 
The Holding Company entered into a net worth maintenance agreement with Mitsui Sumitomo MetLife Insurance Company Limited (“MSI MetLife”), an investment in Japan of which the Holding Company owns 50% of the equity. Under the agreement, the Holding Company agreed, without limitation as to amount, to cause MSI


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MetLife to have the amount of capital and surplus necessary for MSI MetLife to maintain a solvency ratio of at least 400%, as calculated in accordance with the Insurance Business Law of Japan, and to make such loans to MSI MetLife as may be necessary to ensure that MSI MetLife has sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet its payment obligations as they fall due. As described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Holding Company reached an agreement to sell its 50% interest in MSI MetLife to a third-party. Upon the close of such sale, the Holding Company’s obligations under the net worth maintenance agreement will terminate.
 
The Holding Company has guaranteed the obligations of its subsidiary, Exeter, under a reinsurance agreement with MSI MetLife, under which Exeter reinsures variable annuity business written by MSI MetLife. This guarantee will remain in place until such time as the reinsurance agreement between Exeter and MSI MetLife is terminated, notwithstanding any prior disposition of the Holding Company’s interest in MSI MetLife as described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Holding Company also guarantees the obligations of a number of its subsidiaries under credit facilities with third-party banks. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
 
See “Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
 
See “Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements” in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Subsequent Events
 
Dividends
 
On February 18, 2011, the Holding Company announced dividends of $0.2500000 per share, for a total of $6 million, on its Series A preferred shares, and $0.4062500 per share, for a total of $24 million, on its Series B preferred shares, subject to the final confirmation that it has met the financial tests specified in the Series A and Series B preferred shares, which the Company anticipates will be made on or about March 7, 2011. Both dividends will be payable March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2011.
 
Credit Facility
 
On February 1, 2011, the Holding Company entered into a committed facility with a third-party bank to provide letters of credit for the benefit of MoRe, a captive reinsurance subsidiary, to address its short-term solvency needs based on guidance from the regulator. This one-year facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit in amounts up to $350 million. Under the facility, a letter of credit for $250 million was issued on February 2, 2011 and increased to $295 million on February 23, 2011, which management believes satisfies MoRe’s solvency requirements.
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Risk Management
 
The Company must effectively manage, measure and monitor the market risk associated with its assets and liabilities. It has developed an integrated process for managing risk, which it conducts through its Enterprise Risk Management Department, Asset/Liability Management Unit, Treasury Department and Investment Department along with the management of the business segments. The Company has established and implemented comprehensive policies and procedures at both the corporate and business segment level to minimize the effects of potential market volatility.
 
The Company regularly analyzes its exposure to interest rate, equity market price and foreign currency exchange rate risks. As a result of that analysis, the Company has determined that the estimated fair values of certain


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assets and liabilities are materially exposed to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and changes in the equity markets.
 
Enterprise Risk Management.  MetLife has established several financial and non-financial senior management committees as part of its risk management process. These committees manage capital and risk positions, approve ALM strategies and establish appropriate corporate business standards. Further enhancing its committee structure, during the second quarter of 2010, MetLife created an Enterprise Risk Committee made up of the following voting members: the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Investment Officer, the President of U.S. Business, the President of International and the Chief Risk Officer. This committee is responsible for reviewing all material risks to the enterprise and deciding on actions if necessary, in the event risks exceed desirable targets, taking into consideration best practices to resolve or mitigate those risks.
 
MetLife also has a separate Enterprise Risk Management Department, which is responsible for risk management throughout MetLife and reports to MetLife’s Chief Risk Officer. The Enterprise Risk Management Department’s primary responsibilities consist of:
 
  •  implementing a corporate risk framework, which outlines the Company’s approach for managing risk on an enterprise-wide basis;
 
  •  developing policies and procedures for managing, measuring, monitoring and controlling those risks identified in the corporate risk framework;
 
  •  establishing appropriate corporate risk tolerance levels;
 
  •  deploying capital on an economic capital basis; and
 
  •  reporting on a periodic basis to the Finance and Risk Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors; with respect to credit risk, to the Investment Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors; and, reporting on various aspects of risk, to financial and non-financial senior management committees.
 
Asset/Liability Management.  The Company actively manages its assets using an approach that balances quality, diversification, asset/liability matching, liquidity, concentration and investment return. The goals of the investment process are to optimize, net of income tax, risk-adjusted investment income and risk-adjusted total return while ensuring that the assets and liabilities are reasonably managed on a cash flow and duration basis. The ALM process is the shared responsibility of the Financial Risk Management and Asset/Liability Management Unit, Enterprise Risk Management, the Portfolio Management Unit, and the senior members of the business segments and is governed by the ALM Committees. The ALM Committees’ duties include reviewing and approving target portfolios, establishing investment guidelines and limits and providing oversight of the ALM process on a periodic basis. The directives of the ALM Committees are carried out and monitored through ALM Working Groups which are set up to manage by product type. In addition, an ALM Steering Committee oversees the activities of the underlying ALM Committees.
 
MetLife establishes target asset portfolios for each major insurance product, which represent the investment strategies used to profitably fund its liabilities within acceptable levels of risk. These strategies are monitored through regular review of portfolio metrics, such as effective duration, yield curve sensitivity, convexity, liquidity, asset sector concentration and credit quality by the ALM Working Groups.
 
Market Risk Exposures
 
The Company has exposure to market risk through its insurance operations and investment activities. For purposes of this disclosure, “market risk” is defined as the risk of loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity market.
 
Interest Rates.  The Company’s exposure to interest rate changes results most significantly from its holdings of fixed maturity securities, as well as its interest rate sensitive liabilities. The fixed maturity securities include U.S. and foreign government bonds, securities issued by government agencies, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities, all of which are mainly exposed to changes in medium- and long-term interest rates. The interest rate sensitive liabilities for purposes of this disclosure include debt, policyholder account balances related to certain investment type contracts, and net embedded derivatives on variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits


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which have the same type of interest rate exposure (medium- and long-term interest rates) as fixed maturity securities. The Company employs product design, pricing and ALM strategies to reduce the adverse effects of interest rate movements. Product design and pricing strategies include the use of surrender charges or restrictions on withdrawals in some products and the ability to reset credited rates for certain products. ALM strategies include the use of derivatives and duration mismatch limits. See “Risk Factors — Changes in Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect Our Profitability.”
 
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates.  The Company’s exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar results from its holdings in non-U.S. dollar denominated fixed maturity and equity securities, mortgage loans, and certain liabilities, as well as through its investments in foreign subsidiaries. The principal currencies that create foreign currency exchange rate risk in the Company’s investment portfolios are the Euro, the Japanese yen and the Canadian dollar. The principal currencies that create foreign currency risk in the Company’s liabilities are the British pound, the Euro and the Swiss franc. Selectively, the Company uses U.S. dollar assets to support certain long duration foreign currency liabilities. Through its investments in foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures, the Company is primarily exposed to the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, the South Korean won, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Chilean peso, the Australian dollar, the Argentine peso, the Polish zloty, the Euro and the Hong Kong dollar. In addition to hedging with foreign currency swaps, forwards and options, local surplus in some countries is held entirely or in part in U.S. dollar assets which further minimizes exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation risk. The Company has matched much of its foreign currency liabilities in its foreign subsidiaries with their respective foreign currency assets, thereby reducing its risk to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation. See “Risk Factors — Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Could Negatively Affect Our Profitability.”
 
Equity Market.  The Company has exposure to equity market risk through certain liabilities that involve long-term guarantees on equity performance such as net embedded derivatives on variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits, certain policyholder account balances along with investments in equity securities. We manage this risk on an integrated basis with other risks through our ALM strategies including the dynamic hedging of certain variable annuity guarantee benefits. The Company also manages equity market risk exposure in its investment portfolio through the use of derivatives. Equity exposures associated with other limited partnership interests are excluded from this section as they are not considered financial instruments under GAAP.
 
Management of Market Risk Exposures
 
The Company uses a variety of strategies to manage interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and equity market risk, including the use of derivative instruments.
 
Interest Rate Risk Management.  To manage interest rate risk, the Company analyzes interest rate risk using various models, including multi-scenario cash flow projection models that forecast cash flows of the liabilities and their supporting investments, including derivative instruments. These projections involve evaluating the potential gain or loss on most of the Company’s in-force business under various increasing and decreasing interest rate environments. The New York State Insurance Department regulations require that MetLife perform some of these analyses annually as part of MetLife’s review of the sufficiency of its regulatory reserves. For several of its legal entities, the Company maintains segmented operating and surplus asset portfolios for the purpose of ALM and the allocation of investment income to product lines. For each segment, invested assets greater than or equal to the GAAP liabilities less the DAC asset and any non-invested assets allocated to the segment are maintained, with any excess swept to the surplus segment. The business segments may reflect differences in legal entity, statutory line of business and any product market characteristic which may drive a distinct investment strategy with respect to duration, liquidity or credit quality of the invested assets. Certain smaller entities make use of unsegmented general accounts for which the investment strategy reflects the aggregate characteristics of liabilities in those entities. The Company measures relative sensitivities of the value of its assets and liabilities to changes in key assumptions utilizing Company models. These models reflect specific product characteristics and include assumptions based on current and anticipated experience regarding lapse, mortality and interest crediting rates. In addition, these models include asset cash flow projections reflecting interest payments, sinking fund payments, principal payments, bond calls, mortgage prepayments and defaults.


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Common industry metrics, such as duration and convexity, are also used to measure the relative sensitivity of assets and liability values to changes in interest rates. In computing the duration of liabilities, consideration is given to all policyholder guarantees and to how the Company intends to set indeterminate policy elements such as interest credits or dividends. Each asset portfolio has a duration target based on the liability duration and the investment objectives of that portfolio. Where a liability cash flow may exceed the maturity of available assets, as is the case with certain retirement and non-medical health products, the Company may support such liabilities with equity investments, derivatives or curve mismatch strategies.
 
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Management.  Foreign currency exchange rate risk is assumed primarily in three ways: investments in foreign subsidiaries, purchases of foreign currency denominated investments in the investment portfolio and the sale of certain insurance products.
 
  •  The Company’s Treasury Department is responsible for managing the exposure to investments in foreign subsidiaries. Limits to exposures are established and monitored by the Treasury Department and managed by the Investment Department.
 
  •  The Investment Department is responsible for managing the exposure to foreign currency investments. Exposure limits to unhedged foreign currency investments are incorporated into the standing authorizations granted to management by the Board of Directors and are reported to the Board of Directors on a periodic basis.
 
  •  The lines of business are responsible for establishing limits and managing any foreign exchange rate exposure caused by the sale or issuance of insurance products.
 
MetLife uses foreign currency swaps and forwards to hedge its foreign currency denominated fixed income investments, its equity exposure in subsidiaries and its foreign currency exposures caused by the sale of insurance products.
 
Equity Market Risk Management.  Equity market risk exposure through the issuance of variable annuities is managed by the Company’s Asset/Liability Management Unit in partnership with the Investment Department. Equity market risk is realized through its investment in equity securities and is managed by its Investment Department. MetLife uses derivatives to hedge its equity exposure both in certain liability guarantees such as variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefit and equity securities. These derivatives include exchange-traded equity futures, equity index options contracts and equity variance swaps. The Company also employs reinsurance to manage these exposures.
 
Hedging Activities.  MetLife uses derivative contracts primarily to hedge a wide range of risks including interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, and equity risk. Derivative hedges are designed to reduce risk on an economic basis while considering their impact on accounting results and GAAP and Statutory capital. The construction of the Company’s derivative hedge programs vary depending on the type of risk being hedged. Some hedge programs are asset or liability specific while others are portfolio hedges that reduce risk related to a group of liabilities or assets. The Company’s use of derivatives by major hedge programs is as follows:
 
  •  Risks Related to Living Guarantee Benefits — The Company uses a wide range of derivative contracts to hedge the risk associated with variable annuity living guarantee benefits. These hedges include equity and interest rate futures, interest rate swaps, currency futures/forwards, equity indexed options and interest rate option contracts and equity variance swaps.
 
  •  Minimum Interest Rate Guarantees — For certain Company liability contracts, the Company provides the contractholder a guaranteed minimum interest rate. These contracts include certain fixed annuities and other insurance liabilities. The Company purchases interest rate floors to reduce risk associated with these liability guarantees.
 
  •  Reinvestment Risk in Long Duration Liability Contracts — Derivatives are used to hedge interest rate risk related to certain long duration liability contracts, such as deferred annuities. Hedges include zero coupon interest rate swaps and swaptions.


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  •  Foreign Currency Risk — The Company uses currency swaps and forwards to hedge foreign currency risk. These hedges primarily swap foreign currency denominated bonds, investments in foreign subsidiaries or equity exposures to U.S. dollars.
 
  •  General ALM Hedging Strategies — In the ordinary course of managing the Company’s asset/liability risks, the Company uses interest rate futures, interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, interest rate floors and inflation swaps. These hedges are designed to reduce interest rate risk or inflation risk related to the existing assets or liabilities or related to expected future cash flows.
 
Risk Measurement: Sensitivity Analysis
 
The Company measures market risk related to its market sensitive assets and liabilities based on changes in interest rates, equity prices and foreign currency exchange rates utilizing a sensitivity analysis. This analysis estimates the potential changes in estimated fair value based on a hypothetical 10% change (increase or decrease) in interest rates, equity market prices and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company believes that a 10% change (increase or decrease) in these market rates and prices is reasonably possible in the near-term. In performing the analysis summarized below, the Company used market rates at December 31, 2010. The sensitivity analysis separately calculates each of the Company’s market risk exposures (interest rate, equity market and foreign currency exchange rate) relating to its trading and non-trading assets and liabilities. The Company modeled the impact of changes in market rates and prices on the estimated fair values of its market sensitive assets and liabilities as follows:
 
  •  the net present values of its interest rate sensitive exposures resulting from a 10% change (increase or decrease) in interest rates;
 
  •  the U.S. dollar equivalent estimated fair values of the Company’s foreign currency exposures due to a 10% change (increase or decrease) in foreign currency exchange rates; and
 
  •  the estimated fair value of its equity positions due to a 10% change (increase or decrease) in equity market prices.
 
The sensitivity analysis is an estimate and should not be viewed as predictive of the Company’s future financial performance. The Company cannot ensure that its actual losses in any particular period will not exceed the amounts indicated in the table below. Limitations related to this sensitivity analysis include:
 
  •  the market risk information is limited by the assumptions and parameters established in creating the related sensitivity analysis, including the impact of prepayment rates on mortgages;
 
  •  for the derivatives that qualify as hedges, the impact on reported earnings may be materially different from the change in market values;
 
  •  the analysis excludes other significant real estate holdings and liabilities pursuant to insurance contracts; and
 
  •  the model assumes that the composition of assets and liabilities remains unchanged throughout the period.
 
Accordingly, the Company uses such models as tools and not as substitutes for the experience and judgment of its management. Based on its analysis of the impact of a 10% change (increase or decrease) in market rates and prices, MetLife has determined that such a change could have a material adverse effect on the estimated fair value of certain assets and liabilities from interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and equity exposures.
 
The table below illustrates the potential loss in estimated fair value for each market risk exposure of the Company’s market sensitive assets and liabilities at December 31, 2010:
 
         
    December 31, 2010
    (In millions)
 
Non-trading:
       
Interest rate risk
  $ 5,358  
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
  $ 3,669  
Equity market risk
  $ 14  
Trading:
       
Interest rate risk
  $ 24  
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
  $ 346  


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Sensitivity Analysis: Interest Rates. The table below provides additional detail regarding the potential loss in fair value of the Company’s trading and non-trading interest sensitive financial instruments at December 31, 2010 by type of asset or liability:
 
                         
    December 31, 2010  
                Assuming a
 
          Estimated
    10% Increase
 
    Notional
    Fair
    in the Yield
 
    Amount     Value (3)     Curve  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets:
                       
Fixed maturity securities
          $ 327,284     $ (5,961 )
Equity securities
            3,606        
Trading and other securities
            18,589       (25 )
Mortgage loans:
                       
Held-for-investment
            60,846       (355 )
Held-for-sale
            3,321       (24 )
                         
Mortgage loans, net
            64,167       (379 )
Policy loans
            13,406       (179 )
Real estate joint ventures (1)
            482        
Other limited partnership interests (1)
            1,619        
Short-term investments
            9,387       (2 )
Other invested assets:
                       
Mortgage servicing rights
            950       70  
Other
            1,490        
Cash and cash equivalents
            13,046       (2 )
Accrued investment income
            4,381        
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
            4,048       (331 )
Other assets
            453       (9 )
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (2)
            185       (17 )
Mortgage loan commitments
  $ 3,754       (17 )     (13 )
Commitments to fund bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments
  $ 2,437              
                         
Total Assets
                  $ (6,848 )
                         
Liabilities:
                       
Policyholder account balances
          $ 152,850     $ 849  
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
            27,272        
Bank deposits
            10,371       5  
Short-term debt
            306        
Long-term debt
            21,892       361  
Collateral financing arrangements
            4,757       (9 )
Junior subordinated debt securities
            3,461       160  
Other liabilities:
                       
Trading liabilities
            46       1  
Other
            2,777        
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (2)
            2,634       1,515  
                         
Total Liabilities
                  $ 2,882  
                         
Derivative Instruments:
                       
Interest rate swaps
  $ 54,803     $ 1,138     $ (1,254 )
Interest rate floors
  $ 23,866       564       (67 )
Interest rate caps
  $ 35,412       175       57  
Interest rate futures
  $ 9,385       26       20  
Interest rate options
  $ 8,761       121       (8 )
Interest rate forwards
  $ 10,374       (29 )     (32 )
Synthetic GICs
  $ 4,397              
Foreign currency swaps
  $ 17,626       334       (12 )
Foreign currency forwards
  $ 10,443       28       1  
Currency futures
  $ 493       2        
Currency options
  $ 5,426       50        
Non-derivative hedging instruments
  $ 169       (185 )      
Credit default swaps
  $ 10,957       69        
Credit forwards
  $ 90       (1 )      
Equity futures
  $ 8,794       12        
Equity options
  $ 33,688       646       (96 )
Variance swaps
  $ 18,022       80       (9 )
Total rate of return swaps
  $ 1,547             (16 )
                         
Total Derivative Instruments
                  $ (1,416 )
                         
Net Change
                  $ (5,382 )
                         


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(1) Represents only those investments accounted for using the cost method.
 
(2) Embedded derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet in the same caption as the host contract.
 
(3) Separate account assets and liabilities which are interest rate sensitive are not included herein as any interest rate risk is borne by the holder of the separate account.
 
This quantitative measure of risk has increased by $1,325 million, or 33%, to $5,382 million at December 31, 2010 from $4,057 million at December 31, 2009. Excluding the Acquisition which increased risk by $647 million, the quantitative measure of risk increased by $678 million or 17% at December 31, 2010 from December 31, 2009. The increase in risk is due to a change in the net assets and liabilities bases of $641 million. In addition, an increase of $954 million was due to the use of derivatives employed by the Company ($445 million), an increase in the duration of the investment portfolio ($389 million), and an increase in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables ($120 million). This increase in risk was partially offset by a decrease in interest rates across the long end of the Swaps and U.S. Treasury curves resulting in a decrease of $424 million. Additionally, net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts increased by $520 million, partially due to a change made in the second quarter of 2010 related to how the Company estimates the spread over the swap curve for purposes of determining the discount rate used to value those derivatives, which caused a corresponding decrease in risk. The remainder of the fluctuation is attributable to numerous immaterial items.


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Sensitivity Analysis: Foreign Currency Exchange Rates. The table below provides additional detail regarding the potential loss in estimated fair value of the Company’s portfolio due to a 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates at December 31, 2010 by type of asset or liability:
 
                         
    December 31, 2010  
                Assuming a
 
          Estimated
    10% Increase
 
    Notional
    Fair
    in the Foreign
 
    Amount     Value (1)     Exchange Rate  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets:
                       
Fixed maturity securities
          $ 327,284     $ (6,516 )
Equity securities
            3,606       (74 )
Trading and other securities
            18,589       (346 )
Mortgage loans:
                       
Held-for-investment
            60,846       (414 )
Held-for-sale
            3,321        
                         
Mortgage loans, net
            64,167       (414 )
Policy loans
            13,406       (199 )
Short-term investments
            9,387       (200 )
Other invested assets:
                       
Mortgage servicing rights
            950        
Other
            1,490       (143 )
Cash and cash equivalents
            13,046       (139 )
Accrued investment income
            4,381       (11 )
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
            4,048       (16 )
                         
Total Assets
                  $ (8,058 )
                         
Liabilities:
                       
Policyholder account balances
          $ 152,850     $ 3,255  
Bank deposits
            10,371        
Long-term debt
            21,892       37  
Other liabilities
            2,777       9  
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (2)
            2,634       437  
                         
Total Liabilities
                  $ 3,738  
                         
Derivative Instruments:
                       
Interest rate swaps
  $ 54,083     $ 1,138     $ (17 )
Interest rate floors
  $ 23,866       564        
Interest rate caps
  $ 35,412       175        
Interest rate futures
  $ 9,385       26       (2 )
Interest rate options
  $ 8,761       121       (2 )
Interest rate forwards
  $ 10,374       (29 )      
Synthetic GICs
  $ 4,397              
Foreign currency swaps
  $ 17,626       334       271  
Foreign currency forwards
  $ 10,443       28       73  
Currency futures
  $ 493       2       (49 )
Currency options
  $ 5,426       50       107  
Non-derivative hedging instruments
  $ 169       (185 )      
Credit default swaps
  $ 10,957       69        
Credit forwards
  $ 90       (1 )      
Equity futures
  $ 8,794       12       2  
Equity options
  $ 33,688       646       (77 )
Variance swaps
  $ 18,022       80       (1 )
Total rate of return swaps
  $ 1,547              
                         
Total Derivative Instruments
                  $ 305  
                         
Net Change
                  $ (4,015 )
                         


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(1) Estimated fair value presented in the table above represents the estimated fair value of all financial instruments within this financial statement caption not necessarily those solely subject to foreign exchange risk.
 
(2) Embedded derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet in the same caption as the host contract.
 
Foreign currency exchange rate risk increased by $3,124 million, to $4,015 million at December 31, 2010 from $891 million at December 31, 2009. Excluding the Acquisition which increased risk by $2,646 million, the foreign currency exchange risk has increased by $478 million or 54% at December 31, 2010 from December 31, 2009. This change was due to an increase in exchange rate risk relating to fixed maturity securities of $722 million due to higher exposures primarily within the British pound and the Euro and to the sale of the pension closeout business in the U.K. Additionally, a decrease in the foreign exposure related to long-term debt and PABs contributed $66 million and $41 million, respectively, to the increase. This was partially offset by an increase in the foreign exposure related to net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts and the use of derivatives employed by the Company of $315 million and $101 million, respectively. The remainder of the fluctuation is attributable to numerous immaterial items.


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Sensitivity Analysis: Equity Market Prices.  The table below provides additional detail regarding the potential loss in estimated fair value of the Company’s portfolio due to a 10% change in equity at December 31, 2010 by type of asset or liability:
 
                         
    December 31, 2010  
                Assuming a
 
          Estimated
    10% Decrease
 
    Notional
    Fair
    in Equity
 
    Amount     Value (1)     Prices  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets:
                       
Equity securities
          $ 3,606     $ (355 )
Other invested assets:
                       
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (2)
            185       11  
                         
Total Assets
                  $ (344 )
                         
Liabilities:
                       
Policyholder account balances
          $ 152,850     $  
Bank deposits
            10,371        
Other liabilities:
                       
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (2)
            2,634       (456 )
                         
Total Liabilities
                  $ (456 )
                         
Derivative Instruments:
                       
Interest rate swaps
  $ 54,803     $ 1,138     $  
Interest rate floors
  $ 23,866       564        
Interest rate caps
  $ 35,412       175        
Interest rate futures
  $ 9,385       26        
Interest rate options
  $ 8,761       121        
Interest rate forwards
  $ 10,374       (29 )      
Synthetic GICs
  $ 4,397              
Foreign currency swaps
  $ 17,626       334        
Foreign currency forwards
  $ 10,443       28        
Currency futures
  $ 493       2        
Currency options
  $ 5,426       50        
Non-derivative hedging instruments
  $ 169       (185 )      
Credit default swaps
  $ 10,957       69        
Credit forwards
  $ 90       (1 )      
Equity futures
  $ 8,794       12       3  
Equity options
  $ 33,688       646       628  
Variance swaps
  $ 18,022       80        
Total rate of return swaps
  $ 1,547             155  
                         
Total Derivative Instruments
                  $ 786  
                         
Net Change
                  $ (14 )
                         
 
 
(1) Estimated fair value presented in the table above represents the estimated fair value of all financial instruments within this financial statement caption not necessarily those solely subject to equity market risk.
 
(2) Embedded derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet in the same caption as the host contract.


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(3) During the fourth quarter of 2010, the analysis of the impact of a 10% change (increase or decrease) in equity market rates determined that due to the inclusion of ALICO, a decrease of 10% had the most adverse effect on our equity risk while the prior year end’s analysis of equity market rates shows an increase of 10% had the most adverse effect.
 
Equity price risk decreased by $204 million to $14 million at December 31, 2010 from $218 million at December 31, 2009. Excluding the Acquisition which shifted the impact of a 10% change to a decrease in the equity market rates, the equity price risk has decreased by $191 million at December 31, 2010 from December 31, 2009. This decrease is primarily due to a change of $210 million attributed to the use of derivatives employed by the Company to hedge its equity exposures. Additionally, an increase in the net exposures related to net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts of $42 million contributed to the decrease. This was partially offset by a decrease of $60 million in equity securities. The remainder of the fluctuation is attributable to numerous insignificant items.


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Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules
 
         
    Page
 
    F-1  
Financial Statements at December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008:
       
    F-2  
    F-3  
    F-4  
    F-7  
    F-9  
Financial Statement Schedules at December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008:
       
    F-212  
    F-213  
    F-221  
    F-223  


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
MetLife, Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MetLife, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of MetLife, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
As discussed in Note 1, the Company changed its method of accounting for the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairment losses for certain investments as required by accounting guidance adopted on April 1, 2009, and changed its method of accounting for certain assets and liabilities to a fair value measurement approach as required by accounting guidance adopted on January 1, 2008.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report, dated February 24, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
New York, New York
February 24, 2011


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MetLife, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2010 and 2009

(In millions, except share and per share data)
 
                 
    2010     2009  
 
Assets
               
Investments:
               
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $320,008 and $229,709, respectively; includes $3,330 and $3,171, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
  $ 327,284     $ 227,642  
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $3,625 and $3,187, respectively)
    3,606       3,084  
Trading and other securities, at estimated fair value (includes $463 and $420 of actively traded securities, respectively; and $387 and $0, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
    18,589       2,384  
Mortgage loans:
               
Held-for-investment, principally at amortized cost (net of valuation allowances of $664 and $721, respectively; includes $6,840 and $0, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)
    59,055       48,181  
Held-for-sale, principally at estimated fair value
    3,321       2,728  
                 
Mortgage loans, net
    62,376       50,909  
Policy loans
    11,914       10,061  
Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $10 and $18, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
    8,030       6,896  
Other limited partnership interests (includes $298 and $236, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
    6,416       5,508  
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value
    9,387       8,374  
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (includes $104 and $137, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
    15,430       12,709  
                 
Total investments
    463,032       327,567  
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $69 and $68, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
    13,046       10,112  
Accrued investment income (includes $34 and $0, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
    4,381       3,173  
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $2 and $0, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
    19,830       16,752  
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
    27,307       19,256  
Current income tax recoverable
          316  
Deferred income tax assets
          1,228  
Goodwill
    11,781       5,047  
Other assets (includes $6 and $16, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
    8,192       6,822  
Separate account assets
    183,337       149,041  
                 
Total assets
  $ 730,906     $ 539,314  
                 
Liabilities and Equity
               
Liabilities
               
Future policy benefits
  $ 173,373     $ 135,879  
Policyholder account balances
    211,020       138,673  
Other policy-related balances
    15,806       8,446  
Policyholder dividends payable
    830       761  
Policyholder dividend obligation
    876        
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
    27,272       24,196  
Bank deposits
    10,316       10,211  
Short-term debt
    306       912  
Long-term debt (includes $6,902 and $64, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)
    27,586       13,220  
Collateral financing arrangements
    5,297       5,297  
Junior subordinated debt securities
    3,191       3,191  
Current income tax payable
    316        
Deferred income tax liability
    1,881        
Other liabilities (includes $93 and $26, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)
    20,386       15,989  
Separate account liabilities
    183,337       149,041  
                 
Total liabilities
    681,793       505,816  
                 
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 16)
               
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries
    117        
                 
Equity
               
MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized:
               
Preferred stock, 84,000,000 shares issued and outstanding; $2,100 aggregate liquidation preference
    1       1  
Convertible preferred stock, 6,857,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010
           
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 989,031,704 and 822,359,818 shares issued at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively; 985,837,817 and 818,833,810 shares outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively
    10       8  
Additional paid-in capital
    26,423       16,859  
Retained earnings
    21,363       19,501  
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,193,887 and 3,526,008 shares at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively
    (172 )     (190 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    1,000       (3,058 )
                 
Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity
    48,625       33,121  
Noncontrolling interests
    371       377  
                 
Total equity
    48,996       33,498  
                 
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 730,906     $ 539,314  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

(In millions, except per share data)
 
                         
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Revenues
                       
Premiums
  $ 27,394     $ 26,460     $ 25,914  
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    6,037       5,203       5,381  
Net investment income
    17,615       14,837       16,289  
Other revenues
    2,328       2,329       1,586  
Net investment gains (losses):
                       
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
    (682 )     (2,439 )     (1,296 )
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
    212       939        
Other net investment gains (losses)
    78       (1,406 )     (802 )
                         
Total net investment gains (losses)
    (392 )     (2,906 )     (2,098 )
Net derivative gains (losses)
    (265 )     (4,866 )     3,910  
                         
Total revenues
    52,717       41,057       50,982  
                         
Expenses
                       
Policyholder benefits and claims
    29,545       28,336       27,437  
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    4,925       4,849       4,788  
Policyholder dividends
    1,486       1,650       1,751  
Other expenses
    12,803       10,556       11,947  
                         
Total expenses
    48,759       45,391       45,923  
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax
    3,958       (4,334 )     5,059  
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    1,181       (2,015 )     1,580  
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
    2,777       (2,319 )     3,479  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
    9       41       (201 )
                         
Net income (loss)
    2,786       (2,278 )     3,278  
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (4 )     (32 )     69  
                         
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
    2,790       (2,246 )     3,209  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    122       122       125  
                         
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 2,668     $ (2,368 )   $ 3,084  
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:
                       
Basic
  $ 3.01     $ (2.94 )   $ 4.60  
                         
Diluted
  $ 2.99     $ (2.94 )   $ 4.54  
                         
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:
                       
Basic
  $ 3.02     $ (2.89 )   $ 4.19  
                         
Diluted
  $ 3.00     $ (2.89 )   $ 4.14  
                         
Cash dividends per common share
  $ 0.74     $ 0.74     $ 0.74  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 


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Table of Contents

 
MetLife, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Equity
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010

(In millions)
 
                                                                                                         
                                        Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)                    
                                        Net
          Foreign
    Defined
    Total
             
          Convertible
          Additional
          Treasury
    Unrealized
    Other-Than-
    Currency
    Benefit
    MetLife, Inc.’s
             
    Preferred
    Preferred
    Common
    Paid-in
    Retained
    Stock
    Investment
    Temporary
    Translation
    Plans
    Stockholders’
    Noncontrolling
    Total
 
    Stock     Stock     Stock     Capital     Earnings     at Cost     Gains (Losses)     Impairments     Adjustments     Adjustment     Equity     Interests (1)     Equity  
 
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 1     $     $ 8     $ 16,859     $ 19,501     $ (190 )   $ (817 )   $ (513 )   $ (183 )   $ (1,545 )   $ 33,121     $ 377     $ 33,498  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1)
                                    (12 )             31       11                       30               30  
                                                                                                         
Balance at January 1, 2010
    1             8       16,859       19,489       (190 )     (786 )     (502 )     (183 )     (1,545 )     33,151       377       33,528  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1)
                                    (10 )             10                                              
Convertible preferred stock issuance
                          2,805                                                       2,805               2,805  
Common stock issuance — newly issued shares related to business acquisition
                    2       6,727                                                       6,729               6,729  
Issuance of stock purchase contracts related to common equity units
                            (69 )                                                     (69 )             (69 )
Stock-based compensation
                            101               18                                       119               119  
Dividends on preferred stock
                                    (122 )                                             (122 )             (122 )
Dividends on common stock
                                    (784 )                                             (784 )             (784 )
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests
                                                                                            (9 )     (9 )
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                                                       
Net income (loss)
                                    2,790                                               2,790       (2 )     2,788  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                                                       
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax
                                                    11                               11               11  
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of related offsets and income tax
                                                    4,121       136                       4,257       (3 )     4,254  
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax
                                                                    (358 )             (358 )     8       (350 )
Defined benefit plans adjustment, net of income tax
                                                                            96       96               96  
                                                                                                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                                                                                    4,006       5       4,011  
                                                                                                         
Comprehensive income (loss)
                                                                                    6,796       3       6,799  
                                                                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 1     $     $ 10     $ 26,423     $ 21,363     $ (172 )   $ 3,356     $ (366 )   $ (541 )   $ (1,449 )   $ 48,625     $ 371     $ 48,996  
                                                                                                         
 
 
(1) Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries of ($2) million.
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 


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Table of Contents

 
MetLife, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Equity — (Continued)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009

(In millions)
 
                                                                                                         
                                  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)                          
                                  Net
          Foreign
    Defined
    Total
                   
                Additional
          Treasury
    Unrealized
    Other-Than-
    Currency
    Benefit
    MetLife, Inc.’s
                   
    Preferred
    Common
    Paid-in
    Retained
    Stock
    Investment
    Temporary
    Translation
    Plans
    Stockholders’
    Noncontrolling
    Total
       
    Stock     Stock     Capital     Earnings     at Cost     Gains (Losses)     Impairments     Adjustments     Adjustment     Equity     Interests     Equity        
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 1     $ 8     $ 15,811     $ 22,403     $ (236 )   $ (12,564 )   $     $ (246 )   $ (1,443 )   $ 23,734     $ 251     $ 23,985          
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax (Note 1)
                            76                       (76 )                                            
Common stock issuance — newly issued shares
                    1,035                                                       1,035               1,035          
Treasury stock transactions, net
                    (7 )             14                                       7               7          
Stock-based compensation
                    20               32                                       52               52          
Dividends on preferred stock
                            (122 )                                             (122 )             (122 )        
Dividends on common stock
                            (610 )                                             (610 )             (610 )        
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests
                                                                                    169       169          
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                                                       
Net income (loss)
                            (2,246 )                                             (2,246 )     (32 )     (2,278 )        
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                                                       
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax
                                            (116 )                             (116 )             (116 )        
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of related offsets and income tax
                                            11,863       (437 )                     11,426       (11 )     11,415          
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax
                                                            63               63               63          
Defined benefit plans adjustment, net of income tax
                                                                    (102 )     (102 )             (102 )        
                                                                                                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                                                                            11,271       (11 )     11,260          
                                                                                                         
Comprehensive income (loss)
                                                                            9,025       (43 )     8,982          
                                                                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 1     $ 8     $ 16,859     $ 19,501     $ (190 )   $ (817 )   $ (513 )   $ (183 )   $ (1,545 )   $ 33,121     $ 377     $ 33,498          
                                                                                                         
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 


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Table of Contents

 
MetLife, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Equity — (Continued)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008

(In millions)
 
                                                                                                         
                                  Accumulated Other
                         
                                  Comprehensive Income (Loss)                                
                                  Net
    Foreign
    Defined
    Total
                         
                Additional
          Treasury
    Unrealized
    Currency
    Benefit
    MetLife, Inc.’s
    Noncontrolling Interests              
    Preferred
    Common
    Paid-in
    Retained
    Stock
    Investment
    Translation
    Plans
    Stockholders’
    Discontinued
    Continuing
    Total
       
    Stock     Stock     Capital     Earnings     at Cost     Gains (Losses)     Adjustments     Adjustment     Equity     Operations     Operations     Equity        
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
  $ 1     $ 8     $ 17,098     $ 19,884     $ (2,890 )   $ 971     $ 347     $ (240 )   $ 35,179     $ 1,534     $ 272     $ 36,985          
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, net of income tax (Note 1)
                            27               (10 )                     17                       17          
                                                                                                         
Balance at January 1, 2008
    1       8       17,098       19,911       (2,890 )     961       347       (240 )     35,196       1,534       272       37,002          
Common stock issuance — newly issued shares
                    290                                               290                       290          
Treasury stock transactions:
                                                                                                       
Acquired in connection with share repurchase agreements
                    450               (1,250 )                             (800 )                     (800 )        
Issued in connection with common stock issuance
                    (2,104 )             4,040                               1,936                       1,936          
Issued to settle stock forward contracts
                    (29 )             1,064                               1,035                       1,035          
Acquired in connection with split-off of subsidiary
                                    (1,318 )                             (1,318 )                     (1,318 )        
Other, net
                    (35 )             118                               83                       83          
Deferral of stock-based compensation
                    141                                               141                       141          
Dividends on preferred stock
                            (125 )                                     (125 )                     (125 )        
Dividends on common stock
                            (592 )                                     (592 )                     (592 )        
Dividends on subsidiary common stock
                                                                            34               34          
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests
                                                                            (1,409 )     (6 )     (1,415 )        
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                                                       
Net income (loss)
                            3,209                                       3,209       94       (25 )     3,278          
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                                                       
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax
                                            241                       241                       241          
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of related offsets and income tax
                                            (13,766 )                     (13,766 )     (150 )     10       (13,906 )        
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax
                                                    (593 )             (593 )     (107 )             (700 )        
Defined benefit plans adjustment, net of income tax
                                                            (1,203 )     (1,203 )     4               (1,199 )        
                                                                                                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                                                                    (15,321 )     (253 )     10       (15,564 )        
                                                                                                         
Comprehensive income (loss)
                                                                    (12,112 )     (159 )     (15 )     (12,286 )        
                                                                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 1     $ 8     $ 15,811     $ 22,403     $ (236 )   $ (12,564 )   $ (246 )   $ (1,443 )   $ 23,734     $     $ 251     $ 23,985          
                                                                                                         
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

(In millions)
 
                         
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Cash flows from operating activities
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 2,786     $ (2,278 )   $ 3,278  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization expenses
    585       520       375  
Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts associated with investments, net
    (1,078 )     (967 )     (939 )
(Gains) losses on investments and derivatives and from sales of businesses, net
    854       7,715       (1,127 )
Undistributed equity earnings of real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests
    (430 )     1,118       679  
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    4,925       4,852       4,911  
Interest credited to bank deposits
    137       163       166  
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    (6,037 )     (5,218 )     (5,462 )
Change in trading and other securities
    (1,369 )     (1,152 )     (418 )
Change in residential mortgage loans held-for-sale, net
    (487 )     (800 )     (1,946 )
Change in mortgage servicing rights
    (165 )     (687 )     (185 )
Change in accrued investment income
    (206 )     (110 )     428  
Change in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
    (1,023 )     (1,653 )     (1,929 )
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs, net
    (541 )     (1,837 )     545  
Change in income tax recoverable (payable)
    1,292       (2,614 )     920  
Change in other assets
    1,948       (660 )     5,737  
Change in insurance-related liabilities and policy-related balances
    6,489       6,401       5,307  
Change in other liabilities
    (315 )     865       163  
Other, net
    631       145       199  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    7,996       3,803       10,702  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities
                       
Sales, maturities and repayments of:
                       
Fixed maturity securities
    86,529       64,428       102,250  
Equity securities
    1,371       2,545       2,707  
Mortgage loans
    6,361       5,769       6,077  
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
    322       43       140  
Other limited partnership interests
    522       947       593  
Purchases of:
                       
Fixed maturity securities
    (100,713 )     (83,940 )     (86,874 )
Equity securities
    (949 )     (1,986 )     (1,494 )
Mortgage loans
    (8,967 )     (4,692 )     (10,096 )
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
    (786 )     (579 )     (1,170 )
Other limited partnership interests
    (1,008 )     (803 )     (1,643 )
Cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives
    1,814       3,292       8,168  
Cash paid in connection with freestanding derivatives
    (2,548 )     (5,393 )     (6,454 )
Sales of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents disposed of $0, $180 and $0, respectively
          (50 )     (4 )
Disposal of subsidiary
          (19 )     (313 )
Purchases of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired of $4,175, $0 and $314, respectively
    (3,021 )           (469 )
Net change in policy loans
    (225 )     (259 )     (467 )
Net change in short-term investments
    3,033       5,534       (11,269 )
Net change in other invested assets
    137       1,388       (2,206 )
Other, net
    (186 )     (160 )     (147 )
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
  $ (18,314 )   $ (13,935 )   $ (2,671 )
                         
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — (Continued)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

(In millions)
                         
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Cash flows from financing activities
                       
Policyholder account balances:
                       
Deposits
  $ 74,296     $ 77,517     $ 70,051  
Withdrawals
    (69,739 )     (79,799 )     (56,406 )
Net change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
    3,076       (6,863 )     (13,077 )
Net change in bank deposits
    (32 )     3,164       2,185  
Net change in short-term debt
    (606 )     (1,747 )     1,992  
Long-term debt issued
    5,090       2,961       339  
Long-term debt repaid
    (1,061 )     (555 )     (422 )
Collateral financing arrangements issued
          105       310  
Cash received in connection with collateral financing arrangements
          775        
Cash paid in connection with collateral financing arrangements
          (400 )     (800 )
Junior subordinated debt securities issued
          500       750  
Debt issuance costs
    (14 )     (30 )     (34 )
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs
    3,576             290  
Common stock issued to settle stock forward contracts
          1,035        
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchase agreements
                (1,250 )
Treasury stock issued in connection with common stock issuance, net of issuance costs
                1,936  
Treasury stock issued to settle stock forward contracts
                1,035  
Dividends on preferred stock
    (122 )     (122 )     (125 )
Dividends on common stock
    (784 )     (610 )     (592 )
Other, net
    (299 )     (34 )     7  
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    13,381       (4,103 )     6,189  
                         
Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents balances
    (129 )     108       (349 )
                         
Change in cash and cash equivalents
    2,934       (14,127 )     13,871  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    10,112       24,239       10,368  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 13,046     $ 10,112     $ 24,239  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, subsidiaries held-for-sale, beginning of year
  $     $ 32     $ 407  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, subsidiaries held-for-sale, end of year
  $     $     $ 32  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, from continuing operations, beginning of year
  $ 10,112     $ 24,207     $ 9,961  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, from continuing operations, end of year
  $ 13,046     $ 10,112     $ 24,207  
                         
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                       
Net cash paid (received) during the year for:
                       
Interest
  $ 1,489     $ 989     $ 1,107  
                         
Income tax
  $ (23 )   $ 397     $ 27  
                         
Non-cash transactions during the year:
                       
Business acquisitions:
                       
Assets acquired
  $ 125,689     $     $ 2,083  
Liabilities assumed
    (109,267 )           (1,300 )
Redeemable and non-redeemable noncontrolling interests assumed
    (130 )            
                         
Net assets acquired
    16,292             783  
Cash paid, excluding transaction costs of $88, $0 and $0, respectively
    (7,196 )           (783 )
Other purchase price adjustments
    98              
                         
Securities issued
  $ 9,194     $     $  
                         
Disposal of subsidiary:
                       
Assets disposed
  $     $     $ 22,135  
Liabilities disposed
                (20,689 )
                         
Net assets disposed
                1,446  
Cash disposed
                270  
Transaction costs, including cash paid of $0, $19 and $43, respectively
          2       60  
Treasury stock received in common stock exchange
                (1,318 )
                         
Loss on disposal of subsidiary
  $     $ 2     $ 458  
                         
Remarketing of debt securities:
                       
Fixed maturity securities redeemed
  $     $ 32     $ 32  
                         
Long-term debt issued
  $     $ 1,035     $ 1,035  
                         
Junior subordinated debt securities redeemed
  $     $ 1,067     $ 1,067  
                         
Purchase money mortgage loans on sales of real estate joint ventures
  $ 2     $ 93     $  
                         
Fixed maturity securities received in connection with insurance contract commutation
  $     $     $ 115  
                         
Real estate and real estate joint ventures acquired in satisfaction of debt
  $ 93     $ 211     $ 1  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
1.   Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Business
 
“MetLife” or the “Company” refers to MetLife, Inc., a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1999 (the “Holding Company”), its subsidiaries and affiliates. MetLife is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs throughout the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Europe and the Middle East. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife offers life insurance, annuities, auto and homeowners insurance, mortgage and deposit products and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions.
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Holding Company and its subsidiaries, as well as partnerships and joint ventures in which the Company has control, and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. See “— Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements.” Closed block assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are combined on a line-by-line basis with the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses outside the closed block based on the nature of the particular item. See Note 10. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
On November 1, 2010 (the “Acquisition Date”), MetLife, Inc. completed the acquisition of American Life Insurance Company (“American Life”) from ALICO Holdings LLC (“ALICO Holdings”), a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”), and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (“DelAm”) from AIG, (American Life, together with DelAm, collectively, “ALICO”) (the “Acquisition”) for a total purchase price of $16.4 billion. The Acquisition has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that the consideration transferred be measured at fair value at the Acquisition Date and that most assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their estimated fair values as of the Acquisition Date. In addition, acquisition-related transaction costs are expensed as incurred. Any excess of the purchase price consideration over the assigned values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. ALICO’s fiscal year-end is November 30. Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect the assets and liabilities of ALICO as of November 30, 2010 and the operating results of ALICO from the Acquisition Date through November 30, 2010. See Note 2.
 
Certain amounts in the prior years’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2010 presentation. Such reclassifications include:
 
  •  Reclassification from other net investment gains (losses) of ($4,866) million and $3,910 million to net derivative gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively;
 
  •  Reclassification from net change in other invested assets of $3,292 million and $8,168 million to cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives and ($5,393) million and ($6,454) million to cash paid in connection with freestanding derivatives, all within cash flows from investing activities, in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively; and
 
  •  Realignment that affected assets, liabilities and results of operations on a segment basis with no impact to the consolidated results. See Note 22.
 
See Note 23 for reclassifications related to discontinued operations.


F-9


Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to adopt accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.
 
A description of critical estimates is incorporated within the discussion of the related accounting policies which follows. In applying these policies, management makes subjective and complex judgments that frequently require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. Many of these policies, estimates and related judgments are common in the insurance and financial services industries; others are specific to the Company’s businesses and operations. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
Fair Value
 
As described below, certain assets and liabilities are measured at estimated fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the notes to these consolidated financial statements include further disclosures of estimated fair values. The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In many cases, the exit price and the transaction (or entry) price will be the same at initial recognition. However, in certain cases, the transaction price may not represent fair value. The fair value of a liability is based on the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability to a third party with the same credit standing. It requires that fair value be a market-based measurement in which the fair value is determined based on a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date, considered from the perspective of a market participant. When quoted prices are not used to determine fair value of an asset, the Company considers three broad valuation techniques: (i) the market approach, (ii) the income approach, and (iii) the cost approach. The Company determines the most appropriate valuation technique to use, given what is being measured and the availability of sufficient inputs. The Company prioritizes the inputs to fair valuation techniques and allows for the use of unobservable inputs to the extent that observable inputs are not available. The Company categorizes its assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value into a three-level hierarchy, based on the priority of the inputs to the respective valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset or liability’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input to its valuation. The input levels are as follows:
 
  Level 1  Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company defines active markets based on average trading volume for equity securities. The size of the bid/ask spread is used as an indicator of market activity for fixed maturity securities.
 
  Level 2  Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities other than quoted prices in Level 1; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other significant inputs that are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
 
  Level 3  Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the estimated fair value of the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of estimated fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
 
Prior to January 1, 2009, the measurement and disclosures of fair value based on exit price excluded certain items such as nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities initially measured at estimated fair value in a business


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
combination, reporting units measured at estimated fair value in the first step of a goodwill impairment test and indefinite-lived intangible assets measured at estimated fair value for impairment assessment.
 
In addition, the Company elected the fair value option (“FVO”) for certain of its financial instruments to better match measurement of assets and liabilities in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Investments
 
The accounting policies for the Company’s principal investments are as follows:
 
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities.  The Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at their estimated fair value.
 
Unrealized investment gains and losses on these securities are recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of policyholder-related amounts and deferred income taxes. All security transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Investment gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis.
 
Interest income on fixed maturity securities is recorded when earned using an effective yield method giving effect to amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Dividends on equity securities are recorded when declared. These dividends and interest income are recorded in net investment income.
 
Included within fixed maturity securities are loan-backed securities including mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities (“ABS”). Amortization of the premium or discount from the purchase of these securities considers the estimated timing and amount of prepayments of the underlying loans. Actual prepayment experience is periodically reviewed and effective yields are recalculated when differences arise between the prepayments originally anticipated and the actual prepayments received and currently anticipated. Prepayment assumptions for single class and multi-class mortgage-backed and ABS are estimated by management using inputs obtained from third-party specialists, including broker-dealers, and based on management’s knowledge of the current market. For credit-sensitive mortgage-backed and ABS and certain prepayment-sensitive securities, the effective yield is recalculated on a prospective basis. For all other mortgage-backed and ABS, the effective yield is recalculated on a retrospective basis.
 
The Company periodically evaluates fixed maturity and equity securities for impairment. The assessment of whether impairments have occurred is based on management’s case-by-case evaluation of the underlying reasons for the decline in estimated fair value. The Company’s review of its fixed maturity and equity securities for impairments includes an analysis of the total gross unrealized losses by three categories of severity and/or age of the gross unrealized loss, as summarized in Note 3 “— Aging of Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale.” An extended and severe unrealized loss position on a fixed maturity security may not have any impact on the ability of the issuer to service all scheduled interest and principal payments and the Company’s evaluation of recoverability of all contractual cash flows or the ability to recover an amount at least equal to its amortized cost based on the present value of the expected future cash flows to be collected. In contrast, for certain equity securities, greater weight and consideration are given by the Company to a decline in market value and the likelihood such market value decline will recover.
 
Additionally, management considers a wide range of factors about the security issuer and uses its best judgment in evaluating the cause of the decline in the estimated fair value of the security and in assessing the prospects for near-term recovery. Inherent in management’s evaluation of the security are assumptions and estimates about the operations of the issuer and its future earnings potential. Considerations used by the Company in the impairment evaluation process include, but are not limited to: (i) the length of time and the extent to which the estimated fair value has been below cost or amortized cost; (ii) the potential for impairments of securities when the issuer is experiencing significant financial difficulties; (iii) the


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
potential for impairments in an entire industry sector or sub-sector; (iv) the potential for impairments in certain economically depressed geographic locations; (v) the potential for impairments of securities where the issuer, series of issuers or industry has suffered a catastrophic type of loss or has exhausted natural resources; (vi) with respect to fixed maturity securities, whether the Company has the intent to sell or will more likely than not be required to sell a particular security before the decline in estimated fair value below cost or amortized cost recovers; (vii) with respect to equity securities, whether the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for the recovery of its estimated fair value to an amount equal to or greater than cost; (viii) unfavorable changes in forecasted cash flows on mortgage-backed and ABS; and (ix) other subjective factors, including concentrations and information obtained from regulators and rating agencies.
 
Effective April 1, 2009, the Company prospectively adopted guidance on the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses as described in “— Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements — Financial Instruments.” The guidance requires that an OTTI be recognized in earnings for a fixed maturity security in an unrealized loss position when it is anticipated that the amortized cost will not be recovered. In such situations, the OTTI recognized in earnings is the entire difference between the fixed maturity security’s amortized cost and its estimated fair value only when either: (i) the Company has the intent to sell the fixed maturity security; or (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the fixed maturity security before recovery of the decline in estimated fair value below amortized cost. If neither of these two conditions exist, the difference between the amortized cost of the fixed maturity security and the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected is recognized as an OTTI in earnings (“credit loss”). If the estimated fair value is less than the present value of projected future cash flows expected to be collected, this portion of OTTI related to other-than credit factors (“noncredit loss”) is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). There was no change for equity securities which, when an OTTI has occurred, continue to be impaired for the entire difference between the equity security’s cost and its estimated fair value with a corresponding charge to earnings. The Company does not make any adjustments for subsequent recoveries in value.
 
Prior to the adoption of the OTTI guidance, the Company recognized in earnings an OTTI for a fixed maturity security in an unrealized loss position unless it could assert that it had both the intent and ability to hold the fixed maturity security for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery of estimated fair value to the security’s amortized cost. Also, prior to the adoption of this guidance, the entire difference between the fixed maturity security’s amortized cost basis and its estimated fair value was recognized in earnings if it was determined to have an OTTI.
 
With respect to equity securities, the Company considers in its OTTI analysis its intent and ability to hold a particular equity security for a period of time sufficient to allow for the recovery of its estimated fair value to an amount equal to or greater than cost. If a sale decision is made for an equity security and it is not expected to recover to an amount at least equal to cost prior to the expected time of the sale, the security will be deemed other-than-temporarily impaired in the period that the sale decision was made and an OTTI loss will be recorded in earnings. When an OTTI loss has occurred, the OTTI loss is the entire difference between the equity security’s cost and its estimated fair value with a corresponding charge to earnings.
 
With respect to perpetual hybrid securities that have attributes of both debt and equity, some of which are classified as fixed maturity securities and some of which are classified as non-redeemable preferred stock within equity securities, the Company considers in its OTTI analysis whether there has been any deterioration in credit of the issuer and the likelihood of recovery in value of the securities that are in a severe and extended unrealized loss position. The Company also considers whether any perpetual hybrid securities, with an unrealized loss, regardless of credit rating, have deferred any dividend payments. When an OTTI loss has occurred, the OTTI loss is the entire difference between the perpetual hybrid security’s cost and its estimated fair value with a corresponding charge to earnings.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The Company’s methodology and significant inputs used to determine the amount of the credit loss on fixed maturity securities under the OTTI guidance are as follows:
 
  (i)  The Company calculates the recovery value by performing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the present value of future cash flows expected to be received. The discount rate is generally the effective interest rate of the fixed maturity security prior to impairment.
 
  (ii)  When determining the collectability and the period over which value is expected to recover, the Company applies the same considerations utilized in its overall impairment evaluation process which incorporates information regarding the specific security, fundamentals of the industry and geographic area in which the security issuer operates, and overall macroeconomic conditions. Projected future cash flows are estimated using assumptions derived from management’s best estimates of likely scenario-based outcomes after giving consideration to a variety of variables that include, but are not limited to: general payment terms of the security; the likelihood that the issuer can service the scheduled interest and principal payments; the quality and amount of any credit enhancements; the security’s position within the capital structure of the issuer; possible corporate restructurings or asset sales by the issuer; and changes to the rating of the security or the issuer by rating agencies.
 
  (iii)  Additional considerations are made when assessing the unique features that apply to certain structured securities such as residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and ABS. These additional factors for structured securities include, but are not limited to: the quality of underlying collateral; expected prepayment speeds; current and forecasted loss severity; consideration of the payment terms of the underlying assets backing a particular security; and the payment priority within the tranche structure of the security.
 
  (iv)  When determining the amount of the credit loss for U.S. and foreign corporate securities, foreign government securities and state and political subdivision securities, management considers the estimated fair value as the recovery value when available information does not indicate that another value is more appropriate. When information is identified that indicates a recovery value other than estimated fair value, management considers in the determination of recovery value the same considerations utilized in its overall impairment evaluation process which incorporates available information and management’s best estimate of scenarios-based outcomes regarding the specific security and issuer; possible corporate restructurings or asset sales by the issuer; the quality and amount of any credit enhancements; the security’s position within the capital structure of the issuer; fundamentals of the industry and geographic area in which the security issuer operates, and the overall macroeconomic conditions.
 
The cost or amortized cost of fixed maturity and equity securities is adjusted for OTTI in the period in which the determination is made. These impairments are included within net investment gains (losses). The Company does not change the revised cost basis for subsequent recoveries in value.
 
In periods subsequent to the recognition of OTTI on a fixed maturity security, the Company accounts for the impaired security as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the impairment. Accordingly, the discount (or reduced premium) based on the new cost basis is accreted into net investment income over the remaining term of the fixed maturity security in a prospective manner based on the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows.
 
The Company purchases and receives beneficial interests in special purpose entities (“SPEs”), which enhance the Company’s total return on its investment portfolio principally by providing equity-based returns on fixed maturity securities. These investments are generally made through structured notes and similar instruments (collectively, “Structured Investment Transactions”). The Company has not guaranteed the performance, liquidity or obligations of the SPEs and its exposure to loss is limited to its carrying value of the beneficial interests in the SPEs. The Company does not consolidate such SPEs as it has determined it is not the primary beneficiary. These Structured Investment Transactions are included in fixed maturity


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
securities and their investment income is generally recognized using the retrospective interest method. Impairments of these investments are included in net investment gains (losses). In addition, the Company has invested in certain structured transactions that are VIEs. These structured transactions include reinsurance trusts, asset-backed securitizations, hybrid securities, real estate joint ventures, other limited partnership interests, and limited liability companies. The Company consolidates those VIEs for which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The Company reconsiders whether it is the primary beneficiary for investments designated as VIEs on a quarterly basis.
 
Trading and Other Securities.  Trading and other securities are stated at estimated fair value. Trading and other securities include investments that are actively purchased and sold (“Actively Traded Securities”). These Actively Traded Securities are principally fixed maturity securities. Short sale agreement liabilities related to Actively Traded Securities, included in other liabilities, are also stated at estimated fair value. Trading and other securities also includes securities for which the FVO has been elected (“FVO Securities”). FVO Securities include certain fixed maturity and equity securities held-for-investment by the general account to support asset and liability matching strategies for certain insurance products. FVO Securities also include contractholder-directed investments supporting unit-linked variable annuity type liabilities which do not qualify for presentation and reporting as separate account summary total assets and liabilities. These investments are primarily mutual funds and, to a lesser extent, fixed maturity and equity securities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents. The investment returns on these investments inure to contractholders and are offset by a corresponding change in policyholder account balances through interest credited to policyholder account balances. Changes in estimated fair value of such trading and other securities subsequent to purchase are included in net investment income. FVO Securities also include securities held by consolidated securitization entities (“CSEs”) (former qualifying special purpose entities (“QSPEs”)) with changes in estimated fair value subsequent to consolidation included in net investment gains (losses). Interest and dividends related to all trading and other securities are included in net investment income.
 
Securities Lending.  Securities loaned transactions, whereby blocks of securities, which are included in fixed maturity securities and short-term investments, are loaned to third parties, are treated as financing arrangements and the associated liability is recorded at the amount of cash received. At the inception of a loan, the Company obtains collateral, generally cash, in an amount at least equal to 102% of the estimated fair value of the securities loaned and maintains it at a level greater than or equal to 100% for the duration of the loan. The Company monitors the estimated fair value of the securities loaned on a daily basis with additional collateral obtained as necessary. Substantially all of the Company’s securities loaned transactions are with brokerage firms and commercial banks. Income and expenses associated with securities loaned transactions are reported as investment income and investment expense, respectively, within net investment income.
 
Mortgage Loans — Mortgage Loans Held-For-Investment.  For the purposes of determining valuation allowances the Company disaggregates its mortgage loan investments into three portfolio segments: (1) commercial, (2) agricultural, and (3) residential. The accounting and valuation allowance policies that are applicable to all portfolio segments are presented below, followed by the policies applicable to both commercial and agricultural loans, which are very similar, as well as policies applicable to residential loans.
 
Commercial, Agricultural and Residential Mortgage Loans — Mortgage loans held-for-investment are stated at unpaid principal balance, adjusted for any unamortized premium or discount, deferred fees or expenses, and net of valuation allowances. Interest income is accrued on the principal amount of the loan based on the loan’s contractual interest rate. Amortization of premiums and discounts is recorded using the effective yield method. Interest income, amortization of premiums and discounts and prepayment fees are reported in net investment income. Interest ceases to accrue when collection of interest is not considered probable and/or when interest or principal payments are past due as follows: commercial — 60 days; and agricultural and residential — 90 days, unless, in the case of a residential loan, it is both well-secured and in the process of collection. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, uncollected


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
past due interest is charged-off against net investment income. Generally, the accrual of interest income resumes after all delinquent amounts are paid and management believes all future principal and interest payments will be collected. Cash receipts on non-accruing loans are recorded in accordance with the loan agreement as a reduction of principal and/or interest income. Charge-offs occur upon the realization of a credit loss, typically through foreclosure or after a decision is made to sell a loan, or for residential loans when, after considering the individual consumer’s financial status, management believes that uncollectability is other-than-temporary. Gain or loss upon charge-off is recorded, net of previously established valuation allowances, in net investment gains (losses). Cash recoveries on principal amounts previously charged-off are generally recorded as an increase to the valuation allowance, unless the valuation allowance adequately provides for expected credit losses; then the recovery is recorded in net investment gains (losses). Gains and losses from sales of loans and increases or decreases to valuation allowances are recorded in net investment gains (losses).
 
Mortgage loans are considered to be impaired when it is probable that, based upon current information and events, the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Specific valuation allowances are established using the same methodology for all three portfolio segments as the excess carrying value of a loan over either (i) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, (ii) the estimated fair value of the loan’s underlying collateral if the loan is in the process of foreclosure or otherwise collateral dependent, or (iii) the loan’s observable market price. A common evaluation framework is used for establishing non-specific valuation allowances for all loan portfolio segments; however, a separate non-specific valuation allowance is calculated and maintained for each loan portfolio segment that is based on inputs unique to each loan portfolio segment. Non-specific valuation allowances are established for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics where a property-specific or market-specific risk has not been identified, but for which the Company expects to incur a credit loss. These evaluations are based upon several loan portfolio segment-specific factors, including the Company’s experience for loan losses, defaults and loss severity, and loss expectations for loans with similar risk characteristics. The Company typically uses ten years, or more, of historical experience, in these evaluations. These evaluations are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available.
 
Commercial and Agricultural Mortgage Loans — All commercial and agricultural loans are monitored on an ongoing basis for potential credit losses. For commercial loans, these ongoing reviews may include an analysis of the property financial statements and rent roll, lease rollover analysis, property inspections, market analysis, estimated valuations of the underlying collateral, loan-to-value ratios, debt service coverage ratios, and tenant creditworthiness. The monitoring process focuses on higher risk loans, which include those that are classified as restructured, potentially delinquent, delinquent or in foreclosure, as well as loans with higher loan-to-value ratios and lower debt service coverage ratios. The monitoring process for agricultural loans is generally similar, with a focus on higher risk loans, including reviews on a geographic and property-type basis. Higher risk commercial and agricultural loans are reviewed individually on an ongoing basis for potential credit loss and specific valuation allowances are established using the methodology described above for all loan portfolio segments. Quarterly, the remaining loans are reviewed on a pool basis by aggregating groups of loans that have similar risk characteristics for potential credit loss, and non-specific valuation allowances are established as described above using inputs that are unique to each segment of the loan portfolio.
 
For commercial loans, the Company’s primary credit quality indicator is the debt service coverage ratio, which compares a property’s net operating income to amounts needed to service the principal and interest due under the loan. Generally, the lower the debt service coverage ratio, the higher the risk of experiencing a credit loss. The values utilized in calculating these ratios are developed in connection with the ongoing review of the commercial loan portfolio and are routinely updated.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
For agricultural loans, the Company’s primary credit qualify indicator is the loan-to-value ratio. Loan-to-value ratios compare the amount of the loan to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. A loan-to-value ratio greater than 100% indicates that the loan amount is greater than the collateral value. A loan-to-value ratio of less than 100% indicates an excess of collateral value over the loan amount. Generally, the higher the loan-to-value ratio, the higher the risk of experiencing a credit loss. The values utilized in calculating these ratios are developed in connection with the ongoing review of the agricultural loan portfolio and are routinely updated.
 
Residential Mortgage Loans — The Company’s residential loan portfolio is comprised primarily of closed end, amortizing residential loans and home equity lines of credit and it does not hold any optional adjustable rate mortgages, sub-prime, or low teaser rate loans.
 
In contrast to the commercial and agricultural loan portfolios, residential loans are smaller-balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment. Non-specific valuation allowances are established using the evaluation framework described above for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics from inputs that are unique to the residential segment of the loan portfolio. Loan specific valuation allowances are only established on residential loans when they have been restructured and are established using the methodology described above for all loan portfolio segments.
 
For residential loans, the Company’s primary credit quality indicator is whether the loan is performing or non-performing. The Company generally defines non-performing residential loans as those that are 90 or more days past due and/or in non-accrual status. The determination of performing or non-performing status is assessed monthly. Generally, non-performing residential loans have a higher risk of experiencing a credit loss.
 
Also included in mortgage loans held-for-investment are commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs that were consolidated by the Company on January 1, 2010 upon the adoption of new guidance. The Company elected FVO for these commercial mortgage loans, and thus they are stated at estimated fair value with changes in estimated fair value subsequent to consolidation recognized in net investment gains (losses).
 
Mortgage Loans — Mortgage Loans Held-For-Sale.  Mortgage loans held-for-sale primarily include residential mortgage loans which are originated with the intent to sell and for which FVO was elected. These residential mortgage loans are stated at estimated fair value with subsequent changes in estimated fair value recognized in other revenue. This caption also includes mortgage loans previously designated as held-for-investment about which the Company has subsequently changed its intention. At the time of transfer to held-for-sale status, such mortgage loans are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value less expected disposition costs determined on an individual loan basis. Amortized cost is determined in the same manner as for mortgage loans held-for-investment as described above. The amount by which amortized cost exceeds estimated fair value, less expected disposition costs, is recognized in net investment gains (losses).
 
Policy Loans.  Policy loans are stated at unpaid principal balances. Interest income on such loans is recorded as earned in net investment income using the contractually agreed upon interest rate. Generally, interest is capitalized on the policy’s anniversary date. Valuation allowances are not established for policy loans, as these loans are fully collateralized by the cash surrender value of the underlying insurance policies. Any unpaid principal or interest on the loan is deducted from the cash surrender value or the death benefit prior to settlement of the policy.
 
Real Estate.  Real estate held-for-investment, including related improvements, is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset (typically 20 to 55 years). Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases. The Company classifies a property as held-for-sale if it commits to a plan to sell a property within one year and actively markets the property in its current condition for a price that is reasonable in


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
comparison to its estimated fair value. The Company classifies the results of operations and the gain or loss on sale of a property that either has been disposed of or classified as held-for-sale as discontinued operations, if the ongoing operations of the property will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company and if the Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the property after the sale. Real estate held-for-sale is stated at the lower of depreciated cost or estimated fair value less expected disposition costs. Real estate is not depreciated while it is classified as held-for-sale. The Company periodically reviews its properties held-for-investment for impairment and tests properties for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable and the carrying value of the property exceeds its estimated fair value. Properties whose carrying values are greater than their undiscounted cash flows are written down to their estimated fair value, with the impairment loss included in net investment gains (losses). Impairment losses are based upon the estimated fair value of real estate, which is generally computed using the present value of expected future cash flows from the real estate discounted at a rate commensurate with the underlying risks. Real estate acquired upon foreclosure is recorded at the lower of estimated fair value or the carrying value of the mortgage loan at the date of foreclosure.
 
Real Estate Joint Ventures and Other Limited Partnership Interests.  The Company uses the equity method of accounting for investments in real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests consisting of leveraged buy-out funds, hedge funds and other private equity funds in which it has more than a minor equity interest or more than a minor influence over the joint ventures or partnership’s operations, but does not have a controlling interest and is not the primary beneficiary. The equity method is also used for such investments in which the Company has more than a minor influence or more than a 20% interest. Generally, the Company records its share of earnings using a three-month lag methodology for instances where the timely financial information is available and the contractual right exists to receive such financial information on a timely basis. The Company uses the cost method of accounting for investments in real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests in which it has a minor equity investment and virtually no influence over the joint ventures or the partnership’s operations. The Company reports the distributions from real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests accounted for under the cost method and equity in earnings from real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests accounted for under the equity method in net investment income. In addition to the investees performing regular evaluations for the impairment of underlying investments, the Company routinely evaluates its investments in real estate joint ventures and other limited partnerships for impairments. The Company considers its cost method investments for OTTI when the carrying value of real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests exceeds the net asset value (“NAV”). The Company takes into consideration the severity and duration of this excess when deciding if the cost method investment is other-than-temporarily impaired. For equity method investees, the Company considers financial and other information provided by the investee, other known information and inherent risks in the underlying investments, as well as future capital commitments, in determining whether an impairment has occurred. When an OTTI is deemed to have occurred, the Company records a realized capital loss within net investment gains (losses) to record the investment at its estimated fair value.
 
Short-term Investments.  Short-term investments include investments with remaining maturities of one year or less, but greater than three months, at the time of purchase and are stated at amortized cost, which approximates estimated fair value, or stated at estimated fair value, if available.
 
Other Invested Assets.  Other invested assets consist principally of freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values, leveraged leases, investments in insurance enterprise joint ventures, tax credit partnerships, funding agreements, mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) and funds withheld.
 
Freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values are described in the derivatives accounting policy which follows.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Leveraged leases are recorded net of non-recourse debt. The Company participates in lease transactions which are diversified by industry, asset type and geographic area. The Company recognizes income on the leveraged leases by applying the leveraged lease’s estimated rate of return to the net investment in the lease. The Company regularly reviews residual values and impairs them to expected values.
 
Joint venture investments represent the Company’s investments in entities that engage in insurance underwriting activities and are accounted for under the equity method.
 
Tax credit partnerships are established for the purpose of investing in low-income housing and other social causes, where the primary return on investment is in the form of tax credits and are also accounted for under the equity method or under the effective yield method. The Company reports the equity in earnings of joint venture investments and tax credit partnerships in net investment income.
 
Funding agreements represent arrangements where the Company has long-term interest bearing amounts on deposit with third parties and are generally stated at amortized cost.
 
MSRs are measured at estimated fair value and are either acquired or are generated from the sale of originated residential mortgage loans where the servicing rights are retained by the Company. Changes in estimated fair value of MSRs are reported in other revenues in the period in which the change occurs.
 
Funds withheld represent amounts contractually withheld by ceding companies in accordance with reinsurance agreements. The Company records a funds withheld receivable rather than the underlying investments. The Company recognizes interest on funds withheld at rates defined by the terms of the agreement which may be contractually specified or directly related to the underlying investments and records it in net investment income.
 
Investments Risks and Uncertainties.  The Company’s investments are exposed to four primary sources of risk: credit, interest rate, liquidity risk, and market valuation. The financial statement risks, stemming from such investment risks, are those associated with the determination of estimated fair values, the diminished ability to sell certain investments in times of strained market conditions, the recognition of impairments, the recognition of income on certain investments and the potential consolidation of VIEs. The use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs relating to these financial statement risks may have a material effect on the amounts presented within the consolidated financial statements.
 
When available, the estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities are based on quoted prices in active markets that are readily and regularly obtainable. Generally, these are the most liquid of the Company’s securities holdings and valuation of these securities does not involve management judgment.
 
When quoted prices in active markets are not available, the determination of estimated fair value is based on market standard valuation methodologies. The market standard valuation methodologies utilized include: discounted cash flow methodologies, matrix pricing or other similar techniques. The inputs to these market standard valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to: interest rates, credit standing of the issuer or counterparty, industry sector of the issuer, coupon rate, call provisions, sinking fund requirements, maturity, estimated duration and management’s assumptions regarding liquidity and estimated future cash flows. Accordingly, the estimated fair values are based on available market information and management’s judgments about financial instruments.
 
The significant inputs to the market standard valuation methodologies for certain types of securities with reasonable levels of price transparency are inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Such observable inputs include benchmarking prices for similar assets in active, liquid markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active and observable yields and spreads in the market.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
When observable inputs are not available, the market standard valuation methodologies for determining the estimated fair value of certain types of securities that trade infrequently, and therefore have little or no price transparency, rely on inputs that are significant to the estimated fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. These unobservable inputs can be based in large part on management judgment or estimation, and cannot be supported by reference to market activity. Even though unobservable, these inputs are based on assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances and consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such securities.
 
The estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans held-for-sale is determined based on observable pricing of residential mortgage loans held-for-sale with similar characteristics, or observable pricing for securities backed by similar types of loans, adjusted to convert the securities prices to loan prices. Generally, quoted market prices are not available. When observable pricing for similar loans, or securities that are backed by similar loans, are not available, the estimated fair values of residential mortgage loans held-for-sale are determined using independent broker quotations, which is intended to approximate the amounts that would be received from third parties. Certain other mortgage loans have also been designated as held-for-sale which are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value less expected disposition costs determined on an individual loan basis. For these loans, estimated fair value is determined using independent broker quotations or, when the loan is in foreclosure or otherwise determined to be collateral dependent, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral estimated using internal models.
 
The estimated fair value of MSRs is principally determined through the use of internal discounted cash flow models which utilize various assumptions. Valuation inputs and assumptions include generally observable items such as type and age of loan, loan interest rates, current market interest rates, and certain unobservable inputs, including assumptions regarding estimates of discount rates, loan prepayments and servicing costs, all of which are sensitive to changing market conditions. The use of different valuation assumptions and inputs, as well as assumptions relating to the collection of expected cash flows, may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of MSRs.
 
Financial markets are susceptible to severe events evidenced by rapid depreciation in asset values accompanied by a reduction in asset liquidity. The Company’s ability to sell securities, or the price ultimately realized for these securities, depends upon the demand and liquidity in the market and increases the use of judgment in determining the estimated fair value of certain securities.
 
The determination of the amount of allowances and impairments, as applicable, is described previously by investment type. The determination of such allowances and impairments is highly subjective and is based upon the Company’s periodic evaluation and assessment of known and inherent risks associated with the respective asset class. Such evaluations and assessments are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available.
 
The recognition of income on certain investments (e.g. loan-backed securities, including mortgage-backed and ABS, certain structured investment transactions, trading and other securities) is dependent upon market conditions, which could result in prepayments and changes in amounts to be earned.
 
The accounting guidance for the determination of when an entity is a VIE and when to consolidate a VIE is complex and requires significant management judgment. The determination of the VIE’s primary beneficiary requires an evaluation of the contractual and implied rights and obligations associated with each party’s relationship with or involvement in the entity, an estimate of the entity’s expected losses and expected residual returns and the allocation of such estimates to each party involved in the entity. The Company generally uses a qualitative approach to determine whether it is the primary beneficiary.
 
For most VIEs, the entity that has both the ability to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary. However, for VIEs that are investment companies or apply measurement principles consistent


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
with those utilized by investment companies, the primary beneficiary is based on a risks and rewards model and is defined as the entity that will absorb a majority of a VIE’s expected losses, receive a majority of a VIE’s expected residual returns if no single entity absorbs a majority of expected losses, or both. The Company reassesses its involvement with VIEs on a quarterly basis. The use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs in the determination of the primary beneficiary could have a material effect on the amounts presented within the consolidated financial statements.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are derived from interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, credit spreads, and/or other financial indices. Derivatives may be exchange-traded or contracted in the over-the-counter market. The Company uses a variety of derivatives, including swaps, forwards, futures and option contracts, to manage various risks relating to its ongoing business. To a lesser extent, the Company uses credit derivatives, such as credit default swaps, to synthetically replicate investment risks and returns which are not readily available in the cash market. The Company also purchases certain securities, issues certain insurance policies and investment contracts and engages in certain reinsurance contracts that have embedded derivatives.
 
Freestanding derivatives are carried on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets either as assets within other invested assets or as liabilities within other liabilities at estimated fair value as determined through the use of quoted market prices for exchange-traded derivatives and interest rate forwards to sell certain to-be-announced securities or through the use of pricing models for over-the-counter derivatives. The determination of estimated fair value, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that are assumed to be consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing the instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk (including the counterparties to the contract), volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models.
 
The Company does not offset the fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement.
 
If a derivative is not designated as an accounting hedge or its use in managing risk does not qualify for hedge accounting, changes in the estimated fair value of the derivative are generally reported in net derivative gains (losses) except for those (i) in policyholder benefits and claims for economic hedges of variable annuity guarantees included in future policy benefits; (ii) in net investment income for economic hedges of equity method investments in joint ventures, or for all derivatives held in relation to the trading portfolios; (iii) in other revenues for derivatives held in connection with the Company’s mortgage banking activities; and (iv) in other expenses for economic hedges of foreign currency exposure related to the Company’s international subsidiaries. The fluctuations in estimated fair value of derivatives which have not been designated for hedge accounting can result in significant volatility in net income.
 
To qualify for hedge accounting, at the inception of the hedging relationship, the Company formally documents its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedging transaction, as well as its designation of the hedge as either (i) a hedge of the estimated fair value of a recognized asset or liability (“fair value hedge”); (ii) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”); or (iii) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. In this documentation, the Company sets forth how the hedging instrument is expected to hedge the designated risks related to the hedged item and sets forth the method that will be used to retrospectively and prospectively assess the hedging instrument’s effectiveness and the method which will be used to measure ineffectiveness. A derivative designated as a hedging instrument must be assessed as being highly effective in offsetting the designated risk of the hedged item. Hedge effectiveness is formally assessed at inception and periodically throughout the life of the designated hedging relationship. Assessments of hedge effectiveness and measurements of ineffectiveness are also subject to interpretation and estimation and different interpretations or estimates may have a material effect on the amount reported in net income.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The accounting for derivatives is complex and interpretations of the primary accounting guidance continue to evolve in practice. Judgment is applied in determining the availability and application of hedge accounting designations and the appropriate accounting treatment under such accounting guidance. If it was determined that hedge accounting designations were not appropriately applied, reported net income could be materially affected.
 
Under a fair value hedge, changes in the estimated fair value of the hedging derivative, including amounts measured as ineffectiveness, and changes in the estimated fair value of the hedged item related to the designated risk being hedged, are reported within net derivative gains (losses). The estimated fair values of the hedging derivatives are exclusive of any accruals that are separately reported in the consolidated statement of operations within interest income or interest expense to match the location of the hedged item. However, accruals that are not scheduled to settle until maturity are included in the estimated fair value of derivatives in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Under a cash flow hedge, changes in the estimated fair value of the hedging derivative measured as effective are reported within other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity, and the deferred gains or losses on the derivative are reclassified into the consolidated statement of operations when the Company’s earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the hedged item. Changes in the estimated fair value of the hedging instrument measured as ineffectiveness are reported within net derivative gains (losses). The estimated fair values of the hedging derivatives are exclusive of any accruals that are separately reported in the consolidated statement of operations within interest income or interest expense to match the location of the hedged item. However, accruals that are not scheduled to settle until maturity are included in the estimated fair value of derivatives in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
In a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, changes in the estimated fair value of the hedging derivative that are measured as effective are reported within other comprehensive income (loss) consistent with the translation adjustment for the hedged net investment in the foreign operation. Changes in the estimated fair value of the hedging instrument measured as ineffectiveness are reported within net derivative gains (losses).
 
The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when: (i) it is determined that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the estimated fair value or cash flows of a hedged item; (ii) the derivative expires, is sold, terminated, or exercised; (iii) it is no longer probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will occur; or (iv) the derivative is de-designated as a hedging instrument.
 
When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative is not highly effective in offsetting changes in the estimated fair value or cash flows of a hedged item, the derivative continues to be carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized currently in net derivative gains (losses). The carrying value of the hedged recognized asset or liability under a fair value hedge is no longer adjusted for changes in its estimated fair value due to the hedged risk, and the cumulative adjustment to its carrying value is amortized into income over the remaining life of the hedged item. Provided the hedged forecasted transaction is still probable of occurrence, the changes in estimated fair value of derivatives recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) related to discontinued cash flow hedges are released into the consolidated statement of operations when the Company’s earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the hedged item.
 
When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is no longer probable that the forecasted transactions will occur on the anticipated date or within two months of that date, the derivative continues to be carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized currently in net derivative gains (losses). Deferred gains and losses of a derivative recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) pursuant to the discontinued cash flow hedge of a forecasted transaction that is no longer probable are recognized immediately in net derivative gains (losses).
 
In all other situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative is carried at its estimated fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, with changes in its estimated fair value recognized in the current period as net derivative gains (losses).


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The Company is also a party to financial instruments that contain terms which are deemed to be embedded derivatives. The Company assesses each identified embedded derivative to determine whether it is required to be bifurcated. If the instrument would not be accounted for in its entirety at estimated fair value and it is determined that the terms of the embedded derivative are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract, and that a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is bifurcated from the host contract and accounted for as a freestanding derivative. Such embedded derivatives are carried in the consolidated balance sheets at estimated fair value with the host contract and changes in their estimated fair value are generally reported in net derivative gains (losses) except for those in policyholder benefits and claims related to ceded reinsurance of guaranteed minimum income benefits (“GMIBs”). If the Company is unable to properly identify and measure an embedded derivative for separation from its host contract, the entire contract is carried on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized in the current period in net investment gains (losses) or net investment income. Additionally, the Company may elect to carry an entire contract on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, with changes in estimated fair value recognized in the current period in net investment gains (losses) or net investment income if that contract contains an embedded derivative that requires bifurcation.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at amortized cost, which approximates estimated fair value.
 
Property, Equipment, Leasehold Improvements and Computer Software
 
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, which are included in other assets, are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as appropriate. The estimated life for company occupied real estate property is generally 40 years. Estimated lives generally range from five to ten years for leasehold improvements and three to seven years for all other property and equipment. The cost basis of the property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $2.4 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Accumulated depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $1.2 billion and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Related depreciation and amortization expense was $152 million, $152 million and $150 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Computer software, which is included in other assets, is stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Purchased software costs, as well as certain internal and external costs incurred to develop internal-use computer software during the application development stage, are capitalized. Such costs are amortized generally over a four-year period using the straight-line method. The cost basis of computer software was $2.0 billion and $1.7 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Accumulated amortization of capitalized software was $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Related amortization expense was $189 million, $171 million and $153 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DAC”) and Value of Business Acquired (“VOBA”)
 
The Company incurs significant costs in connection with acquiring new and renewal insurance business. Costs that vary with and relate to the production of new business are deferred as DAC. Such costs consist principally of commissions and agency and policy issuance expenses. VOBA is an intangible asset that represents the excess of book value over the estimated fair value of acquired insurance, annuity, and investment-type contracts in-force at the acquisition date. The estimated fair value of the acquired liabilities is based on actuarially determined projections, by each block of business, of future policy and contract charges, premiums, mortality and morbidity, separate account performance, surrenders, operating expenses, investment returns, nonperformance risk adjustment


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
and other factors. Actual experience on the purchased business may vary from these projections. The recovery of DAC and VOBA is dependent upon the future profitability of the related business. DAC and VOBA are aggregated in the consolidated financial statements for reporting purposes.
 
DAC for credit, property and casualty insurance contracts, which is primarily composed of commissions and certain underwriting expenses, is amortized on a pro rata basis over the applicable contract term or reinsurance treaty.
 
DAC and VOBA on life insurance, accident and health or investment-type contracts are amortized in proportion to gross premiums, gross margins or gross profits, depending on the type of contract as described below.
 
The Company amortizes DAC and VOBA related to non-participating and non-dividend-paying traditional contracts (term insurance, non-participating whole life insurance, traditional group life insurance, credit insurance, non-medical health insurance, and accident and health insurance) over the entire premium paying period in proportion to the present value of actual historic and expected future gross premiums. The present value of expected premiums is based upon the premium requirement of each policy and assumptions for mortality, morbidity, persistency and investment returns at policy issuance, or policy acquisition (as it relates to VOBA), that include provisions for adverse deviation and are consistent with the assumptions used to calculate future policyholder benefit liabilities. These assumptions are not revised after policy issuance or acquisition unless the DAC or VOBA balance is deemed to be unrecoverable from future expected profits. Absent a premium deficiency, variability in amortization after policy issuance or acquisition is caused only by variability in premium volumes.
 
The Company amortizes DAC and VOBA related to participating, dividend-paying traditional contracts over the estimated lives of the contracts in proportion to actual and expected future gross margins. The amortization includes interest based on rates in effect at inception or acquisition of the contracts. The future gross margins are dependent principally on investment returns, policyholder dividend scales, mortality, persistency, expenses to administer the business, creditworthiness of reinsurance counterparties and certain economic variables, such as inflation. For participating contracts within the closed block (dividend paying traditional contracts) future gross margins are also dependent upon changes in the policyholder dividend obligation. Of these factors, the Company anticipates that investment returns, expenses, persistency and other factor changes as well as policyholder dividend scales are reasonably likely to impact significantly the rate of DAC and VOBA amortization. Each reporting period, the Company updates the estimated gross margins with the actual gross margins for that period. When the actual gross margins change from previously estimated gross margins, the cumulative DAC and VOBA amortization is re-estimated and adjusted by a cumulative charge or credit to current operations. When actual gross margins exceed those previously estimated, the DAC and VOBA amortization will increase, resulting in a current period charge to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the actual gross margins are below the previously estimated gross margins. Each reporting period, the Company also updates the actual amount of business in-force, which impacts expected future gross margins. When expected future gross margins are below those previously estimated, the DAC and VOBA amortization will increase, resulting in a current period charge to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the expected future gross margins are above the previously estimated expected future gross margins. Each period, the Company also reviews the estimated gross margins for each block of business to determine the recoverability of DAC and VOBA balances.
 
The Company amortizes DAC and VOBA related to fixed and variable universal life contracts and fixed and variable deferred annuity contracts over the estimated lives of the contracts in proportion to actual and expected future gross profits. The amortization includes interest based on rates in effect at inception or acquisition of the contracts. The amount of future gross profits is dependent principally upon returns in excess of the amounts credited to policyholders, mortality, persistency, interest crediting rates, expenses to administer the business, creditworthiness of reinsurance counterparties, the effect of any hedges used and certain economic variables, such as inflation. Of these factors, the Company anticipates that investment returns, expenses and persistency are reasonably likely to impact significantly the rate of DAC and VOBA amortization. Each reporting period, the Company updates the estimated gross profits with the actual gross profits for that period. When the actual gross


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
profits change from previously estimated gross profits, the cumulative DAC and VOBA amortization is re-estimated and adjusted by a cumulative charge or credit to current operations. When actual gross profits exceed those previously estimated, the DAC and VOBA amortization will increase, resulting in a current period charge to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the actual gross profits are below the previously estimated gross profits. Each reporting period, the Company also updates the actual amount of business remaining in-force, which impacts expected future gross profits. When expected future gross profits are below those previously estimated, the DAC and VOBA amortization will increase, resulting in a current period charge to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the expected future gross profits are above the previously estimated expected future gross profits. Each period, the Company also reviews the estimated gross profits for each block of business to determine the recoverability of DAC and VOBA balances.
 
Separate account rates of return on variable universal life contracts and variable deferred annuity contracts affect in-force account balances on such contracts each reporting period which can result in significant fluctuations in amortization of DAC and VOBA. Returns that are higher than the Company’s long-term expectation produce higher account balances, which increases the Company’s future fee expectations and decreases future benefit payment expectations on minimum death and living benefit guarantees, resulting in higher expected future gross profits. The opposite result occurs when returns are lower than the Company’s long-term expectation. The Company’s practice to determine the impact of gross profits resulting from returns on separate accounts assumes that long-term appreciation in equity markets is not changed by short-term market fluctuations, but is only changed when sustained interim deviations are expected. The Company monitors these events and only changes the assumption when its long-term expectation changes.
 
The Company also periodically reviews other long-term assumptions underlying the projections of estimated gross margins and profits. These include investment returns, policyholder dividend scales, interest crediting rates, mortality, persistency and expenses to administer business. Management annually updates assumptions used in the calculation of estimated gross margins and profits which may have significantly changed. If the update of assumptions causes expected future gross margins and profits to increase, DAC and VOBA amortization will decrease, resulting in a current period increase to earnings. The opposite result occurs when the assumption update causes expected future gross margins and profits to decrease.
 
Periodically, the Company modifies product benefits, features, rights or coverages that occur by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a contract, or by election or coverage within a contract. If such modification, referred to as an internal replacement, substantially changes the contract, the associated DAC or VOBA is written off immediately through income and any new deferrable costs associated with the replacement contract are deferred. If the modification does not substantially change the contract, the DAC or VOBA amortization on the original contract will continue and any acquisition costs associated with the related modification are expensed.
 
Sales Inducements
 
The Company generally has two different types of sales inducements which are included in other assets: (i) the policyholder receives a bonus whereby the policyholder’s initial account balance is increased by an amount equal to a specified percentage of the customer’s deposit; and (ii) the policyholder receives a higher interest rate using a dollar cost averaging method than would have been received based on the normal general account interest rate credited. The Company defers sales inducements and amortizes them over the life of the policy using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize DAC. The amortization of sales inducements is included in policyholder benefits and claims. Each year, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a potentially significant recoverability issue exists, the Company reviews the deferred sales inducements to determine the recoverability of these balances.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Value of Distribution Agreements and Customer Relationships Acquired
 
Value of distribution agreements (“VODA”) is reported in other assets and represents the present value of expected future profits associated with the expected future business derived from the distribution agreements. Value of customer relationships acquired (“VOCRA”) is also reported in other assets and represents the present value of the expected future profits associated with the expected future business acquired through existing customers of the acquired company or business. The VODA and VOCRA associated with past acquisitions are amortized over useful lives ranging from 10 to 40 years and such amortization is included in other expenses. Each year, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a potentially significant recoverability issue exists, the Company reviews VODA and VOCRA to determine the recoverability of these balances.
 
Goodwill
 
Goodwill is the excess of cost over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired which represents the future economic benefits arising from such net assets acquired that could not be individually identified. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances, such as adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that there may be justification for conducting an interim test. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment testing during the third quarter of each year based upon data as of the close of the second quarter. Goodwill associated with a business acquisition is not tested for impairment during the year the business is acquired unless there is a significant identified impairment event.
 
Impairment testing is performed using the fair value approach, which requires the use of estimates and judgment, at the “reporting unit” level. A reporting unit is the operating segment or a business one level below the operating segment, if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at that level. For purposes of goodwill impairment testing, a significant portion of goodwill within Banking, Corporate & Other is allocated to reporting units within the Company’s segments.
 
For purposes of goodwill impairment testing, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, there might be an indication of impairment. In such instances, the implied fair value of the goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill that would be determined in a business acquisition. The excess of the carrying value of goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill would be recognized as an impairment and recorded as a charge against net income.
 
In performing the Company’s goodwill impairment tests, the estimated fair values of the reporting units are first determined using a market multiple approach. When further corroboration is required, the Company uses a discounted cash flow approach. For reporting units which are particularly sensitive to market assumptions, such as the retirement products and individual life reporting units, the Company may use additional valuation methodologies to estimate the reporting units’ fair values.
 
The key inputs, judgments and assumptions necessary in determining estimated fair value of the reporting units include projected earnings, current book value (with and without accumulated other comprehensive income), the level of economic capital required to support the mix of business, long-term growth rates, comparative market multiples, the account value of in-force business, projections of new and renewal business, as well as margins on such business, the level of interest rates, credit spreads, equity market levels and the discount rate that the Company believes is appropriate for the respective reporting unit. The estimated fair values of the retirement products and individual life reporting units are particularly sensitive to the equity market levels.
 
When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company also considers its market capitalization in relation to the aggregate estimated fair value of its reporting units.
 
The Company applies significant judgment when determining the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units and when assessing the relationship of market capitalization to the aggregate estimated fair value of its reporting units. The valuation methodologies utilized are subject to key judgments and assumptions that are


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
sensitive to change. Estimates of fair value are inherently uncertain and represent only management’s reasonable expectation regarding future developments. These estimates and the judgments and assumptions upon which the estimates are based will, in all likelihood, differ in some respects from actual future results. Declines in the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units could result in goodwill impairments in future periods which could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
 
During the 2010 impairment tests of goodwill, the Company concluded that the fair values of all reporting units were in excess of their carrying values and, therefore, goodwill was not impaired. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates potential triggering events that may affect the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units to assess whether any goodwill impairment exists. Deteriorating or adverse market conditions for certain reporting units may have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of these reporting units and could result in future impairments of goodwill.
 
See Note 7 for further consideration of goodwill impairment testing during 2010.
 
Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Policyholder Account Balances
 
The Company establishes liabilities for amounts payable under insurance policies, including traditional life insurance, traditional annuities, certain accident and health, and non-medical health insurance. Generally, amounts are payable over an extended period of time and related liabilities are calculated as the present value of future expected benefits to be paid reduced by the present value of future expected premiums. Such liabilities are established based on methods and underlying assumptions in accordance with GAAP and applicable actuarial standards. Principal assumptions used in the establishment of liabilities for future policy benefits are mortality, morbidity, policy lapse, renewal, retirement, disability incidence, disability terminations, investment returns, inflation, expenses and other contingent events as appropriate to the respective product type and geographical area. These assumptions are established at the time the policy is issued and are intended to estimate the experience for the period the policy benefits are payable. Utilizing these assumptions, liabilities are established on a block of business basis.
 
Future policy benefit liabilities for participating traditional life insurance policies are equal to the aggregate of (i) net level premium reserves for death and endowment policy benefits (calculated based upon the non-forfeiture interest rate, ranging from 3% to 7% for domestic business and 1% to 12% for international business, and mortality rates guaranteed in calculating the cash surrender values described in such contracts); and (ii) the liability for terminal dividends for domestic business.
 
Participating business represented approximately 6% of the Company’s life insurance in-force at both December 31, 2010 and 2009. Participating policies represented approximately 26%, 28% and 27% of gross life insurance premiums for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Future policy benefit liabilities for non-participating traditional life insurance policies are equal to the aggregate of the present value of expected future benefit payments and related expenses less the present value of expected future net premiums. Assumptions as to mortality and persistency are based upon the Company’s experience when the basis of the liability is established. Interest rate assumptions for the aggregate future policy benefit liabilities range from 3% to 8% for domestic business and 1% to 12% for international business.
 
Future policy benefit liabilities for individual and group traditional fixed annuities after annuitization are equal to the present value of expected future payments. Interest rate assumptions used in establishing such liabilities range from 2% to 11% for domestic business and 3% to 12% for international business.
 
Future policy benefit liabilities for non-medical health insurance, primarily related to domestic business, are calculated using the net level premium method and assumptions as to future morbidity, withdrawals and interest, which provide a margin for adverse deviation. Interest rate assumptions used in establishing such liabilities range from 4% to 7%.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Future policy benefit liabilities for disabled lives are estimated using the present value of benefits method and experience assumptions as to claim terminations, expenses and interest. Interest rate assumptions used in establishing such liabilities range from 3% to 8% for domestic business and 2% to 9% for international business.
 
Liabilities for unpaid claims and claim expenses for property and casualty insurance are included in future policyholder benefits and represent the amount estimated for claims that have been reported but not settled and claims incurred but not reported. Liabilities for unpaid claims are estimated based upon the Company’s historical experience and other actuarial assumptions that consider the effects of current developments, anticipated trends and risk management programs, reduced for anticipated salvage and subrogation. The effects of changes in such estimated liabilities are included in the results of operations in the period in which the changes occur.
 
The Company establishes future policy benefit liabilities for minimum death and income benefit guarantees relating to certain annuity contracts and secondary and paid-up guarantees relating to certain life policies as follows:
 
  •  Guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) liabilities are determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits in excess of the projected account balance and recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. The Company regularly evaluates estimates used and adjusts the additional liability balance, with a related charge or credit to benefit expense, if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised. The assumptions used in estimating the GMDB liabilities are consistent with those used for amortizing DAC, and are thus subject to the same variability and risk. The assumptions of investment performance and volatility are consistent with the historical experience of the appropriate underlying equity index, such as the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index. The benefit assumptions used in calculating the liabilities are based on the average benefits payable over a range of scenarios.
 
  •  Guaranteed minimum income benefit (“GMIB”) liabilities are determined by estimating the expected value of the income benefits in excess of the projected account balance at any future date of annuitization and recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. The Company regularly evaluates estimates used and adjusts the additional liability balance, with a related charge or credit to benefit expense, if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised. The assumptions used for estimating the GMIB liabilities are consistent with those used for estimating the GMDB liabilities. In addition, the calculation of guaranteed annuitization benefit liabilities incorporates an assumption for the percentage of the potential annuitizations that may be elected by the contractholder. Certain GMIBs have settlement features that result in a portion of that guarantee being accounted for as an embedded derivative and are recorded in policyholder account balances as described below.
 
Liabilities for universal and variable life secondary guarantees and paid-up guarantees are determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits payable when the account balance is projected to be zero and recognizing those benefits ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. The Company regularly evaluates estimates used and adjusts the additional liability balances, with a related charge or credit to benefit expense, if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised. The assumptions used in estimating the secondary and paid-up guarantee liabilities are consistent with those used for amortizing DAC, and are thus subject to the same variability and risk. The assumptions of investment performance and volatility for variable products are consistent with historical S&P experience. The benefits used in calculating the liabilities are based on the average benefits payable over a range of scenarios.
 
The Company establishes policyholder account balances for guaranteed minimum benefits relating to certain variable annuity products as follows:
 
  •  Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”) guarantee the contractholder a return of their purchase payment via partial withdrawals, even if the account value is reduced to zero, provided that


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
  the contractholder’s cumulative withdrawals in a contract year do not exceed a certain limit. The initial guaranteed withdrawal amount is equal to the initial benefit base as defined in the contract (typically, the initial purchase payments plus applicable bonus amounts). The GMWB is an embedded derivative, which is measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity product.
 
  •  Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMAB”) and settlement features in certain GMIB described above provide the contractholder, after a specified period of time determined at the time of issuance of the variable annuity contract, with a minimum accumulation of their purchase payments even if the account value is reduced to zero. The initial guaranteed accumulation amount is equal to the initial benefit base as defined in the contract (typically, the initial purchase payments plus applicable bonus amounts). The GMAB is an embedded derivative, which is measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity product.
 
For GMWB, GMAB and certain GMIB, the initial benefit base is increased by additional purchase payments made within a certain time period and decreases by benefits paid and/or withdrawal amounts. After a specified period of time, the benefit base may also increase as a result of an optional reset as defined in the contract.
 
GMWB, GMAB and certain GMIB are accounted for as embedded derivatives with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses).
 
At inception of the GMWB, GMAB and certain GMIB contracts, the Company attributes to the embedded derivative a portion of the projected future guarantee fees to be collected from the policyholder equal to the present value of projected future guaranteed benefits. Any additional fees represent “excess” fees and are reported in universal life and investment-type product policy fees.
 
The estimated fair values of these embedded derivatives are then determined based on the present value of projected future benefits minus the present value of projected future fees. The projections of future benefits and future fees require capital market and actuarial assumptions including expectations concerning policyholder behavior. A risk neutral valuation methodology is used under which the cash flows from the guarantees are projected under multiple capital market scenarios using observable risk free rates. The valuation of these embedded derivatives also includes an adjustment for the Company’s nonperformance risk and risk margins for non-capital market inputs. The nonperformance adjustment is determined by taking into consideration publicly available information relating to spreads in the secondary market for the Holding Company’s debt, including related credit default swaps. These observable spreads are then adjusted, as necessary, to reflect the priority of these liabilities and the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance subsidiaries compared to the Holding Company. Risk margins are established to capture the non-capital market risks of the instrument which represent the additional compensation a market participant would require to assume the risks related to the uncertainties of such actuarial assumptions as annuitization, premium persistency, partial withdrawal and surrenders. The establishment of risk margins requires the use of significant management judgment.
 
These guaranteed minimum benefits may be more costly than expected in volatile or declining equity markets. Market conditions including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, equity indices, market volatility and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in nonperformance risk, variations in actuarial assumptions regarding policyholder behavior, mortality and risk margins related to non-capital market inputs may result in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of the guarantees that could materially affect net income.
 
The Company periodically reviews its estimates of actuarial liabilities for future policy benefits and compares them with its actual experience. Differences between actual experience and the assumptions used in pricing these policies and guarantees, and in the establishment of the related liabilities result in variances in profit and could result in losses. The effects of changes in such estimated liabilities are included in the results of operations in the period in which the changes occur.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Policyholder account balances relate to investment-type contracts, universal life-type policies and certain guaranteed minimum benefits. Investment-type contracts principally include traditional individual fixed annuities in the accumulation phase and non-variable group annuity contracts. Policyholder account balances for these contracts are equal to (i) policy account values, which consist of an accumulation of gross premium payments and investment performance; (ii) credited interest, ranging from 1% to 17% for domestic business and 1% to 38% for international business, less expenses, mortality charges and withdrawals; and (iii) fair value adjustments relating to business combinations.
 
Other Policy-Related Balances
 
Other policy-related balances include policy and contract claims, unearned revenue liabilities, premiums received in advance, negative VOBA, policyholder dividends due and unpaid and policyholder dividends left on deposit.
 
The liability for policy and contract claims generally relates to incurred but not reported death, disability, long-term care and dental claims, as well as claims which have been reported but not yet settled. The liability for these claims is based on the Company’s estimated ultimate cost of settling all claims. The Company derives estimates for the development of incurred but not reported claims principally from actuarial analyses of historical patterns of claims and claims development for each line of business. The methods used to determine these estimates are continually reviewed. Adjustments resulting from this continuous review process and differences between estimates and payments for claims are recognized in policyholder benefits and claims expense in the period in which the estimates are changed or payments are made.
 
The unearned revenue liability relates to universal life-type and investment-type products and represents policy charges for services to be provided in future periods. The charges are deferred as unearned revenue and amortized using the product’s estimated gross profits and margins, similar to DAC. Such amortization is recorded in universal life and investment-type product policy fees.
 
The Company accounts for the prepayment of premiums on its individual life, group life and health contracts as premium received in advance and applies the cash received to premiums when due.
 
For certain acquired blocks of business, the estimated fair value of the in-force contract obligations exceeded the book value of assumed in-force insurance policy liabilities, resulting in negative VOBA, which is presented separately from VOBA as an additional insurance liability. The fair value of the in-force contract obligations is based on actuarial determined projections by each block of business. Negative VOBA is amortized over the policy period in proportion to the approximate consumption of losses included in the liability usually expressed in terms of insurance in-force or account value. Such amortization is recorded as a contra-expense in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Also included in other policy-related balances are policyholder dividends due and unpaid on participating policies and policyholder dividends left on deposit. Such liabilities are presented at amounts contractually due to policyholders.
 
Recognition of Insurance Revenue and Related Benefits
 
Premiums related to traditional life and annuity policies with life contingencies and long-duration accident and health and credit insurance policies are recognized as revenues when due from policyholders. Policyholder benefits and expenses are provided against such revenues to recognize profits over the estimated lives of the policies. When premiums are due over a significantly shorter period than the period over which benefits are provided, any excess profit is deferred and recognized into operations in a constant relationship to insurance in-force or, for annuities, the amount of expected future policy benefit payments.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Premiums related to short-duration non-medical health and disability contracts are recognized on a pro rata basis over the applicable contract term.
 
Deposits related to universal life-type and investment-type products are credited to policyholder account balances. Revenues from such contracts consist of amounts assessed against policyholder account balances for mortality, policy administration and surrender charges and are recorded in universal life and investment-type product policy fees in the period in which services are provided. Amounts that are charged to operations include interest credited and benefit claims incurred in excess of related policyholder account balances.
 
Premiums related to property and casualty contracts are recognized as revenue on a pro rata basis over the applicable contract term. Unearned premiums, representing the portion of premium written relating to the unexpired coverage, are included in future policy benefits.
 
Premiums, policy fees, policyholder benefits and expenses are presented net of reinsurance.
 
The portion of fees allocated to embedded derivatives described previously is recognized within net derivative gains (losses) as part of the estimated fair value of embedded derivatives.
 
Other Revenues
 
Other revenues include, in addition to items described elsewhere herein, advisory fees, broker-dealer commissions and fees and administrative service fees. Such fees and commissions are recognized in the period in which services are performed. Other revenues also include changes in account value relating to corporate-owned life insurance (“COLI”). Under certain COLI contracts, if the Company reports certain unlikely adverse results in its consolidated financial statements, withdrawals would not be immediately available and would be subject to market value adjustment, which could result in a reduction of the account value.
 
Policyholder Dividends
 
Policyholder dividends are approved annually by the insurance subsidiaries’ boards of directors. The aggregate amount of policyholder dividends is related to actual interest, mortality, morbidity and expense experience for the year, as well as management’s judgment as to the appropriate level of statutory surplus to be retained by the insurance subsidiaries.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Holding Company and its includable life insurance and non-life insurance subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Non-includable subsidiaries file either separate individual corporate tax returns or separate consolidated tax returns.
 
The Company’s accounting for income taxes represents management’s best estimate of various events and transactions.
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities are measured at the balance sheet date using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years the temporary differences are expected to reverse.
 
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company anticipates making an election under the Code Section 338 as it relates to the Acquisition. As such, the tax basis in the acquired assets and liabilities is adjusted as of the Acquisition Date resulting in a change to the related deferred income taxes.
 
The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryback or carryforward periods under the tax law in the applicable tax jurisdiction. Valuation allowances are established when management determines, based on available information, that it is more likely than not that


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Significant judgment is required in determining whether valuation allowances should be established, as well as the amount of such allowances. When making such determination, consideration is given to, among other things, the following:
 
  (i)  future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;
 
  (ii)  future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;
 
  (iii)  taxable income in prior carryback years; and
 
  (iv)  tax planning strategies.
 
The Company may be required to change its provision for income taxes in certain circumstances. Examples of such circumstances include when the ultimate deductibility of certain items is challenged by taxing authorities (see Note 15) or when estimates used in determining valuation allowances on deferred tax assets significantly change or when receipt of new information indicates the need for adjustment in valuation allowances. Additionally, future events, such as changes in tax laws, tax regulations, or interpretations of such laws or regulations, could have an impact on the provision for income tax and the effective tax rate. Any such changes could significantly affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements in the year these changes occur.
 
The Company determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit can be recorded in the financial statements. A tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits due to tax uncertainties that do not meet the threshold are included within other liabilities and are charged to earnings in the period that such determination is made.
 
The Company classifies interest recognized as interest expense and penalties recognized as a component of income tax.
 
Reinsurance
 
The Company enters into reinsurance agreements primarily as a purchaser of reinsurance for its various insurance products and also as a provider of reinsurance for some insurance products issued by third parties.
 
For each of its reinsurance agreements, the Company determines whether the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk in accordance with applicable accounting standards. The Company reviews all contractual features, particularly those that may limit the amount of insurance risk to which the reinsurer is subject or features that delay the timely reimbursement of claims.
 
For reinsurance of existing in-force blocks of long-duration contracts that transfer significant insurance risk, the difference, if any, between the amounts paid (received), and the liabilities ceded (assumed) related to the underlying contracts is considered the net cost of reinsurance at the inception of the reinsurance agreement. The net cost of reinsurance is recorded as an adjustment to DAC and recognized as a component of other expenses on a basis consistent with the way the acquisition costs on the underlying reinsured contracts would be recognized. Subsequent amounts paid (received) on the reinsurance of in-force blocks, as well as amounts paid (received) related to new business, are recorded as ceded (assumed) premiums and ceded (assumed) future policy benefit liabilities are established.
 
For prospective reinsurance of short-duration contracts that meet the criteria for reinsurance accounting, amounts paid (received) are recorded as ceded (assumed) premiums and ceded (assumed) unearned premiums and are reflected as a component of premiums and other receivables (future policy benefits). Such amounts are amortized through earned premiums over the remaining contract period in proportion to the amount of protection provided. For retroactive reinsurance of short-duration contracts that meet the criteria of reinsurance accounting, amounts paid (received) in excess of (which do not exceed) the related insurance liabilities ceded (assumed) are


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
recognized immediately as a loss. Any gains on such retroactive agreements are deferred and recorded in other liabilities. The gains are amortized primarily using the recovery method.
 
The assumptions used to account for both long and short-duration reinsurance agreements are consistent with those used for the underlying contracts. Ceded policyholder and contract related liabilities, other than those currently due, are reported gross on the balance sheet.
 
Amounts currently recoverable under reinsurance agreements are included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables and amounts currently payable are included in other liabilities. Such assets and liabilities relating to reinsurance agreements with the same reinsurer may be recorded net on the balance sheet, if a right of offset exists within the reinsurance agreement. In the event that reinsurers do not meet their obligations to the Company under the terms of the reinsurance agreements, reinsurance balances recoverable could become uncollectible. In such instances, reinsurance recoverable balances are stated net of allowances for uncollectible reinsurance.
 
Premiums, fees and policyholder benefits and claims include amounts assumed under reinsurance agreements and are net of reinsurance ceded. Amounts received from reinsurers for policy administration are reported in other revenues.
 
If the Company determines that a reinsurance agreement does not expose the reinsurer to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, the Company records the agreement using the deposit method of accounting. Deposits received are included in other liabilities and deposits made are included within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables. As amounts are paid or received, consistent with the underlying contracts, the deposit assets or liabilities are adjusted. Interest on such deposits is recorded as other revenues or other expenses, as appropriate. Periodically, the Company evaluates the adequacy of the expected payments or recoveries and adjusts the deposit asset or liability through other revenues or other expenses, as appropriate.
 
Accounting for reinsurance requires extensive use of assumptions and estimates, particularly related to the future performance of the underlying business and the potential impact of counterparty credit risks. The Company periodically reviews actual and anticipated experience compared to the aforementioned assumptions used to establish assets and liabilities relating to ceded and assumed reinsurance and evaluates the financial strength of counterparties to its reinsurance agreements using criteria similar to that evaluated in the security impairment process discussed previously.
 
Cessions under reinsurance arrangements do not discharge the Company’s obligations as the primary insurer.
 
Employee Benefit Plans
 
Certain subsidiaries of the Holding Company (the “Subsidiaries”) sponsor and/or administer various plans that provide defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits covering eligible employees and sales representatives. Measurement dates used for all of the Subsidiaries’ defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans correspond with the fiscal year ends of sponsoring Subsidiaries, which are December 31 for U.S. Subsidiaries and November 30 for most foreign Subsidiaries.
 
Pension benefits are provided utilizing either a traditional formula or cash balance formula. The traditional formula provides benefits based upon years of credited service and either final average or career average earnings. The cash balance formula utilizes hypothetical or notional accounts which credit participants with benefits equal to a percentage of eligible pay, as well as earnings credits, determined annually based upon the average annual rate of interest on 30-year Treasury securities, for each account balance.
 
The Subsidiaries also provide certain postemployment benefits and certain postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for retired employees. Employees of the Subsidiaries who were hired prior to 2003 (or, in certain cases, rehired during or after 2003) and meet age and service criteria while working for one of the Subsidiaries, may become eligible for these other postretirement benefits, at various levels, in accordance with the applicable plans.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Virtually all retirees, or their beneficiaries, contribute a portion of the total cost of postretirement medical benefits. Employees hired after 2003 are not eligible for any employer subsidy for postretirement medical benefits.
 
The projected pension benefit obligation (“PBO”) is defined as the actuarially calculated present value of vested and non-vested pension benefits accrued based on future salary levels. The accumulated pension benefit obligation (“ABO”) is the actuarial present value of vested and non-vested pension benefits accrued based on current salary levels. Obligations, both PBO and ABO, of the defined benefit pension plans are determined using a variety of actuarial assumptions, from which actual results may vary, as described below.
 
The expected postretirement plan benefit obligations (“EPBO”) represents the actuarial present value of all other postretirement benefits expected to be paid after retirement to employees and their dependents and is used in measuring the periodic postretirement benefit expense. The accumulated postretirement plan benefit obligations (“APBO”) represents the actuarial present value of future other postretirement benefits attributed to employee services rendered through a particular date and is the valuation basis upon which liabilities are established. The APBO is determined using a variety of actuarial assumptions, from which actual results may vary, as described below.
 
The Company recognizes the funded status of the PBO for pension plans and the APBO for other postretirement plans for each of its plans in the consolidated balance sheets. The actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs and credits and the remaining net transition asset or obligation that had not yet been included in net periodic benefit costs are charged, net of income tax, to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
 
Net periodic benefit cost is determined using management estimates and actuarial assumptions to derive service cost, interest cost, and expected return on plan assets for a particular year. Net periodic benefit cost also includes the applicable amortization of any prior service cost (credit) arising from the increase (decrease) in prior years’ benefit costs due to plan amendments or initiation of new plans. These costs are amortized into net periodic benefit cost over the expected service years of employees whose benefits are affected by such plan amendments. Actual experience related to plan assets and/or the benefit obligations may differ from that originally assumed when determining net periodic benefit cost for a particular period, resulting in gains or losses. To the extent such aggregate gains or losses exceed 10 percent of the greater of the benefit obligations or the market-related asset value of the plans, they are amortized into net periodic benefit cost over the expected service years of employees expected to receive benefits under the plans.
 
The obligations and expenses associated with these plans require an extensive use of assumptions such as the discount rate, expected rate of return on plan assets, rate of future compensation increases, healthcare cost trend rates, as well as assumptions regarding participant demographics such as rate and age of retirements, withdrawal rates and mortality. Management, in consultation with its external consulting actuarial firms, determines these assumptions based upon a variety of factors such as historical performance of the plan and its assets, currently available market and industry data and expected benefit payout streams. The assumptions used may differ materially from actual results due to, among other factors, changing market and economic conditions and changes in participant demographics. These differences may have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and liquidity.
 
The Subsidiaries also sponsor defined contribution savings and investment plans (“SIP”) for substantially all employees under which a portion of employee contributions is matched. Applicable matching contributions are made each payroll period. Accordingly, the Company recognizes compensation cost for current matching contributions. As all contributions are transferred currently as earned to the SIP trust, no liability for matching contributions is recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
As more fully described in Note 18, the Company grants certain employees and directors stock-based compensation awards under various plans that are subject to specific vesting conditions. The cost of all stock-based


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
transactions is measured at fair value at grant date and recognized over the period during which a grantee is required to provide goods or services in exchange for the award. Although the terms of the Company’s stock-based plans do not accelerate vesting upon retirement, or the attainment of retirement eligibility, the requisite service period subsequent to attaining such eligibility is considered nonsubstantive. Accordingly, the Company recognizes compensation expense related to stock-based awards over the shorter of the requisite service period or the period to attainment of retirement eligibility. An estimation of future forfeitures of stock-based awards is incorporated into the determination of compensation expense when recognizing expense over the requisite service period.
 
Foreign Currency
 
Assets, liabilities and operations of foreign affiliates and subsidiaries are recorded based on the functional currency of each entity. The determination of the functional currency is made based on the appropriate economic and management indicators. With the exception of certain foreign operations, primarily Japan, where multiple functional currencies exist, the local currencies of foreign operations are the functional currencies. Assets and liabilities of foreign affiliates and subsidiaries are translated from the functional currency to U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at each year-end and income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The resulting translation adjustments are charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income or loss, net of applicable taxes. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, including the effect of re-measurement of monetary assets and liabilities to the appropriate functional currency, are reported as part of net investment gains (losses) in the period in which they occur.
 
Discontinued Operations
 
The results of operations of a component of the Company that either has been disposed of or is classified as held-for-sale are reported in discontinued operations if the operations and cash flows of the component have been or will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company as a result of the disposal transaction and the Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal transaction.
 
Earnings Per Common Share
 
Basic earnings per common share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares, or their equivalent, outstanding during the period. The difference between the number of shares assumed issued and number of shares assumed purchased represents the dilutive shares. Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of the assumed: (i) exercise or issuance of stock-based awards using the treasury stock method; (ii) settlement of stock purchase contracts underlying common equity units using the treasury stock method; and (iii) settlement of accelerated common stock repurchase contracts. Under the treasury stock method, exercise or issuance of stock-based awards and settlement of the stock purchase contracts underlying common equity units is assumed to occur with the proceeds used to purchase common stock at the average market price for the period. See Notes 14, 18 and 20.
 
Litigation Contingencies
 
The Company is a party to a number of legal actions and is involved in a number of regulatory investigations. Given the inherent unpredictability of these matters, it is difficult to estimate the impact on the Company’s financial position. Liabilities are established when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company reviews relevant information with respect to liabilities for litigation, regulatory investigations and litigation-related contingencies to be reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. It is possible that an adverse outcome in certain of the Company’s litigation and regulatory investigations, or the use of different assumptions in the determination of


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
amounts recorded, could have a material effect upon the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
 
Separate Accounts
 
Separate accounts are established in conformity with insurance laws and are generally not chargeable with liabilities that arise from any other business of the Company. Separate account assets are subject to general account claims only to the extent the value of such assets exceeds the separate account liabilities. Assets within the Company’s separate accounts primarily include: mutual funds, fixed maturity and equity securities, mortgage loans, derivatives, hedge funds, other limited partnership interests, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents. The Company reports separately, as assets and liabilities, investments held in separate accounts and liabilities of the separate accounts if (i) such separate accounts are legally recognized; (ii) assets supporting the contract liabilities are legally insulated from the Company’s general account liabilities; (iii) investments are directed by the contractholder; and (iv) all investment performance, net of contract fees and assessments, is passed through to the contractholder. The Company reports separate account assets meeting such criteria at their fair value which is based on the estimated fair values of the underlying assets comprising the portfolios of an individual separate account. Investment performance (including investment income, net investment gains (losses) and changes in unrealized gains (losses)) and the corresponding amounts credited to contractholders of such separate accounts are offset within the same line in the consolidated statements of operations. Separate accounts credited with a contractual investment return are combined on a line-by-line basis with the Company’s general account assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the accounting for these investments is consistent with the methodologies described herein for similar financial instruments held within the general account. Unit-linked separate account investments which are directed by contractholders but do not meet one or more of the other above criteria are included in trading and other securities.
 
The Company’s revenues reflect fees charged to the separate accounts, including mortality charges, risk charges, policy administration fees, investment management fees and surrender charges.
 
Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
 
Financial Instruments
 
Effective December 31, 2010, the Company adopted new guidance regarding disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and valuation allowances for credit losses, including credit quality indicators. Such disclosures must be disaggregated by portfolio segment or class based on how a company develops its valuation allowances for credit losses and how it manages its credit exposure. The Company has provided all material required disclosures in its consolidated financial statements. Certain additional disclosures will be required for reporting periods beginning March 31, 2011 and certain disclosures relating to troubled debt restructurings have been deferred indefinitely.
 
Effective July 1, 2010, the Company adopted new guidance regarding accounting for embedded credit derivatives within structured securities. This guidance clarifies the type of embedded credit derivative that is exempt from embedded derivative bifurcation requirements. Specifically, embedded credit derivatives resulting only from subordination of one financial instrument to another continue to qualify for the scope exception. Embedded credit derivative features other than subordination must be analyzed to determine whether they require bifurcation and separate accounting.
 
As a result of the adoption of this guidance, the Company elected FVO for certain structured securities that were previously accounted for as fixed maturity securities. Upon adoption, the Company reclassified $50 million of securities from fixed maturity securities to trading and other securities. These securities had cumulative unrealized losses of $10 million, net of income tax, which was recognized as a cumulative effect adjustment to decrease


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
retained earnings with a corresponding increase to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of July 1, 2010.
 
Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted new guidance related to financial instrument transfers and consolidation of VIEs. The financial instrument transfer guidance eliminates the concept of a QSPE, eliminates the guaranteed mortgage securitization exception, changes the criteria for achieving sale accounting when transferring a financial asset and changes the initial recognition of retained beneficial interests. The new consolidation guidance changes the definition of the primary beneficiary, as well as the method of determining whether an entity is a primary beneficiary of a VIE from a quantitative model to a qualitative model. Under the new qualitative model, the entity that has both the ability to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The guidance requires a quarterly reassessment, as well as enhanced disclosures, including the effects of a company’s involvement with VIEs on its financial statements.
 
As a result of the adoption of this guidance, the Company consolidated certain former QSPEs that were previously accounted for as fixed maturity CMBS and equity security collateralized debt obligations. The Company also elected FVO for all of the consolidated assets and liabilities of these entities. Upon consolidation, the Company recorded $278 million of securities classified as trading and other securities, $6,769 million of commercial mortgage loans and $6,822 million of long-term debt based on estimated fair values at January 1, 2010 and de-recognized $179 million in fixed maturity securities and less than $1 million in equity securities. The consolidation also resulted in a decrease in retained earnings of $12 million, net of income tax, and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $42 million, net of income tax, at January 1, 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded $426 million of net investment income on the consolidated assets, $411 million of interest expense in other expenses on the related long-term debt, and $6 million in net investment gains (losses) to remeasure the assets and liabilities at their estimated fair values.
 
In addition, the Company also deconsolidated certain partnerships for which the Company does not have the power to direct activities and for which the Company has concluded it is no longer the primary beneficiary. These deconsolidations did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Also effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted new guidance that indefinitely defers the above changes relating to the Company’s interests in entities that have all the attributes of an investment company or for which it is industry practice to apply measurement principles for financial reporting that are consistent with those applied by an investment company. As a result of the deferral, the above guidance did not apply to certain real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests held by the Company.
 
As more fully described in “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates,” effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted OTTI guidance. This guidance amends the previously used methodology for determining whether an OTTI exists for fixed maturity securities, changes the presentation of OTTI for fixed maturity securities and requires additional disclosures for OTTI on fixed maturity and equity securities in interim and annual financial statements.
 
The Company’s net cumulative effect adjustment of adopting the OTTI guidance was an increase of $76 million to retained earnings with a corresponding increase to accumulated other comprehensive loss to reclassify the noncredit loss portion of previously recognized OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities held at April 1, 2009. This cumulative effect adjustment was comprised of an increase in the amortized cost basis of fixed maturity securities of $126 million, net of policyholder related amounts of $10 million and net of deferred income taxes of $40 million, resulting in the net cumulative effect adjustment of $76 million. The increase in the amortized cost basis of fixed maturity securities of $126 million by sector was as follows: $53 million — ABS, $43 million — RMBS, $17 million — U.S. corporate securities and $13 million — CMBS.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
As a result of the adoption of the OTTI guidance, the Company’s pre-tax earnings for the year ended December 31, 2009 increased by $857 million, offset by an increase in other comprehensive loss representing OTTI relating to noncredit losses recognized during the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted guidance on disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging. This guidance requires enhanced qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments and disclosures about credit risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The Company has provided all of the material disclosures in its consolidated financial statements.
 
The following pronouncements relating to financial instruments had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements:
.
 
  •  Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted prospectively an update on accounting for transfers of financial assets and repurchase financing transactions. This update provides guidance for evaluating whether to account for a transfer of a financial asset and repurchase financing as a single transaction or as two separate transactions.
.
 
  •  Effective December 31, 2008, the Company adopted guidance on the recognition of interest income and impairment on purchased beneficial interests and beneficial interests that continue to be held by a transferor in securitized financial assets. This new guidance more closely aligns the determination of whether an OTTI has occurred for a beneficial interest in a securitized financial asset with the original guidance for fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity.
.
 
  •  Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted guidance relating to application of the shortcut method of accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. This guidance permits interest rate swaps to have a non-zero fair value at inception when applying the shortcut method of assessing hedge effectiveness as long as the difference between the transaction price (zero) and the fair value (exit price), as defined by current accounting guidance on fair value measurements, is solely attributable to a bid-ask spread. In addition, entities are not precluded from applying the shortcut method of assessing hedge effectiveness in a hedging relationship of interest rate risk involving an interest bearing asset or liability in situations where the hedged item is not recognized for accounting purposes until settlement date as long as the period between trade date and settlement date of the hedged item is consistent with generally established conventions in the marketplace.
.
 
  •  Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted guidance that permits a reporting entity to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (a receivable) or the obligation to return cash collateral (a payable) against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement that have been offset. This guidance also includes certain terminology modifications. Upon adoption of this guidance, the Company did not change its accounting policy of not offsetting fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments under master netting arrangements.
.
 
Business Combinations and Noncontrolling Interests
 
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted revised guidance on business combinations and accounting for noncontrolling interests in the consolidated financial statements. Under this guidance:
 
  •  All business combinations (whether full, partial or “step” acquisitions) result in all assets and liabilities of an acquired business being recorded at fair value, with limited exceptions.
 
  •  Acquisition costs are generally expensed as incurred; restructuring costs associated with a business combination are generally expensed as incurred subsequent to the acquisition date.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
  •  The fair value of the purchase price, including the issuance of equity securities, is determined on the acquisition date.
 
  •  Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are recognized at fair value if the acquisition-date fair value can be reasonably determined. If the fair value is not estimable, an asset or liability is recorded if existence or incurrence at the acquisition date is probable and its amount is reasonably estimable.
 
  •  Changes in deferred income tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date generally affect income tax expense.
 
  •  Noncontrolling interests (formerly known as “minority interests”) are valued at fair value at the acquisition date and are presented as equity rather than liabilities.
 
  •  Net income (loss) includes amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests.
 
  •  When control is attained on previously noncontrolling interests, the previously held equity interests are remeasured at fair value and a gain or loss is recognized.
 
  •  Purchases or sales of equity interests that do not result in a change in control are accounted for as equity transactions.
 
  •  When control is lost in a partial disposition, realized gains or losses are recorded on equity ownership sold and the remaining ownership interest is remeasured and holding gains or losses are recognized.
 
The adoption of this guidance on a prospective basis did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Financial statements and disclosures for periods prior to 2009 reflect the retrospective application of the accounting for noncontrolling interests as required under this guidance.
.
 
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted prospectively guidance on determination of the useful life of intangible assets. This guidance amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. This change is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset and the period of expected future cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset. The Company determines useful lives and provides all of the material disclosures prospectively on intangible assets acquired on or after January 1, 2009 in accordance with this guidance.
 
Fair Value
 
Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted new guidance that requires new disclosures about significant transfers into and/or out of Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and activity in Level 3. In addition, this guidance provides clarification of existing disclosure requirements about level of disaggregation and inputs and valuation techniques. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted fair value measurements guidance which defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs used to measure fair value, and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements and applied this guidance prospectively to assets and liabilities measured at fair value. The adoption of this guidance changed the valuation of certain freestanding derivatives by moving from a mid to bid pricing convention as it relates to certain volatility inputs, as well as the addition of liquidity adjustments and adjustments for risks inherent in a particular input or valuation technique. The adoption of this guidance also changed the valuation of the Company’s embedded derivatives, most significantly the valuation of embedded derivatives associated with certain guarantees on variable annuity contracts. The change in valuation of embedded derivatives associated with guarantees on annuity contracts resulted from the incorporation of risk margins associated with non-capital market inputs and the inclusion of the Company’s nonperformance risk in their valuation. At January 1, 2008, the impact of


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
adopting the guidance on assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value was $30 million ($19 million, net of income tax) and was recognized as a change in estimate in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations where it was presented in the respective statement of operations caption to which the item measured at estimated fair value is presented. There were no significant changes in estimated fair value of items measured at fair value and reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The addition of risk margins and the Company’s nonperformance risk adjustment in the valuation of embedded derivatives associated with annuity contracts may result in significant volatility in the Company’s consolidated net income in future periods. The Company provided all of the material disclosures in Note 5.
 
In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance related to the FVO for financial assets and financial liabilities. This guidance permits entities the option to measure most financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specified election dates and to recognize related unrealized gains and losses in earnings. The FVO is applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis upon adoption of the standard, upon the acquisition of an eligible financial asset, financial liability or firm commitment or when certain specified reconsideration events occur. The fair value election is an irrevocable election. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company elected FVO on fixed maturity and equity securities backing certain pension products sold in Brazil. Such securities are presented as trading and other securities in the consolidated balance sheets with subsequent changes in estimated fair value recognized in net investment income. Previously, these securities were accounted for as available-for-sale securities and unrealized gains and losses on these securities were recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The Company’s insurance joint venture in Japan also elected FVO for certain of its existing single premium deferred annuities and the assets supporting such liabilities. FVO was elected to achieve improved reporting of the asset/liability matching associated with these products. Adoption of this guidance by the Company and its Japanese joint venture resulted in an increase in retained earnings of $27 million, net of income tax, at January 1, 2008. The election of FVO resulted in the reclassification of $10 million, net of income tax, of net unrealized gains from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to retained earnings on January 1, 2008.
 
The following pronouncements relating to fair value had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements:
 
  •  Effective September 30, 2008, the Company adopted guidance relating to the fair value measurements of financial assets when the market for those assets is not active. It provides guidance on how a company’s internal cash flow and discount rate assumptions should be considered in the measurement of fair value when relevant market data does not exist, how observable market information in an inactive market affects fair value measurement and how the use of market quotes should be considered when assessing the relevance of observable and unobservable data available to measure fair value.
.
 
  •  Effective January 1, 2009, the Company implemented fair value measurements guidance for certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis. This guidance applies to such items as: (i) nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities initially measured at estimated fair value in a business combination; (ii) reporting units measured at estimated fair value in the first step of a goodwill impairment test; and (iii) indefinite-lived intangible assets measured at estimated fair value for impairment assessment.
.
 
  •  Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted prospectively guidance on issuer’s accounting for liabilities measured at fair value with a third-party credit enhancement. This guidance states that an issuer of a liability with a third-party credit enhancement should not include the effect of the credit enhancement in the fair value measurement of the liability. In addition, it requires disclosures about the existence of any third-party credit enhancement related to liabilities that are measured at fair value.
.
 
  •  Effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted guidance on: (i) estimating the fair value of an asset or liability if there was a significant decrease in the volume and level of trading activity for these assets or


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
  liabilities; and (ii) identifying transactions that are not orderly. The Company has provided all of the material disclosures in its consolidated financial statements.
.
 
  •  Effective December 31, 2009, the Company adopted guidance on: (i) measuring the fair value of investments in certain entities that calculate NAV per share; (ii) how investments within its scope would be classified in the fair value hierarchy; and (iii) enhanced disclosure requirements, for both interim and annual periods, about the nature and risks of investments measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis.
.
 
  •  Effective December 31, 2009, the Company adopted guidance on measuring liabilities at fair value. This guidance provides clarification for measuring fair value in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available. In such circumstances a company is required to measure fair value using either a valuation technique that uses: (i) the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset; or (ii) quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets; or (iii) another valuation technique that is consistent with the principles of fair value measurement such as an income approach (e.g., present value technique) or a market approach (e.g., “entry” value technique).
.
 
Defined Benefit and Other Postretirement Plans
 
Effective December 31, 2009, the Company adopted guidance to enhance the transparency surrounding the types of assets and associated risks in an employer’s defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans. This guidance requires an employer to disclose information about the valuation of plan assets similar to that required under other fair value disclosure guidance. The Company provided all of the material disclosures in its consolidated financial statements.
.
 
Other Pronouncements
 
Effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted prospectively guidance which establishes general standards for accounting and disclosures of events that occur subsequent to the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued. The Company has provided all of the material disclosures in its consolidated financial statements.
 
The following pronouncements had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements:
.
 
  •  Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted guidance on determining whether an instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock. This guidance provides a framework for evaluating the terms of a particular instrument and whether such terms qualify the instrument as being indexed to an entity’s own stock.
.
 
  •  Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted guidance on written loan commitments recorded at fair value through earnings. It provides guidance on (i) incorporating expected net future cash flows when related to the associated servicing of a loan when measuring fair value; and (ii) broadening the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff’s view that internally-developed intangible assets should not be recorded as part of the fair value of a derivative loan commitment or to written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through earnings. Internally-developed intangible assets are not considered a component of the related instruments.
.
 
  •  Effective January 1, 2008, the Company prospectively adopted guidance on the sale of real estate when the agreement includes a buy-sell clause. This guidance addresses whether the existence of a buy-sell arrangement would preclude partial sales treatment when real estate is sold to a jointly owned entity and concludes that the existence of a buy-sell clause does not necessarily preclude partial sale treatment under current guidance.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Future Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In December 2010, the FASB issued new guidance addressing when a business combination should be assumed to have occurred for the purpose of providing pro forma disclosure (Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-29, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations). Under the new guidance, if an entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. The guidance also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include additional narratives. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company will apply the guidance prospectively on its accounting for future acquisitions and does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
In December 2010, the FASB issued new guidance regarding goodwill impairment testing (ASU 2010-28, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts). This guidance modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity would be required to perform Step 2 of the test if qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists. The guidance is effective for the first quarter of 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
 
In October 2010, the FASB issued new guidance regarding accounting for deferred acquisition costs (ASU 2010-26, Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts) effective for the first quarter of 2012. This guidance clarifies the costs that should be deferred by insurance entities when issuing and renewing insurance contracts. The guidance also specifies that only costs related directly to successful acquisition of new or renewal contracts can be capitalized. All other acquisition-related costs should be expensed as incurred. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
 
In April 2010, the FASB issued new guidance regarding accounting for investment funds determined to be VIEs (ASU 2010-15, How Investments Held through Separate Accounts Affect an Insurer’s Consolidation Analysis of Those Investments). Under this guidance, an insurance entity would not be required to consolidate a voting-interest investment fund when it holds the majority of the voting interests of the fund through its separate accounts. In addition, an insurance entity would not consider the interests held through separate accounts for the benefit of policyholders in the insurer’s evaluation of its economics in a VIE, unless the separate account contractholder is a related party. The guidance is effective for the first quarter of 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
 
2.   Acquisitions and Dispositions
 
2010 Acquisition of ALICO
 
Description of Transaction
 
On the Acquisition Date, MetLife, Inc. acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of American Life from ALICO Holdings, a subsidiary of AIG, and DelAm from AIG for a total purchase price of $16.4 billion, which consisted of (i) cash of $7.2 billion (includes settlement of intercompany balances and certain other adjustments), and (ii) securities of MetLife, Inc. valued at $9.2 billion.
 
The $7.2 billion cash portion of the purchase price was funded through the issuance of common stock as described in Note 18, fixed and floating rate senior debt as described in Note 11 as well as cash on hand. The securities issued to ALICO Holdings included (a) 78,239,712 shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock; (b) 6,857,000 shares of Series B Contingent Convertible Junior Participating Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”) of MetLife, Inc.; and (c) 40 million common equity units


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
of MetLife, Inc. (the “Equity Units”) with an aggregate stated amount at issuance of $3.0 billion, initially consisting of (i) three purchase contracts (the “Series C Purchase Contracts,” the “Series D Purchase Contracts” and the “Series E Purchase Contracts” and, together, the “Purchase Contracts”), obligating the holder to purchase, on specified future settlement dates, a variable number of shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock for a fixed price; and (ii) an interest in each of three series of debt securities (the “Series C Debt Securities,” the “Series D Debt Securities” and the “Series E Debt Securities,” and, together, the “Debt Securities”) issued by MetLife, Inc. Distributions on the Equity Units will be made quarterly, through contract payments on the Purchase Contracts and interest payments on the Debt Securities, initially at an aggregate annual rate of 5.00% (an average annual rate of 3.02% on the Purchase Contracts and an average annual rate of 1.98% on the Debt Securities) as described in Note 14.
 
ALICO is an international life insurance company, providing consumers and businesses with products and services for life insurance, accident and health insurance, retirement and wealth management solutions in 54 countries. The Acquisition will significantly broaden the Company’s diversification by product, distribution and geography, meaningfully accelerate MetLife’s global growth strategy, and create the opportunity to build an international franchise leveraging the key strengths of ALICO. ALICO’s largest international market is Japan. As of December 31, 2010, the Japan operation’s total assets represented approximately 12% of the Company’s total assets.
 
Fair Value and Allocation of Purchase Price
 
The computation of total purchase consideration and the amounts recognized for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based upon their respective fair values at the Acquisition Date, and the resulting goodwill, are presented below:
 
         
    November 1, 2010  
    (In millions)  
 
Cash
  $ 6,800  
MetLife, Inc.’s common stock (78,239,712 shares) (1)
    3,200  
MetLife, Inc.’s Convertible Preferred Stock (1),(2)
    2,805  
MetLife, Inc.’s Equity Units ($3.0 billion aggregate stated amount) (3)
    3,189  
         
Total cash paid and securities issued to ALICO Holdings
  $ 15,994  
Contractual purchase price adjustments (4)
    396  
         
Total purchase price
  $ 16,390  
Effective settlement of pre-existing relationships (5)
    (186 )
Contingent consideration (6)
    88  
         
Total purchase consideration for ALICO
  $ 16,292  
         
 
 
(1) Fair value is based on the opening price of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock of $40.90 on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on November 1, 2010.
 
(2) Convertible into 68,570,000 shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock upon a favorable vote of MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders before the first anniversary of the Acquisition Date. See Note 18.
 
(3) The Equity Units include the Debt Securities and the Purchase Contracts that will settle in MetLife, Inc.’s common stock on specified future dates. See Note 14.
 
(4) Relates to the cash settlement of intercompany balances prior to the Acquisition for amounts in excess of certain agreed-upon thresholds and certain other adjustments.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
(5) Effective settlement of debt securities issued by MetLife, Inc. that are owned by ALICO and reduces the total purchase consideration.
 
(6) Estimated fair value of potential payments related to the adequacy of reserves for guarantees on the fair value of a fund of assets backing certain United Kingdom (“U.K.”) unit-linked contracts.
 
The aggregate amount of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock to be issued to ALICO Holdings in connection with the transaction is expected to be between 214.6 million to 231.5 million shares, consisting of 78.2 million shares issued at closing, 68.6 million shares to be issued upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock and between 67.8 million and 84.7 million shares of common stock, in total, issuable upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts forming part of the Equity Units. See Note 14. The ownership of the shares issued to ALICO Holdings is subject to an investor rights agreement, which grants to ALICO Holdings certain rights and sets forth certain agreements with respect to ALICO Holdings’ ownership of, voting on and transfer of the shares, including minimum holding periods and restrictions on the number of shares ALICO Holdings can sell at one time.
 
Recording of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
 
The following table summarizes the amounts recognized at fair value for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the resulting goodwill as of the Acquisition Date.
 
         
    November 1, 2010  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets acquired:
       
Total investments
  $ 101,036  
Cash and cash equivalents
    4,175  
Accrued investment income
    948  
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
    1,971  
VOBA
    9,210  
Other assets
    1,146  
Separate account assets
    244  
         
Total assets
  $ 118,730  
         
Liabilities assumed:
       
Future policy benefits
  $ 31,811  
Policyholder account balances
    66,652  
Other policy-related balances
    7,306  
Current and deferred income tax liability
    336  
Other liabilities
    2,918  
Separate account liabilities
    244  
         
Total liabilities
  $ 109,267  
         
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries assumed
  $ 109  
         
Noncontrolling interests
    (21 )
Goodwill
    6,959  
         
Net assets acquired
  $ 16,292  
         


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Goodwill
 
Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired and liabilities assumed that could not be individually identified. The goodwill recorded as part of the Acquisition includes the expected synergies and other benefits that management believes will result from combining the operations of ALICO with the operations of MetLife, including further diversification in geographic mix and product offerings and an increase in distribution strength.
 
Of the $7.0 billion of goodwill, approximately $4.0 billion is estimated to be deductible for tax purposes. Of the $4.0 billion, approximately $573 million is estimated to be deductible for U.S. tax purposes prior to the completion of the anticipated restructuring of American Life’s foreign branches. See “—Branch Restructuring”. The goodwill resulting from the Acquisition was presented within the Company’s International segment.
 
Identified Intangibles
 
VOBA reflects the estimated fair value of in-force contracts acquired and represents the portion of the purchase price that is allocated to the value of future profits embedded in acquired insurance annuity and investment-type contracts in-force at the Acquisition Date.
 
The value of VODA and VOCRA, included in other assets, reflects the estimated fair value of ALICO’s distribution agreements and customer relationships acquired at November 1, 2010 and will be amortized over the useful lives. Each year the Company will review VODA and VOCRA to determine the recoverability of these balances.
 
The use of discount rates was necessary to establish the fair value of VOBA and the identifiable intangibles. In selecting the appropriate discount rates, management considered its weighted average cost of capital, as well as the weighted average cost of capital required by market participants. The fair value of acquired liabilities was determined using risk free rates adjusted for a nonperformance risk premium. The nonperformance adjustment was determined by taking into consideration publicly available information relating to spreads in the secondary market for the Holding Company’s debt, including related credit default swaps. These observable spreads were then adjusted to reflect the priority of these liabilities, the claims paying ability of the insurance subsidiaries compared to the Holding Company and, as necessary, the relative credit spreads of the liabilities’ currencies of denomination as compared to USD spreads.
 
The fair values of business acquired, distribution agreements and customer relationships and the weighted average amortization periods are as follows as of November 1, 2010:
 
                 
          Weighted Average
 
    November 1, 2010     Amortization Period  
    (In millions)     (In years)  
 
VOBA
  $ 9,210       8.2  
VODA and VOCRA
    341       10.3  
                 
Total value of amortizable intangible assets acquired
  $ 9,551       8.6  
                 
 
The estimated future amortization expense allocated to other expenses for the next five years for VOBA, VODA and VOCRA is $1,312 million in 2011, $1,076 million in 2012, $884 million in 2013, $759 million in 2014 and $653 million in 2015.
 
For certain acquired blocks of business, the estimated fair value of acquired liabilities exceeded the initial policy reserves assumed at November 1, 2010, resulting in a negative VOBA of $4.4 billion recorded at the Acquisition Date. Negative VOBA is recorded in other policy-related balances. The fair value of the in-force contract obligations was based on actuarially determined projections for each block of business. Negative VOBA is amortized over the policy period in proportion to premiums or the approximate consumption of losses included in the liability usually expressed in terms of insurance in-force or account value. Such amortization is recorded as a contra-expense in other expenses.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Trademark Assets
 
In connection with the Acquisition, the Company recognized $47 million in trademark assets recorded in other assets. The fair value of the trademark assets will be recognized ratably over their expected useful lives which is generally between five to ten years.
 
Indemnification Assets and Contingent Consideration
 
The stock purchase agreement dated as of March 7, 2010, as amended by and among MetLife, Inc., AIG and ALICO Holdings (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) and related agreements include indemnification provisions that allocate the risk of losses arising out of contingencies or other uncertainties that existed as of the Acquisition Date in accordance with the terms, and subject to the limitations and procedures, provided by such provisions. As applicable, the Company recognizes an indemnification asset at the same time that it recognizes the indemnified item, measured on the same basis as the indemnified item. The Company recognized the following indemnification assets and contingencies as of the Acquisition Date in accordance with the indemnification provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement and related agreements:
 
Investments — The Company established indemnification assets for the fair value of amounts expected to be recovered from defaults of certain fixed maturity securities, CMBS and mortgage loans. These indemnification assets are included in other invested assets at December 31, 2010.
 
Litigation — The Company established indemnification assets associated with certain settlements expected to be made in connection with the suspension of withdrawals from certain unit-linked funds offered to certain policyholders. These indemnification assets are included in other assets at December 31, 2010.
 
Section 338 Elections — MetLife, Inc. and American Life will be fully indemnified by ALICO Holdings for all taxes and any interest and penalties resulting from anticipated elections to be made with respect to American Life and its subsidiaries under Section 338(h)(10) and Section 338(g) of the Code. This indemnification asset is included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables at December 31, 2010.
 
The Company recognized an aggregate amount of $574 million for indemnification assets as of the Acquisition Date in accordance with the indemnification provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement and related agreements.
 
Contingent Consideration — American Life has guaranteed that the fair value of a fund of assets backing certain U.K. unit-linked contracts will have a value of at least £1 per unit on July 1, 2012. In accordance with the provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement if the shortfall between the aggregate guaranteed amount and the fair value of the fund exceeds £106 million AIG will pay the difference to American Life and conversely, if the shortfall at July 1, 2012 is less than £106 million ALICO will pay the difference to AIG. The Company believes that the fair value of the fund will equal or exceed the guaranteed amount by July 1, 2012. Therefore, the Company recognized a contingent consideration liability in the amount of $88 million as of the Acquisition Date which was included as additional purchase consideration in determining the amount paid for ALICO.
 
Indemnification Collateral
 
ALICO Holdings may satisfy certain of its indemnification and other payment obligations by delivering cash, shares of stock or Equity Units issued by MetLife, Inc. in connection with the Acquisition. The Equity Units were deposited into an indemnification collateral account on the Acquisition Date as security for these obligations. This collateral will be released periodically over a 30-month period on each of the 12-month, 24-month and 30-month anniversaries of the Acquisition Date as follows: Equity Units with an aggregate stated amount of $1.0 billion (or such amount of net cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Units or other eligible collateral equal to such stated amount), less, on each such release date, specified reserve amounts, including, but not limited to, amounts


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
necessary to satisfy then outstanding indemnification claims made by MetLife, Inc. However, if an AIG bankruptcy event occurs, any then remaining indemnification collateral will remain in the indemnification collateral account and will be released in part on each of the 30-month, 36-month and 48-month anniversaries of the Acquisition Date, less, on each such release date, any such specified reserved amounts.
 
Branch Restructuring
 
On March 4, 2010, American Life entered into a closing agreement (the “Closing Agreement”) with the Commissioner of the IRS with respect to a U.S. withholding tax issue arising as a result of payments made by its foreign branches. The Closing Agreement provides that American Life’s foreign branches will not be required to withhold U.S. income tax on the income portion of payments made pursuant to American Life’s life insurance and annuity contracts (“Covered Payments”) for any tax periods beginning on January 1, 2005 and ending on December 31, 2013 (the “Deferral Period”). The Closing Agreement requires that American Life submit a plan to the IRS within 90 days after the close of the Acquisition, indicating the steps American Life will take (on a country by country basis) to ensure that no substantial amount of U.S. withholding tax will arise from Covered Payments made by American Life’s foreign branches to foreign customers after the Deferral Period. Such plan, which was submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) on January 29, 2011, involves the transfer of businesses from certain of the foreign branches of American Life to one or more existing or newly-formed subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc. or American Life.
 
A liability of $277 million was recognized in purchase accounting as of November 1, 2010, for the anticipated and estimated costs associated with restructuring American Life’s foreign branches into subsidiaries in connection with the Closing Agreement.
 
Current and Deferred Income Tax
 
The future tax effects of temporary differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities are measured at the balance sheet dates and are recorded as deferred income tax assets and liabilities, with certain exceptions such as certain temporary differences relating to goodwill under purchase accounting.
 
For federal income tax purposes, MetLife, Inc. and ALICO Holdings are expected to make Section 338 elections with respect to American Life and certain of its subsidiaries. In addition, MetLife, Inc. and AIG are expected to make a Section 338 election with respect to DelAm. Under such elections, the U.S. tax basis of the assets deemed acquired and liabilities assumed of ALICO were adjusted as of the Acquisition Date to reflect the consequences of the Section 338 elections.
 
The reversal of temporary differences (between financial reporting and U.S. tax bases of assets and liabilities) of American Life’s foreign branches, post-branch restructuring, in connection with the Closing Agreement (i.e., generally, after the end of the Deferral Period) is not expected to result in any direct U.S. tax effect. Thus, as of November 1, 2010, American Life reduced its net deferred tax asset of $425 million by $671 million that reflects the amount of U.S. deferred tax asset that is expected to reverse post-branch restructuring. Therefore, American Life recognized a U.S. net deferred tax liability of approximately $246 million in purchase accounting.
 
As of the Acquisition Date, ALICO’s current and deferred income tax liabilities are provisional and not yet finalized. Current income taxes may be adjusted pending the resolution of the tax value of MetLife, Inc. securities delivered to ALICO Holdings as part of the purchase consideration on the Acquisition Date, the amount of taxes resulting from the Section 338 elections and the filing of income tax returns. Deferred income taxes may be adjusted as a result of changes in estimates and assumptions relating to the reversal of U.S. temporary differences prior to the completion of the anticipated restructuring of American Life’s foreign branches, the filing of income tax returns and as additional information becomes available during the measurement period. We expect to finalize these amounts as soon as possible but no later than one year from the Acquisition Date.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Revenues and Earnings of ALICO
 
The following table presents information for ALICO that is included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from the Acquisition Date through November 30, 2010:
 
         
    ALICO’s Operations
    Included in MetLife’s
    Results for the
    Year Ended December 31, 2010
    (In millions)
 
Total revenues
  $ 950  
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
  $ (2 )
 
Supplemental Pro Forma Information (unaudited)
 
The following table presents unaudited supplemental pro forma information as if the Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2010 for the year ended December 31, 2010 and on January 1, 2009 for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions, except
 
    per share data)  
 
Total revenues
  $ 64,680     $ 54,282  
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, attributable to common shareholders
  $ 3,888     $ (1,353 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, attributable to common shareholders per common share:
               
Basic
  $ 3.60     $ (1.29 )
Diluted
  $ 3.57     $ (1.29 )
 
The pro forma information was derived from the historical financial information of MetLife and ALICO, reflecting the results of operations of MetLife and ALICO for 2010 and 2009. The historical financial information has been adjusted to give effect to the pro forma events that are directly attributable to the Acquisition and factually supportable and expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results. Discontinued operations and the related earnings per share have been excluded from the presentation as they are non-recurring in nature. The pro forma information is not intended to reflect the results of operations of the combined company that would have resulted had the Acquisition been effective during the periods presented or the results that may be obtained by the combined company in the future. The pro forma information does not reflect future events that may occur after the Acquisition, including, but not limited to, expense efficiencies or revenue enhancements arising from the Acquisition and also does not give effect to certain one-time charges that MetLife expects to incur such as restructuring and integration costs.
 
The pro forma information primarily reflects the following pro forma adjustments:
 
  •  reduction in net investment income to reflect the amortization or accretion associated with the new cost basis of the acquired fixed maturities available-for-sale portfolio;
 
  •  elimination of amortization associated with the elimination of ALICO’s historical DAC;
 
  •  amortization of VOBA, VODA and VOCRA associated with the establishment of VOBA, VODA and VOCRA arising from the Acquisition;
 
  •  reduction in other expenses associated with the amortization of negative VOBA;
 
  •  reduction in revenues associated with the elimination of ALICO’s historical unearned revenue liability;


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
  •  interest expense associated with the issuance of the Debt Securities to ALICO Holdings and the public issuance of senior notes in connection with the financing of the Acquisition;
 
  •  certain adjustments to conform to MetLife’s accounting policies; and
 
  •  reversal of investment and derivative gains (losses) associated with certain transactions that were completed prior to the Acquisition Date (conditions of closing).
 
Costs Related to Acquisition
 
Transaction and Integration-Related Expenses.  The Company incurred $100 million of transaction costs for the year ended December 31, 2010. Transaction costs represent costs directly related to effecting the Acquisition and primarily include banking and legal expenses. Such costs have been expensed as incurred and are included in other expenses. These expenses have been reported within Banking, Corporate & Other.
 
Integration-related expenses incurred for the year ended December 31, 2010 and included in other expenses were $176 million. Integration costs represent incremental costs directly related to integrating ALICO, including expenses for consulting, rebranding and the integration of information systems. As the integration of ALICO is an enterprise-wide initiative, these expenses have been reported within Banking, Corporate & Other.
 
Restructuring Costs and Other Charges.  As part of the integration of ALICO’s operations, management has initiated restructuring plans focused on increasing productivity and improving the efficiency of the Company’s operations. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recognized a severance-related restructuring charge of $4 million associated with the termination of certain employees in connection with this initiative which were reflected within other expenses. The Company did not make any cash payments related to these severance costs as of December 31, 2010.
 
Estimated restructuring costs may change as management continues to execute its restructuring plans. Management anticipates further restructuring charges including severance, contract termination costs and other associated costs through the year ended December 31, 2011. However, such restructuring plans are not sufficiently developed to enable the Company to make an estimate of such restructuring charges at December 31, 2010.
 
2010 Pending Disposition
 
In October 2010, the Company and its joint venture partner, MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. (“MS&AD”), reached an agreement under which the Company intends to sell its 50% interest in Mitsui Sumitomo MetLife Insurance Co., Ltd. (“MSI MetLife”), a Japan domiciled life insurance company, to MS&AD for approximately $275 million (¥22.5 billion). During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded an investment loss of $136 million, net of income tax, to record its investment in MSI MetLife at its estimated recoverable amount. It is anticipated that the sale will close on or about April 1, 2011, subject to customary closing conditions, including obtaining required regulatory approvals.
 
2009 Disposition
 
In March 2009, the Company sold Cova Corporation (“Cova”), the parent company of Texas Life Insurance Company (“Texas Life”) to a third-party for $130 million in cash consideration, excluding $1 million of transaction costs. The net assets sold were $101 million, resulting in a gain on disposal of $28 million, net of income tax. The Company also reclassified $4 million, net of income tax, of the 2009 operations of Texas Life into discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. As a result, the Company recognized income from discontinued operations of $32 million, net of income tax, during the year ended December 31, 2009. See Note 23.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
2009 Disposition through Assumption Reinsurance
 
On October 30, 2009, the Company completed the disposal, through assumption reinsurance, of substantially all of the insurance business of MetLife Canada, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, to a third-party. Pursuant to the assumption reinsurance agreement, the consideration paid by the Company was $259 million, comprised of cash of $14 million and fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans and other assets totaling $245 million. At the date of the assumption reinsurance agreement, the carrying value of insurance liabilities transferred was $267 million, resulting in a gain of $5 million, net of income tax. The gain was recognized in net investment gains (losses).
 
2008 Acquisitions and Disposition
 
During 2008, the Company made five acquisitions for $783 million. As a result of these acquisitions, MetLife’s Insurance Products segment increased its product offering of dental and vision benefit plans, MetLife Bank, National Association (“MetLife Bank”) within Banking, Corporate & Other entered the mortgage origination and servicing business and the International segment increased its presence in Mexico and Brazil. The acquisitions were each accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, commenced being included in the operating results of the Company upon their respective closing dates. Total consideration paid by the Company for these acquisitions consisted of $763 million in cash and $20 million in transaction costs. The net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed totaled $527 million, resulting in goodwill of $256 million. Goodwill increased by $122 million, $73 million and $61 million in the International segment, Insurance Products segment and Banking, Corporate & Other, respectively. The goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. VOCRA, VOBA and other intangibles increased by $137 million, $7 million and $6 million, respectively, as a result of these acquisitions. Further information on VOBA, goodwill and VOCRA is provided in Notes 6, 7 and 8, respectively.
 
In September 2008, the Company completed a tax-free split-off of its majority-owned subsidiary, Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (“RGA”). The Company and RGA entered into a recapitalization and distribution agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to divest substantially all of its 52% interest in RGA to the Company’s stockholders. The split-off was effected through the following:
 
  •  A recapitalization of RGA common stock into two classes of common stock — RGA Class A common stock and RGA Class B common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the recapitalization, each outstanding share of RGA common stock, including the 32,243,539 shares of RGA common stock beneficially owned by the Company and its subsidiaries, was reclassified as one share of RGA Class A common stock. Immediately thereafter, the Company and its subsidiaries exchanged 29,243,539 shares of its RGA Class A common stock — which represented all of the RGA Class A common stock beneficially owned by the Company and its subsidiaries other than 3,000,000 shares of RGA Class A common stock — with RGA for 29,243,539 shares of RGA Class B common stock.
 
  •  An exchange offer, pursuant to which the Company offered to acquire MetLife common stock from its stockholders in exchange for all of its 29,243,539 shares of RGA Class B common stock. The exchange ratio was determined based upon a ratio of the value of the MetLife and RGA shares during the three-day period prior to the closing of the exchange offer. The 3,000,000 shares of the RGA Class A common stock were not subject to the tax-free exchange.
 
As a result of completion of the recapitalization and exchange offer, the Company received from MetLife stockholders 23,093,689 shares of the Holding Company’s common stock with a market value of $1,318 million and, in exchange, delivered 29,243,539 shares of RGA’s Class B common stock with a net book value of $1,716 million. The resulting loss on disposition, inclusive of transaction costs of $60 million, was $458 million. During the third quarter of 2009, the Company incurred $2 million, net of income tax, of additional costs related to this split-off. The 3,000,000 shares of RGA Class A common stock retained by the Company are marketable equity securities which do not constitute significant continuing involvement in the operations of RGA; accordingly, they were classified within equity securities in the consolidated financial statements of the Company at a cost basis of


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
$157 million which is equivalent to the net book value of the shares. The equity securities have been recorded at fair value at each subsequent reporting date. The Company agreed to dispose of the remaining shares of RGA within the next five years. In connection with the Company’s agreement to dispose of the remaining shares, the Company also recognized, in its provision for income tax on continuing operations, a deferred tax liability of $16 million which represents the difference between the book and taxable basis of the remaining investment in RGA. On February 15, 2011, the Company sold to RGA such remaining shares. The impact of the disposition of the Company’s investment in RGA was reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations. See Note 23.
 
3.   Investments
 
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale
 
The following tables present the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gain and loss, estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities and the percentage that each sector represents by the respective total holdings for the periods shown. The unrealized loss amounts presented below include the noncredit loss component of OTTI loss:
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2010  
    Cost or
    Gross Unrealized     Estimated
       
    Amortized
          Temporary
    OTTI
    Fair
    % of
 
    Cost     Gain     Loss     Loss     Value     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Fixed Maturity Securities:
                                               
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 89,713     $ 4,486     $ 1,631     $     $ 92,568       28.3 %
Foreign corporate securities
    65,784       3,333       939             68,178       20.8  
RMBS
    44,468       1,652       917       470       44,733       13.7  
Foreign government securities
    42,154       1,856       610             43,400       13.2  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities (1)
    32,469       1,394       559             33,304       10.2  
CMBS
    20,213       740       266       12       20,675       6.3  
ABS
    14,725       274       590       119       14,290       4.4  
State and political subdivision securities
    10,476       171       518             10,129       3.1  
Other fixed maturity securities
    6       1                   7        
                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities (2), (3)
  $ 320,008     $ 13,907     $ 6,030     $ 601     $ 327,284       100.0 %
                                                 
Equity Securities:
                                               
Common stock
  $ 2,060     $ 146     $ 12     $     $ 2,194       60.8 %
Non-redeemable preferred stock (2)
    1,565       76       229             1,412       39.2  
                                                 
Total equity securities (4)
  $ 3,625     $ 222     $ 241     $     $ 3,606       100.0 %
                                                 
 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2009  
    Cost or
    Gross Unrealized     Estimated
       
    Amortized
          Temporary
    OTTI
    Fair
    % of
 
    Cost     Gain     Loss     Loss     Value     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Fixed Maturity Securities:
                                               
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 72,075     $ 2,821     $ 2,699     $ 10     $ 72,187       31.7 %
Foreign corporate securities
    37,254       2,011       1,226       9       38,030       16.7  
RMBS
    45,343       1,234       1,957       600       44,020       19.3  
Foreign government securities
    11,010       1,076       139             11,947       5.2  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities (1)
    25,712       745       1,010             25,447       11.2  
CMBS
    16,555       191       1,106       18       15,622       6.9  
ABS
    14,272       189       1,077       222       13,162       5.8  
State and political subdivision securities
    7,468       151       411             7,208       3.2  
Other fixed maturity securities
    20       1       2             19        
                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities (2), (3)
  $ 229,709     $ 8,419     $ 9,627     $ 859     $ 227,642       100.0 %
                                                 
Equity Securities:
                                               
Common stock
  $ 1,537     $ 92     $ 8     $     $ 1,621       52.6 %
Non-redeemable preferred stock (2)
    1,650       80       267             1,463       47.4  
                                                 
Total equity securities (4)
  $ 3,187     $ 172     $ 275     $     $ 3,084       100.0 %
                                                 
 
 
(1) The Company has classified within the U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities caption certain corporate fixed maturity securities issued by U.S. financial institutions that were guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) pursuant to the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“FDIC Program”) of $223 million and $407 million at estimated fair value with unrealized gains of $4 million and $2 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
(2) Upon acquisition, the Company classifies perpetual securities that have attributes of both debt and equity as fixed maturity securities if the security has an interest rate step-up feature which, when combined with other qualitative factors, indicates that the security has more debt-like characteristics. The Company classifies perpetual securities with an interest rate step-up feature which, when combined with other qualitative factors, indicates that the security has more equity-like characteristics, as equity securities within non-redeemable preferred stock. Many of such securities have been issued by non-U.S. financial institutions that are accorded Tier 1 and Upper Tier 2 capital treatment by their respective regulatory bodies and are commonly referred to as “perpetual hybrid securities.” The following table presents the perpetual hybrid securities held by the Company at:
 
                         
            December 31,
            2010   2009
            Estimated
  Estimated
Classification   Fair
  Fair
Consolidated Balance Sheets   Sector Table   Primary Issuers   Value   Value
            (In millions)
 
Equity securities
  Non-redeemable preferred stock   Non-U.S. financial institutions   $ 1,046     $ 988  
Equity securities
  Non-redeemable preferred stock   U.S. financial institutions   $ 236     $ 349  
Fixed maturity securities
  Foreign corporate securities   Non-U.S. financial institutions   $ 2,038     $ 2,626  
Fixed maturity securities
  U.S. corporate securities   U.S. financial institutions   $ 83     $ 91  

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
(3) The Company’s holdings in redeemable preferred stock with stated maturity dates, commonly referred to as “capital securities”, were primarily issued by U.S. financial institutions and have cumulative interest deferral features. The Company held $2.7 billion and $2.5 billion at estimated fair value of such securities at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which are included in the U.S. and foreign corporate securities sectors within fixed maturity securities.
 
(4) Equity securities primarily consist of investments in common and preferred stocks, including certain perpetual hybrid securities and mutual fund interests. Privately-held equity securities were $1.3 billion and $1.0 billion at estimated fair value at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The Company held foreign currency derivatives with notional amounts of $12.2 billion and $9.1 billion to hedge the exchange rate risk associated with foreign denominated fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The below investment grade and non-income producing amounts presented below are based on rating agency designations and equivalent designations of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), with the exception of certain structured securities described below held by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries that file NAIC statutory financial statements. Non-agency RMBS, including RMBS backed by sub-prime mortgage loans reported within ABS, CMBS and all other ABS held by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries that file NAIC statutory financial statements are presented based on final ratings from the revised NAIC rating methodologies which became effective December 31, 2009 for non-agency RMBS, including RMBS backed by sub-prime mortgage loans reported within ABS, and December 31, 2010 for CMBS and the remaining ABS (which may not correspond to rating agency designations). All NAIC designation (e.g., NAIC 1 — 6) amounts and percentages presented herein are based on the revised NAIC methodologies. All rating agency designation (e.g., Aaa/AAA) amounts and percentages presented herein are based on rating agency designations without adjustment for the revised NAIC methodologies described above. Rating agency designations are based on availability of applicable ratings from rating agencies on the NAIC acceptable rating organization list, including Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), S&P and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”).
 
The following table presents selected information about certain fixed maturity securities held by the Company at:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Below investment grade or non-rated fixed maturity securities:
               
Estimated fair value
  $ 24,886     $ 20,201  
Net unrealized gain (loss)
  $ (696 )   $ (2,609 )
Non-income producing fixed maturity securities:
               
Estimated fair value
  $ 130     $ 312  
Net unrealized gain (loss)
  $ (23 )   $ (31 )
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — Summary.  The following section contains a summary of the concentrations of credit risk related to fixed maturity securities holdings.
 
The Company was not exposed to any concentrations of credit risk of any single issuer greater than 10% of the Company’s equity, other than the government securities summarized in the table below. The estimated fair value of the Company’s holdings in sovereign fixed maturity securities of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain, commonly referred to as “Europe’s perimeter region,” was $1,562 million and $6 million prior to, and was $1,392 million and $6 million, after considering net purchased credit default swap protection at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Collectively, the net exposure in these Europe perimeter region sovereign fixed maturity securities was 2.8% of the Company’s equity and 0.3% of total cash and invested assets at December 31, 2010.
 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Estimated Fair Value  
    (In millions)  
 
Government and agency fixed maturity securities:
               
United States (1)
  $ 33,304     $ 25,447  
Japan
  $ 15,591     $  
Mexico
  $ 5,050     $ 4,813  
 
 
(1) Includes certain corporate fixed maturity securities guaranteed by the FDIC Program, as described above.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — U.S. and Foreign Corporate Securities.  The Company maintains a diversified portfolio of corporate fixed maturity securities across industries and issuers. This portfolio does not have an exposure to any single issuer in excess of 1% of total investments. The tables below present for all corporate fixed maturity securities holdings, corporate securities by sector, U.S. corporate securities by major industry types, the largest exposure to a single issuer and the combined holdings in the ten issuers to which it had the largest exposure at:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Estimated
          Estimated
       
    Fair
    % of
    Fair
    % of
 
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Corporate fixed maturity securities — by sector:
                               
Foreign corporate fixed maturity securities (1)
  $ 68,178       42.4 %   $ 38,030       34.5 %
U.S. corporate fixed maturity securities — by industry:
                               
Industrial
    22,314       13.9       17,246       15.6  
Consumer
    21,737       13.5       16,924       15.4  
Finance
    20,917       13.0       13,756       12.5  
Utility
    17,027       10.6       14,785       13.4  
Communications
    7,375       4.6       6,580       6.0  
Other
    3,198       2.0       2,896       2.6  
                                 
Total
  $ 160,746       100.0 %   $ 110,217       100.0 %
                                 
 
 
(1) Includes U.S. dollar-denominated debt obligations of foreign obligors and other foreign fixed maturity securities.
 
                                 
    December 31,
    2010   2009
    Estimated
      Estimated
   
    Fair
  % of Total
  Fair
  % of Total
    Value   Investments   Value   Investments
    (In millions)
 
Concentrations within corporate fixed maturity securities:
                               
Largest exposure to a single issuer
  $ 2,291       0.5 %   $ 1,038       0.3 %
Holdings in ten issuers with the largest exposures
  $ 14,247       3.1 %   $ 7,506       2.3 %

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — RMBS.  The table below presents the Company’s RMBS holdings and portion rated Aaa/AAA and portion rated NAIC 1 at:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Estimated
          Estimated
       
    Fair
    % of
    Fair
    % of
 
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
By security type:
                               
Pass-through securities
  $ 22,430       50.1 %   $ 19,540       44.4 %
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    22,303       49.9       24,480       55.6  
                                 
Total RMBS
  $ 44,733       100.0 %   $ 44,020       100.0 %
                                 
By risk profile:
                               
Agency
  $ 34,254       76.6 %   $ 33,334       75.7 %
Prime
    6,258       14.0       6,775       15.4  
Alternative residential mortgage loans
    4,221       9.4       3,911       8.9  
                                 
Total RMBS
  $ 44,733       100.0 %   $ 44,020       100.0 %
                                 
Portion rated Aaa/AAA
  $ 36,085       80.7 %   $ 35,626       80.9 %
                                 
Portion rated NAIC 1
  $ 38,984       87.1 %   $ 38,464       87.4 %
                                 
 
Pass-through mortgage-backed securities are a type of asset-backed security that is secured by a mortgage or collection of mortgages. The monthly mortgage payments from homeowners pass from the originating bank through an intermediary, such as a government agency or investment bank, which collects the payments, and for a fee, remits or passes these payments through to the holders of the pass-through securities. Collateralized mortgage obligations are a type of mortgage-backed security structured by dividing the cash flows of mortgages into separate pools or tranches of risk that create multiple classes of bonds with varying maturities and priority of payments.
 
Prime residential mortgage lending includes the origination of residential mortgage loans to the most creditworthy borrowers with high quality credit profiles. Alternative residential mortgage loans (“Alt-A”) are a classification of mortgage loans where the risk profile of the borrower falls between prime and sub-prime. Sub-prime mortgage lending is the origination of residential mortgage loans to borrowers with weak credit profiles. Included within Alt-A RMBS are resecuritization of real estate mortgage investment conduit (“Re-REMIC”) securities. Re-REMIC Alt-A RMBS involve the pooling of previous issues of Alt-A RMBS and restructuring the combined pools to create new senior and subordinated securities. The credit enhancement on the senior tranches is improved through the resecuritization. The Company’s holdings are in senior tranches with significant credit enhancement.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The following tables present the Company’s investment in Alt-A RMBS by vintage year (vintage year refers to the year of origination and not to the year of purchase) and certain other selected data:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Estimated
          Estimated
       
    Fair
    % of
    Fair
    % of
 
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Vintage Year:
                               
2004 & Prior
  $ 93       2.2 %   $ 109       2.8 %
2005
    1,483       35.1       1,395       35.7  
2006
    1,013       24.0       811       20.7  
2007
    922       21.8       814       20.8  
2008
    7       0.2              
2009 (1)
    671       15.9       782       20.0  
2010 (1)
    32       0.8              
                                 
Total
  $ 4,221       100.0 %   $ 3,911       100.0 %
                                 
 
 
(1) All of the Company’s Alt-A RMBS holdings in the 2009 and 2010 vintage years are Re-REMIC Alt-A RMBS that were purchased in 2009 and 2010 and are comprised of original issue vintage year 2005 through 2007 Alt-A RMBS. All of the Company’s Re-REMIC Alt-A RMBS holdings are NAIC 1 rated.
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
          % of
          % of
 
    Amount     Total     Amount     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Net unrealized gain (loss)
  $ (670 )           $ (1,248 )        
Rated Aa/AA or better
            15.9 %             26.3 %
Rated NAIC 1
            39.5 %             31.3 %
Distribution of holdings — at estimated fair value — by collateral type:
                               
Fixed rate mortgage loans collateral
            90.7 %             89.3 %
Hybrid adjustable rate mortgage loans collateral
            9.3               10.7  
                                 
Total Alt-A RMBS
            100.0 %             100.0 %
                                 
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — CMBS.  The Company’s holdings in CMBS were $20.7 billion and $15.6 billion at estimated fair value at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company had no exposure to CMBS index securities at December 31, 2010 or 2009. The Company held commercial real estate collateralized debt obligations securities of $138 million and $111 million at estimated fair value at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The following tables present the Company’s holdings of CMBS by rating agency designation and by vintage year at:
 
                                                                                                 
    December 31, 2010  
                            Below
       
                            Investment
       
    Aaa     Aa     A     Baa     Grade     Total  
          Estimated
          Estimated
          Estimated
          Estimated
          Estimated
          Estimated
 
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
2003 & Prior
  $ 7,411     $ 7,640     $ 282     $ 282     $ 228     $ 227     $ 74     $ 71     $ 28     $ 24     $ 8,023     $ 8,244  
2004
    3,489       3,620       277       273       216       209       181       175       91       68       4,254       4,345  
2005
    3,113       3,292       322       324       286       280       263       255       73       66       4,057       4,217  
2006
    1,463       1,545       159       160       168       168       385       398       166       156       2,341       2,427  
2007
    840       791       344       298       96       95       119       108       122       133       1,521       1,425  
2008
    2       2                                                       2       2  
2009
    3       3                                                       3       3  
2010
    8       8                   4       4                               12       12  
                                                                                                 
Total
  $ 16,329     $ 16,901     $ 1,384     $ 1,337     $ 998     $ 983     $ 1,022     $ 1,007     $ 480     $ 447     $ 20,213     $ 20,675  
                                                                                                 
Ratings Distribution
            81.7 %             6.4 %             4.8 %             4.9 %             2.2 %             100.0 %
                                                                                                 
 
The December 31, 2010 table reflects rating agency designations assigned by nationally recognized rating agencies including Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and Realpoint, LLC.
 
                                                                                                 
    December 31, 2009  
                            Below
       
                            Investment
       
    Aaa     Aa     A     Baa     Grade     Total  
          Estimated
          Estimated
          Estimated
          Estimated
          Estimated
          Estimated
 
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
2003 & Prior
  $ 6,836     $ 6,918     $ 394     $ 365     $ 162     $ 140     $ 52     $ 41     $ 36     $ 18     $ 7,480     $ 7,482  
2004
    2,240       2,255       200       166       114       71       133       87       88       58       2,775       2,637  
2005
    2,956       2,853       144       108       85       65       39       24       57       51       3,281       3,101  
2006
    1,087       1,009       162       139       380       323       187       129       123       48       1,939       1,648  
2007
    432       314       13       12       361       257       234       153       35       13       1,075       749  
2008
    5       5                                                       5       5  
2009
                                                                       
                                                                                                 
Total
  $ 13,556     $ 13,354     $ 913     $ 790     $ 1,102     $ 856     $ 645     $ 434     $ 339     $ 188     $ 16,555     $ 15,622  
                                                                                                 
Ratings Distribution
            85.4 %             5.1 %             5.5 %             2.8 %             1.2 %             100.0 %
                                                                                                 
 
The December 31, 2009 table reflects rating agency designations assigned by nationally recognized rating agencies including Moody’s, S&P and Fitch.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The NAIC rating distribution of the Company’s holdings of CMBS was as follows at:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
NAIC 1
    93.7 %     96.0 %
NAIC 2
    3.2 %     2.8 %
NAIC 3
    1.8 %     1.0 %
NAIC 4
    1.0 %     0.1 %
NAIC 5
    0.3 %     0.1 %
NAIC 6
    %     %
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities) — ABS.  The Company’s holdings in ABS were $14.3 billion and $13.2 billion at estimated fair value at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company’s ABS are diversified both by collateral type and by issuer.
 
The following table presents the collateral type and certain other information about ABS held by the Company at:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Estimated
          Estimated
       
    Fair
    % of
    Fair
    % of
 
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
By collateral type:
                               
Credit card loans
  $ 6,027       42.2 %   $ 7,057       53.6 %
Student loans
    2,416       16.9       1,855       14.1  
RMBS backed by sub-prime mortgage loans
    1,119       7.8       1,044       7.9  
Automobile loans
    605       4.2       963       7.3  
Other loans
    4,123       28.9       2,243       17.1  
                                 
Total
  $ 14,290       100.0 %   $ 13,162       100.0 %
                                 
Portion rated Aaa/AAA
  $ 10,411       72.9 %   $ 9,354       71.1 %
                                 
Portion rated NAIC 1
  $ 13,136       91.9 %   $ 11,573       87.9 %
                                 
 
The Company had ABS supported by sub-prime mortgage loans with estimated fair values of $1,119 million and $1,044 million and unrealized losses of $317 million and $593 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Approximately 54% of this portfolio was rated Aa or better, of which 88% was in vintage year 2005 and prior at December 31, 2010. Approximately 61% of this portfolio was rated Aa or better, of which 91% was in vintage year 2005 and prior at December 31, 2009. These older vintages from 2005 and prior benefit from better underwriting, improved enhancement levels and higher residential property price appreciation. Approximately 66% and 73% of this portfolio was rated NAIC 2 or better at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk (Equity Securities).  The Company was not exposed to any concentrations of credit risk in its equity securities holdings of any single issuer greater than 10% of the Company’s equity or 1% of total investments at December 31, 2010 and 2009.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities.  The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, by contractual maturity date (excluding scheduled sinking funds), were as follows at:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
          Estimated
          Estimated
 
    Amortized
    Fair
    Amortized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Value     Cost     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 8,593     $ 8,715     $ 6,845     $ 6,924  
Due after one year through five years
    65,378       67,040       38,408       39,399  
Due after five years through ten years
    77,054       80,163       40,448       41,568  
Due after ten years
    89,577       91,668       67,838       66,947  
                                 
Subtotal
    240,602       247,586       153,539       154,838  
RMBS, CMBS and ABS
    79,406       79,698       76,170       72,804  
                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 320,008     $ 327,284     $ 229,709     $ 227,642  
                                 
 
Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to the exercise of call or prepayment options. Fixed maturity securities not due at a single maturity date have been included in the above table in the year of final contractual maturity. RMBS, CMBS and ABS are shown separately in the table, as they are not due at a single maturity.
 
As discussed further in Note 2, an indemnification asset has been established in connection with certain investments acquired from American Life.
 
Evaluating Available-for-Sale Securities for Other-Than-Temporary Impairment
 
As described more fully in Note 1, the Company performs a regular evaluation, on a security-by-security basis, of its available-for-sale securities holdings, including fixed maturity securities, equity securities and perpetual hybrid securities, in accordance with its impairment policy in order to evaluate whether such investments are other-than-temporarily impaired. As described more fully in Note 1, effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted OTTI guidance that amends the methodology for determining for fixed maturity securities whether an OTTI exists, and for certain fixed maturity securities, changes how the amount of the OTTI loss that is charged to earnings is determined. There was no change in the OTTI methodology for equity securities.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
 
The components of net unrealized investment gains (losses), included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), were as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 7,817     $ (1,208 )   $ (21,246 )
Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (601 )     (859 )      
                         
Total fixed maturity securities
    7,216       (2,067 )     (21,246 )
Equity securities
    (3 )     (103 )     (934 )
Derivatives
    (59 )     (144 )     (2 )
Other
    42       71       53  
                         
Subtotal
    7,196       (2,243 )     (22,129 )
                         
Amounts allocated from:
                       
Insurance liability loss recognition
    (672 )     (118 )     42  
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    38       71        
DAC and VOBA
    (1,205 )     145       3,025  
Policyholder dividend obligation
    (876 )            
                         
Subtotal
    (2,715 )     98       3,067  
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    197       275        
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
    (1,692 )     539       6,508  
                         
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
    2,986       (1,331 )     (12,554 )
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    4       1       (10 )
                         
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ 2,990     $ (1,330 )   $ (12,564 )
                         
 
Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), as presented above of ($601) million at December 31, 2010, includes ($859) million recognized prior to January 1, 2010, ($212) million (($202) million, net of DAC) of noncredit OTTI losses recognized in the year ended December 31, 2010, $16 million transferred to retained earnings in connection with the adoption of guidance related to the consolidation of VIEs (see Note 1) for the year ended December 31, 2010, $137 million related to securities sold during the year ended December 31, 2010 for which a noncredit OTTI loss was previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and $317 million of subsequent increases in estimated fair value during the year ended December 31, 2010 on such securities for which a noncredit OTTI loss was previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
 
Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), as presented above of ($859) million at December 31, 2009, includes ($126) million related to the transition adjustment recorded in 2009 upon the adoption of guidance on the recognition and presentation of OTTI, ($939) million (($857) million, net of DAC) of noncredit OTTI losses recognized in the year ended December 31, 2009 (as more fully described in Note 1), $20 million related to securities sold during the year ended December 31, 2009 for which a noncredit OTTI loss was previously recognized in accumulated comprehensive income (loss) and $186 million of subsequent increases in estimated fair value during the year


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
ended December 31, 2009 on such securities for which a noncredit OTTI loss was previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
 
The changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) were as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ (1,330 )   $ (12,564 )   $ 971  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles, net of income tax
    52       (76 )     (10 )
Fixed maturity securities on which noncredit OTTI losses have been recognized
    242       (733 )      
Unrealized investment gains (losses) during the year
    9,117       20,745       (25,536 )
Unrealized investment losses of subsidiaries at the date of disposal
                149  
Unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to:
                       
Insurance liability gain (loss) recognition
    (554 )     (160 )     650  
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (33 )     61        
DAC and VOBA
    (1,350 )     (2,880 )     3,370  
DAC and VOBA of subsidiary at date of disposal
                (18 )
Policyholder dividend obligation
    (876 )           789  
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (73 )     235        
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
    (2,208 )     (5,969 )     6,991  
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) of subsidiaries at date of disposal
                (60 )
                         
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
    2,987       (1,341 )     (12,704 )
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    3       11       (10 )
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests of subsidiary at date of disposal
                150  
                         
Balance, end of period
  $ 2,990     $ (1,330 )   $ (12,564 )
                         
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses)
  $ 4,317     $ 11,223     $ (13,665 )
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    3       11       (10 )
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests of subsidiary at date of disposal
                150  
                         
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ 4,320     $ 11,234     $ (13,525 )
                         
 
Continuous Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale by Sector
 
The following tables present the estimated fair value and gross unrealized loss of the Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by sector and by length of time that the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position. The unrealized loss amounts presented below include the noncredit component of OTTI loss. Fixed maturity securities on which a noncredit OTTI loss has been


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are categorized by length of time as being “less than 12 months” or “equal to or greater than 12 months” in a continuous unrealized loss position based on the point in time that the estimated fair value initially declined to below the amortized cost basis and not the period of time since the unrealized loss was deemed a noncredit OTTI loss.
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2010  
          Equal to or Greater
       
    Less than 12 Months     than 12 Months     Total  
    Estimated
    Gross
    Estimated
    Gross
    Estimated
    Gross
 
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
 
    Value     Loss     Value     Loss     Value     Loss  
    (In millions, except number of securities)  
 
Fixed Maturity Securities:
                                               
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 23,309     $ 464     $ 8,386     $ 1,167     $ 31,695     $ 1,631  
Foreign corporate securities
    22,530       417       4,007       522       26,537       939  
RMBS
    7,588       212       6,700       1,175       14,288       1,387  
Foreign government securities
    26,828       593       189       17       27,017       610  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    13,401       530       118       29       13,519       559  
CMBS
    3,787       29       1,363       249       5,150       278  
ABS
    2,713       42       3,029       667       5,742       709  
State and political subdivision securities
    5,061       246       988       272       6,049       518  
Other fixed maturity securities
    1                         1        
                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 105,218     $ 2,533     $ 24,780     $ 4,098     $ 129,998     $ 6,631  
                                                 
Equity Securities:
                                               
Common stock
  $ 89     $ 12     $ 1     $     $ 90     $ 12  
Non-redeemable preferred stock
    191       9       824       220       1,015       229  
                                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 280     $ 21     $ 825     $ 220     $ 1,105     $ 241  
                                                 
Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position
    5,793               1,738                          
                                                 
 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2009  
          Equal to or Greater
       
    Less than 12 Months     than 12 Months     Total  
    Estimated
    Gross
    Estimated
    Gross
    Estimated
    Gross
 
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
    Fair
    Unrealized
 
    Value     Loss     Value     Loss     Value     Loss  
    (In millions, except number of securities)  
 
Fixed Maturity Securities:
                                               
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 8,641     $ 395     $ 18,004     $ 2,314     $ 26,645     $ 2,709  
Foreign corporate securities
    3,786       139       7,282       1,096       11,068       1,235  
RMBS
    5,623       119       10,268       2,438       15,891       2,557  
Foreign government securities
    2,318       55       507       84       2,825       139  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    15,051       990       51       20       15,102       1,010  
CMBS
    2,052       29       5,435       1,095       7,487       1,124  
ABS
    1,259       143       5,875       1,156       7,134       1,299  
State and political subdivision securities
    2,086       94       1,843       317       3,929       411  
Other fixed maturity securities
    6       2                   6       2  
                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 40,822     $ 1,966     $ 49,265     $ 8,520     $ 90,087     $ 10,486  
                                                 
Equity Securities:
                                               
Common stock
  $ 56     $ 7     $ 14     $ 1     $ 70     $ 8  
Non-redeemable preferred stock
    66       41       930       226       996       267  
                                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 122     $ 48     $ 944     $ 227     $ 1,066     $ 275  
                                                 
Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position
    2,210               3,333                          
                                                 

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Aging of Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale
 
The following tables present the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized loss, including the portion of OTTI loss on fixed maturity securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), gross unrealized loss as a percentage of cost or amortized cost and number of securities for fixed maturity and equity securities where the estimated fair value had declined and remained below cost or amortized cost by less than 20%, or 20% or more at:
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2010  
    Cost or Amortized Cost     Gross Unrealized Loss     Number of Securities  
    Less than
    20% or
    Less than
    20% or
    Less than
    20% or
 
    20%     more     20%     more     20%     more  
    (In millions, except number of securities)  
 
Fixed Maturity Securities:
                                               
Less than six months
  $ 105,968     $ 1,408     $ 2,379     $ 369       5,472       125  
Six months or greater but less than nine months
    1,125       376       29       102       104       29  
Nine months or greater but less than twelve months
    375       89       28       27       51       9  
Twelve months or greater
    21,721       5,567       1,876       1,821       1,267       316  
                                                 
Total
  $ 129,189     $ 7,440     $ 4,312     $ 2,319                  
                                                 
Percentage of amortized cost
                    3 %     31 %                
                                                 
Equity Securities:
                                               
Less than six months
  $ 247     $ 94     $ 10     $ 22       131       33  
Six months or greater but less than nine months
    29       65       5       16       7       2  
Nine months or greater but less than twelve months
    6       47             16       4       2  
Twelve months or greater
    518       340       56       116       40       15  
                                                 
Total
  $ 800     $ 546     $ 71     $ 170                  
                                                 
Percentage of cost
                    9 %     31 %                
                                                 
 


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2009  
    Cost or Amortized Cost     Gross Unrealized Loss     Number of Securities  
    Less than
    20% or
    Less than
    20% or
    Less than
    20% or
 
    20%     more     20%     more     20%     more  
    (In millions, except number of securities)  
 
Fixed Maturity Securities:
                                               
Less than six months
  $ 35,163     $ 2,658     $ 933     $ 713       1,725       186  
Six months or greater but less than nine months
    4,908       674       508       194       124       49  
Nine months or greater but less than twelve months
    1,723       1,659       167       517       106       79  
Twelve months or greater
    41,721       12,067       3,207       4,247       2,369       724  
                                                 
Total
  $ 83,515     $ 17,058     $ 4,815     $ 5,671                  
                                                 
Percentage of amortized cost
                    6 %     33 %                
                                                 
Equity Securities:
                                               
Less than six months
  $ 66     $ 63     $ 7     $ 14       199       8  
Six months or greater but less than nine months
    6       1       1       1       15       2  
Nine months or greater but less than twelve months
    13       94       2       39       8       6  
Twelve months or greater
    610       488       73       138       50       24  
                                                 
Total
  $ 695     $ 646     $ 83     $ 192                  
                                                 
Percentage of cost
                    12 %     30 %                
                                                 
 
Equity securities with a gross unrealized loss of 20% or more for twelve months or greater decreased from $138 million at December 31, 2009 to $116 million at December 31, 2010. As shown in the section “— Evaluating Temporarily Impaired Available-for-Sale Securities” below, the $116 million of equity securities with a gross unrealized loss of 20% or more for twelve months or greater at December 31, 2010 were non-redeemable preferred stock, of which $115 million, or 99%, were financial services industry investment grade non-redeemable preferred stock, of which 77% were rated A or better.

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Concentration of Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale
 
The Company’s gross unrealized losses related to its fixed maturity and equity securities, including the portion of OTTI loss on fixed maturity securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $6.9 billion and $10.8 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were concentrated, calculated as a percentage of gross unrealized loss and OTTI loss, by sector and industry as follows:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Sector:
               
U.S. corporate securities
    24 %     25 %
RMBS
    20       24  
Foreign corporate securities
    14       11  
ABS
    10       12  
Foreign government securities
    9       1  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    8       9  
State and political subdivision securities
    8       4  
CMBS
    4       10  
Other
    3       4  
                 
Total
    100 %     100 %
                 
Industry:
               
Mortgage-backed
    24 %     34 %
Finance
    21       22  
Asset-backed
    10       12  
Foreign government securities
    9       1  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    8       9  
State and political subdivision securities
    8       4  
Utility
    5       4  
Consumer
    4       4  
Communications
    2       2  
Industrial
    2       1  
Other
    7       7  
                 
Total
    100 %     100 %
                 


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Evaluating Temporarily Impaired Available-for-Sale Securities
 
The following table presents the Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities, each with a gross unrealized loss of greater than $10 million, the number of securities, total gross unrealized loss and percentage of total gross unrealized loss at:
 
                                 
    December 31,
    2010   2009
    Fixed Maturity
  Equity
  Fixed Maturity
  Equity
    Securities   Securities   Securities   Securities
    (In millions, except number of securities)
 
Number of securities
    107       6       223       9  
Total gross unrealized loss
  $ 2,014     $ 103     $ 4,465     $ 132  
Percentage of total gross unrealized loss
    30 %     43 %     43 %     48 %
 
Fixed maturity and equity securities, each with a gross unrealized loss greater than $10 million, decreased $2.5 billion during the year ended December 31, 2010. The cause of the decline in, or improvement in, gross unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2010, was primarily attributable to a decrease in interest rates and narrowing of credit spreads. These securities were included in the Company’s OTTI review process. Based upon the Company’s current evaluation of these securities and other available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position in accordance with its impairment policy, and the Company’s current intentions and assessments (as applicable to the type of security) about holding, selling and any requirements to sell these securities, the Company has concluded that these securities are not other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
In the Company’s impairment review process, the duration and severity of an unrealized loss position for equity securities is given greater weight and consideration than for fixed maturity securities. An extended and severe unrealized loss position on a fixed maturity security may not have any impact on the ability of the issuer to service all scheduled interest and principal payments and the Company’s evaluation of recoverability of all contractual cash flows or the ability to recover an amount at least equal to its amortized cost based on the present value of the expected future cash flows to be collected. In contrast, for an equity security, greater weight and consideration is given by the Company to a decline in market value and the likelihood such market value decline will recover.
 
The following table presents certain information about the Company’s equity securities available-for-sale with a gross unrealized loss of 20% or more at December 31, 2010:
 
                                                                 
          Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock  
          All Types of
             
    All Equity
    Non-Redeemable
    Investment Grade  
    Securities     Preferred Stock     All Industries     Financial Services Industry  
    Gross
    Gross
    % of All
    Gross
    % of All
    Gross
          % A
 
    Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Equity
    Unrealized
    Non-Redeemable
    Unrealized
    % of All
    Rated or
 
    Loss     Loss     Securities     Loss     Preferred Stock     Loss     Industries     Better  
    (In millions)  
 
Less than six months
  $ 22     $ 18       82 %   $ 9       50 %   $ 9       100 %     100 %
Six months or greater but less than twelve months
    32       32       100 %     32       100 %     32       100 %     50 %
Twelve months or greater
    116       116       100 %     115       99 %     115       100 %     77 %
                                                                 
All equity securities with a gross unrealized loss of 20% or more
  $ 170     $ 166       98 %   $ 156       94 %   $ 156       100 %     73 %
                                                                 
 
In connection with the equity securities impairment review process, the Company evaluated its holdings in non-redeemable preferred stock, particularly those companies in the financial services industry. The Company considered several factors including whether there has been any deterioration in credit of the issuer and the likelihood of recovery in value of non-redeemable preferred stock with a severe or an extended unrealized loss. The


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Company also considered whether any issuers of non-redeemable preferred stock with an unrealized loss held by the Company, regardless of credit rating, have deferred any dividend payments. No such dividend payments had been deferred.
 
With respect to common stock holdings, the Company considered the duration and severity of the unrealized losses for securities in an unrealized loss position of 20% or more; and the duration of unrealized losses for securities in an unrealized loss position of less than 20% in an extended unrealized loss position (i.e., 12 months or greater).
 
Future OTTIs will depend primarily on economic fundamentals, issuer performance (including changes in the present value of future cash flows expected to be collected), changes in credit rating, changes in collateral valuation, changes in interest rates and changes in credit spreads. If economic fundamentals and any of the above factors deteriorate, additional OTTIs may be incurred in upcoming quarters.
 
Net Investment Gains (Losses)
 
See “— Evaluating Available-for-Sale Securities for Other-Than-Temporary Impairment” for a discussion of changes in guidance adopted April 1, 2009 that impacted how fixed maturity security OTTI losses that are charged to earnings are measured.
 
The components of net investment gains (losses) were as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities:
                       
Total OTTI losses recognized
  $ (682 )   $ (2,439 )   $ (1,296 )
Less: Noncredit portion of OTTI losses transferred to and recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
    212       939        
                         
Net OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities recognized in earnings
    (470 )     (1,500 )     (1,296 )
Fixed maturity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals
    215       (163 )     (657 )
                         
Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities
    (255 )     (1,663 )     (1,953 )
Other net investment gains (losses):
                       
Equity securities
    104       (399 )     (253 )
Mortgage loans
    22       (442 )     (136 )
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
    (54 )     (164 )     (18 )
Other limited partnership interests
    (18 )     (356 )     (140 )
Other investment portfolio gains (losses)
    (6 )     (26 )     134  
                         
Subtotal — investment portfolio gains (losses)
    (207 )     (3,050 )     (2,366 )
                         
FVO consolidated securitization entities:
                       
Commercial mortgage loans
    758              
Securities
    (78 )            
Long-term debt — related to commercial mortgage loans
    (722 )            
Long-term debt — related to securities
    48              
Other gains (losses) (1)
    (191 )     144       268  
                         
Subtotal FVO consolidated securitization entities and other gains (losses)
    (185 )     144       268  
                         
Total net investment gains (losses)
  $ (392 )   $ (2,906 )   $ (2,098 )
                         
 
 
(1) Other gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2010 includes a loss of $209 million related to recording the Company’s investment in MSI MetLife at its estimated recoverable amount. See Note 2.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs included in the table above.
 
Gains (losses) from foreign currency transactions included within net investment gains (losses) were $246 million, $226 million and $363 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Proceeds from sales or disposals of fixed maturity and equity securities and the components of fixed maturity and equity securities net investment gains (losses) were as shown below. Investment gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis.
 
                                                                         
    Years Ended December 31,     Years Ended December 31,     Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008     2010     2009     2008     2010     2009     2008  
    Fixed Maturity Securities     Equity Securities     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Proceeds
  $ 54,559     $ 38,972     $ 62,495     $ 623     $ 950     $ 2,107     $ 55,182     $ 39,922     $ 64,602  
                                                                         
Gross investment gains
    832       947       858       129       134       440       961       1,081       1,298  
                                                                         
Gross investment losses
    (617 )     (1,110 )     (1,515 )     (11 )     (133 )     (263 )     (628 )     (1,243 )     (1,778 )
                                                                         
Total OTTI losses recognized in earnings:
                                                                       
Credit-related
    (423 )     (1,137 )     (1,138 )                       (423 )     (1,137 )     (1,138 )
Other (1)
    (47 )     (363 )     (158 )     (14 )     (400 )     (430 )     (61 )     (763 )     (588 )
                                                                         
Total OTTI losses recognized in earnings
    (470 )     (1,500 )     (1,296 )     (14 )     (400 )     (430 )     (484 )     (1,900 )     (1,726 )
                                                                         
Net investment gains (losses)
  $ (255 )   $ (1,663 )   $ (1,953 )   $ 104     $ (399 )   $ (253 )   $ (151 )   $ (2,062 )   $ (2,206 )
                                                                         
 
 
(1) Other OTTI losses recognized in earnings include impairments on equity securities, impairments on perpetual hybrid securities classified within fixed maturity securities where the primary reason for the impairment was the severity and/or the duration of an unrealized loss position and fixed maturity securities where there is an intent to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the decline in estimated fair value.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Fixed maturity security OTTI losses recognized in earnings related to the following sectors and industries within the U.S. and foreign corporate securities sector:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Sector:
                       
U.S. and foreign corporate securities — by industry:
                       
Finance
  $ 126     $ 459     $ 673  
Consumer
    36       211       107  
Communications
    16       235       134  
Utility
    3       89       5  
Industrial
    2       30       26  
Other industries
          26       185  
                         
Total U.S. and foreign corporate securities
    183       1,050       1,130  
ABS
    103       168       99  
RMBS
    98       193        
CMBS
    86       88       65  
Foreign government securities
          1       2  
                         
Total
  $ 470     $ 1,500     $ 1,296  
                         
 
Equity security OTTI losses recognized in earnings related to the following sectors and industries:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Sector:
                       
Non-redeemable preferred stock
  $ 7     $ 333     $ 319  
Common stock
    7       67       111  
                         
Total
  $  14     $   400     $   430  
                         
Industry:
                       
Financial services industry:
                       
Perpetual hybrid securities
  $ 3     $ 310     $ 90  
Common and remaining non-redeemable preferred stock
          30       251  
                         
Total financial services industry
    3       340       341  
Other industries
    11       60       89  
                         
Total
  $ 14     $ 400     $ 430  
                         


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Credit Loss Rollforward — Rollforward of the Cumulative Credit Loss Component of OTTI Loss Recognized in Earnings on Fixed Maturity Securities Still Held for Which a Portion of the OTTI Loss Was Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
The table below presents a rollforward of the cumulative credit loss component of OTTI loss recognized in earnings on fixed maturity securities still held by the Company at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss):
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance, at January 1,
  $ 581     $  
Credit loss component of OTTI loss not reclassified to other comprehensive income (loss) in the cumulative effect transition adjustment
          230  
Additions:
               
Initial impairments — credit loss OTTI recognized on securities not previously impaired
    109       311  
Additional impairments — credit loss OTTI recognized on securities previously impaired
    125       91  
Reductions:
               
Due to sales (maturities, pay downs or prepayments) during the period of securities previously credit loss OTTI impaired
    (260 )     (49 )
Due to securities de-recognized in connection with the adoption of new guidance related to the consolidation of VIEs
    (100 )      
Due to securities impaired to net present value of expected future cash flows
    (2 )      
Due to increases in cash flows — accretion of previous credit loss OTTI
    (10 )     (2 )
                 
Balance, at December 31,
  $ 443     $ 581  
                 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Net Investment Income
 
The components of net investment income were as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Investment income:
                       
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 12,489     $ 11,617     $ 13,577  
Equity securities
    128       178       258  
Trading and other securities — Actively Traded Securities and FVO general account securities
    73       116       (27 )
Mortgage loans
    2,826       2,743       2,855  
Policy loans
    657       648       601  
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
    439       (197 )     572  
Other limited partnership interests
    879       174       (170 )
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
    102       129       353  
International joint ventures (1)
    (81 )     (115 )     43  
Other
    235       205       350  
                         
Subtotal
    17,747       15,498       18,412  
Less: Investment expenses
    930       945       1,957  
                         
Subtotal, net
    16,817       14,553       16,455  
                         
Trading and other securities — FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments
    372       284       (166 )
FVO consolidated securitization entities:
                       
Commercial mortgage loans
    411              
Securities
    15              
                         
Subtotal
    798       284       (166 )
                         
Net investment income
  $ 17,615     $ 14,837     $ 16,289  
                         
 
 
(1) Amounts are presented net of changes in estimated fair value of derivatives related to economic hedges of the Company’s investment in these equity method international joint venture investments that do not qualify for hedge accounting of $36 million, ($143) million and $178 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs included in the table above.
 
Securities Lending
 
The Company participates in securities lending programs whereby blocks of securities, which are included in fixed maturity securities and short-term investments, are loaned to third parties, primarily brokerage firms and commercial banks. The Company generally obtains collateral, generally cash, in an amount equal to 102% of the estimated fair value of the securities loaned, which is obtained at the inception of a loan and maintained at a level greater than or equal to 100% for the duration of the loan. Securities loaned under such transactions may be sold or repledged by the transferee. The Company is liable to return to its counterparties the cash collateral under its control. These transactions are treated as financing arrangements and the associated liability is recorded at the amount of the cash received.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Elements of the securities lending programs are presented below at:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Securities on loan:
               
Amortized cost
  $ 23,715     $ 21,012  
Estimated fair value
  $ 24,230     $ 20,949  
Aging of cash collateral liability:
               
Open (1)
  $ 2,752     $ 3,290  
Less than thirty days
    12,301       13,605  
Thirty days or greater but less than sixty days
    4,399       3,534  
Sixty days or greater but less than ninety days
    2,291       92  
Ninety days or greater
    2,904       995  
                 
Total cash collateral liability
  $ 24,647     $ 21,516  
                 
Security collateral on deposit from counterparties
  $     $ 6  
                 
Reinvestment portfolio — estimated fair value
  $ 24,177     $ 20,339  
                 
 
 
(1) Open — meaning that the related loaned security could be returned to the Company on the next business day requiring the Company to immediately return the cash collateral.
 
The estimated fair value of the securities on loan related to the cash collateral on open at December 31, 2010 was $2.7 billion, of which $2.3 billion were U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities which, if put to the Company, can be immediately sold to satisfy the cash requirements. The remainder of the securities on loan were primarily U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities, and very liquid RMBS. The reinvestment portfolio acquired with the cash collateral consisted principally of fixed maturity securities (including RMBS, U.S. corporate, U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed and ABS).
 
Security collateral on deposit from counterparties in connection with the securities lending transactions may not be sold or repledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Separately, the Company had $49 million and $46 million, at estimated fair value, of cash and security collateral on deposit from a counterparty to secure its interest in a pooled investment that is held by a third-party trustee, as custodian, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. This pooled investment is included within fixed maturity securities and had an estimated fair value of $49 million and $51 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral
 
The invested assets on deposit, invested assets held in trust and invested assets pledged as collateral are presented in the table below. The amounts presented in the table below are at estimated fair value for cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, fixed maturity, equity, trading and other securities and at carrying value for mortgage loans.
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Invested assets on deposit:
               
Regulatory agencies (1)
  $ 2,110     $ 1,383  
Invested assets held in trust:
               
Collateral financing arrangements (2)
    5,340       5,653  
Reinsurance arrangements (3)
    3,090       2,719  
Invested assets pledged as collateral:
               
Funding agreements and advances — FHLB of NY (4)
    21,975       20,612  
Funding agreements — FHLB of Boston (4)
    211       419  
Funding agreements — Farmer Mac (5)
    3,159       2,871  
Federal Reserve Bank of New York (6)
    1,822       1,537  
Collateral financing arrangements (7)
    112       80  
Derivative transactions (8)
    1,726       1,671  
Short sale agreements (9)
    465       496  
                 
Total invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral
  $ 40,010     $ 37,441  
                 
 
 
(1) The Company has investment assets on deposit with regulatory agencies consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, fixed maturity securities and equity securities.
 
(2) The Company held in trust cash and securities, primarily fixed maturity and equity securities, to satisfy collateral requirements.
 
(3) The Company held in trust certain investments, primarily fixed maturity securities, in connection with certain reinsurance transactions.
 
(4) The Company has pledged fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans in support of its funding agreements with, and advances from, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB of NY”) and has pledged fixed maturity securities in support of its funding agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB of Boston”). The nature of these Federal Home Loan Bank arrangements is described in Notes 8 and 11.
 
(5) The Company has pledged certain agricultural mortgage loans in connection with funding agreements issued to certain SPEs that have issued securities guaranteed by the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (“Farmer Mac”). The nature of these Farmer Mac arrangements is described in Note 8.
 
(6) The Company has pledged qualifying mortgage loans and fixed maturity securities in connection with collateralized borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Term Auction Facility. The nature of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York arrangements is described in Note 11.
 
(7) The Holding Company has pledged certain collateral in support of the collateral financing arrangements described in Note 12.
 
(8) Certain of the Company’s invested assets are pledged as collateral for various derivative transactions as described in Note 4.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
(9) Certain of the Company’s Actively Traded Securities and cash and cash equivalents are pledged to secure liabilities associated with short sale agreements in the Actively Traded Securities portfolio.
 
See also “— Securities Lending” for the amount of the Company’s cash received from and due back to counterparties pursuant to the Company’s securities lending program. See “— Variable Interest Entities” for assets of certain CSEs that can only be used to settle liabilities of such entities.
 
Trading and Other Securities
 
The tables below present certain information about the Company’s trading securities and other securities for which the FVO has been elected:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Actively Traded Securities
  $ 463     $ 420  
FVO general account securities
    131       78  
FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments
    17,794       1,886  
FVO securities held by consolidated securitization entities
    201        
                 
Total trading and other securities — at estimated fair value
  $ 18,589     $ 2,384  
                 
Actively Traded Securities — at estimated fair value
  $ 463     $ 420  
Short sale agreement liabilities — at estimated fair value
    (46 )     (106 )
                 
Net long/short position — at estimated fair value
  $ 417     $ 314  
                 
Investments pledged to secure short sale agreement liabilities
  $ 465     $ 496  
                 
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Actively Traded Securities:
                       
Net investment income
  $ 54     $ 98     $ (13 )
Changes in estimated fair value included in net investment income
  $ 12     $ 18     $ (2 )
FVO general account securities:
                       
Net investment income
  $ 19     $ 18     $ (14 )
Changes in estimated fair value included in net investment income
  $ 18     $ 16     $ (17 )
FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments:
                       
Net investment income
  $ 372     $ 284     $ (166 )
Changes in estimated fair value included in net investment income
  $ 322     $ 275     $ (155 )
FVO securities held by consolidated securitization entities:
                       
Net investment income
  $ 15     $     $  
Changes in estimated fair value included in net investment gains (losses)
  $ (78 )   $     $  
 
See Note 1 for discussion of FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments and “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs included in the tables above. The FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments held as of December 31, 2010 were primarily due to the Acquisition (see Note 2).


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Mortgage Loans
 
Mortgage loans are summarized as follows at:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Carrying
    % of
    Carrying
    % of
 
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Mortgage loans held-for-investment:
                               
Commercial mortgage loans
  $ 37,820       60.7 %   $ 35,176       69.0 %
Agricultural mortgage loans
    12,751       20.4       12,255       24.1  
Residential mortgage loans
    2,308       3.7       1,471       2.9  
                                 
Subtotal
    52,879       84.8       48,902       96.0  
Valuation allowances
    (664 )     (1.1 )     (721 )     (1.4 )
                                 
Subtotal mortgage loans held-for-investment, net
    52,215       83.7       48,181       94.6  
Commercial mortgage loans held by consolidated securitization entities — FVO
    6,840       11.0              
                                 
Total mortgage loans held-for-investment, net
    59,055       94.7       48,181       94.6  
                                 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale:
                               
Residential mortgage loans — FVO
    2,510       4.0       2,470       4.9  
Mortgage loans — lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value (1)
    811       1.3       258       0.5  
                                 
Total mortgage loans held-for-sale
    3,321       5.3       2,728       5.4  
                                 
Total mortgage loans, net
  $ 62,376       100.0 %   $ 50,909       100.0 %
                                 
 
 
(1) Includes agricultural and residential mortgage loans.
 
See “— Variable Interest Entities” for discussion of CSEs included in the table above.
 
Concentration of Credit Risk — The Company diversifies its mortgage loan portfolio by both geographic region and property type to reduce the risk of concentration. The Company’s commercial and agricultural mortgage loans are collateralized by properties primarily located in the United States, at 91%, with the remaining 9% collateralized by properties located outside the United States, calculated as a percent of total mortgage loans held-for-investment (excluding commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs) at December 31, 2010. The carrying value of the Company’s commercial and agricultural mortgage loans located in California, New York and Texas were 21%, 8% and 7%, respectively, of total mortgage loans held-for-investment (excluding commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs) at December 31, 2010. Additionally, the Company manages risk when originating commercial and agricultural mortgage loans by generally lending only up to 75% of the estimated fair value of the underlying real estate.
 
Certain of the Company’s real estate joint ventures have mortgage loans with the Company. The carrying values of such mortgage loans were $283 million and $368 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The following tables present the recorded investment in mortgage loans held-for-investment, by portfolio segment, by method of evaluation of credit loss, and the related valuation allowances, by type of credit loss, at:
 
                                                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
    Commercial     Agricultural     Residential     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Mortgage loans:
                                                               
Evaluated individually for credit losses
  $ 120     $ 102     $ 146     $ 211     $ 15     $ 3     $ 281     $ 316  
Evaluated collectively for credit losses
    37,700       35,074       12,605       12,044       2,293       1,468       52,598       48,586  
                                                                 
Total mortgage loans
    37,820       35,176       12,751       12,255       2,308       1,471       52,879       48,902  
                                                                 
Valuation allowances:
                                                               
Specific credit losses
    36       41       52       82                   88       123  
Non-specifically identified credit losses
    526       548       36       33       14       17       576       598  
                                                                 
Total valuation allowances
    562       589       88       115       14       17       664       721  
                                                                 
Mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance
  $ 37,258     $ 34,587     $ 12,663     $ 12,140     $ 2,294     $ 1,454     $ 52,215     $ 48,181  
                                                                 
 
The following tables present the changes in the valuation allowance, by portfolio segment:
 
                                 
    Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowances  
    Commercial     Agricultural     Residential     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at January 1, 2008
  $ 167     $ 24     $ 6     $ 197  
Provision (release)
    145       49       6       200  
Charge-offs, net of recoveries
    (80 )     (12 )     (1 )     (93 )
                                 
Balance at December 31, 2008
    232       61       11       304  
Provision (release)
    384       79       12       475  
Charge-offs, net of recoveries
    (27 )     (25 )     (6 )     (58 )
                                 
Balance at December 31, 2009
    589       115       17       721  
Provision (release)
    (5 )     12       2       9  
Charge-offs, net of recoveries
    (22 )     (39 )     (5 )     (66 )
                                 
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 562     $ 88     $ 14     $ 664  
                                 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Commercial Mortgage Loans — by Credit Quality Indicators with Estimated Fair Value:  Presented below for the commercial mortgage loans held-for-investment is the recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by the indicated loan-to-value ratio categories and debt service coverage ratio categories and estimated fair value of such mortgage loans by the indicated loan-to-value ratio categories at:
 
                                                         
    December 31, 2010  
    Recorded Investment              
    Debt Service Coverage Ratios                 Estimated
       
    > 1.20x     1.00x - 1.20x     < 1.00x     Total     % of Total     Fair Value     % of Total  
    (In millions)     (In millions)  
 
Loan-to-value ratios:
                                                       
Less than 65%
  $ 16,664     $ 125     $ 483     $ 17,272       45.7 %   $ 18,183       46.9 %
65% to 75%
    9,023       765       513       10,301       27.2       10,686       27.6  
76% to 80%
    3,033       304       135       3,472       9.2       3,536       9.1  
Greater than 80%
    4,155       1,813       807       6,775       17.9       6,374       16.4  
                                                         
Total
  $ 32,875     $ 3,007     $ 1,938     $ 37,820       100.0 %   $ 38,779       100.0 %
                                                         
 
Agricultural and Residential Mortgage Loans — by Credit Quality Indicator:  The recorded investment in agricultural and residential mortgage loans held-for-investment, prior to valuation allowances, by credit quality indicator, was at:
 
                                     
    December 31, 2010  
    Agricultural Mortgage Loans         Residential Mortgage Loans  
    Recorded Investment     % of Total         Recorded Investment     % of Total  
    (In millions)               (In millions)        
 
Loan-to-value ratios:
                  Performance indicators:                
Less than 65%
  $ 11,483       90.1 %   Performing   $ 2,225       96.4 %
65% to 75%
    885       6.9     Nonperforming     83       3.6  
                                     
76% to 80%
    48       0.4       Total   $ 2,308       100.0 %
                                     
Greater than 80%
    335       2.6                      
                                     
Total
  $ 12,751       100.0 %                    
                                     
 
Past Due and Interest Accrual Status of Mortgage Loans.  The Company has a high quality, well performing, mortgage loan portfolio with approximately 99% of all mortgage loans classified as performing.
 
Past Due.  The Company defines delinquent mortgage loans consistent with industry practice, when interest and principal payments are past due as follows: commercial mortgage loans — 60 days past due; agricultural mortgage loans — 90 days past due; and residential mortgage loans — 60 days past due. The recorded investment in mortgage loans held-for-investment, prior to valuation allowances, past due according to these aging categories was $58 million, $159 million and $79 million for commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans, respectively, at December 31, 2010; and for all mortgage loans was $296 million and $220 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Accrual Status. Past Due 90 Days or More and Still Accruing Interest.  The recorded investment in mortgage loans held-for-investment, prior to valuation allowances, that were past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest was $1 million, $13 million and $11 million for commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans, respectively, at December 31, 2010; and for all mortgage loans, was $25 million and $14 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Accrual Status. Mortgage Loans in Nonaccrual Status.  The recorded investment in mortgage loans held-for-investment, prior to valuation allowances, that were in nonaccrual status was $7 million, $177 million


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
and $25 million for commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans, respectively, at December 31, 2010; and for all mortgage loans, was $209 million and $263 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Impaired Mortgage Loans.  The unpaid principal balance, recorded investment, valuation allowances and carrying value, net of valuation allowances, for impaired mortgage loans held-for-investment, by portfolio segment, at December 31, 2010 and for all impaired mortgage loans held-for-investment at December 31, 2009, were as follows at:
 
                                                                 
    Impaired Mortgage Loans  
          Loans without
       
    Loans with a Valuation Allowance     a Valuation Allowance     All Impaired Loans  
    Unpaid
                      Unpaid
          Unpaid
       
    Principal
    Recorded
    Valuation
    Carrying
    Principal
    Recorded
    Principal
    Carrying
 
    Balance     Investment     Allowances     Value     Balance     Investment     Balance     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
At December 31, 2010:
                                                               
Commercial mortgage loans
  $ 120     $ 120     $ 36     $ 84     $ 99     $ 87     $ 219     $ 171  
Agricultural mortgage loans
    146       146       52       94       123       119       269       213  
Residential mortgage loans
    3       3             3       16       16       19       19  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 269     $ 269     $ 88     $ 181     $ 238     $ 222     $ 507     $ 403  
                                                                 
Total mortgage loans at December 31, 2009
  $ 316     $ 316     $ 123     $ 193     $ 106     $ 106     $ 422     $ 299  
                                                                 
 
Unpaid principal balance is generally prior to any charge-off.
 
The average investment in impaired mortgage loans held-for-investment, and the related interest income, by portfolio segment, for the year ended December 31, 2010 and for all mortgage loans for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, was:
 
                         
    Average Investment              
    Impaired Mortgage Loans  
          Interest Income Recognized  
          Cash Basis     Accrual Basis  
    (In millions)  
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010:
                       
Commercial mortgage loans
  $ 192     $ 5     $ 1  
Agricultural mortgage loans
    284       6       2  
Residential mortgage loans
    16              
                         
Total
  $ 492     $ 11     $ 3  
                         
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009
  $ 338     $ 8     $ 1  
                         
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
  $ 389     $ 12     $ 10  
                         


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures
 
Real estate investments by type consisted of the following:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Carrying
    % of
    Carrying
    % of
 
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Traditional
  $ 5,163       64.3 %   $ 4,135       60.0 %
Real estate joint ventures and funds
    2,707       33.7       2,579       37.4  
                                 
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
    7,870       98.0       6,714       97.4  
Foreclosed
    152       1.9       127       1.8  
                                 
Real estate held-for-investment
    8,022       99.9       6,841       99.2  
Real estate held-for-sale
    8       0.1       55       0.8  
                                 
Total real estate and real estate joint ventures
  $ 8,030       100.0 %   $ 6,896       100.0 %
                                 
 
The Company classifies within traditional real estate its investment in income-producing real estate, which is comprised primarily of wholly-owned real estate and, to a much lesser extent joint ventures with interests in single property income-producing real estate. The Company classifies within real estate joint ventures and funds, its investments in joint ventures with interests in multi-property projects with varying strategies ranging from the development of properties to the operation of income-producing properties as well as its investments in real estate private equity funds. From time to time, the Company transfers investments from these joint ventures to traditional real estate, if the Company retains an interest in the joint venture after a completed property commences operations and the Company intends to retain an interest in the property.
 
Properties acquired through foreclosure were $165 million, $127 million and less than $1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and includes commercial, agricultural and residential properties. After the Company acquires properties through foreclosure, it evaluates whether the property is appropriate for retention in its traditional real estate portfolio. Foreclosed real estate held at December 31, 2010 and 2009 includes those properties the Company has not selected for retention in its traditional real estate portfolio and which do not meet the criteria to be classified as held-for-sale.
 
The wholly-owned real estate within traditional real estate is net of accumulated depreciation of $1.7 billion and $1.4 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Related depreciation expense on traditional wholly-owned real estate was $151 million, $135 million and $136 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These amounts include depreciation expense related to discontinued operations of less than $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, and $1 million for both the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. The estimated fair value of the traditional real estate investment portfolio was $6.6 billion and $5.4 billion at December 31, 2010, and 2009, respectively.
 
Impairments recognized on real estate held-for-investment were $48 million, $160 million and $20 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Impairments recognized on real estate held-for-sale were $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. There were no impairments recognized on real estate held-for-sale for each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. The Company’s carrying value of real estate held-for-sale has been reduced by impairments recorded prior to 2009 of $1 million at both December 31, 2010 and 2009. The carrying value of non-income producing real estate was $137 million, $76 million and $28 million at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
The Company diversifies its real estate investments by both geographic region and property type to reduce risk of concentration. The Company’s real estate investments are primarily located in the United States, at 88%, with the


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
remaining 12% located outside the United States , at December 31, 2010. The three locations with the largest real estate investments were California, Florida and Japan at 21%, 12% and 10%, respectively, at December 31, 2010.
 
The Company’s real estate investments by property type are categorized as follows:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Carrying
    % of
    Carrying
    % of
 
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Office
  $ 4,369       54.4 %   $ 3,557       51.6 %
Apartments
    1,774       22.1       1,438       20.9  
Real estate private equity funds
    552       6.9       504       7.3  
Industrial
    433       5.4       436       6.3  
Retail
    389       4.8       467       6.8  
Hotel
    233       2.9       203       2.9  
Land
    133       1.7       110       1.6  
Agriculture
    17       0.2       57       0.8  
Other
    130       1.6       124       1.8  
                                 
Total real estate and real estate joint ventures
  $ 8,030       100.0 %   $ 6,896       100.0 %
                                 
 
Other Limited Partnership Interests
 
The carrying value of other limited partnership interests (which primarily represent ownership interests in pooled investment funds that principally make private equity investments in companies in the United States and overseas) was $6.4 billion and $5.5 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Included within other limited partnership interests were $1.0 billion, at both December 31, 2010 and 2009, of investments in hedge funds. Impairments of other limited partnership interests, principally cost method other limited partnership interests, were $12 million, $354 million and $105 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Collectively Significant Equity Method Investments
 
The Company holds investments in real estate joint ventures, real estate funds and other limited partnership interests consisting of leveraged buy-out funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, joint ventures and other funds. The portion of these investments accounted for under the equity method had a carrying value of $8.7 billion as of December 31, 2010. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss related to these equity method investments is limited to the carrying value of these investments plus unfunded commitments of $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2010. Except for certain real estate joint ventures, the Company’s investments in real estate funds and other limited partnership interests are generally of a passive nature in that the Company does not participate in the management of the entities.
 
As further described in Note 1, the Company generally records its share of earnings in its equity method investments using a three-month lag methodology and within net investment income. As of December 31, 2010, aggregate net investment income from these equity method real estate joint ventures, real estate funds and other limited partnership interests exceeded 10% of the Company’s consolidated pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations. Accordingly, the Company is providing the following aggregated summarized financial data for such equity method investments. This aggregated summarized financial data does not represent the Company’s proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, or earnings of such entities.
 
As of, and for the year ended December 31, 2010, the aggregated summarized financial data presented below reflects the latest available financial information. Aggregate total assets of these entities totaled $262.9 billion and


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
$209.9 billion as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Aggregate total liabilities of these entities totaled $77.6 billion and $64.5 billion as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Aggregate net income (loss) of these entities totaled $18.7 billion, $22.8 billion and ($23.3) billion for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Aggregate net income (loss) from real estate joint ventures, real estate funds and other limited partnership interests is primarily comprised of investment income, including recurring investment income and realized and unrealized investment gains (losses).
 
Other Invested Assets
 
The following table presents the carrying value of the Company’s other invested assets by type at:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Carrying
    % of
    Carrying
    % of
 
    Value     Total     Value     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Freestanding derivatives with positive fair values
  $ 7,777       50.4 %   $ 6,133       48.2 %
Leveraged leases, net of non-recourse debt
    2,191       14.2       2,227       17.5  
Tax credit partnerships
    976       6.3       719       5.7  
MSRs
    950       6.2       878       6.9  
Joint venture investments
    694       4.5       977       7.7  
Funds withheld
    551       3.6       505       4.0  
Funding agreements
                409       3.2  
Other
    2,291       14.8       861       6.8  
                                 
Total
  $ 15,430       100.0 %   $ 12,709       100.0 %
                                 
 
See Note 4 for information regarding the freestanding derivatives with positive estimated fair values. See the following sections, “Leveraged Leases” and “Mortgage Servicing Rights,” for the composition of leveraged leases and for information on MSRs. Tax credit partnerships are established for the purpose of investing in low-income housing and other social causes, where the primary return on investment is in the form of income tax credits, and are accounted for under the equity method or under the effective yield method. Joint venture investments are accounted for under the equity method and represent the Company’s investment in insurance underwriting joint ventures in China, Japan (see Note 2) and Chile. Funds withheld represent amounts contractually withheld by ceding companies in accordance with reinsurance agreements. Funding agreements represent arrangements where the Company has long-term interest bearing amounts on deposit with third parties and are generally stated at amortized cost.
 
Leveraged Leases
 
Investment in leveraged leases, included in other invested assets, consisted of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Rental receivables, net
  $ 1,882     $ 1,698  
Estimated residual values
    1,682       1,921  
                 
Subtotal
    3,564       3,619  
Unearned income
    (1,373 )     (1,392 )
                 
Investment in leveraged leases
  $ 2,191     $ 2,227  
                 


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The rental receivables set forth above are generally due in periodic installments. The payment periods range from one to 15 years, but in certain circumstances are as long as 30 years. For rental receivables, the Company’s primary credit quality indicator is whether the rental receivable is performing or non-performing. The Company generally defines non-performing rental receivables as those that are 90 days or more past due. The determination of performing or non-performing status is assessed monthly. As of December 31, 2010, all of the rental receivables were performing.
 
The Company’s deferred income tax liability related to leveraged leases was $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The components of net income from investment in leveraged leases were as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Net income from investment in leveraged leases
  $ 123     $ 114     $ 116  
Less: Income tax expense on leveraged leases net investment income
    (43 )     (40 )     (40 )
                         
Net investment income after income tax from investment in leveraged leases
  $ 80     $ 74     $ 76  
                         
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
The following table presents the carrying value and changes in capitalized MSRs, which are included in other invested assets:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Estimated fair value at January 1,
  $ 878     $ 191     $  
Acquisition of MSRs
    110       117       350  
Origination of MSRs
    220       511        
Reductions due to loan payments
    (136 )     (113 )     (10 )
Reductions due to loan sales
    (43 )            
Changes in estimated fair value due to:
                       
Changes in valuation model inputs or assumptions
    (79 )     172       (149 )
                         
Estimated fair value at December 31,
  $ 950     $ 878     $ 191  
                         
 
The Company recognizes the rights to service residential mortgage loans as MSRs. MSRs are either acquired or are generated from the sale of originated residential mortgage loans where the servicing rights are retained by the Company. MSRs are carried at estimated fair value and changes in estimated fair value, primarily due to changes in valuation inputs and assumptions and to the collection of expected cash flows, are reported in other revenues in the period in which the change occurs. Valuation inputs and assumptions include generally observable inputs such as type and age of loan, loan interest rates, current market interest rates and certain unobservable inputs, including assumptions regarding estimates of discount rates, loan prepayments and servicing costs, all of which are sensitive to changing market conditions. See Note 5 for further information about how the estimated fair value of MSRs is determined and other related information.
 
Short-term Investments
 
The carrying value of short-term investments, which includes investments with remaining maturities of one year or less, but greater than three months, at the time of purchase was $9.4 billion and $8.4 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company is exposed to concentrations of credit risk related to securities of the


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
U.S. government and certain U.S. government agencies included within short-term investments, which were $4.0 billion and $7.5 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Cash Equivalents
 
The carrying value of cash equivalents, which includes investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less, at the time of purchase was $9.6 billion and $8.4 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company is exposed to concentrations of credit risk related to securities of the U.S. government and certain U.S. government agencies included within cash equivalents, which were $5.8 billion and $6.0 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Purchased Credit Impaired Investments
 
Investments acquired with evidence of credit quality deterioration since origination and for which it is probable at the acquisition date that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payments are classified as purchased credit impaired investments. For each investment, the excess of the cash flows expected to be collected as of the acquisition date over its acquisition date fair value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized as net investment income on an effective yield basis. If subsequently, based on current information and events, it is probable that there is a significant increase in cash flows previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than cash flows previously expected to be collected, the accretable yield is adjusted prospectively. The excess of the contractually required payments (including interest) as of the acquisition date over the cash flows expected to be collected as of the acquisition date is referred to as the nonaccretable difference, and this amount is not expected to be realized as net investment income. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected can result in OTTI or the recognition of mortgage loan valuation allowances (see Note 1).
 
The table below presents the purchased credit impaired investments, by invested asset class, held at:
 
                 
    December 31, 2010
    Fixed Maturity Securities   Mortgage Loans
    (In millions)
 
Outstanding principal and interest balance (1)
  $ 1,548     $ 504  
Carrying value (2)
  $ 1,050     $ 195  
 
 
(1) Represents the contractually required payments which is the sum of contractual principal, whether or not currently due, and accrued interest.
 
(2) Estimated fair value plus accrued interest for fixed maturity securities and amortized cost, plus accrued interest, less any valuation allowances for mortgage loans.
 
The following table presents information about purchased credit impaired investments, as of their respective acquisition dates, for:
 
                 
    Year Ended December 31, 2010
    Fixed Maturity Securities   Mortgage Loans
    (In millions)
 
Contractually required payments (including interest)
  $ 2,126     $ 553  
Cash flows expected to be collected (1) (2)
  $ 1,782     $ 374  
Fair value of investments acquired
  $ 1,076     $ 201  
 
 
(1) Represents undiscounted principal and interest cash flow expectations, at the date of acquisition.
 
(2) A portion of the difference between the contractually required payments (including interest) and the cash flows expected to be collected on certain of the investments acquired from American Life has been established as an indemnification asset as discussed further in Note 2.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The following table presents activity for the accretable yield on purchased credit impaired investments for:
 
                 
    December 31, 2010  
    Fixed Maturity Securities     Mortgage Loans  
    (In millions)  
 
Accretable yield, January 1,
  $     $  
Investments purchased
    606        
Acquisition (1)
    100       173  
Accretion recognized in net investment income
    (62 )     (3 )
Reclassification (to) from nonaccretable difference
    (103 )      
                 
Accretable yield, December 31,
  $ 541     $ 170  
                 
 
 
(1) As described further in Note 2, all investments acquired with American Life were recorded at estimated fair value as of the Acquisition Date. This activity relates to acquired fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans with a credit impairment inherent in the estimated fair value.
 
Variable Interest Entities
 
The Company holds investments in certain entities that are VIEs. In certain instances, the Company holds both the power to direct the most significant activities of the entity, as well as an economic interest in the entity and, as such, consistent with the new guidance described in Note 1, is deemed to be the primary beneficiary or consolidator of the entity. The following table presents the total assets and total liabilities relating to VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary and which are consolidated in the Company’s financial statements at December 31, 2010 and 2009. Creditors or beneficial interest holders of VIEs where the Company is the primary beneficiary have no recourse to the general credit of the Company, as the Company’s obligation to the VIEs is limited to the amount of its committed investment.
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Total
    Total
    Total
    Total
 
    Assets     Liabilities     Assets     Liabilities  
          (In millions)        
 
Consolidated securitization entities (1)
  $ 7,114     $ 6,892     $     $  
MRSC collateral financing arrangement (2)
    3,333             3,230        
Other limited partnership interests
    319       85       367       72  
Trading securities
    186                    
Other invested assets
    108       1       27       1  
Real estate joint ventures
    20       17       22       17  
                                 
Total
  $ 11,080     $ 6,995     $ 3,646     $ 90  
                                 
 
 
(1) As discussed in Note 1, upon the adoption of new guidance effective January 1, 2010, the Company consolidated former QSPEs that are structured as CMBS and former QSPEs that are structured as collateralized debt obligations. At December 31, 2010, these entities held total assets of $7,114 million, consisting of $201 million of FVO securities held by CSEs classified within trading and other securities, $6,840 million of commercial mortgage loans, $34 million of accrued investment income and $39 million of cash. These entities had total liabilities of $6,892 million, consisting of $6,820 million of long-term debt and $72 million of other liabilities. The assets of these entities can only be used to settle their respective liabilities, and under no circumstances is the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates liable for any principal or interest shortfalls should any arise. The Company’s exposure is limited to that of its remaining investment in the


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
former QSPEs of $201 million at estimated fair value at December 31, 2010. The long-term debt referred to above bears interest at primarily fixed rates ranging from 2.25% to 5.57%, payable primarily on a monthly basis and is expected to be repaid over the next 7 years. Interest expense related to these obligations, included in other expenses, was $411 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
(2) See Note 12 for a description of the MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina (“MRSC”) collateral financing arrangement. These assets consist of the following, at estimated fair value at:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
               
ABS
  $ 1,333     $ 963  
U.S. corporate securities
    893       1,049  
RMBS
    547       672  
CMBS
    383       348  
Foreign corporate securities
    139       80  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
          33  
State and political subdivision securities
    30       21  
Foreign government securities
    5       5  
Cash and cash equivalents (including cash held in trust of less than $1 million for both years)
    3       59  
                 
Total
  $ 3,333     $ 3,230  
                 
 
The following table presents the carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss relating to VIEs for which the Company holds significant variable interests but is not the primary beneficiary and which have not been consolidated at:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
          Maximum
          Maximum
 
    Carrying
    Exposure
    Carrying
    Exposure
 
    Amount     to Loss (1)     Amount     to Loss (1)  
          (In millions)        
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
                               
RMBS (2)
  $ 44,733     $ 44,733     $     $  
CMBS (2)
    20,675       20,675              
ABS (2)
    14,290       14,290              
Foreign corporate securities
    2,968       2,968       1,254       1,254  
U.S. corporate securities
    2,447       2,447       1,216       1,216  
Other limited partnership interests
    4,383       6,479       2,543       2,887  
Trading securities
    789       789              
Other invested assets
    576       773       416       409  
Mortgage loans
    350       350              
Real estate joint ventures
    40       108       30       30  
Equity securities available-for-sale:
                               
Non-redeemable preferred stock
                31       31  
                                 
Total
  $ 91,251     $ 93,612     $ 5,490     $ 5,827  
                                 


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
(1) The maximum exposure to loss relating to the fixed maturity, equity and trading securities is equal to the carrying amounts or carrying amounts of retained interests. The maximum exposure to loss relating to the other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments of the Company. Such a maximum loss would be expected to occur only upon bankruptcy of the issuer or investee. The maximum exposure to loss relating to the mortgage loans is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments of the Company. For certain of its investments in other invested assets, the Company’s return is in the form of income tax credits which are guaranteed by a creditworthy third-party. For such investments, the maximum exposure to loss is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments, reduced by amounts guaranteed by third parties of $231 million and $232 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
(2) As discussed in Note 1, the Company adopted new guidance effective January 1, 2010 which eliminated the concept of a QSPE. As a result, the Company concluded it held variable interests in RMBS, CMBS and ABS. For these interests, the Company’s involvement is limited to that of a passive investor.
 
As described in Note 16, the Company makes commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business. Excluding these commitments, the Company did not provide financial or other support to investees designated as VIEs during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
 
4.   Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments
 
See Note 1 for a description of the Company’s accounting policies for derivative financial instruments.
 
See Note 5 for information about the fair value hierarchy for derivatives.
 
Primary Risks Managed by Derivative Financial Instruments and Non-Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The Company is exposed to various risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, credit risk and equity market risk. The Company uses a variety of strategies to manage these risks, including the use of derivative instruments. The following table presents the gross notional amount,


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
estimated fair value and primary underlying risk exposure of the Company’s derivative financial instruments, excluding embedded derivatives, held at:
 
                                                     
        December 31,  
        2010     2009  
              Estimated Fair
          Estimated Fair
 
Primary Underlying
      Notional
    Value (1)     Notional
    Value (1)  
Risk Exposure   Instrument Type   Amount     Assets     Liabilities     Amount     Assets     Liabilities  
        (In millions)  
 
Interest rate
  Interest rate swaps   $ 54,803     $ 2,654     $ 1,516     $ 38,152     $ 1,570     $ 1,255  
    Interest rate floors     23,866       630       66       23,691       461       37  
    Interest rate caps     35,412       176       1       28,409       283        
    Interest rate futures     9,385       43       17       7,563       8       10  
    Interest rate options     8,761       144       23       4,050       117       57  
    Interest rate forwards     10,374       106       135       9,921       66       27  
    Synthetic GICs     4,397                   4,352              
Foreign currency
  Foreign currency swaps     17,626       1,616       1,282       16,879       1,514       1,392  
    Foreign currency forwards     10,443       119       91       6,485       83       57  
    Currency futures     493       2                          
    Currency options     5,426       50             822       18        
    Non-derivative hedging instruments (2)     169             185                    
Credit
  Credit default swaps     10,957       173       104       6,723       74       130  
    Credit forwards     90       2       3       220       2       6  
Equity market
  Equity futures     8,794       21       9       7,405       44       21  
    Equity options     33,688       1,843       1,197       27,175       1,712       1,018  
    Variance swaps     18,022       198       118       13,654       181       58  
    Total rate of return swaps     1,547                   376             47  
                                                     
      Total   $ 254,253     $ 7,777     $ 4,747     $ 195,877     $ 6,133     $ 4,115  
                                                     
 
 
(1) The estimated fair value of all derivatives in an asset position is reported within other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets and the estimated fair value of all derivatives in a liability position is reported within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
(2) The estimated fair value of non-derivative hedging instruments represents the amortized cost of the instruments, as adjusted for foreign currency transaction gains or losses. Non-derivative hedging instruments are reported within policyholder account balances in the consolidated balance sheets.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The following table presents the gross notional amount of derivative financial instruments by maturity at December 31, 2010:
 
                                         
    Remaining Life  
          After One Year
    After Five Years
             
    One Year or
    Through Five
    Through Ten
    After Ten
       
    Less     Years     Years     Years     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Interest rate swaps
  $ 4,970     $ 14,491     $ 16,403     $ 18,939     $ 54,803  
Interest rate floors
          13,048       7,318       3,500       23,866  
Interest rate caps
    5,000       28,436       1,976             35,412  
Interest rate futures
    9,385                         9,385  
Interest rate options
    1,853       5,206       1,702             8,761  
Interest rate forwards
    9,409       860       105             10,374  
Synthetic GICs
    4,397                         4,397  
Foreign currency swaps
    3,262       5,857       5,999       2,508       17,626  
Foreign currency forwards
    10,337       24       20       62       10,443  
Currency futures
    493                         493  
Currency options
    5,426                         5,426  
Non-derivative hedging instruments
    169                         169  
Credit default swaps
    111       10,197       649             10,957  
Credit forwards
    90                         90  
Equity futures
    8,794                         8,794  
Equity options
    20,856       3,346       9,486             33,688  
Variance swaps
    1,411       1,795       14,493       323       18,022  
Total rate of return swaps
    1,492       55                   1,547  
                                         
Total
  $ 87,455     $ 83,315     $ 58,151     $ 25,332     $ 254,253  
                                         
 
Interest rate swaps are used by the Company primarily to reduce market risks from changes in interest rates and to alter interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities (duration mismatches). In an interest rate swap, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed rate and floating rate interest amounts as calculated by reference to an agreed notional principal amount. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by the counterparty at each due date. The Company utilizes interest rate swaps in fair value, cash flow and non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
The Company also enters into basis swaps to better match the cash flows from assets and related liabilities. In a basis swap, both legs of the swap are floating with each based on a different index. Generally, no cash is exchanged at the outset of the contract and no principal payments are made by either party. A single net payment is usually made by one counterparty at each due date. Basis swaps are included in interest rate swaps in the preceding table. The Company utilizes basis swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
Inflation swaps are used as an economic hedge to reduce inflation risk generated from inflation-indexed liabilities. Inflation swaps are included in interest rate swaps in the preceding table. The Company utilizes inflation swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
Implied volatility swaps are used by the Company primarily as economic hedges of interest rate risk associated with the Company’s investments in mortgage-backed securities. In an implied volatility swap, the Company exchanges fixed payments for floating payments that are linked to certain market volatility measures. If implied volatility rises, the floating payments that the Company receives will increase, and if implied volatility falls, the floating payments that the Company receives will decrease. Implied volatility swaps are included in interest rate


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
swaps in the preceding table. The Company utilizes implied volatility swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
The Company purchases interest rate caps and floors primarily to protect its floating rate liabilities against rises in interest rates above a specified level, and against interest rate exposure arising from mismatches between assets and liabilities (duration mismatches), as well as to protect its minimum rate guarantee liabilities against declines in interest rates below a specified level, respectively. In certain instances, the Company locks in the economic impact of existing purchased caps and floors by entering into offsetting written caps and floors. The Company utilizes interest rate caps and floors in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
In exchange-traded interest rate (Treasury and swap) futures transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts, the value of which is determined by the different classes of interest rate securities, and to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts. The Company enters into exchange- traded futures with regulated futures commission merchants that are members of the exchange. Exchange-traded interest rate (Treasury and swap) futures are used primarily to hedge mismatches between the duration of assets in a portfolio and the duration of liabilities supported by those assets, to hedge against changes in value of securities the Company owns or anticipates acquiring and to hedge against changes in interest rates on anticipated liability issuances by replicating Treasury or swap curve performance. The Company utilizes exchange-traded interest rate futures in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
Swaptions are used by the Company to hedge interest rate risk associated with the Company’s long-term liabilities and invested assets. A swaption is an option to enter into a swap with a forward starting effective date. In certain instances, the Company locks in the economic impact of existing purchased swaptions by entering into offsetting written swaptions. The Company pays a premium for purchased swaptions and receives a premium for written swaptions. Swaptions are included in interest rate options in the preceding table. The Company utilizes swaptions in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
The Company writes covered call options on its portfolio of U.S. Treasuries as an income generation strategy. In a covered call transaction, the Company receives a premium at the inception of the contract in exchange for giving the derivative counterparty the right to purchase the referenced security from the Company at a predetermined price. The call option is “covered” because the Company owns the referenced security over the term of the option. Covered call options are included in interest rate options in the preceding table. The Company utilizes covered call options in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
The Company enters into interest rate forwards to buy and sell securities. The price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for such a contract is made at a specified future date. The Company also uses interest rate forwards to sell to be announced securities as economic hedges against the risk of changes in the fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale and interest rate lock commitments. The Company utilizes interest rate forwards in cash flow and non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
Interest rate lock commitments are short-term commitments to fund mortgage loan applications in process (the pipeline) for a fixed term for a fixed rate or spread. During the term of an interest rate lock commitment, the Company is exposed to the risk that interest rates will change from the rate quoted to the potential borrower. Interest rate lock commitments to fund mortgage loans that will be held-for-sale are considered derivative instruments. Interest rate lock commitments are included in interest rate forwards in the preceding table. Interest rate lock commitments are not designated as hedging instruments.
 
A synthetic GIC is a contract that simulates the performance of a traditional guaranteed interest contract through the use of financial instruments. Under a synthetic GIC, the policyholder owns the underlying assets. The Company guarantees a rate return on those assets for a premium. Synthetic GICs are not designated as hedging instruments.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Foreign currency derivatives, including foreign currency swaps, foreign currency forwards and currency option contracts, are used by the Company to reduce the risk from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. The Company also uses foreign currency forwards and swaps to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with certain of its net investments in foreign operations.
 
In a foreign currency swap transaction, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between one currency and another at a fixed exchange rate, generally set at inception, calculated by reference to an agreed upon principal amount. The principal amount of each currency is exchanged at the inception and termination of the currency swap by each party. The Company utilizes foreign currency swaps in fair value, cash flow, net investment in foreign operations and non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
In a foreign currency forward transaction, the Company agrees with another party to deliver a specified amount of an identified currency at a specified future date. The price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for such a contract is made in a different currency at the specified future date. The Company utilizes foreign currency forwards in net investment in foreign operations and non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
In exchange-traded currency futures transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts, the value of which is determined by referenced currencies, and to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts. The Company enters into exchange-traded futures with regulated futures commission merchants that are members of the exchange. Exchange-traded currency futures are used primarily to hedge currency mismatches between assets and liabilities. The Company utilizes exchange-traded currency futures in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
The Company enters into currency option contracts that give it the right, but not the obligation, to sell the foreign currency amount in exchange for a functional currency amount within a limited time at a contracted price. The contracts may also be net settled in cash, based on differentials in the foreign exchange rate and the strike price. The Company uses currency options to hedge against the foreign currency exposure inherent in certain of its variable annuity products. The Company also uses currency options as an economic hedge of foreign currency exposure related to the Company’s international subsidiaries. The Company utilizes currency options in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
The Company uses certain of its foreign currency denominated funding agreements to hedge portions of its net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. Such contracts are included in non-derivative hedging instruments in the preceding table.
 
Swap spreadlocks are used by the Company to hedge invested assets on an economic basis against the risk of changes in credit spreads. Swap spreadlocks are forward transactions between two parties whose underlying reference index is a forward starting interest rate swap where the Company agrees to pay a coupon based on a predetermined reference swap spread in exchange for receiving a coupon based on a floating rate. The Company has the option to cash settle with the counterparty in lieu of maintaining the swap after the effective date. The Company utilizes swap spreadlocks in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
Certain credit default swaps are used by the Company to hedge against credit-related changes in the value of its investments and to diversify its credit risk exposure in certain portfolios. In a credit default swap transaction, the Company agrees with another party, at specified intervals, to pay a premium to hedge credit risk. If a credit event, as defined by the contract, occurs, generally the contract will require the swap to be settled gross by the delivery of par quantities of the referenced investment equal to the specified swap notional in exchange for the payment of cash amounts by the counterparty equal to the par value of the investment surrendered. The Company utilizes credit default swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
Credit default swaps are also used to synthetically create investments that are either more expensive to acquire or otherwise unavailable in the cash markets. These transactions are a combination of a derivative and a cash


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
instrument such as a U.S. Treasury or Agency security. The Company also enters into certain credit default swaps held in relation to trading portfolios for the purpose of generating profits on short-term differences in price. These credit default swaps are not designated as hedging instruments.
 
The Company enters into forwards to lock in the price to be paid for forward purchases of certain securities. The price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for the contract is made at a specified future date. When the primary purpose of entering into these transactions is to hedge against the risk of changes in purchase price due to changes in credit spreads, the Company designates these as credit forwards. The Company utilizes credit forwards in cash flow hedging relationships.
 
In exchange-traded equity futures transactions, the Company agrees to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts, the value of which is determined by the different classes of equity securities, and to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts. The Company enters into exchange-traded futures with regulated futures commission merchants that are members of the exchange. Exchange-traded equity futures are used primarily to hedge liabilities embedded in certain variable annuity products offered by the Company. The Company utilizes exchange-traded equity futures in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
Equity index options are used by the Company primarily to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products offered by the Company. To hedge against adverse changes in equity indices, the Company enters into contracts to sell the equity index within a limited time at a contracted price. The contracts will be net settled in cash based on differentials in the indices at the time of exercise and the strike price. Certain of these contracts may also contain settlement provisions linked to interest rates. In certain instances, the Company may enter into a combination of transactions to hedge adverse changes in equity indices within a pre-determined range through the purchase and sale of options. Equity index options are included in equity options in the preceding table. The Company utilizes equity index options in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
Equity variance swaps are used by the Company primarily to hedge minimum guarantees embedded in certain variable annuity products offered by the Company. In an equity variance swap, the Company agrees with another party to exchange amounts in the future, based on changes in equity volatility over a defined period. Equity variance swaps are included in variance swaps in the preceding table. The Company utilizes equity variance swaps in non-qualifying hedging relationships.
 
Total rate of return swaps (“TRRs”) are swaps whereby the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between the economic risk and reward of an asset or a market index and the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”), calculated by reference to an agreed notional principal amount. No cash is exchanged at the outset of the contract. Cash is paid and received over the life of the contract based on the terms of the swap. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by the counterparty at each due date. The Company uses TRRs to hedge its equity market guarantees in certain of its insurance products. TRRs can be used as hedges or to synthetically create investments. The Company utilizes TRRs in non-qualifying hedging relationships.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Hedging
 
The following table presents the gross notional amount and estimated fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments by type of hedge designation at:
 
                                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
          Estimated
          Estimated
 
    Notional
    Fair Value     Notional
    Fair Value  
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments   Amount     Assets     Liabilities     Amount     Assets     Liabilities  
    (In millions)  
 
Fair Value Hedges:
                                               
Foreign currency swaps
  $ 4,524     $ 907     $ 145     $ 4,807     $ 854     $ 132  
Interest rate swaps
    5,108       823       169       4,824       500       75  
                                                 
Subtotal
    9,632       1,730       314       9,631       1,354       207  
                                                 
Cash Flow Hedges:
                                               
Foreign currency swaps
    5,556       213       347       4,108       127       347  
Interest rate swaps
    3,562       102       116       1,740             48  
Interest rate forwards
    1,140             107                    
Credit forwards
    90       2       3       220       2       6  
                                                 
Subtotal
    10,348       317       573       6,068       129       401  
                                                 
Foreign Operations Hedges:
                                               
Foreign currency forwards
    1,935       9       26       1,880       27       13  
Non-derivative hedging instruments
    169             185                    
                                                 
Subtotal
    2,104       9       211       1,880       27       13  
                                                 
Total Qualifying Hedges
  $ 22,084     $ 2,056     $ 1,098     $ 17,579     $ 1,510     $ 621  
                                                 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The following table presents the gross notional amount and estimated fair value of derivatives that were not designated or do not qualify as hedging instruments by derivative type at:
 
                                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
          Estimated
          Estimated
 
Derivatives Not Designated or Not
  Notional
    Fair Value     Notional
    Fair Value  
Qualifying as Hedging Instruments   Amount     Assets     Liabilities     Amount     Assets     Liabilities  
    (In millions)  
 
Interest rate swaps
  $ 46,133     $ 1,729     $ 1,231     $ 31,588     $ 1,070     $ 1,132  
Interest rate floors
    23,866       630       66       23,691       461       37  
Interest rate caps
    35,412       176       1       28,409       283        
Interest rate futures
    9,385       43       17       7,563       8       10  
Interest rate options
    8,761       144       23       4,050       117       57  
Interest rate forwards
    9,234       106       28       9,921       66       27  
Synthetic GICs
    4,397                   4,352              
Foreign currency swaps
    7,546       496       790       7,964       533       913  
Foreign currency forwards
    8,508       110       65       4,605       56       44  
Currency futures
    493       2                          
Currency options
    5,426       50             822       18        
Credit default swaps
    10,957       173       104       6,723       74       130  
Equity futures
    8,794       21       9       7,405       44       21  
Equity options
    33,688       1,843       1,197       27,175       1,712       1,018  
Variance swaps
    18,022       198       118       13,654       181       58  
Total rate of return swaps
    1,547                   376             47  
                                                 
Total non-designated or non-qualifying derivatives
  $ 232,169     $ 5,721     $ 3,649     $ 178,298     $ 4,623     $ 3,494  
                                                 
 
Net Derivative Gains (Losses)
 
The components of net derivative gains (losses) were as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Derivatives and hedging gains (losses) (1)
  $ 122     $ (6,624 )   $ 6,560  
Embedded derivatives
    (387 )     1,758       (2,650 )
                         
Total net derivative gains (losses)
  $ (265 )   $ (4,866 )   $ 3,910  
                         
 
 
(1) Includes foreign currency transaction gains (losses) on hedged items in cash flow and non-qualifying hedge relationships, which are not presented elsewhere in this note.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The following table presents the settlement payments recorded in income for the:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Qualifying hedges:
                       
Net investment income
  $ 83     $ 49     $ 19  
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    233       220       105  
Other expenses
    (6 )     (3 )     (9 )
Non-qualifying hedges:
                       
Net investment income
    (3 )     (2 )     1  
Net derivative gains (losses)
    65       91       49  
Other revenues
    108       77       3  
                         
Total
  $ 480     $ 432     $ 168  
                         
 
Fair Value Hedges
 
The Company designates and accounts for the following as fair value hedges when they have met the requirements of fair value hedging: (i) interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate investments to floating rate investments; (ii) interest rate swaps to convert fixed rate liabilities to floating rate liabilities; and (iii) foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency fair value exposure of foreign currency denominated investments and liabilities.
 
The Company recognizes gains and losses on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedges within net derivative gains (losses). The following table represents the amount of such net derivative gains (losses) recognized for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:
 
                             
        Net Derivative
          Ineffectiveness
 
        Gains (Losses)
    Net Derivative Gains
    Recognized in
 
Derivatives in Fair Value
  Hedged Items in Fair Value
  Recognized
    (Losses) Recognized
    Net Derivative
 
Hedging Relationships   Hedging Relationships   for Derivatives     for Hedged Items     Gains (Losses)  
        (In millions)  
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010:
Interest rate swaps:
  Fixed maturity securities   $ (14 )   $ 16     $ 2  
    Policyholder account balances (1)     140       (142 )     (2 )
Foreign currency swaps:
  Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities     14       (14 )      
    Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances (2)     9       (20 )     (11 )
                             
Total
  $ 149     $ (160 )   $ (11 )
                         
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009:
Interest rate swaps:
  Fixed maturity securities   $ 49     $ (42 )   $ 7  
    Policyholder account balances (1)     (963 )     951       (12 )
Foreign currency swaps:
  Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities     (13 )     10       (3 )
    Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances (2)     462       (449 )     13  
                             
Total
  $ (465 )   $ 470     $ 5  
                         
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
  $ 245     $ (248 )   $ (3 )
                         
 
 
(1) Fixed rate liabilities
 
(2) Fixed rate or floating rate liabilities


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
The Company designates and accounts for the following as cash flow hedges when they have met the requirements of cash flow hedging: (i) interest rate swaps to convert floating rate investments to fixed rate investments; (ii) interest rate swaps to convert floating rate liabilities to fixed rate liabilities; (iii) foreign currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency cash flow exposure of foreign currency denominated investments and liabilities; (iv) interest rate forwards and credit forwards to lock in the price to be paid for forward purchases of investments; (v) interest rate swaps and interest rate forwards to hedge the forecasted purchases of fixed-rate investments; and (vi) interest rate swaps and interest rate forwards to hedge forecasted fixed-rate borrowings.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recognized $1 million and ($3) million, respectively, of net derivative gains (losses) which represented the ineffective portion of all cash flow hedges. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company did not recognize any net derivative gains (losses) which represented the ineffective portion of all cash flow hedges. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. In certain instances, the Company discontinued cash flow hedge accounting because the forecasted transactions did not occur on the anticipated date or within two months of that date. The net amounts reclassified into net derivative gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 related to such discontinued cash flow hedges were gains (losses) of $9 million, ($7) million and ($12) million, respectively. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the maximum length of time over which the Company was hedging its exposure to variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions did not exceed seven years and five years, respectively. There were no hedged forecasted transactions, other than the receipt or payment of variable interest payments, for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), before income tax, related to cash flow hedges:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance at January 1,
  $ (76 )   $ 82     $ (270 )
Gains (losses) deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) on the effective portion of cash flow hedges
    (51 )     (221 )     203  
Amounts reclassified to net derivative gains (losses)
    65       54       140  
Amounts reclassified to net investment income
    4       8       9  
Amounts reclassified to other expenses
    (1 )     3       (1 )
Amortization of transition adjustment
          (2 )     1  
                         
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), balance at December 31,
  $ (59 )   $ (76 )   $ 82  
                         
 
At December 31, 2010, $3 million of deferred net losses on derivatives in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) was expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The following table presents the effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on the consolidated statements of operations and the consolidated statements of equity for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:
 
                                                 
    Amount of Gains
    Amount and Location
       
    (Losses) Deferred
    of Gains (Losses)
    Amount and Location
 
    in Accumulated Other
    Reclassified from
    of Gains (Losses)
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow
  Comprehensive Income
    Accumulated Other Comprehensive
    Recognized in Income (Loss)
 
Hedging Relationships   (Loss) on Derivatives     Income (Loss) into Income (Loss)     on Derivatives  
                (Ineffective Portion and
 
                Amount Excluded from
 
    (Effective Portion)     (Effective Portion)     Effectiveness Testing)  
          Net Derivative
    Net Investment
    Other
    Net Derivative
    Net Investment
 
          Gains (Losses)     Income     Expenses     Gains (Losses)     Income  
    (In millions)  
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010:
                                               
Interest rate swaps
  $ 13     $     $     $ (1 )   $ 3     $  
Foreign currency swaps
    34       (79 )     (6 )     2              
Interest rate forwards
    (117 )     14       2             (2 )      
Credit forwards
    19                                
                                                 
Total
  $ (51 )   $ (65 )   $ (4 )   $ 1     $ 1     $  
                                                 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009:
                                               
Interest rate swaps
  $ (45 )   $     $     $ (4 )   $ (2 )   $  
Foreign currency swaps
    (319 )     (133 )     (6 )     1       (1 )      
Interest rate forwards
    147       79                          
Credit forwards
    (4 )                              
                                                 
Total
  $ (221 )   $ (54 )   $ (6 )   $ (3 )   $ (3 )   $  
                                                 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008:
                                               
Foreign currency swaps
  $ 203     $ (140 )   $ (10 )   $ 1     $     $  
                                                 
 
Hedges of Net Investments in Foreign Operations
 
The Company uses foreign exchange contracts, which may include foreign currency swaps, forwards and options, to hedge portions of its net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. The Company measures ineffectiveness on these contracts based upon the change in forward rates. In addition, the Company may also use non-derivative financial instruments to hedge portions of its net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. The Company measures ineffectiveness on non-derivative financial instruments based upon the change in spot rates.
 
When net investments in foreign operations are sold or substantially liquidated, the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to the consolidated statements of operations, while a pro rata portion will be reclassified upon partial sale of the net investments in foreign operations.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The following table presents the effects of derivatives and non-derivative financial instruments in net investment hedging relationships in the consolidated statements of operations and the consolidated statements of equity for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:
 
                                                 
          Amount and Location
 
                      of Gains (Losses)
 
                      Reclassified From Accumulated Other
 
    Amount of Gains (Losses)
    Comprehensive Income
 
    Deferred in Accumulated
    (Loss) into Income (Loss)
 
    Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
    (Effective Portion)  
    (Effective Portion)     Net Investment Gains (Losses)  
Derivatives and Non-Derivative Hedging Instruments in Net
  Years Ended December 31,     Years Ended December 31,  
Investment Hedging Relationships (1), (2)   2010     2009     2008     2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Foreign currency forwards
  $ (167 )   $ (244 )   $ 338     $     $ (59 )   $  
Foreign currency swaps
          (18 )     76             (63 )      
Non-derivative hedging instruments
    (16 )     (37 )     81             (11 )      
                                                 
Total
  $ (183 )   $ (299 )   $ 495     $     $ (133 )   $  
                                                 
 
 
(1) During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2008, there were no sales or substantial liquidations of net investments in foreign operations that would have required the reclassification of gains or losses from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company substantially liquidated, through assumption reinsurance (see Note 2), the portion of its Canadian operations that was being hedged in a net investment hedging relationship. As a result, the Company reclassified losses of $133 million from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings.
 
(2) There was no ineffectiveness recognized for the Company’s hedges of net investments in foreign operations.
 
At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the cumulative foreign currency translation gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to hedges of net investments in foreign operations was ($223) million and ($40) million, respectively.
 
Non-Qualifying Derivatives and Derivatives for Purposes Other Than Hedging
 
The Company enters into the following derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting or for purposes other than hedging: (i) interest rate swaps, implied volatility swaps, caps and floors and interest rate futures to economically hedge its exposure to interest rates; (ii) foreign currency forwards, swaps, option contracts, and future contracts to economically hedge its exposure to adverse movements in exchange rates; (iii) credit default swaps to economically hedge exposure to adverse movements in credit; (iv) equity futures, equity index options, interest rate futures, TRRs and equity variance swaps to economically hedge liabilities embedded in certain variable annuity products; (v) swap spreadlocks to economically hedge invested assets against the risk of changes in credit spreads; (vi) interest rate forwards to buy and sell securities to economically hedge its exposure to interest rates; (vii) credit default swaps and TRRs to synthetically create investments; (viii) basis swaps to better match the cash flows of assets and related liabilities; (ix) credit default swaps held in relation to trading portfolios; (x) swaptions to hedge interest rate risk; (xi) inflation swaps to reduce risk generated from inflation-indexed liabilities; (xii) covered call options for income generation; (xiii) interest rate lock commitments; (xiv) synthetic GICs; and (xv) equity options to economically hedge certain invested assets against adverse changes in equity indices.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The following tables present the amount and location of gains (losses) recognized in income for derivatives that were not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments:
 
                                         
    Net
    Net
    Policyholder
             
    Derivative
    Investment
    Benefits
    Other
    Other
 
    Gains (Losses)     Income (1)     and Claims (2)     Revenues (3)     Expenses (4)  
    (In millions)  
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010:
                                       
Interest rate swaps
  $ 622     $ 4     $ 39     $ 172     $  
Interest rate floors
    144                          
Interest rate caps
    (185 )                        
Interest rate futures
    77       (4 )           (3 )      
Equity futures
    (58 )     (25 )     (314 )            
Foreign currency swaps
    52                          
Foreign currency forwards
    250       55                    
Currency futures
    (23 )                        
Currency options
    (83 )     (1 )                 (4 )
Equity options
    (683 )     (16 )                  
Interest rate options
    25                   (6 )      
Interest rate forwards
    8                   (74 )      
Variance swaps
    (55 )                        
Credit default swaps
    34       (2 )                  
Total rate of return swaps
    14                          
                                         
Total
  $ 139     $ 11     $ (275 )   $ 89     $ (4 )
                                         
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009:
                                       
Interest rate swaps
  $ (1,700 )   $ (5 )   $ (13 )   $ (161 )   $  
Interest rate floors
    (907 )                        
Interest rate caps
    33                          
Interest rate futures
    (366 )     2                    
Equity futures
    (681 )     (38 )     (363 )            
Foreign currency swaps
    (405 )                        
Foreign currency forwards
    (102 )     (24 )                  
Currency options
    (36 )     (1 )                 (3 )
Equity options
    (1,713 )     (68 )                  
Interest rate options
    (379 )                        
Interest rate forwards
    (7 )                 (4 )      
Variance swaps
    (276 )     (13 )                  
Swap spreadlocks
    (38 )                        
Credit default swaps
    (243 )     (11 )                  
Total rate of return swaps
    63                          
                                         
Total
  $ (6,757 )   $ (158 )   $ (376 )   $ (165 )   $ (3 )
                                         
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
  $ 6,688     $ 240     $ 331     $ 146     $  
                                         
 
 
(1) Changes in estimated fair value related to economic hedges of equity method investments in joint ventures, and changes in estimated fair value related to derivatives held in relation to trading portfolios.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
(2) Changes in estimated fair value related to economic hedges of variable annuity guarantees included in future policy benefits.
 
(3) Changes in estimated fair value related to derivatives held in connection with the Company’s mortgage banking activities.
 
(4) Changes in estimated fair value related to economic hedges of foreign currency exposure associated with the Company’s international subsidiaries.
 
Credit Derivatives
 
In connection with synthetically created investment transactions and credit default swaps held in relation to the trading portfolio, the Company writes credit default swaps for which it receives a premium to insure credit risk. Such credit derivatives are included within the non-qualifying derivatives and derivatives for purposes other than hedging table. If a credit event occurs, as defined by the contract, generally the contract will require the Company to pay the counterparty the specified swap notional amount in exchange for the delivery of par quantities of the referenced credit obligation. The Company’s maximum amount at risk, assuming the value of all referenced credit obligations is zero, was $5,089 million and $3,101 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company can terminate these contracts at any time through cash settlement with the counterparty at an amount equal to the then current fair value of the credit default swaps. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company would have received $62 million and $53 million, respectively, to terminate all of these contracts.
 
The following table presents the estimated fair value, maximum amount of future payments and weighted average years to maturity of written credit default swaps at December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
                                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
          Maximum
                Maximum
       
    Estimated
    Amount
          Estimated
    Amount of
       
    Fair Value
    of Future
    Weighted
    Fair Value
    Future
    Weighted
 
    of Credit
    Payments under
    Average
    of Credit
    Payments under
    Average
 
Rating Agency Designation of Referenced
  Default
    Credit Default
    Years to
    Default
    Credit Default
    Years to
 
Credit Obligations (1)   Swaps     Swaps (2)     Maturity (3)     Swaps     Swaps (2)     Maturity (3)  
    (In millions)  
 
Aaa/Aa/A
                                               
Single name credit default swaps (corporate)
  $ 5     $ 470       3.8     $ 5     $ 175       4.3  
Credit default swaps referencing indices
    45       2,928       3.7       46       2,676       3.4  
                                                 
Subtotal
    50       3,398       3.7       51       2,851       3.5  
                                                 
Baa
                                               
Single name credit default swaps (corporate)
    5       735       4.3       2       195       4.8  
Credit default swaps referencing indices
    7       931       5.0             10       5.0  
                                                 
Subtotal
    12       1,666       4.7       2       205       4.8  
                                                 
Ba
                                               
Single name credit default swaps (corporate)
          25       4.4             25       5.0  
Credit default swaps referencing indices
                                   
                                                 
Subtotal
          25       4.4             25       5.0  
                                                 
B
                                               
Single name credit default swaps (corporate)
                                   
Credit default swaps referencing indices
                            20       5.0  
                                                 
Subtotal
                            20       5.0  
                                                 
Total
  $ 62     $ 5,089       4.1     $ 53     $ 3,101       3.6  
                                                 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
(1) The rating agency designations are based on availability and the midpoint of the applicable ratings among Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. If no rating is available from a rating agency, then an internally developed rating is used.
 
(2) Assumes the value of the referenced credit obligations is zero.
 
(3) The weighted average years to maturity of the credit default swaps is calculated based on weighted average notional amounts.
 
The Company has also entered into credit default swaps to purchase credit protection on certain of the referenced credit obligations in the table above. As a result, the maximum amounts of potential future recoveries available to offset the $5,089 million and $3,101 million from the table above were $120 million and $31 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Credit Risk on Freestanding Derivatives
 
The Company may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments. Generally, the current credit exposure of the Company’s derivative contracts is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivative contracts at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements and any collateral received pursuant to credit support annexes.
 
The Company manages its credit risk related to over-the-counter derivatives by entering into transactions with creditworthy counterparties, maintaining collateral arrangements and through the use of master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one counterparty to another at each due date and upon termination. Because exchange-traded futures are effected through regulated exchanges, and positions are marked to market on a daily basis, the Company has minimal exposure to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to such derivative instruments. See Note 5 for a description of the impact of credit risk on the valuation of derivative instruments.
 
The Company enters into various collateral arrangements, which require both the pledging and accepting of collateral in connection with its derivative instruments. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company was obligated to return cash collateral under its control of $2,625 million and $2,680 million, respectively. This unrestricted cash collateral is included in cash and cash equivalents or in short-term investments and the obligation to return it is included in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions in the consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had also accepted collateral consisting of various securities with a fair market value of $984 million and $221 million, respectively, which were held in separate custodial accounts. The Company is permitted by contract to sell or repledge this collateral, but at December 31, 2010, none of the collateral had been sold or repledged.
 
The Company’s collateral arrangements for its over-the-counter derivatives generally require the counterparty in a net liability position, after considering the effect of netting agreements, to pledge collateral when the fair value of that counterparty’s derivatives reaches a pre-determined threshold. Certain of these arrangements also include credit-contingent provisions that provide for a reduction of these thresholds (on a sliding scale that converges toward zero) in the event of downgrades in the credit ratings of the Company and/or the counterparty. In addition, certain of the Company’s netting agreements for derivative instruments contain provisions that require the Company to maintain a specific investment grade credit rating from at least one of the major credit rating agencies. If the Company’s credit ratings were to fall below that specific investment grade credit rating, it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing full overnight collateralization on derivative instruments that are in a net liability position after considering the effect of netting agreements.
 
The following table presents the estimated fair value of the Company’s over-the-counter derivatives that are in a net liability position after considering the effect of netting agreements, together with the estimated fair value and


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
balance sheet location of the collateral pledged. The table also presents the incremental collateral that the Company would be required to provide if there was a one notch downgrade in the Company’s credit rating at the reporting date or if the Company’s credit rating sustained a downgrade to a level that triggered full overnight collateralization or termination of the derivative position at the reporting date. Derivatives that are not subject to collateral agreements are not included in the scope of this table.
 
                                         
          Estimated Fair Value of
    Fair Value of Incremental Collateral
 
          Collateral Provided:     Provided Upon:  
                            Downgrade in the
 
                      One Notch
    Company’s Credit Rating
 
                      Downgrade
    to a Level that Triggers
 
    Estimated
                in the
    Full Overnight
 
    Fair Value (1) of
                Company’s
    Collateralization or
 
    Derivatives in Net
    Fixed Maturity
          Credit
    Termination
 
    Liability Position     Securities (2)     Cash (3)     Rating     of the Derivative Position  
    (In millions)  
 
December 31, 2010:
                                       
Derivatives subject to credit-contingent provisions
  $ 1,167     $ 1,024     $     $ 99     $ 231  
Derivatives not subject to credit-contingent provisions
    22             43              
                                         
Total
  $ 1,189     $ 1,024     $ 43     $ 99     $ 231  
                                         
December 31, 2009:
                                       
Derivatives subject to credit-contingent provisions
  $ 1,163     $ 1,017     $     $ 90     $ 218  
Derivatives not subject to credit-contingent provisions
    48       42                    
                                         
Total
  $ 1,211     $ 1,059     $     $ 90     $ 218  
                                         
 
 
(1) After taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements.
 
(2) Included in fixed maturity securities in the consolidated balance sheets. The counterparties are permitted by contract to sell or repledge this collateral.
 
(3) Included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Without considering the effect of netting agreements, the estimated fair value of the Company’s over-the-counter derivatives with credit-contingent provisions that were in a gross liability position at December 31, 2010 was $1,742 million. At December 31, 2010, the Company provided securities collateral of $1,024 million in connection with these derivatives. In the unlikely event that both: (i) the Company’s credit rating was downgraded to a level that triggers full overnight collateralization or termination of all derivative positions; and (ii) the Company’s netting agreements were deemed to be legally unenforceable, then the additional collateral that the Company would be required to provide to its counterparties in connection with its derivatives in a gross liability position at December 31, 2010 would be $718 million. This amount does not consider gross derivative assets of $575 million for which the Company has the contractual right of offset.
 
The Company also has exchange-traded futures and options, which require the pledging of collateral. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company pledged securities collateral for exchange-traded futures and options of $40 million and $50 million, respectively, which is included in fixed maturity securities. The counterparties are permitted by contract to sell or repledge this collateral. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company provided cash collateral for exchange-traded futures and options of $662 million and $562 million, respectively, which is included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Embedded Derivatives
 
The Company has certain embedded derivatives that are required to be separated from their host contracts and accounted for as derivatives. These host contracts principally include: variable annuities with guaranteed minimum benefits, including GMWBs, GMABs and certain GMIBs; ceded reinsurance contracts of guaranteed minimum benefits related to GMABs and certain GMIBs; and funding agreements with equity or bond indexed crediting rates.
 
The following table presents the estimated fair value of the Company’s embedded derivatives at:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts:
               
Ceded guaranteed minimum benefits
  $ 185     $ 76  
Options embedded in debt or equity securities
    (57 )     (37 )
                 
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts
  $ 128     $ 39  
                 
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts:
               
Direct guaranteed minimum benefits
  $ 2,556     $ 1,500  
Other
    78       5  
                 
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts
  $ 2,634     $ 1,505  
                 
 
The following table presents changes in estimated fair value related to embedded derivatives:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,
    2010   2009   2008
    (In millions)
 
Net derivative gains (losses) (1)
  $ (387 )   $ 1,758     $ (2,650 )
Policyholder benefits and claims
  $ 8     $ (114 )   $ 182  
 
 
(1) The valuation of guaranteed minimum benefits includes an adjustment for nonperformance risk. Included in net derivative gains (losses), in connection with this adjustment, were gains (losses) of ($96) million, ($1,932) million and $2,994 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Net derivative gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2010 included a loss of $955 million relating to a refinement for estimating nonperformance risk in fair value measurements implemented at June 30, 2010. See Note 5.
 
5.   Fair Value
 
Considerable judgment is often required in interpreting market data to develop estimates of fair value and the use of different assumptions or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
The assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis, including those items for which the Company has elected the FVO, were determined as described below. These estimated fair values and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy are summarized as follows:
 
                                 
    December 31, 2010  
    Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using        
    Quoted Prices in
                   
    Active Markets for
          Significant
    Total
 
    Identical Assets
    Significant Other
    Unobservable
    Estimated
 
    and Liabilities
    Observable Inputs
    Inputs
    Fair
 
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets
                               
Fixed maturity securities:
                               
U.S. corporate securities
  $     $ 85,419     $ 7,149     $ 92,568  
Foreign corporate securities
          62,401       5,777       68,178  
RMBS
    274       43,037       1,422       44,733  
Foreign government securities
    149       40,092       3,159       43,400  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    14,602       18,623       79       33,304  
CMBS
          19,664       1,011       20,675  
ABS
          10,142       4,148       14,290  
State and political subdivision securities
          10,083       46       10,129  
Other fixed maturity securities
          3       4       7  
                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
    15,025       289,464       22,795       327,284  
                                 
Equity securities:
                               
Common stock
    832       1,094       268       2,194  
Non-redeemable preferred stock
          507       905       1,412  
                                 
Total equity securities
    832       1,601       1,173       3,606  
                                 
Trading and other securities:
                               
Actively Traded Securities
          453       10       463  
FVO general account securities
          54       77       131  
FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments
    6,270       10,789       735       17,794  
FVO securities held by consolidated securitization entities
          201             201  
                                 
Total trading and other securities
    6,270       11,497       822       18,589  
Short-term investments (1)
    3,026       4,681       858       8,565  
Mortgage loans:
                               
Mortgage loans held by consolidated securitization entities
          6,840             6,840  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale (2)
          2,486       24       2,510  
                                 
Total mortgage loans
          9,326       24       9,350  
MSRs (3)
                950       950  
Other invested assets — investment funds
    373       121             494  
Derivative assets: (4)
                               
Interest rate contracts
    131       3,583       39       3,753  
Foreign currency contracts
    2       1,711       74       1,787  
Credit contracts
          125       50       175  
Equity market contracts
    23       1,757       282       2,062  
                                 
Total derivative assets
    156       7,176       445       7,777  
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (5)
                185       185  
Separate account assets (6)
    25,660       155,589       2,088       183,337  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 51,342     $ 479,455     $ 29,340     $ 560,137  
                                 


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                 
    December 31, 2010  
    Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using        
    Quoted Prices in
                   
    Active Markets for
          Significant
    Total
 
    Identical Assets
    Significant Other
    Unobservable
    Estimated
 
    and Liabilities
    Observable Inputs
    Inputs
    Fair
 
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities: (4)
                               
Interest rate contracts
  $ 35     $ 1,598     $ 125     $ 1,758  
Foreign currency contracts
          1,372       1       1,373  
Credit contracts
          101       6       107  
Equity market contracts
    10       1,174       140       1,324  
                                 
Total derivative liabilities
    45       4,245       272       4,562  
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (5)
          11       2,623       2,634  
Long-term debt of consolidated securitization entities
          6,636       184       6,820  
Trading liabilities (7)
    46                   46  
                                 
Total liabilities
  $ 91     $ 10,892     $ 3,079     $ 14,062  
                                 
 
See “— Variable Interest Entities” in Note 3 for discussion of CSEs included in the table above.
 
                                 
    December 31, 2009  
    Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using        
    Quoted Prices in
                   
    Active Markets for
          Significant
    Total
 
    Identical Assets
    Significant Other
    Unobservable
    Estimated
 
    and Liabilities
    Observable Inputs
    Inputs
    Fair
 
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets
                               
Fixed maturity securities:
                               
U.S. corporate securities
  $     $ 65,493     $ 6,694     $ 72,187  
Foreign corporate securities
          32,738       5,292       38,030  
RMBS
          42,180       1,840       44,020  
Foreign government securities
    306       11,240       401       11,947  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    10,951       14,459       37       25,447  
CMBS
          15,483       139       15,622  
ABS
          10,450       2,712       13,162  
State and political subdivision securities
          7,139       69       7,208  
Other fixed maturity securities
          13       6       19  
                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
    11,257       199,195       17,190       227,642  
                                 
Equity securities:
                               
Common stock
    490       995       136       1,621  
Non-redeemable preferred stock
          359       1,104       1,463  
                                 
Total equity securities
    490       1,354       1,240       3,084  
                                 
Trading and other securities
    1,886       415       83       2,384  
Short-term investments (1)
    5,650       2,500       23       8,173  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale (2)
          2,445       25       2,470  
MSRs (3)
                878       878  
Derivative assets (4)
    103       5,600       430       6,133  
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (5)
                76       76  
Separate account assets (6)
    17,601       129,545       1,895       149,041  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 36,987     $ 341,054     $ 21,840     $ 399,881  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
Derivative liabilities (4)
  $ 51     $ 3,990     $ 74     $ 4,115  
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (5)
          (26 )     1,531       1,505  
Trading liabilities (7)
    106                   106  
                                 
Total liabilities
  $ 157     $ 3,964     $ 1,605     $ 5,726  
                                 

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
(1) Short-term investments as presented in the tables above differ from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets because certain short-term investments are not measured at estimated fair value (e.g., time deposits, etc.), and therefore are excluded from the tables presented above.
 
(2) Mortgage loans held-for-sale as presented in the tables above differ from the amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets as these tables only include residential mortgage loans held-for-sale measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis.
 
(3) MSRs are presented within other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
(4) Derivative assets are presented within other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets and derivative liabilities are presented within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The amounts are presented gross in the tables above to reflect the presentation in the consolidated balance sheets, but are presented net for purposes of the rollforward in the Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) tables which follow. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, certain non-derivative hedging instruments of $185 million and $0, respectively, which are carried at amortized cost, are included with the liabilities total in Note 4 but excluded from derivative liabilities in the tables above as they are not derivative instruments.
 
(5) Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts are presented within premiums, reinsurance and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets. Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts are presented primarily within policyholder account balances in the consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2010, fixed maturity securities and equity securities also included embedded derivatives of $5 million and ($62) million, respectively. At December 31, 2009, fixed maturity securities and equity securities included embedded derivatives of $0 and ($37) million, respectively.
 
(6) Separate account assets are measured at estimated fair value. Investment performance related to separate account assets is fully offset by corresponding amounts credited to contractholders whose liability is reflected within separate account liabilities. Separate account liabilities are set equal to the estimated fair value of separate account assets.
 
(7) Trading liabilities are presented within other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments are summarized as follows:
 
Fixed Maturity Securities, Equity Securities, Trading and Other Securities and Short-term Investments
 
When available, the estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed maturity, equity and trading and other securities are based on quoted prices in active markets that are readily and regularly obtainable. Generally, these are the most liquid of the Company’s securities holdings and valuation of these securities does not involve management judgment.
 
When quoted prices in active markets are not available, the determination of estimated fair value is based on market standard valuation methodologies. The market standard valuation methodologies utilized include: discounted cash flow methodologies, matrix pricing or other similar techniques. The inputs in applying these market standard valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to: interest rates, credit standing of the issuer or counterparty, industry sector of the issuer, coupon rate, call provisions, sinking fund requirements, maturity and management’s assumptions regarding estimated duration, liquidity and estimated future cash flows. Accordingly, the estimated fair values are based on available market information and management’s judgments about financial instruments.
 
The significant inputs to the market standard valuation methodologies for certain types of securities with reasonable levels of price transparency are inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
from or corroborated by observable market data. Such observable inputs include benchmarking prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active and observable yields and spreads in the market.
 
When observable inputs are not available, the market standard valuation methodologies for determining the estimated fair value of certain types of securities that trade infrequently, and therefore have little or no price transparency, rely on inputs that are significant to the estimated fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. These unobservable inputs can be based in large part on management judgment or estimation and cannot be supported by reference to market activity. Even though unobservable, these inputs are assumed to be consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such securities and are considered appropriate given the circumstances.
 
The estimated fair value of FVO securities held by CSEs is determined on a basis consistent with the methodologies described herein for fixed maturity securities and equity securities. As discussed in Note 1, the Company adopted new guidance effective January 1, 2010 and consolidated certain securitization entities that hold securities that have been accounted for under the FVO and classified within trading and other securities.
 
The use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of the Company’s securities holdings.
 
Mortgage Loans
 
Mortgage loans presented in the tables above consist of commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs and residential mortgage loans held-for-sale for which the Company has elected the FVO and which are carried at estimated fair value. As discussed in Note 1, the Company adopted new guidance effective January 1, 2010 and consolidated certain securitization entities that hold commercial mortgage loans. See “— Valuation Techniques and Inputs by Level Within the Three-Level Fair Value Hierarchy by Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities” below for a discussion of the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of these financial instruments.
 
MSRs
 
Although MSRs are not financial instruments, the Company has included them in the preceding table as a result of its election to carry MSRs at estimated fair value. See “— Valuation Techniques and Inputs by Level Within the Three-Level Fair Value Hierarchy by Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities” below for a discussion of the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of these financial instruments.
 
Other Invested Assets — Investment Funds
 
The estimated fair value of these investment funds is determined on a basis consistent with the methodologies described herein for trading and other securities.
 
Derivatives
 
The estimated fair value of derivatives is determined through the use of quoted market prices for exchange-traded derivatives and interest rate forwards to sell certain to be announced securities, or through the use of pricing models for over-the-counter derivatives. The determination of estimated fair value, when quoted market values are not available, is based on market standard valuation methodologies and inputs that are assumed to be consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing the instruments. Derivative valuations can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial indices, credit spreads, default risk (including the counterparties to the contract), volatility, liquidity and changes in estimates and assumptions used in the pricing models.
 
The significant inputs to the pricing models for most over-the-counter derivatives are inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Significant inputs that are observable generally include: interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, interest rate curves, credit curves and volatility. However, certain over-the-counter derivatives may rely on inputs that are significant to the estimated fair value that are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Significant inputs that are unobservable generally include: independent broker quotes, credit correlation assumptions, references to emerging market currencies and inputs that are outside the observable portion of the interest rate curve, credit curve, volatility or other relevant market measure. These unobservable inputs may involve significant management judgment or estimation. Even though unobservable, these inputs are based on assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances and are assumed to be consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such instruments.
 
The credit risk of both the counterparty and the Company are considered in determining the estimated fair value for all over-the-counter derivatives, and any potential credit adjustment is based on the net exposure by counterparty after taking into account the effects of netting agreements and collateral arrangements. The Company values its derivative positions using the standard swap curve which includes a spread to the risk free rate. This credit spread is appropriate for those parties that execute trades at pricing levels consistent with the standard swap curve. As the Company and its significant derivative counterparties consistently execute trades at such pricing levels, additional credit risk adjustments are not currently required in the valuation process. The Company’s ability to consistently execute at such pricing levels is in part due to the netting agreements and collateral arrangements that are in place with all of its significant derivative counterparties. The evaluation of the requirement to make additional credit risk adjustments is performed by the Company each reporting period.
 
Most inputs for over-the-counter derivatives are mid market inputs but, in certain cases, bid level inputs are used when they are deemed more representative of exit value. Market liquidity, as well as the use of different methodologies, assumptions and inputs, may have a material effect on the estimated fair values of the Company’s derivatives and could materially affect net income.
 
Embedded Derivatives Within Asset and Liability Host Contracts
 
Embedded derivatives principally include certain direct, assumed and ceded variable annuity guarantees and equity or bond indexed crediting rates within certain funding agreements. Embedded derivatives are recorded in the consolidated financial statements at estimated fair value with changes in estimated fair value reported in net income.
 
The Company issues certain variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum benefit guarantees. GMWBs, GMABs and certain GMIBs are embedded derivatives, which are measured at estimated fair value separately from the host variable annuity contract, with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses). These embedded derivatives are classified within policyholder account balances in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
The fair value of these guarantees is estimated using the present value of future benefits minus the present value of future fees using actuarial and capital market assumptions related to the projected cash flows over the expected lives of the contracts. A risk neutral valuation methodology is used under which the cash flows from the guarantees are projected under multiple capital market scenarios using observable risk free rates, currency exchange rates and observable and estimated implied volatilities.
 
The valuation of these guarantee liabilities includes adjustments for nonperformance risk and for a risk margin related to non-capital market inputs. Both of these adjustments are captured as components of the spread which, when combined with the risk free rate, is used to discount the cash flows of the liability for purposes of determining its fair value.
 
The nonperformance adjustment is determined by taking into consideration publicly available information relating to spreads in the secondary market for the Holding Company’s debt, including related credit default swaps.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
These observable spreads are then adjusted, as necessary, to reflect the priority of these liabilities and the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance subsidiaries compared to the Holding Company.
 
Risk margins are established to capture the non-capital market risks of the instrument which represent the additional compensation a market participant would require to assume the risks related to the uncertainties of such actuarial assumptions as annuitization, premium persistency, partial withdrawal and surrenders. The establishment of risk margins requires the use of significant management judgment, including assumptions of the amount and cost of capital needed to cover the guarantees. These guarantees may be more costly than expected in volatile or declining equity markets. Market conditions including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, equity indices, market volatility and foreign currency exchange rates; changes in nonperformance risk; and variations in actuarial assumptions regarding policyholder behavior, mortality and risk margins related to non-capital market inputs may result in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of the guarantees that could materially affect net income.
 
The Company ceded the risk associated with certain of the GMIB and GMAB described above. These reinsurance contracts contain embedded derivatives which are included in premiums, reinsurance and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets with changes in estimated fair value reported in net derivative gains (losses) or policyholder benefits and claims depending on the statement of operations classification of the direct risk. The value of the embedded derivatives on the ceded risk is determined using a methodology consistent with that described previously for the guarantees directly written by the Company.
 
As part of its regular review of critical accounting estimates, the Company periodically assesses inputs for estimating nonperformance risk (commonly referred to as “own credit”) in fair value measurements. During the second quarter of 2010, the Company completed a study that aggregated and evaluated data, including historical recovery rates of insurance companies, as well as policyholder behavior observed over the past two years as the recent financial crisis evolved. As a result, at the end of the second quarter of 2010, the Company refined the way in which its insurance subsidiaries incorporate expected recovery rates into the nonperformance risk adjustment for purposes of estimating the fair value of investment-type contracts and embedded derivatives within insurance contracts. The Company recognized a loss of $577 million, net of DAC and income tax, relating to implementing the refinement at June 30, 2010. The refinement reduced both basic and diluted net income available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share by $0.65 for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
The estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives within funds withheld related to certain ceded reinsurance is determined based on the change in estimated fair value of the underlying assets held by the Company in a reference portfolio backing the funds withheld liability. The estimated fair value of the underlying assets is determined as described above in “— Fixed Maturity Securities, Equity Securities, Trading and Other Securities and Short-term Investments.” The estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives is included, along with their funds withheld hosts, in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets with changes in estimated fair value recorded in net derivative gains (losses). Changes in the credit spreads on the underlying assets, interest rates and market volatility may result in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives that could materially affect net income.
 
The estimated fair value of the embedded equity and bond indexed derivatives contained in certain funding agreements is determined using market standard swap valuation models and observable market inputs, including an adjustment for nonperformance risk. The estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives are included, along with their funding agreements host, within policyholder account balances with changes in estimated fair value recorded in net derivative gains (losses). Changes in equity and bond indices, interest rates and the Company’s credit standing may result in significant fluctuations in the estimated fair value of these embedded derivatives that could materially affect net income.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Separate Account Assets
 
Separate account assets are carried at estimated fair value and reported as a summarized total on the consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value of separate account assets is based on the estimated fair value of the underlying assets owned by the separate account. Assets within the Company’s separate accounts include: mutual funds, fixed maturity securities, equity securities, mortgage loans, derivatives, hedge funds, other limited partnership interests, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents. See “— Valuation Techniques and Inputs by Level Within the Three-Level Fair Value Hierarchy by Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities” below for a discussion of the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of these financial instruments.
 
Long-term Debt of CSEs
 
The Company has elected the FVO for the long-term debt of CSEs, which are carried at estimated fair value. See “— Valuation Techniques and Inputs by Level Within the Three-Level Fair Value Hierarchy by Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities” below for a discussion of the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of these financial instruments.
 
Trading Liabilities
 
Trading liabilities are recorded at estimated fair value with subsequent changes in estimated fair value recognized in net investment income. The estimated fair value of trading liabilities is determined on a basis consistent with the methodologies described in “— Fixed Maturity Securities, Equity Securities and Trading and Other Securities.”
 
Valuation Techniques and Inputs by Level Within the Three-Level Fair Value Hierarchy by Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities
 
A description of the significant valuation techniques and inputs to the determination of estimated fair value for the more significant asset and liability classes measured at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:
 
The Company determines the estimated fair value of its investments using primarily the market approach and the income approach. The use of quoted prices for identical assets and matrix pricing or other similar techniques are examples of market approaches, while the use of discounted cash flow methodologies is an example of the income approach. The Company attempts to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in selecting whether the market or income approach is used.
 
While certain investments have been classified as Level 1 from the use of unadjusted quoted prices for identical investments supported by high volumes of trading activity and narrow bid/ask spreads, most investments have been classified as Level 2 because the significant inputs used to measure the fair value on a recurring basis of the same or similar investment are market observable or can be corroborated using market observable information for the full term of the investment. Level 3 investments include those where estimated fair values are based on significant unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and may reflect our own assumptions about what factors market participants would use in pricing these investments.
 
Level 1 Measurements:
 
Fixed Maturity Securities, Equity Securities, Trading and Other Securities and Short-term Investments
 
These securities are comprised of U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed fixed maturity securities, foreign government securities, RMBS — principally to-be-announced securities, exchange traded common stock, exchange traded mutual fund interests included in equity securities, exchange traded registered mutual fund interests included in trading and other securities and short-term money market securities, including U.S. Treasury bills. Valuation of these securities is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are readily and


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
regularly available. Contractholder-directed unit-linked investments reported within trading and other securities include certain registered mutual fund interests priced using daily NAV provided by the fund managers.
 
Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities
 
These assets and liabilities are comprised of exchange-traded derivatives, as well as interest rate forwards to sell certain to be announced securities. Valuation of these assets and liabilities is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are readily and regularly available.
 
Separate Account Assets
 
These assets are comprised of securities that are similar in nature to the fixed maturity securities, equity securities and short-term investments referred to above; and certain exchange-traded derivatives, including financial futures and owned options. Valuation is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are readily and regularly available.
 
Level 2 Measurements:
 
Fixed Maturity Securities, Equity Securities, Trading and Other Securities and Short-term Investments
 
This level includes fixed maturity securities and equity securities priced principally by independent pricing services using observable inputs. Trading and other securities and short-term investments within this level are of a similar nature and class to the Level 2 securities described below; accordingly, the valuation techniques and significant market standard observable inputs used in their valuation are also similar to those described below. Contractholder-directed unit-linked investments reported within trading and other securities include certain mutual fund interests without readily determinable fair values given prices are not published publicly. Valuation of these mutual funds is based upon quoted prices or reported NAV provided by the fund managers, which were based on observable inputs.
 
U.S. corporate and foreign corporate securities.  These securities are principally valued using the market and income approaches. Valuation is based primarily on quoted prices in markets that are not active, or using matrix pricing or other similar techniques that use standard market observable inputs such as a benchmark yields, spreads off benchmark yields, new issuances, issuer rating, duration, and trades of identical or comparable securities. Investment grade privately placed securities are valued using a discounted cash flow methodologies using standard market observable inputs, and inputs derived from, or corroborated by, market observable data including market yield curve, duration, call provisions, observable prices and spreads for similar publicly traded or privately traded issues that incorporate the credit quality and industry sector of the issuer. This level also includes certain below investment grade privately placed fixed maturity securities priced by independent pricing services that use observable inputs.
 
Structured securities comprised of RMBS, CMBS and ABS.  These securities are principally valued using the market approach. Valuation is based primarily on matrix pricing or other similar techniques using standard market inputs including spreads for actively traded securities, spreads off benchmark yields, expected prepayment speeds and volumes, current and forecasted loss severity, rating, weighted average coupon, weighted average maturity, average delinquency rates, geographic region, debt-service coverage ratios and issuance-specific information including, but not limited to: collateral type, payment terms of the underlying assets, payment priority within the tranche, structure of the security, deal performance and vintage of loans.
 
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities.  These securities are principally valued using the market approach. Valuation is based primarily on quoted prices in markets that are not active, or using matrix pricing or other similar techniques using standard market observable inputs such as benchmark U.S. Treasury yield curve, the spread off the U.S. Treasury curve for the identical security and comparable securities that are actively traded.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Foreign government and state and political subdivision securities.  These securities are principally valued using the market approach. Valuation is based primarily on matrix pricing or other similar techniques using standard market observable inputs including benchmark U.S. Treasury or other yields, issuer ratings, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads and reported trades of similar securities, including those within the same sub-sector or with a similar maturity or credit rating.
 
Common and non-redeemable preferred stock.  These securities are principally valued using the market approach where market quotes are available but are not considered actively traded. Valuation is based principally on observable inputs including quoted prices in markets that are not considered active.
 
Mortgage Loans Held by CSEs
 
These commercial mortgage loans are principally valued using the market approach. The principal market for these commercial loan portfolios is the securitization market. The Company uses the quoted securitization market price of the obligations of the CSEs to determine the estimated fair value of these commercial loan portfolios. These market prices are determined principally by independent pricing services using observable inputs.
 
Mortgage Loans Held-For-Sale
 
Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale are principally valued using the market approach and valued primarily using readily available observable pricing for similar loans or securities backed by similar loans. The unobservable adjustments to such prices are insignificant.
 
Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities
 
This level includes all types of derivative instruments utilized by the Company with the exception of exchange-traded derivatives and interest rate forwards to sell certain to be announced securities included within Level 1 and those derivative instruments with unobservable inputs as described in Level 3. These derivatives are principally valued using an income approach.
 
Interest rate contracts.
 
Non-option-based — Valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, and repurchase rates.
 
Option-based — Valuations are based on option pricing models, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, and interest rate volatility.
 
Foreign currency contracts.
 
Non-option-based — Valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, currency spot rates, and cross currency basis curves.
 
Option-based — Valuations are based on option pricing models, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, currency spot rates, cross currency basis curves, and currency volatility.
 
Credit contracts.
 
Non-option-based — Valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, credit curves, and recovery rates.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Equity market contracts.
 
Non-option-based — Valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, spot equity index levels, and dividend yield curves.
 
Option-based — Valuations are based on option pricing models, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve, spot equity index levels, dividend yield curves, and equity volatility.
 
Embedded Derivatives Contained in Certain Funding Agreements
 
These derivatives are principally valued using an income approach. Valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve and the spot equity and bond index level.
 
Separate Account Assets
 
These assets are comprised of investments that are similar in nature to the fixed maturity securities, equity securities, short-term investments and derivatives referred to above. Also included are certain mutual funds and hedge funds without readily determinable fair values given prices are not published publicly. Valuation of the mutual funds and hedge funds is based upon quoted prices or reported NAV provided by the fund managers.
 
Long-term Debt of CSEs
 
The estimated fair value of the long-term debt of the Company’s CSEs is based on quoted prices when traded as assets in active markets or, if not available, based on market standard valuation methodologies, consistent with the Company’s methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of comparable fixed maturity securities.
 
Level 3 Measurements:
 
In general, investments classified within Level 3 use many of the same valuation techniques and inputs as described above. However, if key inputs are unobservable, or if the investments are less liquid and there is very limited trading activity, the investments are generally classified as Level 3. The use of independent non-binding broker quotations to value investments generally indicates there is a lack of liquidity or the general lack of transparency in the process to develop the valuation estimates generally causing these investments to be classified in Level 3.
 
Fixed Maturity Securities, Equity Securities, Trading and Other Securities and Short-term Investments
 
This level includes fixed maturity securities and equity securities priced principally by independent broker quotations or market standard valuation methodologies using inputs that are not market observable or cannot be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Trading and other securities and short-term investments within this level are of a similar nature and class to the Level 3 securities described below; accordingly, the valuation techniques and significant market standard observable inputs used in their valuation are also similar to those described below.
 
U.S. corporate and foreign corporate securities.  These securities, including financial services industry hybrid securities classified within fixed maturity securities, are principally valued using the market and income approaches. Valuations are based primarily on matrix pricing or other similar techniques that utilize unobservable inputs or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data, including illiquidity premiums and spread adjustments to reflect industry trends or specific credit-related issues. Valuations may be based on independent non-binding broker quotations. Generally, below investment grade privately placed or distressed securities included in this level are valued using discounted cash flow


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
methodologies which rely upon significant, unobservable inputs and inputs that cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
 
Structured securities comprised of RMBS, CMBS and ABS.  These securities are principally valued using the market approach. Valuation is based primarily on matrix pricing or other similar techniques that utilize inputs that are unobservable or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data, or are based on independent non-binding broker quotations. Below investment grade securities and ABS supported by sub-prime mortgage loans included in this level are valued based on inputs including quoted prices for identical or similar securities that are less liquid and based on lower levels of trading activity than securities classified in Level 2, and certain of these securities are valued based on independent non-binding broker quotations.
 
Foreign government and state and political subdivision securities.  These securities are principally valued using the market approach. Valuation is based primarily on matrix pricing or other similar techniques, however these securities are less liquid and certain of the inputs are based on very limited trading activity.
 
Common and non-redeemable preferred stock.  These securities, including privately held securities and financial services industry hybrid securities classified within equity securities, are principally valued using the market and income approaches. Valuations are based primarily on matrix pricing or other similar techniques using inputs such as comparable credit rating and issuance structure. Equity securities valuations determined with discounted cash flow methodologies use inputs such as earnings multiples based on comparable public companies, and industry-specific non-earnings based multiples. Certain of these securities are valued based on independent non-binding broker quotations.
 
Mortgage Loans
 
Mortgage loans include residential mortgage loans held-for-sale for which pricing for similar loans or securities backed by similar loans is not observable and the estimated fair value is determined using unobservable independent broker quotations or valuation models.
 
MSRs
 
MSRs, which are valued using an income approach, are carried at estimated fair value and have multiple significant unobservable inputs including assumptions regarding estimates of discount rates, loan prepayments and servicing costs. Sales of MSRs tend to occur in private transactions where the precise terms and conditions of the sales are typically not readily available and observable market valuations are limited. As such, the Company relies primarily on a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of the MSRs. The model requires inputs such as type of loan (fixed vs. variable and agency vs. other), age of loan, loan interest rates and current market interest rates that are generally observable. The model also requires the use of unobservable inputs including assumptions regarding estimates of discount rates, loan prepayments and servicing costs.
 
Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities
 
These derivatives are principally valued using an income approach. Valuations of non-option-based derivatives utilize present value techniques, whereas valuations of option-based derivatives utilize option pricing models. These valuation methodologies generally use the same inputs as described in the corresponding sections above for Level 2 measurements of derivatives. However, these derivatives result in Level 3 classification because one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
 
Interest rate contracts.
 
Non-option-based — Significant unobservable inputs may include pull through rates on interest rate lock commitments and the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve and LIBOR basis curves.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Option-based — Significant unobservable inputs may include the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, and interest rate volatility.
 
Foreign currency contracts.
 
Non-option-based — Significant unobservable inputs may include the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves and cross currency basis curves. Certain of these derivatives are valued based on independent non-binding broker quotations.
 
Option-based — Significant unobservable inputs may include currency correlation and the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve, LIBOR basis curves, cross currency basis curves and currency volatility.
 
Credit contracts.
 
Non-option-based — Significant unobservable inputs may include credit correlation, repurchase rates, and the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve and credit curves. Certain of these derivatives are valued based on independent non-binding broker quotations.
 
Equity market contracts.
 
Non-option-based — Significant unobservable inputs may include the extrapolation beyond observable limits of dividend yield curves.
 
Option-based — Significant unobservable inputs may include the extrapolation beyond observable limits of dividend yield curves and equity volatility. Certain of these derivatives are valued based on independent non-binding broker quotations.
 
Guaranteed Minimum Benefit Guarantees
 
These embedded derivatives are principally valued using an income approach. Valuations are based on option pricing techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include swap yield curve, currency exchange rates and implied volatilities. These embedded derivatives result in Level 3 classification because one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Significant unobservable inputs generally include: the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve and implied volatilities, actuarial assumptions for policyholder behavior and mortality and the potential variability in policyholder behavior and mortality, nonperformance risk and cost of capital for purposes of calculating the risk margin.
 
Reinsurance Ceded on Certain Guaranteed Minimum Benefit Guarantees
 
These embedded derivatives are principally valued using an income approach. Valuations are based on option pricing techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include swap yield curve, currency exchange rates and implied volatilities. These embedded derivatives result in Level 3 classification because one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Significant unobservable inputs generally include: the extrapolation beyond observable limits of the swap yield curve and implied volatilities, actuarial assumptions for policyholder behavior and mortality and the potential variability in policyholder behavior and mortality, counterparty credit spreads and cost of capital for purposes of calculating the risk margin.
 
Embedded Derivatives Within Funds Withheld Related to Certain Ceded Reinsurance
 
These derivatives are principally valued using an income approach. Valuations are based on present value techniques, which utilize significant inputs that may include the swap yield curve and the fair value of assets within the


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
reference portfolio. These embedded derivatives result in Level 3 classification because one or more of the significant inputs are not observable in the market or cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Significant unobservable inputs generally include: the fair value of certain assets within the reference portfolio which are not observable in the market and cannot be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
 
Separate Account Assets
 
These assets are comprised of investments that are similar in nature to the fixed maturity securities, equity securities and derivatives referred to above. Separate account assets within this level also include mortgage loans and other limited partnership interests. The estimated fair value of mortgage loans is determined by discounting expected future cash flows, using current interest rates for similar loans with similar credit risk. Other limited partnership interests are valued giving consideration to the value of the underlying holdings of the partnerships and by applying a premium or discount, if appropriate, for factors such as liquidity, bid/ask spreads, the performance record of the fund manager or other relevant variables which may impact the exit value of the particular partnership interest.
 
Long-term Debt of CSEs
 
The estimated fair value of the long-term debt of the Company’s CSEs are priced principally through independent broker quotations or market standard valuation methodologies using inputs that are not market observable or cannot be derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
 
Transfers between Levels 1 and 2:
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, transfers between Levels 1 and 2 were not significant.
 
Transfers into or out of Level 3:
 
Overall, transfers into and/or out of Level 3 are attributable to a change in the observability of inputs. Assets and liabilities are transferred into Level 3 when a significant input cannot be corroborated with market observable data. This occurs when market activity decreases significantly and underlying inputs cannot be observed, current prices are not available, and/or when there are significant variances in quoted prices, thereby affecting transparency. Assets and liabilities are transferred out of Level 3 when circumstances change such that a significant input can be corroborated with market observable data. This may be due to a significant increase in market activity, a specific event, or one or more significant input(s) becoming observable. Transfers into and/or out of any level are assumed to occur at the beginning of the period. Significant transfers into and/or out of Level 3 assets and liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2010 are summarized below.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, fixed maturity securities transfers into Level 3 of $1,736 million and separate account assets transfers into Level 3 of $46 million, resulted primarily from current market conditions characterized by a lack of trading activity, decreased liquidity and credit ratings downgrades (e.g., from investment grade to below investment grade). These current market conditions have resulted in decreased transparency of valuations and an increased use of broker quotations and unobservable inputs to determine estimated fair value principally for certain private placements included in U.S. and foreign corporate securities and certain CMBS.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, fixed maturity securities transfers out of Level 3 of $1,683 million and separate account assets transfers out of Level 3 of $234 million, resulted primarily from increased transparency of both new issuances that subsequent to issuance and establishment of trading activity, became priced by independent pricing services and existing issuances that, over time, the Company was able to corroborate pricing received from independent pricing services with observable inputs or increases in market activity and upgraded credit ratings primarily for certain U.S. and foreign corporate securities, RMBS and ABS.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
A rollforward of all assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs is as follows:
 
                                                         
    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
          Total Realized/Unrealized
                         
          Gains (Losses) included in:     Purchases,
                   
                Other
    Sales,
                   
    Balance,
          Comprehensive
    Issuances and
    Transfer Into
    Transfer Out
    Balance,
 
    January 1,     Earnings (1), (2)     Income (Loss)     Settlements (3)     Level 3 (4)     of Level 3 (4)     December 31,  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010:
                                                       
Assets:
                                                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                       
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 6,694     $ 9     $ 277     $ (415 )   $ 898     $ (314 )   $ 7,149  
Foreign corporate securities
    5,292       (19 )     323       304       501       (624 )     5,777  
RMBS
    1,840       27       63       (303 )     87       (292 )     1,422  
Foreign government securities
    401       1       (93 )     2,965       40       (155 )     3,159  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    37             2       (6 )     46             79  
CMBS
    139       (5 )     89       684       132       (28 )     1,011  
ABS
    2,712       (53 )     411       1,286       32       (240 )     4,148  
State and political subdivision securities
    69             (2 )     9             (30 )     46  
Other fixed maturity securities
    6       1       2       (5 )                 4  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 17,190     $ (39 )   $ 1,072     $ 4,519     $ 1,736     $ (1,683 )   $ 22,795  
                                                         
Equity securities:
                                                       
Common stock
  $ 136     $ 5     $ 7     $ 128     $ 1     $ (9 )   $ 268  
Non-redeemable preferred stock
    1,104       46       12       (250 )           (7 )     905  
                                                         
Total equity securities
  $ 1,240     $ 51     $ 19     $ (122 )   $ 1     $ (16 )   $ 1,173  
                                                         
Trading and other securities:
                                                       
Actively Traded Securities
  $ 32     $     $     $ (22 )   $     $     $ 10  
FVO general account securities
    51       8             (1 )     37       (18 )     77  
FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments
          (15 )           750                   735  
                                                         
Total trading and other securities
  $ 83     $ (7 )   $     $ 727     $ 37     $ (18 )   $ 822  
                                                         
Short-term investments
  $ 23     $ 2     $ (9 )   $ 842     $     $     $ 858  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
  $ 25     $ (2 )   $     $     $ 10     $ (9 )   $ 24  
MSRs (5), (6)
  $ 878     $ (79 )   $     $ 151     $     $     $ 950  
Net derivatives: (7)
                                                       
Interest rate contracts
  $ 7     $ 37     $ (107 )   $ (23 )   $     $     $ (86 )
Foreign currency contracts
    108       42       2       (57 )           (22 )     73  
Credit contracts
    42       4       13       (15 )                 44  
Equity market contracts
    199       (88 )     11       20                   142  
                                                         
Total net derivatives
  $ 356     $ (5 )   $ (81 )   $ (75 )   $     $ (22 )   $ 173  
                                                         
Separate account assets (8)
  $ 1,895     $ 139     $     $ 242     $ 46     $ (234 )   $ 2,088  
 


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                         
    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
        Total Realized/Unrealized
               
        (Gains) Losses included in:   Purchases,
           
            Other
  Sales,
           
    Balance,
      Comprehensive
  Issuances and
  Transfer Into
  Transfer Out
  Balance,
    January 1,   Earnings (1), (2)   Income (Loss)   Settlements (3)   Level 3 (4)   of Level 3 (4)   December 31,
    (In millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010:
                                                       
Liabilities:
                                                       
Net embedded derivatives (9)
  $ 1,455     $ 335     $ 226     $ 422     $     $     $ 2,438  
Long-term debt of consolidated securitization entities (10)
  $     $ (48 )   $     $ 232     $     $     $ 184  
Trading liabilities
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
 
                                                 
    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
          Total Realized/Unrealized
                   
          Gains (Losses) included in:     Purchases,
             
                Other
    Sales,
    Transfer Into
       
    Balance,
          Comprehensive
    Issuances and
    and/or Out
    Balance,
 
    January 1,     Earnings (1), (2)     Income (Loss)     Settlements (3)     of Level 3 (4)     December 31,  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009:
                                               
Assets:
                                               
Fixed maturity securities:
                                               
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 7,498     $ (429 )   $ 939     $ (1,358 )   $ 44     $ 6,694  
Foreign corporate securities
    5,944       (330 )     1,517       (511 )     (1,328 )     5,292  
RMBS
    595       31       105       1,199       (90 )     1,840  
Foreign government securities
    408       (40 )     54       6       (27 )     401  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    88             (1 )     (29 )     (21 )     37  
CMBS
    260       (36 )     53       (44 )     (94 )     139  
ABS
    2,452       (121 )     578       (212 )     15       2,712  
State and political subdivision securities
    123             7       (19 )     (42 )     69  
Other fixed maturity securities
    40       1             (35 )           6  
                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 17,408     $ (924 )   $ 3,252     $ (1,003 )   $ (1,543 )   $ 17,190  
                                                 
Equity securities:
                                               
Common stock
  $ 105     $ (2 )   $ 6     $ 23     $ 4     $ 136  
Non-redeemable preferred stock
    1,274       (357 )     486       (254 )     (45 )     1,104  
                                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 1,379     $ (359 )   $ 492     $ (231 )   $ (41 )   $ 1,240  
                                                 
Trading and other securities
  $ 175     $ 16     $     $ (108 )   $     $ 83  
Short-term investments
  $ 100     $ (21 )   $     $ (51 )   $ (5 )   $ 23  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
  $ 177     $ (3 )   $     $ 2     $ (151 )   $ 25  
MSRs (5), (6)
  $ 191     $ 172     $     $ 515     $     $ 878  
Net derivatives (7)
  $ 2,547     $ (273 )   $ (11 )   $ 97     $ (2,004 )   $ 356  
Separate account assets (8)
  $ 1,758     $ (213 )   $     $ 485     $ (135 )   $ 1,895  
 
                                                 
    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
        Total Realized/Unrealized
           
        (Gains) Losses included in:   Purchases,
       
            Other
  Sales,
  Transfer Into
   
    Balance,
      Comprehensive
  Issuances and
  and/or Out
  Balance,
    January 1,   Earnings (1), (2)   Income (Loss)   Settlements (3)   of Level 3 (4)   December 31,
    (In millions)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009:
                                               
Liabilities:
                                               
Net embedded derivatives (9)
  $ 2,929     $ (1,602 )   $ (15 )   $ 143     $     $ 1,455  
 

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                                 
    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
                      Total Realized/Unrealized
                   
                      Gains (Losses) included in:     Purchases,
             
                            Other
    Sales,
    Transfer Into
       
    Balance,
    Impact of
    Balance,
          Comprehensive
    Issuances and
    and/or Out
    Balance,
 
    December 31, 2007     Adoption (11)     January 1,     Earnings (1), (2)     Income (Loss)     Settlements (3)     of Level 3 (4)     December 31,  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008:
                                                               
Assets:
                                                               
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                               
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 8,368     $     $ 8,368     $ (696 )   $ (1,758 )   $ 859     $ 725     $ 7,498  
Foreign corporate securities
    7,228       (8 )     7,220       (12 )     (2,873 )     (57 )     1,666       5,944  
RMBS
    1,423             1,423       4       (218 )     (204 )     (410 )     595  
Foreign government securities
    785             785       19       (101 )     (295 )           408  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    80             80             (1 )     3       6       88  
CMBS
    539             539       (72 )     (136 )     2       (73 )     260  
ABS
    4,490             4,490       (125 )     (1,136 )     (740 )     (37 )     2,452  
State and political subdivision securities
    124             124             (8 )     45       (38 )     123  
Other fixed maturity securities
    289             289       1       (41 )     (209 )           40  
                                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 23,326     $ (8 )   $ 23,318     $ (881 )   $ (6,272 )   $ (596 )   $ 1,839     $ 17,408  
                                                                 
Equity securities:
                                                               
Common stock
  $ 183     $     $ 183     $ (2 )   $ (12 )   $ (46 )   $ (18 )   $ 105  
Non-redeemable preferred stock
    2,188             2,188       (195 )     (466 )     (242 )     (11 )     1,274  
                                                                 
Total equity securities
  $ 2,371     $     $ 2,371     $ (197 )   $ (478 )   $ (288 )   $ (29 )   $ 1,379  
                                                                 
Trading and other securities
  $ 183     $ 8     $ 191     $ (26 )   $     $ 18     $ (8 )   $ 175  
Short-term investments
  $ 179     $     $ 179     $     $     $ (79 )   $     $ 100  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
  $     $     $     $ 4     $     $ 171     $ 2     $ 177  
MSRs (5), (6)
  $     $     $     $ (149 )   $     $ 340     $     $ 191  
Net derivatives (7)
  $ 789     $ (1 )   $ 788     $ 1,729     $     $ 29     $ 1     $ 2,547  
Separate account assets (8)
  $ 1,464     $     $ 1,464     $ (129 )   $     $ 90     $ 333     $ 1,758  
 
                                                                 
    Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)  
                      Total Realized/Unrealized
                   
                      (Gains) Losses included in:     Purchases,
             
                            Other
    Sales,
    Transfer Into
       
    Balance,
    Impact of
    Balance,
          Comprehensive
    Issuances and
    and/or Out
    Balance,
 
    December 31, 2007     Adoption (11)     January 1,     Earnings (1), (2)     Income (Loss)     Settlements (3)     of Level 3 (4)     December 31,  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008:
                                                               
Liabilities:
                                                               
Net embedded derivatives (9)
  $ 278     $ (24 )   $ 254     $ 2,500     $ 81     $ 94     $     $ 2,929  
 
 
(1) Amortization of premium/discount is included within net investment income which is reported within the earnings caption of total gains (losses). Impairments charged to earnings on securities and certain mortgage loans are included within net investment gains (losses) which are reported within the earnings caption of total gains (losses); while changes in estimated fair value of certain mortgage loans and MSRs are recorded in other revenues. Lapses associated with embedded derivatives are included with the earnings caption of total gains (losses).

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
(2) Interest and dividend accruals, as well as cash interest coupons and dividends received, are excluded from the rollforward.
 
(3) The amount reported within purchases, sales, issuances and settlements is the purchase/issuance price (for purchases and issuances) and the sales/settlement proceeds (for sales and settlements) based upon the actual date purchased/issued or sold/settled. Items purchased/issued and sold/settled in the same period are excluded from the rollforward. For embedded derivatives, attributed fees are included within this caption along with settlements, if any. Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements for the year ended December 31, 2010 include financial instruments acquired from ALICO as follows: fixed maturity securities $5,435 million, equity securities $68 million, trading and other securities $582 million, short-term investments $216 million, net derivatives ($10) million, separate account assets $244 million and net embedded derivatives ($116) million.
 
(4) Total gains and losses (in earnings and other comprehensive income (loss)) are calculated assuming transfers into and/or out of Level 3 occurred at the beginning of the period. Items transferred into and out in the same period are excluded from the rollforward.
 
(5) The additions and reductions (due to loan payments and sales) affecting MSRs were $330 million and ($179) million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2010. The additions and reductions (due to loan payments) affecting MSRs were $628 million and ($113) million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2009. The additions and reductions (due to loan payments) affecting MSRs were $350 million and ($10) million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
(6) The changes in estimated fair value due to changes in valuation model inputs or assumptions and other changes in estimated fair value affecting MSRs were ($79) million, $172 million and ($149) million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
(7) Freestanding derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.
 
(8) Investment performance related to separate account assets is fully offset by corresponding amounts credited to contractholders whose liability is reflected within separate account liabilities.
 
(9) Embedded derivative assets and liabilities are presented net for purposes of the rollforward.
 
(10) The long-term debt at January 1, 2010 of the CSEs is reported within the purchases, sales, issuances and settlements activity column of the rollforward.
 
(11) The impact of adoption of fair value measurement guidance represents the amount recognized in earnings resulting from a change in estimate for certain Level 3 financial instruments held at January 1, 2008. The net impact of adoption on Level 3 assets and liabilities presented in the table above was a $23 million increase to net assets. Such amount was also impacted by an increase to DAC of $17 million. The impact of this adoption on RGA — not reflected in the table above as a result of the inclusion of RGA in discontinued operations — was a net increase of $2 million (i.e., a decrease in Level 3 net embedded derivative liabilities of $17 million, offset by a DAC decrease of $15 million) for a total increase of $42 million in Level 3 net assets. This increase of $42 million, offset by a $12 million reduction in the estimated fair value of Level 2 freestanding derivatives, resulted in a total net impact of adoption of $30 million.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The tables below summarize both realized and unrealized gains and losses due to changes in estimated fair value recorded in earnings for Level 3 assets and liabilities:
 
                                                         
    Total Gains and Losses  
    Classification of Realized/Unrealized Gains
 
    (Losses) included in Earnings  
          Net
    Net
                         
    Net
    Investment
    Derivative
          Policyholder
             
    Investment
    Gains
    Gains
    Other
    Benefits and
    Other
       
    Income     (Losses)     (Losses)     Revenues     Claims     Expenses     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010:
                                                       
Assets:
                                                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                       
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 22     $ (13 )   $     $     $     $     $ 9  
Foreign corporate securities
    15       (34 )                             (19 )
RMBS
    36       (9 )                             27  
Foreign government securities
    6       (5 )                             1  
CMBS
    1       (6 )                             (5 )
ABS
    37       (90 )                             (53 )
State and political subdivision securities
                                         
Other fixed maturity securities
    1                                     1  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 118     $ (157 )   $     $     $     $     $ (39 )
                                                         
Equity securities:
                                                       
Common stock
  $     $ 5     $     $     $     $     $ 5  
Non-redeemable preferred stock
          46                               46  
                                                         
Total equity securities
  $     $ 51     $     $     $     $     $ 51  
                                                         
Trading and other securities:
                                                       
Actively Traded Securities
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
FVO general account securities
    8                                     8  
FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments
    (15 )                                   (15 )
                                                         
Total trading and other securities
  $ (7 )   $     $     $     $     $     $ (7 )
                                                         
Short-term investments
  $ 2     $     $     $     $     $     $ 2  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
  $     $     $     $ (2 )   $     $     $ (2 )
MSRs
  $     $     $     $ (79 )   $     $     $ (79 )
Net derivatives:
                                                       
Interest rate contracts
  $     $     $ 36     $ 1     $     $     $ 37  
Foreign currency contracts
                46                   (4 )     42  
Credit contracts
                4                         4  
Equity market contracts
                (88 )                       (88 )
                                                         
Total net derivatives
  $     $     $ (2 )   $ 1     $     $ (4 )   $ (5 )
                                                         
Liabilities:
                                                       
Net embedded derivatives
  $     $     $ (343 )   $     $ 8     $     $ (335 )
Long-term debt of consolidated securitization entities
  $     $ 48     $     $     $     $     $ 48  
 


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                         
    Total Gains and Losses  
    Classification of Realized/Unrealized Gains
 
    (Losses) included in Earnings  
          Net
    Net
                         
    Net
    Investment
    Derivative
          Policyholder
             
    Investment
    Gains
    Gains
    Other
    Benefits and
    Other
       
    Income     (Losses)     (Losses)     Revenues     Claims     Expenses     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009:
                                                       
Assets:
                                                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                       
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 15     $ (444 )   $     $     $     $     $ (429 )
Foreign corporate securities
    (4 )     (326 )                             (330 )
RMBS
    30       1                               31  
Foreign government securities
    12       (52 )                             (40 )
CMBS
    1       (37 )                             (36 )
ABS
    8       (129 )                             (121 )
State and political subdivision securities
                                         
Other fixed maturity securities
    1                                     1  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 63     $ (987 )   $     $     $     $     $ (924 )
                                                         
Equity securities:
                                                       
Common stock
  $     $ (2 )   $     $     $     $     $ (2 )
Non-redeemable preferred stock
          (357 )                             (357 )
                                                         
Total equity securities
  $     $ (359 )   $     $     $     $     $ (359 )
                                                         
Trading and other securities
  $ 16     $     $     $     $     $     $ 16  
Short-term investments
  $     $ (21 )   $     $     $     $     $ (21 )
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
  $     $     $     $ (3 )   $     $     $ (3 )
MSRs
  $     $     $     $ 172     $     $     $ 172  
Net derivatives
  $ (13 )   $     $ (225 )   $ (33 )   $     $ (2 )   $ (273 )
Liabilities:
                                                       
Net embedded derivatives
  $     $     $ 1,716     $     $ (114 )   $     $ 1,602  
 

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                         
    Total Gains and Losses  
    Classification of Realized/Unrealized Gains
 
    (Losses) included in Earnings  
          Net
    Net
                         
    Net
    Investment
    Derivative
          Policyholder
             
    Investment
    Gains
    Gains
    Other
    Benefits and
    Other
       
    Income     (Losses)     (Losses)     Revenues     Claims     Expenses     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008:
                                                       
Assets:
                                                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                       
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 15     $ (711 )   $     $     $     $     $ (696 )
Foreign corporate securities
    123       (135 )                             (12 )
RMBS
    3       1                               4  
Foreign government securities
    27       (8 )                             19  
CMBS
    4       (76 )                             (72 )
ABS
    4       (129 )                             (125 )
State and political subdivision securities
    (1 )     1                                
Other fixed maturity securities
    1                                     1  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 176     $ (1,057 )   $     $     $     $     $ (881 )
                                                         
Equity securities:
                                                       
Common stock
  $     $ (2 )   $     $     $     $     $ (2 )
Non-redeemable preferred stock
          (195 )                             (195 )
                                                         
Total equity securities
  $     $ (197 )   $     $     $     $     $ (197 )
                                                         
Trading and other securities
  $ (26 )   $     $     $     $     $     $ (26 )
Short-term investments
  $ 1     $ (1 )   $     $     $     $     $  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
  $     $     $     $ 4     $     $     $ 4  
MSRs
  $     $     $     $ (149 )   $     $     $ (149 )
Net derivatives
  $ 103     $     $ 1,587     $ 39     $     $     $ 1,729  
Liabilities:
                                                       
Net embedded derivatives
  $     $     $ (2,682 )   $     $ 182     $     $ (2,500 )

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The tables below summarize the portion of unrealized gains and losses, due to changes in estimated fair value, recorded in earnings for Level 3 assets and liabilities that were still held at the respective time periods:
 
                                                         
    Changes in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
 
    Relating to Assets and Liabilities Held at December 31, 2010  
          Net
    Net
                         
    Net
    Investment
    Derivative
          Policyholder
             
    Investment
    Gains
    Gains
    Other
    Benefits and
    Other
       
    Income     (Losses)     (Losses)     Revenues     Claims     Expenses     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010:
                                                       
Assets:
                                                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                       
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 13     $ (44 )   $     $     $     $     $ (31 )
Foreign corporate securities
    15       (43 )                             (28 )
RMBS
    36                                     36  
Foreign government securities
    10                                     10  
CMBS
    1       (6 )                             (5 )
ABS
    36       (52 )                             (16 )
State and political subdivision securities
                                         
Other fixed maturity securities
    1                                     1  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 112     $ (145 )   $     $     $     $     $ (33 )
                                                         
Equity securities:
                                                       
Common stock
  $     $ (2 )   $     $     $     $     $ (2 )
Non-redeemable preferred stock
          (3 )                             (3 )
                                                         
Total equity securities
  $     $ (5 )   $     $     $     $     $ (5 )
                                                         
Trading and other securities:
                                                       
Actively Traded Securities
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
FVO general account securities
    12                                     12  
FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments
    (15 )                                   (15 )
                                                         
Total trading and other securities
  $ (3 )   $     $     $     $     $     $ (3 )
                                                         
Short-term investments
  $ 2     $     $     $     $     $     $ 2  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
  $     $     $     $ (2 )   $     $     $ (2 )
MSRs
  $     $     $     $ (28 )   $     $     $ (28 )
Net derivatives:
                                                       
Interest rate contracts
  $     $     $ 36     $ 5     $     $     $ 41  
Foreign currency contracts
                45                         45  
Credit contracts
                6                         6  
Equity market contracts
                (82 )                       (82 )
                                                         
Total net derivatives
  $     $     $ 5     $ 5     $     $     $ 10  
                                                         
Liabilities:
                                                       
Net embedded derivatives
  $     $     $ (363 )   $     $ 8     $     $ (355 )
Long-term debt of consolidated securitization entities
  $     $ 48     $     $     $     $     $ 48  
 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                         
    Changes in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
 
    Relating to Assets and Liabilities Held at December 31, 2009  
          Net
    Net
                         
    Net
    Investment
    Derivative
          Policyholder
             
    Investment
    Gains
    Gains
    Other
    Benefits and
    Other
       
    Income     (Losses)     (Losses)     Revenues     Claims     Expenses     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009:
                                                       
Assets:
                                                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                       
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 18     $ (412 )   $     $     $     $     $ (394 )
Foreign corporate securities
    (3 )     (176 )                             (179 )
RMBS
    30       6                               36  
Foreign government securities
    11                                     11  
CMBS
    1       (61 )                             (60 )
ABS
    8       (136 )                             (128 )
State and political subdivision securities
                                         
Other fixed maturity securities
    1                                     1  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 66     $ (779 )   $     $     $     $     $ (713 )
                                                         
Equity securities:
                                                       
Common stock
  $     $ (1 )   $     $     $     $     $ (1 )
Non-redeemable preferred stock
          (168 )                             (168 )
                                                         
Total equity securities
  $     $ (169 )   $     $     $     $     $ (169 )
                                                         
Trading and other securities
  $ 15     $     $     $     $     $     $ 15  
Short-term investments
  $     $ 1     $     $     $     $     $ 1  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
  $     $     $     $ (3 )   $     $     $ (3 )
MSRs
  $     $     $     $ 147     $     $     $ 147  
Net derivatives
  $ (13 )   $     $ (194 )   $ 5     $     $ (2 )   $ (204 )
Liabilities:
                                                       
Net embedded derivatives
  $     $     $ 1,697     $     $ (114 )   $     $ 1,583  
 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                         
    Changes in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
 
    Relating to Assets and Liabilities Held at December 31, 2008  
          Net
    Net
                         
    Net
    Investment
    Derivative
          Policyholder
             
    Investment
    Gains
    Gains
    Other
    Benefits and
    Other
       
    Income     (Losses)     (Losses)     Revenues     Claims     Expenses     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008:
                                                       
Assets:
                                                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                       
U.S. corporate securities
  $ 12     $ (497 )   $     $     $     $     $ (485 )
Foreign corporate securities
    117       (125 )                             (8 )
RMBS
    4                                     4  
Foreign government securities
    23                                     23  
CMBS
    4       (69 )                             (65 )
ABS
    3       (102 )                             (99 )
State and political subdivision securities
    (1 )                                   (1 )
Other fixed maturity securities
    1                                     1  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 163     $ (793 )   $     $     $     $     $ (630 )
                                                         
Equity securities:
                                                       
Common stock
  $     $ (1 )   $     $     $     $     $ (1 )
Non-redeemable preferred stock
          (163 )                             (163 )
                                                         
Total equity securities
  $     $ (164 )   $     $     $     $     $ (164 )
                                                         
Trading and other securities
  $ (17 )   $     $     $     $     $     $ (17 )
Short-term investments
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
Mortgage loans held-for-sale
  $     $     $     $ 3     $     $     $ 3  
MSRs
  $     $     $     $ (150 )   $     $     $ (150 )
Net derivatives
  $ 114     $     $ 1,504     $ 38     $     $     $ 1,656  
Liabilities:
                                                       
Net embedded derivatives
  $     $     $ (2,779 )   $     $ 182     $     $ (2,597 )

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
FVO — Mortgage Loans Held-For-Sale
 
The following table presents residential mortgage loans held-for-sale carried under the FVO at:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Unpaid principal balance
  $ 2,473     $ 2,418  
Excess of estimated fair value over unpaid principal balance
    37       52  
                 
Carrying value at estimated fair value
  $ 2,510     $ 2,470  
                 
Loans in non-accrual status
  $ 2     $ 4  
Loans more than 90 days past due
  $ 3     $ 2  
Loans in non-accrual status or more than 90 days past due, or both — difference between aggregate estimated fair value and unpaid principal balance
  $ (1 )   $ (2 )
 
Residential mortgage loans held-for-sale accounted for under the FVO are initially measured at estimated fair value. Interest income on residential mortgage loans held-for-sale is recorded based on the stated rate of the loan and is recorded in net investment income. Gains and losses from initial measurement, subsequent changes in estimated fair value and gains or losses on sales are recognized in other revenues. Such changes in estimated fair value for these loans were due to the following:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Instrument-specific credit risk based on changes in credit spreads for non-agency loans and adjustments in individual loan quality
  $ (1 )   $ (2 )   $  
Other changes in estimated fair value
    487       600       55  
                         
Total gains (losses) recognized in other revenues
  $ 486     $ 598     $ 55  
                         
 
FVO — Consolidated Securitization Entities
 
As discussed in Note 1, upon the adoption of new guidance effective January 1, 2010, the Company elected fair value accounting for the following assets and liabilities held by CSEs: commercial mortgage loans, securities and long-term debt. Information on the estimated fair value of the securities classified as trading and other securities is presented in Note 3. The following table presents these commercial mortgage loans carried under the FVO at:
 
         
    December 31, 2010  
    (In millions)  
 
Unpaid principal balance
  $ 6,636  
Excess of estimated fair value over unpaid principal balance
    204  
         
Carrying value at estimated fair value
  $ 6,840  
         


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The following table presents the long-term debt carried under the FVO related to both the commercial mortgage loans and securities classified as trading and other securities at:
 
         
    December 31, 2010  
    (In millions)  
 
Contractual principal balance
  $ 6,619  
Excess of estimated fair value over contractual principal balance
    201  
         
Carrying value at estimated fair value
  $ 6,820  
         
 
Interest income on both commercial mortgage loans and securities classified as trading and other securities held by CSEs is recorded in net investment income. Interest expense on long-term debt of CSEs is recorded in other expenses. Gains and losses from initial measurement, subsequent changes in estimated fair value and gains or losses on sales of both the commercial mortgage loans and long-term debt are recognized in net investment gains (losses), which is summarized in Note 3.
 
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
Certain assets are measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis and are not included in the tables presented above. The amounts below relate to certain investments measured at estimated fair value during the period and still held at the reporting dates.
 
                                                                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
          Estimated
    Net
          Estimated
    Net
          Estimated
    Net
 
    Carrying
    Fair
    Investment
    Carrying
    Fair
    Investment
    Carrying
    Fair
    Investment
 
    Value Prior to
    Value After
    Gains
    Value Prior to
    Value After
    Gains
    Value Prior to
    Value After
    Gains
 
    Measurement     Measurement     (Losses)     Measurement     Measurement     (Losses)     Measurement     Measurement     (Losses)  
    (In millions)  
 
Mortgage loans: (1)
                                                                       
Held-for-investment
  $ 179     $ 164     $ (15 )   $ 294     $ 202     $ (92 )   $ 257     $ 188     $ (69 )
Held-for-sale
    35       33       (2 )     9       8       (1 )     42       32       (10 )
                                                                         
Mortgage loans, net
  $ 214     $ 197     $ (17 )   $ 303     $ 210     $ (93 )   $ 299     $ 220     $ (79 )
                                                                         
Other limited partnership interests (2)
  $ 35     $ 23     $ (12 )   $ 915     $ 561     $ (354 )   $ 242     $ 137     $ (105 )
Real estate joint ventures (3)
  $ 33     $ 8     $ (25 )   $ 175     $ 93     $ (82 )   $     $     $  
 
 
(1) Mortgage loans — The impaired mortgage loans presented above were written down to their estimated fair values at the date the impairments were recognized and are reported as losses above. Subsequent improvements in estimated fair value on previously impaired loans recorded through a reduction in the previously established valuation allowance are reported as gains above. Estimated fair values for impaired mortgage loans are based on observable market prices or, if the loans are in foreclosure or are otherwise determined to be collateral dependent, on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, or the present value of the expected future cash flows. Impairments to estimated fair value and decreases in previous impairments from subsequent improvements in estimated fair value represent non-recurring fair value measurements that have been categorized as Level 3 due to the lack of price transparency inherent in the limited markets for such mortgage loans.
 
(2) Other limited partnership interests — The impaired investments presented above were accounted for using the cost method. Impairments on these cost method investments were recognized at estimated fair value determined from information provided in the financial statements of the underlying entities in the period in which the impairment was incurred. These impairments to estimated fair value represent non-recurring fair value measurements that have been classified as Level 3 due to the limited activity and price transparency


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
inherent in the market for such investments. This category includes several private equity and debt funds that typically invest primarily in a diversified pool of investments across certain investment strategies including domestic and international leveraged buyout funds; power, energy, timber and infrastructure development funds; venture capital funds; below investment grade debt and mezzanine debt funds. The estimated fair values of these investments have been determined using the NAV of the Company’s ownership interest in the partners’ capital. Distributions from these investments will be generated from investment gains, from operating income from the underlying investments of the funds and from liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. It is estimated that the underlying assets of the funds will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years. Unfunded commitments for these investments were $34 million at December 31, 2010.
 
(3) Real estate joint ventures — The impaired investments presented above were accounted for using the cost method. Impairments on these cost method investments were recognized at estimated fair value determined from information provided in the financial statements of the underlying entities in the period in which the impairment was incurred. These impairments to estimated fair value represent non-recurring fair value measurements that have been classified as Level 3 due to the limited activity and price transparency inherent in the market for such investments. This category includes several real estate funds that typically invest primarily in commercial real estate. The estimated fair values of these investments have been determined using the NAV of the Company’s ownership interest in the partners’ capital. Distributions from these investments will be generated from investment gains, from operating income from the underlying investments of the funds and from liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. It is estimated that the underlying assets of the funds will be liquidated over the next 2 to 10 years. Unfunded commitments for these investments were $6 million at December 31, 2010.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
Amounts related to the Company’s financial instruments that were not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, were as follows:
 
                         
                Estimated
 
    Notional
    Carrying
    Fair
 
December 31, 2010   Amount     Value     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets
                       
Mortgage loans: (1)
                       
Held-for-investment
          $ 52,215     $ 54,006  
Held-for-sale
          $ 811     $ 811  
                         
Mortgage loans, net
          $ 53,026     $ 54,817  
Policy loans
          $ 11,914     $ 13,406  
Real estate joint ventures (2)
          $ 451     $ 482  
Other limited partnership interests (2)
          $ 1,539     $ 1,619  
Short-term investments (3)
          $ 822     $ 822  
Other invested assets (2)
          $ 1,490     $ 1,490  
Cash and cash equivalents
          $ 13,046     $ 13,046  
Accrued investment income
          $ 4,381     $ 4,381  
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (2)
          $ 3,752     $ 4,048  
Other assets (2)
          $ 466     $ 453  
Liabilities
                       
Policyholder account balances (2)
          $ 146,927     $ 152,850  
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
          $ 27,272     $ 27,272  
Bank deposits
          $ 10,316     $ 10,371  
Short-term debt
          $ 306     $ 306  
Long-term debt (2)
          $ 20,734     $ 21,892  
Collateral financing arrangements
          $ 5,297     $ 4,757  
Junior subordinated debt securities
          $ 3,191     $ 3,461  
Other liabilities (2)
          $ 2,777     $ 2,777  
Separate account liabilities (2)
          $ 42,160     $ 42,160  
Commitments (4)
                       
Mortgage loan commitments
  $ 3,754     $     $ (17 )
Commitments to fund bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments
  $ 2,437     $     $  
 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                         
                Estimated
 
    Notional
    Carrying
    Fair
 
December 31, 2009   Amount     Value     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets
                       
Mortgage loans: (1)
                       
Held-for-investment
          $ 48,181     $ 46,315  
Held-for-sale
            258       258  
                         
Mortgage loans, net
          $ 48,439     $ 46,573  
Policy loans
          $ 10,061     $ 11,294  
Real estate joint ventures (2)
          $ 115     $ 127  
Other limited partnership interests (2)
          $ 1,571     $ 1,581  
Short-term investments (3)
          $ 201     $ 201  
Other invested assets (2)
          $ 1,241     $ 1,284  
Cash and cash equivalents
          $ 10,112     $ 10,112  
Accrued investment income
          $ 3,173     $ 3,173  
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (2)
          $ 3,375     $ 3,532  
Other assets (2)
          $ 425     $ 440  
Liabilities
                       
Policyholder account balances (2)
          $ 97,131     $ 96,735  
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
          $ 24,196     $ 24,196  
Bank deposits
          $ 10,211     $ 10,300  
Short-term debt
          $ 912     $ 912  
Long-term debt (2)
          $ 13,185     $ 13,831  
Collateral financing arrangements
          $ 5,297     $ 2,877  
Junior subordinated debt securities
          $ 3,191     $ 3,167  
Other liabilities (2)
          $ 1,788     $ 1,788  
Separate account liabilities (2)
          $ 32,171     $ 32,171  
Commitments (4)
                       
Mortgage loan commitments
  $ 2,220     $     $ (48 )
Commitments to fund bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments
  $ 1,261     $     $ (52 )
 
 
(1) Mortgage loans held-for-investment as presented in the tables above differ from the amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets because these tables do not include commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs. Mortgage loans held-for-sale as presented in the tables above differ from the amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets because these tables do not include residential mortgage loans held-for-sale accounted for under the FVO.
 
(2) Carrying values presented herein differ from those presented in the consolidated balance sheets because certain items within the respective financial statement caption are not considered financial instruments. Financial statement captions excluded from the table above are not considered financial instruments.
 
(3) Short-term investments as presented in the tables above differ from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets because these tables do not include short-term investments that meet the definition of a security, which are measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis.
 
(4) Commitments are off-balance sheet obligations. Negative estimated fair values represent off-balance sheet liabilities.

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments are summarized as follows:
 
The assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis include: fixed maturity securities, equity securities, trading and other securities, mortgage loans held by CSEs, mortgage loans held-for-sale accounted for under the FVO, MSRs, derivative assets and liabilities, net embedded derivatives within asset and liability host contracts, separate account assets, long-term debt of CSEs and trading liabilities. These assets and liabilities are described in the section “— Recurring Fair Value Measurements” and, therefore, are excluded from the tables above. The estimated fair value for these financial instruments approximates carrying value.
 
Mortgage Loans
 
These mortgage loans are principally comprised of commercial and agricultural mortgage loans, which are originated for investment purposes and are primarily carried at amortized cost. Residential mortgage and consumer loans are generally purchased from third parties for investment purposes and are principally carried at amortized cost, while those originated for sale and not carried under the FVO are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. The estimated fair values of these mortgage loans are determined as follows:
 
Mortgage loans held-for-investment. — For commercial and agricultural mortgage loans held-for-investment and carried at amortized cost, estimated fair value was primarily determined by estimating expected future cash flows and discounting them using current interest rates for similar mortgage loans with similar credit risk. For residential mortgage loans held-for-investment and carried at amortized cost, estimated fair value was primarily determined from observable pricing for similar loans.
 
Mortgage loans held-for-sale. — Certain mortgage loans previously classified as held-for-investment have been designated as held-for-sale. For these mortgage loans, estimated fair value is determined using independent broker quotations or, when the mortgage loan is in foreclosure or otherwise determined to be collateral dependent, the fair value of the underlying collateral is estimated using internal models. For residential mortgage loans originated for sale, the estimated fair value is determined principally from observable market pricing or from internal models.
 
Policy Loans
 
For policy loans with fixed interest rates, estimated fair values are determined using a discounted cash flow model applied to groups of similar policy loans determined by the nature of the underlying insurance liabilities. Cash flow estimates are developed applying a weighted-average interest rate to the outstanding principal balance of the respective group of policy loans and an estimated average maturity determined through experience studies of the past performance of policyholder repayment behavior for similar loans. These cash flows are discounted using current risk-free interest rates with no adjustment for borrower credit risk as these loans are fully collateralized by the cash surrender value of the underlying insurance policy. The estimated fair value for policy loans with variable interest rates approximates carrying value due to the absence of borrower credit risk and the short time period between interest rate resets, which presents minimal risk of a material change in estimated fair value due to changes in market interest rates.
 
Real Estate Joint Ventures and Other Limited Partnership Interests
 
Real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests included in the preceding tables consist of those investments accounted for using the cost method. The remaining carrying value recognized in the consolidated balance sheets represents investments in real estate carried at cost less accumulated depreciation, or real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests accounted for using the equity method, which do not meet the definition of financial instruments for which fair value is required to be disclosed.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The estimated fair values for other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures accounted for under the cost method are generally based on the Company’s share of the NAV as provided in the financial statements of the investees. In certain circumstances, management may adjust the NAV by a premium or discount when it has sufficient evidence to support applying such adjustments.
 
Short-term Investments
 
Certain short-term investments do not qualify as securities and are recognized at amortized cost in the consolidated balance sheets. For these instruments, the Company believes that there is minimal risk of material changes in interest rates or credit of the issuer such that estimated fair value approximates carrying value. In light of recent market conditions, short-term investments have been monitored to ensure there is sufficient demand and maintenance of issuer credit quality and the Company has determined additional adjustment is not required.
 
Other Invested Assets
 
Other invested assets within the preceding tables are principally comprised of an investment in a funding agreement, funds withheld, various interest-bearing assets held in foreign subsidiaries and certain amounts due under contractual indemnifications.
 
The estimated fair value of the investment in funding agreements is estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using current market rates and the credit risk of the note issuer. For funds withheld and the various interest-bearing assets held in foreign subsidiaries, the Company evaluates the specific facts and circumstances of each instrument to determine the appropriate estimated fair values. These estimated fair values were not materially different from the recognized carrying values.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Due to the short-term maturities of cash and cash equivalents, the Company believes there is minimal risk of material changes in interest rates or credit of the issuer such that estimated fair value generally approximates carrying value. In light of recent market conditions, cash and cash equivalent instruments have been monitored to ensure there is sufficient demand and maintenance of issuer credit quality, or sufficient solvency in the case of depository institutions, and the Company has determined additional adjustment is not required.
 
Accrued Investment Income
 
Due to the short term until settlement of accrued investment income, the Company believes there is minimal risk of material changes in interest rates or credit of the issuer such that estimated fair value approximates carrying value. In light of recent market conditions, the Company has monitored the credit quality of the issuers and has determined additional adjustment is not required.
 
Premiums, Reinsurance and Other Receivables
 
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables in the preceding tables are principally comprised of certain amounts recoverable under reinsurance contracts, amounts on deposit with financial institutions to facilitate daily settlements related to certain derivative positions and amounts receivable for securities sold but not yet settled.
 
Premiums receivable and those amounts recoverable under reinsurance treaties determined to transfer sufficient risk are not financial instruments subject to disclosure and thus have been excluded from the amounts presented in the preceding tables. Amounts recoverable under ceded reinsurance contracts, which the Company has determined do not transfer sufficient risk such that they are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting, have been included in the preceding tables. The estimated fair value is determined as the present value of expected future cash flows under the related contracts, which were discounted using an interest rate determined to reflect the appropriate credit standing of the assuming counterparty.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The amounts on deposit for derivative settlements essentially represent the equivalent of demand deposit balances and amounts due for securities sold are generally received over short periods such that the estimated fair value approximates carrying value. In light of recent market conditions, the Company has monitored the solvency position of the financial institutions and has determined additional adjustments are not required.
 
Other Assets
 
Other assets in the preceding tables is a receivable for cash paid to an unaffiliated financial institution under the MetLife Reinsurance Company of Charleston (“MRC”) collateral financing arrangement as described in Note 12. With the exception of the receivable for cash paid to the unaffiliated financial institution, other assets are not considered financial instruments subject to disclosure. Accordingly, the amount presented in the preceding tables represents the receivable for the cash paid to the unaffiliated financial institution under the MRC collateral financing arrangement for which the estimated fair value was determined by discounting the expected future cash flows using a discount rate that reflects the credit rating of the unaffiliated financial institution.
 
Policyholder Account Balances
 
Policyholder account balances in the tables above include investment contracts. Embedded derivatives on investment contracts and certain variable annuity guarantees accounted for as embedded derivatives are included in this caption in the consolidated financial statements but excluded from this caption in the tables above as they are separately presented in “— Recurring Fair Value Measurements.” The remaining difference between the amounts reflected as policyholder account balances in the preceding table and those recognized in the consolidated balance sheets represents those amounts due under contracts that satisfy the definition of insurance contracts and are not considered financial instruments.
 
The investment contracts primarily include certain funding agreements, fixed deferred annuities, modified guaranteed annuities, fixed term payout annuities and total control accounts. The fair values for these investment contracts are estimated by discounting best estimate future cash flows using current market risk-free interest rates and adding a spread to reflect the nonperformance risk in the liability.
 
Payables for Collateral Under Securities Loaned and Other Transactions
 
The estimated fair value for payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions approximates carrying value. The related agreements to loan securities are short-term in nature such that the Company believes there is limited risk of a material change in market interest rates. Additionally, because borrowers are cross-collateralized by the borrowed securities, the Company believes no additional consideration for changes in nonperformance risk are necessary.
 
Bank Deposits
 
Due to the frequency of interest rate resets on customer bank deposits held in money market accounts, the Company believes that there is minimal risk of a material change in interest rates such that the estimated fair value approximates carrying value. For time deposits, estimated fair values are estimated by discounting the expected cash flows to maturity using a discount rate based on an average market rate for certificates of deposit being offered by a representative group of large financial institutions at the date of the valuation.
 
Short-term and Long-term Debt, Collateral Financing Arrangements and Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
 
The estimated fair value for short-term debt approximates carrying value due to the short-term nature of these obligations. The estimated fair values of long-term debt, collateral financing arrangements and junior subordinated debt securities are generally determined by discounting expected future cash flows using market rates currently available for debt with similar remaining maturities and reflecting the credit risk of the Company, including inputs


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
when available, from actively traded debt of the Company or other companies with similar types of borrowing arrangements. Risk-adjusted discount rates applied to the expected future cash flows can vary significantly based upon the specific terms of each individual arrangement, including, but not limited to: subordinated rights; contractual interest rates in relation to current market rates; the structuring of the arrangement; and the nature and observability of the applicable valuation inputs. Use of different risk-adjusted discount rates could result in different estimated fair values.
 
The carrying value of long-term debt presented in the table above differs from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets as it does not include capital leases which are not required to be disclosed at estimated fair value.
 
Other Liabilities
 
Other liabilities included in the tables above reflect those other liabilities that satisfy the definition of financial instruments subject to disclosure. These items consist primarily of interest and dividends payable; amounts due for securities purchased but not yet settled; and amounts payable under certain assumed reinsurance treaties accounted for as deposit type treaties. The Company evaluates the specific terms, facts and circumstances of each instrument to determine the appropriate estimated fair values, which were not materially different from the carrying values.
 
Separate Account Liabilities
 
Separate account liabilities included in the preceding tables represent those balances due to policyholders under contracts that are classified as investment contracts. The remaining amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets represent those contracts classified as insurance contracts, which do not satisfy the definition of financial instruments.
 
Separate account liabilities classified as investment contracts primarily represent variable annuities with no significant mortality risk to the Company such that the death benefit is equal to the account balance; funding agreements related to group life contracts; and certain contracts that provide for benefit funding.
 
Separate account liabilities are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at an equivalent value of the related separate account assets. Separate account assets, which equal net deposits, net investment income and realized and unrealized investment gains and losses, are fully offset by corresponding amounts credited to the contractholders’ liability which is reflected in separate account liabilities. Since separate account liabilities are fully funded by cash flows from the separate account assets which are recognized at estimated fair value as described in the section “— Recurring Fair Value Measurements,” the Company believes the value of those assets approximates the estimated fair value of the related separate account liabilities.
 
Mortgage Loan Commitments and Commitments to Fund Bank Credit Facilities, Bridge Loans and Private Corporate Bond Investments
 
The estimated fair values for mortgage loan commitments that will be held for investment and commitments to fund bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bonds that will be held for investment reflected in the above tables represent the difference between the discounted expected future cash flows using interest rates that incorporate current credit risk for similar instruments on the reporting date and the principal amounts of the commitments.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
6.   Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired
 
Information regarding DAC and VOBA is as follows:
 
                         
    DAC     VOBA     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at January 1, 2008
  $ 14,260     $ 3,550     $ 17,810  
Capitalizations
    3,092             3,092  
Acquisitions
          (5 )     (5 )
                         
Subtotal
    17,352       3,545       20,897  
                         
Amortization related to:
                       
Net investment gains (losses)
    (489 )     (32 )     (521 )
Other expenses
    (2,460 )     (508 )     (2,968 )
                         
Total amortization
    (2,949 )     (540 )     (3,489 )
                         
Unrealized investment gains (losses)
    2,753       599       3,352  
Effect of foreign currency translation and other
    (503 )     (113 )     (616 )
                         
Balance at December 31, 2008
    16,653       3,491       20,144  
Capitalizations
    3,019             3,019  
                         
Subtotal
    19,672       3,491       23,163  
                         
Amortization related to:
                       
Net investment gains (losses)
    625       87       712  
Other expenses
    (1,754 )     (265 )     (2,019 )
                         
Total amortization
    (1,129 )     (178 )     (1,307 )
                         
Unrealized investment gains (losses)
    (2,314 )     (505 )     (2,819 )
Effect of foreign currency translation and other
    163       56       219  
                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
    16,392       2,864       19,256  
Capitalizations
    3,343             3,343  
Acquisitions
          9,210       9,210  
                         
Subtotal
    19,735       12,074       31,809  
                         
Amortization related to:
                       
Net investment gains (losses)
    (108 )     (16 )     (124 )
Other expenses
    (2,247 )     (494 )     (2,741 )
                         
Total amortization
    (2,355 )     (510 )     (2,865 )
                         
Unrealized investment gains (losses)
    (1,258 )     (125 )     (1,383 )
Effect of foreign currency translation and other
    97       (351 )     (254 )
                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 16,219     $ 11,088     $ 27,307  
                         
 
See Note 2 for a description of acquisitions and dispositions.
 
The estimated future amortization expense allocated to other expenses for the next five years for VOBA is $1,661 million in 2011, $1,373 million in 2012, $1,128 million in 2013, $959 million in 2014 and $816 million in 2015.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Amortization of DAC and VOBA is attributed to both investment gains and losses and to other expenses for the amount of gross margins or profits originating from transactions other than investment gains and losses. Unrealized investment gains and losses represent the amount of DAC and VOBA that would have been amortized if such gains and losses had been recognized.
 
Information regarding DAC and VOBA by segment and reporting unit is as follows:
 
                                                 
    DAC     VOBA     Total  
    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
U.S. Business:
                                               
Insurance Products:
                                               
Group life
  $ 25     $ 27     $     $     $ 25     $ 27  
Individual life
    7,257       8,129       833       1,005       8,090       9,134  
Non-medical health
    965       942                   965       942  
                                                 
Total Insurance Products
    8,247       9,098       833       1,005       9,080       10,103  
Retirement Products
    4,706       4,612       1,094       1,412       5,800       6,024  
Corporate Benefit Funding
    74       72       1       2       75       74  
Auto & Home
    190       181                   190       181  
                                                 
Total U.S. Business
    13,217       13,963       1,928       2,419       15,145       16,382  
International
    3,000       2,426       9,159       444       12,159       2,870  
Banking, Corporate & Other
    2       3       1       1       3       4  
                                                 
Total
  $ 16,219     $ 16,392     $ 11,088     $ 2,864     $ 27,307     $ 19,256  
                                                 
 
7.   Goodwill
 
Goodwill is the excess of cost over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired. Information regarding goodwill is as follows:
 
                         
    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at January 1,
  $ 5,047     $ 5,008     $ 4,814  
Acquisitions
    6,959             256  
Effect of foreign currency translation and other
    (225 )     39       (62 )
                         
Balance at December 31,
  $ 11,781     $ 5,047     $ 5,008  
                         


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Information regarding allocated goodwill by segment and reporting unit is as follows:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
U.S. Business:
               
Insurance Products:
               
Group life
  $ 2     $ 2  
Individual life
    1,263       1,263  
Non-medical health
    149       149  
                 
Total Insurance Products
    1,414       1,414  
Retirement Products
    1,692       1,692  
Corporate Benefit Funding
    900       900  
Auto & Home
    157       157  
                 
Total U.S. Business
    4,163       4,163  
                 
International:
               
Latin America
    229       214  
Asia Pacific
    72       160  
Europe and the Middle East
    38       40  
                 
Total International
    339       414  
                 
Banking, Corporate & Other
    470       470  
                 
Total
  $ 4,972     $ 5,047  
                 
 
The above table does not include goodwill of $6,809 million at December 31, 2010, associated with ALICO which has not yet been allocated to a reporting unit due to the timing of the Acquisition. See Note 2 for a description of acquisitions and dispositions.
 
As described in more detail in Note 1, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment tests during the third quarter of 2010 based upon data at June 30, 2010. The tests indicated that goodwill was not impaired.
 
Management continues to evaluate current market conditions that may affect the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units to assess whether any goodwill impairment exists. Continued deteriorating or adverse market conditions for certain reporting units may have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of these reporting units and could result in future impairments of goodwill.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
8.   Insurance
 
Insurance Liabilities
 
Insurance liabilities were as follows:
 
                                                 
    Future Policy
    Policyholder Account
    Other Policy-Related
 
    Benefits     Balances     Balances  
    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
U.S. Business:
                                               
Insurance Products:
                                               
Group life
  $ 2,717     $ 2,981     $ 9,175     $ 8,985     $ 2,454     $ 2,411  
Individual life
    56,533       55,291       19,731       18,632       2,752       2,911  
Non-medical health
    13,686       12,738       501       501       625       616  
                                                 
Total Insurance Products
    72,936       71,010       29,407       28,118       5,831       5,938  
Retirement Products
    8,829       8,226       46,517       46,855       146       122  
Corporate Benefit Funding
    39,187       37,377       57,773       55,522       184       197  
Auto & Home
    3,036       2,972                   171       184  
                                                 
Total U.S. Business
    123,988       119,585       133,697       130,495       6,332       6,441  
International
    43,587       10,830       77,281       8,128       9,051       1,637  
Banking, Corporate & Other
    5,798       5,464       42       50       423       368  
                                                 
Total
  $ 173,373     $ 135,879     $ 211,020     $ 138,673     $ 15,806     $ 8,446  
                                                 
 
Value of Distribution Agreements and Customer Relationships Acquired
 
Information regarding VODA and VOCRA, which are reported in other assets, was as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at January 1,
  $ 792     $ 822     $ 706  
Acquisitions
    356             144  
Amortization
    (42 )     (34 )     (25 )
Effect of foreign currency translation and other
    (12 )     4       (3 )
                         
Balance at December 31,
  $ 1,094     $ 792     $ 822  
                         
 
The estimated future amortization expense allocated to other expenses for the next five years for VODA and VOCRA is $63 million in 2011, $74 million in 2012, $80 million in 2013, $84 million in 2014 and $82 million in 2015. See Note 2 for a description of acquisitions and dispositions.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Sales Inducements
 
Information regarding deferred sales inducements, which are reported in other assets, was as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at January 1,
  $ 841     $ 711     $ 677  
Capitalization
    157       193       176  
Amortization
    (80 )     (63 )     (142 )
                         
Balance at December 31,
  $ 918     $ 841     $ 711  
                         
 
Separate Accounts
 
Separate account assets and liabilities include two categories of account types: pass-through separate accounts totaling $149.2 billion and $121.4 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for which the policyholder assumes all investment risk, and separate accounts for which the Company contractually guarantees either a minimum return or account value to the policyholder which totaled $34.1 billion and $27.6 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The latter category consisted primarily of funding agreements and participating close-out contracts. The average interest rate credited on these contracts was 3.32% and 3.35% at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Fees charged to the separate accounts by the Company (including mortality charges, policy administration fees and surrender charges) are reflected in the Company’s revenues as universal life and investment-type product policy fees and totaled $3.2 billion, $2.6 billion and $3.2 billion for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
The Company’s proportional interest in separate accounts was included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows at:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 257     $ 11  
Equity securities
  $ 33     $ 57  
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 74     $ 2  
 
For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, there were no investment gains (losses) on transfers of assets from the general account to the separate accounts.
 
Obligations Under Funding Agreements
 
The Company issues fixed and floating rate funding agreements, which are denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies, to certain SPEs that have issued either debt securities or commercial paper for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such funding agreements. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company issued $34.1 billion, $28.6 billion and $20.9 billion, respectively, and repaid $30.9 billion, $32.0 billion and $19.8 billion, respectively, of such funding agreements. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, funding agreements outstanding, which are included in policyholder account balances, were $27.2 billion and $23.3 billion, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, interest credited on the funding agreements, which is included in interest credited to policyholder account balances, was $0.6 billion, $0.7 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut (“MICC”) is a member of the FHLB of Boston and held $70 million of common stock of the FHLB of Boston at both December 31, 2010 and 2009, which is included in equity securities. MICC has also entered into funding agreements with the FHLB of Boston in exchange for cash and for which the FHLB of Boston has been granted a blanket lien on certain MICC assets, including RMBS, to collateralize MICC’s obligations under the funding agreements. MICC maintains control over these pledged assets, and may use, commingle, encumber or dispose of any portion of the collateral as long as there is no event of default and the remaining qualified collateral is sufficient to satisfy the collateral maintenance level. Upon any event of default by MICC, the FHLB of Boston’s recovery on the collateral is limited to the amount of MICC’s liability to the FHLB of Boston. The amount of MICC’s liability for funding agreements with the FHLB of Boston was $100 million and $326 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which is included in policyholder account balances. The advances on these funding agreements are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities with estimated fair values of $211 million and $419 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, interest credited on the funding agreements, which is included in interest credited to policyholder account balances, was $1 million, $6 million and $15 million, respectively.
 
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”) is a member of the FHLB of NY and held $890 million and $742 million of common stock of the FHLB of NY at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which is included in equity securities. MLIC has also entered into funding agreements with the FHLB of NY in exchange for cash and for which the FHLB of NY has been granted a lien on certain MLIC assets, including RMBS to collateralize MLIC’s obligations under the funding agreements. MLIC maintains control over these pledged assets, and may use, commingle, encumber or dispose of any portion of the collateral as long as there is no event of default and the remaining qualified collateral is sufficient to satisfy the collateral maintenance level. Upon any event of default by MLIC, the FHLB of NY’s recovery on the collateral is limited to the amount of MLIC’s liability to the FHLB of NY. The amount of the MLIC’s liability for funding agreements with the FHLB of NY was $12.6 billion and $13.7 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which is included in policyholder account balances. The advances on these agreements were collateralized by mortgage-backed securities with estimated fair values of $14.2 billion and $15.1 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, interest credited on the funding agreements, which is included in interest credited to policyholder account balances, was $276 million, $333 million and $229 million, respectively.
 
During 2010, MetLife Investors Insurance Company (“MLIIC”) and General American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”) became members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (“FHLB of Des Moines) and each held $10 million of common stock of the FHLB of Des Moines at December 31, 2010, which is included in equity securities. MLIIC and GALIC had no funding agreements with the FHLB of Des Moines at December 31, 2010.
 
MLIC and MICC have each issued funding agreements to certain SPEs that have issued debt securities for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such funding agreements, and such debt securities are also guaranteed as to payment of interest and principal by Farmer Mac, a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States. The obligations under these funding agreements are secured by a pledge of certain eligible agricultural real estate mortgage loans and may, under certain circumstances, be secured by other qualified collateral. The amount of the Company’s liability for funding agreements issued to such SPEs was $2.8 billion and $2.5 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which is included in policyholder account balances. The obligations under these funding agreements are collateralized by designated agricultural real estate mortgage loans with estimated fair values of $3.2 billion and $2.9 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, interest credited on the funding agreements, which is included in interest credited to policyholder account balances, was $135 million, $132 million and $132 million, respectively.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Liabilities for Unpaid Claims and Claim Expenses
 
Information regarding the liabilities for unpaid claims and claim expenses relating to property and casualty, group accident and non-medical health policies and contracts, which are reported in future policy benefits and other policy-related balances, is as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at January 1,
  $ 8,219     $ 8,260     $ 7,836  
Less: Reinsurance recoverables
    547       1,042       955  
                         
Net balance at January 1,
    7,672       7,218       6,881  
                         
Acquisitions, net
    583              
Incurred related to:
                       
Current year
    6,482       6,569       6,263  
Prior years
    (75 )     (152 )     (353 )
                         
Total incurred
    6,407       6,417       5,910  
                         
Paid related to:
                       
Current year
    (4,050 )     (3,972 )     (3,861 )
Prior years
    (2,102 )     (1,991 )     (1,712 )
                         
Total paid
    (6,152 )     (5,963 )     (5,573 )
                         
Net balance at December 31,
    8,510       7,672       7,218  
Add: Reinsurance recoverables
    2,198       547       1,042  
                         
Balance at December 31,
  $ 10,708     $ 8,219     $ 8,260  
                         
 
During 2010, 2009 and 2008, as a result of changes in estimates of insured events in the respective prior year, claims and claim adjustment expenses associated with prior years decreased by $75 million, $152 million and $353 million, respectively, due to a reduction in prior year automobile bodily injury and homeowners’ severity, reduced loss adjustment expenses, improved loss ratio for non-medical health claim liabilities and improved claim management.
 
Guarantees
 
The Company issues annuity contracts which may include contractual guarantees to the contractholder for: (i) return of no less than total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals (“return of net deposits”); and (ii) the highest contract value on a specified anniversary date minus any withdrawals following the contract anniversary, or total deposits made to the contract less any partial withdrawals plus a minimum return (“anniversary contract value” or “minimum return”). The Company also issues annuity contracts that apply a lower rate of funds deposited if the contractholder elects to surrender the contract for cash and a higher rate if the contractholder elects to annuitize (“two tier annuities”). These guarantees include benefits that are payable in the event of death, maturity or at annuitization.
 
The Company also issues universal and variable life contracts where the Company contractually guarantees to the contractholder a secondary guarantee or a guaranteed paid-up benefit.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Information regarding the types of guarantees relating to annuity contracts and universal and variable life contracts is as follows:
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    In the
    At
    In the
    At
 
    Event of Death     Annuitization     Event of Death     Annuitization  
    (In millions)  
 
Annuity Contracts (1)
                               
Return of Net Deposits
                               
Separate account value
  $ 55,753     $ 390     $ 41,125       N/A  
Net amount at risk (2)
  $ 6,194  (3)   $ 289  (4)   $ 4,585  (3)     N/A  
Average attained age of contractholders
    62 years       67 years       62 years       N/A  
Anniversary Contract Value or Minimum Return
                               
Separate account value
  $ 92,041     $ 55,668     $ 78,808     $ 40,234  
Net amount at risk (2)
  $ 5,297  (3)   $ 6,373  (4)   $ 9,039  (3)   $ 7,361  (4)
Average attained age of contractholders
    62 years       61 years       61 years       61 years  
Two Tier Annuities
                               
General account value
    N/A     $ 280       N/A     $ 282  
Net amount at risk (2)
    N/A     $ 49  (5)     N/A     $ 50  (5)
Average attained age of contractholders
    N/A       62 years       N/A       61 years  
 
                                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    Secondary
    Paid-Up
    Secondary
    Paid-Up
 
    Guarantees     Guarantees     Guarantees     Guarantees  
    (In millions)  
 
Universal and Variable Life Contracts (1)
                               
Account value (general and separate account)
  $ 11,015     $ 4,102     $ 9,483     $ 4,104  
Net amount at risk (2)
  $ 156,432  (3)   $ 26,851  (3)   $ 150,905  (3)   $ 28,826  (3)
Average attained age of policyholders
    52 years       58 years       52 years       57 years  
 
 
(1) The Company’s annuity and life contracts with guarantees may offer more than one type of guarantee in each contract. Therefore, the amounts listed above may not be mutually exclusive.
 
(2) The net amount at risk is based on the direct and assumed amount at risk (excluding ceded reinsurance).
 
(3) The net amount at risk for guarantees of amounts in the event of death is defined as the current GMDB in excess of the current account balance at the balance sheet date.
 
(4) The net amount at risk for guarantees of amounts at annuitization is defined as the present value of the minimum guaranteed annuity payments available to the contractholder determined in accordance with the terms of the contract in excess of the current account balance.
 
(5) The net amount at risk for two tier annuities is based on the excess of the upper tier, adjusted for a profit margin, less the lower tier.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Information regarding the liabilities for guarantees (excluding base policy liabilities) relating to annuity and universal and variable life contracts is as follows:
 
                                         
          Universal and Variable
       
    Annuity Contracts     Life Contracts        
    Guaranteed
    Guaranteed
                   
    Death
    Annuitization
    Secondary
    Paid-Up
       
    Benefits     Benefits     Guarantees     Guarantees     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Direct
                                       
Balance at January 1, 2008
  $ 80     $ 78     $ 152     $ 121     $ 431  
Incurred guaranteed benefits
    267       325       119       19       730  
Paid guaranteed benefits
    (96 )                       (96 )
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2008
    251       403       271       140       1,065  
Incurred guaranteed benefits
    118       (1 )     233       34       384  
Paid guaranteed benefits
    (201 )                       (201 )
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
    168       402       504       174       1,248  
Acquisitions
    46       110       2,952             3,108  
Incurred guaranteed benefits
    149       111       536       24       820  
Paid guaranteed benefits
    (91 )           (1 )           (92 )
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 272     $ 623     $ 3,991     $ 198     $ 5,084  
                                         
Ceded
                                       
Balance at January 1, 2008
  $ 6     $ 4     $ 55     $ 75     $ 140  
Incurred guaranteed benefits
    18       (4 )     25       15       54  
Paid guaranteed benefits
    (16 )                       (16 )
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2008
    8             80       90       178  
Incurred guaranteed benefits
    26             102       32       160  
Paid guaranteed benefits
    (28 )                       (28 )
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
    6             182       122       310  
Acquisitions
    30                         30  
Incurred guaranteed benefits
    18       (1 )     412       17       446  
Paid guaranteed benefits
    (15 )                       (15 )
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 39     $ (1 )   $ 594     $ 139     $ 771  
                                         
Net
                                       
Balance at January 1, 2008
  $ 74     $ 74     $ 97     $ 46     $ 291  
Incurred guaranteed benefits
    249       329       94       4       676  
Paid guaranteed benefits
    (80 )                       (80 )
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2008
    243       403       191       50       887  
Incurred guaranteed benefits
    92       (1 )     131       2       224  
Paid guaranteed benefits
    (173 )                       (173 )
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
    162       402       322       52       938  
Acquisitions
    16       110       2,952             3,078  
Incurred guaranteed benefits
    131       112       124       7       374  
Paid guaranteed benefits
    (76 )           (1 )           (77 )
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 233     $ 624     $ 3,397     $ 59     $ 4,313  
                                         


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Account balances of contracts with insurance guarantees are invested in separate account asset classes as follows:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Fund Groupings:
               
Equity
  $ 59,546     $ 48,852  
Balanced
    40,199       31,011  
Bond
    9,539       7,166  
Money Market
    1,584       2,104  
Specialty
    2,192       1,865  
                 
Total
  $ 113,060     $ 90,998  
                 
 
9.   Reinsurance
 
The Company participates in reinsurance activities in order to limit losses, minimize exposure to significant risks and provide additional capacity for future growth.
 
For its individual life insurance products, the Company has historically reinsured the mortality risk primarily on an excess of retention basis or a quota share basis. The Company currently reinsures 90% of the mortality risk in excess of $1 million for most products and reinsures up to 90% of the mortality risk for certain other products. In addition to reinsuring mortality risk as described above, the Company reinsures other risks, as well as specific coverages. Placement of reinsurance is done primarily on an automatic basis and also on a facultative basis for risks with specified characteristics. On a case by case basis, the Company may retain up to $20 million per life and reinsure 100% of amounts in excess of the amount the Company retains. The Company evaluates its reinsurance programs routinely and may increase or decrease its retention at any time.
 
For other policies within the Insurance Products segment, the Company generally retains most of the risk and only cedes particular risks on certain client arrangements.
 
The Company’s Retirement Products segment reinsures a portion of the living and death benefit guarantees issued in connection with its variable annuities. Under these reinsurance agreements, the Company pays a reinsurance premium generally based on fees associated with the guarantees collected from policyholders, and receives reimbursement for benefits paid or accrued in excess of account values, subject to certain limitations.
 
The Company’s Corporate Benefit Funding segment periodically engages in reinsurance activities, as considered appropriate. The impact of these activities on the financial results of this segment has not been significant.
 
The Company’s Auto & Home segment purchases reinsurance to manage its exposure to large losses (primarily catastrophe losses) and to protect statutory surplus. The Company cedes to reinsurers a portion of losses and premiums based upon the exposure of the policies subject to reinsurance. To manage exposure to large property and casualty losses, the Company utilizes property catastrophe, casualty and property per risk excess of loss agreements.
 
For its life insurance products within the International segment, the Company reinsures, depending on the product, risks above the corporate retention limit of up to $5 million to external reinsurers on a yearly renewable term basis. The Company’s international businesses may also reinsure certain risks with external reinsurers depending upon the nature of the risk and local regulatory requirements. The Company’s International segment reinsures, for selected large corporate customers, its group employee benefits or credit insurance business with various client-affiliated reinsurance companies, covering policies issued to the employees or customers of the


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
clients. Additionally, the Company cedes and assumes risk with other insurance companies when either company requires a business partner with the appropriate local licensing to issue certain types of policies in certain countries. In these cases, the assuming company typically underwrites the risks, develops the products and assumes most or all of the risk. The Company’s International segment also has reinsurance agreements in force that reinsure a portion of the living and death benefit guarantees issued in connection with its variable annuities. Under these agreements, the Company pays reinsurance fees associated with the guarantees collected from policyholders, and receives reimbursement for benefits paid or accrued in excess of account values, subject to certain limitations.
 
The Company also reinsures, through 100% quota share reinsurance agreements, certain long-term care and workers’ compensation business written by MICC. These are run-off businesses which have been included within Banking, Corporate & Other.
 
The Company has exposure to catastrophes, which could contribute to significant fluctuations in the Company’s results of operations. The Company uses excess of retention and quota share reinsurance agreements to provide greater diversification of risk and minimize exposure to larger risks. For its International segment, the Company currently purchases catastrophe coverage to insure risks within certain countries deemed by management to be exposed to the greatest catastrophic risks.
 
The Company reinsures its business through a diversified group of well-capitalized, highly rated reinsurers. The Company analyzes recent trends in arbitration and litigation outcomes in disputes, if any, with its reinsurers. The Company monitors ratings and evaluates the financial strength of its reinsurers by analyzing their financial statements. In addition, the reinsurance recoverable balance due from each reinsurer is evaluated as part of the overall monitoring process. Recoverability of reinsurance recoverable balances is evaluated based on these analyses. The Company generally secures large reinsurance recoverable balances with various forms of collateral, including secured trusts, funds withheld accounts and irrevocable letters of credit. These reinsurance recoverable balances are stated net of allowances for uncollectible reinsurance, which at December 31, 2010 and 2009, were immaterial.
 
The Company has secured certain reinsurance recoverable balances with various forms of collateral, including secured trusts, funds withheld accounts and irrevocable letters of credit. The Company had $5.5 billion and $4.4 billion of unsecured unaffiliated reinsurance recoverable balances at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
At December 31, 2010, the Company had $13.1 billion of net unaffiliated ceded reinsurance recoverables. Of this total, $10.0 billion, or 76%, were with the Company’s five largest unaffiliated ceded reinsurers, including $3.6 billion of which were unsecured. At December 31, 2009, the Company had $11.7 billion of net unaffiliated ceded reinsurance recoverables. Of this total, $9.2 billion, or 79%, were with the Company’s five largest unaffiliated ceded reinsurers, including $3.0 billion of which were unsecured.
 
The Company has reinsured with an unaffiliated third-party reinsurer, 49.25% of the closed block through a modified coinsurance agreement. The Company accounts for this agreement under the deposit method of accounting. The Company, having the right of offset, has offset the modified coinsurance deposit with the deposit recoverable.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The amounts in the consolidated statements of operations include the impact of reinsurance. Information regarding the effect of reinsurance is as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Premiums:
                       
Direct premiums
  $ 27,923     $ 27,472     $ 27,058  
Reinsurance assumed
    1,377       1,313       1,466  
Reinsurance ceded
    (1,906 )     (2,325 )     (2,610 )
                         
Net premiums
  $ 27,394     $ 26,460     $ 25,914  
                         
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees:
                       
Direct universal life and investment-type product policy fees
  $ 6,630     $ 5,790     $ 5,909  
Reinsurance assumed
    138       106       79  
Reinsurance ceded
    (731 )     (693 )     (607 )
                         
Net universal life and investment-type product policy fees
  $ 6,037     $ 5,203     $ 5,381  
                         
Other revenues:
                       
Direct other revenues
  $ 2,256     $ 2,264     $ 1,481  
Reinsurance assumed
          1        
Reinsurance ceded
    72       64       105  
                         
Net other revenues
  $ 2,328     $ 2,329     $ 1,586  
                         
Policyholder benefits and claims:
                       
Direct policyholder benefits and claims
  $ 31,762     $ 30,363     $ 29,772  
Reinsurance assumed
    1,275       1,024       1,235  
Reinsurance ceded
    (3,492 )     (3,051 )     (3,570 )
                         
Net policyholder benefits and claims
  $ 29,545     $ 28,336     $ 27,437  
                         
Interest credited to policyholder account balances:
                       
Direct interest credited to policyholder account balances
  $ 4,923     $ 4,846     $ 4,787  
Reinsurance assumed
    2       3       1  
Reinsurance ceded
                 
                         
Net interest credited to policyholder account balances
  $ 4,925     $ 4,849     $ 4,788  
                         
Policyholder dividends:
                       
Direct policyholder dividends
  $ 1,486     $ 1,650     $ 1,751  
Reinsurance assumed
    17       13       5  
Reinsurance ceded
    (17 )     (13 )     (5 )
                         
Net policyholder dividends
  $ 1,486     $ 1,650     $ 1,751  
                         
Other expenses:
                       
Direct other expenses
  $ 12,911     $ 10,602     $ 12,107  
Reinsurance assumed
    116       100       57  
Reinsurance ceded
    (224 )     (146 )     (217 )
                         
Net other expenses
  $ 12,803     $ 10,556     $ 11,947  
                         


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The amounts in the consolidated balance sheets include the impact of reinsurance. Information regarding the effect of reinsurance is as follows:
 
                                 
    December 31, 2010  
    Total
                   
    Balance
                Total, Net of
 
    Sheet     Assumed     Ceded     Reinsurance  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets:
                               
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
  $ 19,830     $ 722     $ 13,561     $ 5,547  
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
    27,307       176       (179 )     27,310  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 47,137     $ 898     $ 13,382     $ 32,857  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Future policy benefits
  $ 173,373     $ 2,074     $ (65 )   $ 171,364  
Policyholder account balances
    211,020       2,237             208,783  
Other policy-related balances
    15,806       265       506       15,035  
Other liabilities
    20,386       608       2,703       17,075  
                                 
Total liabilities
  $ 420,585     $ 5,184     $ 3,144     $ 412,257  
                                 
 
                                 
    December 31, 2009  
    Total
                   
    Balance
                Total, Net of
 
    Sheet     Assumed     Ceded     Reinsurance  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets:
                               
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
  $ 16,752     $ 550     $ 12,274     $ 3,928  
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
    19,256       190       (206 )     19,272  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 36,008     $ 740     $ 12,068     $ 23,200  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Future policy benefits
  $ 135,879     $ 2,000     $ (43 )   $ 133,922  
Policyholder account balances
    138,673       1,321             137,352  
Other policy-related balances
    8,446       257       494       7,695  
Other liabilities
    15,989       364       2,489       13,136  
                                 
Total liabilities
  $ 298,987     $ 3,942     $ 2,940     $ 292,105  
                                 
 
Reinsurance agreements that do not expose the Company to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk are recorded using the deposit method of accounting. The deposit assets on ceded reinsurance were $2,530 million and $2,564 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The deposit liabilities for assumed reinsurance were $47 million and $52 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
10.   Closed Block
 
On April 7, 2000 (the “Demutualization Date”), MLIC converted from a mutual life insurance company to a stock life insurance company and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. The conversion was pursuant to an order by the New York Superintendent of Insurance (the “Superintendent”) approving MLIC’s plan of reorganization, as amended (the “Plan”). On the Demutualization Date, MLIC established a closed block for the benefit of holders of certain individual life insurance policies of MLIC. Assets have been allocated to the closed block in an amount that has been determined to produce cash flows which, together with anticipated revenues from the policies included in the closed block, are reasonably expected to be sufficient to support obligations and


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
liabilities relating to these policies, including, but not limited to, provisions for the payment of claims and certain expenses and taxes, and to provide for the continuation of policyholder dividend scales in effect for 1999, if the experience underlying such dividend scales continues, and for appropriate adjustments in such scales if the experience changes. At least annually, the Company compares actual and projected experience against the experience assumed in the then-current dividend scales. Dividend scales are adjusted periodically to give effect to changes in experience.
 
The closed block assets, the cash flows generated by the closed block assets and the anticipated revenues from the policies in the closed block will benefit only the holders of the policies in the closed block. To the extent that, over time, cash flows from the assets allocated to the closed block and claims and other experience related to the closed block are, in the aggregate, more or less favorable than what was assumed when the closed block was established, total dividends paid to closed block policyholders in the future may be greater than or less than the total dividends that would have been paid to these policyholders if the policyholder dividend scales in effect for 1999 had been continued. Any cash flows in excess of amounts assumed will be available for distribution over time to closed block policyholders and will not be available to stockholders. If the closed block has insufficient funds to make guaranteed policy benefit payments, such payments will be made from assets outside of the closed block. The closed block will continue in effect as long as any policy in the closed block remains in-force. The expected life of the closed block is over 100 years.
 
The Company uses the same accounting principles to account for the participating policies included in the closed block as it used prior to the Demutualization Date. However, the Company establishes a policyholder dividend obligation for earnings that will be paid to policyholders as additional dividends as described below. The excess of closed block liabilities over closed block assets at the Demutualization Date (adjusted to eliminate the impact of related amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income) represents the estimated maximum future earnings from the closed block expected to result from operations attributed to the closed block after income taxes. Earnings of the closed block are recognized in income over the period the policies and contracts in the closed block remain in-force. Management believes that over time the actual cumulative earnings of the closed block will approximately equal the expected cumulative earnings due to the effect of dividend changes. If, over the period the closed block remains in existence, the actual cumulative earnings of the closed block are greater than the expected cumulative earnings of the closed block, the Company will pay the excess of the actual cumulative earnings of the closed block over the expected cumulative earnings to closed block policyholders as additional policyholder dividends unless offset by future unfavorable experience of the closed block and, accordingly, will recognize only the expected cumulative earnings in income with the excess recorded as a policyholder dividend obligation. If over such period, the actual cumulative earnings of the closed block are less than the expected cumulative earnings of the closed block, the Company will recognize only the actual earnings in income. However, the Company may change policyholder dividend scales in the future, which would be intended to increase future actual earnings until the actual cumulative earnings equal the expected cumulative earnings.
 
Experience within the closed block, in particular mortality and investment yields, as well as realized and unrealized gains and losses, directly impact the policyholder dividend obligation. The policyholder dividend obligation increased to $876 million at December 31, 2010, from zero at December 31, 2009, as a result of recent unrealized gains in the closed block. Amortization of the closed block DAC, which resides outside of the closed block, is based upon cumulative actual and expected earnings within the closed block. Accordingly, the Company’s net income continues to be sensitive to the actual performance of the closed block.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Information regarding the closed block liabilities and assets designated to the closed block was as follows:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Closed Block Liabilities
               
Future policy benefits
  $ 43,456     $ 43,576  
Other policy-related balances
    316       307  
Policyholder dividends payable
    579       615  
Policyholder dividend obligation
    876        
Current income tax payable
    178        
Other liabilities
    627       576  
                 
Total closed block liabilities
    46,032       45,074  
                 
Assets Designated to the Closed Block
               
Investments:
               
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $27,067 and $27,129, respectively)
    28,768       27,375  
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $110 and $204, respectively)
    102       218  
Mortgage loans
    6,253       6,200  
Policy loans
    4,629       4,538  
Real estate and real estate joint ventures held-for-investment
    328       321  
Short-term investments
    1       1  
Other invested assets
    729       463  
                 
Total investments
    40,810       39,116  
Cash and cash equivalents
    236       241  
Accrued investment income
    518       489  
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables
    95       78  
Current income tax recoverable
          112  
Deferred income tax assets
    474       612  
                 
Total assets designated to the closed block
    42,133       40,648  
                 
Excess of closed block liabilities over assets designated to the closed block
    3,899       4,426  
                 
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax of $594 and $89, respectively
    1,101       166  
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax of $5 and ($3), respectively
    10       (5 )
Allocated to policyholder dividend obligation, net of income tax of ($307) and $0, respectively
    (569 )      
                 
Total amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    542       161  
                 
Maximum future earnings to be recognized from closed block assets and liabilities
  $ 4,441     $ 4,587  
                 
 
Information regarding the closed block policyholder dividend obligation was as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at January 1,
  $     $     $ 789  
Change in unrealized investment and derivative gains (losses)
    876             (789 )
                         
Balance at December 31,
  $ 876     $     $  
                         


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Information regarding the closed block revenues and expenses was as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Revenues
                       
Premiums
  $ 2,461     $ 2,708     $ 2,787  
Net investment income
    2,294       2,197       2,248  
Net investment gains (losses):
                       
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
    (32 )     (107 )     (94 )
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
          40        
Other net investment gains (losses)
    71       327       (19 )
                         
Total net investment gains (losses)
    39       260       (113 )
Net derivative gains (losses)
    (27 )     (128 )     29  
                         
Total revenues
    4,767       5,037       4,951  
                         
Expenses
                       
Policyholder benefits and claims
    3,115       3,329       3,393  
Policyholder dividends
    1,235       1,394       1,498  
Other expenses
    199       203       217  
                         
Total expenses
    4,549       4,926       5,108  
                         
Revenues, net of expenses before provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    218       111       (157 )
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    72       36       (68 )
                         
Revenues, net of expenses and provision for income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 146     $ 75     $ (89 )
                         
 
The change in the maximum future earnings of the closed block was as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at December 31,
  $ 4,441     $ 4,587     $ 4,518  
Less:
                       
Closed block adjustment (1)
          144        
Balance at January 1,
    4,587       4,518       4,429  
                         
Change during year
  $ (146 )   $ (75 )   $ 89  
                         
 
 
(1) The closed block adjustment represents an intra-company reallocation of assets which affected the closed block. The adjustment had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
MLIC charges the closed block with federal income taxes, state and local premium taxes and other additive state or local taxes, as well as investment management expenses relating to the closed block as provided in the Plan. MLIC also charges the closed block for expenses of maintaining the policies included in the closed block.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
11.   Long-term and Short-term Debt
 
Long-term and short-term debt outstanding is as follows:
 
                                 
    Interest Rates                  
        Weighted
        December 31,  
    Range   Average     Maturity   2010     2009  
                  (In millions)  
 
Senior notes
   0.61%-7.72%     5.58 %   2011-2045   $ 16,258     $ 10,458  
Advances agreements
   0.23%-4.86%     2.41 %   2011-2015     3,600       1,846  
Surplus notes
   7.63%-7.88%     7.85 %   2015-2025     699       698  
Fixed rate notes
  3.76%-15.00%     8.67 %   2011-2012     82       63  
Other notes with varying interest rates
   1.98%-8.00%     7.20 %   2013-2030     95       120  
Capital lease obligations
                    32       35  
                                 
Total long-term debt (1)
                    20,766       13,220  
Total short-term debt
                    306       912  
                                 
Total
                  $ 21,072     $ 14,132  
                                 
 
 
(1) Excludes $6,820 million at December 31, 2010 of long-term debt relating to CSEs. See Note 3.
 
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2010 for the next five years and thereafter are $1,405 million in 2011, $1,520 million in 2012, $1,464 million in 2013, $1,653 million in 2014, $2,365 million in 2015 and $12,358 million thereafter.
 
Advances agreements and capital lease obligations are collateralized and rank highest in priority, followed by unsecured senior debt which consists of senior notes, fixed rate notes and other notes with varying interest rates, followed by subordinated debt which consists of junior subordinated debt securities. Payments of interest and principal on the Company’s surplus notes, which are subordinate to all other obligations at the operating company level and senior to obligations at the Holding Company, may be made only with the prior approval of the insurance department of the state of domicile. Collateral financing arrangements are supported by either surplus notes of subsidiaries or financing arrangements with the Holding Company and, accordingly, have priority consistent with other such obligations.
 
Certain of the Company’s debt instruments, credit facilities and committed facilities contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. The Company believes it was in compliance with all covenants at both December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Senior Notes — Senior Debt Securities Underlying Equity Units
 
In connection with the financing of the Acquisition (see Note 2) in November 2010, MetLife, Inc. issued to ALICO Holdings $3,000 million (estimated fair value of $3,011 million) in three series of Debt Securities, which constitute a part of the Equity Units more fully described in Note 14. The Debt Securities (Series C, D and E) are subject to remarketing, initially bear interest at 1.56%, 1.92% and 2.46%, respectively (an average rate of 1.98%), and carry initial maturity dates of June 15, 2023, June 15, 2024 and June 15, 2045, respectively. The interest rates will be reset in connection with the successful remarketings of the Debt Securities. Prior to the first scheduled attempted remarketing of the Series C Debt Securities, such Debt Securities will be divided into two tranches equal in principal amount with maturity dates of June 15, 2018 and June 15, 2023. Prior to the first scheduled attempted remarketing of the Series E Debt Securities, such Debt Securities will be divided into two tranches equal in principal amount with maturity dates of June 15, 2018 and June 15, 2045.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Senior Notes — Other
 
In August 2010, in anticipation of the Acquisition, MetLife, Inc. issued senior notes as follows:
 
  •  $1,000 million senior notes due February 6, 2014, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.375%, payable semiannually;
 
  •  $1,000 million senior notes due February 8, 2021, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.75%, payable semiannually;
 
  •  $750 million senior notes due February 6, 2041, which bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.875%, payable semiannually; and
 
  •  $250 million floating rate senior notes due August 6, 2013, which bear interest at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR, reset quarterly, plus 1.25%, payable quarterly.
 
In connection with these offerings, MetLife, Inc. incurred $15 million of issuance costs which have been capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the terms of the senior notes.
 
In May 2009, MetLife, Inc. issued $1,250 million of senior notes due June 1, 2016. The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.75%, payable semiannually. In connection with the offering, the Holding Company incurred $6 million of issuance costs which have been capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the term of the notes.
 
In March 2009, MetLife, Inc. issued $397 million of floating rate senior notes due June 29, 2012 under the FDIC Program. The notes bear interest at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR, reset quarterly, plus 0.32%. The notes are not redeemable prior to their maturity. In connection with the offering, the Holding Company incurred $15 million of issuance costs which have been capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the term of the notes.
 
In February 2009, MetLife, Inc. remarketed its existing $1,035 million 4.91% Series B junior subordinated debt securities as 7.717% senior debt securities, Series B, due 2019. In August 2008, the Holding Company remarketed its existing $1,035 million 4.82% Series A junior subordinated debt securities as 6.817% senior debt securities, Series A, due 2018. Interest on both series of debt securities is payable semiannually. The Series A and Series B junior subordinated debt securities were originally issued in 2005 in connection with certain common equity units. See Notes 13 and 14.
 
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York
 
MetLife Bank is a member of the FHLB of NY and held $187 million and $124 million of common stock of the FHLB of NY at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which is included in equity securities. MetLife Bank has also entered into advances agreements with the FHLB of NY whereby MetLife Bank has received cash advances and under which the FHLB of NY has been granted a blanket lien on certain of MetLife Bank’s residential mortgage loans, mortgage loans held-for-sale, commercial mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities to collateralize MetLife Bank’s repayment obligations. Upon any event of default by MetLife Bank, the FHLB of NY’s recovery is limited to the amount of MetLife Bank’s liability under the advances agreements. The amount of MetLife Bank’s liability for advances from the FHLB of NY was $3.8 billion and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which is included in long-term debt and short-term debt depending upon the original tenor of the advance. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, MetLife Bank received advances related to long-term borrowings totaling $2,103 million, $1,280 million and $220 million, respectively, from the FHLB of NY. MetLife Bank made repayments to the FHLB of NY of $349 million, $497 million and $371 million related to long-term borrowings for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The advances related to both long-term and short-term debt were collateralized by residential mortgage loans, mortgage loans held-for-sale,


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
commercial mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities with estimated fair values of $7.8 billion and $5.5 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Collateralized Borrowing from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
 
MetLife Bank is a depository institution that is approved to use the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Discount Window borrowing privileges. In order to utilize these privileges, MetLife Bank has pledged qualifying loans and investment securities to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as collateral. MetLife Bank had no liability for advances from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at both December 31, 2010 and 2009. The estimated fair value of loan and investment security collateral pledged by MetLife Bank to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $1.8 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the weighted average interest rate on these advances was 0.26% and 0.79%, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the average daily balance of these advances was $1,513 million and these advances were outstanding for an average of 24 days. There were no such advances during the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Short-term Debt
 
Short-term debt with maturities of one year or less is as follows:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Commercial paper
  $ 102     $ 319  
MetLife Bank, N.A. — Advances agreements with the FHLB of NY
    190       585  
Other
    14       8  
                 
Total short-term debt
  $ 306     $ 912  
                 
Average daily balance
  $ 687     $ 2,845  
Average days outstanding
    21 days       16 days  
 
During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the weighted average interest rate on short-term debt was 0.35%, 0.42% and 2.40%, respectively.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense related to the Company’s indebtedness included in other expenses was $815 million, $713 million and $554 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and does not include interest expense on collateral financing arrangements, junior subordinated debt securities or common equity units. See Notes 12, 13 and 14.
 
Credit and Committed Facilities
 
The Company maintains unsecured credit facilities and committed facilities, which aggregated $4.0 billion and $12.4 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2010. When drawn upon, these facilities bear interest at varying rates in accordance with the respective agreements.
 
Credit Facilities.  The unsecured credit facilities are used for general corporate purposes, to support the borrowers’ commercial paper programs and for the issuance of letters of credit. Total fees expensed associated with


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
these credit facilities were $17 million, $43 million and $17 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Information on these credit facilities at December 31, 2010 is as follows:
 
                                     
              Letter of
             
              Credit
          Unused
 
Borrower(s)   Expiration   Capacity     Issuances     Drawdowns     Commitments  
              (In millions)        
 
MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc. 
  October 2011   $ 1,000     $     $     —     $ 1,000  
MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc. 
  October 2013 (1)     3,000       1,507             1,493  
                                     
Total
      $ 4,000     $ 1,507     $     $ 2,493  
                                     
 
 
(1) All borrowings under the credit agreement must be repaid by October 2013, except that letters of credit outstanding upon termination may remain outstanding until October 2014.
 
Committed Facilities.  The committed facilities are used for collateral for certain of the Company’s affiliated reinsurance liabilities. Total fees expensed associated with these committed facilities were $92 million, $55 million and $35 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Information on these committed facilities at December 31, 2010 is as follows:
 
                                             
              Letter of
                   
              Credit
          Unused
    Maturity
 
Account Party/Borrower(s)   Expiration   Capacity     Issuances     Drawdowns     Commitments     (Years)  
    (In millions)  
 
MetLife, Inc. 
  August 2011   $ 300     $ 300     $     $        
Exeter Reassurance Company Ltd., MetLife, Inc., & Missouri Reinsurance (Barbados), Inc. 
  June 2016     500       490             10       5  
MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont & MetLife, Inc. 
  December 2020 (1)     350       350                   10  
Exeter Reassurance Company Ltd. 
  December 2027 (1)     650       535             115       17  
MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina & MetLife, Inc. 
  June 2037     3,500             2,797       703       26  
MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont & MetLife, Inc. 
  December 2037 (1)     2,896       1,603             1,293       27  
MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont & MetLife, Inc. 
  September 2038 (1)     4,250       2,160             2,090       27  
                                             
Total (2)
      $ 12,446     $ 5,438     $ 2,797     $ 4,211          
                                             
 
 
(1) The Holding Company is a guarantor under this agreement.
 
(2) See also Note 24.
 
As a result of the offerings of certain senior notes (see “— Senior Notes — Other”) and common stock (see Note 18), the commitment letter for a $5.0 billion senior credit facility, which the Holding Company signed to partially finance the Acquisition, was terminated. During March 2010, the Holding Company paid $28 million in fees related to this senior credit facility, all of which were expensed during the year ended December 31, 2010. See Note 19.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
12.   Collateral Financing Arrangements
 
Associated with the Closed Block
 
In December 2007, MLIC reinsured a portion of its closed block liabilities to MRC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with this transaction, MRC issued, to investors placed by an unaffiliated financial institution, $2.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of 35-year surplus notes to provide statutory reserve support for the assumed closed block liabilities. Interest on the surplus notes accrues at an annual rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 0.55%, payable quarterly. The ability of MRC to make interest and principal payments on the surplus notes is contingent upon South Carolina regulatory approval. At both December 31, 2010 and 2009, the amount of the surplus notes outstanding was $2.5 billion.
 
Simultaneous with the issuance of the surplus notes, the Holding Company entered into an agreement with the unaffiliated financial institution, under which the Holding Company is entitled to the interest paid by MRC on the surplus notes of 3-month LIBOR plus 0.55% in exchange for the payment of 3-month LIBOR plus 1.12%, payable quarterly on such amount as adjusted, as described below. The Holding Company may also be required to pledge collateral or make payments to the unaffiliated financial institution related to any decline in the estimated fair value of the surplus notes. Any such payments would be accounted for as a receivable and included in other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and would not reduce the principal amount outstanding of the surplus notes. Such payments would, however, reduce the amount of interest payments due from the Holding Company under the agreement. Any payment received from the unaffiliated financial institution would reduce the receivable by an amount equal to such payment and would also increase the amount of interest payments due from the Holding Company under the agreement. In addition, the unaffiliated financial institution may be required to pledge collateral to the Holding Company related to any increase in the estimated fair value of the surplus notes. During 2008, the Holding Company paid an aggregate of $800 million to the unaffiliated financial institution relating to declines in the estimated fair value of the surplus notes. The Holding Company did not receive any payments from the unaffiliated financial institution during 2008. During 2009, on a net basis, the Holding Company received $375 million from the unaffiliated financial institution related to changes in the estimated fair value of the surplus notes. No payments were made or received by the Holding Company during 2010. Since the closing of the collateral financing arrangement in December 2007, on a net basis, the Holding Company has paid $425 million to the unaffiliated financial institution related to changes in the estimated fair value of the surplus notes. In addition, at December 31, 2008, the Holding Company had pledged collateral with an estimated fair value of $230 million to the unaffiliated financial institution. At December 31, 2009, the Holding Company had no collateral pledged to the unaffiliated financial institution in connection with this agreement. At December 31, 2010, the Holding Company had pledged collateral with an estimated fair value of $49 million to the unaffiliated financial institution. The Holding Company may also be required to make a payment to the unaffiliated financial institution in connection with any early termination of this agreement.
 
A majority of the proceeds from the offering of the surplus notes was placed in a trust, which is consolidated by the Company, to support MRC’s statutory obligations associated with the assumed closed block liabilities. During 2007, MRC deposited $2.0 billion into the trust, from the proceeds of the surplus notes issued in 2007. During 2008, MRC deposited an additional $314 million into the trust. No amount was deposited into the trust during 2009. During 2010, MRC transferred $497 million out of the trust. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the estimated fair value of assets held in trust by the Company was $2.0 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively. The assets are principally invested in fixed maturity securities and are presented as such within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, with the related income included within net investment income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Interest on the collateral financing arrangement is included as a component of other expenses.
 
Total interest expense related to the collateral financing arrangement was $36 million, $51 million and $117 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Associated with Secondary Guarantees
 
In May 2007, the Holding Company and MRSC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a 30-year collateral financing arrangement with an unaffiliated financial institution that provides up to $3.5 billion of statutory reserve support for MRSC associated with reinsurance obligations under intercompany reinsurance agreements. Such statutory reserves are associated with universal life secondary guarantees and are required under U.S. Valuation of Life Policies Model Regulation (commonly referred to as Regulation A-XXX). At both December 31, 2010 and 2009, $2.8 billion had been drawn upon under the collateral financing arrangement. The collateral financing arrangement may be extended by agreement of the Holding Company and the unaffiliated financial institution on each anniversary of the closing.
 
Proceeds from the collateral financing arrangement were placed in trusts to support MRSC’s statutory obligations associated with the reinsurance of secondary guarantees. The trusts are VIEs which are consolidated by the Company. The unaffiliated financial institution is entitled to the return on the investment portfolio held by the trusts. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company held assets in trust with an estimated fair value of $3.3 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively, associated with the collateral financing arrangement. The assets are principally invested in fixed maturity securities and are presented as such within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, with the related income included within net investment income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Interest on the collateral financing arrangement is included as a component of other expenses.
 
In connection with the collateral financing arrangement, the Holding Company entered into an agreement with the same unaffiliated financial institution under which the Holding Company is entitled to the return on the investment portfolio held by the trusts established in connection with this collateral financing arrangement in exchange for the payment of a stated rate of return to the unaffiliated financial institution of 3-month LIBOR plus 0.70%, payable quarterly. The collateral financing agreement may be extended by agreement of the Holding Company and the unaffiliated financial institution on each anniversary of the closing. The Holding Company may also be required to make payments to the unaffiliated financial institution, for deposit into the trusts, related to any decline in the estimated fair value of the assets held by the trusts, as well as amounts outstanding upon maturity or early termination of the collateral financing arrangement. During 2010, no payments were made or received by the Holding Company. During 2009 and 2008, the Holding Company contributed $360 million and $320 million, respectively, as a result of declines in the estimated fair value of the assets in the trusts. Cumulatively, since May 2007, the Holding Company has contributed a total of $680 million as a result of declines in the estimated fair value of the assets in the trusts, all of which was deposited into the trusts.
 
In addition, the Holding Company may be required to pledge collateral to the unaffiliated financial institution under this agreement. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Holding Company had pledged $63 million and $80 million, respectively, under the agreement.
 
Transaction costs associated with the collateral financing arrangement of $5 million have been capitalized, are included in other assets, and are being amortized over the period from May 2007, the date the Holding Company entered into the collateral financing arrangement, to its expiration. Total interest expense related to the collateral financing arrangement was $30 million, $44 million and $107 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
13.   Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
 
Outstanding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
 
Outstanding junior subordinated debt securities and trust securities which MetLife, Inc. will exchange for junior subordinated debt securities prior to redemption or repayment were as follows:
 
                                                 
                        Interest Rate
               
                        Subsequent to
               
                    Scheduled
  Scheduled
      Carrying Value
 
        Face
    Interest
    Redemption
  Redemption
  Final
  at December 31,  
Issuer   Issue Date   Value     Rate (2)     Date   Date (3)   Maturity   2010     2009  
        (In millions)                 (In millions)  
 
MetLife, Inc. 
  July 2009   $ 500       10.750 %   August 2039   LIBOR + 7.548%   August 2069   $ 500     $ 500  
MetLife Capital Trust X (1)
  April 2008   $ 750       9.250 %   April 2038   LIBOR + 5.540%   April 2068     750       750  
MetLife Capital Trust IV (1)
  December 2007   $ 700       7.875 %   December 2037   LIBOR + 3.960%   December 2067     694       694  
MetLife, Inc. 
  December 2006   $ 1,250       6.400 %   December 2036   LIBOR + 2.205%   December 2066     1,247       1,247  
                                                 
                                    $ 3,191     $ 3,191  
                                                 
 
 
(1) MetLife Capital Trust X and MetLife Capital Trust IV are VIEs which are consolidated in the financial statements of the Company. The securities issued by these entities are exchangeable surplus trust securities, which will be exchanged for a like amount of the Holding Company’s junior subordinated debt securities on the scheduled redemption date; mandatorily under certain circumstances, and at any time upon the Holding Company exercising its option to redeem the securities. The exchangeable surplus trust securities are classified as junior subordinated debt securities for purposes of financial statement presentation.
 
(2) Prior to the scheduled redemption date, interest is payable semiannually in arrears.
 
(3) In the event the securities are not redeemed on or before the scheduled redemption date, interest will accrue after such date at an annual rate of 3-month LIBOR plus a margin, payable quarterly in arrears.
 
In connection with each of the securities described above, the Holding Company may redeem or may cause the redemption of the securities (i) in whole or in part, at any time on or after the date five years prior to the scheduled redemption date at their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption, or (ii) in certain circumstances, in whole or in part, prior to the date five years prior to the scheduled redemption date at their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption or, if greater, a make-whole price. The Holding Company also has the right to, and in certain circumstances the requirement to, defer interest payments on the securities for a period up to ten years. Interest compounds during such periods of deferral. If interest is deferred for more than five consecutive years, the Holding Company is required to use proceeds from the sale of its common stock or warrants on common stock to satisfy interest payment obligation. In connection with each of the securities described above, the Holding Company entered into a replacement capital covenant (“RCC”). As part of the RCC, the Holding Company agreed that it will not repay, redeem, or purchase the securities on or before a date ten years prior to the final maturity date of each issuance, unless, subject to certain limitations, it has received proceeds during a specified period from the sale of specified replacement securities. The RCC will terminate upon the occurrence of certain events, including an acceleration of the securities due to the occurrence of an event of default. The RCC is not intended for the benefit of holders of the securities and may not be enforced by them. The RCC is for the benefit of holders of one or more other designated series of the Holding Company’s indebtedness (which will initially be its 5.70% senior notes due June 2035). The Holding Company also entered into a replacement capital obligation which will commence during the six month period prior to the scheduled redemption date and under which the Holding Company must use reasonable commercial efforts to raise replacement capital to permit repayment of the securities through the issuance of certain qualifying capital securities.
 
Issuance costs associated with the issuance of the securities of $5 million and $8 million were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These issuance costs have been capitalized, are


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
included in other assets, and are amortized over the period from the issuance date until the scheduled redemption date of the respective issuances. Interest expense on outstanding junior subordinated debt securities was $258 million, $231 million and $186 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Underlying Common Equity Units
 
In June 2005, the Holding Company issued $1,067 million 4.82% Series A and $1,067 million 4.91% Series B junior subordinated debt securities due no later than February 2039 and February 2040, respectively, for a total of $2,134 million, in exchange for $64 million in trust common securities of MetLife Capital Trust II (“Series A Trust”) and MetLife Capital Trust III (“Series B Trust”) and, together with the Series A Trust, (the “Capital Trusts”), both subsidiary trusts of MetLife, Inc., and $2,070 million in aggregate cash proceeds from the sale by the subsidiary trusts of trust preferred securities, constituting part of the common equity units. The subsidiary trusts each issued $1,035 million of trust preferred securities and $32 million of trust common securities.
 
In August 2008, the Series A Trust was dissolved and $32 million of the Series A junior subordinated debt securities were returned to the Holding Company concurrently with the cancellation of the $32 million of trust common securities of the Series A Trust held by MetLife, Inc. Upon dissolution of the Series A Trust, the remaining $1,035 million of Series A junior subordinated debt securities were distributed to the holders of the trust preferred securities and such trust preferred securities were cancelled. In connection with the remarketing transaction in August 2008, the remaining $1,035 million of MetLife, Inc. Series A junior subordinated debt securities were modified, as permitted by their terms, to be 6.817% senior debt securities, Series A, due August 2018. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the remarketing. See also Notes 11, 14 and 18.
 
In February 2009, the Series B Trust was dissolved and $32 million of the Series B junior subordinated debt securities were returned to the Holding Company concurrently with the cancellation of the $32 million of trust common securities of the Series B Trust held by MetLife, Inc. Upon dissolution of the Series B Trust, the remaining $1,035 million of Series B junior subordinated debt securities were distributed to the holders of the trust preferred securities and such trust preferred securities were cancelled. In connection with the remarketing transaction in February 2009, the remaining $1,035 million of MetLife, Inc. Series B junior subordinated debt securities were modified, as permitted by their terms, to be 7.717% senior debt securities, Series B, due February 2019. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the remarketing. See also Notes 11, 14 and 18.
 
Interest expense on the junior subordinated debt securities underlying the common equity units was $6 million and $84 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. There was no interest expense on the junior subordinated debt securities underlying the common equity units for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
14.   Common Equity Units
 
Acquisition of ALICO
 
In connection with the financing of the Acquisition (see Note 2) in November 2010, MetLife, Inc. issued to ALICO Holdings 40.0 million Equity Units with an aggregate stated amount at issuance of $3,000 million and an estimated fair value of $3,189 million. Each Equity Unit has an initial stated amount of $75 per unit and initially consists of: (i) three Purchase Contracts, each of which obligates the holder to purchase, on a subsequent settlement date, a variable number of shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock, par value $0.01 per share, for a purchase price of $25 ($75 in the aggregate); and (ii) a 1/40 undivided beneficial ownership interest in each of three series of Debt Securities issued by MetLife, Inc., each series of Debt Securities having an aggregate principal amount of $1,000 million. Distributions on the Equity Units will be made quarterly, and will consist of contract payments on the Purchase Contracts and interest payments on the Debt Securities, at an aggregate annual rate of 5.00% of the stated amount at any time. The excess of the estimated fair value of the Equity Units over the estimated fair value of the Debt Securities (see Note 11), after accounting for the present value of future contract payments recorded in


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
other liabilities, results in a net decrease to additional paid-in capital of $69 million, representing the fair value of the Purchase Contracts discussed below.
 
The Equity Units, the Debt Securities and the common stock issuable upon settlement of the Purchase Contracts are subject to the terms of an investor rights agreement entered into among MetLife, Inc., AIG and ALICO Holdings, which grants to ALICO Holdings certain rights and sets forth certain agreements with respect to ALICO Holdings’ ownership, voting and transfer of the shares, including minimum holding periods, restrictions on the number of shares ALICO Holdings can sell at one time, its agreement to vote the common stock in the same proportion as the common stock voted by all other holders and its agreement not to seek control or influence the Company’s management or Board of Directors. The Equity Units are not listed on any exchange or inter-dealer quotation system. The Equity Units have been pledged to secure certain indemnification obligations of ALICO Holdings under the Stock Purchase Agreement. See Note 2.
 
Purchase Contracts
 
Settlement of the Purchase Contracts of each series will occur upon the successful remarketing of the related series of Debt Securities, or upon a final failed remarketing of the related series, as described below under “— Debt Securities.” On each settlement date subsequent to a successful remarketing, the holder will pay $25 per Equity Unit and MetLife, Inc. will issue to such holder a variable number of shares of its common stock in settlement of the applicable Purchase Contract. The number of shares to be issued will depend on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock during the 20 trading day periods ending on, and including, the third day prior to the initial scheduled settlement date for each series of Purchase Contracts. The initially-scheduled settlement dates are October 10, 2012 for the Series C Purchase Contracts, September 11, 2013 for the Series D Purchase Contracts and October 8, 2014 for the Series E Purchase Contracts. If the average value of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock as calculated pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement during the applicable 20 trading day period is less than or equal to $35.42, as such amount may be adjusted (the “Reference Price”), the number of shares to be issued in settlement of the Purchase Contract will equal $25 divided by the Reference Price, as calculated pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Maximum Settlement Rate”). If the market value of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock is greater than or equal to $44.275, as such amount may be adjusted (the “Threshold Appreciation Price”), the number of shares to be issued in settlement of the Purchase Contract will equal $25 divided by the Threshold Appreciation Price, as so calculated (the “Minimum Settlement Rate”). If the market value of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock is greater than the Reference Price and less than the Threshold Appreciation Price, the number of shares to be issued will equal $25 divided by the applicable market value, as so calculated. In the event of an unsuccessful remarketing of any series of Debt Securities and the postponement of settlement to a later date, the average market value used to calculate the settlement rate for a particular series will not be recalculated, although certain corporate events may require adjustments to the settlement rate. After settlement of all the Purchase Contracts, MetLife, Inc. will receive proceeds of $3,000 million and issue between 67.8 million and 84.7 million shares of its common stock, subject to certain adjustments. The holder of an Equity Unit may, at its option, settle the related Purchase Contracts before the applicable settlement date. However, upon early settlement, the holder will receive the Minimum Settlement Rate.
 
Distributions on the Purchase Contracts will be made quarterly at an average annual rate of 3.02%. The value of the Purchase Contracts at issuance of $247 million was calculated as the present value of the future contract payments and was recorded in other liabilities with an offsetting decrease in additional paid-in capital. The other liabilities balance will be reduced as contract payments are made. For the year ended December 31, 2010, no contract payments were made.
 
Debt Securities
 
The Debt Securities are senior, unsecured notes of MetLife, Inc. which, in the aggregate, pay quarterly distributions at an initial average annual rate of 1.98% and are included in long-term debt (see Note 11 for further


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
discussion of terms). The Debt Securities will be initially pledged as collateral to secure the obligations of each Equity Unit holder under the related Purchase Contracts. Each series of the Debt Securities will be subject to a remarketing and sold on behalf of participating holders to investors. The proceeds of a remarketing, net of any related fees, will be applied on behalf of participating holders who so elect to settle any obligation of the holder to pay cash under the related Purchase Contract on the applicable settlement dates. The initially-scheduled remarketing dates are October 10, 2012 for the Series C Debt Securities, September 11, 2013 for the Series D Debt Securities and October 8, 2014 for the Series E Debt Securities, subject to delay if there are one or more unsuccessful remarketings. If the initial attempted remarketing of a series is unsuccessful, up to two additional remarketing attempts will occur. At the remarketing date, the remarketing agent may reset the interest rate on the Debt Securities, subject to a reset cap for each of the first two attempted remarketings of each series. If a remarketing is successful, the reset rate will apply to all outstanding Debt Securities of the applicable tranche of the remarketed series, whether or not the holder participated in the remarketing and will become effective on the settlement date of such remarketing. If the first remarketing attempt with respect to a series is unsuccessful, the applicable Purchase Contract settlement date will be delayed for three calendar months, at which time a second remarketing attempt will occur in connection with settlement. If the second remarketing attempt is unsuccessful, one additional delay may occur on the same basis. If both additional remarketing attempts are unsuccessful, a “final failed remarketing” will have occurred, and the interest rate on such series of Debt Securities will not be reset and the holder may put such series of Debt Securities to MetLife, Inc. at a price equal to its principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and apply the principal amount against the holder’s obligations under the related Purchase Contract.
 
Earnings Per Common Share
 
The treasury stock method is used to determine the potential dilution of the Purchase Contracts on earnings per common share. There was no dilution associated with the Purchase Contracts for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
Acquisition of The Travelers Insurance Company
 
In connection with financing the acquisition of The Travelers Insurance Company on July 1, 2005, the Holding Company distributed and sold 82.8 million 6.375% common equity units for $2,070 million in proceeds in a registered public offering on June 21, 2005. The common equity units consisted of interests in trust preferred securities issued by MetLife Capital Trusts II and III, and stock purchase contracts issued by the Holding Company. The only assets of MetLife Capital Trusts II and III were junior subordinated debt securities issued by the Holding Company. The common equity units ceased to exist upon the closing of the remarketing of the underlying debt instruments and the settlement of the stock purchase contracts in August 2008 and February 2009. See Notes 13 and 18.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
15.   Income Tax
 
The provision for income tax from continuing operations was as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Current:
                       
Federal
  $ 141     $ (231 )   $ (35 )
State and local
    21       12       10  
Foreign
    203       236       623  
                         
Subtotal
    365       17       598  
                         
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    670       (2,135 )     1,056  
State and local
    (7 )     26       (6 )
Foreign
    153       77       (68 )
                         
Subtotal
    816       (2,032 )     982  
                         
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 1,181     $ (2,015 )   $ 1,580  
                         
 
The reconciliation of the income tax provision at the U.S. statutory rate to the provision for income tax as reported for continuing operations was as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Tax provision at U.S. statutory rate
  $ 1,385     $ (1,517 )   $ 1,771  
Tax effect of:
                       
Tax-exempt investment income
    (242 )     (288 )     (254 )
State and local income tax
    9       17       2  
Prior year tax
    59       (26 )     53  
Tax credits
    (82 )     (87 )     (58 )
Foreign tax rate differential and change in valuation allowance
    26       (118 )     65  
Other, net
    26       4       1  
                         
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
  $ 1,181     $ (2,015 )   $ 1,580  
                         


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Deferred income tax represents the tax effect of the differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Net deferred income tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Deferred income tax assets:
               
Policyholder liabilities and receivables
  $ 5,169     $ 3,929  
Net operating loss carryforwards
    1,400       871  
Employee benefits
    664       661  
Capital loss carryforwards
    408       551  
Tax credit carryforwards
    459       401  
Net unrealized investment losses
          816  
Litigation-related and government mandated
    227       240  
Other
    331       276  
                 
      8,658       7,745  
Less: Valuation allowance
    261       217  
                 
      8,397       7,528  
                 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
               
Investments, including derivatives
    1,253       1,434  
Intangibles
    3,068       334  
Net unrealized investment gains
    1,490        
DAC
    4,342       4,439  
Other
    125       93  
                 
      10,278       6,300  
                 
Net deferred income tax asset (liability)
  $ (1,881 )   $ 1,228  
                 
 
Domestic net operating loss carryforwards of $2,181 million at December 31, 2010 will expire beginning in 2020. State net operating loss carryforwards of $123 million at December 31, 2010 will expire beginning in 2011. Foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $2,132 million at December 31, 2010 were generated in various foreign countries with expiration periods of five years to indefinite expiration. Domestic capital loss carryforwards of $1,130 million at December 31, 2010 will expire beginning in 2011. Foreign capital loss carryforwards of $35 million at December 31, 2010 will expire beginning in 2014. Tax credit carryforwards were $459 million at December 31, 2010.
 
The Company has recorded a valuation allowance related to tax benefits of certain state and foreign net operating and capital loss carryforwards and certain foreign unrealized losses. The valuation allowance reflects management’s assessment, based on available information, that it is more likely than not that the deferred income tax asset for certain foreign net operating and capital loss carryforwards and certain foreign unrealized losses will not be realized. The tax benefit will be recognized when management believes that it is more likely than not that these deferred income tax assets are realizable. In 2010, the Company recorded an overall increase to the deferred tax valuation allowance of $44 million, comprised of a decrease of $2 million related to certain foreign unrealized losses, an increase of $18 million related to certain foreign capital loss carryforwards, an increase of $28 million related to certain state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards.
 
The Company has not provided U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative earnings of certain non-U.S. affiliates and associated companies that have been reinvested indefinitely. These earnings relate to ongoing operations and have


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
been reinvested in active non-U.S. business operations. The Company does not intend to repatriate these earnings to fund U.S. operations. Deferred taxes are provided for earnings of non-U.S. affiliates and associated companies when the Company plans to remit those earnings. At December 31, 2010, the Company has not made a provision for U.S. taxes on approximately $1,045 million of the excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of investments in foreign subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of deferred tax liability related to investments in these foreign subsidiaries.
 
The Company files income tax returns with the U.S. federal government and various state and local jurisdictions, as well as foreign jurisdictions. The Company is under continuous examination by the IRS and other tax authorities in jurisdictions in which the Company has significant business operations. The income tax years under examination vary by jurisdiction. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2000. In early 2009, the Company and the IRS completed and substantially settled the audit years of 2000 to 2002. A few issues not settled have been escalated to the next level, IRS Appeals. In April 2010, the IRS exam of the current audit cycle, years 2003 to 2006 began.
 
The Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits may decrease in the next 12 months pending the outcome of remaining issues, tax-exempt income and tax credits associated with the 2000 to 2002 IRS audit. A reasonable estimate of the decrease cannot be made at this time. However, the Company continues to believe that the ultimate resolution of the issues will not result in a material change to its consolidated financial statements, although the resolution of income tax matters could impact the Company’s effective tax rate for a particular future period.
 
The Company classifies interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense, included within other expenses, while penalties are included in income tax expense.
 
At December 31, 2010, the Company’s total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $810 million and the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $536 million. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits increased by $37 million from December 31, 2009 primarily due to increases for tax positions of prior years offset by reductions for tax positions of prior years and settlements reached with the IRS. The increases for tax positions of prior years included $169 million from the acquisition of American Life. Settlements with tax authorities amounted to $59 million, all of which was reclassified to current and deferred income tax payable, as applicable, with $3 million paid in 2010.
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company’s total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $773 million and the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $583 million. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits increased by $7 million from December 31, 2008 primarily due to additions for tax positions of the current and prior years offset by settlements reached with the IRS. Settlements with tax authorities amounted to $46 million, of which $44 million was reclassified to current income tax payable and paid in 2009 and $2 million reduced current income tax expense.
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company’s total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $766 million and the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $567 million. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $74 million from December 31, 2007 primarily due to settlements reached with the IRS with respect to certain significant issues involving demutualization, leasing and tax credits offset by additions for tax positions of the current year. As a result of the settlements, items within the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, in the amount of $153 million, were reclassified to current and deferred income tax payable, as applicable, of which $20 million was paid in 2008 and $133 million was paid in 2009.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits was as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at January 1,
  $ 773     $ 766     $ 840  
Additions for tax positions of prior years
    186       43       11  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
    (84 )     (33 )     (51 )
Additions for tax positions of current year
    13       52       147  
Reductions for tax positions of current year
    (8 )     (9 )     (22 )
Settlements with tax authorities
    (59 )     (46 )     (153 )
Lapses of statutes of limitations
    (11 )           (6 )
                         
Balance at December 31,
  $ 810     $ 773     $ 766  
                         
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recognized $39 million in interest expense associated with the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. At December 31, 2010, the Company had $221 million of accrued interest associated with the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The $23 million increase from December 31, 2009 in accrued interest associated with the liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulted primarily from an increase of $20 million from the acquisition of American Life, along with an increase of $39 million of interest expense and a $36 million decrease primarily resulting from the aforementioned IRS settlements. Of the $36 million decrease, $18 million has been reclassified to current income tax payable, of which $2 million was paid in 2010. The remaining $18 million reduced interest expense.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recognized $44 million in interest expense associated with the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. At December 31, 2009, the Company had $198 million of accrued interest associated with the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The $22 million increase from December 31, 2008 in accrued interest associated with the liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulted from an increase of $44 million of interest expense and a $22 million decrease primarily resulting from the aforementioned IRS settlements. Of the $22 million decrease, $20 million was reclassified to current income tax payable and was paid in 2009. The remaining $2 million reduced interest expense.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recognized $37 million in interest expense associated with the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. At December 31, 2008, the Company had $176 million of accrued interest associated with the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The $42 million decrease from December 31, 2007 in accrued interest associated with the liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulted from an increase of $37 million of interest expense and a $79 million decrease primarily resulting from the aforementioned IRS settlements. Of the $79 million decrease, $78 million was reclassified to current income tax payable in 2008, with $7 million and $71 million paid in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The remaining $1 million reduced interest expense.
 
The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have indicated that they intend to address through regulations the methodology to be followed in determining the dividends received deduction (“DRD”), related to variable life insurance and annuity contracts. The DRD reduces the amount of dividend income subject to tax and is a significant component of the difference between the actual tax expense and expected amount determined using the federal statutory tax rate of 35%. Any regulations that the IRS ultimately proposes for issuance in this area will be subject to public notice and comment, at which time insurance companies and other interested parties will have the opportunity to raise legal and practical questions about the content, scope and application of such regulations. As a result, the ultimate timing and substance of any such regulations are unknown at this time. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $87 million and $216 million, respectively, related to the separate account DRD. The 2010 benefit included an expense of $57 million related to a


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
true-up of the 2009 tax return. The 2009 benefit included a benefit of $33 million related to a true up of the 2008 tax return.
 
16.   Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees
 
Contingencies
 
Litigation
 
The Company is a defendant in a large number of litigation matters. In some of the matters, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Modern pleading practice in the United States permits considerable variation in the assertion of monetary damages or other relief. Jurisdictions may permit claimants not to specify the monetary damages sought or may permit claimants to state only that the amount sought is sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the trial court. In addition, jurisdictions may permit plaintiffs to allege monetary damages in amounts well exceeding reasonably possible verdicts in the jurisdiction for similar matters. This variability in pleadings, together with the actual experience of the Company in litigating or resolving through settlement numerous claims over an extended period of time, demonstrates to management that the monetary relief which may be specified in a lawsuit or claim bears little relevance to its merits or disposition value.
 
Due to the vagaries of litigation, the outcome of a litigation matter and the amount or range of potential loss at particular points in time may normally be difficult to ascertain. Uncertainties can include how fact finders will evaluate documentary evidence and the credibility and effectiveness of witness testimony, and how trial and appellate courts will apply the law in the context of the pleadings or evidence presented, whether by motion practice, or at trial or on appeal. Disposition valuations are also subject to the uncertainty of how opposing parties and their counsel will themselves view the relevant evidence and applicable law.
 
On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company reviews relevant information with respect to litigation and contingencies to be reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The review includes senior legal and financial personnel. Estimates of possible losses or ranges of loss for particular matters cannot in the ordinary course be made with a reasonable degree of certainty. Liabilities are established when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities have been established for a number of the matters noted below. It is possible that some of the matters could require the Company to pay damages or make other expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that could not be estimated at December 31, 2010.
 
Asbestos-Related Claims
 
MLIC is and has been a defendant in a large number of asbestos-related suits filed primarily in state courts. These suits principally allege that the plaintiff or plaintiffs suffered personal injury resulting from exposure to asbestos and seek both actual and punitive damages. MLIC has never engaged in the business of manufacturing, producing, distributing or selling asbestos or asbestos-containing products nor has MLIC issued liability or workers’ compensation insurance to companies in the business of manufacturing, producing, distributing or selling asbestos or asbestos-containing products. The lawsuits principally have focused on allegations with respect to certain research, publication and other activities of one or more of MLIC’s employees during the period from the 1920’s through approximately the 1950’s and allege that MLIC learned or should have learned of certain health risks posed by asbestos and, among other things, improperly publicized or failed to disclose those health risks. MLIC believes that it should not have legal liability in these cases. The outcome of most asbestos litigation matters, however, is uncertain and can be impacted by numerous variables, including differences in legal rulings in various jurisdictions, the nature of the alleged injury and factors unrelated to the ultimate legal merit of the claims asserted against MLIC. MLIC employs a number of resolution strategies to manage its asbestos loss exposure, including seeking resolution of pending litigation by judicial rulings and settling individual or groups of claims or lawsuits under appropriate circumstances.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Claims asserted against MLIC have included negligence, intentional tort and conspiracy concerning the health risks associated with asbestos. MLIC’s defenses (beyond denial of certain factual allegations) include that: (i) MLIC owed no duty to the plaintiffs— it had no special relationship with the plaintiffs and did not manufacture, produce, distribute or sell the asbestos products that allegedly injured plaintiffs; (ii) plaintiffs did not rely on any actions of MLIC; (iii) MLIC’s conduct was not the cause of the plaintiffs’ injuries; (iv) plaintiffs’ exposure occurred after the dangers of asbestos were known; and (v) the applicable time with respect to filing suit has expired. During the course of the litigation, certain trial courts have granted motions dismissing claims against MLIC, while other trial courts have denied MLIC’s motions to dismiss. There can be no assurance that MLIC will receive favorable decisions on motions in the future. While most cases brought to date have settled, MLIC intends to continue to defend aggressively against claims based on asbestos exposure, including defending claims at trials.
 
The approximate total number of asbestos personal injury claims pending against MLIC as of the dates indicated, the approximate number of new claims during the years ended on those dates and the approximate total settlement payments made to resolve asbestos personal injury claims at or during those years are set forth in the following table:
 
                         
    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions, except number of claims)  
 
Asbestos personal injury claims at year end
    68,513       68,804       74,027  
Number of new claims during the year
    5,670       3,910       5,063  
Settlement payments during the year (1)
  $ 34.9     $ 37.6     $ 99.0  
 
 
(1) Settlement payments represent payments made by MLIC during the year in connection with settlements made in that year and in prior years. Amounts do not include MLIC’s attorneys’ fees and expenses and do not reflect amounts received from insurance carriers.
 
In 2007, MLIC received approximately 7,161 new claims, ending the year with a total of approximately 79,717 claims, and paid approximately $28.2 million for settlements reached in 2007 and prior years. In 2006, MLIC received approximately 7,870 new claims, ending the year with a total of approximately 87,070 claims, and paid approximately $35.5 million for settlements reached in 2006 and prior years. In 2005, MLIC received approximately 18,500 new claims, ending the year with a total of approximately 100,250 claims, and paid approximately $74.3 million for settlements reached in 2005 and prior years. In 2004, MLIC received approximately 23,900 new claims, ending the year with a total of approximately 108,000 claims, and paid approximately $85.5 million for settlements reached in 2004 and prior years. In 2003, MLIC received approximately 58,750 new claims, ending the year with a total of approximately 111,700 claims, and paid approximately $84.2 million for settlements reached in 2003 and prior years. The number of asbestos cases that may be brought, the aggregate amount of any liability that MLIC may incur, and the total amount paid in settlements in any given year are uncertain and may vary significantly from year to year.
 
The ability of MLIC to estimate its ultimate asbestos exposure is subject to considerable uncertainty, and the conditions impacting its liability can be dynamic and subject to change. The availability of reliable data is limited and it is difficult to predict with any certainty the numerous variables that can affect liability estimates, including the number of future claims, the cost to resolve claims, the disease mix and severity of disease in pending and future claims, the impact of the number of new claims filed in a particular jurisdiction and variations in the law in the jurisdictions in which claims are filed, the possible impact of tort reform efforts, the willingness of courts to allow plaintiffs to pursue claims against MLIC when exposure to asbestos took place after the dangers of asbestos exposure were well known, and the impact of any possible future adverse verdicts and their amounts.
 
The ability to make estimates regarding ultimate asbestos exposure declines significantly as the estimates relate to years further in the future. In the Company’s judgment, there is a future point after which losses cease to be probable and reasonably estimable. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s total exposure to asbestos claims


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
may be materially greater than the asbestos liability currently accrued and that future charges to income may be necessary. While the potential future charges could be material in the particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are recorded, based on information currently known by management, management does not believe any such charges are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.
 
During 1998, MLIC paid $878 million in premiums for excess insurance policies for asbestos-related claims. The excess insurance policies for asbestos-related claims provided for recovery of losses up to $1.5 billion in excess of a $400 million self-insured retention. The Company’s initial option to commute the excess insurance policies for asbestos-related claims would have arisen at the end of 2008. On September 29, 2008, MLIC entered into agreements commuting the excess insurance policies at September 30, 2008. As a result of the commutation of the policies, MLIC received cash and securities totaling $632 million. Of this total, MLIC received $115 million in fixed maturity securities on September 26, 2008, $200 million in cash on October 29, 2008, and $317 million in cash on January 29, 2009. MLIC recognized a loss on commutation of the policies in the amount of $35.3 million during 2008.
 
In the years prior to commutation, the excess insurance policies for asbestos-related claims were subject to annual and per claim sublimits. Amounts exceeding the sublimits during 2007, 2006 and 2005 were approximately $16 million, $8 million and $0, respectively. Amounts were recoverable under the policies annually with respect to claims paid during the prior calendar year. Each asbestos-related policy contained an experience fund and a reference fund that provided for payments to MLIC at the commutation date if the reference fund was greater than zero at commutation or pro rata reductions from time to time in the loss reimbursements to MLIC if the cumulative return on the reference fund was less than the return specified in the experience fund. The return in the reference fund was tied to performance of the S&P 500 Index and the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index. A claim with respect to the prior year was made under the excess insurance policies in each year from 2003 through 2008 for the amounts paid with respect to asbestos litigation in excess of the retention. The foregone loss reimbursements were approximately $62.2 million with respect to claims for the period of 2002 through 2007. Because the policies were commuted at September 30, 2008, there will be no claims under the policies or forgone loss reimbursements with respect to payments made in 2008 and thereafter.
 
The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for asbestos-related claims. MLIC’s recorded asbestos liability is based on its estimation of the following elements, as informed by the facts presently known to it, its understanding of current law and its past experiences: (i) the probable and reasonably estimable liability for asbestos claims already asserted against MLIC, including claims settled but not yet paid; (ii) the probable and reasonably estimable liability for asbestos claims not yet asserted against MLIC, but which MLIC believes are reasonably probable of assertion; and (iii) the legal defense costs associated with the foregoing claims. Significant assumptions underlying MLIC’s analysis of the adequacy of its recorded liability with respect to asbestos litigation include: (i) the number of future claims; (ii) the cost to resolve claims; and (iii) the cost to defend claims.
 
MLIC reevaluates on a quarterly and annual basis its exposure from asbestos litigation, including studying its claims experience, reviewing external literature regarding asbestos claims experience in the United States, assessing relevant trends impacting asbestos liability and considering numerous variables that can affect its asbestos liability exposure on an overall or per claim basis. These variables include bankruptcies of other companies involved in asbestos litigation, legislative and judicial developments, the number of pending claims involving serious disease, the number of new claims filed against it and other defendants and the jurisdictions in which claims are pending. As previously disclosed, in 2002 MLIC increased its recorded liability for asbestos-related claims by $402 million from approximately $820 million to $1,225 million. Based upon its regular reevaluation of its exposure from asbestos litigation, MLIC has updated its liability analysis for asbestos-related claims through December 31, 2010.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Regulatory Matters
 
The Company receives and responds to subpoenas or other inquiries from state regulators, including state insurance commissioners; state attorneys general or other state governmental authorities; federal regulators, including the SEC; federal governmental authorities, including congressional committees; and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) seeking a broad range of information. The issues involved in information requests and regulatory matters vary widely. The Company cooperates in these inquiries.
 
Attorneys general from 50 states and several state banking and mortgage regulators announced a multistate joint investigation of mortgage servicers to determine whether inaccurate affidavits or other documents were submitted in support of foreclosure proceedings. MetLife Bank, and specifically its mortgage servicing department within MetLife Home Loans, received requests for information from some of these state attorneys general and other regulators. Also, the Acting Comptroller of the Currency disclosed in testimony before Congress that 14 mortgage servicing businesses affiliated with banking organizations, including that of MetLife Bank, have been the subject of an intra-agency confidential “horizontal examination” of mortgage servicing and foreclosure activities. The Acting Comptroller also testified that federal banking regulators expect to issue administrative enforcement orders to such businesses and to seek civil money penalties. The Acting Comptroller’s testimony also indicated that other federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, were examining potential actions with respect to such businesses. MetLife is cooperating with its regulators in connection with their review of these matters but cannot predict the outcome of these matters. It is possible that additional state or federal regulators or legislative bodies may pursue similar investigations or make related inquiries. Management believes that the Company’s financial statements as a whole will not be materially affected by the MetLife Bank regulatory matters.
 
United States of America v. EME Homer City Generation, L.P., et al. (W.D. Pa., filed January 4, 2011).  On January 4, 2011, the United States commenced a civil action in United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against EME Homer City Generation L.P. (“EME Homer City”), Homer City OL6 LLC, and other defendants regarding the operations of the Homer City Generating Station, an electricity generating facility. Homer City OL6 LLC, an entity owned by MLIC, is a passive investor with a noncontrolling interest in the electricity generating facility, which is solely operated by the lessee, EME Homer City. The complaint seeks injunctive relief and assessment of civil penalties for alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act and Pennsylvania’s State Implementation Plan. The alleged violations were the subject of Notices of Violations (“NOVs”) that the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued to EME Homer City, Homer City OL6 LLC, and others in June 2008 and May 2010. On January 7, 2011, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania granted the motion by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the State of New York to intervene in the lawsuit as additional plaintiffs. On January 7, 2011, two plaintiffs filed a putative class action titled Scott Jackson and Maria Jackson v. EME Homer City Generation L.P., et. al. in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on behalf of a putative class of persons who have allegedly incurred damage to their persons and/or property because of the violations alleged in the action brought by the United States. Homer City OL6 LLC is a defendant in this action. EME Homer City has acknowledged its obligation to indemnify Homer City OL6 LLC for any claims relating to the NOVs.
 
In the Matter of Chemform, Inc. Site, Pompano Beach, Broward County, Florida.  In July 2010, the EPA advised MLIC that it believed payments were due under two settlement agreements, known as “Administrative Orders on Consent,” that New England Mutual Life Insurance Company (“New England Mutual”) signed in 1989 and 1992 with respect to the cleanup of a Superfund site in Florida (the “Chemform Site”). The EPA originally contacted MLIC (as successor to New England Mutual) and a third party in 2001, and advised that they owed additional clean-up costs for the Chemform Site. The matter was not resolved at that time. The EPA is requesting payment of an amount under $1 million from MLIC and a third party for past costs and for future environmental testing costs at the Chemform Site.
 
Regulatory authorities in a small number of states and FINRA, and occasionally the SEC, have had investigations or inquiries relating to sales of individual life insurance policies or annuities or other products


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
by MLIC, MICC, New England Life Insurance Company and GALIC, and the four Company broker-dealers, which are MetLife Securities, Inc. (“MSI”), New England Securities Corporation, Walnut Street Securities, Inc. and Tower Square Securities, Inc. These investigations often focus on the conduct of particular financial services representatives and the sale of unregistered or unsuitable products or the misuse of client assets. Over the past several years, these and a number of investigations by other regulatory authorities were resolved for monetary payments and certain other relief, including restitution payments. The Company may continue to resolve investigations in a similar manner. The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for these sales practices-related investigations or inquiries.
 
Retained Asset Account Matters
 
The New York Attorney General announced on July 29, 2010 that his office had launched a major fraud investigation into the life insurance industry for practices related to the use of retained asset accounts as a settlement option for death benefits and that subpoenas requesting comprehensive data related to retained asset accounts had been served on MetLife and other insurance carriers. The Company received the subpoena on July 30, 2010. The Company also has received requests for documents and information from U.S. congressional committees and members as well as various state regulatory bodies, including the New York Insurance Department. It is possible that other state and federal regulators or legislative bodies may pursue similar investigations or make related inquiries. Management cannot predict what effect any such investigations might have on the Company’s earnings or the availability of the Company’s retained asset account known as the Total Control Account (“TCA”), but management believes that the Company’s consolidated financial statements taken as a whole would not be materially affected. Management believes that any allegations that information about the TCA is not adequately disclosed or that the accounts are fraudulent or otherwise violate state or federal laws are without merit.
 
MLIC is a defendant in lawsuits related to the TCA. The lawsuits include claims of breach of contract, breach of a common law fiduciary duty or a quasi-fiduciary duty such as a confidential or special relationship, or breach of a fiduciary duty under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).
 
Clark, et al. v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (D. Nev., filed March 28, 2008).  This putative class action lawsuit alleges breach of contract and breach of a common law fiduciary and/or quasi-fiduciary duty arising from use of the TCA to pay life insurance policy death benefits. As damages, plaintiffs seek disgorgement of the difference between the interest paid to the account holders and the investment earnings on the assets backing the accounts. In March 2009, the court granted in part and denied in part MLIC’s motion to dismiss, dismissing the fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment claims but allowing a breach of contract claim and a special or confidential relationship claim to go forward. On September 9, 2010, the court granted MLIC’s motion for summary judgment. On September 20, 2010, plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
 
Faber, et al. v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (S.D.N.Y., filed December 4, 2008).  This putative class action lawsuit alleges that MLIC’s use of the TCA as the settlement option under group life insurance policies violates MLIC’s fiduciary duties under ERISA. As damages, plaintiffs seek disgorgement of the difference between the interest paid to the account holders and the investment earnings on the assets backing the accounts. On October 23, 2009, the court granted MLIC’s motion to dismiss with prejudice. On November 24, 2009, plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
 
Keife, et al. v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (D. Nev., filed in state court on July 30, 2010 and removed to federal court on September 7, 2010). This putative class action lawsuit raises a breach of contract claim arising from MLIC’s use of the TCA to pay life insurance benefits under the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance program. As damages, plaintiffs seek disgorgement of the difference between the interest paid to the account holders and the investment earnings on the assets backing the accounts. In September 2010, plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification of the breach of contract claim, which the court has stayed. On November 22, 2010, MLIC filed a motion to dismiss.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Other U.S. Litigation
 
Travelers Ins. Co., et al. v. Banc of America Securities LLC (S.D.N.Y., filed December 13, 2001).  On January 6, 2009, after a jury trial, the district court entered a judgment in favor of The Travelers Insurance Company, now known as MICC, in the amount of approximately $42 million in connection with securities and common law claims against the defendant. On May 14, 2009, the district court issued an opinion and order denying the defendant’s post judgment motion seeking a judgment in its favor or, in the alternative, a new trial. On July 20, 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued an order affirming the district court’s judgment in favor of MICC and the district court’s order denying defendant’s post-trial motions. On October 14, 2010, the Second Circuit issued an order denying defendant’s petition for rehearing of its appeal. On October 20, 2010, the defendant paid MICC approximately $42 million, which represents the judgment amount due to MICC. This lawsuit is now fully resolved.
 
Roberts, et al. v. Tishman Speyer Properties, et al. (Sup. Ct., N.Y. County, filed January 22, 2007). This lawsuit was filed by a putative class of market rate tenants at Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village against parties including Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company (“MTL”) and Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity Company. Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity Company has merged into MTL and no longer exists as a separate entity. These tenants claim that MTL, as former owner, and the current owner improperly deregulated apartments while receiving J-51 tax abatements. The lawsuit seeks declaratory relief and damages for rent overcharges. Although the tenants allege over $200 million in damages in the complaint, MTL strongly disputes the tenants’ damages amounts. In October 2009, the New York State Court of Appeals issued an opinion denying MTL’s motion to dismiss the complaint. The lawsuit has returned to the trial court where MTL continues to vigorously defend against the claims. The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for this lawsuit. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s total exposure may be greater than the liability currently accrued and that future charges to income may be necessary. Management believes that the Company’s financial statements as a whole will not be materially affected by any such future charges.
 
Thomas, et al. v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., et al. (W.D. Okla., filed January 31, 2007).  A putative class action complaint was filed against MLIC and MSI. Plaintiffs asserted legal theories of violations of the federal securities laws and violations of state laws with respect to the sale of certain proprietary products by the Company’s agency distribution group. Plaintiffs sought rescission, compensatory damages, interest, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees and expenses. In August 2009, the district court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment. On February 2, 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the judgment of the district court granting MLIC’s and MSI’s summary judgment motion.
 
Sales Practices Claims.  Over the past several years, the Company has faced numerous claims, including class action lawsuits, alleging improper marketing or sales of individual life insurance policies, annuities, mutual funds or other products. Some of the current cases seek substantial damages, including punitive and treble damages and attorneys’ fees. The Company continues to vigorously defend against the claims in these matters. The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all probable and reasonably estimable losses for sales practices matters.
 
International Litigation
 
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. (Super. Ct., Ontario, October 2006).  In 2006, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (“Sun Life”), as successor to the purchaser of MLIC’s Canadian operations, filed this lawsuit in Toronto, seeking a declaration that MLIC remains liable for “market conduct claims” related to certain individual life insurance policies sold by MLIC and that have been transferred to Sun Life. Sun Life had asked that the court require MLIC to indemnify Sun Life for these claims pursuant to indemnity provisions in the sale agreement for the sale of MLIC’s Canadian operations entered into in June of 1998. In January 2010, the court found that Sun Life had given timely notice of its claim for indemnification but, because it found


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
that Sun Life had not yet incurred an indemnifiable loss, granted MLIC’s motion for summary judgment. Both parties appealed. In September 2010, Sun Life notified MLIC that a purported class action lawsuit was filed against Sun Life in Toronto, Kang v. Sun Life Assurance Co. (Super. Ct., Ontario, September 2010), alleging sales practices claims regarding the same individual policies sold by MLIC and transferred to Sun Life. Sun Life contends that MLIC is obligated to indemnify Sun Life for some or all of the claims in this lawsuit. MLIC is currently not a party to the Kang v. Sun Life lawsuit.
 
Italy Fund Redemption Suspension Complaints and Litigation.  As a result of suspension of withdrawals and diminution in value in certain funds offered within certain unit-linked policies sold by the Italian branch of Alico Life International, Ltd. (“ALIL”), a number of policyholders invested in those funds have either commenced or threatened litigation against ALIL, alleging misrepresentation, inadequate disclosures and other related claims. These policyholders contacted ALIL beginning in July 2009 alleging that the funds operated at variance to the published prospectus and that prospectus risk disclosures were allegedly wrong, unclear, and misleading. The limited number of lawsuits that have been filed to date have either been resolved or are proceeding through litigation. In March 2010, ALIL learned that the public prosecutor in Milan had opened a formal investigation into the actions of ALIL employees, as well as of employees of ALIL’s major distributor, based upon a policyholder complaint. The complaint filed by the policyholder has now been withdrawn. ALIL is cooperating with the Italian and Irish regulatory authorities, which have jurisdiction in connection with this matter. The Stock Purchase Agreement includes a provision pursuant to which the Holding Company and certain related parties may seek indemnification for liabilities in excess of an agreed upon amount arising out of certain specified policyholder claims and governmental investigations in connection with the above-mentioned unit-linked policies. See also “Indemnification Assets and Contingent Consideration” in Note 2.
 
Summary
 
Putative or certified class action litigation and other litigation and claims and assessments against the Company, in addition to those discussed previously and those otherwise provided for in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, have arisen in the course of the Company’s business, including, but not limited to, in connection with its activities as an insurer, mortgage lending bank, employer, investor, investment advisor and taxpayer. Further, state insurance regulatory authorities and other federal and state authorities regularly make inquiries and conduct investigations concerning the Company’s compliance with applicable insurance and other laws and regulations.
 
It is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome or provide reasonable ranges of potential losses of all pending investigations and legal proceedings. In some of the matters referred to previously, very large and/or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, are sought. Although in light of these considerations it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain cases could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial position, based on information currently known by the Company’s management, in its opinion, the outcomes of such pending investigations and legal proceedings are not likely to have such an effect. However, given the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
 
Insolvency Assessments
 
Most of the jurisdictions in which the Company is admitted to transact business require insurers doing business within the jurisdiction to participate in guaranty associations, which are organized to pay contractual benefits owed pursuant to insurance policies issued by impaired, insolvent or failed insurers. These associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurers in a particular state on the basis of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent or failed insurer engaged. Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
offsets. In addition, Japan has established a Policyholder Protection Commission as a contingency to protect policyholders against the insolvency of life insurance companies in Japan through assessments to companies licensed to provide life insurance.
 
Assets and liabilities held for insolvency assessments were as follows:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Other Assets:
               
Premium tax offset for future undiscounted assessments
  $ 55     $ 54  
Premium tax offsets currently available for paid assessments
    8       9  
Receivable for reimbursement of paid assessments (1)
    6       4  
                 
    $ 69     $ 67  
                 
Other Liabilities:
               
Insolvency assessments
  $ 94     $ 86  
                 
 
 
(1) The Company holds a receivable from the seller of a prior acquisition in accordance with the purchase agreement.
 
Assessments levied against the Company were $4 million, $2 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Argentina
 
The Argentine economic, regulatory and legal environment, including interpretations of laws and regulations by regulators and courts, is uncertain. Potential legal or governmental actions related to pension reform, fiduciary responsibilities, performance guarantees and tax rulings could adversely affect the results of the Company.
 
In 2007, pension reform legislation in Argentina was enacted which relieved the Company of its obligation to provide death and disability policy coverages and resulted in the elimination of related insurance liabilities. The reform reinstituted the government’s pension plan system and allowed for pension participants to transfer their future contributions to the government pension plan system.
 
Although it no longer received compensation, the Company continued to be responsible for managing the funds of those participants that transferred to the government system. This change resulted in the establishment of a liability for future servicing obligations and the elimination of the Company’s obligations under death and disability policy coverages. During 2008, the future servicing obligation was reduced by $23 million, net of income tax, when information regarding the level of participation in the government pension plan became fully available.
 
In September 2008, the Argentine Supreme Court ruled against the validity of the 2002 Pesification Law enacted by the Argentine government. This ruling applied to certain social security pension annuity contractholders that had filed a lawsuit against the 2002 Pesification Law. The annuity contracts impacted by this ruling, which were deemed peso denominated under the 2002 Pesification Law, are now considered to be U.S. dollar denominated obligations of the Company. The applicable contingent liabilities were then adjusted and refined to be consistent with this ruling. The impact of the refinements resulting from the change in these contingent liabilities and the associated future policyholder benefits was an increase to net income of $34 million, net of income tax, during the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
In October 2008, the Argentine government announced its intention to nationalize private pensions and, in December 2008, the Argentine government nationalized the private pension system seizing the underlying investments of participants which were being managed by the Company. With this action, the Company’s


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
pension business in Argentina ceased to exist and the Company eliminated certain assets and liabilities held in connection with the pension business. Deferred acquisition costs, deferred tax assets, and liabilities — primarily the liability for future servicing obligation referred to above — were eliminated and the Company incurred severance costs associated with the termination of employees. The impact of the elimination of assets and liabilities and the incurral of severance costs was an increase to net income of $6 million, net of income tax, during the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
In March 2009, in light of market developments resulting from the Supreme Court ruling contrary to the Pesification Law and the implementation by the Company of a program to allow the contractholders that had not filed a lawsuit to convert to U.S. dollars the social security annuity contracts denominated in pesos by the Pesification Law, the Company further reduced the outstanding contingent liabilities by $108 million, net of income tax, which was partially offset by the establishment of contingent liabilities from the implementation of the program to convert these contracts to U.S. dollars of $13 million, net of income tax, resulting in a decrease to net loss of $95 million, net of income tax, for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Further governmental or legal actions are possible in Argentina. Such actions may impact the level of existing liabilities or may create additional obligations or benefits to the Company’s operations in Argentina. Management has made its best estimate of its obligations based upon information currently available; however, further governmental or legal actions could result in changes in obligations which could materially impact the amounts presented within the consolidated financial statements.
 
Commitments
 
Leases
 
In accordance with industry practice, certain of the Company’s income from lease agreements with retail tenants are contingent upon the level of the tenants’ revenues. Additionally, the Company, as lessee, has entered into various lease and sublease agreements for office space, information technology and other equipment. Future minimum rental and sublease income, and minimum gross rental payments relating to these lease agreements are as follows:
 
                         
            Gross
    Rental
  Sublease
  Rental
    Income   Income   Payments
    (In millions)
 
2011
  $ 444     $ 18     $ 366  
2012
  $ 375     $ 17     $ 280  
2013
  $ 331     $ 16     $ 237  
2014
  $ 286     $ 10     $ 167  
2015
  $ 236     $ 6     $ 136  
Thereafter
  $ 724     $ 44     $ 965  
 
During 2008, the Company moved certain of its operations in New York from Long Island City, Queens to Manhattan. As a result of this movement of operations and current market conditions, which precluded the Company’s immediate and complete sublet of all unused space in both Long Island City and Manhattan, the Company incurred a lease impairment charge of $38 million which is included within other expenses in Banking, Corporate & Other. The impairment charge was determined based upon the present value of the gross rental payments less sublease income discounted at a risk-adjusted rate over the remaining lease terms which range from 15-20 years. The Company has made assumptions with respect to the timing and amount of future sublease income in the determination of this impairment charge. During 2009, pending sublease deals were impacted by the further decline of market conditions, which resulted in an additional lease impairment charge of $52 million. See Note 19


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
for discussion of $28 million of such charges related to restructuring. Additional impairment charges could be incurred should market conditions deteriorate further or last for a period significantly longer than anticipated.
 
Commitments to Fund Partnership Investments
 
The Company makes commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $3.8 billion and $4.1 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company anticipates that these amounts will be invested in partnerships over the next five years.
 
Mortgage Loan Commitments
 
The Company has issued interest rate lock commitments on certain residential mortgage loan applications totaling $2.5 billion and $2.7 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company intends to sell the majority of these originated residential mortgage loans. Interest rate lock commitments to fund mortgage loans that will be held-for-sale are considered derivatives and their estimated fair value and notional amounts are included within interest rate forwards in Note 4.
 
The Company also commits to lend funds under certain other mortgage loan commitments that will be held-for-investment. The amounts of these mortgage loan commitments were $3.8 billion and $2.2 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Commitments to Fund Bank Credit Facilities, Bridge Loans and Private Corporate Bond Investments
 
The Company commits to lend funds under bank credit facilities, bridge loans and private corporate bond investments. The amounts of these unfunded commitments were $2.4 billion and $1.3 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Guarantees
 
In the normal course of its business, the Company has provided certain indemnities, guarantees and commitments to third parties pursuant to which it may be required to make payments now or in the future. In the context of acquisition, disposition, investment and other transactions, the Company has provided indemnities and guarantees, including those related to tax, environmental and other specific liabilities and other indemnities and guarantees that are triggered by, among other things, breaches of representations, warranties or covenants provided by the Company. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company provides indemnifications to counterparties in contracts with triggers similar to the foregoing, as well as for certain other liabilities, such as third-party lawsuits. These obligations are often subject to time limitations that vary in duration, including contractual limitations and those that arise by operation of law, such as applicable statutes of limitation. In some cases, the maximum potential obligation under the indemnities and guarantees is subject to a contractual limitation ranging from less than $1 million to $800 million, with a cumulative maximum of $1.6 billion, while in other cases such limitations are not specified or applicable. Since certain of these obligations are not subject to limitations, the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount that could become due under these guarantees in the future. Management believes that it is unlikely the Company will have to make any material payments under these indemnities, guarantees, or commitments.
 
In addition, the Company indemnifies its directors and officers as provided in its charters and by-laws. Also, the Company indemnifies its agents for liabilities incurred as a result of their representation of the Company’s interests. Since these indemnities are generally not subject to limitation with respect to duration or amount, the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount that could become due under these indemnities in the future.
 
The Company has also guaranteed minimum investment returns on certain international retirement funds in accordance with local laws. Since these guarantees are not subject to limitation with respect to duration or amount,


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
the Company does not believe that it is possible to determine the maximum potential amount that could become due under these guarantees in the future.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company did not record any additional liabilities for indemnities, guarantees and commitments. The Company’s recorded liabilities were $5 million at both December 31, 2010 and 2009, for indemnities, guarantees and commitments.
 
17.   Employee Benefit Plans
 
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
 
The Subsidiaries sponsor and/or administer various qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement employee benefit plans covering employees and sales representatives who meet specified eligibility requirements. Pension benefits are provided utilizing either a traditional formula or cash balance formula. The traditional formula provides benefits that are primarily based upon years of credited service and final average earnings. The cash balance formula primarily utilizes hypothetical or notional accounts which credit participants with benefits equal to a percentage of eligible pay, as well as earnings credits, determined annually based upon the average annual rate of interest on 30-year U.S. Treasury securities, for each account balance. At December 31, 2010, the majority of active participants were accruing benefits under the cash balance formula; however, approximately 90% of the Subsidiaries’ obligations result from benefits calculated with the traditional formula. The U.S. non-qualified pension plans provide supplemental benefits in excess of limits applicable to a qualified plan.
 
The Subsidiaries also provide certain postemployment benefits and certain postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for retired employees. Employees of the Subsidiaries who were hired prior to 2003 (or, in certain cases, rehired during or after 2003) and meet age and service criteria while working for one of the Subsidiaries may become eligible for these other postretirement benefits, at various levels, in accordance with the applicable plans. Virtually all retirees, or their beneficiaries, contribute a portion of the total costs of postretirement medical benefits. Employees hired after 2003 are not eligible for any employer subsidy for postretirement medical benefits.
 
In connection with the Acquisition, domestic American Life employees who became employees of certain Subsidiaries (including those who remained employees of companies acquired in the Acquisition) were credited with service recognized by AIG for purposes of determining eligibility under the pension plans with respect to benefits earned under the pension plans subsequent to the closing date of the Acquisition.
 
Additionally, in connection with the Acquisition, the Company acquired certain pension plans sponsored by American Life. As of the end of the year, these plans had liabilities of approximately $595 million and assets of approximately $97 million.
 
Measurement dates used for all of the Subsidiaries’ defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans correspond with the fiscal year ends of sponsoring Subsidiaries, which are December 31 for most Subsidiaries and November 30 for American Life.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Obligations, Funded Status and Net Periodic Benefit Costs
 
                                 
          Other
 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Benefits     Benefits  
    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
          (In millions)        
 
Change in benefit obligations:
                               
Benefit obligations at beginning of year
  $ 6,649     $ 6,041     $ 1,847     $ 1,632  
Service costs
    180       170       17       22  
Interest costs
    399       395       113       125  
Plan participants’ contributions
                34       30  
Net actuarial (gains) losses
    271       421       73       351  
Acquisition, settlements and curtailments
    639       12              
Change in benefits
    1       (6 )     (80 )     (167 )
Prescription drug subsidy
                12       12  
Benefits paid
    (420 )     (384 )     (154 )     (158 )
Transfers
                (17 )      
                                 
Benefit obligations at end of year
    7,719       6,649       1,845       1,847  
                                 
Change in plan assets:
                               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
    5,770       5,559       1,121       1,011  
Actual return on plan assets
    716       525       102       137  
Acquisition and settlements
    97                    
Plan participants’ contributions
                34       2  
Employer contributions
    325       70       95       4  
Benefits paid
    (420 )     (384 )     (140 )     (33 )
Transfers
                (12 )      
                                 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
    6,488       5,770       1,200       1,121  
                                 
Funded status at end of year
  $ (1,231 )   $ (879 )   $ (645 )   $ (726 )
                                 
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:
                               
Other assets
  $ 112     $     $     $  
Other liabilities
    (1,343 )     (879 )     (645 )     (726 )
                                 
Net amount recognized
  $ (1,231 )   $ (879 )   $ (645 )   $ (726 )
                                 
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss:
                               
Net actuarial losses
  $ 2,092     $ 2,267     $ 400     $ 388  
Prior service costs (credit)
    20       25       (285 )     (288 )
                                 
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss
    2,112       2,292       115       100  
Deferred income tax (benefit)
    (738 )     (811 )     (40 )     (36 )
                                 
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of income tax
  $ 1,374     $ 1,481     $ 75     $ 64  
                                 


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The aggregate projected benefit obligation and aggregate fair value of plan assets for the pension benefit plans were as follows:
 
                                                 
    Qualified Plans     Non-Qualified Plans     Total  
    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
                (In millions)              
 
Aggregate fair value of plan assets
  $ 6,484     $ 5,770     $ 4     $     $ 6,488     $ 5,770  
Aggregate projected benefit obligations
    6,835       5,862       884       787       7,719       6,649  
                                                 
Over (under) funded
  $ (351 )   $ (92 )   $ (880 )   $ (787 )   $ (1,231 )   $ (879 )
                                                 
 
The accumulated benefit obligations for all defined benefit pension plans were $7,320 million and $6,321 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The aggregate pension accumulated benefit obligation and aggregate fair value of plan assets for pension benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets was as follows:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions)  
 
Projected benefit obligations
  $ 1,436     $ 798  
Accumulated benefit obligations
  $ 1,307     $ 714  
Fair value of plan assets
  $ 106     $ 1  
 
Information for pension and other postretirement benefit plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets were as follows:
 
                                 
          Other
 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Benefits     Benefits  
    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
          (In millions)        
 
Projected benefit obligations
  $ 1,803     $ 6,580     $ 1,845     $ 1,847  
Fair value of plan assets
  $ 461     $ 5,700     $ 1,200     $ 1,121  
 
Net periodic pension costs and net periodic other postretirement benefit plan costs are comprised of the following:
 
  i)  Service Costs — Service costs are the increase in the projected (expected) pension benefit obligation resulting from benefits payable to employees of the Subsidiaries on service rendered during the current year.
 
  ii)  Interest Costs on the Liability — Interest costs are the time value adjustment on the projected (expected) pension benefit obligation at the end of each year.
 
  iii)  Settlement and Curtailment Costs — The aggregate amount of net gains (losses) recognized in net periodic benefit costs due to settlements and curtailments. Settlements result from actions that relieve/eliminate the plan’s responsibility for benefit obligations or risks associated with the obligations or assets used for the settlement. Curtailments result from an event that significantly reduces/eliminates plan participants’ expected years of future services or benefit accruals.
 
  iv)  Expected Return on Plan Assets — Expected return on plan assets is the assumed return earned by the accumulated pension and other postretirement fund assets in a particular year.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
  v)  Amortization of Net Actuarial Gains (Losses) — Actuarial gains and losses result from differences between the actual experience and the expected experience on pension and other postretirement plan assets or projected (expected) pension benefit obligation during a particular period. These gains and losses are accumulated and, to the extent they exceed 10% of the greater of the PBO or the fair value of plan assets, the excess is amortized into pension and other postretirement benefit costs over the expected service years of the employees.
 
  vi)  Amortization of Prior Service Costs — These costs relate to the recognition of increases or decreases in pension and other postretirement benefit obligation due to amendments in plans or initiation of new plans. These increases or decreases in obligation are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at the time of the amendment. These costs are then amortized to pension and other postretirement benefit costs over the expected service years of the employees affected by the change.
 
The components of net periodic benefit costs and other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:
 
                                                 
          Other
 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Benefits     Benefits  
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008     2010     2009     2008  
                (In millions)              
 
Net Periodic Benefit Costs:
                                               
Service costs
  $ 180     $ 170     $ 164     $ 17     $ 22     $ 21  
Interest costs
    399       395       379       113       125       103  
Settlement and curtailment costs
    8       17             1              
Expected return on plan assets
    (450 )     (439 )     (517 )     (79 )     (72 )     (86 )
Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses
    196       227       24       38       42       (1 )
Amortization of prior service costs (credit)
    7       10       15       (83 )     (36 )     (37 )
                                                 
Net periodic benefit costs
    340       380       65       7       81        
Net periodic benefit costs of subsidiary at date of disposal
                1                    
                                                 
Total net periodic benefit costs
    340       380       66       7       81        
                                                 
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
                                               
Net actuarial (gains) losses
    22       310       1,561       50       283       259  
Prior service costs (credit)
    1       (10 )     (19 )     (80 )     (167 )     36  
Amortization of net actuarial gains (losses)
    (196 )     (227 )     (24 )     (38 )     (42 )     1  
Amortization of prior service (costs) credit
    (7 )     (10 )     (15 )     83       36       37  
                                                 
Total recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
    (180 )     63       1,503       15       110       333  
                                                 
Total recognized in net periodic benefit costs and other comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 160     $ 443     $ 1,569     $ 22     $ 191     $ 333  
                                                 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2010, included within other comprehensive income (loss) were other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations associated with pension benefits of ($180) million and other postretirement benefits of $15 million for an aggregate reduction in other comprehensive income (loss) of ($165) million before income tax and ($96) million, net of income tax.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The estimated net actuarial (gains) losses and prior service costs (credit) for the pension plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit costs over the next year are $176 million and $5 million, respectively.
 
The estimated net actuarial (gains) losses and prior service costs (credit) for the defined benefit other postretirement benefit plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net periodic benefit costs over the next year are $34 million and ($108) million, respectively.
 
The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 created various subsidies for sponsors of retiree drug programs. Two common ways of providing subsidies were the Retiree Drug Subsidy (“RDS”) and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans (“PDP”). From 2006 through 2010, the Company applied for and received the RDS each year. The RDS program provides the subsidy through cash payments made by Medicare to the Company, resulting in smaller net claims paid by the Company. A summary of the reduction to the APBO and the related reduction to the components of net periodic other postretirement benefits plan costs resulting from receipt of the RDS is presented below. As of January 1, 2011, as a result of changes made under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, the Company will no longer apply for the RDS. Instead it has joined PDP and will indirectly receive Medicare subsidies in the form of smaller gross benefit payments for prescription drug coverage.
 
                         
    December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Cumulative reduction in other postretirement benefits obligations:
                       
Balance at January 1,
  $ 247     $ 317     $ 299  
Service costs
    3       2       5  
Interest costs
    16       16       20  
Net actuarial gains (losses)
    (255 )     (76 )     3  
Prescription drug subsidy
    (11 )     (12 )     (10 )
                         
Balance at December 31,
  $     $ 247     $ 317  
                         
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Reduction in net periodic other postretirement benefit costs:
                       
Service costs
  $ 3     $ 2     $ 5  
Interest costs
    16       16       20  
Amortization of net actuarial gains (losses)
    10       11        
                         
Total reduction in net periodic benefit costs
  $ 29     $ 29     $ 25  
                         
 
The Company received subsidies of $8 million, $12 million and $12 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Assumptions
 
Assumptions used in determining benefit obligations were as follows:
 
                 
            Other
    Pension
  Postretirement
    Benefits   Benefits
    December 31,
    2010   2009   2010   2009
 
Weighted average discount rate
  5.80%   6.25%   5.80%   6.25%
Rate of compensation increase
  3.5%-7.5%   2.0%-7.5%   N/A   N/A
 
Assumptions used in determining net periodic benefit costs were as follows:
 
                         
                Other
    Pension
  Postretirement
    Benefits   Benefits
    December 31,
    2010   2009   2008   2010   2009   2008
 
Weighted average discount rate
  6.25%   6.60%   6.65%   6.25%   6.60%   6.65%
Weighted average expected rate of return on plan assets
  8.00%   8.25%   8.25%   7.20%   7.36%   7.33%
Rate of compensation increase
  3.5%-7.5%   3.5%-7.5%   3.5%-8%   N/A   N/A   N/A
 
The weighted average discount rate for most plans is determined annually based on the yield, measured on a yield to worst basis, of a hypothetical portfolio constructed of high quality debt instruments available on the valuation date, which would provide the necessary future cash flows to pay the aggregate projected benefit obligation when due.
 
The weighted average expected rate of return on plan assets is based on anticipated performance of the various asset sectors in which the plans invest, weighted by target allocation percentages. Anticipated future performance is based on long-term historical returns of the plan assets by sector, adjusted for the Subsidiaries’ long-term expectations on the performance of the markets. While the precise expected return derived using this approach will fluctuate from year to year, the policy of most of the Subsidiaries’ is to hold this long-term assumption constant as long as it remains within reasonable tolerance from the derived rate.
 
The weighted average expected return on plan assets for use in that plan’s valuation in 2011 is currently anticipated to be 7.25% for pension benefits and postretirement medical benefits and 5.25% for postretirement life benefits.
 
The assumed healthcare costs trend rates used in measuring the APBO and net periodic benefit costs were as follows:
 
         
    December 31,
    2010   2009
 
Pre-and Post-Medicare eligible claims
  7.8% in 2011, gradually decreasing each year until 2083 reaching the ultimate rate of 4.4%.   8.2% in 2010, gradually decreasing each year until 2079 reaching the ultimate rate of 4.1%.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Assumed healthcare costs trend rates may have a significant effect on the amounts reported for healthcare plans. A one-percentage point change in assumed healthcare costs trend rates would have the following effects:
 
                 
    One Percent
    One Percent
 
    Increase     Decrease  
    (In millions)  
 
Effect on total of service and interest costs components
  $ 8     $ (8 )
Effect of accumulated postretirement benefit obligations
  $ 86     $ (104 )
 
Plan Assets
 
Most Subsidiaries have issued group annuity and life insurance contracts supporting the pension and other postretirement benefit plans assets, which are invested primarily in separate accounts.
 
The underlying assets of the separate accounts are principally comprised of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, fixed maturity and equity securities, mutual funds, real estate, private equity investments and hedge funds investments.
 
The comparative presentation of the 2009 plan assets has been realigned to conform to the 2010 presentation to disclose the estimated fair value of the underlying assets of each separate account at the security level.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The pension and postretirement plan assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis were determined as described below. These estimated fair values and their corresponding placement in the fair value hierarchy are summarized as follows:
 
                                                                 
    December 31, 2010        
          Other
 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Benefits     Benefits  
    Fair Value Measurements at
          Fair Value Measurements at
       
    Reporting Date Using           Reporting Date Using        
    Quoted
                      Quoted
                   
    Prices
                      Prices
                   
    In Active
                      In Active
                   
    Markets
                      Markets
                   
    for
    Significant
                for
    Significant
             
    Identical
    Other
    Significant
    Total
    Identical
    Other
    Significant
    Total
 
    Assets and
    Observable
    Unobservable
    Estimated
    Assets and
    Observable
    Unobservable
    Estimated
 
    Liabilities
    Inputs
    Inputs
    Fair
    Liabilities
    Inputs
    Inputs
    Fair
 
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Value     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets
                                                               
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                               
Corporate
  $     $ 1,528     $ 49     $ 1,577     $     $ 67     $ 4     $ 71  
Federal agencies
          175             175             15             15  
Foreign bonds
    1       222       4       227             19             19  
Municipals
          137             137             37       1       38  
Preferred stocks
          4             4                          
U.S. government bonds
    650       136             786       82                   82  
                                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
    651       2,202       53       2,906       82       138       5       225  
                                                                 
Equity securities:
                                                               
Common stock — domestic
    1,410       93       240       1,743       359       3             362  
Common stock — foreign
    469       35             504       77                   77  
                                                                 
Total equity securities
    1,879       128       240       2,247       436       3             439  
                                                                 
Money market securities
    200       100             300       1       1             2  
Pass-through securities
          321       2       323             73       6       79  
Derivative securities
    3       (5 )     11       9                          
Short-term investments
    (9 )     105             96       8       443             451  
Other invested assets
    16       63       471       550                          
Other receivables
          39             39             3             3  
Securities receivable
          70             70             2             2  
Real estate
                8       8                          
                                                                 
Total assets
  $ 2,740     $ 3,023     $ 785     $ 6,548     $ 527     $ 663     $ 11     $ 1,201  
                                                                 
Liabilities
                                                               
Securities payable
  $     $ 60     $     $ 60     $     $ 1     $     $ 1  
                                                                 
Total liabilities
  $     $ 60     $     $ 60     $     $ 1     $     $ 1  
                                                                 
Total assets and liabilities
  $ 2,740     $ 2,963     $ 785     $ 6,488     $ 527     $ 662     $ 11     $ 1,200  
                                                                 
 


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                                 
    December 31, 2009  
          Other
 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Benefits     Benefits  
    Fair Value Measurements at
          Fair Value Measurements at
       
    Reporting Date Using           Reporting Date Using        
    Quoted
                      Quoted
                   
    Prices
                      Prices
                   
    In Active
                      In Active
                   
    Markets
    Significant
                Markets
    Significant
             
    for
    Other
    Significant
    Total
    for
    Other
    Significant
    Total
 
    Identical
    Observable
    Unobservable
    Estimated
    Identical
    Observable
    Unobservable
    Estimated
 
    Assets
    Inputs
    Inputs
    Fair
    Assets
    Inputs
    Inputs
    Fair
 
    (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Value     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)     Value  
    (In millions)  
 
Assets
                                                               
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                               
Corporate
  $     $ 1,458     $ 68     $ 1,526     $     $ 48     $     $ 48  
Federal agencies
    (41 )     140             99             30             30  
Foreign bonds
    1       195       5       201             6             6  
Municipals
          56             56             21             21  
Preferred stocks
          2             2                          
U.S. government bonds
    319       50             369       45                   45  
U.S. treasury notes
                            12                   12  
                                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
    279       1,901       73       2,253       57       105             162  
                                                                 
Equity securities:
                                                               
Common stock — domestic
    1,565       238       241       2,044       342       6             348  
Common stock — foreign
    393                   393       72                   72  
                                                                 
Total equity securities
    1,958       238       241       2,437       414       6             420  
                                                                 
Money market securities
    72       56             128       12       1             13  
Pass-through securities
    1       376       69       446             75       9       84  
Derivative securities
    3                   3                          
Short-term investments
    2       115             117             442             442  
Other invested assets
    13             373       386                          
                                                                 
Total assets
  $ 2,328     $ 2,686     $ 756     $ 5,770     $ 483     $ 629     $ 9     $ 1,121  
                                                                 
 
The pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets are categorized into the three-level fair value hierarchy, as defined in Note 1, based upon the priority of the inputs to the respective valuation technique. The following summarizes the types of assets included within the three-level fair value hierarchy presented in the table above.
 
  Level 1   This category includes investments in liquid securities, such as cash, short-term money market and bank time deposits, expected to mature within a year.
 
  Level 2   This category includes certain separate accounts that are primarily invested in liquid and readily marketable securities. The estimated fair value of such separate account is based upon reported NAV provided by fund managers and this value represents the amount at which transfers into and out of the respective separate account are effected. These separate accounts provide reasonable levels of price transparency and can be corroborated through observable market data.
 
Certain separate accounts are invested in investment partnerships designated as hedge funds. The values for these separate accounts is determined monthly based on the NAV of the underlying hedge fund investment. Additionally, such hedge funds generally contain lock out or other waiting period provisions for redemption requests to be filled. While the reporting and redemption restrictions may

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
limit the frequency of trading activity in separate accounts invested in hedge funds, the reported NAV, and thus the referenced value of the separate account, provides a reasonable level of price transparency that can be corroborated through observable market data. Directly held investments are primarily invested in U.S. and foreign government and corporate securities.
 
  Level 3   This category includes separate accounts that are invested in real estate and private equity investments that provide little or no price transparency due to the infrequency with which the underlying assets trade and generally require additional time to liquidate in an orderly manner. Accordingly, the values for separate accounts invested in these alternative asset classes are based on inputs that cannot be readily derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
 
A rollforward of all pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs is as follows:
 
                                                         
          Total Realized/Unrealized
                         
          Gains (Losses) included in:     Purchases,
                   
                Other
    Sales,
                   
    Balance,
          Comprehensive
    Issuances and
    Transfer Into
    Transfer Out
    Balance,
 
    January 1,     Earnings     Income (Loss)     Settlements     Level 3     of Level 3     December 31,  
    (In millions)  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010:
                                                       
Pension:
                                                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                       
Corporate
  $ 68     $     $ 7     $ (17 )   $ 4     $ (13 )   $ 49  
Foreign bonds
    5             1       (2 )                 4  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
    73             8       (19 )     4       (13 )     53  
                                                         
Equity securities:
                                                       
Common stock — domestic
    241             (2 )     1                   240  
                                                         
Total equity securities
    241             (2 )     1                   240  
                                                         
Pass-through securities
    69       (11 )     14       (71 )     2       (1 )     2  
Derivative securities (1)
          3       (3 )     (1 )     12             11  
Other invested assets
    373       78       (4 )     24                   471  
Real estate (1)
                            8             8  
                                                         
Total pension assets
  $ 756     $ 70     $ 13     $ (66 )   $ 26     $ (14 )   $ 785  
                                                         
Other postretirement:
                                                       
Fixed maturity securities:
                                                       
Corporate
  $     $     $ 1     $     $ 3     $     $ 4  
Municipals
                            1             1  
                                                         
Total fixed maturity securities
                1             4             5  
                                                         
Pass-through securities
    9       (4 )     1       (1 )     1             6  
                                                         
Total other postretirement assets
  $ 9     $ (4 )   $ 2     $ (1 )   $ 5     $     $ 11  
                                                         
Total assets
  $ 765     $ 66     $ 15     $ (67 )   $ 31     $ (14 )   $ 796  
                                                         
 
 
(1) Derivative securities and real estate transfers into Level 3 are due to the Acquisition and are not related to the changes in Level 3 classification at the security level.
 


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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                 
          Total Realized/Unrealized
                   
          Gains (Losses) included in:     Purchases,
             
                Other
    Sales,
    Transfer Into
       
    Balance,
          Comprehensive
    Issuances and
    and/or Out
    Balance,
 
    January 1,     Earnings     Income (Loss)     Settlements     of Level 3     December 31,  
                (In millions)              
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009:
                                               
Pension:
                                               
Fixed maturity securities:
                                               
Corporate
  $ 57     $ (5 )   $ 21     $ (3 )   $ (2 )   $ 68  
Foreign bonds
    4       (1 )     5       (3 )           5  
                                                 
Total fixed maturity securities
    61       (6 )     26       (6 )     (2 )     73  
                                                 
Equity securities:
                                               
Common stock — domestic
    460             (232 )     13             241  
                                                 
Total equity securities
    460             (232 )     13             241  
                                                 
Pass-through securities
    80       (2 )     8       (24 )     7       69  
Derivative securities
    40       36       (39 )     (37 )            
Other invested assets
    392       4       (59 )     36             373  
                                                 
Total pension assets
  $ 1,033     $ 32     $ (296 )   $ (18 )   $ 5     $ 756  
                                                 
Other postretirement:
                                               
Pass-through securities
  $ 13     $ (17 )   $ 17     $ (4 )   $     $ 9  
                                                 
Total other postretirement assets
  $ 13     $ (17 )   $ 17     $ (4 )   $     $ 9  
                                                 
Total assets
  $ 1,046     $ 15     $ (279 )   $ (22 )   $ 5     $ 765  
                                                 
 
The U.S. Subsidiaries provide employees with benefits under various ERISA benefit plans. These include qualified pension plans, postretirement medical plans and certain retiree life insurance coverage. The assets of the Subsidiaries’ qualified pension plans are held in insurance group annuity contracts, and the vast majority of the assets of the postretirement medical plan and backing the retiree life coverage are held in insurance contracts. All of these contracts are issued by Company insurance affiliates, and the assets under the contracts are held in insurance separate accounts that have been established by the Company. The insurance contract provider engages investment management firms (“Managers”) to serve as sub-advisors for the separate accounts based on the specific investment needs and requests identified by the plan fiduciary. These Managers have portfolio management discretion over the purchasing and selling of securities and other investment assets pursuant to the respective investment management agreements and guidelines established for each insurance separate account. The assets of the qualified pension plans and postretirement medical plans (the “Invested Plans”) are well diversified across multiple asset categories and across a number of different Managers, with the intent of minimizing risk concentrations within any given asset category or with any given Manager.
 
The Invested Plans, other than those held in participant directed investment accounts, are managed in accordance with investment policies consistent with the longer-term nature of related benefit obligations and within prudent risk parameters. Specifically, investment policies are oriented toward (i) maximizing the Invested Plan’s funded status; (ii) minimizing the volatility of the Invested Plan’s funded status; (iii) generating asset returns that exceed liability increases; and (iv) targeting rates of return in excess of a custom benchmark and industry standards over appropriate reference time periods. These goals are expected to be met through identifying appropriate and

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
diversified asset classes and allocations, ensuring adequate liquidity to pay benefits and expenses when due and controlling the costs of administering and managing the Invested Plan’s investments. Independent investment consultants are periodically used to evaluate the investment risk of Invested Plan’s assets relative to liabilities, analyze the economic and portfolio impact of various asset allocations and management strategies and to recommend asset allocations.
 
Certain foreign subsidiaries sponsor defined benefit plans that cover employees and sales representatives who meet specified eligibility requirements. Pension benefits are provided utilizing either a traditional formula or cash balance formula, similar to the U.S. plans discussed above. The investment objectives are also similar, subject to local regulations. Generally, these international pension plans invest directly in high quality equity and fixed maturity securities. The assets of the foreign pension plans are comprised of cash and cash equivalents, equity and fixed maturity securities, real estate and hedge fund investments.
 
Derivative contracts may be used to reduce investment risk, to manage duration and to replicate the risk/return profile of an asset or asset class. Derivatives may not be used to leverage a portfolio in any manner, such as to magnify exposure to an asset, asset class, interest rates or any other financial variable. Derivatives are also prohibited for use in creating exposures to securities, currencies, indices or any other financial variable that are otherwise restricted.
 
The tables below summarize the actual weighted average allocation by major asset class for the Invested Plans:
 
                         
    Actual Allocation  
    Defined Benefit Plan     Postretirement Medical     Postretirement Life  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010:
                       
Asset Class:
                       
Fixed maturity securities (target range)
    50% to 80 %     20% to 50 %      
Corporate
    24 %     9 %      
Federal agency
    3       2        
Foreign bonds
    3       3        
Municipals
    2       5        
U.S. government bonds
    12       11        
                         
Total fixed maturity securities
    44 %     30 %      
                         
Equity securities (target range)
    0% to 40 %     50% to 80 %      
Common stock — domestic
    27 %     48 %      
Common stock — foreign
    8       10        
                         
Total equity securities
    35 %     58 %      
                         
Money market securities
    5 %            
Pass-through securities
    5       10        
Short-term investments
    1       1       100 %
Other invested assets
    8              
Other receivables
    1       1        
Securities receivable
    1              
                         
Total assets
    100 %     100 %     100 %
                         
 


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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                         
    Actual Allocation  
    Defined Benefit Plan     Postretirement Medical     Postretirement Life  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009:
                       
Asset Class:
                       
Fixed maturity securities (target range)
    35% to 55%       10% to 40%        
Corporate
    26%       7%        
Federal agency
    2       4        
Foreign bonds
    4       1        
Municipals
    1       3        
U.S. government bonds
    6       7        
U.S. treasury notes
          2        
                         
Total fixed maturity securities
    39%       24%        
                         
Equity securities (target range)
    25% to 45%       50% to 80%        
Common stock — domestic
    35%       51%        
Common stock — foreign
    7       11        
                         
Total equity securities
    42%       62%        
                         
Money market securities
    2%       2%        
Pass-through securities
    8       12        
Short-term investments
    2             100 %
Other invested assets
    7              
                         
Total assets
    100%       100%       100 %
                         
 
The target ranges in the tables above are forward-looking.
 
Expected Future Contributions and Benefit Payments
 
It is the Subsidiaries’ practice to make contributions to the qualified pension plan to comply with minimum funding requirements of ERISA. In accordance with such practice, no contributions were required for both of the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. No contributions will be required for 2011. The Subsidiaries made discretionary contributions of $255 million to the qualified pension plan during the year ended December 31, 2010. The Subsidiaries made no discretionary contributions to the qualified pension plan during the year ended December 31, 2009. The Subsidiaries expect to make additional discretionary contributions to the qualified pension plan of $175 million in 2011.
 
Benefit payments due under the non-qualified pension plans are primarily funded from the Subsidiaries’ general assets as they become due under the provision of the plans. These payments totaled $70 million and $57 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These payments are expected to be at approximately the same level in 2011.
 
Postretirement benefits, other than those provided under qualified pension plans, are either: (i) not vested under law; (ii) a non-funded obligation of the Subsidiaries; or (iii) both. Current regulations do not require funding for these benefits. The Subsidiaries use their general assets, net of participant’s contributions, to pay postretirement medical claims as they come due in lieu of utilizing any plan assets. Total payments equaled $154 million and $158 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
The Subsidiaries expect to make contributions of $120 million, net of participant’s contributions, towards benefit obligations (other than those under qualified pension plans) in 2011. As noted previously, the Subsidiaries

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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
no longer expect to receive the RDS under the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 to partially offset payment of such benefits. Instead, the gross benefit payments that will be made under the PDP will already reflect subsidies.
 
Gross benefit payments for the next ten years, which reflect expected future service where appropriate, are expected to be as follows:
 
                 
          Other
 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Benefits     Benefits  
    (In millions)  
 
2011
  $ 446     $ 120  
2012
  $ 454     $ 121  
2013
  $ 463     $ 122  
2014
  $ 486     $ 123  
2015
  $ 500     $ 124  
2016-2020
  $ 2,789     $ 631  
 
Additional Information
 
As previously discussed, most of the assets of the pension and other postretirement benefit plans are held in group annuity and life insurance contracts issued by the Subsidiaries. Total revenues from these contracts recognized in the consolidated statements of operations were $46 million, $45 million and $42 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and included policy charges and net investment income from investments backing the contracts and administrative fees. Total investment income (loss), including realized and unrealized gains (losses), credited to the account balances was $767 million, $725 million and ($1,090) million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The terms of these contracts are consistent in all material respects with those the Subsidiaries offer to unaffiliated parties that are similarly situated.
 
Savings and Investment Plans
 
The Subsidiaries sponsor savings and investment plans for substantially all Company employees under which a portion of employee contributions are matched. The Subsidiaries contributed $86 million, $93 million and $70 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
18.   Equity
 
Preferred Stock
 
There are 200,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, of which 6,857,000 shares were designated for issuance of convertible preferred stock in connection with the financing of the Acquisition. See “— Convertible Preferred Stock” below.
 
The Holding Company has outstanding 24 million shares of Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A preferred shares”) with a $0.01 par value per share, and a liquidation preference of $25 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $600 million.
 
The Holding Company has outstanding 60 million shares of 6.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (the “Series B preferred shares”), with a $0.01 par value per share, and a liquidation preference of $25 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $1.5 billion.
 
The Series A and Series B preferred shares (the “Preferred Shares”) rank senior to the Convertible Preferred Stock and the common stock with respect to dividends and liquidation rights. Dividends on the Preferred Shares are not cumulative. Holders of the Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive dividend payments only when, as and if


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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
declared by the Holding Company’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board. If dividends are declared on the Series A preferred shares, they will be payable quarterly, in arrears, at an annual rate of the greater of: (i) 1.00% above 3-month LIBOR on the related LIBOR determination date; or (ii) 4.00%. Any dividends declared on the Series B preferred shares will be payable quarterly, in arrears, at an annual fixed rate of 6.50%. Accordingly, in the event that dividends are not declared on the Preferred Shares for payment on any dividend payment date, then those dividends will cease to accrue and be payable. If a dividend is not declared before the dividend payment date, the Holding Company has no obligation to pay dividends accrued for that dividend period whether or not dividends are declared and paid in future periods. No dividends may, however, be paid or declared on the Holding Company’s common stock — or any other securities ranking junior to the Preferred Shares — unless the full dividends for the latest completed dividend period on all Preferred Shares, and any parity stock, have been declared and paid or provided for.
 
The Holding Company is prohibited from declaring dividends on the Preferred Shares if it fails to meet specified capital adequacy, net income and equity levels. In addition, under Federal Reserve Bank of New York Board policy, the Holding Company may not be able to pay dividends if it does not earn sufficient operating income.
 
The Preferred Shares do not have voting rights except in certain circumstances where the dividends have not been paid for an equivalent of six or more dividend payment periods whether or not those periods are consecutive. Under such circumstances, the holders of the Preferred Shares have certain voting rights with respect to members of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company.
 
The Preferred Shares are not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund, retirement fund, purchase fund or similar provisions. The Preferred Shares are redeemable at the Holding Company’s option in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $25 per Preferred Share, plus declared and unpaid dividends.
 
In December 2008, the Holding Company entered into an RCC related to the Preferred Shares. As a part of the RCC, the Holding Company agreed that it will not repay, redeem or purchase the Preferred Shares on or before December 31, 2018, unless such repayment, redemption or purchase is made from the proceeds of the issuance of certain capital securities. The RCC is for the benefit of holders of one or more series of its indebtedness as designated from time to time by the Holding Company. The RCC will terminate upon the occurrence of certain events, including the date on which there are no series of outstanding eligible debt securities.
 
In connection with the offering of the Preferred Shares, the Holding Company incurred $57 million of issuance costs which have been recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.


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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Information on the declaration, record and payment dates, as well as per share and aggregate dividend amounts, for the Preferred Shares is as follows:
 
                                         
            Dividend  
            Series A
    Series A
    Series B
    Series B
 
Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date   Per Share     Aggregate     Per Share     Aggregate  
            (In millions, except per share data)  
 
November 15, 2010
  November 30, 2010   December 15, 2010   $ 0.2527777     $ 7     $ 0.4062500     $ 24  
August 16, 2010
  August 31, 2010   September 15, 2010   $ 0.2555555       6     $ 0.4062500       24  
May 17, 2010
  May 31, 2010   June 15, 2010   $ 0.2555555       7     $ 0.4062500       24  
March 5, 2010
  February 28, 2010   March 15, 2010   $ 0.2500000       6     $ 0.4062500       24  
                                         
                    $ 26             $ 96  
                                         
November 16, 2009
  November 30, 2009   December 15, 2009   $ 0.2527777     $ 7     $ 0.4062500     $ 24  
August 17, 2009
  August 31, 2009   September 15, 2009   $ 0.2555555       6     $ 0.4062500       24  
May 15, 2009
  May 31, 2009   June 15, 2009   $ 0.2555555       7     $ 0.4062500       24  
March 5, 2009
  February 28, 2009   March 16, 2009   $ 0.2500000       6     $ 0.4062500       24  
                                         
                    $ 26             $ 96  
                                         
November 17, 2008
  November 30, 2008   December 15, 2008   $ 0.2527777     $ 7     $ 0.4062500     $ 24  
August 15, 2008
  August 31, 2008   September 15, 2008   $ 0.2555555       6     $ 0.4062500       24  
May 15, 2008
  May 31, 2008   June 16, 2008   $ 0.2555555       7     $ 0.4062500       24  
March 5, 2008
  February 29, 2008   March 17, 2008   $ 0.3785745       9     $ 0.4062500       24  
                                         
                    $ 29             $ 96  
                                         
 
See Note 24 for information on subsequent dividends declared.
 
Convertible Preferred Stock
 
In connection with the financing of the Acquisition (see Note 2) in November 2010, the Holding Company issued to ALICO Holdings 6,857,000 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock with a $0.01 par value per share, a liquidation preference of $0.01 per share and a fair value of $2,805 million.
 
The Convertible Preferred Stock will convert into 68,570,000 shares of the Holding Company’s common stock (subject to anti-dilution adjustments) upon a favorable vote of the Holding Company’s common stockholders. If the Company (i) pays a dividend or makes another distribution on common stock to all holders of common stock payable, in whole or in part, in shares of common stock; (ii) subdivides or splits the outstanding shares of common stock into a greater number of shares; or (iii) combines or reclassifies the outstanding shares of common stock into a smaller number of shares, then the conversion rate will be adjusted by multiplying the conversion rate by the number of shares of common stock which a person who owns only one share of common stock immediately before the record date or effective date of the applicable event would own immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, subdivision, split, combination or reclassification. If a favorable vote of its common stockholders is not obtained by the first anniversary of the Acquisition Date, then the Company must pay ALICO Holdings approximately $300 million and use reasonable efforts to list the preferred stock on NYSE. The Convertible Preferred Stock ranks senior to the common stock with respect to dividends and liquidation rights, and holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive dividend payments only when, as and if declared by the Holding Company’s Board of Directors. Under the terms of the Convertible Preferred Stock, the Board will declare a dividend payment or other distribution on the Convertible Preferred Stock on an as-converted basis at any time and with the same terms as any dividend or other distribution declared on MetLife, Inc.’s common stock. No distribution is payable on the Convertible Preferred Stock unless there is a concurrent distribution on the MetLife, Inc. common stock.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The Convertible Preferred Stock does not have voting rights except in certain circumstances when the Convertible Preferred Stock is listed on the same exchange on which MetLife, Inc.’s common stock is listed, and where the dividends have not been paid notwithstanding payment of dividends on MetLife, Inc.’s common stock for an equivalent of six or more dividend payment periods whether or not those periods are consecutive. Under such circumstances, the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock have certain voting rights with respect to members of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company. The Convertible Preferred Stock is not redeemable and is not subject to any sinking fund, retirement fund, purchase fund or similar provisions.
 
For purposes of the earnings per common share calculation, the Convertible Preferred Stock is assumed converted into shares of common stock for both basic and diluted weighted average shares. See Note 20.
 
Common Stock
 
Issuances
 
In connection with the financing of the Acquisition (see Note 2) in November 2010, the Holding Company issued to ALICO Holdings 78,239,712 new shares of its common stock at $40.90 per share with a fair value of $3,200 million.
 
In anticipation of the Acquisition (see Note 2), in August 2010, the Holding Company issued 86,250,000 new shares of its common stock at $42.00 per share for gross proceeds of $3,623 million. In connection with the offering of common stock, the Holding Company incurred $94 million of issuance costs which have been recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.
 
In February 2009, the Holding Company delivered 24,343,154 shares of newly issued common stock for $1,035 million, and in August 2008 the Holding Company delivered 20,244,549 shares of its common stock from treasury stock also for $1,035 million. Each issuance was made in connection with the initial settlement of the stock purchase contracts issued as part of the common equity units sold in June 2005, as described in Note 14.
 
In October 2008, the Holding Company issued 86,250,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $26.50 per share for gross proceeds of $2,286 million. Of the shares issued, 75,000,000 shares, with a value of $4,040 million were issued from treasury stock for consideration of $1,988 million. In connection with the offering of common stock, the Holding Company incurred $60 million of issuance costs which have been recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, 332,121 shares, 861,586 shares and 2,271,188 shares of common stock were issued from treasury stock for $18 million, $46 million and $118 million, respectively, to satisfy various stock option exercises and other stock-based awards. During the year ended December 31, 2010, 2,182,174 new shares of common stock were issued for $74 million to satisfy various stock option exercises and other stock-based awards. There were no new shares of common stock issued to satisfy the various stock option exercises and other stock-based awards during both of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
Repurchase Programs
 
At January 1, 2008, the Company had $511 million remaining under its September 2007 stock repurchase program authorization. In both January and April 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized additional $1.0 billion common stock repurchase programs. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 19,716,418 shares under accelerated share repurchase programs and 1,550,000 shares under open market repurchases for $1,162 million and $88 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company did not repurchase any shares. At December 31, 2010, the Company had $1,261 million remaining under its January and April 2008 stock repurchase program authorizations.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Under these authorizations, the Holding Company may purchase its common stock from the MetLife Policyholder Trust, in the open market (including pursuant to the terms of a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act) and in privately negotiated transactions. Any future common stock repurchases will be dependent upon several factors, including the Company’s capital position, its liquidity, its financial strength and credit ratings, general market conditions and the market price of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock compared to management’s assessment of the stock’s underlying value and applicable regulatory, legal and accounting factors. Whether or not to purchase any common stock and the size and timing of any such purchases will be determined in the Company’s complete discretion.
 
Other
 
In September 2008, in connection with the split-off of RGA as described in Note 2, the Holding Company received from MetLife, Inc. stockholders 23,093,689 shares of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock with a fair market value of $1,318 million and, in exchange, delivered 29,243,539 shares of RGA Class B common stock with a net book value of $1,716 million resulting in a loss on disposition, including transaction costs, of $458 million.
 
Dividends
 
The table below presents declaration, record and payment dates, as well as per share and aggregate dividend amounts, for the common stock:
 
                         
            Dividend
            Per Share   Aggregate
            (In millions, except
Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date   per share data)
 
October 26, 2010
  November 9, 2010   December 14, 2010   $ 0.74     $ 784 (1)
October 29, 2009
  November 9, 2009   December 14, 2009   $ 0.74     $ 610  
October 28, 2008
  November 10, 2008   December 15, 2008   $ 0.74     $ 592  
 
 
(1) Includes dividends on Convertible Preferred Stock (see above).
 
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
 
Description of Plans for Employees and Agents — General Terms
 
The MetLife, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2000 Stock Plan”) authorized the granting of awards to employees and agents in the form of options to buy shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock (“Stock Options”) that either qualify as incentive Stock Options under Section 422A of the Code or are non-qualified. By December 31, 2009 all awards under the 2000 Stock Plan had either vested or been forfeited. No awards were made under the 2000 Stock Plan in 2010.
 
Under the MetLife, Inc. 2005 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2005 Stock Plan”), awards granted to employees and agents may be in the form of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Share Units, Cash-Based Awards and Stock-Based Awards (each as defined in the 2005 Stock Plan with reference to MetLife, Inc. common stock).
 
The aggregate number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2005 Stock Plan is 68,000,000, plus those shares available but not utilized under the 2000 Stock Plan and those shares utilized under the 2000 Stock Plan that are recovered due to forfeiture of Stock Options. Each share issued under the 2005 Stock Plan in connection with a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right reduces the number of shares remaining for issuance under that plan by one, and each share issued under the 2005 Stock Plan in connection with awards other than Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights reduces the number of shares remaining for issuance under that plan by 1.179 shares. At December 31, 2010, the aggregate number of shares remaining available for issuance pursuant to the 2005 Stock


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Plan was 40,477,451. Stock Option exercises and other awards settled in shares are satisfied through the issuance of shares held in treasury by the Company or by the issuance of new shares.
 
Compensation expense related to awards under the 2005 Stock Plan is recognized based on the number of awards expected to vest, which represents the awards granted less expected forfeitures over the life of the award, as estimated at the date of grant. Unless a material deviation from the assumed forfeiture rate is observed during the term in which the awards are expensed, any adjustment necessary to reflect differences in actual experience is recognized in the period the award becomes payable or exercisable.
 
Compensation expense related to awards under the 2005 Stock Plan is principally related to the issuance of Stock Options, Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units. The majority of the awards granted each year under the 2005 Stock Plan are made in the first quarter of each year.
 
Description of Plans for Directors — General Terms
 
The MetLife, Inc. 2000 Directors Stock Plan, as amended (the “2000 Directors Stock Plan”) authorized the granting of awards in the form of MetLife, Inc. common stock, non-qualified Stock Options, or a combination of the foregoing to non-management Directors of MetLife, Inc. As of December 31, 2009, all awards under the 2000 Directors Stock Plan had either vested or been forfeited. No awards were made under the 2000 Directors Stock Plan in 2010.
 
Under the MetLife, Inc. 2005 Non-Management Director Stock Compensation Plan (the “2005 Directors Stock Plan”), awards granted may be in the form of non-qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, or Stock-Based Awards (each as defined in the 2005 Directors Stock Plan with reference to MetLife, Inc. common stock) to non-management Directors of MetLife, Inc. The number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2005 Directors Stock Plan is 2,000,000. There were no shares carried forward from the 2000 Directors Stock Plan to the 2005 Directors Stock Plan. At December 31, 2010, the aggregate number of shares remaining available for issuance pursuant to the 2005 Directors Stock Plan was 1,808,114. Stock Option exercises and other awards settled in shares are satisfied through the issuance of shares held in treasury by the Company or by the issuance of new shares.
 
Compensation expense related to awards under the 2005 Directors Plan is recognized based on the number of shares awarded. The Stock-Based Awards granted under the 2005 Directors Plan have vested immediately. The majority of the awards granted each year under the 2005 Directors Stock Plan are made in the second quarter of each year.
 
Compensation Expense Related to Stock-Based Compensation
 
The components of compensation expense related to stock-based compensation, excluding the insignificant compensation expense related to the 2005 Directors Stock Plan, is as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Stock Options
  $ 45     $ 55     $ 51  
Performance Shares (1)
    29       11       70  
Restricted Stock Units
    10       3       2  
                         
Total compensation expenses related to the Incentive Plans
  $ 84     $ 69     $ 123  
                         
Income tax benefits
  $ 29     $ 24     $ 43  
                         
 
 
(1) Performance Shares expected to vest and the related compensation expenses may be further adjusted by the performance factor most likely to be achieved, as estimated by management, at the end of the performance period.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
The following table presents the total unrecognized compensation expense related to stock-based compensation and the expected weighted average period over which these expenses will be recognized at:
 
                 
    December 31, 2010
        Weighted Average
    Expense   Period
    (In millions)   (Years)
 
Stock Options
  $ 39       1.73  
Performance Shares
  $ 30       1.74  
Restricted Stock Units
  $ 14       1.87  
 
Stock Options
 
Stock Options are the contingent right of award holders to purchase shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock at a stated price for a limited time. All Stock Options have an exercise price equal to the closing price of MetLife, Inc. common stock reported on the NYSE on the date of grant, and have a maximum term of ten years. The vast majority of Stock Options granted have become or will become exercisable at a rate of one-third of each award on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Other Stock Options have become or will become exercisable on the third anniversary of the grant date. Vesting is subject to continued service, except for employees who are retirement eligible and in certain other limited circumstances.
 
A summary of the activity related to Stock Options for the year ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:
 
                                 
                Weighted
       
                Average
       
                Remaining
    Aggregate
 
    Shares Under
    Weighted Average
    Contractual
    Intrinsic
 
    Option     Exercise Price     Term     Value (1)  
                (Years)     (In millions)  
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
    30,152,405     $ 38.51       5.50     $  
                                 
Granted (2)
    4,683,144     $ 35.06                  
Exercised
    (1,742,003 )   $ 29.74                  
Expired
    (154,947 )   $ 47.78                  
Forfeited
    (236,268 )   $ 34.64                  
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    32,702,331     $ 38.47       5.30     $ 195  
                                 
Aggregate number of stock options expected to vest at December 31, 2010
    31,930,964     $ 38.62       5.21     $ 186  
                                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2010
    23,405,998     $ 40.43       4.00     $ 94  
                                 
 
 
(1) The aggregate intrinsic value was computed using the closing share price on December 31, 2010 of $44.44 and December 31, 2009 of $35.35, as applicable.
 
(2) The total fair value on the date of the grant was $53 million.
 
The fair value of Stock Options is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial lattice model. Significant assumptions used in the Company’s binomial lattice model, which are further described below, include: expected volatility of the price of MetLife, Inc. common stock; risk-free rate of return; expected dividend yield on MetLife, Inc. common stock; exercise multiple; and the post-vesting termination rate.
 
Expected volatility is based upon an analysis of historical prices of MetLife, Inc. common stock and call options on that common stock traded on the open market. The Company uses a weighted-average of the implied volatility for publicly-traded call options with the longest remaining maturity nearest to the money as of each


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
valuation date and the historical volatility, calculated using monthly closing prices of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock. The Company chose a monthly measurement interval for historical volatility as it believes this better depicts the nature of employee option exercise decisions being based on longer-term trends in the price of the underlying shares rather than on daily price movements.
 
The binomial lattice model used by the Company incorporates different risk-free rates based on the imputed forward rates for U.S. Treasury Strips for each year over the contractual term of the option. The table below presents the full range of rates that were used for options granted during the respective periods.
 
Dividend yield is determined based on historical dividend distributions compared to the price of the underlying common stock as of the valuation date and held constant over the life of the Stock Option.
 
The binomial lattice model used by the Company incorporates the contractual term of the Stock Options and then factors in expected exercise behavior and a post-vesting termination rate, or the rate at which vested options are exercised or expire prematurely due to termination of employment, to derive an expected life. Exercise behavior in the binomial lattice model used by the Company is expressed using an exercise multiple, which reflects the ratio of exercise price to the strike price of Stock Options granted at which holders of the Stock Options are expected to exercise. The exercise multiple is derived from actual historical exercise activity. The post-vesting termination rate is determined from actual historical exercise experience and expiration activity under the Incentive Plans.
 
The following table presents the weighted average assumptions, with the exception of risk-free rate, which is expressed as a range, used to determine the fair value of Stock Options issued:
 
             
    Years Ended December 31,
    2010   2009   2008
 
Dividend yield
  2.11%   3.15%   1.21%
Risk-free rate of return
  0.35%-5.88%   0.73%-6.67%   1.91%-7.21%
Expected volatility
  34.41%   44.39%   24.85%
Exercise multiple
  1.75   1.76   1.73
Post-vesting termination rate
  3.64%   3.70%   3.05%
Contractual term (years)
  10   10   10
Expected life (years)
  7   6   6
Weighted average exercise price of stock options granted
  $35.06   $23.61   $59.48
Weighted average fair value of stock options granted
  $11.29   $8.37   $17.51
 
The following table presents a summary of Stock Option exercise activity:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,
    2010   2009   2008
    (In millions)
 
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised
  $ 22     $ 1     $ 36  
Cash received from exercise of stock options
  $ 52     $ 8     $ 45  
Tax benefit realized from stock options exercised
  $ 8     $  —     $ 13  
 
Performance Shares
 
Performance Shares are units that, if they vest, are multiplied by a performance factor to produce a number of final Performance Shares which are payable in shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock. Performance Shares are accounted for as equity awards, but are not credited with dividend-equivalents for actual dividends paid on MetLife, Inc. common stock during the performance period. Accordingly, the estimated fair value of Performance Shares is based upon the closing price of MetLife, Inc. common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of estimated dividends to be paid on that stock during the performance period.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Performance Share awards normally vest in their entirety at the end of the three-year performance period. Vesting is subject to continued service, except for employees who are retirement eligible and in certain other limited circumstances. Vested Performance Shares are multiplied by a performance factor of 0.0 to 2.0 based largely on MetLife, Inc.’s performance in change in annual net operating earnings and total shareholder return over the applicable three-year performance period compared to the performance of its competitors. A performance factor of 0.94 was applied for the January 1, 2007 — December 31, 2009 performance period.
 
The following table presents a summary of Performance Share activity for the year ended December 31, 2010:
 
                 
          Weighted Average
 
    Performance
    Grant Date
 
    Shares     Fair Value  
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
    3,493,435     $ 38.43  
Granted (1)
    1,528,065     $ 32.24  
Forfeited
    (58,176 )   $ 30.06  
Payable (2)
    (807,750 )   $ 60.83  
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    4,155,574     $ 31.91  
                 
Performance Shares expected to vest at December 31, 2010
    3,972,769     $ 33.40  
                 
 
 
(1) The total fair value on the date of the grant was $49 million.
 
(2) Includes both shares paid and shares deferred for later payment.
 
Performance Share amounts above represent aggregate initial target awards and do not reflect potential increases or decreases resulting from the performance factor determined after the end of the respective performance periods. At December 31, 2010, the three year performance period for the 2008 Performance Share grants was completed, but the performance factor has not yet been calculated. Included in the immediately preceding table are 824,825 outstanding Performance Shares to which the performance factor will be applied.
 
Restricted Stock Units
 
Restricted Stock Units are units that, if they vest, are payable in shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock. Restricted Stock Units are accounted for as equity awards, but are not credited with dividend-equivalents for actual dividends paid on MetLife, Inc. common stock during the performance period. Accordingly, the estimated fair value of Restricted Stock Units is based upon the closing price of MetLife, Inc. common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of estimated dividends to be paid on that stock during the performance period.
 
The vast majority of Restricted Stock Units normally vest in their entirety on the third anniversary of their grant date. Other Restricted Stock Units normally vest in their entirety on the fifth anniversary of their grant date. Vesting is subject to continued service, except for employees who are retirement eligible and in certain other limited circumstances.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The following table presents a summary of Restricted Stock Unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2010:
 
                 
          Weighted Average
 
    Restricted Stock
    Grant Date
 
    Units     Fair Value  
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
    393,362     $ 28.05  
Granted (1)
    607,200     $ 32.32  
Forfeited
    (31,275 )   $ 27.31  
Payable (2)
    (32,115 )   $ 63.32  
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    937,172     $ 29.63  
                 
Restricted Stock Units expected to vest at December 31, 2010
    937,172     $ 29.63  
                 
 
 
(1) The total fair value on the date of the grant was $20 million.
 
(2) Includes both shares paid and shares deferred for later payment.
 
Statutory Equity and Income
 
Except for American Life, each insurance company’s state of domicile imposes minimum risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements that were developed by the NAIC. The formulas for determining the amount of RBC specify various weighting factors that are applied to financial balances or various levels of activity based on the perceived degree of risk. Regulatory compliance is determined by a ratio of total adjusted capital, as defined by the NAIC, to authorized control level RBC, as defined by the NAIC. Companies below specific trigger points or ratios are classified within certain levels, each of which requires specified corrective action. Each of the Holding Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries exceeded the minimum RBC requirements for all periods presented herein.
 
American Life does not write business in Delaware or any other domestic state and, as such, is exempt from RBC by Delaware law. American Life operations are regulated by applicable authorities of the countries in which the company operates and are subject to capital and solvency requirements in those countries.
 
The NAIC has adopted the Codification of Statutory Accounting Principles (“Statutory Codification”). Statutory Codification is intended to standardize regulatory accounting and reporting to state insurance departments. However, statutory accounting principles continue to be established by individual state laws and permitted practices. The New York Insurance Department (the “Department”) has adopted Statutory Codification with certain modifications for the preparation of statutory financial statements of insurance companies domiciled in New York. Modifications by the various state insurance departments may impact the effect of Statutory Codification on the statutory capital and surplus of the Holding Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries.
 
Statutory accounting principles differ from GAAP primarily by charging policy acquisition costs to expense as incurred, establishing future policy benefit liabilities using different actuarial assumptions, reporting surplus notes as surplus instead of debt and valuing securities on a different basis.
 
In addition, certain assets are not admitted under statutory accounting principles and are charged directly to surplus. The most significant assets not admitted by the Company are net deferred income tax assets resulting from temporary differences between statutory accounting principles basis and tax basis not expected to reverse and become recoverable within three years. Further, statutory accounting principles do not give recognition to purchase accounting adjustments.
 
Statutory net income (loss) of MLIC, a New York domiciled insurer, was $2,066 million, $1,221 million and ($338) million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus, to be filed with the Department, was $13.2 billion and $12.6 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Statutory net income of American Life, a Delaware domiciled insurer, of approximately $800 million will be reported in the Statutory Annual Statement for the year ended December 31, 2010. Statutory capital and surplus, to be filed with the Delaware Insurance Department was approximately $4.0 billion at December 31, 2010.
 
Statutory net income of MICC, a Connecticut domiciled insurer, was $668 million, $81 million and $242 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus, to be filed with the Connecticut Insurance Department, was $5.1 billion and $4.9 billion at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Statutory net income of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“MPC”), a Rhode Island domiciled insurer, was $273 million, $266 million and $308 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus, to be filed with the Insurance Department of Rhode Island, was $1.8 billion at both December 31, 2010 and 2009.
 
Statutory net income of MTL, a Delaware domiciled insurer, was $151 million, $57 million and $212 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus, to be filed with the Delaware Insurance Department was $805 million and $867 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Dividend Restrictions
 
The table below sets forth the dividends permitted to be paid by the respective insurance subsidiary without insurance regulatory approval and the respective dividends paid:
 
                                         
    2011     2010     2009  
    Permitted w/o
          Permitted w/o
          Permitted w/o
 
Company   Approval (1)       Paid (2)       Approval (3)     Paid (2)     Approval (3)  
    (In millions)  
 
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  $ 1,321     $ 631 (4)   $ 1,262     $     $ 552  
American Life Insurance Company (5)
  $ 661     $     $ 511       N/A       N/A  
MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut
  $ 517     $ 330     $ 659     $     $ 714  
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company
  $     $ 260     $     $ 300     $ 9  
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company
  $ 80     $ 569 (6)   $ 93     $     $ 88  
 
 
(1) Reflects dividend amounts that may be paid during 2011 without prior regulatory approval. However, because dividend tests may be based on dividends previously paid over rolling 12-month periods, if paid before a specified date during 2011, some or all of such dividends may require regulatory approval.
 
(2) All amounts paid, including those requiring regulatory approval.
 
(3) Reflects dividend amounts that could have been paid during the relevant year without prior regulatory approval.
 
(4) Includes securities transferred to the Holding Company of $399 million.
 
(5) Reflects approximate dividends permitted to be paid and the respective dividends paid since the Acquisition Date. See Note 2.
 
(6) Includes shares of an affiliate distributed to the Holding Company as an in-kind dividend of $475 million.
 
In addition to the amounts presented in the table above, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, cash dividends in the aggregate amount of $0 and $215 million, respectively, were paid to the Holding Company.
 
Under New York State Insurance Law, MLIC is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay stockholder dividends to the Holding Company as long as the aggregate amount of all such dividends in any calendar year does not exceed the lesser of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
preceding calendar year; or (ii) its statutory net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year (excluding realized capital gains). MLIC will be permitted to pay a dividend to the Holding Company in excess of the lesser of such two amounts only if it files notice of its intention to declare such a dividend and the amount thereof with the Superintendent and the Superintendent does not disapprove the dividend within 30 days of its filing. Under New York State Insurance Law, the Superintendent has broad discretion in determining whether the financial condition of a stock life insurance company would support the payment of such dividends to its shareholders.
 
Under Delaware State Insurance Law, each of American Life and MTL is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay a stockholder dividend to the Holding Company as long as the amount of the dividend when aggregated with all other dividends in the preceding 12 months does not exceed the greater of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year; or (ii) its statutory net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year (excluding realized capital gains). Each of American Life and MTL will be permitted to pay a dividend to the Holding Company in excess of the greater of such two amounts only if it files notice of the declaration of such a dividend and the amount thereof with the Delaware Commissioner of Insurance (the “Delaware Commissioner”) and the Delaware Commissioner either approves the distribution of the dividend or does not disapprove the distribution within 30 days of its filing. In addition, any dividend that exceeds earned surplus (defined as unassigned funds) as of the last filed annual statutory statement requires insurance regulatory approval. Under Delaware State Insurance Law, the Delaware Commissioner has broad discretion in determining whether the financial condition of a stock life insurance company would support the payment of such dividends to its shareholders.
 
Under Connecticut State Insurance Law, MICC is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay stockholder dividends to its stockholders as long as the amount of such dividends, when aggregated with all other dividends in the preceding 12 months, does not exceed the greater of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year; or (ii) its statutory net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year. MICC will be permitted to pay a dividend in excess of the greater of such two amounts only if it files notice of its declaration of such a dividend and the amount thereof with the Connecticut Commissioner of Insurance (the “Connecticut Commissioner”) and the Connecticut Commissioner does not disapprove the payment within 30 days after notice. In addition, any dividend that exceeds earned surplus (unassigned funds, reduced by 25% of unrealized appreciation in value or revaluation of assets or unrealized profits on investments) as of the last filed annual statutory statement requires insurance regulatory approval. Under Connecticut State Insurance Law, the Connecticut Commissioner has broad discretion in determining whether the financial condition of a stock life insurance company would support the payment of such dividends to its shareholders.
 
Under Rhode Island State Insurance Law, MPC is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay a stockholder dividend to the Holding Company as long as the aggregate amount of all such dividends in any twelve-month period does not exceed the lesser of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year; or (ii) net income, not including realized capital gains, for the immediately preceding calendar year, which may include carry forward net income from the second and third preceding calendar years excluding realized capital gains and less dividends paid in the second and immediately preceding calendar years. MPC will be permitted to pay a dividend to the Holding Company in excess of the lesser of such two amounts only if it files notice of its intention to declare such a dividend and the amount thereof with the Rhode Island Commissioner of Insurance (the “Rhode Island Commissioner”) and the Rhode Island Commissioner does not disapprove the distribution within 30 days of its filing. Under Rhode Island State Insurance Code, the Rhode Island Commissioner has broad discretion in determining whether the financial condition of a stock property and casualty insurance company would support the payment of such dividends to its shareholders.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
The following table sets forth the reclassification adjustments required for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 in other comprehensive income (loss) that are included as part of net income for the current year that have been reported as a part of other comprehensive income (loss) in the current or prior year:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Holding gains (losses) on investments arising during the year
  $ 10,092     $ 18,548     $ (26,650 )
Income tax effect of holding gains (losses)
    (3,516 )     (6,243 )     8,989  
Reclassification adjustments:
                       
Recognized holding (gains) losses included in current year income
    (143 )     1,954       2,040  
Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts associated with investments
    (590 )     (490 )     (926 )
Income tax effect
    255       (493 )     (377 )
Allocation of holding (gains) losses on investments relating to other policyholder amounts
    (2,813 )     (2,979 )     4,809  
Income tax effect of allocation of holding (gains) losses to other policyholder amounts
    980       1,002       (1,621 )
Unrealized investment loss of subsidiary at date of sale
                131  
Deferred income tax on unrealized investment loss of subsidiary at date of sale
                (60 )
                         
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax
    4,265       11,299       (13,665 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax
    (350 )     63       (700 )
Defined benefit plans adjustment, net of income tax
    96       (102 )     (1,199 )
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    4,011       11,260       (15,564 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (5 )     11       (10 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests of subsidiary at date of disposal
                150  
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests of subsidiary at date of disposal
                107  
Defined benefit plans adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests of subsidiary at date of disposal
                (4 )
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc., excluding cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    4,006       11,271       (15,321 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax of $27 million, $40 million and $0 (see Note 1)
    52       (76 )      
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ 4,058     $ 11,195     $ (15,321 )
                         


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
19.   Other Expenses
 
Information on other expenses was as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Compensation
  $ 3,584     $ 3,402     $ 3,299  
Pension, postretirement & postemployment benefit costs
    380       452       120  
Commissions
    3,646       3,433       3,384  
Volume-related costs
    379       407       354  
Interest credited to bank deposits
    137       163       166  
Capitalization of DAC
    (3,343 )     (3,019 )     (3,092 )
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    2,801       1,307       3,489  
Interest expense on debt and debt issue costs
    1,550       1,044       1,051  
Premium taxes, licenses & fees
    514       527       471  
Professional services
    1,104       902       949  
Rent, net of sublease income
    307       385       373  
Other
    1,744       1,553       1,383  
                         
Total other expenses
  $ 12,803     $ 10,556     $ 11,947  
                         
 
Capitalization of DAC and Amortization of DAC and VOBA
 
See Note 6 for DAC and VOBA by segment and a rollforward of each including impacts of capitalization and amortization. See also Note 10 for a description of the DAC amortization impact associated with the closed block. Amortization of DAC and VOBA includes amortization of negative VOBA related to the Acquisition of $64 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. Negative VOBA is recorded in other policy-related balances (see Note 2) and therefore, the amortization of negative VOBA is an offset to the VOBA amortization in Note 6.
 
Interest Expense on Debt and Debt Issue Costs
 
See Notes 11, 12, 13 and 14 for attribution of interest expense by debt issuance. Interest expense on debt and debt issue costs includes interest expense related to CSEs of $411 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, and $0 for both of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. See Note 3.
 
Lease Impairments
 
See Note 16 for description of lease impairments included within other expenses.
 
Costs Related to the Acquisition
 
See Note 2 for transaction costs and integration-related expenses related to the Acquisition which were included in other expenses.
 
Restructuring Charges
 
In September 2008, the Company began an enterprise-wide cost reduction and revenue enhancement initiative which is expected to be fully implemented by December 31, 2011. This initiative is focused on reducing complexity, leveraging scale, increasing productivity and improving the effectiveness of the Company’s operations, as well as providing a foundation for future growth. These restructuring costs were included in


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
other expenses. As the expenses relate to an enterprise-wide initiative, they were incurred within Banking, Corporate & Other. Estimated restructuring costs may change as management continues to execute its restructuring plans. Restructuring charges associated with this enterprise-wide initiative were as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at January 1,
  $ 36     $ 86     $  
Severance charges
    17       84       109  
Change in severance charge estimates
    (1 )     (8 )     (8 )
Cash payments
    (45 )     (126 )     (15 )
                         
Balance at December 31,
  $ 7     $ 36     $ 86  
                         
Restructuring charges incurred in current period
  $ 16     $ 76     $ 101  
                         
Total restructuring charges incurred since inception of program
  $ 193     $ 177     $ 101  
                         
 
For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the change in severance charge estimates of ($1) million, ($8) million and ($8) million, respectively, was due to changes in estimates for variable incentive compensation, COBRA benefits, employee outplacement services and for employees whose severance status changed.
 
In addition to the above charges, the Company has recognized lease charges of $28 million associated with the consolidation of office space since the inception of the initiative.
 
Management anticipates further restructuring charges, including severance, lease and asset impairments, will be incurred during the year ending December 31, 2011. However, such restructuring plans were not sufficiently developed to enable the Company to make an estimate of such restructuring charges at December 31, 2010.
 
See Note 2 for discussion of restructuring charges related to the Acquisition.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
20.   Earnings Per Common Share
 
The following table presents the weighted average shares used in calculating basic earnings per common share and those used in calculating diluted earnings per common share for each income category presented below:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions, except share and per share data)  
 
Weighted Average Shares:
                       
Weighted average common stock outstanding for basic earnings per common share (1)
    882,436,532       818,462,150       735,184,337  
Incremental common shares from assumed:
                       
Stock purchase contracts underlying common equity units (2)
                2,043,553  
Exercise or issuance of stock-based awards (3)
    7,131,346             7,557,540  
                         
Weighted average common stock outstanding for diluted earnings per common share(1)
    889,567,878       818,462,150       744,785,430  
                         
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
  $ 2,777     $ (2,319 )   $ 3,479  
Less: Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (4 )     (32 )     (25 )
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    122       122       125  
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 2,659     $ (2,409 )   $ 3,379  
                         
Basic
  $ 3.01     $ (2.94 )   $ 4.60  
                         
Diluted
  $ 2.99     $ (2.94 )   $ 4.54  
                         
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations:
                       
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
  $ 9     $ 41     $ (201 )
Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
                94  
                         
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 9     $ 41     $ (295 )
                         
Basic
  $ 0.01     $ 0.05     $ (0.41 )
                         
Diluted
  $ 0.01     $ 0.05     $ (0.40 )
                         
Net Income (Loss):
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 2,786     $ (2,278 )   $ 3,278  
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (4 )     (32 )     69  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    122       122       125  
                         
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 2,668     $ (2,368 )   $ 3,084  
                         
Basic
  $ 3.02     $ (2.89 )   $ 4.19  
                         
Diluted
  $ 3.00     $ (2.89 )   $ 4.14  
                         
 
 
(1) For purposes of the earnings per common share calculation, the Convertible Preferred Stock is assumed converted into shares of common stock for both basic and diluted weighted average shares. See Note 18 for a description of the Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
(2) See Note 14 for a description of the Company’s common equity units.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
(3) For the year ended December 31, 2009, 4,213,700 shares related to the assumed exercise or issuance of stock-based awards have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as these assumed shares are anti-dilutive.
 
21.   Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
 
The unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2010 and 2009 are summarized in the table below:
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended  
    March 31,     June 30,     September 30,     December 31,  
    (In millions, except per share data)  
 
2010
                               
Total revenues
  $ 13,190     $ 14,245     $ 12,444     $ 12,838  
Total expenses
  $ 11,999     $ 11,875     $ 12,051     $ 12,834  
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
  $ 833     $ 1,540     $ 322     $ 82  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
  $ 1     $ 7     $ (2 )   $ 3  
Net income (loss)
  $ 834     $ 1,547     $ 320     $ 85  
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
  $ (1 )   $ (10 )   $ 4     $ 3  
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ 835     $ 1,557     $ 316     $ 82  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
  $ 30     $ 31     $ 30     $ 31  
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 805     $ 1,526     $ 286     $ 51  
Basic earnings per common share:
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 0.98     $ 1.84     $ 0.33     $ 0.05  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $     $ 0.01     $     $  
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ 1.02     $ 1.90     $ 0.36     $ 0.08  
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 0.98     $ 1.85     $ 0.33     $ 0.05  
Diluted earnings per common share:
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 0.97     $ 1.83     $ 0.32     $ 0.05  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $     $ 0.01     $     $  
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ 1.01     $ 1.87     $ 0.36     $ 0.08  
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ 0.97     $ 1.84     $ 0.32     $ 0.05  
2009
                               
Total revenues
  $ 10,214     $ 8,264     $ 10,238     $ 12,341  
Total expenses
  $ 11,176     $ 10,640     $ 11,413     $ 12,162  
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
  $ (585 )   $ (1,420 )   $ (624 )   $ 310  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
  $ 37     $ 2     $ (1 )   $ 3  
Net income (loss)
  $ (548 )   $ (1,418 )   $ (625 )   $ 313  
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
  $ (4 )   $ (16 )   $ (5 )   $ (7 )
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ (544 )   $ (1,402 )   $ (620 )   $ 320  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
  $ 30     $ 31     $ 30     $ 31  
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ (574 )   $ (1,433 )   $ (650 )   $ 289  
Basic earnings per common share:
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ (0.76 )   $ (1.74 )   $ (0.79 )   $ 0.35  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ 0.05     $     $     $  
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ (0.67 )   $ (1.71 )   $ (0.75 )   $ 0.39  
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ (0.71 )   $ (1.74 )   $ (0.79 )   $ 0.35  
Diluted earnings per common share:
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ (0.76 )   $ (1.74 )   $ (0.79 )   $ 0.35  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ 0.05     $     $     $  
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc. 
  $ (0.67 )   $ (1.71 )   $ (0.75 )   $ 0.39  
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
  $ (0.71 )   $ (1.74 )   $ (0.79 )   $ 0.35  


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
22.   Business Segment Information
 
MetLife is organized into five segments: Insurance Products, Retirement Products, Corporate Benefit Funding and Auto & Home (collectively, “U.S. Business”) and International. The assets and liabilities of ALICO as of November 30, 2010 and the operating results of ALICO from the Acquisition Date through November 30, 2010 are included in the International segment. In addition, the Company reports certain of its results of operations in Banking, Corporate & Other, which includes MetLife Bank and other business activities. For reporting purposes beginning in 2011, our non-U.S. Business results will be presented within two separate segments: Japan and Other International Regions.
 
Insurance Products offers a broad range of protection products and services to individuals and corporations, as well as other institutions and their respective employees, and is organized into three distinct businesses: Group Life, Individual Life and Non-Medical Health. Group Life insurance products and services include variable life, universal life and term life products. Individual Life insurance products and services include variable life, universal life, term life and whole life products. Non-Medical Health products and services include dental insurance, short- and long-term disability, long-term care and other insurance products. Retirement Products offers asset accumulation and income products, including a wide variety of annuities. Corporate Benefit Funding offers pension risk solutions, structured settlements, stable value and investment products and other benefit funding products. Auto & Home provides personal lines property and casualty insurance, including private passenger automobile, homeowners and personal excess liability insurance. In the fourth quarter of 2010, management realigned certain income annuity products within the Company’s segments to better conform to the way it manages and assesses its business and began reporting such product results in the Retirement Products segment, previously reported in the Corporate Benefit Funding segment. Accordingly, prior period results for these segments have been adjusted by $29 million and $13 million of operating losses, net of $15 million and $8 million of income tax benefits, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, to reflect such product reclassifications.
 
International provides life insurance, accident and health insurance, credit insurance, annuities, endowments and retirement & savings products to both individuals and groups.
 
Banking, Corporate & Other contains the excess capital not allocated to the segments, the results of operations of MetLife Bank, various start-up entities and run-off entities, as well as interest expense related to the majority of the Company’s outstanding debt and expenses associated with certain legal proceedings and income tax audit issues. Banking, Corporate & Other also includes the elimination of intersegment amounts, which generally relate to intersegment loans, which bear interest rates commensurate with related borrowings.
 
Operating earnings is the measure of segment profit or loss the Company uses to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Consistent with GAAP accounting guidance for segment reporting, it is the Company’s measure of segment performance reported below. Operating earnings does not equate to income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax or net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as a substitute for those GAAP measures. The Company believes the presentation of operating earnings herein as the Company measures it for management purposes enhances the understanding of its performance by highlighting the results from operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the businesses.
 
Operating earnings is defined as operating revenues less operating expenses, net of income tax.
 
Operating revenues is defined as GAAP revenues (i) less net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses); (ii) less amortization of unearned revenue related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses); (iii) plus scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives that are hedges of investments but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment; (iv) plus income from discontinued real estate operations; (v) less net investment income related to contractholder-directed unit-linked investments; and (vi) plus, for operating joint ventures reported under the equity method of accounting, the aforementioned adjustments, those identified in the definition of operating expenses and changes in fair value of hedges of operating joint venture liabilities, all net of income tax.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Operating expenses is defined as GAAP expenses (i) less changes in policyholder benefits associated with asset value fluctuations related to experience-rated contractholder liabilities and certain inflation-indexed liabilities; (ii) less costs related to business combinations (since January 1, 2009) and noncontrolling interests; (iii) less amortization of DAC and VOBA and changes in the policyholder dividend obligation related to net investment gains (losses) and net derivative gains (losses); (iv) less interest credited to policyholder account balances related to contractholder-directed unit-linked investments; and (v) plus scheduled periodic settlement payments on derivatives that are hedges of policyholder account balances but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.
 
In addition, operating revenues and operating expenses do not reflect the consolidation of certain securitization entities that are VIEs as required under GAAP.
 
Set forth in the tables below is certain financial information with respect to the Company’s segments, as well as Banking, Corporate & Other for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and at December 31, 2010 and 2009. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of the Company, except for the method of capital allocation and the accounting for gains (losses) from intercompany sales, which are eliminated in consolidation. Economic capital is an internally developed risk capital model, the purpose of which is to measure the risk in the business and to provide a basis upon which capital is deployed. The economic capital model accounts for the unique and specific nature of the risks inherent in the Company’s businesses. As a part of the economic capital process, a portion of net investment income is credited to the segments based on the level of allocated equity. The Company allocates certain non-recurring items, such as expenses associated with certain legal proceedings, to Banking, Corporate & Other.
 


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                                                 
    Operating Earnings              
    U.S. Business                                
                Corporate
                      Banking,
                   
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto
                Corporate
                Total
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010   Products     Products     Funding     & Home     Total     International     & Other     Total     Adjustments     Consolidated  
    (In millions)  
 
Revenues
                                                                               
Premiums
  $ 17,200     $ 875     $ 1,938     $ 2,923     $ 22,936     $ 4,447     $ 11     $ 27,394     $     $ 27,394  
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    2,247       2,234       226             4,707       1,329             6,036       1       6,037  
Net investment income
    6,068       3,395       4,954       209       14,626       1,703       992       17,321       294       17,615  
Other revenues
    761       220       246       22       1,249       35       1,044       2,328             2,328  
Net investment gains (losses)
                                                    (392 )     (392 )
Net derivative gains (losses)
                                                    (265 )     (265 )
                                                                                 
Total revenues
    26,276       6,724       7,364       3,154       43,518       7,514       2,047       53,079       (362 )     52,717  
                                                                                 
Expenses
                                                                               
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
    19,075       1,879       4,041       2,021       27,016       3,723       (14 )     30,725       306       31,031  
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    963       1,612       1,445             4,020       683             4,703       222       4,925  
Interest credited to bank deposits
                                        137       137             137  
Capitalization of DAC
    (841 )     (1,067 )     (19 )     (448 )     (2,375 )     (968 )           (3,343 )           (3,343 )
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    966       724       16       439       2,145       537       1       2,683       118       2,801  
Interest expense on debt
    1       3       6             10       3       1,126       1,139       411       1,550  
Other expenses
    4,080       2,437       460       769       7,746       2,538       1,155       11,439       219       11,658  
                                                                                 
Total expenses
    24,244       5,588       5,949       2,781       38,562       6,516       2,405       47,483       1,276       48,759  
                                                                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    711       397       495       73       1,676       206       (300 )     1,582       (401 )     1,181  
                                                                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 1,321     $ 739     $ 920     $ 300     $ 3,280     $ 792     $ (58 )     4,014                  
                                                                                 
Adjustments to:
                                                                               
Total revenues
                                                            (362 )                
Total expenses
                                                            (1,276 )                
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
                                                            401                  
                                                                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
                                                          $ 2,777             $ 2,777  
                                                                                 
 
                                                                 
    U.S. Business                    
                Corporate
                      Banking,
       
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto
                Corporate
       
At December 31, 2010:   Products     Products     Funding     & Home     Total     International     & Other     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Total assets
  $ 141,366     $ 177,056     $ 172,918     $ 5,541     $ 496,881     $ 164,995     $ 69,030     $ 730,906  
Separate account assets
  $ 9,567     $ 107,335     $ 56,571     $     $ 173,473     $ 9,864     $     $ 183,337  
Separate account liabilities
  $ 9,567     $ 107,335     $ 56,571     $     $ 173,473     $ 9,864     $     $ 183,337  
 

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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                                                 
    Operating Earnings              
    U.S. Business                                
                Corporate
                      Banking,
                   
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    Auto
                Corporate
                Total
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009   Products     Products     Funding     & Home     Total     International     & Other     Total     Adjustments     Consolidated  
    (In millions)  
 
Revenues
                                                                               
Premiums
  $ 17,168     $ 920     $ 2,264     $ 2,902     $ 23,254     $ 3,187     $ 19     $ 26,460     $     $ 26,460  
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    2,281       1,712       176             4,169       1,061             5,230       (27 )     5,203  
Net investment income
    5,614       3,098       4,527       180       13,419       1,193       477       15,089       (252 )     14,837  
Other revenues
    779       173       238       33       1,223       14       1,092       2,329             2,329  
Net investment gains (losses)
                                                    (2,906 )     (2,906 )
Net derivative gains (losses)
                                                    (4,866 )     (4,866 )
                                                                                 
Total revenues
    25,842       5,903       7,205       3,115       42,065       5,455       1,588       49,108       (8,051 )     41,057  
                                                                                 
Expenses
                                                                               
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
    19,111       1,950       4,245       1,932       27,238       2,660       4       29,902       84       29,986  
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    952       1,688       1,632             4,272       581             4,853       (4 )     4,849  
Interest credited to bank deposits
                                        163       163             163  
Capitalization of DAC
    (873 )     (1,067 )     (14 )     (435 )     (2,389 )     (630 )           (3,019 )           (3,019 )
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    725       424       15       436       1,600       415       3       2,018       (711 )     1,307  
Interest expense on debt
    6             3             9       8       1,027       1,044             1,044  
Other expenses
    4,206       2,433       456       764       7,859       1,797       1,336       10,992       69       11,061  
                                                                                 
Total expenses
    24,127       5,428       6,337       2,697       38,589       4,831       2,533       45,953       (562 )     45,391  
                                                                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    573       167       288       96       1,124       161       (617 )     668       (2,683 )     (2,015 )
                                                                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 1,142     $ 308     $ 580     $ 322     $ 2,352     $ 463     $ (328 )     2,487                  
                                                                                 
Adjustments to:
                                                                               
Total revenues
                                                            (8,051 )                
Total expenses
                                                            562                  
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
                                                            2,683                  
                                                                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
                                                          $ (2,319 )           $ (2,319 )
                                                                                 
 
                                                                 
    U.S. Business            
            Corporate
              Banking,
   
    Insurance
  Retirement
  Benefit
  Auto
          Corporate
   
At December 31, 2009:   Products   Products   Funding   & Home   Total   International   & Other   Total
    (In millions)
 
Total assets
  $ 132,720     $ 154,228     $ 153,795     $ 5,517     $ 446,260     $ 33,923     $ 59,131     $ 539,314  
Separate account assets
  $ 8,838     $ 87,157     $ 45,688     $     $ 141,683     $ 7,358     $     $ 149,041  
Separate account liabilities
  $ 8,838     $ 87,157     $ 45,688     $     $ 141,683     $ 7,358     $     $ 149,041  
 

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                                                                 
    Operating Earnings              
    U.S. Business                                
                Corporate
    Auto
                Banking,
                   
    Insurance
    Retirement
    Benefit
    &
                Corporate
                Total
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008   Products     Products     Funding     Home     Total     International     & Other     Total     Adjustments     Consolidated  
    (In millions)  
 
Revenues
                                                                               
Premiums
  $ 16,402     $ 696     $ 2,348     $ 2,971     $ 22,417     $ 3,470     $ 27     $ 25,914     $     $ 25,914  
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
    2,171       1,870       227             4,268       1,095             5,363       18       5,381  
Net investment income
    5,787       2,624       5,615       186       14,212       1,180       808       16,200       89       16,289  
Other revenues
    819       169       358       38       1,384       18       184       1,586             1,586  
Net investment gains (losses)
                                                    (2,098 )     (2,098 )
Net derivative gains (losses)
                                                    3,910       3,910  
                                                                                 
Total revenues
    25,179       5,359       8,548       3,195       42,281       5,763       1,019       49,063       1,919       50,982  
                                                                                 
Expenses
                                                                               
Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends
    18,183       1,271       4,398       1,924       25,776       3,185       46       29,007       181       29,188  
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
    930       1,338       2,297             4,565       171       7       4,743       45       4,788  
Interest credited to bank deposits
                                        166       166             166  
Capitalization of DAC
    (849 )     (980 )     (18 )     (444 )     (2,291 )     (798 )     (3 )     (3,092 )           (3,092 )
Amortization of DAC and VOBA
    743       1,356       29       454       2,582       381       5       2,968       521       3,489  
Interest expense on debt
    5       2       2             9       9       1,033       1,051             1,051  
Other expenses
    4,196       2,101       440       794       7,531       2,079       699       10,309       24       10,333  
                                                                                 
Total expenses
    23,208       5,088       7,148       2,728       38,172       5,027       1,953       45,152       771       45,923  
                                                                                 
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)
    661       91       474       104       1,330       257       (495 )     1,092       488       1,580  
                                                                                 
Operating earnings
  $ 1,310     $ 180     $ 926     $ 363     $ 2,779     $ 479     $ (439 )     2,819                  
                                                                                 
Adjustments to:
                                                                               
Total revenues
                                                            1,919                  
Total expenses
                                                            (771 )                
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit
                                                            (488 )                
                                                                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax
                                                          $ 3,479             $ 3,479  
                                                                                 
 
Net investment income is based upon the actual results of each segment’s specifically identifiable asset portfolio adjusted for allocated equity. Other costs are allocated to each of the segments based upon: (i) a review of the nature of such costs; (ii) time studies analyzing the amount of employee compensation costs incurred by each segment; and (iii) cost estimates included in the Company’s product pricing.
 
Operating revenues derived from any customer did not exceed 10% of consolidated operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Operating revenues from U.S. operations were $44.9 billion, $42.8 billion and $42.9 billion for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which represented 85%, 87% and 87%, respectively, of consolidated operating revenues.

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
23.   Discontinued Operations
 
Real Estate
 
The Company actively manages its real estate portfolio with the objective of maximizing earnings through selective acquisitions and dispositions. Income related to real estate classified as held-for-sale or sold is presented in discontinued operations. These assets are carried at the lower of depreciated cost or estimated fair value less expected disposition costs. Income from discontinued real estate operations, net of income tax, was $3 million, $11 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
The carrying value of real estate related to discontinued operations was $8 million and $55 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Operations
 
Texas Life Insurance Company
 
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Holding Company entered into an agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cova, the parent company of Texas Life, to a third-party and the sale occurred in March 2009. See Note 2. The following table presents the amounts related to the operations of Cova that have been reflected as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations:
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Total revenues
  $ 25     $ 134  
Total expenses
    19       119  
                 
Income before provision for income tax
    6       15  
Provision for income tax
    2       4  
                 
Income from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax
    4       11  
Gain on disposal, net of income tax
    28       37  
                 
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax
  $ 32     $ 48  
                 


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated
 
As more fully described in Note 2, the Company completed a tax-free split-off of its majority-owned subsidiary, RGA in September 2008. The following table presents the amounts related to the operations of RGA that have been reflected as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations:
 
         
    Year Ended
 
    December 31, 2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Total revenues
  $ 3,952  
Total expenses
    3,796  
         
Income before provision for income tax
    156  
Provision for income tax
    53  
         
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders
    103  
Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests
    94  
Loss on disposal, net of income tax
    (458 )
         
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax
  $ (261 )
         
 
The operations of RGA included direct policies and reinsurance agreements with MetLife and some of its subsidiaries. These agreements are generally terminable by either party upon 90 days written notice with respect to future new business. Agreements related to existing business generally are not terminable, unless the underlying policies terminate or are recaptured. These direct policies and reinsurance agreements do not constitute significant continuing involvement by the Company with RGA. Included in continuing operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations are amounts related to these transactions, including ceded amounts that reduced premiums and fees by $158 million and ceded amounts that reduced policyholder benefits and claims by $136 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 that have not been eliminated as these transactions have continued after the RGA disposition.
 
24.   Subsequent Events
 
Dividends
 
On February 18, 2011, the Holding Company announced dividends of $0.2500000 per share, for a total of $6 million, on its Series A preferred shares, and $0.4062500 per share, for a total of $24 million, on its Series B preferred shares, subject to the final confirmation that it has met the financial tests specified in the Series A and Series B preferred shares, which the Company anticipates will be made on or about March 7, 2011. Both dividends will be payable March 15, 2011 to shareholders of record as of February 28, 2011.
 
Credit Facility
 
On February 1, 2011, the Holding Company entered into a committed facility with a third-party bank to provide letters of credit for the benefit of Missouri Reinsurance (Barbados) Inc. (“MoRe”), a captive reinsurance subsidiary, to address its short-term solvency needs based on guidance from the regulator. This one-year facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit in amounts up to $350 million. Under the facility, a letter of credit for $250 million was issued on February 2, 2011 and increased to $295 million on February 23, 2011, which management believes satisfies MoRe’s solvency requirements.


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Schedule I

Consolidated Summary of Investments

MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule I
 
Consolidated Summary of Investments —
Other Than Investments in Related Parties
December 31, 2010
(In millions)
 
                         
                Amount at
 
    Cost or
    Estimated
    Which Shown on
 
Type of Investments   Amortized Cost (1)     Fair Value     Balance Sheet  
 
Fixed maturity securities:
                       
Bonds:
                       
Foreign government securities
  $ 42,154     $ 43,400     $ 43,400  
U.S. Treasury, agency and government guaranteed securities
    32,469       33,304       33,304  
Public utilities
    11,416       12,040       12,040  
State and political subdivision securities
    10,476       10,129       10,129  
All other corporate bonds
    138,873       143,851       143,851  
                         
Total bonds
    235,388       242,724       242,724  
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
    79,406       79,698       79,698  
Redeemable preferred stock
    5,208       4,855       4,855  
Other fixed maturity securities
    6       7       7  
                         
Total fixed maturity securities
    320,008       327,284       327,284  
                         
Trading and other securities
    18,263       18,589       18,589  
                         
Equity securities:
                       
Common stock:
                       
Industrial, miscellaneous and all other
    2,036       2,167       2,167  
Banks, trust and insurance companies
    18       19       19  
Public utilities
    6       8       8  
Non-redeemable preferred stock
    1,565       1,412       1,412  
                         
Total equity securities
    3,625       3,606       3,606  
                         
Mortgage loans:
                       
Held-for-investment
    59,055               59,055  
Held-for-sale
    3,321               3,321  
                         
Mortgage loans, net
    62,376               62,376  
                         
Policy loans
    11,914               11,914  
Real estate and real estate joint ventures
    7,878               7,878  
Real estate acquired in satisfaction of debt
    152               152  
Other limited partnership interests
    6,416               6,416  
Short-term investments
    9,387               9,387  
Other invested assets
    15,430               15,430  
                         
Total investments
  $ 455,449             $ 463,032  
                         
 
 
(1) The Company’s trading and other securities portfolio is mainly comprised of fixed maturity and equity securities, including mutual funds, and to a lesser extent, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents. Cost or amortized cost for fixed maturity securities and mortgage loans held-for-investment represents original cost reduced by repayments, valuation allowances and impairments from other-than-temporary declines in estimated fair value that are charged to earnings and adjusted for amortization of premiums or discounts; for equity securities, cost represents original cost reduced by impairments from other-than-temporary declines in estimated fair value; for real estate, cost represents original cost reduced by impairments and adjusted for valuation allowances and depreciation; for real estate joint ventures and other limited partnership interests cost represents original cost reduced for other-than-temporary impairments or original cost adjusted for equity in earnings and distributions.


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Schedule II

MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule II
 
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
December 31, 2010 and 2009
(In millions, except share and per share data)
 
                 
    2010     2009  
 
Condensed Balance Sheets
               
Assets
               
Investments:
               
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $2,691 and $3,173, respectively)
  $ 2,740     $ 3,187  
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $18 and $20, respectively)
    15       17  
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value
    33       303  
Other invested assets, at estimated fair value
    114       37  
                 
Total investments
    2,902       3,544  
Cash and cash equivalents
    624       679  
Accrued investment income
    42       36  
Investment in subsidiaries
    65,832       42,997  
Loans to subsidiaries
    1,275       1,575  
Receivables from subsidiaries
    73       11  
Other assets
    1,320       991  
                 
Total assets
  $ 72,068     $ 49,833  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Liabilities
               
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
  $ 660     $ 427  
Long-term debt — unaffiliated
    16,258       10,458  
Long-term debt — affiliated
    665       500  
Collateral financing arrangements
    2,797       2,797  
Junior subordinated debt securities
    1,748       1,748  
Other liabilities
    1,315       782  
                 
Total liabilities
  $ 23,443     $ 16,712  
                 
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized:
               
Preferred stock, 84,000,000 shares issued and outstanding; $2,100 aggregate liquidation preference
    1       1  
Convertible preferred stock, 6,857,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010
           
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 989,031,704 and 822,359,818 shares issued at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively; 985,837,817 and 818,833,810 shares outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively
    10       8  
Additional paid-in capital
    26,423       16,859  
Retained earnings
    21,363       19,501  
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,193,887 and 3,526,008 shares at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively
    (172 )     (190 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    1,000       (3,058 )
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    48,625       33,121  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 72,068     $ 49,833  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to the condensed financial information.


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Table of Contents

MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule II
 
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant — (Continued)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
(In millions)
 
                         
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Condensed Statements of Operations
                       
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
  $ 3,441     $ (1,811 )   $ 3,666  
Net investment income
    144       153       167  
Other income
    144       155       149  
Net investment gains (losses):
                       
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities
          (23 )     (12 )
Other net investment gains (losses)
    31       (85 )     139  
                         
Total net investment gains (losses)
    31       (108 )     127  
Net derivative gains (losses)
    (81 )     199       (399 )
Interest expense
    (882 )     (776 )     (736 )
Other expenses
    (319 )     (202 )     (89 )
                         
Income (loss) before provision for income tax
    2,478       (2,390 )     2,885  
Provision for income tax benefit
    (312 )     (144 )     (324 )
                         
Net income (loss)
    2,790       (2,246 )     3,209  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    122       122       125  
                         
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
  $ 2,668     $ (2,368 )   $ 3,084  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to the condensed financial information.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule II
 
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant — (Continued)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
(In millions)
                         
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
                       
Cash flows from operating activities
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 2,790     $ (2,246 )   $ 3,209  
Earnings of subsidiaries
    (3,441 )     1,811       (3,666 )
Dividends from subsidiaries
    916       515       1,148  
Other, net
    376       (458 )     509  
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    641       (378 )     1,200  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities
                       
Sales of fixed maturity securities
    7,422       1,005       3,970  
Purchases of fixed maturity securities
    (6,542 )     (3,002 )     (2,983 )
Sales of equity securities
    5              
Purchases of equity securities
          (3 )     (1 )
Cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives
    200       239       613  
Cash paid in connection with freestanding derivatives
    (450 )     (496 )     (315 )
Sales of businesses
          130        
Disposal of subsidiary
          (19 )     (43 )
Purchases of businesses
    (7,196 )           (202 )
Expense paid on behalf of subsidiaries
    (72 )     (69 )      
Repayments of loans to subsidiaries
    300             400  
Investment in preferred stock of subsidiary
    (50 )     (75 )      
Returns of capital from subsidiaries
    54              
Capital contributions to subsidiaries
    (374 )     (876 )     (1,284 )
Net change in short-term investments
    271       772       (1,073 )
Other, net
    (35 )     186       (241 )
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (6,467 )     (2,208 )     (1,159 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities
                       
Net change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions
    233       84       (471 )
Net change in short-term debt
          (300 )     (10 )
Long-term debt issued
    2,987       1,647        
Long-term debt paid
                 
Cash received in connection with collateral financing arrangements
          775        
Cash paid in connection with collateral financing arrangements
          (400 )     (800 )
Junior subordinated debt securities issued
          500        
Debt issuance costs
    (14 )     (30 )     (8 )
Stock options exercised
    5       8       45  
Common stock issued, net of issuance costs
    3,576             290  
Common stock issued to settle stock forward contracts
          1,035        
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchase agreements
                (1,250 )
Treasury stock issued in connection with common stock issuance, net of issuance costs
                1,936  
Treasury stock issued to settle stock forward contracts
                1,035  
Dividends on preferred stock
    (122 )     (122 )     (125 )
Dividends on common stock
    (784 )     (610 )     (592 )
Other, net
    (110 )            
                         
Net cash provided by financing activities
    5,771       2,587       50  
                         
Change in cash and cash equivalents
    (55 )     1       91  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    679       678       587  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 624     $ 679     $ 678  
                         


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    2010     2009     2008  
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                       
Net cash paid (received) during the year for:
                       
Interest
  $ 808     $ 704     $ 696  
                         
Income tax
  $ (474 )   $ 104     $ (249 )
                         
Non-cash transactions during the year:
                       
Business acquisition:
                       
Assets acquired
  $ 125,689     $     $  
Liabilities assumed
    (109,267 )            
Redeemable and non-redeemable noncontrolling interests assumed
    (130 )            
                         
Net assets acquired
    16,292              
Cash paid, excluding transaction costs of $88, $0 and $0, respectively
    (7,196 )            
Other purchase price adjustments
    98              
                         
Securities issued
  $ 9,194     $     $  
                         
Disposal of subsidiary:
                       
Investment in subsidiary disposed
  $     $     $ 1,716  
Transaction costs, including cash paid of $0, $19 and $43, respectively
          2       60  
Treasury stock received in common stock exchange
                (1,318 )
                         
Loss on disposal of subsidiary
  $     $ 2     $ 458  
                         
Remarketing of debt securities:
                       
Fixed maturity securities redeemed
  $     $ 32     $ 32  
                         
Long-term debt issued
  $     $ 1,035     $ 1,035  
                         
Junior subordinated debt securities redeemed
  $     $ 1,067     $ 1,067  
                         
Contribution of goodwill to subsidiaries
  $     $     $ 22  
                         
Contribution of other intangible assets to subsidiaries, net of deferred income tax
  $     $     $ 97  
                         
Issuance of collateral financing arrangements
  $     $ 105     $ 310  
                         
Dividends from subsidiaries
  $ 874     $     $  
                         
Capital contribution to subsidiary
  $     $ 105     $ 310  
                         
Allocation of interest expense to subsidiary
  $ 30     $ 44     $ 107  
                         
Allocation of interest income to subsidiary
  $ 46     $ 56     $ 110  
                         
Issuance of loan to subsidiary via transfer of fixed maturity securities
  $     $ 300     $  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to the condensed financial information.

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MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule II
 
Notes to the Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
 
1.   Basis of Presentation
 
The condensed financial information of MetLife, Inc. (the “Holding Company” or the “Registrant”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries and the notes thereto (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”). These condensed unconsolidated financial statements reflect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the Holding Company. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
 
The preparation of these condensed unconsolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to adopt accounting policies and make certain estimates and assumptions. The most important of these estimates and assumptions relate to the fair value measurements, the accounting for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets and the provision for potential losses that may arise from litigation and regulatory proceedings and tax audits, which may affect the amounts reported in the condensed unconsolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
2.   Acquisition
 
On November 1, 2010, the Holding Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of American Life Insurance Company (“American Life”) and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (collectively, “ALICO”). For further information on the $16.4 billion purchase price including cash, common stock, convertible preferred stock and common equity units, as well as on the capital raised in anticipation of the acquisition, see Notes 2, 11, 14 and 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
3.   Loans to Subsidiaries
 
The Holding Company lends funds, as necessary, to its subsidiaries, some of which are regulated, to meet their capital requirements. Such loans are included in loans to subsidiaries and consisted of the following at:
 
                         
    Interest
  Maturity
  December 31,  
Subsidiaries   Rate   Date   2010     2009  
            (In millions)  
 
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  6-month LIBOR + 1.80%   December 31, 2011   $ 775     $ 775  
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  6-month LIBOR + 1.80%   December 31, 2011           300  
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  7.13%   December 15, 2032     400       400  
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
  7.13%   January 15, 2033     100       100  
                         
Total
          $ 1,275     $ 1,575  
                         
 
In December 2009, the $700 million surplus note issued to the Holding Company by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”) was renewed and increased to $775 million, extending the maturity to December 31, 2011 with an interest rate of 6-month LIBOR + 1.80%.
 
In December 2009, MLIC issued a surplus note to the Holding Company for $300 million maturing in 2011 with an interest rate of 6-month LIBOR + 1.80%. MLIC received securities in exchange for the surplus note. On December 29, 2010, MLIC repaid the $300 million surplus note to the Holding Company in cash.
 
In June 2008, MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company repaid the $400 million surplus note with an interest rate of 7.35% to the Holding Company.
 
Interest income earned on loans to subsidiaries of $63 million, $50 million and $81 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, is included in net investment income.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule II
 
Notes to the Condensed Financial Information of Registrant — (Continued)
 
Payments of interest and principal on surplus notes, which are subordinate to all other obligations of the issuing company, may be made only with the prior approval of the insurance department of the state of domicile.
 
4.   Long-term and Short-term Debt
 
Long-term Debt
 
Long-term debt outstanding is as follows:
 
                                 
    Interest Rates         December 31,  
    Range   Weighted Average   Maturity     2010     2009  
                  (In millions)  
 
Senior notes — unaffiliated
  0.61%-7.72%   5.58%     2011-2045     $ 16,258     $ 10,458  
Senior notes — affiliated (1)
  5.00%-6.82%   5.62%     2011-2020       165        
Other affiliated debt
  0.95%-1.23%   1.04%     2015-2016       500       500  
                                 
Total
                  $ 16,923     $ 10,958  
                                 
 
 
(1) Consists of affiliated senior notes associated with bonds held by ALICO.
 
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2010 for the next five years and thereafter are $751 million in 2011, $797 million in 2012, $749 million in 2013, $1,350 million in 2014, $1,284 million in 2015 and $11,992 million thereafter.
 
Short-term Debt
 
There was no short-term debt outstanding at both December 31, 2010 and 2009. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the weighted average interest rate on short-term debt was 1.25% and 2.5%, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the average daily balance on short-term debt was $5 million, and the average days outstanding was 6 days. There was no short-term debt activity in 2010.
 
Interest Expense
 
Interest expense is comprised of the following:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Short-term debt
  $     $     $ 10  
Long-term debt — unaffiliated
    689       589       412  
Long-term debt — affiliated
    15       16       28  
Collateral financing arrangements
    44       59       121  
Junior subordinated debt securities
    134       112       164  
Stock purchase contracts
                1  
                         
Total interest expense
  $ 882     $ 776     $ 736  
                         
 
5.   Support Agreements
 
The Holding Company is party to various capital support commitments and guarantees with certain of its subsidiaries and a corporation in which it owns 50% of the equity. Under these arrangements, the Holding Company


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule II
 
Notes to the Condensed Financial Information of Registrant — (Continued)
 
has agreed to cause each such entity to meet specified capital and surplus levels or has guaranteed certain contractual obligations.
 
In November 2010, the Holding Company guaranteed the obligations of Exeter Reassurance Company Ltd. (“Exeter”) in an aggregate amount up to $1.0 billion, under a reinsurance agreement with MetLife Europe Limited (“MEL”), under which Exeter reinsures the guaranteed living benefits and guaranteed death benefits associated with certain unit-linked annuity contracts issued by MEL.
 
In January 2010, the Holding Company guaranteed the obligations of its subsidiary, Missouri Reinsurance (Barbados) Inc. (“MoRe”), under a retrocession agreement with RGA Reinsurance (Barbados) Inc., pursuant to which MoRe retrocedes certain group term life insurance issued by MLIC.
 
In December 2009, the Holding Company, in connection with MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont’s (“MRV”) reinsurance of certain universal life and term life insurance risks, committed to the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration to take necessary action to cause the third protected cell of MRV to maintain total adjusted capital equal to or greater than 200% of such protected cell’s authorized control level risk-based capital (“RBC”), as defined in state insurance statutes. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Holding Company, in connection with MRV’s reinsurance of certain universal life and term life insurance risks, committed to the Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration to take necessary action to cause each of the two initial protected cells of MRV to maintain total adjusted capital equal to or greater than 200% of such protected cell’s authorized control level RBC, as defined in state insurance statutes. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Holding Company, in connection with the collateral financing arrangement associated with MetLife Reinsurance Company of Charleston’s (“MRC”) reinsurance of a portion of the liabilities associated with the closed block, committed to the South Carolina Department of Insurance to make capital contributions, if necessary, to MRC so that MRC may at all times maintain its total adjusted capital at a level of not less than 200% of the company action level RBC, as defined in state insurance statutes as in effect on the date of determination or December 31, 2007, whichever calculation produces the greater capital requirement, or as otherwise required by the South Carolina Department of Insurance. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Holding Company, in connection with the collateral financing arrangement associated with MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina’s (“MRSC”) reinsurance of universal life secondary guarantees, committed to the South Carolina Department of Insurance to take necessary action to cause MRSC to maintain total adjusted capital equal to the greater of $250,000 or 100% of MRSC’s authorized control level RBC, as defined in state insurance statutes. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Holding Company has net worth maintenance agreements with two of its insurance subsidiaries, MetLife Investors Insurance Company and First MetLife Investors Insurance Company. Under these agreements, as subsequently amended, the Holding Company agreed, without limitation as to the amount, to cause each of these subsidiaries to have a minimum capital and surplus of $10 million, total adjusted capital at a level not less than 150% of the company action level RBC, as defined by state insurance statutes, and liquidity necessary to enable it to meet its current obligations on a timely basis.
 
The Holding Company has a net worth maintenance agreement with Mitsui Sumitomo MetLife Insurance Company Limited (“MSI MetLife”), an investment in Japan of which the Holding Company owns 50% of the equity. Under the agreement, the Holding Company agreed, without limitation as to amount, to cause MSI MetLife to have the amount of capital and surplus necessary for MSI MetLife to maintain a solvency ratio of at least 400%, as calculated in accordance with the Insurance Business Law of Japan, and to make such loans to MSI MetLife as may be necessary to ensure that MSI MetLife has sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet its payment


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule II
 
Notes to the Condensed Financial Information of Registrant — (Continued)
 
obligations as they fall due. As described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Holding Company reached an agreement to sell its 50% interest in MSI MetLife to a third-party. Upon the close of such sale, the Holding Company’s obligations under the net worth maintenance agreement will terminate.
 
The Holding Company has guaranteed the obligations of its subsidiary, Exeter, under a reinsurance agreement with MSI MetLife under which Exeter reinsures variable annuities written by MSI MetLife. This guarantee will remain in place until such time as the reinsurance agreement between Exeter and MSI MetLife is terminated, notwithstanding any prior disposition of the Holding Company’s interest in MSI MetLife as described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Holding Company also guarantees the obligations of a number of its subsidiaries under credit facilities with third-party banks. See Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Schedule III

MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule III
 
Consolidated Supplementary Insurance Information
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
(In millions)
 
                                         
          Future Policy Benefits,
                   
          Other Policy-Related
                   
    DAC
    Balances and
    Policyholder
    Policyholder
       
    and
    Policyholder Dividend
    Account
    Dividends
    Unearned
 
Segment   VOBA     Obligation     Balances     Payable     Revenue (1)  
 
2010
                                       
U.S. Business:
                                       
Insurance Products
  $ 9,080     $ 79,643     $ 29,407     $ 722     $ 988  
Retirement Products
    5,800       8,975       46,517             103  
Corporate Benefit Funding
    75       39,371       57,773             53  
Auto & Home
    190       3,207                    
                                         
Total U.S. Business
    15,145       131,196       133,697       722       1,144  
International
    12,159       52,638       77,281       108       975  
Banking, Corporate & Other
    3       6,221       42              
                                         
Total
  $ 27,307     $ 190,055     $ 211,020     $ 830     $ 2,119  
                                         
2009
                                       
U.S. Business:
                                       
Insurance Products
  $ 10,103     $ 76,948     $ 28,118     $ 761     $ 1,123  
Retirement Products
    6,024       8,348       46,855             79  
Corporate Benefit Funding
    74       37,574       55,522             62  
Auto & Home
    181       3,156                    
                                         
Total U.S. Business
    16,382       126,026       130,495       761       1,264  
International
    2,870       12,467       8,128             805  
Banking, Corporate & Other
    4       5,832       50              
                                         
Total
  $ 19,256     $ 144,325     $ 138,673     $ 761     $ 2,069  
                                         
2008
                                       
U.S. Business:
                                       
Insurance Products
  $ 11,555     $ 74,515     $ 26,510     $ 1,023     $ 1,213  
Retirement Products
    5,889       7,924       44,316             54  
Corporate Benefit Funding
    74       36,763       66,375             73  
Auto & Home
    183       3,126                    
                                         
Total U.S. Business
    17,701       122,328       137,201       1,023       1,340  
International
    2,436       10,468       5,654             583  
Banking, Corporate & Other
    7       5,521       66              
                                         
Total
  $ 20,144     $ 138,317     $ 142,921     $ 1,023     $ 1,923  
                                         
 
 
(1) Amounts are included within the future policy benefits, other policy-related balances and policyholder dividend obligation column.


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MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule III — (Continued)
 
Consolidated Supplementary Insurance Information
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
(In millions)
 
                                                 
                      Amortization of
             
    Premium
    Net
    Policyholder
    DAC and VOBA
    Other
       
    Revenue and
    Investment
    Benefits and
    Charged to
    Operating
    Premiums Written
 
Segment   Policy Charges     Income     Interest Credited     Other Expenses     Expenses (1)     (Excluding Life)  
 
2010
                                               
U.S. Business:
                                               
Insurance Products
  $ 19,448     $ 5,924     $ 18,568     $ 1,056     $ 4,714     $ 5,899  
Retirement Products
    3,109       3,147       3,491       759       1,372        
Corporate Benefit Funding
    2,164       5,147       5,539       16       444        
Auto & Home
    2,923       209       2,021       439       321       2,970  
                                                 
Total U.S. Business
    27,644       14,427       29,619       2,270       6,851       8,869  
International
    5,776       1,747       4,865       530       1,592       1,183  
Banking, Corporate & Other
    11       1,441       (14 )     1       3,045        
                                                 
Total
  $ 33,431     $ 17,615     $ 34,470     $ 2,801     $ 11,488     $ 10,052  
                                                 
2009
                                               
U.S. Business:
                                               
Insurance Products
  $ 19,422     $ 5,540     $ 18,431     $ 753     $ 4,981     $ 5,936  
Retirement Products
    2,632       2,879       3,638       (315 )     1,367        
Corporate Benefit Funding
    2,440       4,715       5,942       15       443        
Auto & Home
    2,902       180       1,930       436       331       2,898  
                                                 
Total U.S. Business
    27,396       13,314       29,941       889       7,122       8,834  
International
    4,248       1,024       3,240       415       1,213       645  
Banking, Corporate & Other
    19       499       4       3       2,564        
                                                 
Total
  $ 31,663     $ 14,837     $ 33,185     $ 1,307     $ 10,899     $ 9,479  
                                                 
2008
                                               
U.S. Business:
                                               
Insurance Products
  $ 18,591     $ 5,786     $ 17,640     $ 687     $ 5,091     $ 5,594  
Retirement Products
    2,566       2,579       2,609       1,933       1,123        
Corporate Benefit Funding
    2,575       5,668       6,666       29       424        
Auto & Home
    2,971       186       1,919       454       355       2,949  
                                                 
Total U.S. Business
    26,703       14,219       28,834       3,103       6,993       8,543  
International
    4,565       1,249       3,338       381       1,325       846  
Banking, Corporate & Other
    27       821       53       5       1,891        
                                                 
Total
  $ 31,295     $ 16,289     $ 32,225     $ 3,489     $ 10,209     $ 9,389  
                                                 
 
 
(1) Includes other expenses and policyholder dividends, excluding amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”), charged to other expenses.


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Schedule IV

MetLife, Inc.
 
Schedule IV
 
Consolidated Reinsurance
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
(In millions)
 
                                         
                            % Amount
 
                            Assumed
 
    Gross Amount     Ceded     Assumed     Net Amount     to Net  
 
2010
                                       
Life insurance in-force
  $ 4,208,692     $ 743,438     $ 628,879     $ 4,094,133       15.4 %
                                         
Insurance premium
                                       
Life insurance
  $ 17,576     $ 1,472     $ 1,183     $ 17,287       6.8 %
Accident and health
    7,349       365       189       7,173       2.6 %
Property and casualty insurance
    2,998       69       5       2,934       0.2 %
                                         
Total insurance premium
  $ 27,923     $ 1,906     $ 1,377     $ 27,394       5.0 %
                                         
2009
                                       
Life insurance in-force
  $ 3,800,380     $ 715,405     $ 740,196     $ 3,825,171       19.4 %
                                         
Insurance premium
                                       
Life insurance
  $ 17,594     $ 1,816     $ 1,223     $ 17,001       7.2 %
Accident and health
    6,897       430       79       6,546       1.2 %
Property and casualty insurance
    2,981       79       11       2,913       0.4 %
                                         
Total insurance premium
  $ 27,472     $ 2,325     $ 1,313     $ 26,460       5.0 %
                                         
2008
                                       
Life insurance in-force
  $ 3,697,999     $ 715,741     $ 684,281     $ 3,666,539       18.7 %
                                         
Insurance premium
                                       
Life insurance
  $ 17,252     $ 2,066     $ 1,224     $ 16,410       7.5 %
Accident and health
    6,741       444       226       6,523       3.5 %
Property and casualty insurance
    3,065       100       16       2,981       0.5 %
                                         
Total insurance premium
  $ 27,058     $ 2,610     $ 1,466     $ 25,914       5.7 %
                                         


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Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Management of MetLife, Inc. and subsidiaries is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. In fulfilling this responsibility, estimates and judgments by management are required to assess the expected benefits and related costs of control procedures. The objectives of internal control include providing management with reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition, and that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization and recorded properly to permit the preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
 
Management has documented and evaluated the effectiveness of the internal control of the Company at December 31, 2010 pertaining to financial reporting in accordance with the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
On November 1, 2010, the Holding Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of American Life Insurance Company and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (collectively, “ALICO”). As allowed under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) guidance, management’s assessment of and conclusion regarding the design and effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting excluded the internal control over financial reporting of ALICO, which is relevant to the Company’s 2010 consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010. ALICO represents 17% of total assets, and 2% of total revenues of MetLife, Inc. as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010. The financial reporting systems of ALICO have not yet been integrated into the Company’s financial reporting systems and, as such, the Company did not have the practical ability to perform an assessment of ALICO’s internal control over financial reporting in time for this current year-end. Management expects to complete the process of integrating ALICO’s internal control over financial reporting over the course of 2011. The ALICO acquisition represents a material change in internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) during the quarter ended December 31, 2010.
 
In the opinion of management, MetLife, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2010.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedules included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on their audit of the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedules is included at page F-1.
 
Attestation Report of the Company’s Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued their attestation report on management’s internal control over financial reporting which is set forth below.


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
MetLife, Inc.:
 
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of MetLife, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As described in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at ALICO, acquired on November 1, 2010, as the financial reporting systems of ALICO have not yet been integrated into the Company’s financial reporting systems and, as such, the Company did not have the practical ability to perform an assessment of ALICO’s internal control over financial reporting in time for this current year-end. ALICO represents 17% of total assets and 2% of total revenues of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at ALICO. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010, and our report dated February 24, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules.
 
/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
New York, New York
February 24, 2011


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Item 9B.   Other Information
 
None.


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Part III
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information called for by this Item pertaining to Directors is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Proposal 1 — Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance — Information About the Board of Directors,” “Corporate Governance — Board Committees,” “Corporate Governance — Membership on Board Committees” and “Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers — Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in MetLife, Inc.’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 26, 2011, to be filed by MetLife, Inc. with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2010 (the “2011 Proxy Statement”).
 
The information called for by this Item pertaining to Executive Officers appears in “Part I — Item 1. Business — Executive Officers of the Registrant” and “Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers — Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the 2011 Proxy Statement.
 
The Company has adopted the MetLife Financial Management Code of Professional Conduct (the “Financial Management Code”), a “code of ethics” as defined under the rules of the SEC, that applies to the Holding Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and all professionals in finance and finance-related departments. In addition, the Company has adopted the Directors’ Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Directors’ Code”) which applies to all members of the Holding Company’s Board of Directors, including the Chief Executive Officer, and the Employee Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (together with the Financial Management Code and the Directors’ Code, collectively, the “Ethics Codes”), which applies to all employees of the Company, including the Holding Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. The Ethics Codes are available on the Company’s website at http://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-profile/corporate-governance/corporate-conduct/index.html. The Company intends to satisfy its disclosure obligations under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K by posting information about amendments to, or waivers from a provision of, the Ethics Codes that apply to the Holding Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer on the Company’s website at the address given above.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
The information called for by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Corporate Governance — Board Committees,” “Corporate Governance — Compensation of Non-Management Directors,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Summary Compensation Table,” “Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2010,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at 2010 Fiscal Year-End,” “Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2010,” “Pension Benefits,” “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” in the 2011 Proxy Statement.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The information called for by this Item pertaining to ownership of the Holding Company’s common stock is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” in the 2011 Proxy Statement. The following table provides


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information, at December 31, 2010, regarding the securities authorized for issuance under the Holding Company’s equity compensation plans:
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information at December 31, 2010
 
                         
            Number of Securities
            Remaining Available for
            Future Issuance Under
    Number of Securities to
  Weighted-average
  Equity Compensation
    be Issued upon Exercise
  Exercise Price of
  Plans (Excluding
    of Outstanding Options,
  Outstanding Options,
  Securities Reflected
    Warrants and Rights (2)
  Warrants and Rights (3)
      in Column (a)) (4)    
Plan Category   (a)   (b)   (c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
    44,703,216     $ 38.47       42,285,559  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    None             None  
Total     44,703,216     $ 38.47       42,285,559  
 
 
(1) Includes the MetLife, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2000 Stock Plan”) and the MetLife, Inc. 2000 Directors Stock Plan (the “2000 Directors Stock Plan”) each of which was approved by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MLIC”), the sole shareholder of the Holding Company at the time of approval. The policyholders of MLIC entitled to vote on its plan of reorganization (the “Plan of Reorganization”) approved the Plan of Reorganization, which included both the 2000 Stock Plan and the 2000 Directors Stock Plan. The policyholders entitled to so vote received a summary description of each plan, including the applicable limits on the number of shares of common stock of the Holding Company (“Shares”) available for issuance under each plan. Also includes the MetLife, Inc. 2005 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2005 Stock Plan”) and the MetLife, Inc. 2005 Non-Management Director Stock Compensation Plan (the “2005 Directors Stock Plan”), which were approved by Holding Company security holders.
 
(2) As of December 31, 2010, awards of Stock Options remained outstanding under the 2000 Stock Plan and 2000 Directors Stock Plan, and awards of Stock Options, Performance Shares, and Restricted Stock Units (each as defined in the 2005 Stock Plan) remained outstanding under the 2005 Stock Plan. In addition, as of December 31, 2010, a number of Shares that had vested and become payable from any awards under any plan, but had been deferred, remained deferred and unpaid (“Deferred Shares”).
 
Under the award agreements that apply to the Performance Share awards made under the 2005 Stock Plan as of December 31, 2010, Shares are payable to eligible award recipients following the conclusion of the performance period. The number of shares payable is determined by multiplying the number of performance shares by a performance factor (from 0% to 200%) based on the performance of the Holding Company with respect to: (i) change in annual net operating earnings per share; and (ii) proportionate total shareholder return, as defined, as a percentile of the performance of other companies in the Fortune 500® companies in the Standard & Poor’s Insurance Index, with such exceptions as the Holding Company Compensation Committee has determined, with regard to the performance period. With respect to Performance Share awards made in 2010, no Performance Shares will be payable unless the Holding Company generates positive net income for either the third year of the performance period or for the performance period as a whole. In addition, with respect to Performance Share awards made in 2009 and 2010, the performance factor will be multiplied by 0.75 if the Holding Company’s total shareholder return with regard to the performance period is zero percent or less.
 
Under the award agreements that apply to the Restricted Stock Unit awards made under the 2005 Stock Plan as of December 31, 2010, Shares equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units awarded are normally payable to eligible award recipients on the third or later anniversary of the date the Restricted Stock Units were granted.
 
(3) Column (b) reflects the weighted average exercise price of all Stock Options under any plan that, as of December 31, 2010, had been granted but not forfeited, expired, or exercised. Performance Shares, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Shares are not included in determining the weighted average in column (b) because they have no exercise price.


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(4) The aggregate number of Shares available for issuance under the 2005 Stock Plan is 68,000,000. In addition, 6,099,881 Shares that were available but had not been utilized under the 2000 Stock Plan became available for issuance under the 2005 Stock Plan at the time the 2005 Stock Plan became effective. At December 31, 2010, 6,957,603 additional Shares recovered due to forfeiture or expiration of awards under the 2000 Stock Plan, or that, under the Plan of Reorganization, would otherwise have reduced the number of Shares available for issuance under the 2000 Stock Plan, from the time the 2005 Stock Plan became effective to December 31, 2010, were also available for issuance under the 2005 Stock Plan. The aggregate number of Shares available for issuance under the 2005 Directors Stock Plan is 2,000,000.
 
Each Share issued under the 2005 Stock Plan in connection with awards other than Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (including Shares payable on account of Performance Shares, Restricted Stock Units, and Stock-Based Awards) reduces the number of Shares remaining for issuance under the 2005 Stock Plan by 1.179 Shares. Each Share issued under the 2005 Stock Plan in connection with a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right reduces the number of Shares remaining for issuance under the 2005 Stock Plan by 1.0.
 
As of December 31, 2010, all Stock-Based awards made under the 2005 Directors Stock Plan have been immediately vested. Share awards to Directors under the 2000 Directors Stock Plan were made under a separate Share award authorization under that plan, and have not reduced the number of Shares remaining available for issuance under any plan as of December 31, 2010.
 
Under the 2005 Stock Plan, awards may be in the form of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Share Units, Cash-Based Awards, and Stock-Based Awards (each as defined in the 2005 Stock Plan). Under the MetLife, Inc. 2005 Non-Management Director Stock Compensation Plan (the “2005 Directors Stock Plan”), awards granted may be in the form of non-qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, or Stock-Based Awards (each as defined in the 2005 Directors Stock Plan). Under both the 2005 Stock Plan and the 2005 Directors Stock Plan, in the event of a corporate event or transaction (including, but not limited to, a change in the Shares or the capitalization of the Holding Company) such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, separation, stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, or other distribution of stock or property of the Holding Company, combination of securities, exchange of securities, dividend in kind, or other like change in capital structure or distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to shareholders of the Holding Company, or any similar corporate event or transaction, the appropriate committee of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company (each, a “Committee”), in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of participants’ rights under the applicable plan, shall in its sole discretion substitute or adjust, as applicable, the number and kind of Shares that may be issued under that plan and shall adjust the number and kind of Shares subject to outstanding awards. Any Shares related to awards under either plan which: (i) terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of Shares; (ii) are settled in cash either in lieu of Shares or otherwise; or (iii) are exchanged with the appropriate Committee’s permission for awards not involving Shares, are available again for grant under the applicable plan. If the option price of any Stock Option granted under either plan or the tax withholding requirements with respect to any award granted under either plan are satisfied by tendering Shares to the Holding Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation), or if a Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, only the number of Shares issued, net of the Shares tendered, if any, will be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under that plan. The maximum number of Shares available for issuance under either plan shall not be reduced to reflect any dividends or dividend equivalents that are reinvested into additional Shares or credited as additional Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Stock-Based Awards.


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Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
The information called for by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Corporate Governance — Procedures for Reviewing Related Person Transactions,” “Corporate Governance — Related Person Transactions” and “Corporate Governance — Information About the Board of Directors — Responsibilities, Independence and Composition of the Board of Directors” in the 2011 Proxy Statement.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The information called for by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Proposal 4 — Ratification of Appointment of the Independent Auditor” in the 2011 Proxy Statement.


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Part IV
 
Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
 
1. Financial Statements
 
The financial statements are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules on page 191.
 
2. Financial Statement Schedules
 
The financial statement schedules are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules on page 191.
 
3. Exhibits
 
The exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index which begins on page E-1.


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Signatures
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
February 24, 2011
 
METLIFE, INC.
 
  By 
/s/  C. Robert Henrikson
Name:     C. Robert Henrikson
  Title:  Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature   Title   Date
 
         
/s/  Sylvia Mathews Burwell

Sylvia Mathews Burwell
  Director   February 24, 2011
         
    

Eduardo Castro-Wright
  Director    
         
/s/  Cheryl W. Grisé

Cheryl W. Grisé
  Director   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  R. Glenn Hubbard

R. Glenn Hubbard
  Director   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  John M. Keane

John M. Keane
  Director   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  Alfred F. Kelly, Jr.

Alfred F. Kelly, Jr.
  Director   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  James M. Kilts

James M. Kilts
  Director   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  Catherine R. Kinney

Catherine R. Kinney
  Director   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  Hugh B. Price

Hugh B. Price
  Director   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  David Satcher, M.D.

David Satcher, M.D.
  Director   February 24, 2011


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Signature   Title   Date
 
         
/s/  Kenton J. Sicchitano

Kenton J. Sicchitano
  Director   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  Lulu C. Wang

Lulu C. Wang
  Director   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  C. Robert Henrikson

C. Robert Henrikson
  Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  William J. Wheeler

William J. Wheeler
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   February 24, 2011
         
/s/  Peter M. Carlson

Peter M. Carlson
  Executive Vice President, Finance Operations and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   February 24, 2011


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Exhibit Index
 
(Note Regarding Reliance on Statements in Our Contracts:   In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, please remember that they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement; (iii) may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about us may be found elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and MetLife, Inc.’s other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.)
 
         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
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).    
2.3
  Acquisition Agreement between MetLife, Inc. and Citigroup Inc., dated as of January 31, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to MetLife, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (the “2009 Annual Report”)).    
2.4
  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2010, by and among MetLife, Inc., ALICO Holdings LLC (“ALICO Holdings”) and American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to MetLife, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 2010 (the “May 7, 2010 Form 8-K”)).    
2.5
  Amendment dated October 28, 2010 among MetLife, Inc., ALICO Holdings and AIG amending the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2010 by and among MetLife, Inc., ALICO Holdings and AIG (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 27, 2010 (the “October 27, 2010 Form 8-K”)).    
2.6
  Amendment dated October 29, 2010 among MetLife, Inc., ALICO Holdings and AIG amending the Stock Purchase Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the October 27, 2010 Form 8-K).    
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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (the “2006 Annual Report”)).    
3.2
  Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on April 7, 2000 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the 2006 Annual Report).    
3.3
  Certificate of Designations of Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 10, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to MetLife, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on June 10, 2005).    
3.4
  Certificate of Designations of 6.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 14, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to MetLife, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on June 15, 2005).    
3.5
  Certificate of Designations of Series B Contingent Convertible Junior Participating Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on October 27, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 27, 2010).    


E-1


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
3.6
  MetLife, Inc. Amended and Restated By-Laws effective January 26, 2010.    
4.1(a)
  Indenture dated as of November 9, 2001 between MetLife, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) relating to Senior Debt Securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) to the 2006 Annual Report).    
4.1(b)
  Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities between MetLife, Inc. and one or more banking institutions to be qualified as Trustee pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (Included in Exhibit 4.1(a) incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) to the 2006 Annual Report, except for the name of the trustee).    
4.2
  Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 27, 2001 between MetLife, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) relating to the 6.125% Senior Notes due December 1, 2011(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the 2006 Annual Report).    
4.3
  Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 10, 2002 between MetLife, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) relating to the 5.375% Senior Notes due December 15, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to MetLife, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 (the “2007 Annual Report”)).    
4.4
  Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 10, 2002 between MetLife, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) relating to the 6.50% Senior Notes due December 15, 2032 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the 2007 Annual Report).    
4.5
  Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 21, 2003 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) relating to the 5.875% Senior Notes due November 21, 2033 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to MetLife, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 (the “2008 Annual Report”)).    
4.6
  Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 24, 2003 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) relating to the 5.00% Senior Notes due November 24, 2013 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the 2008 Annual Report).    
4.7
  Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 3, 2004 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, relating to the 5.50% Senior Notes due June 15, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the 2009 Annual Report).    
4.8
  Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 3, 2004 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, relating to the 6.375% Senior Notes due June 15, 2034 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the 2009 Annual Report).    
4.9
  Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 23, 2004 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, relating to the 5.50% Senior Notes due June 15, 2014 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the 2009 Annual Report).    
4.10
  Tenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 23, 2004 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, relating to the 6.375% Senior Notes due June 15, 2034 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the 2009 Annual Report).    
4.11
  Eleventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 9, 2004 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, relating to the 5.375% Senior Notes due December 9, 2024 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the 2009 Annual Report).    
4.12
  Twelfth Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 23, 2005 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, relating to the 5.00% Senior Notes due June 15, 2015.    
4.13
  Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 23, 2005 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, relating to the 5.70% Senior Notes due June 15, 2035.    


E-2


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
4.14
  Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 29, 2005 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, relating to the 5.25% Senior Notes due June 29, 2020.    
4.15
  Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 29, 2009, between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.)), as trustee, relating to the 6.75% Senior Notes due June 1, 2016 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 29, 2009 (the “May 2009 Form 8-K”)).    
4.16
  Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 6, 2010 between the MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.)), as trustee, relating to the 2014 Senior Notes (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 6, 2010 (the “August 6, 2010 Form 8-K”)).    
4.17
  Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 6, 2010, between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.)), as trustee, relating to the 2021 Senior Notes (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the August 6, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.18
  Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture dated August 6, 2010, between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.)), as trustee, relating to the 2041 Senior Notes (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the August 6, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.19
  Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture dated August 6, 2010, between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.)), as trustee, relating to the Floating Rate Senior Notes (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the August 6, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.20
  Twentieth Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 2010 between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, supplementing the Indenture dated as of November 9, 2001, between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.)), as Trustee (such Indenture dated November 9, 2001, the “Original Indenture”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the October 27, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.21
  Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 2010 between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., supplementing the Original Indenture (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the October 27, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.22
  Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 2010 between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., supplementing the Original Indenture (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the October 27, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.23
  Form of 6.125% Senior Note due December 1, 2011 (Included in Exhibit 4.2 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the 2006 Annual Report).    
4.24
  Form of 5.375% Senior Note due December 15, 2012 (Included in Exhibit 4.3 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the 2007 Annual Report).    
4.25
  Form of 6.50% Senior Note due December 15, 2032 (Included in Exhibit 4.4 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the 2007 Annual Report).    
4.26
  Form of 5.875% Senior Note due November 21, 2033 (Included in Exhibit 4.5 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the 2008 Annual Report).    
4.27
  Form of 5.00% Senior Note due November 24, 2013 (Included in Exhibit 4.6 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the 2008 Annual Report).    
4.28
  Form of 5.50% Senior Note due June 15, 2014 (Included in Exhibit 4.7 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the 2009 Annual Report).    
4.29
  Form of 6.375% Senior Note due June 15, 2034 (Included in Exhibit 4.8 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the 2009 Annual Report).    
4.30
  Form of 5.50% Senior Note due June 15, 2014 (Included in Exhibit 4.9 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the 2009 Annual Report).    
4.31
  Form of 6.375% Senior Note due June 15, 2034 (Included in Exhibit 4.10 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the 2009 Annual Report).    


E-3


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
4.32
  Form of 5.375% Senior Note due December 9, 2024 (Included in Exhibit 4.11 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the 2009 Annual Report).    
4.33
  Form of 5.00% Senior Note due June 15, 2015 (Included in Exhibit 4.12).    
4.34
  Form of 5.70% Senior Note due June 15, 2035 (Included in Exhibit 4.13).    
4.35
  Form of 5.25% Senior Note due June 29, 2020 (Included in Exhibit 4.14).    
4.36
  Form of 6.75% Senior Note due June 1, 2016 (Included in Exhibit 4.15 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the May 2009 Form 8-K).    
4.37
  Form of 2014 Senior Note (Included in Exhibit 4.16 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the August 6, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.38
  Form of 2021 Senior Note (Included in Exhibit 4.17 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the August 6, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.39
  Form of 2041 Senior Note (Included in Exhibit 4.18 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the August 6, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.40
  Floating Rate Senior Note (Included in Exhibit 4.19 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the August 6, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.41(a)
  Indenture dated as of June 21, 2005 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) relating to Subordinated Debt Securities (the “Subordinated Indenture”).    
4.41(b)
  Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities between MetLife, Inc. and one or more banking institutions to be qualified as Trustee pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.41(a), except for the name of the trustee).    
4.42
  First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 21, 2005 to the Subordinated Indenture between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association.    
4.43
  Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 21, 2005 to the Subordinated Indenture between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.).    
4.44
  Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 21, 2006 to the Subordinated Indenture between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 22, 2006 (the “December 2006 Form 8-K”)).    
4.45
  Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 7, 2008 to the Subordinated Indenture between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association), as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 8, 2008).    
4.46
  Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated February 6, 2009 for the Subordinated Indenture between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association), as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 9, 2009).    
4.47
  Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated July 8, 2009 to the Subordinated Indenture between MetLife, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association), as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 8, 2009 (the “July 2009 Form 8-K”)).    
4.48
  Form of Series A Debenture (Included in Exhibit 4.42).    
4.49
  Form of Series B Debenture (Included in Exhibit 4.43).    
4.50
  Form of junior subordinated debenture (Included in Exhibit 4.44 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the December 2006 Form 8-K).    
4.51
  Form of security certificate representing MetLife, Inc.’s 6.817% Senior Debt Securities, Series A, due 2018 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 15, 2008).    
4.52
  Form of security certificate representing MetLife, Inc.’s 7.717% Senior Debt Securities, Series B, due 2019 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to MetLife Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2009).    


E-4


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
4.53
  Form of security certificate representing MetLife, Inc.’s 10.750% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2069 (Included in Exhibit 4.47 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the July 2009 Form 8-K).    
4.54
  Certificate of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust III (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to MetLife, Inc.’s, MetLife Capital Trust II’s and MetLife Capital Trust III’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-61282, 333-61282-01 and 333-61282-02) (the “2001 S-3 Registration Statement”)).    
4.55
  Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust III (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to MetLife, Inc.’s., MetLife Capital Trust II’s and MetLife Capital Trust III’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-112073, 333-112073-01 and 333-112073-02) (the “2004 S-3 Registration Statement”)).    
4.56
  Certificate of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust V (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to MetLife, Inc.’s, MetLife Capital Trust V’s, MetLife Capital Trust VI’s, MetLife Capital Trust VII’s, MetLife Capital Trust VIII’s and MetLife Capital Trust IX’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-147180, 333-147180-01, 333-147180-02, 333-147180-03, 333-147180-04 and 333-147180-05) (the “2007 S-3 Registration Statement”)).    
4.57
  Certificate of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust VI (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.58
  Certificate of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust VII (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.59
  Certificate of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust VIII (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.60
  Certificate of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust IX (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.61
  Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust III dated as of June 21, 2005.    
4.62
  Declaration of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust V (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.63
  Declaration of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust VI (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.64
  Declaration of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust VII (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.65
  Declaration of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust VIII (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.66
  Declaration of Trust of MetLife Capital Trust IX (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.67
  Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (substantially identical, except for names and dates, for MetLife Capital Trust V, MetLife Capital Trust VI, MetLife Capital Trust VII, MetLife Capital Trust VIII and MetLife Capital Trust IX) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.68
  Form of Trust Preferred Security Certificate (substantially identical, except for names and dates, for MetLife Capital Trust V, MetLife Capital Trust VI, MetLife Capital Trust VII, MetLife Capital Trust VIII and MetLife Capital Trust IX) (Included in Exhibit 4.67 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.69
  Guarantee Agreement dated June 21, 2005 by and between MetLife, Inc., as Guarantor, and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Guarantee Trustee, relating to MetLife Capital Trust III.    
4.70
  Form of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement (substantially identical, except for names and dates, for MetLife Capital Trust V, MetLife Capital Trust VI, MetLife Capital Trust VII, MetLife Capital Trust VIII and MetLife Capital Trust IX) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.71
  Form of Common Securities Guarantee Agreement (substantially identical, except for names and dates, for MetLife Capital Trust V, MetLife Capital Trust VI, MetLife Capital Trust VII, MetLife Capital Trust VIII and MetLife Capital Trust IX) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement).    


E-5


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
4.72
  Removal and Appointment of Trustees of MetLife Capital Trust III (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the 2004 S-3 Registration Statement).    
4.73
  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).    
4.74
  Rights Agreement dated as of April 4, 2000 (expired on April 4, 2010) between MetLife, Inc. and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. (predecessor to Mellon Investor Services LLC) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.48 to the 2006 Annual Report).    
4.75
  Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on April 7, 2000 (See Exhibit 3.2 above).    
4.76
  Form of Right Certificate (Included as Exhibit B of Exhibit 4.74 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.48 to the 2006 Annual Report).    
4.77
  Form of Warrant Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.21 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement)**.    
4.78
  Form of Deposit Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.22 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement)**.    
4.79
  Form of Depositary Receipt (Included in Exhibit 4.78 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.22 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement)**.    
4.80
  Form of Purchase Contract Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.24 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement)**.    
4.81
  Form of Pledge Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.25 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement)**.    
4.82
  Form of Unit Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.26 to the 2007 S-3 Registration Statement)**.    
4.83
  Stock Purchase Contract Agreement dated June 21, 2005 between MetLife, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Stock Purchase Contract Agent.    
4.84
  Form of Normal Common Equity Unit Certificate (Included in Exhibit 4.83).    
4.85
  Form of Stripped Common Equity Unit Certificate (Included in Exhibit 4.83).    
4.86
  Pledge Agreement dated as of June 21, 2005 among MetLife, Inc., JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Collateral Agent, Custodial Agent and Securities Intermediary, and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (predecessor to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Stock Purchase Contract Agent.    
4.87
  Certificate of Designations of Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 10, 2005 (See Exhibit 3.3 above).    
4.88
  Form of Stock Certificate, Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, of MetLife, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to MetLife, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on June 10, 2005).    
4.89
  Certificate of Designations of 6.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, of MetLife, Inc., filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 14, 2005 (See Exhibit 3.4 above).    
4.90
  Form of Stock Certificate, 6.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B, of MetLife, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to MetLife, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on June 15, 2005).    
4.91
  Replacement Capital Covenant, dated as of December 21, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the December 2006 Form 8-K).    
4.92
  Replacement Capital Covenant, dated as of December 12, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 12, 2007).    
4.93
  Replacement Capital Covenant, dated as of April 8, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 8, 2008).    
4.94
  Replacement Capital Covenant, dated as of December 30, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 30, 2008 (the “December 2008 Form 8-K”)).    


E-6


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
4.95
  Replacement Capital Covenant, dated as of July 8, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the July 2009 Form 8-K).    
4.96
  Investor Rights Agreement dated as of November 1, 2010 among MetLife, Inc., ALICO Holdings and AIG (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 27, 2010).    
4.97
  Stock Purchase Contract Agreement dated as of November 1, 2010 among MetLife, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Stock Purchase Contract Agent. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K dated October 27, 2010).    
4.98
  Indemnification Collateral Account Security and Control Agreement dated as of November 1, 2010 among MetLife, Inc., ALICO Holdings, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Securities Intermediary, Pledge Collateral Agent and Stock Purchase Contract Agent, and AIG (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Form 8-K dated October 27, 2010).    
4.99
  Pledge Agreement dated as of November 1, 2010 among MetLife, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company America as Collateral Agent, Custodial Agent, Securities Intermediary and Stock Purchase Contract Agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Form 8-K dated October 27, 2010).    
4.100
  Form of Transition Services Agreement between MetLife, Inc. and AIG (Included in Exhibit 2.4 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to May 7, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.101
  Form of Special Asset Protection Agreement by and among MetLife, Inc., AIG and ALICO Holdings (Included in Exhibit 2.4 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to May 7, 2010 Form 8-K).    
4.102
  Form of Hold Harmless Agreement by and among MetLife, Inc., AIG, ALICO Holdings and National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. (Included in Exhibit 2.4 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to May 7, 2010 Form 8-K).    
10.1
  MetLife Executive Severance Plan (effective as of December 17, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 13, 2007)*.    
10.2
  MetLife Executive Severance Plan (as amended and restated effective June 14, 2010) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 21, 2009 (the “December 2009 Form 8-K”))*.    
10.3
  Separation Agreement, Waiver and General Release dated as of February 27, 2009 between Ruth A. Fattori and MetLife Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009)*.    
10.4
  Separation Agreement, Waiver and General Release dated August 17, 2009 between Lisa M. Weber and MetLife Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 3, 2009).*    
10.5
  Employment Agreement, effective as of April 30, 2010, by and between James L. Lipscomb and MetLife, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated June 30, 2010)*.    
10.6
  MetLife, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated March 28, 2000 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the S-1 Registration Statement)*.    
10.7
  MetLife, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, effective February 8, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the 2007 Annual Report)*.    
10.8
  Form of Management Stock Option Agreement under the MetLife, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.9
  Form of Management Stock Option Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective December 15, 2009) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the December 2009 Form 8-K)*.    
10.10
  MetLife, Inc. 2000 Directors Stock Plan, as amended and restated March 28, 2000 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the S-1 Registration Statement)*.    
10.11
  MetLife, Inc. 2000 Directors Stock Plan, as amended effective February 8, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the 2007 Annual Report)*.    
10.12
  Form of Director Stock Option Agreement under the MetLife, Inc. 2000 Directors Stock Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.13
  MetLife, Inc. 2005 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan, effective April 15, 2005 (the “2005 SIC Plan”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the 2009 Annual Report)*.    
10.14
  MetLife, Inc. 2005 Non-Management Director Stock Compensation Plan, effective April 15, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the 2009 Annual Report)*.    


E-7


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
10.15
  Form of Management Stock Option Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the 2009 Annual Report)*.    
10.16
  Form of Management Stock Option Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective as of April 25, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 (the “First Quarter 2007 10-Q”))*.    
10.17
  Amendment to Stock Option Agreements under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective as of April 25, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the First Quarter 2007 10-Q)*.    
10.18
  Form of Management Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan*.    
10.19
  Amendment to Management Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective December 31, 2005)*.    
10.20
  Form of Management Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective December 31, 2005)*.    
10.21
  Form of Management Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective as of April 25, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the First Quarter 2007 10-Q)*.    
10.22
  Amendment to Restricted Stock Unit Agreements under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective as of April 25, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the First Quarter 2007 10-Q)*.    
10.23
  Form of Management Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective December 11, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 13, 2007 (the “December 13, 2007 Form 8-K”))*.    
10.24
  Amendment to Restricted Stock Unit Agreements under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective as of December 31, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the 2007 Annual Report)*.    
10.25
  Form of Management Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective December 15, 2009) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the December 2009 Form 8-K)*.    
10.26
  Form of Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective January 27, 2009) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 30, 2009)*.    
10.27
  Form of Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective February 24, 2009) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 13, 2009)*.    
10.28
  Form of Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective December 15, 2009) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the December 2009 Form 8-K)*.    
10.29
  Clarification of Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan*.    
10.30
  Amendment to Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective December 31, 2005)*.    
10.31
  Form of Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective December 31, 2005)*.    
10.32
  Form of Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective February 27, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the 2006 Annual Report)*.    
10.33
  Form of Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective as of April 25, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the First Quarter 2007 10-Q)*.    
10.34
  Amendment to Management Performance Share Agreements under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective as of April 25, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the First Quarter 2007 10-Q)*.    
10.35
  Form of Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective December 11, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the December 13, 2007 Form 8-K)*.    
10.36
  Amendment to Management Performance Share Agreements under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective as of December 31, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the December 13, 2007 Form 8-K)*.    
10.37
  Form of Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective February 21, 2010) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2010)*.    
10.38
  Form of Management Performance Share Agreement under the 2005 SIC Plan (effective December 14, 2010) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 14, 2010)*.    


E-8


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
10.39
  MetLife Policyholder Trust Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the S-1 Registration Statement).    
10.40
  Amendment to MetLife Policyholder Trust Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the MetLife Policyholder Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007).    
10.41
  Five-Year $3,000,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2007, among MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc., as borrowers, and other parties signatory thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 25, 2007).    
10.42
  Amended and Restated $2,850,000 Five-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2007 and amended and restated as of December 23, 2008, among MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc., as borrowers, and other parties signatory thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the December 2008 Form 8-K).    
10.43
  Three-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2010, among MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc., as borrowers, and the other parties signatory thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 15, 2010).    
10.44
  364-Day Credit Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2010, among MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc., as borrowers, and the other parties signatory thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 15, 2010).    
10.45
  Amended and Restated $2,850,000 Five-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2007 and amended and restated as of December 23, 2008, among MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc., as borrowers, and other parties signatory thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the December 2008 Form 8-K).    
10.46
  Amended and Restated Commitment Letter for $5.0 Billion Senior Credit Facility, dated March 16, 2010 among MetLife, Inc. and the various lenders named therein (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2010).    
10.47
  MetLife Annual Variable Incentive Plan (“AVIP”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the 2009 Annual Report)*.    
10.48
  Amendment Number One to the AVIP*.    
10.49
  Resolutions of the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors (adopted December 11, 2007) regarding the selection of performance measures for 2008 awards under the AVIP (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the 2007 Annual Report)*.    
10.50
  Resolutions of the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors (adopted January 27, 2009) regarding the selection of performance measures for 2009 awards under the AVIP (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009)*.    
10.51
  Resolutions of the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors (adopted February 18, 2010) regarding the selection of performance measures for 2010 awards under the MetLife Annual Variable Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated March 31, 2010)*.    
10.52
  Resolutions of MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors (adopted December 14, 2010) regarding the selection of performance measures for 2011 under the MetLife Annual Variable Incentive Plan.    
10.53
  Metropolitan Life Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2008) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to the 2007 Annual Report)*.    
10.54
  Amendment 1 to the Metropolitan Life Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2008) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to the 2009 Annual Report)*.    
10.55
  Amendment Number Two to the Metropolitan Life Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan (Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2008)*.    
10.56
  MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers, as amended and restated, effective November 1, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.57
  Amendment Number One to the MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers, dated May 4, 2005*.    
10.58
  Amendment Number Two to The MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers, effective December 14, 2005*.    


E-9


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
10.59
  Amendment Number Three to The MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers (as amended and restated as of November 1, 2003, effective February 26, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the 2006 Annual Report)*.    
10.60
  MetLife Leadership Deferred Compensation Plan, dated November 2, 2006 (as amended and restated effective with respect to salary and cash incentive compensation, January 1, 2005, and with respect to stock compensation, April 15, 2005) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (the “Third Quarter 2006 10-Q”))*.    
10.61
  Amendment Number One to The MetLife Leadership Deferred Compensation Plan, dated December 13, 2007 (effective as of December 31, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 to the 2007 Annual Report)*.    
10.62
  Amendment Number Two to The MetLife Leadership Deferred Compensation Plan, dated December 11, 2008 (effective December 31, 2008) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.63
  Amendment Number Three to The MetLife Leadership Deferred Compensation Plan, dated December 11, 2009 (effective January 1, 2010) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the 2009 Annual Report)*.    
10.64
  Amendment Number Four to The MetLife Leadership Deferred Compensation Plan, dated December 11, 2009 (effective December 31, 2009) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.55 to the 2009 Annual Report)*.    
10.65
  Amendment Number Five to The MetLife Leadership Deferred Compensation Plan, dated December 11, 2009 (effective January 1, 2011)*.    
10.66
  MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors (effective December 9, 2003) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.67
  Amendment Number One to The MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Outside Directors (as amended and restated as of December, 2003, effective February 26, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the 2006 Annual Report)*.    
10.68
  MetLife Non-Management Director Deferred Compensation Plan, dated November 2, 2006 (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2005) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Third Quarter 2006 10-Q)*.    
10.69
  Amendment Number One to The MetLife Non-Management Director Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended and restated as of December, 2006, effective February 26, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.53 to the 2006 Annual Report)*.    
10.70
  MetLife Non-Management Director Deferred Compensation Plan, dated December 5, 2007 (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2005) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.68 to the 2007 Annual Report)*.    
10.71
  The MetLife Non-Management Director Deferred Compensation Plan, dated December 9, 2008 (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2005) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.53 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.72
  MetLife, Inc. Director Indemnity Plan (dated and effective July 22, 2008) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 25, 2008)*.    
10.73
  MetLife Auxiliary Pension Plan dated August 7, 2006 (as amended and restated, effective June 30, 2006) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 (the “Second Quarter 2006 10-Q”))*.    
10.74
  MetLife Auxiliary Pension Plan dated December 21, 2006 (amending and restating Part I thereof, effective January 1, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to the 2006 Annual Report)*.    
10.75
  MetLife Auxiliary Pension Plan dated December 21, 2007 (amending and restating Part I thereof, effective January 1, 2008) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 28, 2007)*.    
10.76
  Amendment #1 to the MetLife Auxiliary Pension Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008) dated October 24, 2008 (effective October 1, 2008) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.58 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.77
  Amendment Number Two to the MetLife Auxiliary Pension Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008) dated December 12, 2008 (effective December 31, 2008) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.59 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    


E-10


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
10.78
  Amendment Number Three to the MetLife Auxiliary Pension Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008) dated March 25, 2009 (effective January 1, 2009) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 31, 2009)*.    
10.79
  Amendment Number Four to the MetLife Auxiliary Pension Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008) (effective January 1, 2010) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the December 2009 Form 8-K)*.    
10.80
  Amendment Number Five to the MetLife Auxiliary Pension Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008) (effective January 1, 2010).    
10.81
  MetLife Plan for Transition Assistance for Officers, dated January 7, 2000, as amended (the “MPTA”) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.70 to the 2009 Annual Report)*.    
10.82
  Amendment Number Ten to the MPTA, dated January 26, 2005*.    
10.83
  Amendment Number Eleven to the MPTA, dated February 28, 2006*.    
10.84
  Amendment Number Twelve to the MPTA, dated August 7, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Second Quarter 2006 10-Q)*.    
10.85
  Amendment Number Thirteen to the MPTA, dated August 7, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Second Quarter 2006 10-Q)*.    
10.86
  Amendment Number Fourteen to the MPTA, dated January 26, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 to the 2006 Annual Report)*.    
10.87
  Amendment Number Fifteen to the MPTA, dated June 1, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007)*.    
10.88
  Amendment Number Sixteen to the MPTA, dated December 12, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.81 to the 2007 Annual Report)*.    
10.89
  Amendment Number Seventeen to the MPTA, dated June 3, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to MetLife, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008)*.    
10.90
  Amendment Number Eighteen to the MPTA, dated August 13, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.69 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.91
  Amendment Number Nineteen to the MPTA, dated December 8, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.70 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.92
  Amendment Number Twenty to the MPTA, dated December 16, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.71 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.93
  Amendment Number Twenty-One to the MPTA, dated December 18, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.72 to the 2008 Annual Report)*.    
10.94
  Amendment Number Twenty-Two to the MPTA, dated December 21, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the 2009 Annual Report)*.    
10.95
  MetLife Plan for Transition Assistance for Officers, dated December 28, 2009 (as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2010) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the 2009 Annual Report)*.    
10.96
  Amendment Number One to the MetLife Plan for Transition Assistance for Officers (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2010)*.    
10.97
  One Madison Avenue Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2005, between Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, as Seller, and 1 Madison Venture LLC and Column Financial, Inc., collectively, as Purchaser.    
10.98
  MetLife Building, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2005, between Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company, as Seller, and Tishman Speyer Development, L.L.C., as Purchaser.    
10.99
  Stuyvesant Town, New York, New York, Purchase and Sale Agreement between Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company, as Seller, and Tishman Speyer Development Corp., as Purchaser, dated as of October 17, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Third Quarter 2006 10-Q).    
10.100
  Peter Cooper Village, New York, New York, Purchase and Sale Agreement between Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company, as Seller, and Tishman Speyer Development Corp., as Purchaser, dated as of October 17, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Third Quarter 2006 10-Q).    
10.101
  International Distribution Agreement dated as of July 1, 2005 between MetLife, Inc. and Citigroup Inc.    
10.102
  Domestic Distribution Agreement dated as of July 1, 2005 between MetLife, Inc. and Citigroup Inc.    


E-11


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
       
    No.         Description      
 
12.1
  Statement re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.    
21.1
  Subsidiaries of the Registrant.    
23.1
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.    
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    
32.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    
32.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    
 
     
101.INS
  XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH
  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL
  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
 
 
* Indicates management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.
 
** Indicates document to be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K and incorporated herein by reference.


E-12