PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement No. 333-124358
Prospectus Supplement
(To Prospectus dated April 27, 2005)
£400,000,000
5.25% Senior Notes Due 2020
MetLife, Inc. is offering £400,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of its 5.25% senior notes due June 29, 2020. We will
pay interest on the senior notes annually on June 29 of
each year, beginning on June 29, 2006. We may, at our
option, redeem the senior notes, in whole at any time or in part
from time to time, before maturity at the make-whole
redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement. In
addition, we may, at our option, redeem the senior notes upon
the occurrence of certain events relating to U.S. taxation,
as described in this prospectus supplement.
The senior notes will be our unsecured obligations and will rank
equally in right of payment with all our existing and future
unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness.
See Risk Factors beginning on page S-11 of
this prospectus supplement to read about important factors you
should consider before buying the senior notes.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other
regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities
or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus
supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Per Senior Note |
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Total |
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Initial public offering price(1)
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98.886% |
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£ |
395,544,000 |
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Underwriting discount
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0.425% |
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£ |
1,700,000 |
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Proceeds, before expenses, to MetLife, Inc.
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98.461% |
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£ |
393,844,000 |
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(1) |
Plus accrued interest, if any, from June 29, 2005. |
Application has been made to list the senior notes and to have
the senior notes admitted to trading on the Irish Stock
Exchange. The listing application is subject to approval by the
Irish Stock Exchange.
The underwriters will sell the senior notes through their
respective selling agents in jurisdictions outside the U.S.
Delivery of the senior notes, in book-entry form only, is
expected to be made through Clearstream, Luxembourg and the
Euroclear System on or about June 29, 2005.
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Barclays Capital |
The Royal Bank of Scotland |
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Banc of America Securities Limited |
Goldman Sachs International |
Merrill Lynch International |
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ABN AMRO |
BNP PARIBAS |
Deutsche Bank |
HSBC |
Prospectus supplement dated June 22, 2005.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Prospectus Supplement |
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S-4 |
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S-5 |
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S-11 |
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S-28 |
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S-33 |
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S-51 |
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S-51 |
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S-52 |
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S-53 |
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S-58 |
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S-59 |
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S-61 |
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S-69 |
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S-73 |
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S-74 |
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S-76 |
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S-79 |
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S-79 |
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S-79 |
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Prospectus |
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S-2
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus. Neither we nor the underwriters have
authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different
information. If anyone provided you with additional or different
information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the
underwriters are making an offer to sell these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You
should assume that the information contained in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents
incorporated by reference, is accurate only as of their
respective dates. MetLifes business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects may have changed since those
dates.
In connection with this offering, The Royal Bank of Scotland
plc or its affiliates may over-allot or effect transactions with
a view to supporting the market price of the senior notes at a
level higher than that which might otherwise prevail for a
limited period. However, there is no obligation on the
stabilizing agent to do this. Such stabilizing, if commenced,
may be discontinued at any time and must be brought to an end
after a limited period.
We accept responsibility for the information contained in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. To the
best of our knowledge and belief, the information contained in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is in
accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to
affect the import of such information.
The senior notes are offered for sale in those jurisdictions in
the United States, Europe and elsewhere where it is lawful to
make such offers. The distribution of this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus and the offering or sale of the
senior notes in some jurisdictions may be restricted by law.
Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus come are required by us and the
underwriters to inform themselves about and to observe any
applicable restrictions. This prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus may not be used for or in connection
with an offer or solicitation by any person in any jurisdiction
in which that offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any
person to whom it is unlawful to make that offer or
solicitation. See Offering Restrictions in this
prospectus supplement.
Senior notes being offered and sold outside the United States
are being offered and sold in reliance upon Regulation S
(Regulation S) under the U.S. Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). Senior
notes initially offered and sold outside the United States in
reliance upon Regulation S, but which may be resold in the
United States from time to time in transactions requiring
registration under the Securities Act are being offered and sold
pursuant to the shelf registration statement under the
Securities Act on file with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC) of which this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are a
part. See Offering Restrictions in this prospectus
supplement. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus relate to both senior notes being offered and sold in
reliance upon Regulation S and senior notes being offered
and sold pursuant to such registration statement under the
Securities Act.
S-3
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You should read this prospectus supplement along with the
accompanying prospectus carefully before you invest. Both
documents contain important information you should consider
before making your investment decision. This prospectus
supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain the terms of
this offering of senior notes. The accompanying prospectus
contains information about our securities generally, some of
which does not apply to the senior notes covered by this
prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement may add,
update or change information in the accompanying prospectus. If
the information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent
with any information in the accompanying prospectus, the
information in this prospectus supplement will apply and will
supersede the inconsistent information in the accompanying
prospectus.
It is important for you to read and consider all information
contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus in making your investment decision. You should also
read and consider the additional information under the caption
Where You Can Find More Information in the
accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus,
including the documents incorporated by reference, will be
available free of charge from the SEC and at the office of
J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) plc, JPMorgan House,
International Financial Service Centre, Dublin 1, Ireland.
See Listing and General Information in this
prospectus supplement and Where You Can Find More
Information in the accompanying prospectus.
Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires,
references in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus to MetLife, we,
our, or us refer to MetLife, Inc.,
together with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
(Metropolitan Life), and their respective direct and
indirect subsidiaries, while references to MetLife,
Inc. refer only to the holding company on an
unconsolidated basis.
S-4
SUMMARY
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This summary contains basic information about us and this
offering. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of
the information that you should consider before investing in the
senior notes. You should read this entire prospectus supplement
carefully, including the section entitled Risk
Factors, our financial statements and the notes thereto
incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, and
the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment
decision. |
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MetLife
We are a leading provider of insurance and other financial
services to individual and institutional customers. We offer
life insurance, annuities, automobile and homeowners insurance
and retail banking services to individuals, as well as group
insurance, reinsurance, and retirement & savings
products and services to corporations and other institutions. We
serve individuals in approximately 13 million households in
the United States and provide benefits to 37 million
employees and family members through their plan sponsors,
including 88 of the top one hundred FORTUNE® 500
companies. Outside the United States, we serve approximately
9 million customers through direct insurance operations in
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia,
Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan and Uruguay.
We are one of the largest insurance and financial services
companies in the United States. We believe that our franchises
and brand names uniquely position us to be the preeminent
provider of protection and savings and investment products in
the United States. In addition, our international operations are
focused on markets where the demand for insurance, savings and
investment products is expected to grow rapidly in the future.
We divide our business into five operating segments:
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Institutional (41% of 2004 revenues). Our
Institutional segment offers a broad range of group insurance
and retirement & savings products and services to
corporations and other institutions. |
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Our group insurance products and services include group life
insurance, non-medical health insurance products such as
accidental death and dismemberment, long-term care, short- and
long-term disability and dental insurance, and related
administrative services. 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. 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 United States. We distribute our
group insurance products and services through a regional sales
force consisting, as of December 31, 2004, of 374 marketing
representatives. Voluntary products are sold through the same
sales channels, as well as by specialists for these products. |
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Our institutional retirement & savings products and
services include an array of annuity and investment products, as
well as bundled administrative and investment services sold to
sponsors of small- and mid-sized 401(k) and other defined
contribution plans, guaranteed interest products and other
stable value products, accumulation and income annuities, and
separate account contracts for the investment of defined benefit
and defined contribution plan assets. We distribute
retirement & savings products and services through
dedicated sales teams and relationship managers located in 21
offices around the country, as well as through the distribution
channels in the Individual segment and in the group insurance
area, which enable us to better reach and service customers,
brokers, consultants and other intermediaries. |
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Individual (33% of 2004 revenues). Our Individual
segment offers a wide variety of protection and asset
accumulation products aimed at serving the financial needs of
our individual customers throughout their entire life cycle.
Individual segment products include traditional, universal and
variable life insurance and variable and fixed annuities, as
well as disability insurance, long-term care insurance products,
mutual funds and other products offered by our other businesses. |
S-5
Our Individual segment products are distributed nationwide
through three main sales channels:
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The MetLife Financial Services career agency system, which
focuses on large middle-income and affluent markets, including
multicultural markets, had 5,597 agents under contract in 126
agencies at December 31, 2004. |
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New England Financials general agency system, which
targets high net-worth individuals, owners of small businesses
and executives of small- to medium-sized companies, and included
58 general agencies providing support to 2,383 agents and a
network of independent brokers throughout the United States at
December 31, 2004. |
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Independent distribution, which is managed primarily by
GenAmerica Financial, a company that markets a portfolio of
individual life insurance, annuity contracts, and related
financial services to high net-worth individuals and small- to
medium-sized businesses through 1,654 independent general
agencies as of December 31, 2004. The GenAmerica
distribution system includes 380 independent general agents who
act as independent contractors and produced at least $25,000 in
first-year insurance sales in 2004. Other independent
distribution channels include independent general agents,
financial advisors, consultants, brokerage general agencies and
other independent marketing organizations. |
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Reinsurance (10% of 2004 revenues). Our
Reinsurance segment is primarily comprised of our interest in
the life reinsurance business of Reinsurance Group of America,
Incorporated (RGA), a publicly traded company (NYSE:
RGA), and our ancillary life reinsurance business. MetLife, Inc.
owned approximately 52% of RGAs outstanding common shares
at December 31, 2004. |
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Auto & Home (8% of 2004 revenues). Our
Auto & Home segment offers personal lines property and
casualty insurance directly to employees through
employer-sponsored programs, as well as through a variety of
retail distribution channels, including the MetLife Financial
Services career agency system, independent agents, property and
casualty specialists and direct response marketing. |
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International (7% of 2004 revenues). Our
International segment provides life insurance, accident and
health insurance, annuities and retirement & savings
products to both individuals and groups. We focus on emerging
markets primarily within the Latin America and Asia/Pacific
regions. In Latin America, we operate in Mexico and Chile (which
generated approximately 93% of our 2004 Latin America premiums
and fees), as well as Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. In the
Asia/Pacific region we operate in South Korea and Taiwan (which
generated approximately 95% of our total 2004 Asia premiums and
fees), as well as Hong Kong, Indonesia, India and China. |
Corporate & Other contains the excess capital not
allocated to the operating segments, various start-up entities,
including MetLife Bank, National Association, a national bank,
and run-off entities, as well as the elimination of all
intersegment amounts. Additionally, our asset management
business, including amounts reported as discontinued operations,
is included in the results of operations for Corporate &
Other.
For the year ended December 31, 2004, we had total revenue
of $38.8 billion and net income of $2.8 billion. At
March 31, 2005, we had cash and invested assets of
$244.9 billion, total assets of $362.7 billion and
shareholders equity of $23.0 billion.
MetLife, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the State of
Delaware. MetLife, Inc.s principal executive offices are
located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166-0188
and its telephone number is (212) 578-2211.
S-6
Acquisition of the Citigroup Life Insurance and Annuities
Business
On January 31, 2005, MetLife, Inc. entered into a
definitive agreement to acquire for $11.5 billion, subject
to certain closing adjustments, all of the outstanding shares of
capital stock held by Citigroup Inc. (Citigroup) and
its affiliates, of certain of the domestic and international
life insurance subsidiaries of Citigroup, referred to as the
Citigroup Life Insurance and Annuities business (Citigroup
L&A) (the Acquisition). The closing of the
Acquisition is subject to certain conditions. Although no
assurances can be given that these conditions will be timely
satisfied or waived, we expect the Acquisition to close in the
summer of 2005. In connection with the Acquisition, MetLife,
Inc. will enter into ten-year distribution agreements with
Citigroup, under which we will expand our distribution by making
products available through certain Citigroup distribution
channels, subject to appropriate suitability and other
standards, including the competitiveness of our products and the
financial strength of our providers. These channels include
CitiStreet Retirement Services, Smith Barney, Citibank branches
and Primerica Financial Services in the United States and
various Citigroup consumer businesses internationally.
Overview of Citigroup L&A
Citigroup L&A provides insurance and other financial
services to a broad spectrum of individual and institutional
customers in the United States and select international markets.
Citigroup L&As U.S. business principally operates
through The Travelers Insurance Company (TIC) based
in Hartford, Connecticut. Citigroup L&As international
business operates in several countries, which include
wholly-owned subsidiaries in Australia, Brazil, Argentina, the
United Kingdom, Belgium and Poland and a joint venture in each
of Japan and Hong Kong. Citigroup L&A also includes certain
individual life and retail annuity businesses in run-off status
since 2003.
At December 31, 2004, Citigroup L&As total assets
were $97.3 billion, approximately 96% of which was
associated with domestic operations. Citigroup L&As
net income for the year ended December 31, 2004 was
$901 million, to which domestic and international
operations contributed 91% and 9%, respectively.
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Citigroup L&A U.S. Operations |
Citigroup L&As principal U.S. product offerings
include:
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Retail annuity products, including fixed and variable
deferred annuities and payout annuities. Citigroup L&A
distributes its individual annuity products through Citigroup
affiliated channels ($3.9 billion of individual annuity
premium and deposits in 2004) and non-affiliated channels
($1.8 billion of individual annuity premium and deposits in
2004). The Citigroup affiliated channels include CitiStreet
Retirement Services, Smith Barney, Citibank branches and
Primerica Financial Services. Non-affiliated channels include a
nationwide network of independent financial professionals and
independent broker-dealers, including Morgan Stanley, Merrill
Lynch & Co., Fidelity, AXA and Wachovia Securities. |
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Individual life insurance products, including term,
universal and variable life insurance. Citigroup L&As
individual life insurance products are primarily marketed by
independent financial professionals, who accounted for
$745 million of the $964 million of total life
insurance sales for 2004. |
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Institutional annuity products, including institutional
pensions, guaranteed investment contracts (GICs),
payout annuities, group annuities sold to employer-sponsored
retirement and savings plans, structured settlements and funding
agreements. Citigroup L&As institutional annuity
products are sold through direct sales and various
intermediaries. |
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Citigroup L&A International Operations |
Citigroup L&As international operations offer a
variety of insurance products, including credit insurance, basic
indemnity policies (such as accident and health products),
traditional term life, group life, whole life, endowment, fixed
and variable annuities, pension annuities and unit-linked
policies. Citigroup L&A distributes its products in
international markets primarily through Citigroups
consumer businesses, including its retail banking, credit card
and consumer finance franchises, as well as through
non-proprietary channels. International sales are also conducted
through direct mail and telemarketing, branch sales, wholesaling
networks, agencies and direct sales agents.
S-7
Financing of the Purchase Price
Our definitive agreement with Citigroup to acquire the Citigroup
L&A business (the Acquisition Agreement) permits
us to pay up to $3 billion of the $11.5 billion
purchase price (with the amount to be determined by us) to
Citigroup in MetLife, Inc.s common stock (or, in the
circumstances described below in Proposed Acquisition of
the Citigroup Life Insurance and Annuities Business,
non-voting convertible participating preferred stock). We
currently intend to pay $1 billion of the purchase price in
common stock. The remainder of the purchase price will be paid
in cash.
We intend to finance the cash portion of the purchase price
through a combination of dividends from our insurance
subsidiaries (which have already been paid), proceeds from the
issuance of commercial paper and proceeds from offerings of
various other forms of securities, including:
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our Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the
series A preferred shares), which we issued on
June 13, 2005; |
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our 6.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B (the
series B preferred shares), which we issued on
June 16, 2005; |
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our 6.375% mandatorily convertible common equity units
which we issued on June 21, 2005; |
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our 5.00% senior notes due 2015 and our 5.70% senior notes due
2035, both of which we expect to issue on June 23, 2005; and |
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the senior notes offered hereby. |
In the event that any of the proposed senior note offerings
cannot be completed on commercially acceptable terms, we may
borrow up to $7 billion, reduced by the amount financed
from securities offerings already completed, under a bridge
financing facility. The form, manner and timing of the financing
of the Acquisition is subject to change. Please refer to
Note 2 and pro forma adjustment 3(t) in Unaudited Pro
Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information for
further discussion of the financing transactions.
Strategic Rationale
We believe the Acquisition will provide both immediate and
long-term increases in shareholder value through the following
strategic and financial benefits:
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Substantially enhanced scale and market position in
individual life and annuity products. The Acquisition
significantly enhances our position in products we know well. In
particular, it increases the operating earnings of our
Individual segment and reinforces our position as a leader in
the individual life and annuity markets. As a result of the
Acquisition, as of March 31, 2005, based on data from
LIMRA, we will become the leading seller of individual life
insurance products in the United States, as measured by premium
dollars, and the second largest seller of individual annuities
in the United States, as measured by total individual annuity
sales. |
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Highly complementary distribution channels. There
is very little overlap between our distribution systems and
those of Citigroup L&A. As part of the Acquisition, we will
enter into ten-year distribution agreements with Citigroup,
which will give us access to certain Citigroup distribution
channels. In addition, we will gain expanded distribution
capabilities to sell individual life products through
independent financial professionals, with whom we have had only
a limited presence until now. Citigroup L&A adds independent
agents, national marketing organizations, Smith Barney and
Citibank to our sales channels for life insurance products. Our
individual annuity distribution capabilities will be
significantly expanded by new distribution relationships with
Citigroup-affiliated channels, including CitiStreet Retirement
Services, Smith Barney, Citibank branches and Primerica
Financial Services, as well as by non-affiliated channels,
including a nationwide network of independent financial
professionals and independent broker-dealers. |
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Substantially increased international presence.
The Acquisition increases our presence and adds new distribution
channels in Brazil and Hong Kong and introduces us to new
markets in Japan, Australia, Belgium, Poland and the United
Kingdom. In total, as a result of the Acquisition, we will have
a presence in 16 foreign countries. |
S-8
The Offering
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Issuer |
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MetLife, Inc. |
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Securities Offered |
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£400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
5.25% senior notes due June 29, 2020. |
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Interest Rates |
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The senior notes will bear interest from June 29, 2005 at
the rate of 5.25% per year. |
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Interest Payment Date |
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June 29 of each year, beginning on June 29, 2006. |
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Form and Denomination |
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The senior notes will be offered and sold and may only be traded
in principal amounts of £50,000 and whole multiples of
£1,000 in excess of £50,000. We will issue the senior
notes in the form of one or more permanent global notes in fully
registered, book-entry form. The global notes will be registered
in the nominee name of a common depositary for Clearstream
Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg
(Clearstream) or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as
operator of the Euroclear System (Euroclear). We
will not issue certificated notes to investors except in the
limited circumstances described in this prospectus supplement.
Book-entry interests in the senior notes and all transfers
relating to the senior notes will be reflected in the book-entry
records of Clearstream and Euroclear. Settlement of the senior
notes will be in same day funds. |
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Long-Term Senior Unsecured Debt Ratings |
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Standard & Poors: A
Moodys: A2
Fitch: A
A.M. Best: a |
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Standard & Poors has placed its A
rating of the senior notes on CreditWatch with negative
implications, Moodys Investors Service has placed its
A2 rating of the senior notes on negative outlook
and A.M. Best Company has placed its a rating of the
senior notes on CreditWatch with negative implications. The
ratings set forth above are not a recommendation to purchase,
hold or sell the senior notes, inasmuch as the ratings do not
comment as to market price or suitability for a particular
investor. The ratings are based on current information we have
furnished to the rating agencies and information obtained by the
rating agencies from other sources. The ratings are only
accurate as of the date hereof and may be changed, superseded or
withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such
information and, therefore, a prospective purchaser should check
the current ratings before purchasing the senior notes. |
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Ranking |
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The senior notes will be MetLife, Inc.s unsecured
obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all
of our existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated
indebtedness. |
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Optional Redemption |
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The senior notes will be redeemable prior to maturity, in whole
at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, at a
redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal
amount of the senior notes to be redeemed and a
make-whole amount described under Description
of the Senior Notes Optional Redemption in
this prospectus supplement plus, in each case, accrued and
unpaid interest on such senior notes to the date |
S-9
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of redemption. In addition, we may, at our option, redeem the
senior notes upon the occurrence of certain events relating to
U.S. taxation, as described under Description of the
Senior Notes Redemption upon Tax Event. |
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Certain Covenants |
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We will issue the senior notes under an indenture containing
covenants that restrict our ability, with significant
exceptions, to: |
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incur debt secured by certain liens on the stock of
Metropolitan Life; |
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dispose of stock of Metropolitan Life; and |
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merge or consolidate with another company or convey,
sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of our
property and assets to another company. |
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Use of Proceeds |
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MetLife, Inc. expects to receive net proceeds from this offering
of approximately £393 million, or $717 million
(excluding accrued interest, if applicable), after expenses and
underwriting discounts. |
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MetLife, Inc. intends to use the net proceeds from this offering
to fund a portion of the purchase price for MetLife, Inc.s
acquisition of Citigroup L&A. In the event the Acquisition
is not consummated, MetLife, Inc. may, at its option, redeem the
senior notes and will use the net proceeds from the sale of any
senior notes not redeemed for general corporate purposes. |
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Listing |
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We have applied to list the senior notes and to have the senior
notes admitted to trading on the Irish Stock Exchange. |
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Clearance and Settlement |
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The senior notes will be cleared through Clearstream and
Euroclear. |
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Trustee, Registrar, U.S. Paying Agent, U.S. Transfer Agent and
Calculation Agent |
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J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association. |
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London Paying Agent and Transfer Agent |
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JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London branch. |
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Irish Paying Agent and Transfer
Agent |
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J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) plc. |
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Governing Law |
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State of New York. |
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RISK FACTORS
In considering whether to purchase the senior notes, you
should carefully consider all the information included or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in
the accompanying prospectus. In particular, you should carefully
consider the following risk factors.
Risks Relating to the Acquisition of Citigroup L&A
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We Do Not Expect Citigroup L&As Performance in
2004 and the First Quarter of 2005 to be Indicative of Its
Future Contribution to Our Net Income |
Citigroup L&A generated net income of $901 million in
2004 and $273 million in the first quarter of 2005. We
expect Citigroup L&As results in 2005 to be lower than
the $901 million generated in 2004 due to the impact of
certain items in 2004 that are unlikely to recur in 2005 and
trends in Citigroup L&As principal businesses. We also
do not believe Citigroup L&As net income for the first
quarter of 2005 is an accurate indicator of its full year
2005 net income.
Citigroup L&As 2004 net income of
$901 million was positively affected by tax recoveries,
releases of reserves, charges and other items and negatively
affected by other items, including a change in assumptions
relating to deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC) that, taken
together, contributed a net amount of $61 million to
Citigroup L&As net income in 2004. We believe these
items are unlikely to recur in 2005. Similarly, Citigroup
L&As net income of $273 million in the first
quarter of 2005 was positively affected by unusually large
realized gains of $36 million and better than expected
results in Argentina due in part to a $16 million (after
tax) release of reserves.
We expect the following trends, which Citigroup L&A
management has reported to us, to affect the profitability of
Citigroup L&As various businesses in 2005:
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Private Equity and Real Estate. According to Citigroup
L&A management, Citigroup L&A has experienced
significant declines in returns on its investments in arbitrage
funds in 2005. In addition, Citigroup L&As 2004 and
first quarter 2005 net income benefitted from the exceptionally
strong performance of its private equity and real estate
investments. Total private equity and real estate investment
income in 2004 was $193 million and $79 million,
respectively, which represented 6.5% and 2.7%, respectively, of
Citigroup L&As total net investment income for the
year. An adverse change in the private equity or real estate
markets or continuing poor returns on arbitrage investments
would have a negative impact on our returns from Citigroup
L&As investments. See Risks Relating to Our
Business The Performance of Our Investments Depends
on Conditions that Are Outside Our Control, and Our Net
Investment Income Can Vary from Period to Period. |
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Institutional Annuities. According to the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed by TIC for the first quarter of
2005, institutional annuities deposits were 30% lower in the
three months ended March 31, 2005 than in the comparable
period in 2004. The decline in volume was a result of lower
sales under TICs medium-term note program and GIC
customers assessing concentration risk associated with the
Acquisition. Structured settlement production also declined in
the first quarter of 2005 as a result of initial uncertainty
following the announcement of the Acquisition. Consistent with
industry trends, Citigroup L&A has also experienced a slower
group close-out market. The close-out business is characterized
by large, infrequent transactions that contribute to volatility
of quarterly premiums, benefits and losses. |
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Retail Annuities. Although retail annuity sales have
shown some growth from 2004, they have been below expectations
in 2005. A slowdown in new product introductions by Citigroup
L&A has hampered the ability of Citigroup L&A to respond
to new offerings by competitors, and plans to expand
distribution in the financial planner market and in banks have
been cancelled. Also, uncertainty regarding long-term
integration plans has led to wholesaler turnover. |
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Life Insurance. The life insurance industry is facing
numerous challenges that could have an impact in future periods.
Reserve requirements under NAIC Model Regulation AXXX for
universal life |
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products with secondary guarantees are expected to constrain
capital, while higher cost and decreased availability of life
reinsurance, in addition to heightened competition from major
U.S. life insurance market participants, are expected to
pressure profitability. |
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International. Sales may be reduced in 2005 due to a
number of factors. In Japan, Citigroup L&A has experienced a
slowdown in sales of its variable annuity contracts and
increased competition, reflecting lower overall variable annuity
sales by Citigroup L&As distributors and a loss by
Citigroup L&A of market share within these channels. Sales
also may be reduced by a slowdown in the United Kingdom due to
reduced loan origination, changes in pension regulations in
Australia, and continuing uncertainty in Argentina due in part
to economic conditions and the potential for government and
judicial action. |
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Citigroup L&As Business is Also Subject to
Risks |
Citigroup L&As business is affected by other market
risks and other categories of risk described elsewhere in this
section, in this prospectus supplement and in the documents
incorporated by reference herein. In particular, we note that:
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Citigroup L&A has experienced continued spread compression
in 2005, as somewhat lower new money rates in 2005 were only
partially offset by lower crediting rates on annuity products.
Declining interest rates, continued low interest rates or
rapidly rising interest rates could exacerbate this trend. See
Risks Relating to Our Business Changes in
Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect Our
Profitability. |
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Citigroup L&As business is significantly affected by
movements in the U.S. equity and fixed income credit
markets. See Risks Relating to Our Business A
Decline in Equity Markets or an Increase in Volatility in Equity
Markets May Adversely Affect Sales of Our Investment Products
and Our Profitability. |
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Citigroup L&A has experienced a sustained period of
favorable credit trends in 2004. Adverse changes in the credit
quality of issuers could have a negative effect on Citigroup
L&As investment portfolio and earnings. See
Risks Relating to Our Business Defaults,
Downgrades or Other Events Impairing the Value of Our
Fixed-Income Securities Portfolio May Reduce Our Earnings. |
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Federal and state regulators have focused on, and continue to
devote substantial attention to, the mutual fund and variable
insurance product industries. See Risks Relating to Our
Business Legal and Regulatory Investigations and
Actions Are Increasingly Common in the Insurance Business and
May Result in Financial Losses and Harm our Reputation. |
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Following the announcement of the Acquisition, the financial
strength rating of each of TIC and its subsidiary, The Travelers
Life and Annuity Company, was lowered one notch by certain
rating agencies. While we believe the negative impact of these
downgrades on Citigroup L&As financial results was
relatively modest, future downgrades, if any, could have a more
pronounced impact. See Risks Relating to Our
Business A Downgrade or a Potential Downgrade in Our
Financial Strength or Credit Ratings Could Result in a Loss of
Business and Adversely Affect Our Financial Condition and
Results of Operations. |
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We May Experience Difficulties in Integrating the
Citigroup L&A Business |
Our ability to achieve the benefits we anticipate from the
Acquisition will depend in large part upon whether we are able
to integrate the businesses of MetLife and Citigroup L&A in
an efficient and effective manner. We may not be able to
integrate these businesses smoothly or successfully, and the
process may take longer than expected. The integration of
certain operations following the Acquisition will require the
dedication of significant management resources, which may
distract managements attention from day-to-day business.
Integration planning, which commenced on January 31, 2005,
has already required significant management resources. If we are
unable to successfully integrate the operations of MetLife and
Citigroup L&A, we may be unable to realize the cross-selling
and other distribution benefits, cost savings, revenue
S-12
growth and other anticipated benefits we expect to achieve as a
result of the Acquisition and our business and results of
operations could be adversely affected.
The success with which we are able to integrate the Citigroup
L&A business will depend on our ability to manage a variety
of issues, including the following:
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Loss of key personnel or higher than expected employee attrition
rates could adversely affect the performance of the Citigroup
L&A business and our ability to integrate it successfully.
Citigroup L&A management has advised us that since the
announcement of the Acquisition, employee departures from the
Citigroup L&A business have been running at a significantly
higher rate than the historical average. |
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Citigroup L&As customers may reduce, delay or defer
decisions concerning their use of Citigroup L&As
products and services as a result of the Acquisition or
uncertainties related to the consummation of the Acquisition. In
particular, we expect that some existing Citigroup L&A
customers that are also customers of MetLife will reduce their
purchases from Citigroup L&A and MetLife as they assess
concentration risk associated with the Acquisition. Citigroup
L&A experienced lower institutional annuities deposits in
the first quarter of 2005 following the announcement of the
Acquisition. |
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The Citigroup L&A business relies in part upon independent
distributors to distribute its products. According to Citigroup
L&A management, financial professionals not affiliated with
Citigroup accounted for $1.8 billion of the
$5.7 billion total individual annuity premiums and
deposits, and $745 million of the $964 million total
individual life insurance sales, of the Citigroup L&A
business in 2004. Unaffiliated distributors typically distribute
products for many different financial institutions and 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 Citigroup L&A as a
result of the Acquisition and decide to curtail or eliminate
their distribution of Citigroup L&A products. |
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Although we will enter into ten-year distribution arrangements
with the Citigroup-affiliated distributors at the closing of the
Acquisition, most of these distribution relationships will not
require the distributor to distribute MetLife or Citigroup
L&A products exclusively. We cannot assure you that the
volume of distribution through these channels will not decrease
after the Citigroup L&A business is no longer affiliated
with these channels. Distribution channels affiliated with
Citigroup account for significant volumes of the Citigroup
L&A business, including $3.9 billion of the
$5.7 billion total individual annuity premiums and deposits
of the Citigroup L&A business in 2004. |
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Integrating the Citigroup L&A business with our existing
operations will require us to coordinate geographically
separated organizations, address possible differences in
corporate culture and management philosophies and combine
separate information technology platforms. |
We expect to incur significant one-time costs in connection with
the Acquisition and the related integration of approximately
$196 million, or $127 million after income taxes.
These costs have not been reflected in the accompanying
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information
because they are non-recurring. The costs and liabilities
actually incurred in connection with the Acquisition and
subsequent integration process may exceed those anticipated.
Although we expect that the realization of efficiencies related
to the Acquisition may offset additional expenses over time and
result in net cost savings, we cannot ensure that this net
benefit will be achieved soon or at all.
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If the Citigroup L&A Business Does Not Perform Well or
We Do Not Integrate It Successfully, We May Incur Significant
Charges to Write Down the Goodwill Established in the
Acquisition |
As a result of the Acquisition, we expect to establish goodwill
of approximately $4.5 billion based upon the March 31,
2005 unaudited pro forma interim condensed consolidated balance
sheet included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. Under
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, we must
test our goodwill annually for impairment and, if we determine
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. If the Citigroup L&A business does not
perform well following the Acquisition or if we are unable to
integrate it successfully into our operations, we may incur
significant charges
S-13
to net income to write down the goodwill, which could have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations or
financial condition.
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We Must Obtain Many Governmental and Other Consents to
Complete the Acquisition. If These Consents Are Delayed, Not
Granted or Granted with Unacceptable Conditions, It May
Jeopardize or Postpone the Completion of the Acquisition, Result
in Additional Expenditures of Money and Resources and/or Reduce
the Anticipated Benefits of the Acquisition |
We must obtain numerous approvals and consents in a timely
manner from federal, state and foreign agencies prior to the
completion of the Acquisition. If we do not receive these
approvals, or do not receive them on terms that satisfy the
conditions set forth in the Acquisition Agreement, then we will
not be obligated to complete the Acquisition. In such case, it
is possible that we may forego or postpone acquiring all of
Citigroup L&A and, instead, acquire only certain businesses
and/or assets of Citigroup L&A for which we have obtained
appropriate approvals, thereby reducing the anticipated benefits
of the Acquisition. The governmental agencies from which we will
seek these approvals have broad discretion in administering the
governing regulations. As a condition to approval of the
Acquisition, agencies may impose requirements, limitations or
costs that could negatively affect the way we conduct, or
Citigroup L&A conducts, business. These requirements,
limitations or costs could jeopardize or delay the completion of
the Acquisition. If we agree to any material requirements,
limitations or costs in order to obtain any approvals required
to complete the Acquisition, these requirements, limitations or
additional costs could adversely affect our ability to integrate
the Citigroup L&A operations or reduce the anticipated
benefits of the Acquisition. This could result in a material
adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
In the event the Acquisition is not consummated or we do not
acquire all of Citigroup L&A, we may incur significant costs
to redeem or repurchase securities issued, or repay any
drawdowns under the bridge facility, in connection with the
financing of the Acquisition. See Use of Proceeds
and Note 2 in Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Information for our plans to
finance the Acquisition.
Risks Relating to Our Business
The Citigroup L&A business is similar to our own business in
many respects, and the Acquisition will increase our exposure to
many of the risks described below.
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Changes in Market Interest Rates May Significantly Affect
Our Profitability |
Some of our products, principally traditional whole life
insurance, fixed annuities and guaranteed investment contracts,
expose us to the risk that changes in interest rates will reduce
our 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 mortgages and
mortgage-backed securities in our investment portfolio with
greater frequency in order to borrow at lower market rates,
which exacerbates this risk. 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 might 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 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
S-14
could also reduce our return on investments that do not support
particular policy obligations. Accordingly, declining interest
rates may materially adversely affect our results of operations
and financial condition and significantly reduce our
profitability.
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
assets in our general account with higher yielding assets 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 invested assets
at a time when the prices of those assets 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,
which would increase our current expenses and reduce 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 fair values of the fixed income
securities that comprise a substantial majority of our
investment portfolio.
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A Decline in Equity Markets or an Increase in Volatility
in Equity Markets May Adversely Affect Sales of Our Investment
Products and Our Profitability |
Significant downturns and volatility in equity markets could
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations in three principal ways.
First, market downturns and volatility may discourage purchases
of separate account products, such as variable annuities,
variable life insurance and mutual funds that have returns
linked to the performance of the equity markets and may cause
some existing customers to withdraw cash values or reduce
investments in those products.
Second, downturns and volatility in equity markets can have a
material adverse effect on the revenues and returns from our
savings and investment products and services. Because these
products and services depend on fees related primarily to the
value of assets under management, a decline in the equity
markets could reduce our revenues by reducing the value of the
investment assets we manage. The retail annuity business in
particular is highly equity market sensitive, and a sustained
weakness in the markets will decrease revenues and earnings in
variable annuity products.
Third, we provide certain guarantees within some of our products
that protect policyholders against significant downturns in the
equity markets. For example, we offer variable annuity products
with guaranteed features, such as minimum death and withdrawal
benefits. These guarantees may be more costly than expected in
volatile or declining equity market conditions, causing us to
increase reserves and negatively affecting net income.
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The Performance of Our Investments Depends on Conditions
that Are Outside Our Control, and Our Net Investment Income Can
Vary from Period to Period |
The performance of our investment portfolio depends in part upon
the level of and changes in interest rates, equity prices, real
estate values, the performance of the economy generally, the
performance of the specific obligors included in our portfolio
and other factors that are beyond our control. Changes in these
factors can affect our net investment income in any period, and
such changes can be substantial.
We invest a portion of our invested assets in pooled investment
funds that make private equity investments. The amount and
timing of income from such investment funds tend to be uneven as
a result of the performance of the underlying private equity
investments, which can be difficult to predict, as well as 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. As a result, the amount of income that we record
from these investments can vary substantially from quarter to
quarter.
S-15
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Competitive Factors May Adversely Affect Our Market Share
and Profitability |
Our business segments are subject to intense competition. We
believe that this competition is based on a number of factors,
including service, product features, scale, price, commission
structure, financial strength, claims-paying ratings, credit
ratings, 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, are regulated differently, have more
competitive pricing or, with respect to other insurers, have
higher claims paying ability ratings. Some may also have greater
financial resources with which to compete and a greater market
share. 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 insurance products, particularly those offered by
our Institutional segment, 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. Many of our competitors in these
businesses offer a broader array of investment products and
services and are better known than we are as sellers of
annuities and other investment products.
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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. We compete with other insurers for sales
representatives primarily on the basis of our financial
position, product features, the marketing and support services
we provide to the representatives and compensation. We continue
to undertake 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 productive agents.
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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
reserves. Our reserves 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 reserves 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 assets we
purchase with the premiums we receive. We establish property and
casualty reserves based on assumptions and estimates of damages
and liabilities incurred. To the extent that actual claims
experience is less favorable than our underlying assumptions
used in establishing such reserves, we could be required to
increase our reserves.
Due to the nature of the underlying risks and the high degree of
uncertainty associated with the determination of reserves, 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 reserves
periodically based on changes in the assumptions used to
establish the reserves, as well as our actual experience. We
charge or credit changes in our reserves to expenses in the
period the reserves are established or re-estimated. If the
reserves originally established for
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future benefit payments prove inadequate, we must increase them.
Such increases could affect our earnings negatively and have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
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Our Risk Management Policies and Procedures May Leave Us
Exposed to Unidentified or Unanticipated Risk, Which Could
Negatively Affect Our Business |
Management of operational, legal and regulatory risks 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
fully effective. Many of our methods for managing risk and
exposures are based upon our use of observed historical market
behavior or statistics based on historical models. As a result,
these methods may not predict future exposures, which could 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.
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Catastrophes May Adversely Impact Liabilities for
Policyholder Claims and Reinsurance Availability |
Our life insurance operations are exposed to the risk of
catastrophic mortality events, such as a pandemic or other
catastrophe that causes a large number of deaths. 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 minimize
its exposure to catastrophic risks through volatility management
and reinsurance programs, these efforts may not succeed.
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, as well as man-made
events such as terrorist attacks. Historically, substantially
all of our catastrophe-related claims have related to homeowners
coverages. However, catastrophes may also affect other Auto
& Home coverages. Due to their nature, we cannot predict the
incidence, timing and severity of catastrophes.
Hurricanes and earthquakes are of particular note for our
homeowners coverages. Areas of major hurricane exposure include
coastal sections of the northeastern United States (including
Long Island and the Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts
shorelines) and Florida. We also have some earthquake exposure,
primarily along the New Madrid fault line in the central United
States and in the Pacific Northwest. Losses incurred by Auto
& Home from all catastrophes, net of reinsurance but before
taxes, were $189 million, $77 million and
$55 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Terrorism is a recently emerging risk. A major terrorist attack
not only could cost lives and destroy property, but could also
have a material adverse effect on the value of investments that
we hold, which could in turn have a material adverse impact on
investment income and on fees we earn that are based on the
value of investments we manage for others. It is possible that
both the frequency and severity of man-made catastrophic events
will increase.
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 and
earthquakes may produce significant damage 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. Our ability to write new business
could also be affected. It is
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possible that increases in the value and geographic
concentration of insured property and the effects of inflation
could increase the severity of claims from catastrophic events
in the future.
Consistent with industry practices, we establish reserves for
claim liabilities arising from a catastrophe only after
assessing the probable losses arising from the event. We cannot
be certain that the reserves 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 insurers 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 Risks Relating to Our Business Reinsurance
May Not Be Available, Affordable or Adequate to Protect Us
Against Losses.
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A Downgrade or a Potential Downgrade in Our Financial
Strength or Credit Ratings Could Result in a Loss of Business
and Adversely Affect Our Financial Condition and Results of
Operations |
Financial strength ratings, which various Nationally Recognized
Statistical Rating Organizations (NRSROs) publish as
indicators of an insurance companys ability to meet
contractholder and policyholder obligations, are important to
maintaining public confidence in our products, the ability to
market our products and our competitive position. Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company, our principal life insurance subsidiary,
has a financial strength rating of A+ from A.M. Best
Company, AA from Fitch Ratings, Aa2 from Moodys Investors
Service and AA from Standard & Poors.
A downgrade in our insurance subsidiaries financial
strength ratings, or an announced potential for a downgrade,
could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition
and results of operations in many ways, including:
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reducing new sales of insurance products, annuities and other
investment products; |
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adversely affecting our relationships with our sales force and
independent sales intermediaries; |
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materially increasing the number or amount of policy surrenders
and withdrawals by contractholders and policyholders; |
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requiring us to reduce prices for many of our products and
services to remain competitive; and |
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adversely affecting our ability to obtain reinsurance at
reasonable prices or at all. |
In addition to the financial strength ratings of our insurance
subsidiaries, NRSROs also publish credit ratings for our
company. A downgrade in our credit ratings could increase our
cost of borrowing, which could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations.
Following the announcement of the Acquisition, a number of
NRSROs, including Moodys Investors Service, Standard &
Poors and A.M. Best Company, placed our ratings on
credit watch or changed our rating outlook from
stable to negative. We do not expect
these NRSROs to remove our ratings from credit watch
or return our outlook to stable until we have
established, to their satisfaction, a successful track record in
integrating the Citigroup L&A business and we have
reduced our financial leverage and increased our interest
coverage to levels closer to those which existed prior to the
Acquisition.
As a result of the additional securities that we plan to issue
to finance a portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition,
we estimate that our leverage ratio will increase moderately.
While we expect our leverage ratio to decrease over time as a
result of the accumulation of retained earnings, there is no
assurance that it will decrease as we expect. The increased
leverage will reduce our flexibility in managing our capital.
S-18
Rating agencies assign ratings based upon several factors, some
of which relate to general economic conditions and circumstances
outside of our control. In addition, rating agencies may employ
different models and formulas to assess our financial strength,
and may alter these models from time to time in their
discretion. We cannot predict what actions rating agencies may
take, or what actions we may be required to take in response to
the actions of rating agencies, which could adversely affect our
business.
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Defaults, Downgrades or Other Events Impairing the Value
of Our Fixed Maturity Securities Portfolio May Reduce Our
Earnings |
We are subject to the risk that the issuers of the fixed
maturity securities we own may default on principal and interest
payments they owe us. At March 31, 2005, the fixed maturity
securities of $182.7 billion in our investment portfolio
represented 74.6% of our total cash and invested assets. The
occurrence of a major economic downturn, acts of corporate
malfeasance or other events that adversely affect the issuers of
these securities could cause the value of our fixed maturities
portfolio and our net earnings to decline and the default rate
of the fixed maturity securities in our investment portfolio to
increase. A ratings downgrade affecting particular issuers or
securities could also have a similar effect. With recent
downgrades in the automotive sector, as well as economic
uncertainty and increasing interest rates, credit quality of
issuers could be adversely affected. Any event reducing the
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.
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Defaults on Our Mortgage and Consumer Loans May Adversely
Affect Our Profitability |
Our mortgage and consumer loan investments face default risk.
Our mortgage and consumer loans are principally collateralized
by commercial, agricultural and residential properties, as well
as automobiles. At March 31, 2005, our mortgage and
consumer loan investments of $32.0 billion represented
13.1% of our total cash and invested assets. At March 31,
2005, loans that were either delinquent or in the process of
foreclosure totaled less than 1% of our mortgage and consumer
loan investments. The performance of our mortgage and consumer
loan investments, however, may fluctuate in the future. In
addition, substantially all of our mortgage loan investments
have balloon payment maturities. An increase in the default rate
of our mortgage and consumer loan investments could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
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Some of Our Investments Are Relatively Illiquid |
Our investments in private placement bonds, mortgage and
consumer loans, equity real estate, including real estate joint
ventures and other limited partnership interests, are relatively
illiquid. These asset classes represented 24.7% of the carrying
value of our total cash and invested assets as of March 31,
2005. If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice
in excess of our normal cash requirements, 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.
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Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates and
Foreign Securities Markets 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 securities
and investments in foreign subsidiaries. The principal
currencies which create foreign exchange rate risk in our
investment portfolios are Canadian dollars, Euros, British
pounds, Japanese yen and Chilean pesos. If the currencies of the
non-U.S. dollar denominated securities we hold in our
investment portfolios decline against the U.S. dollar, our
investment returns, and thus our profitability, may be adversely
affected. Although we use foreign currency swaps and forward
contracts to mitigate foreign currency exchange rate risk, there
is no assurance that these methods will be effective or that our
counterparties will perform their obligations.
S-19
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
emerging markets.
Through our investments in foreign subsidiaries, we are
primarily exposed to the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso and
the Chilean peso. We have matched substantially all of our
foreign currency liabilities in our foreign subsidiaries with
their respective foreign currency assets, 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 consolidated financial
statements. Although we take certain actions to address this
risk, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation could
materially adversely affect our reported results due to unhedged
positions or the failure of our hedges to effectively offset the
impact of the foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation.
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Our International Operations Face Political, Legal,
Operational and Other Risks 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. 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. 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.
We are currently planning to expand our international operations
in 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 the operating margins we expect and our results of
operations may be negatively impacted.
The Citigroup L&A business includes operations in
several foreign countries, including Australia, Brazil,
Argentina, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, Japan and
Hong Kong. Those operations, and operations in other new
markets, are subject to the risks described above, as well as
our unfamiliarity with the business, legal and regulatory
environment in any of those countries.
In recent years, the operating environment in Argentina has been
challenging. In Argentina, both we and Citigroup L&A
are principally engaged in the pension business. This business
has incurred significant losses in recent years as a result of
actions taken by the Argentinean government in response to a
sovereign debt crisis in December 2001. Further governmental or
legal actions related to pension reform could impact our
obligations to our customers and could result in future losses
in our combined Argentinean operations. The Acquisition will
increase our exposure to such potential losses. For certain
liabilities which will be established upon our acquisition of
the Citigroup L&A Argentina operations, see pro forma
adjustment 3(ff) in Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Information.
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Reinsurance May Not Be Available, Affordable or Adequate
to Protect Us Against Losses |
As part of our overall risk and capacity management strategy, we
purchase reinsurance for certain risks underwritten by our
various business segments. For example, MetLife currently
reinsures up to 90% of the mortality risk for all new individual
life insurance policies that it writes through its various
insurance companies. Market conditions beyond our control
determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance
protection we purchase. Any decrease in the amount of our
reinsurance will increase our risk of loss and any increase in
the cost of our 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
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obtain sufficient reinsurance on acceptable terms, which could
adversely affect our ability to write future business or result
in our assuming more risk with respect to those policies we
issue.
As a result of consolidation of the life reinsurance market and
other market factors, capacity in the life reinsurance market
has decreased. Further, life reinsurance is currently available
at higher prices and on less favorable terms than those
prevailing between 1997 and 2003. It is likely that this trend
will continue, although we cannot predict to what extent.
Further consolidation, regulatory developments, catastrophic
events or other significant developments affecting the pricing
and availability of reinsurance could materially harm the
reinsurance market and our ability to enter into reinsurance
contracts.
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If the Counterparties to Our Reinsurance 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 and derivative instruments to mitigate our
risks in various circumstances. 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. We cannot assure you that our
reinsurers will pay the reinsurance recoverables owed to us now
or in the future or that they will pay these recoverables on a
timely basis. A reinsurers insolvency, inability or
unwillingness to make payments under the terms of its
reinsurance agreement with us could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we use derivative instruments to hedge various
business risks. We enter into a variety of derivative
instruments, including options, forwards, interest rate and
currency swaps and options to enter into interest rate and
currency swaps with a number of counterparties. If our
counterparties fail or refuse to honor their obligations under
these derivative instruments, our hedges of the related risk
will be ineffective. Such failure could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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Our Insurance 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. 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 and
operate.
State laws in the United States grant insurance regulatory
authorities broad administrative powers with respect to, among
other things:
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licensing companies and agents to transact business; |
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calculating the value of assets to determine compliance with
statutory requirements; |
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mandating certain insurance benefits; |
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regulating certain premium rates; |
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reviewing and approving policy forms; |
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regulating unfair trade and claims practices, including through
the imposition of restrictions on marketing and sales practices,
distribution arrangements and payment of inducements; |
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regulating advertising; |
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protecting privacy; |
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establishing statutory capital and reserve requirements and
solvency standards; |
S-21
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fixing maximum interest rates on insurance policy loans and
minimum rates for guaranteed crediting rates on life insurance
policies and annuity contracts; |
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approving changes in control of insurance companies; |
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restricting the payment of dividends and other transactions
between affiliates; and |
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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 reserves that we have
currently established for these potential liabilities may not be
adequate.
State insurance regulators and the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, regularly re-examine 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.
The NAIC and several states have recently proposed regulations
and/or laws that would prohibit agent or broker practices that
have been the focus of recent investigations of broker
compensation in the State of New York and elsewhere. The NAIC
has adopted a Compensation Disclosure Amendment to its Producers
Licensing Model Act which, if adopted by the states, would
require disclosure by agents or brokers to customers that
insurers will compensate such agents or brokers for the
placement of insurance and documented acknowledgement of this
arrangement in cases where the customer also compensates the
agent or broker. Some larger states, including California and
New York, are considering additional provisions that would
require the disclosure of the amount of compensation and/or
require (where an agent or broker represents more than one
insurer) placement of the best coverage. We cannot
predict how many states, if any, may promulgate the NAIC
amendment or similar regulations or the extent to which these
regulations may have a material adverse impact on our business.
Currently, the U.S. federal government does not directly
regulate the business of insurance. However, 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, privacy, tort reform legislation and taxation. In
addition, various forms of direct federal regulation of
insurance have been proposed. These proposals include The
State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act, which
would maintain state-based regulation of insurance, but would
affect state regulation of certain aspects of the business of
insurance, including rates, agent and company licensing and
market conduct examinations. We cannot predict whether this or
other proposals will be adopted, or what impact, if any, such
proposals or, if enacted, such laws, could have on our business,
financial condition or results of operations.
Our international operations are subject to regulation in the
jurisdictions in which they operate, which in many ways is
similar to that of the state regulation outlined above. Many of
our customers and independent sales intermediaries also operate
in regulated environments. 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. 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 our 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 reserve requirements.
S-22
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Legal and Regulatory Investigations and Actions Are
Increasingly Common in the Insurance Business and May Result in
Financial Losses and Harm 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, additional premium charges
for premiums paid on a periodic basis, 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.
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 inherently impossible to
ascertain with any degree of certainty. Estimates of possible
additional 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. It is possible that some of the matters
could require MetLife, Inc. to pay damages or make other
expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that could not be
estimated as of a balance sheet date.
Metropolitan Life and its affiliates are currently defendants in
approximately 450 lawsuits raising allegations of improper
marketing and sales of individual life insurance policies or
annuities. These lawsuits are generally referred to as
sales practices claims. Metropolitan Life is also a
defendant in numerous lawsuits seeking compensatory and punitive
damages for personal injuries allegedly caused by exposure to
asbestos or asbestos-containing products. These lawsuits are
principally based upon allegations relating to certain research,
publication and other activities of one or more of Metropolitan
Lifes employees during the period from the 1920s
through approximately the 1950s and have alleged that
Metropolitan Life 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 MetLife to estimate its ultimate
asbestos exposure is subject to considerable uncertainty due to
numerous factors. The availability of data is limited and it is
difficult to predict with any certainty 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, the jurisdiction of claims filed, tort reform
efforts 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 MetLife
may ultimately incur is uncertain. Accordingly, it is reasonably
possible that MetLifes total exposure to asbestos claims
may be greater than the liability recorded by MetLife in its
financial statements and that future charges to income may be
necessary. The potential future charges could be material in
particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are
recorded. In addition, Metropolitan Life and MetLife, Inc. have
been named as defendants in several lawsuits brought in
connection with Metropolitan Lifes demutualization in 2000.
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 may cause increased volatility in the price
of stocks of companies in our industry.
Recently, the insurance industry has become the focus of
increased scrutiny by regulatory and law enforcement authorities
concerning certain practices within the insurance industry. This
scrutiny includes the commencement of investigations and other
proceedings by the New York State Attorney General and other
S-23
governmental authorities relating to allegations of improper
conduct in connection with the payment of, and disclosure with
respect to, contingent commissions paid by insurance companies
to intermediaries, the solicitation and provision of fictitious
or inflated quotes, the use of inducements to brokers or
companies in the sale of insurance products and the accounting
treatment for finite insurance and reinsurance or other
non-traditional or loss mitigation insurance and reinsurance
products.
One possible result of these investigations and attendant
lawsuits is that many insurance industry practices and customs
may change, including, but not limited to, the manner in which
insurance is marketed and distributed through independent
brokers and agents. Our business strategy contemplates that we
will rely heavily on both intermediaries and our internal sales
force to market and distribute insurance products. We cannot
predict how industry regulation with respect to the use of
intermediaries may change. Such changes, however, could
adversely affect our ability to implement our business strategy,
which could materially affect our growth and profitability.
Recent industry-wide inquiries also include those regarding
market timing and late trading in mutual funds and variable
annuity contracts, variable annuity sales practices/exchanges
and electronic communication document retention practices. The
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) has
commenced an investigation with respect to market timing and
late trading in a limited number of privately-placed variable
insurance contracts that were sold through our subsidiary,
General American Life Insurance Company (General
American). In May 2004, General American received a so
called Wells Notice stating that the SEC staff is
considering recommending that the SEC bring a civil action
alleging violations of the U.S. securities laws against
General American. General American has responded to the Wells
Notice, and we are fully cooperating with the SEC with regard to
this investigation. TIC has also received inquiries regarding
market timing and other matters from the SEC. In addition, new
laws and regulations have been enacted affecting the mutual fund
industry generally, and it is difficult to predict at this time
whether changes resulting from those new laws and regulations
will affect our business and, if so, to what degree.
Other recent industry-wide inquiries include those relating to
finite insurance and reinsurance. On May 23, 2005, we
received a subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General of
the State of Connecticut requesting information regarding our
participation in any finite reinsurance transactions. We have
also received information requests relating to finite insurance
or reinsurance from other regulatory and governmental entities.
We believe we have appropriately accounted for these
transactions and intend to cooperate fully with these
information requests. We believe that a number of other industry
participants have received similar requests from various
regulatory and investigative authorities. It is reasonably
possible that we may receive additional requests. We will fully
cooperate with all such requests.
The Citigroup L&A business is also subject to risk of
litigation and regulatory investigations and actions in the
ordinary course of operations similar to the risks described
above. The legal and regulatory actions pending against the
Citigroup L&A business include proceedings, including those
specified below, specific to the Citigroup L&A business and
others generally applicable to business practices in the
industries in which the Citigroup L&A business operates,
many of which are the same industries in which we operate. TIC
and certain of its affiliates are defendants in a nationwide
class action which was certified by the Connecticut Superior
Court on May 26, 2004. The class action complaint claims
that TIC and certain of its affiliates are in violation of the
Connecticut Unfair Trade Practice Statute, and asserts unjust
enrichment and civil conspiracy claims. The complaint alleges
that Travelers Property Casualty Corporation, TICs former
affiliate and also a defendant in the class action, purchased a
lower amount of structured settlement annuities from TIC than
agreed with claimants, and that commissions paid to brokers of
structured settlement annuities, including a TIC affiliate, were
paid, in part, to Travelers Property Casualty Corporation. On
June 15, 2004, TIC and certain of its affiliates appealed
the Connecticut Superior Courts May 26, 2004 class
certification order. TIC has been sued in a number of asbestos
related claims, vigorously defends itself in these matters and
seeks indemnification with respect to these claims from its
former affiliates. Other claims may be brought against TIC with
respect to its historical business operations.
We cannot assure you that current claims, litigation, unasserted
claims probable of assertion, investigations and other
proceedings against us or the Citigroup L&A business will
not have a material adverse effect
S-24
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 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 operation. For further details regarding the litigation in
which we are involved, see Note 5 to MetLifes interim
condensed consolidated financial statements included in our
Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2005,
filed on May 6, 2005, and our Form 8-K filed on
May 27, 2005, both incorporated by reference in the
accompanying prospectus. For further details regarding the
litigation in which the Citigroup L&A business is involved,
see our Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2005, which is
incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.
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Changes in U.S. Federal and State Securities Laws May
Affect Our Operations and Our Profitability |
U.S. federal and state securities laws apply to investment
products that are also securities, including
variable annuities and variable life insurance policies. As a
result, some of our subsidiaries and the policies and contracts
they offer are subject to regulation under these federal and
state securities laws. Our insurance subsidiaries separate
accounts are registered as investment companies under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Some variable
annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by
our insurance subsidiaries also are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities
Act). Other subsidiaries are registered as broker-dealers
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are
members of, and subject to, regulation by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. In addition, some of our
subsidiaries also are registered as investment advisers under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
Securities laws and regulations are primarily intended to ensure
the integrity of the financial markets and to protect investors
in the securities markets or investment advisory or brokerage
clients. These laws and regulations generally grant supervisory
agencies broad administrative powers, including the power to
limit or restrict the conduct of business for failure to comply
with those laws and regulations. Changes to these laws or
regulations that restrict the conduct of our business could have
a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations.
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Changes in Tax Laws Could Make Some of Our Products Less
Attractive to Consumers |
Changes in tax laws could make some of our products less
attractive to consumers. For example, reductions in the federal
income tax that investors are required to pay on long-term
capital gains and on some dividends paid on stock may provide an
incentive for some of our customers and potential customers to
shift assets into mutual funds and away from products, including
life insurance and annuities, designed to defer taxes payable on
investment returns. Because the income taxes payable on
long-term capital gains and some dividends paid on stock have
been reduced, investors may decide that the tax-deferral
benefits of annuity contracts are less advantageous than the
potential after-tax income benefits of mutual funds or other
investment products that provide dividends and long-term capital
gains. 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.
We cannot predict whether any other legislation will be enacted,
what the specific terms of any such legislation will be or how,
if at all, this legislation or any other legislation could have
a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations.
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As a Holding Company, MetLife, Inc. Depends on the Ability
of Its Subsidiaries to Transfer Funds to It to Meet Its
Obligations |
We are a holding company for our insurance and financial
subsidiaries and do not have any significant operations of our
own. None of our subsidiaries will guarantee the senior notes.
Dividends from our subsidiaries and permitted payments to us
under our tax sharing arrangements with our subsidiaries are our
S-25
principal sources of cash to meet our obligations for paying
principal and interest on the senior notes and our other
obligations. If the cash we receive from our subsidiaries is
insufficient for us to fund our debt and other holding company
obligations, we may be required to raise cash through the
incurrence of additional debt, the issuance of equity or the
sale of assets. Creditors of our subsidiaries (including
policyholders and trade creditors) will generally be entitled to
payment from the assets of those subsidiaries before those
assets can be distributed to us. Accordingly, MetLife,
Inc.s obligations under the senior notes will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness
and liabilities of its subsidiaries, including liabilities under
contracts of insurance and annuities written by MetLife,
Inc.s insurance subsidiaries.
The payment of dividends and other distributions to us by our
insurance subsidiaries is regulated by insurance laws and
regulations. In general, dividends in excess of prescribed
limits are deemed extraordinary and require
insurance regulatory approval. In addition, insurance regulators
may prohibit the payment of ordinary dividends or other payments
by our insurance subsidiaries to us if they determine that the
payment could be adverse to our policyholders or
contractholders. As a result of certain restructuring
transactions by Citigroup prior to the closing, all dividends
paid by TIC during the first year following the Acquisition
would be deemed extraordinary. It is possible that
TIC and its subsidiary, The Travelers Life and Annuity Company,
may be subject to additional restrictions imposed by Connecticut
law or the Connecticut Department of Insurance on their ability
to pay dividends to us after the Acquisition.
During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, we
received dividends from our domestic insurance subsidiaries of
$1,162 million ($300 million of which were deemed
extraordinary), $1,721 million
($844 million of which were deemed
extraordinary) and $929 million
($369 million of which were deemed
extraordinary), respectively. Based on statutory
results as of December 31, 2004, our insurance subsidiaries
could pay dividends of approximately $1,186 million to us
in 2005 without obtaining regulatory approval. Metropolitan Life
and Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company recently paid
dividends to us in the aggregate amount of $4.1 billion
(approximately $3.2 billion of which were deemed
extraordinary). As a result of these dividends, any
further dividend from Metropolitan Life during 2005 will require
prior approval from the New York Insurance Department and any
further dividend from Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company
will require prior approval from the Delaware Department of
Insurance until the end of 2005 and may require prior approval
until the end of May 2006.
Any payment of interest, dividends, distributions, loans or
advances by our subsidiaries to us 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 our
foreign subsidiaries operate.
|
|
|
We May Need to Fund Deficiencies in Our Closed Block;
Assets Allocated to the Closed Block Benefit Only the Holders of
Closed Block Policies |
The plan of reorganization entered into in connection with
MetLifes 2000 demutualization 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
MetLife are met. 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 taxes, 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 assure 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
S-26
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.
|
|
|
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 United States
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 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. 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 United States or abroad.
In addition, the occurrence of terrorist actions could result in
higher claims under our insurance policies than we had
anticipated.
|
|
|
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
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
condition, particularly if those problems affect our
computer-based data processing, transmission, storage and
retrieval systems and destroy valuable data. Despite our
implementation of network security measures, our servers could
be subject to physical and electronic break-ins, and similar
disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer
systems. 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 our business could be severely
compromised.
|
|
|
We Face Unforeseen Liabilities Arising from Other Possible
Acquisitions and Dispositions of Businesses |
We have engaged in numerous dispositions and acquisitions of
businesses in the past, and expect to continue to do so in the
future. There could be unforeseen liabilities 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 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.
S-27
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FOR METLIFE
The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated
financial information for MetLife. The selected historical
consolidated financial information as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003 has been derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004, the selected historical consolidated financial information
as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002 has been
derived from our audited consolidated financial statements
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2002, and the selected historical
consolidated financial information as of and for the years ended
December 31, 2001 and 2000 has been derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2001. This selected consolidated financial information should be
read in conjunction with and is qualified by reference to these
financial statements and the related notes. The selected
historical consolidated financial information at and for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 has been derived
from the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial
statements included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The following
consolidated statements of income and consolidated balance sheet
data have been prepared in conformity with GAAP. Some previously
reported amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
presentation for the three months ended March 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
Statements of Income Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums
|
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
|
$ |
5,386 |
|
|
$ |
22,204 |
|
|
$ |
20,576 |
|
|
$ |
19,021 |
|
|
$ |
16,963 |
|
|
$ |
15,999 |
|
|
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
|
|
|
791 |
|
|
|
663 |
|
|
|
2,868 |
|
|
|
2,496 |
|
|
|
2,147 |
|
|
|
1,889 |
|
|
|
1,820 |
|
|
Net investment income(1)
|
|
|
3,217 |
|
|
|
2,939 |
|
|
|
12,367 |
|
|
|
11,484 |
|
|
|
11,139 |
|
|
|
11,127 |
|
|
|
10,926 |
|
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
299 |
|
|
|
313 |
|
|
|
1,198 |
|
|
|
1,199 |
|
|
|
1,166 |
|
|
|
1,340 |
|
|
|
2,070 |
|
|
Net investment gains (losses)(1)(2)(3)
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
(551 |
) |
|
|
(892 |
) |
|
|
(713 |
) |
|
|
(444 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues(4)(5)(6)
|
|
|
10,294 |
|
|
|
9,417 |
|
|
|
38,812 |
|
|
|
35,204 |
|
|
|
32,581 |
|
|
|
30,606 |
|
|
|
30,371 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policyholder benefits and claims
|
|
|
5,962 |
|
|
|
5,475 |
|
|
|
22,666 |
|
|
|
20,812 |
|
|
|
19,456 |
|
|
|
18,330 |
|
|
|
16,764 |
|
|
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
|
|
|
795 |
|
|
|
738 |
|
|
|
2,998 |
|
|
|
3,035 |
|
|
|
2,950 |
|
|
|
3,084 |
|
|
|
2,935 |
|
|
Policyholder dividends
|
|
|
415 |
|
|
|
425 |
|
|
|
1,666 |
|
|
|
1,731 |
|
|
|
1,803 |
|
|
|
1,802 |
|
|
|
1,771 |
|
|
Payments to former Canadian policyholders(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
327 |
|
|
Demutualization costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230 |
|
|
Other expenses(1)
|
|
|
1,973 |
|
|
|
1,851 |
|
|
|
7,822 |
|
|
|
7,176 |
|
|
|
6,869 |
|
|
|
6,899 |
|
|
|
7,189 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses(4)(5)(6)(7)
|
|
|
9,145 |
|
|
|
8,489 |
|
|
|
35,152 |
|
|
|
32,754 |
|
|
|
31,078 |
|
|
|
30,115 |
|
|
|
29,216 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
1,149 |
|
|
|
928 |
|
|
|
3,660 |
|
|
|
2,450 |
|
|
|
1,503 |
|
|
|
491 |
|
|
|
1,155 |
|
Provision for income taxes(1)(4)(8)
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
290 |
|
|
|
1,030 |
|
|
|
620 |
|
|
|
454 |
|
|
|
177 |
|
|
|
363 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
799 |
|
|
|
638 |
|
|
|
2,630 |
|
|
|
1,830 |
|
|
|
1,049 |
|
|
|
314 |
|
|
|
792 |
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes(1)(4)
|
|
|
188 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
214 |
|
|
|
413 |
|
|
|
556 |
|
|
|
159 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting
|
|
|
987 |
|
|
|
684 |
|
|
|
2,844 |
|
|
|
2,243 |
|
|
|
1,605 |
|
|
|
473 |
|
|
|
953 |
|
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting, net of income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
987 |
|
|
$ |
598 |
|
|
$ |
2,758 |
|
|
$ |
2,217 |
|
|
$ |
1,605 |
|
|
$ |
473 |
|
|
$ |
953 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income after April 7, 2000 (date of demutualization)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,173 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S-28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At March 31, | |
|
At December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
Balance Sheet Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General account assets
|
|
$ |
276,885 |
|
|
$ |
270,039 |
|
|
$ |
251,085 |
|
|
$ |
217,733 |
|
|
$ |
194,256 |
|
|
$ |
183,912 |
|
|
Separate account assets
|
|
|
85,786 |
|
|
|
86,769 |
|
|
|
75,756 |
|
|
|
59,693 |
|
|
|
62,714 |
|
|
|
70,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets(4)
|
|
$ |
362,671 |
|
|
$ |
356,808 |
|
|
$ |
326,841 |
|
|
$ |
277,426 |
|
|
$ |
256,970 |
|
|
$ |
254,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life and health policyholder liabilities(9)
|
|
$ |
193,251 |
|
|
$ |
190,847 |
|
|
$ |
176,628 |
|
|
$ |
162,569 |
|
|
$ |
148,395 |
|
|
$ |
140,040 |
|
|
Property and casualty policyholder liabilities
|
|
|
3,192 |
|
|
|
3,180 |
|
|
|
2,943 |
|
|
|
2,673 |
|
|
|
2,610 |
|
|
|
2,559 |
|
|
Short-term debt
|
|
|
1,120 |
|
|
|
1,445 |
|
|
|
3,642 |
|
|
|
1,161 |
|
|
|
355 |
|
|
|
1,085 |
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
7,414 |
|
|
|
7,412 |
|
|
|
5,703 |
|
|
|
4,411 |
|
|
|
3,614 |
|
|
|
2,353 |
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
48,870 |
|
|
|
44,331 |
|
|
|
41,020 |
|
|
|
28,269 |
|
|
|
21,964 |
|
|
|
20,396 |
|
|
Separate account liabilities
|
|
|
85,786 |
|
|
|
86,769 |
|
|
|
75,756 |
|
|
|
59,693 |
|
|
|
62,714 |
|
|
|
70,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities(4)
|
|
|
339,633 |
|
|
|
333,984 |
|
|
|
305,692 |
|
|
|
258,776 |
|
|
|
239,652 |
|
|
|
236,683 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable securities of
subsidiary trusts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,265 |
|
|
|
1,256 |
|
|
|
1,090 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, at par value(10)
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital(10)
|
|
|
15,043 |
|
|
|
15,037 |
|
|
|
14,991 |
|
|
|
14,968 |
|
|
|
14,966 |
|
|
|
14,926 |
|
|
Retained earnings(10)
|
|
|
7,595 |
|
|
|
6,608 |
|
|
|
4,193 |
|
|
|
2,807 |
|
|
|
1,349 |
|
|
|
1,021 |
|
|
Treasury stock, at cost(10)
|
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
|
(1,785 |
) |
|
|
(835 |
) |
|
|
(2,405 |
) |
|
|
(1,934 |
) |
|
|
(613 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(10)
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
2,956 |
|
|
|
2,792 |
|
|
|
2,007 |
|
|
|
1,673 |
|
|
|
1,047 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
23,038 |
|
|
|
22,824 |
|
|
|
21,149 |
|
|
|
17,385 |
|
|
|
16,062 |
|
|
|
16,389 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
362,671 |
|
|
$ |
356,808 |
|
|
$ |
326,841 |
|
|
$ |
277,426 |
|
|
$ |
256,970 |
|
|
$ |
254,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At or for the Three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
At or for the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share data) | |
Other Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
987 |
|
|
$ |
598 |
|
|
$ |
2,758 |
|
|
$ |
2,217 |
|
|
$ |
1,605 |
|
|
$ |
473 |
|
|
$ |
953 |
|
|
Return on equity(11)
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
12.5 |
% |
|
|
11.5 |
% |
|
|
9.6 |
% |
|
|
2.9 |
% |
|
|
6.3 |
% |
|
Return on equity, excluding accumulated other comprehensive
income
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
14.4 |
% |
|
|
13.1 |
% |
|
|
10.8 |
% |
|
|
3.2 |
% |
|
|
6.5 |
% |
|
Total assets under management
|
|
$ |
362,671 |
|
|
$ |
337,013 |
|
|
$ |
356,808 |
|
|
$ |
326,841 |
|
|
$ |
277,426 |
|
|
$ |
256,970 |
|
|
$ |
254,162 |
|
Income from Continuing Operations Available to Common
Shareholders Per Share(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
|
$ |
3.51 |
|
|
$ |
2.45 |
|
|
$ |
1.49 |
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
|
$ |
1.39 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
|
$ |
3.48 |
|
|
$ |
2.42 |
|
|
$ |
1.44 |
|
|
$ |
0.41 |
|
|
$ |
1.37 |
|
Income from Discontinued Operations Per Share(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.28 |
|
|
$ |
0.57 |
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
$ |
0.13 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.28 |
|
|
$ |
0.55 |
|
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
S-29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At or for the Three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
At or for the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share data) | |
Cumulative Effect of a Change in Accounting Per Share(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders Per Share(12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
1.34 |
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
3.68 |
|
|
$ |
2.98 |
|
|
$ |
2.28 |
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
$ |
1.52 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
1.33 |
|
|
$ |
0.79 |
|
|
$ |
3.65 |
|
|
$ |
2.94 |
|
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.62 |
|
|
$ |
1.49 |
|
Dividends Declared Per Share
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
(SFAS 144), income related to real estate sold
or classified as held-for-sale for transactions initiated on or
after January 1, 2002 is presented as discontinued
operations. The following table presents the components of
income from discontinued real estate operations (see
footnote 4): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
Investment income
|
|
$ |
72 |
|
|
$ |
106 |
|
|
$ |
373 |
|
|
$ |
455 |
|
|
$ |
630 |
|
|
$ |
563 |
|
|
$ |
214 |
|
Investment expense
|
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
(207 |
) |
|
|
(253 |
) |
|
|
(351 |
) |
|
|
(338 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net investment gains (losses)
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
420 |
|
|
|
582 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
312 |
|
|
|
622 |
|
|
|
861 |
|
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
214 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
313 |
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
42 |
|
|
$ |
195 |
|
|
$ |
392 |
|
|
$ |
548 |
|
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
$ |
136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
Net investment gains (losses) exclude amounts related to real
estate operations reported as discontinued operations in
accordance with SFAS 144. |
|
|
(3) |
Net investment gains (losses) presented include scheduled
periodic settlement payments on derivative instruments that do
not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133,
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, as amended, of $24 million and
$14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005
and 2004, respectively, and $51 million, $84 million,
$32 million and $24 million for the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. |
S-30
|
|
|
|
(4) |
During the third quarter of 2004, the Company entered into an
agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary,
SSRM Holdings, Inc. (SSRM), to a third party,
which was sold on January 31, 2005. In accordance with
SFAS 144, the assets, liabilities and operations of SSRM
have been reclassified into discontinued operations for all
periods presented. The following tables present the operations
of SSRM: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Months | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
Revenues from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
62 |
|
|
$ |
328 |
|
|
$ |
231 |
|
|
$ |
239 |
|
|
$ |
254 |
|
|
$ |
258 |
|
Expenses from discontinued operations
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
296 |
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
230 |
|
|
|
211 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
Net investment gains, net of income taxes
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
|
|
$ |
151 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
General account assets
|
|
$ |
379 |
|
|
$ |
183 |
|
|
$ |
198 |
|
|
$ |
203 |
|
|
$ |
228 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
379 |
|
|
$ |
183 |
|
|
$ |
198 |
|
|
$ |
203 |
|
|
$ |
228 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term debt
|
|
$ |
19 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
$ |
240 |
|
|
$ |
70 |
|
|
$ |
92 |
|
|
$ |
94 |
|
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5) |
Includes the following combined financial statement data of
Conning Corporation (Conning), which was sold in
2001, and MetLifes interest in Nvest Companies, L.P.
(Nvest) and its affiliates, which was sold in 2000: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in | |
|
|
millions) | |
Total revenues
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
$ |
605 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
580 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a result of these sales, investment gains of $25 million
and $663 million were recorded for the years ended
December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. |
|
|
|
|
(6) |
Included in total revenues and total expenses for the year ended
December 31, 2002 are $421 million and
$358 million, respectively, related to Aseguradora
Hidalgo S.A., which was acquired in June 2002. |
|
|
(7) |
In July 1998, Metropolitan Life sold a substantial portion
of its Canadian operations to Clarica Life Insurance Company
(Clarica Life). As part of that sale, a large
block of policies in effect with Metropolitan Life in Canada was
transferred to Clarica Life, and the holders of the transferred
Canadian policies became policyholders of Clarica Life. Those
transferred policyholders are no longer policyholders of
Metropolitan Life and, therefore, were not entitled to
compensation under the plan of reorganization. However, as a
result of a commitment made in connection with obtaining Canadian |
S-31
|
|
|
|
|
regulatory approval of that sale and in connection with the
demutualization, Metropolitan Lifes Canadian branch made
cash payments to those who were, or were deemed to be, holders
of these transferred Canadian policies. The payments were
determined in a manner that is consistent with the treatment of,
and fair and equitable to, eligible policyholders of
Metropolitan Life. |
|
|
(8) |
Provision for income taxes includes a credit of
$145 million for surplus taxes for the year ended
December 31, 2000. Prior to its demutualization,
Metropolitan Life was subject to surplus tax imposed on mutual
life insurance companies under Section 809 of the Internal
Revenue Code. |
|
|
(9) |
Policyholder liabilities include future policy benefits and
other policyholder funds. Life and health policyholder
liabilities also include policyholder account balances,
policyholder dividends payable and the policyholder dividend
obligation. |
|
|
(10) |
For additional information regarding these items, see
Notes 1 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004. |
|
(11) |
Return on equity is defined as net income divided by average
total equity. |
|
(12) |
Based on earnings subsequent to the date of demutualization. For
additional information regarding net income per share data, see
Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004. |
S-32
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
On January 31, 2005, MetLife, Inc. and Citigroup entered
into a definitive agreement, pursuant to which MetLife, Inc.
agreed to acquire Citigroup L&A for $11.5 billion in
consideration, subject to certain closing adjustments and
financing arrangements, and receipt of regulatory approvals and
satisfaction or waiver of other closing conditions. The
Acquisition Agreement provides for Citigroups execution of
specific transactions to exclude certain assets and liabilities
prior to the closing, and these transactions have been reflected
in the Citigroup L&A historical combined financial
statements as if completed. The Citigroup L&A historical
condensed combined financial statements as of and for the three
months ended March 31, 2005 and as of and for the year
ended December 31, 2004 are included as exhibits to the
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by MetLife on
May 27, 2005 and May 13, 2005, respectively.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial information consolidates the unaudited historical
interim condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31,
2005, the unaudited historical interim condensed consolidated
statement of income for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and the historical consolidated statement of income for the
year ended December 31, 2004 of MetLife with the unaudited
historical interim condensed combined balance sheet at
March 31, 2005, the unaudited historical interim condensed
combined statement of income for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and the historical combined statement of
income for the year ended December 31, 2004 of Citigroup
L&A. Those unaudited historical interim condensed financial
statements and historical financial statements were prepared in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America (GAAP). The unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared
using the assumptions described in the notes thereto.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information below should be read in conjunction with the notes
thereto and the unaudited historical interim condensed
consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months
ended March 31, 2005 of MetLife included in its Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the historical consolidated
financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 of MetLife included in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K. The unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information below should also be read in
conjunction with the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by
MetLife on May 27, 2005 and May 13, 2005 which include
as exhibits: 1) the unaudited historical interim condensed
combined financial statements of Citigroup L&A as of and for
the three months ended March 31, 2005, and 2) the
audited historical combined financial statements of Citigroup
L&A as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004,
respectively.
This unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information is presented for informational purposes only and is
not necessarily indicative of the financial position or results
of operations of the consolidated company that would have
actually occurred had the Acquisition been effective during the
periods presented or of the future financial position or future
results of operations of the consolidated company. The unaudited
condensed consolidated financial information as of and for the
periods presented may have been different had the companies
actually been consolidated as of or during those periods due to,
among other factors, possible revenue enhancements, expense
efficiencies and integration costs. Additionally, as discussed
in Note 1, the actual allocation of the purchase price to
the acquired assets and liabilities may vary materially from the
assumptions used in preparing the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information.
S-33
MetLife, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
March 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citigroup | |
|
Purchase | |
|
Financing | |
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
MetLife | |
|
L&A | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Notes | |
|
Consolidated | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share data) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase/(decrease) | |
|
|
|
|
Assets |
Investments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value
|
|
$ |
182,519 |
|
|
$ |
44,508 |
|
|
$ |
(88 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,237 |
) |
|
|
3(a), 3(b) |
|
|
$ |
225,702 |
|
|
Equity securities, at fair value
|
|
|
2,516 |
|
|
|
391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
3(t) |
|
|
|
2,971 |
|
|
Mortgage and other loans
|
|
|
31,977 |
|
|
|
2,349 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(c) |
|
|
|
34,369 |
|
|
Policy loans
|
|
|
8,953 |
|
|
|
894 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(d) |
|
|
|
9,852 |
|
|
Real estate and real estate joint ventures held-for-investment
|
|
|
3,458 |
|
|
|
279 |
|
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(e) |
|
|
|
3,864 |
|
|
Real estate held-for-sale
|
|
|
848 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(478 |
) |
|
|
3(f), 3(g) |
|
|
|
412 |
|
|
Other limited partnership interests
|
|
|
3,051 |
|
|
|
1,326 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,377 |
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
2,551 |
|
|
|
3,364 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,915 |
|
|
Trading securities
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
1,081 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,215 |
|
|
Other invested assets
|
|
|
4,960 |
|
|
|
338 |
|
|
|
234 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(h) |
|
|
|
5,532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments
|
|
|
240,967 |
|
|
|
54,559 |
|
|
|
334 |
|
|
|
(1,651 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
294,209 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
3,925 |
|
|
|
648 |
|
|
|
(10,623 |
) |
|
|
10,623 |
|
|
|
3(i) |
|
|
|
4,573 |
|
Common stock issuance and distribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
3(i) |
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued investment income
|
|
|
2,433 |
|
|
|
560 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,993 |
|
Premiums and other receivables
|
|
|
7,515 |
|
|
|
4,146 |
|
|
|
1,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(j) |
|
|
|
12,798 |
|
Deferred policy acquisition costs
|
|
|
13,130 |
|
|
|
3,035 |
|
|
|
(3,035 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(l) |
|
|
|
13,130 |
|
Value of business acquired
|
|
|
1,668 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
2,904 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(m), 3(n) |
|
|
|
4,662 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
611 |
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
4,292 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(o), 3(p) |
|
|
|
5,129 |
|
Other intangible assets
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
185 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(q) |
|
|
|
199 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
6,622 |
|
|
|
1,617 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
3(r), 3(ff), 3(s) |
|
|
|
8,312 |
|
Separate account assets
|
|
|
85,786 |
|
|
|
31,052 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
116,838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
362,671 |
|
|
$ |
95,933 |
|
|
$ |
(5,805 |
) |
|
$ |
10,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
462,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future policy benefits
|
|
$ |
100,630 |
|
|
$ |
12,679 |
|
|
$ |
3,008 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
3(j), 3(ff) |
|
|
$ |
116,317 |
|
|
Policyholder account balances
|
|
|
85,802 |
|
|
|
35,633 |
|
|
|
1,831 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(k) |
|
|
|
123,266 |
|
|
Other policyholder funds
|
|
|
7,226 |
|
|
|
1,604 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,830 |
|
|
Policyholder dividends payable
|
|
|
1,048 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,048 |
|
|
Policyholder dividend obligation
|
|
|
1,737 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,737 |
|
|
Short-term debt
|
|
|
1,120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
987 |
|
|
|
3(t) |
|
|
|
2,107 |
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
7,414 |
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(87 |
) |
|
|
4,847 |
|
|
|
3(a), 3(t) |
|
|
|
12,151 |
|
|
Shares subject to mandatory redemption
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
Current income taxes payable
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
460 |
|
|
|
3(ff), 3(g) |
|
|
|
549 |
|
|
Deferred income taxes payable
|
|
|
2,414 |
|
|
|
694 |
|
|
|
(1,709 |
) |
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
3(u), 3(g) |
|
|
|
1,348 |
|
|
Payables under securities loaned transactions
|
|
|
31,713 |
|
|
|
2,331 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,044 |
|
|
Trading securities sold not yet purchased
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
369 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
369 |
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
14,434 |
|
|
|
2,915 |
|
|
|
(227 |
) |
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
3(v), 3(w) |
|
|
|
17,207 |
|
|
Separate account liabilities
|
|
|
85,786 |
|
|
|
31,052 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
116,838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
339,633 |
|
|
|
87,262 |
|
|
|
2,866 |
|
|
|
6,328 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
436,089 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share;
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
15,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
915 |
|
|
|
3(t), 3(w) |
|
|
|
15,958 |
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; $25.00
liquidation value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
3(t) |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,042 |
|
|
|
3(t) |
|
|
|
2,042 |
|
|
Common stock of Citigroup L&A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
(131 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(x) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,138 |
|
|
|
(3,138 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(x) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
7,595 |
|
|
|
4,238 |
|
|
|
(4,238 |
) |
|
|
758 |
|
|
|
3(x), 3(g) |
|
|
|
8,353 |
|
|
Treasury stock, at cost;
|
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
1,164 |
|
|
|
(1,164 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(x) |
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
23,038 |
|
|
|
8,671 |
|
|
|
(8,671 |
) |
|
|
3,716 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,754 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
362,671 |
|
|
$ |
95,933 |
|
|
$ |
(5,805 |
) |
|
$ |
10,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
462,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information.
S-34
MetLife, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement
of Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citigroup | |
|
Purchase | |
|
Financing | |
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
MetLife | |
|
L&A | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Notes |
|
Consolidated | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share data) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase/(decrease) | |
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
Premiums
|
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
|
$ |
267 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,269 |
|
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
|
|
|
791 |
|
|
|
232 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
3(y) |
|
|
1,022 |
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
3,217 |
|
|
|
759 |
|
|
|
(78 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
3(z), 3(aa) |
|
|
3,879 |
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
299 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
3(bb) |
|
|
330 |
|
Net investment gains (losses)
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
10,294 |
|
|
|
1,362 |
|
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
|
|
11,539 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
Policyholder benefits and claims
|
|
|
5,962 |
|
|
|
320 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
3(j) |
|
|
6,272 |
|
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
|
|
|
795 |
|
|
|
371 |
|
|
|
(62 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
3(k) |
|
|
1,104 |
|
Policyholder dividends
|
|
|
415 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
415 |
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
1,973 |
|
|
|
274 |
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
76 |
|
|
3(cc), 3(dd) |
|
|
2,284 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
9,145 |
|
|
|
965 |
|
|
|
(111 |
) |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
|
|
10,075 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
1,149 |
|
|
|
397 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(95 |
) |
|
|
|
|
1,464 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
124 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
3(ee) |
|
|
445 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
799 |
|
|
$ |
273 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
(62 |
) |
|
|
|
$ |
1,019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings Per Share |
Income from continuing operations available to common
stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
734.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
756.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
739.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
762.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information.
S-35
MetLife, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Income
For the Year Ended December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Purchase | |
|
Financing | |
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
MetLife | |
|
Citigroup L&A | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Notes | |
|
Consolidated | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share data) | |
|
|
|
|
Increase/(decrease) | |
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums
|
|
$ |
22,204 |
|
|
$ |
1,314 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
23,518 |
|
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees
|
|
|
2,868 |
|
|
|
711 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(y) |
|
|
|
3,613 |
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
12,367 |
|
|
|
2,973 |
|
|
|
(311 |
) |
|
|
(78 |
) |
|
|
3(z), 3(aa) |
|
|
|
14,951 |
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
1,198 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
(83 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(bb) |
|
|
|
1,276 |
|
Net investment gains
|
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
189 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
38,812 |
|
|
|
5,173 |
|
|
|
(360 |
) |
|
|
(78 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,547 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policyholder benefits and claims
|
|
|
22,666 |
|
|
|
1,529 |
|
|
|
(36 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(j) |
|
|
|
24,159 |
|
Interest credited to policyholder account balances
|
|
|
2,998 |
|
|
|
1,386 |
|
|
|
(227 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3(k) |
|
|
|
4,157 |
|
Policyholder dividends
|
|
|
1,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,666 |
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
7,822 |
|
|
|
1,014 |
|
|
|
(131 |
) |
|
|
306 |
|
|
|
3(cc), 3(dd) |
|
|
|
9,011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
35,152 |
|
|
|
3,929 |
|
|
|
(394 |
) |
|
|
306 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before provision for income
taxes
|
|
|
3,660 |
|
|
|
1,244 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
(384 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,554 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
1,030 |
|
|
|
343 |
|
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
(134 |
) |
|
|
3(ee) |
|
|
|
1,322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
2,630 |
|
|
$ |
901 |
|
|
$ |
(49 |
) |
|
$ |
(250 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,232 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings Per Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations available to common
stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
3.51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
3.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
749.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
772.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
754.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
777.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information.
S-36
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information gives effect to the proposed acquisition as if it
had occurred at March 31, 2005 for the purposes of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and at
January 1, 2004 for the purposes of the unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statements of income. The unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated financial information has been
prepared by MetLifes management and is based on
MetLifes historical consolidated financial statements and
Citigroup L&As historical combined financial
statements, which have been prepared by Citigroup. Certain
amounts from Citigroup L&As historical combined
financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the
MetLife presentation. In accordance with Article 11 of
Regulation S-X, discontinued operations and cumulative
effects of changes in accounting and the related earnings per
share data have been excluded from the presentation of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income.
This unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information is prepared in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. The
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet at
March 31, 2005 and the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statements of income for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and for the year ended December 31,
2004 have been prepared using the following information:
|
|
|
(a) Unaudited historical interim condensed consolidated
financial statements of MetLife as of and for the three months
ended March 31, 2005; |
|
|
(b) Unaudited historical interim combined financial
statements of Citigroup L&A as of and for the three months
ended March 31, 2005; |
|
|
(c) Audited historical consolidated financial statements of
MetLife as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004; |
|
|
(d) Audited historical combined financial statements of
Citigroup L&A as of and for the year ended December 31,
2004; and |
|
|
(e) Such other supplementary information as considered
necessary to reflect the Acquisition in the unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial information. |
Some previously reported amounts have been reclassified to
conform with the presentation for the three months ended
March 31, 2005.
The pro forma adjustments reflecting the Acquisition of
Citigroup L&A under the purchase method of accounting are
based on certain estimates and assumptions. The pro forma
adjustments may be revised as additional information becomes
available. The actual adjustments upon consummation of the
Acquisition and the allocation of the purchase price of
Citigroup L&A will depend on a number of factors, including
additional financial information available at such time, changes
in values and changes in Citigroup L&As operating
results between the date of preparation of this unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated financial information and the
effective date of the Acquisition. Therefore, it is likely that
the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma
adjustments and it is possible the differences may be material.
MetLifes management believes that its assumptions provide
a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects
of the transactions contemplated and that the pro forma
adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are
properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information.
The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value
of the net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible
assets, has been allocated to goodwill. The unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial information does not include
the anticipated financial benefits or expenses from such items as
S-37
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
expense efficiencies or revenue enhancements arising from the
Acquisition nor does the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information include the portion of
restructuring and integration costs to be incurred by MetLife.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information is not intended to reflect the results of operations
or the financial position that would have resulted had the
Acquisition been effected on the dates indicated, or the results
that may be obtained by the consolidated company in the future.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information should be read in conjunction with the notes thereto
and the unaudited historical interim condensed consolidated
financial statements as of and for three months ended
March 31, 2005 of MetLife included in its Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q, as well as the historical consolidated
financial statements as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 of MetLife included in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K. The unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information should also be read in
conjunction with the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by
MetLife on May 27, 2005 and May 13, 2005 which include
as exhibits: 1) the unaudited historical interim condensed
combined financial statements of Citigroup L&A as of and for
the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2) the
audited historical combined financial statements of Citigroup
L&A as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004,
respectively.
|
|
2. |
Purchase Price and Financing Considerations |
Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, MetLife, Inc. will pay
Citigroup $11.5 billion in consideration for all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock held by Citigroup and its
affiliates, of certain of the domestic and international
insurance subsidiaries of Citigroup, constituting the Citigroup
L&A business. The Acquisition Agreement provides for
Citigroups execution of specific transactions to exclude
certain assets and liabilities prior to the closing, and these
transactions have been reflected in the Citigroup L&A
historical combined financial statements as if completed. The
closing is expected to occur during the summer of 2005. This
purchase price is subject to certain adjustments at closing,
including adjustments based on differences between estimated and
actual equity at closing and agreed-upon minimum risk based
capital (RBC) levels. The potential purchase price
adjustments are more fully described in the Acquisition
Agreement.
Under the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, MetLife, Inc. may,
at its discretion, issue up to $3 billion of its stock to
Citigroup as part of the funding of the purchase price. The
remainder of the purchase price must be paid in cash. The
financing related to the cash portion of the purchase price will
be finalized immediately prior to the closing of the transaction
and may include the use of short-term bridge financing.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information included herein reflects managements best
estimate of the forms and amounts of financing at the time this
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information
was prepared. The actual form of financing of the Acquisition
may involve different forms of financing and/or different
amounts of the same financing vehicles. These differences in
form and amount of financing could result in materially
different pro forma adjustments than those presented in this
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information. The actual financing forms and amounts of financing
will not be determined until shortly before the closing date of
the Acquisition. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial information presented herein assumes the following:
|
|
|
(i) MetLife, Inc. will issue $1 billion,
22.7 million shares, of common stock to Citigroup in the
transaction. For purposes of computing the number of shares of
common stock to be issued to Citigroup, the price of the
MetLife, Inc.s common stock to be issued is assumed to be
$44.04 per common share, which represents the average
closing price of MetLife, Inc.s common stock on the New
York Stock Exchange for the ten-day period ending June 21,
2005. The impact on pro forma earnings per share of issuing the
maximum amount, $3 billion, of consideration in common
stock is described in Note 4. The number of shares to be
issued for purposes of that calculation was computed using the
same average closing price as described above. |
S-38
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
(ii) The remaining $10.5 billion of purchase price
will be paid to Citigroup in cash and will be funded by MetLife
in part through: |
|
|
|
a) The sale of a real estate property and fixed maturity
securities. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income reflect the reduction in investment income
from the sale of fixed maturity securities but do not reflect a
reduction of investment income from the sale of real estate
property as such investment income is reported as discontinued
operations. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income do not reflect the gains/(losses) on the
sale of real estate property or fixed maturity securities as
such gains/(losses) would be reported as discontinued operations
or are sales that would not be part of the normal course of
business. |
|
|
b) The issuance of commercial paper and offerings of
various forms of securities including senior debt, mandatorily
convertible common equity units (MCCEUs), and
preferred stock. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income reflect the impact of these financing
arrangements using MetLifes current anticipated borrowing
and dividend rates for such types of securities. |
|
|
These assumptions are made based on the best information
available at the time the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information was prepared. Changes in
risk-free interest rates and credit spreads could change the
assumed borrowing and dividend rates for such types of
securities. |
|
|
c) Bridge financing which would be a short-term
substitution for some or all of the longer term financing
alternatives may be considered. The amount and term of the
bridge financing will depend upon the timing of the closing of
the transaction in combination with market access and market
conditions at such time. |
S-39
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
For purposes of presentation in the unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated financial information, the financing of
the Acquisition and allocation of purchase price is assumed to
be as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Range of | |
|
Annual | |
|
Expected Interest/ | |
|
|
Anticipated | |
|
Potential | |
|
Interest/ | |
|
Dividend(4)(5) | |
|
|
Financing | |
|
Financing | |
|
Dividend | |
|
| |
|
|
Amount | |
|
Amounts | |
|
Rate(4)(5) | |
|
Annual | |
|
Quarterly | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars | |
|
(Dollars | |
|
(%) | |
|
(Dollars | |
|
(Dollars | |
|
|
in millions) | |
|
in millions) | |
|
|
|
in millions) | |
|
in millions) | |
Sources:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$ |
2,882 |
|
|
$ |
2,500 3,500 |
|
|
|
(1)(2) |
|
|
|
(1)(2) |
|
|
|
(1)(2) |
|
Debt
|
|
|
3,700 |
|
|
|
2,800 3,700 |
|
|
|
2.85 5.70% |
|
|
$ |
178 |
|
|
$ |
43 |
|
Mandatorily convertible common equity units
|
|
|
2,134 |
|
|
|
2,134 |
|
|
|
4.82 4.91% |
|
|
$ |
104 |
|
|
$ |
27 |
|
Preferred stock
|
|
|
2,100 |
|
|
|
2,100 2,415 |
(6) |
|
|
4.00 6.50% |
|
|
$ |
122 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
MetLife, Inc. common stock
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 3,000 |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total sources of funds
|
|
$ |
11,816 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt and equity issuance costs See pro forma
adjustments 3(s) and 3(t) in Note 3
|
|
$ |
129 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in MetLife Trusts See pro forma
adjustment 3(t) in Note 3
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other transaction costs See pro forma
adjustment 3(i) in Note 3
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase price paid to Citigroup
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase price
|
|
|
11,623 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total uses of funds
|
|
$ |
11,816 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase Price Allocation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase price
|
|
$ |
11,623 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net balance sheet assets acquired at March 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying value of net balance sheet assets prior to the
Acquisition
|
|
|
8,671 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated fair value adjustments
|
|
|
(1,566 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated fair value of net balance sheet assets acquired
|
|
|
7,105 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
$ |
4,518 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
A real estate property with a carrying value of
$478 million was sold on May 4, 2005 for
$1,720 million, resulting in a gain of $758 million,
net of current income taxes payable of $460 million,
deferred income taxes of $(51) million and transaction
costs of $75 million. The real estate was sold to
facilitate the funding of the Acquisition. Net investment income
on such real estate property was $67 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 and $16 million during the
three months ended March 31, 2005. The sale of the real
estate property is reflected as a pro forma adjustment in the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet. The
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income
have |
S-40
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
not been adjusted to reflect a reduction in the related net
investment income or to reflect the gain on the sale of such
real estate property as both would be reported as discontinued
operations. See pro forma adjustment 3(g). |
|
(2) |
Fixed maturities with a carrying value of $1,237 million
have been assumed sold to fund the purchase price. The net
investment income on such fixed maturities of $81 million
for the year ended December 31, 2004 was computed based
upon the average yield of fixed maturities of 6.55% during 2004.
The sale of the fixed maturities and the elimination of
one-fourth of the related annual investment income,
$20 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005,
are reflected as pro forma adjustments in the unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated statements of income, respectively.
Any gains/(losses) realized on the sale of such investments
would not be part of the normal course of business and, as such,
has not been reflected in the accompanying unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months
ended March 31, 2005. See pro forma adjustment 3(b).
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of
income for the year ended December 31, 2004 reflects the
reduction of investment income related to the sale of the fixed
maturity securities but does not reflect the gains/(losses) on
the sale of such fixed maturity securities as such
gains/(losses) are on sales that would not be part of the normal
course of business. |
|
(3) |
Common stock dividend rates are set annually and are not
reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial information. |
|
(4) |
Debt and preferred stock are issued in multiple series. Debt
securities consist of $1,000 million of 5.00% senior
notes due 2015, £400 million of 5.25% senior notes due
2020 and $1,000 million of 5.70% senior notes due 2035.
Preferred stock consists of $1,500 million of 6.50%
series B preferred stock and $600 million of floating
rate series A preferred stock.
The ranges of interest and dividend rates noted above, which
have been used to calculate the impact of the financing on the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information, reflect the range associated with such potential
issuances and are based on MetLifes borrowing rates to the
date of this prospectus supplement. The actual interest and
dividend rates may differ from those estimated above.
The range of interest rates presented above relative to the
MCCEUs reflects only the interest rate on the debt portion of
such securities. The rate on the MCCEUs presented above does not
reflect the contractual payment rate on the forward share
purchase contract associated with such securities, which is
1.5%, and is reflected on a discounted basis as a
$85 million reduction in additional paid-in capital. The
discount of such contractual payments is amortized into income
over the estimated three year term of such contracts.
MetLifes borrowing rates are sensitive to changes in
risk-free rates and credit spreads. An increase or decrease in
composite interest rates of one-quarter of a percent on debt
issuances would result in a change in annual interest expense of
$15 million ($3 million quarterly). Preferred
dividends would change by $5 million ($1 million
quarterly) as a result of a one-quarter of a percent change in
dividend rates and the related impact on earnings per share
would be minor. |
|
(5) |
In addition to the financing alternatives shown above, MetLife,
Inc. entered into a $7 billion senior bridge credit
facility with Bank of America N.A. Funding under the senior
bridge credit facility, if it occurs, may occur in up to two
parts, so long as the first funding relates to the acquisition
of not less than 80% of the value of the assets contemplated to
be acquired pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement. The net cash
proceeds of certain of the financing alternatives shown above
will be used to repay or reduce the amount available under the
senior bridge credit facility. Loans under the senior bridge
credit facility may be base rate loans or eurodollar rate loans.
Base rate loans bear interest at the higher of (i) the
Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, and (ii) the rate of
interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time
to time by Bank of America N.A. as its prime rate. Eurodollar
rate loans bear interest at LIBOR divided by |
S-41
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
1.00 minus the reserve percentage in effect under regulations
issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System of the United States for determining the
maximum reserve requirement with respect to eurocurrency
funding. Any amounts borrowed under the senior bridge credit
facility must be repaid by the 364th day after the earlier
of (i) the seventh day prior to the first closing date of
the Acquisition, and (ii) June 24, 2005. As the bridge
financing is expected to be temporary in nature, it would be a
substitute for certain of the aforementioned financing
alternatives, and would bear a short-term interest rate;
therefore, no additional interest expense has been reflected in
the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial information. |
|
(6) |
The range of potential financing was determined by the aggregate
face value of $600 million of series A preferred
shares issued on June 13, 2005 and $1,500 million of
series B preferred shares issued on June 16, 2005 plus
the underwriters options to purchase additional
series A preferred shares and series B preferred
shares in the aggregate amount of $315 million. |
MetLife, Inc. will disclose the final amount of net proceeds in
a subsequent filing if these options are exercised.
The purchase price is allocated to balance sheet assets acquired
(including identifiable intangible assets arising from the
Acquisition) and liabilities assumed based on their estimated
fair value. The fair value adjustments to the Citigroup L&A
historical condensed combined balance sheet in connection with
the Acquisition are described below in Note 3. The excess
of the total purchase consideration over the estimated fair
value of the net assets acquired, together with capitalized
costs, is allocated to goodwill.
As discussed above, these pro forma adjustments are based on
certain estimates and assumptions made as of the date of the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
information. The actual adjustments will depend on a number of
factors, including changes in the estimated fair value of net
balance sheet assets and operating results of Citigroup L&A
between the dates presented and the effective date of the
Acquisition. MetLife expects to make such adjustments at the
effective date of the Acquisition. These adjustments may be
different from the adjustments made to prepare the unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated financial information and such
differences may be material.
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Elimination of the fair value of $88 million in fixed
maturities available-for-sale held by Citigroup and issued by
MetLife, Inc. and the related historical cost of the debt
securities issued by MetLife of $87 million at
March 31, 2005. The related interest expense to MetLife,
Inc. and interest income to Citigroup L&A of $2 million
and $8 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2004,
respectively, has also been eliminated in the accompanying
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income. |
|
|
(b) |
Sale by MetLife, Inc. of fixed maturities available-for-sale
with a carrying value of $1,237 million to fund the
Acquisition of Citigroup L&A. The unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statement of income reflects a reduction
in net investment income as a result of the assumption that the
sale of such fixed maturity securities would have occurred at
the beginning of 2004. The net investment income foregone is
computed based upon the average yield of fixed maturities of
6.55% in 2004. Net investment income of $20 million and
$81 million, respectively, has been eliminated from the
accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2004. Any
gains/losses on the sale of such investments would not be part
of the normal course of business and, as such, have not been
reflected in the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statements of income. |
S-42
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
(c) |
Fair value adjustment of $43 million for the difference
between the estimated fair value and carrying value of Citigroup
L&As investment in mortgage and other loans. Related
amortization of the fair value adjustment is estimated to be
$4 million and $15 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and for the year ended December 31,
2004, respectively, in the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statements of income. |
|
|
(d) |
Fair value adjustment of $5 million for the difference
between the estimated fair value and carrying value of Citigroup
L&As investment in policy loans. Related amortization
of the fair value adjustment is immaterial for the three months
ended March 31, 2005 and $1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004 in the unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated statements of income. |
|
|
(e) |
Fair value adjustment of $127 million relates to Citigroup
L&As investment in real estate and real estate joint
ventures held-for-investment. Related amortization of the fair
value adjustment resulting in a reduction in net investment
income is estimated at $1 million and $5 million for
the three months ended March 31, 2005 and for the year
ended December 31, 2004, respectively, in the unaudited pro
forma condensed consolidated statements of income. |
|
|
(f) |
Fair value adjustment of $13 million relates to Citigroup
L&As investment in real estate held-for-sale. No
related amortization of the fair value adjustment was estimated
to have occurred during the three months ended March 31,
2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004 as such
amortization was immaterial. |
|
|
(g) |
A real estate property with a carrying value of
$478 million was sold on May 4, 2005 for
$1,720 million, resulting in a gain of $758 million,
net of current income taxes payable of $460 million,
deferred income taxes of $(51) million and transaction
costs of $75 million. The real estate property was sold to
facilitate the funding of the Acquisition. The sale of the real
estate property is reflected as a pro forma adjustment in the
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet;
however, the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income have not been adjusted to reflect a
reduction in the related net investment income or to reflect the
gain on the sale of such real estate property as both would be
reported as discontinued operations. The gain has been reflected
as an increase in stockholders equity in the accompanying
unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet. |
|
|
(h) |
Fair value adjustment of $234 million for the difference
between the estimated fair value and carrying value of
Citigroup L&As investment in other invested
assets principally the purchase accounting
adjustment related to the elimination of the historical deferred
policy acquisition costs and the establishment of value of
business acquired (VOBA) related to certain joint
ventures acquired. Related amortization of the fair value
adjustment is estimated at $3 million and $9 million,
for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and for the year
ended December 31, 2004, respectively, and is reflected as
a reduction in other revenues in the unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statements of income. |
|
|
(i) |
The pro forma financing adjustment represents the cash and cash
equivalent position of $10,623 million resulting from the
issuance of the commercial paper, senior debt, MCCEUs and
preferred stock, as well as the sale of real estate and fixed
maturity securities. The common stock issuance of
$1,000 million is reflected separately from the cash
financing sources in the pro forma financing adjustments column.
The remittance to Citigroup of $10,500 million of cash and
$1,000 million in common stock to acquire Citigroup
L&A, plus transaction costs to other parties, is reflected
in the pro forma purchase adjustments column.
The transaction costs of $123 million represent an
estimate of the costs that the Company expects to incur over a
two year period. These costs consist primarily of investment
banker and legal fees, |
S-43
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
severance payments, relocation costs, lease terminations, and
closing of facilities of Citigroup L&A and have been
included in the purchase price. Actual costs may vary from such
estimates. |
|
|
(j) |
The pro forma purchase adjustment of $1,137 million is
comprised of an adjustment of $1,571 million to reinsurance
recoverable representing an increase in reinsurance recoverable
for benefits ceded to reinsurers and was computed using the same
assumptions that were used to determine the purchase accounting
adjustment to the liability for future policy benefits offset by
the elimination of the reinsurance recoverable on the liability
for future policy benefits of $434 million between MetLife
and TIC, related to a reinsurance agreement between the two
entities which will become an intercompany arrangement upon
acquisition. |
|
|
|
|
|
The pro forma purchase adjustment of $3,008 million is
comprised of an adjustment to the liability for future policy
benefits of $3,222 million representing the difference
between the Citigroup L&A carrying value of such liabilities
and the purchase accounting basis of such liabilities using
current assumptions, plus an adjustment of $212 million
related to Citigroup L&As Argentinean operations as
described in pro forma adjustments 3(ff)(i) and (ii), and
offset by the elimination of reinsurance recoverable on the
liability for future policy benefits of $426 million
between MetLife and TIC.
Amortization of the adjustment to the liability for future
policy benefits resulted in a decrease in policyholder benefits
and claims of $10 million and $36 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and for the year ended
December 31, 2004, respectively. |
|
|
(k) |
The adjustment to policyholder account balances of
$1,831 million represents the adjustment of Citigroup
L&As carrying value to amounts based on expected
liability cash flows discounted at current crediting rates.
Interest credited to policyholder account balances for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 decreased by $62 million and
$227 million, respectively, as a result of the revaluation
of policyholder account balances. |
|
|
(l) |
Elimination of Citigroup L&As historical deferred
policy acquisition costs of $3,035 million, and related
amortization of $108 million and $394 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended
December 31, 2004, respectively. |
|
|
(m) |
Elimination of Citigroup L&As historical VOBA of
$90 million and related amortization of $2 million and
$10 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005
and for the year ended December 31, 2004, respectively. |
|
|
(n) |
The VOBA reflects the estimated fair value of in-force contracts
and represents the portion of the purchase price that is
allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows
from the life insurance and annuity contracts in force at the
Acquisition date. VOBA 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 and other factors. Actual experience on the purchased
business may vary from these projections. An 11.5% discount rate
is used to value VOBA.
VOBA is amortized in relation to estimated gross profits or
premiums, depending on product type. If estimated gross profits
or premiums differ from expectations, the amortization of VOBA
is adjusted to reflect actual experience. At March 31,
2005, the VOBA balance is estimated at $2,994 million. The
estimated amortization for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and for the year ended December 31, 2004 is
$73 million and $283 million, respectively. |
S-44
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
The following table provides an estimated amortization of the
pro forma consolidated VOBA from 2005 to 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in | |
|
|
millions) | |
Nine months ended December 31, 2005
|
|
$ |
233 |
|
2006
|
|
$ |
307 |
|
2007
|
|
$ |
292 |
|
2008
|
|
$ |
268 |
|
2009
|
|
$ |
242 |
|
(o) Elimination of Citigroup L&As
historical goodwill of $226 million.
|
|
|
|
(p) |
Represents the goodwill of $4,518 million arising from the
transaction. See computation in Note 2. |
|
|
(q) |
Represents the recognition of identifiable other intangible
assets, comprised of the Citigroup L&A distribution
agreements and customer relationships acquired as a part of the
purchase. The estimated fair value of the distribution
agreements and customer relationships are $173 million and
$12 million, respectively, for a total of
$185 million. The identifiable other intangibles will be
amortized in relation to the expected economic benefits of the
agreement. The estimated amortization for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 is immaterial and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 is $3 million. |
|
|
|
|
(r) |
Fair value adjustment of $1 million for the difference
between the estimated fair value and carrying value of Citigroup
L&As other assets of $24 million and a
recoverable from Citigroup of $25 million as described in
pro forma adjustment 3(ff)(iii). The estimated amortization
for the three months ended March 31, 2005 is immaterial and
for the year ended December 31, 2004 is $5 million. |
|
|
|
|
(s) |
The pro forma financing adjustment represents the costs
associated with the issuance of commercial paper, senior debt
and MCCEUs of $72 million. For the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004,
approximately $5 million and $20 million of such costs
are assumed to be amortized, respectively. |
|
|
|
|
(t) |
The pro forma financing adjustment to debt represents the
issuance of $987 million of commercial paper,
$2,713 million of senior debt, and $2,134 million of the
Companys junior subordinated securities issued to MetLife
Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III in
return for (i) the proceeds of the issuance by the trusts
of the trust preferred securities underlying the $2,070 million
of MCCEUs and (ii) a required investment by the Company in
$64 million of common equity securities of the trusts,
which are included in equity securities. These pro forma
financing adjustments and related interest expense are described
in Note 2. Related debt issuance costs and discount on
senior notes including related amortization, are described in
pro forma adjustment 3(s).
The pro forma financing adjustment to equity represents the
issuance of $1,000 million of common stock to Citigroup and
$2,100 million of preferred shares as described in
Note 2. The estimated present value of the contractual
payments to be made under the variable share forward contract of
$85 million described in pro forma adjustment 3(w) has
been reflected as a reduction in the carrying value of the
common stock. Costs of $57 million associated with the
issuance of the preferred stock have been reflected as a
reduction of their carrying value. |
|
|
|
|
(u) |
Deferred income taxes are adjusted to reflect the income tax
effects of the pro forma purchase adjustments and the adjustment
of the tax basis of the assets and liabilities acquired as a
result of an election under Internal Revenue Code
Section 338. The net effect of such adjustments is |
S-45
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
$1,709 million. The deferred income tax asset is reduced by
a valuation allowance of $115 million related to operations
in Argentina. |
|
|
|
|
(v) |
The pro forma purchase adjustment of $227 million consists
of the fair value adjustment to decrease other liabilities for
the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying
value of Citigroup L&As other liabilities. |
|
|
|
|
(w) |
The pro forma financing adjustment of $85 million records
the estimated present value of the contractual payments to be
made under the terms of the variable share forward contract
component of the MCCEUs. Also, a pro forma financing adjustment
of $1 million and $4 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2005 and the year ended December 31,
2004, respectively, has been made to record accretion on the
accrued balance. See Note 2 for further discussion of the
terms of the MCCEUs. |
|
|
|
|
(x) |
Elimination of Citigroup L&As historical equity
balances. |
|
|
|
|
(y) |
The pro forma purchase adjustment of $1 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 represents a
reclassification of $10 million in surrender fees from
other revenues to universal life and investment-type policy fees
offset by the elimination of $11 million in amortization of
deferred policy fees resulting from the elimination of such
deferred revenue, included within the other liabilities pro
forma adjustment 3(v). The pro forma purchase adjustment of
$34 million for the year ended December 31, 2004
represents a reclassification of $47 million in surrender
fees from other revenues to universal life and investment-type
policy fees offset by the elimination of $13 million in
amortization of deferred policy fees resulting from the
elimination of such deferred revenue. |
|
|
(z) |
Decrease in net investment income relates to pro forma purchase
adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and
the year ended December 31, 2004 as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
months ended | |
|
For the year ended | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
1)
|
|
Amortization of the increase in fair value of fixed maturity
available-for-sale |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(71 |
) |
|
$ |
(282 |
) |
2)
|
|
Amortization of the increase in fair value of mortgage loans |
|
|
3(c) |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
3)
|
|
Amortization of the increase in fair value of policy loans |
|
|
3(d) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
4)
|
|
Amortization of the increase in real estate held-for-investment |
|
|
3(e) |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
5)
|
|
Elimination of investment income on the MetLife securities held
by Citigroup |
|
|
3(a) |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(78 |
) |
|
$ |
(311 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(aa) |
The pro forma financing adjustment of $19 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 represents the
elimination of the investment income on fixed maturity
securities of $20 million as described in pro forma
adjustment 3(b) offset by the investment income on the
investment in MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital
Trust III of $1 million as described in pro forma
adjustment 3(t). |
S-46
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
The pro forma financing adjustment of $78 million for the
year ended December 31, 2004 represents the elimination of
the investment income on fixed maturity securities of
$81 million as described in pro forma adjustment 3(b)
offset by the investment income on the investment in MetLife
Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III of
$3 million as described in pro forma adjustment 3(t). |
|
|
|
|
(bb) |
The pro forma purchase adjustment of $19 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 represents a
reclassification of $10 million in surrender fees from
other revenues to universal life and investment-type policy
fees, plus the elimination of $6 million in amortization of
deferred ceding commission income resulting from the elimination
of such deferred revenue, included within the other liabilities
adjustment in pro forma purchase adjustment 3(v), and the
amortization of the fair value of other invested assets of
$3 million as described in pro forma adjustment 3(h). The
pro forma purchase adjustment of $83 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 represents a reclassification of
$47 million in surrender fees from other revenues to
universal life and investment-type policy fees, plus the
elimination of $27 million in amortization of deferred
ceding commission income resulting from the elimination of such
deferred revenue, and the amortization of the fair value of
other invested assets of $9 million. |
|
|
|
|
(cc) |
Decrease in other expenses relates to pro forma purchase
adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and
the year ended December 31, 2004 is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For | |
|
For | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
the three months ended | |
|
the year ended | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
1)
|
|
Elimination of intercompany interest expense |
|
|
3(a) |
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
(8 |
) |
2)
|
|
Elimination of amortization on historical deferred policy
acquisition costs |
|
|
3(l) |
|
|
|
(108 |
) |
|
|
(394 |
) |
3)
|
|
Elimination of historical amortization of VOBA |
|
|
3(m) |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
4)
|
|
Amortization of VOBA |
|
|
3(n) |
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
283 |
|
5)
|
|
Amortization of other intangible assets |
|
|
3(q) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
6)
|
|
Amortization of other adjustments |
|
|
3(r) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(39 |
) |
|
$ |
(131 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(dd) |
The pro forma financing adjustment of $76 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 represents interest
expense on financing of transaction of $70 million as
disclosed in Note 2, amortization of debt issuance costs of
$5 million in pro forma financing adjustment 3(s) and
$1 million in accretion on accrued contractual payments on
MCCEUs in pro forma financing adjustment 3(w). The pro forma
financing adjustment of $306 million for the year ended
December 31, 2004 represents interest expense on financing
of transaction of $282 million as disclosed in Note 2,
amortization of debt issuance costs of $20 million in pro
forma financing adjustment 3(s) and $4 million in accretion
on accrued contractual payments on MCCEUs. |
|
|
|
|
(ee) |
Represents the income tax effect of all unaudited pro forma
condensed consolidated statement of income adjustments using a
tax rate of 35% for the three months ended March 31, 2005
and for the |
S-47
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
year ended December 31, 2004. The year ended
December 31, 2004 also includes an adjustment of
$71 million to eliminate certain tax items which are not
relevant to that pro forma presentation. |
|
|
|
|
(ff) |
As a part of the Acquisition, MetLife will acquire Citigroup
L&As insurance operations in Argentina. The
Argentinean economic, regulatory and legal environment,
including interpretation 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 combined company as reflected in the
accompanying unaudited pro forma interim condensed consolidated
financial information. |
|
|
|
Upon acquisition there are certain liabilities which will be
established in purchase accounting as follows (subject to any
adjustments to reflect changes in Citigroup L&As
closing balance sheet): |
|
|
|
|
(i) |
In order to conform to MetLifes interpretation of
applicable Argentine law, death and disability liabilities will
increase by an estimated $107 million in Citigroup
L&As managed pension business in Argentina. This
increase reflects additional death and disability claims that
have occurred through March 31, 2005 but had not yet been
approved by the Argentine regulator. MetLifes policy has
been to accrue a liability for incurred claims in excess of the
claims-made amounts, reflecting managements belief that
applicable Argentine law does not relieve the managed pension
business from providing for such additional claims. The accrued
liability recorded by Citigroup L&A as of March 31,
2005 reflects Citigroups belief that the managed pension
business is only obligated under applicable Argentine law to
provide group claims-made coverage to the managed pension
business customers. |
|
|
(ii) |
An additional liability of $105 million will be established
related to litigation and an impending Supreme Court of Justice
of Argentina ruling in connection with the pesification of
certain policyholder liabilities from U.S.-dollar-denominated
insurance policies in January 2002 when the Argentina government
converted all foreign currency denominated financial contracts
to Argentinean pesos. |
|
|
|
The unaudited historical condensed combined financial statements
of Citigroup L&A reflect a liability for future policy
benefits for the affected insurance policies based on a
conversion ratio of one Argentine peso to one U.S. dollar
adjusted by CER (inflation index), which is the conversion ratio
specified by the conversion law and implementing regulations for
these policies. However, throughout the country and affecting
all insurance companies, policyholders have challenged the
legality of the conversion of their policies to pesos in various
court proceedings. When policyholders have brought similar
actions against MetLifes Argentinean insurance companies,
MetLife has accrued a liability, which it believes is both
probable and reasonably estimable, for the difference between
the value of the policy based on its original U.S. dollar
terms and current open market currency exchange rates. In
accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 141 Business
Combinations (SFAS No. 141), a
pro forma adjustment of $35 million has been recorded to
reflect MetLifes estimate of the present value of such
policy liabilities at March 31, 2005. |
|
|
The Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina is also currently
considering actions challenging the peso conversion as it was
applied to insurance policies and annuity contracts. The outcome
of the Supreme Court action is uncertain, but MetLife considers
it probable that some modification to the original peso
conversion will be required and that the most likely
modification will be to require a conversion ratio of 1.4
Argentinean pesos to one U.S. dollar, which is the
conversion ratio applied to bank deposits. MetLife has estimated
the fair value of the additional policy liability required for
Citigroup L&As insurance companies would be
approximately $70 million; accordingly, in accordance with
SFAS 141, MetLife has recorded an adjustment to record the
fair value of such liability. The maximum exposure for these
companies if the Supreme |
S-48
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
Court were to overturn entirely the peso conversion is
approximately $190 million. MetLife considers the
possibility that the Supreme Court will entirely overturn the
peso conversion as applied to insurance policies to be remote
because the Supreme Court has previously upheld the peso
conversion as applied to bank deposits at a conversion ratio of
1.4 Argentinean pesos to one U.S. dollar. |
|
|
|
|
(iii) |
A pro forma purchase adjustment of $50 million at
March 31, 2005 has been recorded related to tax
contingencies generated upon pesification and the conversion of
Argentinean national debt obligations from U.S. dollars to pesos
at a conversion rate of 1.4 Argentinean pesos to one
U.S. dollar adjusted by CER (inflation index). Based on
statements from the Argentinean Undersecretary of Public
Revenues Ministry of Economy, MetLife believes a tax liability
exists on the conversion premium and the CER; accordingly, a
liability has been established for this potential tax
contingency. A receivable of $25 million from Citigroup has
also been established as Citigroup has indemnified MetLife for
50% of such tax contingencies. |
Merger-Related Costs
MetLifes preliminary integration plan includes merger
related costs of approximately $196 million,
$127 million net of income taxes. Such costs are not
included in the purchase price allocation but are period costs
which will be charged to the statement of income as incurred
over a two year period subsequent to the closing of the
Acquisition. As these costs are not a part of the normal
operations of MetLife, they have not been reflected in the
accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
statements of income. These costs include expenses related to
the redeployment of MetLife staff, retention bonuses for
Citigroup L&A employees, MetLife employee-related
restructuring and integration expenses, system migration,
product integration and other infrastructure costs. As
integration plans are finalized and implemented, such costs will
be more precisely quantified. Actual costs may vary materially
from these preliminary estimates.
|
|
4. |
Earnings Per Common Share |
Pro forma earnings per common share for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and for the year ended December 31,
2004 have been calculated based on the estimated weighted
average number of common shares on a pro forma basis, as
described below.
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
The historical weighted average number of common shares of
MetLife, Inc. is 734.0 million and 739.6 million,
basic and diluted, respectively, for the three months ended
March 31, 2005. The historical weighted average number of
common shares of MetLife, Inc. is 749.7 million and
754.8 million, basic and diluted, respectively, for the
year ended December 31, 2004. |
|
(b)
|
|
The pro forma weighted average number of common shares, after
giving effect to the Acquisition, is 756.7 million and
762.3 million, basic and diluted, respectively, for the
three months ended March 31, 2005. The pro forma weighted
average number of common shares reflects the issuance of
22.7 million MetLife, Inc. common shares to Citigroup in
the Acquisition. For purposes of calculating the number of
shares to be issued to Citigroup, the price of the MetLife, Inc.
common shares to be issued is assumed to be $44.04 per
common share, which represents the weighted average closing
price of MetLife, Inc.s common shares on the New York
Stock Exchange for the ten-day period ending June 21, 2005. |
|
|
|
The pro forma weighted average number of common shares, after
giving effect to the Acquisition, is 772.4 million and
777.5 million, basic and diluted, respectively, for the
year ended December 31, 2004. The pro forma weighted
average number of common shares reflects the issuance of
22.7 million MetLife, Inc. common shares to Citigroup in
the Acquisition. For purposes of calculating the number of
shares to be issued to Citigroup, the price of the MetLife, Inc.
common |
S-49
MetLife, Inc.
Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Financial Information (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
shares to be issued is assumed to be $44.04 per common
share, which represents the weighted average closing price of
MetLife, Inc.s common shares on the New York Stock
Exchange for the ten-day period ending June 21, 2005. |
|
(c)
|
|
Estimated dividends of $30 million and $122 million on
the series A preferred shares and series B preferred
shares, respectively, issued in connection with the Acquisition
have been deducted from income available to common stockholders
for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and for the year
ended December 31, 2004, respectively, for purposes of the
pro forma earnings per share calculation. See Note 2 for
discussion of the dividend rate used in preparing the pro forma
earnings per share. |
|
(d)
|
|
As discussed in Note 2, the value of shares to be issued to
Citigroup by MetLife, Inc. under the Acquisition Agreement may
range up to $3 billion. This unaudited pro forma condensed
consolidated financial information assumes that $1 billion
of common shares will be issued. For the three months ended
March 31, 2005, the impact of issuing an additional
$2 billion of common shares, for a total of
$3 billion, to Citigroup would increase the basic and
diluted weighted average common shares by 45.4 million
shares and reduce both the basic and diluted pro forma earnings
per share amounts by $0.08, to $1.23 and $1.22, respectively.
The increase in the number of common shares issued by
$2 billion reduces the amount of commercial paper by
$971 million and decreases the amount of fixed maturity
securities to be sold by $1,029 million which results in a
decrease in interest expense of $8 million, $5 million
after income taxes, and an increase in investment income of
$17 million, $11 million after income taxes,
respectively. |
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31, 2004, the impact of issuing
an additional $2 billion of common shares, for a total of
$3 billion, to Citigroup would increase the basic and
diluted weighted average common shares by 45.4 million
shares and reduce both the basic and diluted pro forma earnings
per share amounts by $0.14, to $3.90 and $3.87, respectively.
The increase in the number of common shares issued by
$2 billion reduces the amount of commercial paper by $971
million and decreases the amount of fixed maturity securities to
be sold by $1,029 million which results in a decrease in
interest expense of $32 million, $21 million after
income taxes, and an increase in investment income of
$67 million and $44 million after income taxes,
respectively. |
S-50
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our historical ratio of earnings
to fixed charges for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
|
|
|
2.16 |
|
|
|
2.16 |
|
|
|
2.06 |
|
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
For purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as income
before provision for income taxes and discontinued operations
and excluding undistributed income and losses from equity method
investments, minority interest and fixed charges, excluding
capitalized interest. Fixed charges are the sum of interest and
debt issue costs, interest credited to policyholder account
balances and an estimated interest component of rent expense.
USE OF PROCEEDS
MetLife, Inc. expects to receive net proceeds from the sale of
the senior notes of approximately £393 million, or
$717 million (excluding accrued interest, if applicable),
after expenses and underwriting discounts. We have translated
the pounds sterling amount in the preceding sentence to U.S.
dollars using the noon buying rate for pounds sterling on
June 22, 2005, as announced by the U.S. Federal Reserve
Bank of New York, which exchange rate was £1.00 = $1.8218.
See Exchange Rate Information.
MetLife, Inc. intends to use the net proceeds from this offering
to fund a portion of the purchase price for MetLife, Inc.s
acquisition of Citigroup L&A. In the event the Acquisition
is not consummated, MetLife, Inc. may, at its option, redeem the
senior notes and will use the net proceeds from the sale of
senior notes not redeemed for general corporate purposes. See
Description of the Senior Notes in this prospectus
supplement.
The Acquisition Agreement permits MetLife, Inc. to pay up to $3
billion of the $11.5 billion purchase price (with the
amount to be determined by us) to Citigroup in MetLife, Inc.
common stock (or, in the circumstances described below under
Proposed Acquisition of the Citigroup Life Insurance and
Annuities Business, non-voting convertible participating
preferred stock). MetLife, Inc. currently intends to pay
$1 billion of the purchase price in common stock. The
remainder of the purchase price will be paid in cash.
MetLife, Inc. intends to finance the cash portion of the
purchase price through a combination of dividends from MetLife,
Inc.s insurance subsidiaries (which have already been
paid), proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper and
proceeds from offerings of various forms of securities,
including:
|
|
|
|
|
the series A preferred shares, which MetLife, Inc. issued
on June 13, 2005; |
|
|
|
the series B preferred shares, which MetLife, Inc. issued on
June 16, 2005; |
|
|
|
the 6.375% mandatorily convertible common equity units,
which MetLife, Inc. issued on June 21, 2005; |
|
|
|
the 5.00% senior notes due 2015 and the 5.70% senior notes due
2035, both of which MetLife, Inc. expects to issue on June 23,
2005; and |
|
|
|
the senior notes offered hereby. |
In the event that any of the proposed senior note offerings
cannot be completed on commercially acceptable terms, MetLife,
Inc. may borrow up to $7 billion, reduced by the amount
financed from securities offerings already completed, under a
bridge financing facility. The form, manner and timing of the
financing of the Acquisition are subject to change. Please refer
to Note 2 and pro forma adjustment 3(t) in
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Information for further discussion of the financing
transactions.
S-51
CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
The following table sets forth our historical and unaudited pro
forma capitalization as of March 31, 2005, as adjusted to
give effect to (i) this offering of senior notes and
(ii) the Acquisition and related financings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At March 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Adjusted for this | |
|
Adjusted for the | |
|
|
|
|
Offering of Senior | |
|
Acquisition and | |
|
|
Actual | |
|
Notes(1)(2) | |
|
Related Financings(3) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
Short-term debt
|
|
$ |
1,120 |
|
|
$ |
1,120 |
|
|
$ |
2,107 |
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
7,414 |
|
|
|
8,135 |
|
|
|
12,151 |
|
Shares subject to mandatory redemption
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt
|
|
|
8,812 |
|
|
|
9,533 |
|
|
|
14,536 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, at par value
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
15,043 |
|
|
|
15,043 |
|
|
|
15,958 |
|
|
Preferred stock, at par value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,042 |
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
7,595 |
|
|
|
7,595 |
|
|
|
8,353 |
|
|
Treasury stock, at cost
|
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
2,156 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
23,038 |
|
|
|
23,038 |
|
|
|
26,754 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
$ |
31,850 |
|
|
$ |
32,571 |
|
|
$ |
41,290 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The amount of the senior notes offered hereby reflected in the
column of the table Adjusted for this Offering of Senior
Notes above was translated from pounds sterling to
U.S. dollars using the noon buying rate for pounds sterling
on June 22, 2005 as announced by the U.S. Federal Reserve
Bank of New York, which exchange rate was £1.00 = $1.8218.
See Exchange Rate Information. |
|
(2) |
Adjusted for this offering of senior notes, assuming net
proceeds of £393 million, or $717 million.
Related debt issuance costs of $3.7 million will be
capitalized and amortized over 15 years. The discount on these
senior notes of £4.5 million, or $8.0 million,
will be amortized over 15 years. See note 3. |
|
(3) |
Adjusted for the elimination of $87 million of MetLife debt
resulting from the Acquisition and the anticipated related
financing transactions. The financing transactions include this
offering of senior notes, the issuance of $1,000 million of
5.00% senior notes due 2015 and $1,000 million of 5.70% senior
notes due 2035, the issuance of $2,070 million of
mandatorily convertible common equity units plus the
$64 million investment in MetLife Capital Trust II and
MetLife Capital Trust III, the issuance of $2,100 million
of preferred shares (which includes $600 million of
series A preferred shares, net of $17 million of issuance
costs and $1,500 million of series B preferred shares,
net of $40 million of issuance costs), the expected issuance of
$1,000 million of common stock to Citigroup and the assumed
issuance of $987 million of commercial paper. |
|
|
|
|
|
These adjustments reflect managements best estimate of the
forms and amounts of financing at the time of this offering. The
actual financing of the Acquisition may involve different forms
of financing and/or different amounts of the same types of
securities. Please refer to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Information for further discussion
of the financing transactions. |
S-52
PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF THE CITIGROUP LIFE
INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES BUSINESS
In this section we discuss the terms and provisions of the
Acquisition Agreement. This discussion does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Acquisition Agreement attached as an exhibit to our Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 4,
2005, which is incorporated by reference in the accompanying
prospectus.
On January 31, 2005, MetLife, Inc. entered into the
Acquisition Agreement to acquire for $11.5 billion in
consideration, subject to certain closing adjustments, all of
the outstanding shares of Citigroup L&A. The closing of the
Acquisition is subject to certain conditions. Although no
assurances can be given that these conditions will be timely
satisfied or waived, we expect the Acquisition to close in the
summer of 2005. As a condition to closing, MetLife, Inc. will
enter into ten-year distribution agreements with Citigroup,
under which we will expand our distribution by making products
available through certain Citigroup distribution channels,
subject to appropriate suitability and other standards,
including the competitiveness of our products and the financial
strength of our providers. These channels include CitiStreet
Retirement Services, Smith Barney, Citibank branches and
Primerica Financial Services in the United States and various
Citigroup consumer businesses internationally.
Up to $3 billion (with the amount to be determined by us,
which we currently expect to be $1 billion) of the purchase
price will be paid in our common stock (or, in the circumstances
described below, non-voting convertible participating preferred
stock) with the remainder paid in cash. The amount of common
stock that we issue at the closing will be determined based on
the average daily closing price of our common stock for the 10
trading days prior to the closing date. If the common stock that
we issue at closing, taken together with existing shares of our
capital stock owned by Citigroup and its affiliates, would
exceed 4.9% of our outstanding capital stock, Citigroup may
require us to issue to Citigroup, in lieu of the shares of
common stock in excess of 4.9% of our outstanding capital stock,
shares of our non-voting convertible participating preferred
stock. Any such preferred stock, if issued as part of the
Acquisition, will rank junior to the series A preferred
shares and the series B preferred shares we issued on
June 13, 2005 and June 16, 2005, respectively. Under
the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, in no event may the
common stock and any preferred stock we provide as consideration
exceed 9.4% of our issued and outstanding capital stock. We
intend to finance the cash portion of the purchase price through
dividends from our insurance subsidiaries (which have already
been paid), proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper and
proceeds from offerings of various other forms of securities,
including the 5.00% senior notes due 2015 and the 5.70% senior
notes due 2035, both of which we expect to issue on
June 23, 2005, the senior notes offered hereby, the
series A preferred shares, the series B preferred
shares and the MCCEUs. In the event that any of the proposed
offerings of senior notes cannot be completed on commercially
acceptable terms, we may borrow up to $7 billion, reduced
by the amount financed from securities offerings already
completed, under a bridge financing facility. See Use of
Proceeds, Capitalization and Indebtedness and
the notes to our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated
financial statements included herein.
Overview of Citigroup L&A
Citigroup L&A provides insurance and other financial
services to a broad spectrum of individual and institutional
customers in the United States and select international markets.
Citigroup L&As U.S. business principally operates
through TIC, based in Hartford, Connecticut. Citigroup
L&As international business operates in several
countries with wholly owned subsidiaries in Australia, Brazil,
Argentina, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Poland and a joint
venture in each of Japan and Hong Kong. Citigroup L&A also
includes certain individual life and retail annuity business in
run-off status since 2003.
At December 31, 2004, Citigroup L&As total assets
were $97.3 billion, approximately 96% of which was
associated with domestic operations. Citigroup L&As
net income for the year ended December 31, 2004 was
$901 million, to which domestic and international
operations contributed 91% and 9%, respectively.
S-53
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Citigroup L&A U.S. Operations |
Citigroup L&As principal U.S. product offerings
include:
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|
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|
|
Retail annuity products, including fixed and variable
deferred annuities and payout annuities. Citigroup L&A
distributes its individual annuity products through Citigroup
affiliated channels ($3.9 billion of individual retail
annuity premium and deposits in 2004) and non-affiliated
channels ($1.8 billion of individual annuity premium and
deposits in 2004). The Citigroup affiliated channels include
CitiStreet Retirement Services, Smith Barney, Primerica
Financial Services and Citibank branches. Non-affiliated
channels include a nationwide network of independent financial
professionals and independent broker-dealers, including Morgan
Stanley, Merrill Lynch & Co., Fidelity, AXA and
Wachovia Securities. |
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|
|
Individual life insurance products, including term,
universal and variable life insurance. Citigroup L&As
individual life insurance products are primarily marketed by
independent financial professionals, who accounted for
$745 million of the $964 million total life insurance
sales for 2004. |
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Institutional annuity products, including institutional
pensions, GICs, payout annuities, group annuities sold to
employer-sponsored retirement and savings plans, structured
settlements and funding agreements. Citigroup L&As
institutional annuity products are sold through direct sales and
various intermediaries. |
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Citigroup L&A International Operations |
Citigroup L&As international operations offer a
variety of insurance products, including credit insurance, basic
indemnity policies (such as accident and health products),
traditional term life, group life, whole life, endowment, fixed
and variable annuities, pension annuities and unit-linked
policies. Citigroup L&A distributes its products in
international markets primarily through Citigroups
consumer businesses, including its retail banking, credit card
and consumer finance franchises, as well as through
non-proprietary channels. International sales are also conducted
through direct mail and telemarketing, branch sales, wholesaling
networks, agencies and direct sales agents.
Non-Competition Covenant
For a period of seven years (or, in the case of Argentina, two
years) following the closing date, Citigroup and its affiliates
are prohibited under the Acquisition Agreement from issuing or
reinsuring life insurance and annuity contracts in the United
States and internationally (with the exception of Mexico) and
from issuing or reinsuring accident and health insurance in
Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Poland and
the United Kingdom, subject to a number of exceptions, including
without limitation: (i) the issuance and distribution of
term life insurance products by Primerica Life Insurance Company
and its subsidiaries in specified countries, including the
United States, (ii) the issuance by certain of
Citigroups affiliates of a limited number of insurance
products that are bundled and sold with Citigroup affiliated
consumer credit products through Citigroup bank distribution
channels in the United States and Canada, (iii) for certain
other insurance company affiliates of Citigroup not acquired as
part of the Acquisition, issuing, distributing or administering
any insurance products, which business in the aggregate, for all
such insurance companies, may account for no more than
$80 million in net revenues on an annual basis in the
United States and $20 million in net revenues on an annual
basis outside the United States and (iv) acquiring
companies with life insurance, annuity and accident and health
insurance operations whose net revenues and net earnings derived
from these operations do not exceed certain contractually
specified thresholds.
Distribution Agreements
As a condition to closing, MetLife, Inc. and Citigroup will
enter into ten-year distribution agreements pursuant to which
Citigroup will provide MetLife with access to certain Citigroup
distribution channels, subject to appropriate suitability and
other standards, including the competitiveness of MetLifes
products and the financial strength of its providers. MetLife
will have rights to continue the existing distribution
S-54
arrangements between the life insurance companies acquired by
MetLife under the Acquisition Agreement and distributors
affiliated with Citigroup with respect to the acquired life
insurers existing products, and in certain circumstances,
to substitute MetLife products for the acquired life
insurers products. In addition, for the first seven years
of the distribution agreements, MetLife will have the right to
have its bid considered in the event that distributors
affiliated with Citigroup seek to distribute new
Citigroup-branded life insurance products (other than term life
insurance). This right does not apply to cases where
distributors are approached on an unsolicited basis with
proposals for Citigroup-branded life insurance products.
Investor Rights Agreement
In connection with the issuance of MetLife, Inc.s common
stock to Citigroup as part of the Acquisition purchase price, we
will enter into an investor rights agreement with Citigroup.
Under the investor rights agreement, at Citigroups request
we will use our best efforts to promptly file a shelf
registration statement providing for the resale of such number
of shares of MetLife, Inc.s common stock held by Citigroup
as Citigroup requests on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. Citigroup will be
entitled to effect between two and four fully marketed
underwritten takedowns (but in any event no more than two fully
marketed underwritten takedowns in any 12 month period)
under the shelf registration statement depending on the amount
of MetLife, Inc.s common stock issued to Citigroup as part
of the Acquisition purchase price. Citigroup may also demand
that MetLife, Inc. file registration statements with the SEC
providing for one-off offerings of all or a portion
of MetLife, Inc.s common stock issued to Citigroup as part
of the Acquisition purchase price. Citigroup will be permitted
to effect between two and four demand registrations less any
underwritten takedowns previously completed off of the shelf
registration statement described above. Citigroup may transfer
all or a portion of its then-remaining demand registration
rights to a third party who acquires at least 20% of the total
amount of stock consideration paid to Citigroup as part of the
Acquisition purchase price, provided that such third party
agrees to be bound by the terms of the investor rights
agreement. Subject to customary exceptions, Citigroup may not
(i) transfer more than 5% of MetLife, Inc.s
outstanding common stock to a competitor of MetLife, Inc.; or
(ii) transfer more than $1 billion in the aggregate of
MetLife, Inc.s stock consideration paid to Citigroup as
part of the Acquisition purchase price to any one person. These
restrictions on transfer will not apply to any transfer pursuant
to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or offerings made
under a shelf registration statement, demand registrations or
piggyback registrations.
If we issue stock consideration to Citigroup in connection with
the Acquisition for $1 billion or less of the purchase
price, Citigroup may not sell any of the stock consideration for
12 months following the closing of the Acquisition. If we
issue stock consideration to Citigroup for more than
$1 billion of the purchase price, Citigroup may not sell
$1 billion of the stock consideration for 12 months
following the closing of the Acquisition and any additional
amount in excess of $1 billion for six months
following the closing of the Acquisition. These restrictions
will not restrict sales of the stock consideration by Citigroup
(i) as nominee of customers in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) in private offerings that do not require
registration under the Securities Act at any time after six
months following the closing if the transferee agrees to be
bound by the terms of the investor rights agreement or
(iii) to MetLife, Inc.
Citigroup has also agreed that until such time as it holds less
than 5% of MetLife, Inc.s outstanding common stock, it
will agree to a number of standstill provisions, including
(i) not to propose to acquire, or to acquire any securities
or other property of MetLife, Inc. or make any statement about
any merger or other corporate transaction of MetLife, Inc.,
(ii) not to seek representation on
MetLife, Inc.s board of directors or the removal of
any directors from MetLife, Inc.s board of directors,
(iii) not to make any solicitation of proxies to vote
MetLife, Inc.s securities, (iv) not to form or
join a group with respect to any of
MetLife, Inc.s voting securities, (v) not to
seek to control MetLife, Inc.s management or
MetLife, Inc.s board of directors, (vi) not to
deposit any of MetLife, Inc.s securities in a voting
trust and (vii) not to make a public request, or advise or
otherwise assist others, to do any of the foregoing.
S-55
Other Ancillary Agreements
In addition to the distribution agreements and the investor
rights agreement described above, we will also enter into
several other agreements with Citigroup in connection with the
Acquisition. These agreements include investment management
agreements, pursuant to which affiliates of Citigroup will
continue to provide certain management and advisory services to
Citigroup L&A, and Citigroup L&A will continue to
include funds advised or sub-advised by Citigroup affiliates as
investment alternatives under variable life insurance policies
and variable annuity contracts, following the closing of the
Acquisition, a license agreement governing the use of certain
intellectual property rights of Citigroup and its affiliates and
MetLife, Inc. and its affiliates and a transition services
agreement, pursuant to which Citigroup L&A and Citigroup,
following the closing of the Acquisition, will continue to
provide each other services that they provided to each other
prior to the closing, in each case for a specified term.
Conditions to Closing
The respective obligations of each of MetLife and Citigroup to
effect the Acquisition are conditioned upon the satisfaction of
the following conditions:
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expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended; |
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completion of required filings with, and receipt of required
authorizations, consents and approvals of, insurance regulatory
authorities; |
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completion of required filings with, and receipt of required
authorizations, consents and approvals of other governmental or
regulatory bodies, agencies, court or authorities, except to the
extent that the failure to make or obtain such filings,
authorizations, consents and approvals would not, individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise),
business or operating results of MetLife or the Citigroup
L&A business, a material adverse effect on Citigroup, or a
material adverse change or effect on the ability of Citigroup or
MetLife to timely perform their obligations under the
Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereunder; |
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absence of legal or regulatory conditions, restrictions,
undertakings or limitations with respect to any authorizations,
consents or approvals by insurance regulatory authorities or any
other governmental or regulatory body, agency, court or
authority in connection with the Acquisition which would,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or
otherwise), business or operating results of MetLife or the
Citigroup L&A business, a material adverse effect on
Citigroup, or a material adverse change or effect on the ability
of Citigroup or MetLife to timely perform their obligations
under the Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereunder; and |
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absence of any statute, rule, regulation, judgment or order
being in effect by any governmental or regulatory body, agency,
court or authority that restrains, enjoins or otherwise
prohibits the consummation of the Acquisition or that makes the
consummation of the Acquisition illegal. |
MetLifes obligation to effect the Acquisition is also
subject to, among other things, the satisfaction or waiver by
MetLife, at or prior to the closing of the Acquisition, of the
following conditions:
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the representations and warranties of Citigroup set forth in the
Acquisition Agreement are true and correct as of the date of
execution of the Acquisition Agreement and as of the closing
date of the Acquisition (subject to certain exceptions), except
where any failure of the representations and warranties to be
true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on
the condition (financial or otherwise), business or operating
results of the Citigroup L&A business or a material adverse
change or effect on the ability of Citigroup to perform timely
its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement or the
transactions contemplated thereunder; and |
S-56
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Citigroup has performed in all material respects all obligations
required to be performed by it under the Acquisition Agreement. |
Citigroups obligation to effect the Acquisition is also
subject to, among other things, the satisfaction or waiver by
Citigroup, at or prior to the closing of the Acquisition, of the
following conditions:
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the representations and warranties of MetLife set forth in the
Acquisition Agreement are true and correct as of the date of
execution of the Acquisition Agreement and as of the closing
date of the Acquisition (subject to certain exceptions), except
where any failure of the representations and warranties to be
true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on
the condition (financial or otherwise), business or operating
results of MetLife or a material adverse change or effect on the
ability of MetLife to perform timely its obligations under the
Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereunder; |
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MetLife has performed in all material respects all requirements
required to be performed by it under the Acquisition
Agreement; and |
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approval for the listing on the New York Stock Exchange of the
MetLife, Inc. common stock issued to Citigroup in the
Acquisition (including any shares issuable upon conversion of
any non-voting convertible participating preferred stock issued
to Citigroup in the Acquisition). |
The closing of the Acquisition is also subject to the execution
and delivery of the various ancillary agreements described above
and certain other deliverables.
The closing of the Acquisition will take place on the first
business day of the month following the date on which the last
of the conditions to closing under the Acquisition Agreement is
either satisfied or waived, unless the closing is delayed.
MetLife, Inc., for example, may delay closing for a period not
to exceed three months following the date on which the SEC has
confirmed that it is not undertaking a review of a registration
statement of MetLife, Inc. to be used to offer and sell
securities as part of the financing by MetLife, Inc. of the
Acquisition purchase price. We received confirmation on
May 12, 2005 that this registration statement would not be
reviewed by the SEC.
Termination
MetLife and Citigroup may terminate the Acquisition Agreement by
mutual consent. Also, either party may terminate the Acquisition
Agreement if:
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the Acquisition has not been consummated before January 31,
2006, unless the party seeking to terminate the Acquisition
Agreement has materially breached any representation, warranty,
covenant or obligation under the Acquisition Agreement and the
failure of the Acquisition to occur on or before that date has
arisen out of, or resulted from, the material breach; or |
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the other party breaches any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or obligations in the Acquisition Agreement, which
breach would prevent satisfaction of a closing condition and the
breach is incapable of being cured, or is not cured, within
60 days after receipt of written notice of the breach. |
For further information on the pro forma effect of the
Acquisition on MetLifes financial statements, see
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial
Information.
S-57
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
The table below sets forth, for the periods and dates indicated,
information concerning the noon buying rate for pounds sterling
as announced by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of New York
(expressed in U.S. dollars per pound sterling). The rates
in this table are provided for your reference only.
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Period | |
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Period | |
Period |
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High | |
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Low | |
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Average(1) | |
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End | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
1999
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$ |
1.6765 |
|
|
$ |
1.5515 |
|
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$ |
1.6146 |
|
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$ |
1.6150 |
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2000
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1.6482 |
|
|
|
1.3997 |
|
|
|
1.5125 |
|
|
|
1.4955 |
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2001
|
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1.5045 |
|
|
|
1.3730 |
|
|
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1.4382 |
|
|
|
1.4543 |
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2002
|
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1.6095 |
|
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|
1.4074 |
|
|
|
1.5084 |
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|
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1.6095 |
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2003
|
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1.7842 |
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1.5500 |
|
|
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1.6450 |
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|
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1.7842 |
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2004
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1.9482 |
|
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|
1.7544 |
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|
|
1.8356 |
|
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1.9160 |
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2005 (through June 22)
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1.8368 |
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1.8011 |
|
|
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1.8760 |
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|
1.8218 |
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January 2005
|
|
$ |
1.9058 |
|
|
$ |
1.8647 |
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|
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$ |
1.8850 |
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February 2005
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1.9249 |
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|
|
1.8570 |
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|
|
|
|
|
1.9249 |
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March 2005
|
|
|
1.9292 |
|
|
|
1.8657 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
1.8888 |
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April 2005
|
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1.9197 |
|
|
|
1.8733 |
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|
|
|
|
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1.9122 |
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May 2005
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1.9048 |
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1.8205 |
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|
|
|
|
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1.8231 |
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June 2005 (through June 22)
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|
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1.9048 |
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1.8011 |
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|
|
|
|
|
1.8218 |
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(1) |
The average of the noon buying rates on the last day of each
month during the period. |
S-58
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF METLIFE, INC.
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Directors |
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Principal Occupation |
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Business Address |
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Curtis H. Barnette
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Of Counsel to the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP; Chairman Emeritus, Bethlehem Steel
Corporation |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
Robert H. Benmosche
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of MetLife,
Inc. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
Burton A. Dole, Jr.
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Retired Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Medsouth
Therapies, LLC, a rehabilitative health care company; Retired
Chairman of the Board of Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Incorporated,
a medical equipment company |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
Cheryl W. Grisé
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President of Utility Group for Northeast Utilities, a public
utility holding company, and Chief Executive Officer of its
principal operating subsidiaries |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
C. Robert Henrikson
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President and Chief Operating Officer of MetLife, Inc. and
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
James R. Houghton
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Chairman of the Board of Corning Incorporated, a global
technology company |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
Harry P. Kamen
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Retired Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
Helene L. Kaplan
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Of Counsel to the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
John M. Keane
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Retired General, Vice Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer
of the United States Army |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
James M. Kilts
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of
The Gillette Company |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
Charles M. Leighton
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Executive Director, U.S. Sailing; Retired Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer of the CML Group, Inc., a specialty
retail company |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
S-59
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Directors |
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Principal Occupation |
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Business Address |
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Sylvia M. Mathews
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Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of The Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
Hugh B. Price
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Senior Advisor to the law firm of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US
LLP; former President and Chief Executive Officer of the
National Urban League, Inc. |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
Kenton J. Sicchitano
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Retired Global Managing Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
an assurance, tax and advisory services company |
|
c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
William C. Steere, Jr.
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Retired Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Pfizer, Inc., a research-based global pharmaceutical company |
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c/o MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York
10166-0188 |
S-60
DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR NOTES
The following description of the particular terms of the senior
notes supplements the description of the general terms and
provisions of the debt securities set forth under
Description of Debt Securities beginning on
page 6 in the accompanying prospectus. The accompanying
prospectus contains a detailed summary of additional provisions
of the senior notes and of the indenture, dated as of
November 9, 2001, between MetLife, Inc. and Bank One Trust
Company, N.A. (predecessor to J.P. Morgan Trust Company,
National Association), as trustee, under which the senior notes
will be issued. The following description replaces the
description of the debt securities in the accompanying
prospectus, to the extent of any inconsistency. Terms used in
this prospectus supplement that are otherwise not defined will
have the meanings given to them in the accompanying prospectus.
As used in this Description of the Senior Notes
section, we, us, our and
MetLife mean MetLife, Inc. and do not include its
subsidiaries.
General
The senior notes are a series of debt securities described in
the accompanying prospectus, and are senior debt securities.
MetLife will issue the senior notes under the indenture dated as
of November 9, 2001 (the Indenture) between us
and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (predecessor to
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association), as
trustee, as supplemented by a Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture,
to be dated as of June 29, 2005, between us and the
trustee. There is no limit on the aggregate principal amount of
senior notes of this series that MetLife may issue under the
indenture, subject to compliance with the provisions described
below under Further Issues.
The senior notes will bear interest at the rate of
5.25% per year. Interest will accrue from June 29,
2005. Interest on the senior notes will be payable annually in
arrears on June 29 of each year, commencing June 29,
2006, to the persons in whose names the senior notes are
registered at the close of business on the preceding
June 15 (whether or not a business day). Interest will be
calculated on the basis of an Actual/Actual (ISMA) day
fraction basis. Actual/ Actual (ISMA) means that interest
on the senior notes shall be calculated on the basis of
(a) the actual number of days in the period from and
including the last interest payment date (or issue date with
respect to the first interest payment date) to but excluding the
date on which the interest payment falls due divided by
(b) the product of (x) the actual number of days in
the period from and including the last interest payment date (or
issue date with respect to the first interest payment date) to
but excluding the date on which the interest payment falls due
and (y) the number of interest payment dates per year. In
the event that any date on which interest is payable on the
senior notes is not a business day, then a payment of the
interest payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day that is a business day, except that, if such
business day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such
payment shall be made on the immediately preceding business day,
in each case with the same force and effect as if made on the
date the payment was originally payable. Accordingly, no
interest will accrue on the amount so payable for the period
from and after such interest payment date to the date the
payment is made. For purposes of the indenture, the term
business day means any day other than a day on which
federal or state banking institutions in London or the Borough
of Manhattan, The City of New York, are authorized or obligated
by law, executive order or regulation to close.
Unless the senior notes are redeemed prior to maturity, the
senior notes will mature, and the principal amount of the senior
notes will become payable, on June 29, 2020. We will pay
principal of, interest on and any other amounts payable under
the senior notes in pounds sterling or, if the United Kingdom
adopts the euro, in euros.
The senior notes will not be entitled to any sinking fund.
The senior notes will be, and the Indenture is, governed by the
laws of the State of New York.
Application has been made to list the senior notes and to have
the senior notes admitted to trading on the Irish Stock
Exchange. The listing application is subject to approval by the
Irish Stock Exchange. Arthur Cox Listing Services Limited will
be the listing agent for the senior notes in Ireland.
S-61
If, prior to the maturity of the senior notes, the United
Kingdom adopts the euro as its lawful currency in accordance
with the Treaty establishing the European Communities, as
amended from time to time, the senior notes will be
redenominated into euro, and the regulations of the European
Commission relating to the euro shall apply to the senior notes.
Further Issues
MetLife may, without the consent of the holders of the senior
notes, issue additional senior notes having the same ranking and
the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as the senior
notes offered by this prospectus supplement, except for the
issue price and issue date and, in some cases, the first
interest payment date. Any additional senior notes having such
similar terms will, together with the senior notes offered by
this prospectus supplement, constitute a single series of senior
notes under the indenture. No additional senior notes may be
issued if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
with respect to the senior notes. MetLife will not issue any
additional senior notes intended to form a single series with
senior notes unless the additional senior notes will be fungible
with all senior notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Ranking
The senior notes will be unsecured obligations of MetLife and
will rank equally in right of payment with all of MetLifes
existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness. The
senior notes will rank senior to any subordinated indebtedness.
Because MetLife is principally a holding company, its right to
participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary
(including Metropolitan Life and, if acquired in connection with
the Acquisition, the subsidiaries comprising
Citigroup L&A), upon the subsidiarys dissolution,
liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, is subject to the
prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the
extent MetLife may be recognized as a creditor of that
subsidiary. Accordingly, MetLifes obligations under the
senior notes will be effectively subordinated to all existing
and future indebtedness and liabilities of its subsidiaries,
including liabilities under contracts of insurance and annuities
written by MetLifes insurance subsidiaries. Holders of
senior notes should look only to MetLifes assets for
payment thereunder.
Optional Redemption
The senior notes will be redeemable prior to maturity, at our
option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time (any
such date fixed for redemption, a Redemption Date),
at a redemption price equal to the greater of:
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100% of the principal amount of such senior notes; and |
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as determined by the Calculation Agent, the price at which the
yield on the outstanding principal amount of the senior notes on
the Reference Date is equal to the yield on the Benchmark Gilt
as of that date as determined by reference to the middle-market
price on the Benchmark Gilt at 3:00 p.m., London time, on
that date; |
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on such senior
notes to, but excluding, such Redemption Date.
Reference Date means the date that is the first
dealing day in London prior to the publication of the notice of
redemption referred to below.
Benchmark Gilt means the 8.00% Treasury Stock due
June 7, 2021 or such other U.K. government stock as
the Calculation Agent, with the advice of three brokers and/or
U.K. gilt-edged market makers or three other persons
operating in the U.K. gilt-edged market that may be chosen
by the Calculation Agent, may determine from time to time to be
the most appropriate benchmark U.K. government stock for
the senior notes.
Calculation Agent means J.P. Morgan Trust
Company, National Association or any successor entity.
If less than all of the senior notes are to be redeemed, the
trustee will select the senior notes or portions of the senior
notes to be redeemed in compliance with the rules and
requirements of the Irish Stock Exchange or
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the principal securities exchange, if any, on which the senior
notes are listed or, if the senior notes are not so listed or
that exchange prescribes no method of selection, by such method
as the trustee deems fair and appropriate. The trustee may
select senior notes and portions of senior notes in amounts of
£50,000 and whole multiples of £1,000 in excess of
£50,000. If any senior note is to be redeemed in part only,
the notice of redemption relating to the senior note will state
the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A
new senior note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed
portion thereof will be issued and delivered to the trustee, or
its nominee, or, in the case of a senior note in definitive
form, issued in the name of the holder thereof, in each case
upon cancellation of the original senior note.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days
but not more than 90 days before the Redemption Date to
each holder of the senior notes to be redeemed. Unless we
default in payment of the redemption price, on or after the
Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the senior
notes called for redemption.
Redemption upon Tax Event
The senior notes may be redeemed at our option in whole, but not
in part, upon at least 30 days but not more than
90 days notice, at a redemption price equal to 100%
of their principal amount, if we determine that as a result of
any change or amendment to the laws, treaties, regulations or
rulings of the United States or any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof, or any proposed change in such laws,
treaties, regulations or rulings, or any change in the official
application, enforcement or interpretation of those laws,
treaties, regulations or rulings, including a holding by a court
of competent jurisdiction in the United States, or any other
action (except for an action predicated on law generally known
on or before June 22, 2005 but excluding proposals before
the U.S. Congress before that date) taken by any taxing
authority or a court of competent jurisdiction in the United
States, or the official proposal of any action, whether or not
such action or proposal was taken or made with respect to us,
(A) we have or will become obligated to pay additional
amounts as described under Payment of Additional
Amounts on any senior note or (B) there is a
substantial possibility that we will be required to pay those
additional amounts. Prior to the publication of any notice of
such a redemption, we will deliver to the trustee (1) an
officers certificate stating that we are entitled to
effect such a redemption and setting forth a statement of facts
showing that the conditions precedent to the right of MetLife to
so redeem have occurred and (2) an opinion of outside
counsel to that effect based on that statement of facts. If we
redeem the senior notes because of a tax event, and the senior
notes are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, we will publish a
notice of the redemption in Dublin, Ireland.
Payment of Additional Amounts
We will pay to the beneficial owner of any senior note who is a
Non-U.S. Person (as defined below) additional amounts as may be
necessary so that every net payment of principal and interest on
that senior note, after deduction or withholding for or on
account of any present or future tax, assessment or other
governmental charge imposed upon that beneficial owner by the
United States or any taxing authority thereof or therein, will
not be less than the amount provided in that senior note to be
then due and payable. We will not be required, however, to make
any payment of additional amounts for or on account of:
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(a) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that
would not have been imposed but for (1) the existence of
any present or former connection between that beneficial owner,
or between a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary of, member or
shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, that beneficial
owner, if that beneficial owner is an estate, trust, partnership
or corporation, and the United States including, without
limitation, that beneficial owner, or that fiduciary, settlor,
beneficiary, member, shareholder or possessor, being or having
been a citizen or resident or treated as a resident of the
United States or being or having been engaged in trade or
business or present in the United States or (2) the
presentation of a senior note for payment on a date more than
30 days after the later of the date on which that payment
becomes due and payable and the date on which payment is duly
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(b) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, excise,
personal property or similar tax, assessment or other
governmental charge; |
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(c) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge
imposed by reason of that beneficial owners past or
present status as a passive foreign investment company, a
controlled foreign corporation, a personal holding company or
foreign personal holding company with respect to the United
States, or as a corporation which accumulates earnings to avoid
United States federal income tax; |
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(d) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which
is payable otherwise than by withholding from payment of
principal or interest on that senior note; |
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(e) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge
required to be withheld by any paying agent from any payment of
principal or interest on any senior note if that payment can be
made without withholding by any other paying agent; |
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(f) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which
would not have been imposed but for the failure to comply with
certification, information, documentation or other reporting
requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity or
connections with the United States of the beneficial owner or
any holder of that senior note, if such compliance is required
by statute or by regulation of the U.S. Treasury Department as a
precondition to relief or exemption from such tax, assessment or
other governmental charge; |
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(g) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge
imposed on interest received by (1) a 10% shareholder (as
defined in Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and the
regulations that may be promulgated thereunder) of MetLife or
(2) a controlled foreign corporation with respect to
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(h) any withholding or deduction that is imposed on a
payment to an individual and is required to be made pursuant to
that European Union Directive relating to the taxation of
savings adopted on June 3, 2003 by the European
Unions Economic and Financial Affairs Council, or any law
implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to
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(i) any combination of items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e),
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nor will we pay any additional amounts to any beneficial owner
or holder of a senior note who is a fiduciary or partnership to
the extent that a beneficiary or settlor with respect to that
fiduciary, or a member of that partnership or a beneficial owner
thereof would not have been entitled to the payment of those
additional amounts had that beneficiary, settlor, member or
beneficial owner been the beneficial owner of that senior note.
As used in the preceding paragraph, Non-U.S. Person
means any corporation, partnership, individual or fiduciary that
is, as to the United States, a foreign corporation, a
non-resident alien individual who has not made a valid election
to be treated as a United States resident, a non-resident
fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership
one or more of the members of which is, as to the United States,
a foreign corporation, a non-resident alien individual or a
non-resident fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.
Defeasance
The discharge, defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of
the indenture described under the caption Description of
Debt Securities Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant
Defeasance on page 12 of the accompanying prospectus
will apply to the senior notes; provided, however, that the
moneys, if any, so deposited would be in the currency in which
the senior notes are denominated and the securities, if any, so
deposited would be issued by a government, governmental agency
or central bank of the country in whose currency the senior
notes are denominated.
Notices
While the senior notes are represented by a global note
deposited with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London branch, as
common depositary for Clearstream Banking, societé anonyme,
Luxembourg (Clearstream) and Euroclear Bank
S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System
(Euroclear), notices to holders may be given by
delivery to Clearstream and Euroclear, and such notices shall be
deemed to be given on the date of delivery to Clearstream and
Euroclear. The trustee will mail notices by first-class mail,
postage prepaid, to each registered holders last known
address as it appears in the security register that the trustee
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maintains. The trustee will only mail these notices to the
registered holder of the senior notes. You will not receive
notices regarding the senior notes directly from us unless we
reissue the senior notes to you in fully certificated form.
The trustee will also publish notices regarding the senior notes
in a daily newspaper of general circulation in The City of New
York and in London. In addition, if the senior notes are listed
on the Irish Stock Exchange, and so long as the rules of the
Irish Stock Exchange require notice by publication, the trustee
will publish notices regarding the senior notes in a daily
newspaper of general circulation in Dublin, Ireland. We expect
that publication will be made in The City of New York in The
Wall Street Journal, in London in the Financial Times
and in Dublin, Ireland in the Irish Times. If
publication in Dublin, Ireland is not practical, the trustee
will publish these notices in an English language newspaper of
general circulation elsewhere in Europe. Published notices will
be deemed to have been given on the date they are published or,
if published more than once, on the date of first publication.
If publication as described above becomes impossible, the
trustee may publish sufficient notice by alternate means that
approximate the terms and conditions described in this paragraph.
The Trustee; Paying Agents and Transfer Agents
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (as successor to
Bank One Trust Company, N.A.) is the trustee under the
indenture. The trustee and its affiliates also perform certain
commercial banking services for us and may serve as trustee
pursuant to indentures and other instruments entered into by us
or trusts established by us in connection with future issues of
securities, for which they receive customary fees.
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association is also the
registrar and calculation agent, and will be the paying agent
and transfer agent for the senior notes in the United States.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London branch will be the principal
paying agent and the transfer agent for the senior notes in
London. As long as the senior notes are listed on the Irish
Stock Exchange, J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) plc will be the
paying agent and transfer agent for the senior notes in Ireland.
Book-entry; Delivery and Form
The senior notes will be offered and sold and may only be traded
in principal amounts of £50,000 and whole multiples of
£1,000 in excess of £50,000. We will issue the senior
notes in the form of one or more permanent global notes in fully
registered, book-entry form, which we refer to as the
global notes. The global notes will be registered in
the nominee name of a common depositary for Clearstream or
Euroclear. Investors may hold book-entry interests in the global
notes through organizations that participate, directly or
indirectly, in Clearstream and/or Euroclear. Book-entry
interests in the senior notes and all transfers relating to the
senior notes will be reflected in the book-entry records of
Clearstream and Euroclear.
The distribution of the senior notes will be cleared through
Clearstream and Euroclear. Any secondary market trading of
book-entry interests in the senior notes will take place though
participants in Clearstream and Euroclear and will settle in
same-day funds. Owners of book-entry interests in the senior
notes will receive payments relating to their senior notes in
immediately available funds in pounds sterling, or if the United
Kingdom adopts the euro, in euros. Clearstream and Euroclear
have established electronic securities and payment transfer,
processing, depositary and custodial links among themselves and
others, either directly or through custodians and depositaries.
These links allow securities to be issued, held and transferred
among the clearing systems without the physical transfer of
certificates. Special procedures to facilitate clearance and
settlement have been established among these clearing systems to
trade securities across borders in the secondary market.
The policies of Clearstream and Euroclear will govern payments,
transfers, exchange and other matters relating to the
investors interest in securities held by them. We have no
responsibility for any aspect of the records kept by Clearstream
or Euroclear or any of their direct or indirect participants. We
do not supervise these systems in any way.
Clearstream and Euroclear and their participants perform these
clearance and settlement functions under agreements they have
made with one another or with their customers. You should be
aware that they are not
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obligated to perform or continue to perform these procedures and
may modify them or discontinue them at any time.
Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in the
senior notes will not be entitled to have the senior notes
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of the senior notes in definitive form
and will not be considered the owners or holders of the senior
notes under the indenture governing the senior notes, including
for purposes of receiving any reports delivered by us or the
trustee pursuant to the indenture. Accordingly, each person
owning a beneficial interest in a senior note must rely on the
procedures of the depositary and, if that person is not a
participant, on the procedures of the participant through which
that person owns its interest, in order to exercise any rights
of a holder of senior notes.
This description of the clearing systems reflects our
understanding of the rules and procedures of Clearstream and
Euroclear as they are currently in effect. These systems could
change their rules and procedures at any time. We have obtained
the information in this section concerning Clearstream and
Euroclear and their book-entry systems and procedures from
sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no
responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
Clearstream advises that it is incorporated as a bank under the
laws of Luxembourg. As a registered bank in Luxembourg,
Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg
Commission for Supervision of the Financial Sector. Clearstream
was formed in January 2000 by the merger of Cedel International
and Deutsche Boerse Clearing and was fully acquired by the
Deutsche Boerse Group in July 2002. Clearstream holds securities
for its participating organizations (Clearstream
Participants) and facilitates the clearance and settlement
of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants
through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream
Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement
of certificates. Clearstream Participants are recognized
financial institutions around the world, including underwriters,
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and
clearing corporations. In the United States, Clearstream
Participants are limited to securities brokers and dealers and
banks, and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to
Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either
directly or indirectly. Clearstream provides to Clearstream
Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping,
administration, clearance and settlement of internationally
traded securities and securities lending and borrowing.
Clearstream interfaces with domestic securities markets in
several countries. Clearstream has established an electronic
bridge with Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. to facilitate settlement of
trades between Clearstream and Euroclear.
Distributions with respect to the senior notes held beneficially
through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of
Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and
procedures, to the extent received by Clearstream.
Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities
for participants of Euroclear (Euroclear
Participants) and to clear and settle transactions between
Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic
book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the
need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from
lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear
includes various other services, including securities lending
and borrowing, and interfaces with domestic markets in several
countries. The Euroclear System is owned by Euroclear plc and
operated through a license agreement by Euroclear Bank
S.A./N.V., a bank incorporated under the laws of the Kingdom of
Belgium (the Euroclear Operator), under contract
with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative
corporation (the Cooperative). All operations are
conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear
securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are
accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The
Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of
Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks
(including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and
other professional financial intermediaries and may include the
underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to
other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or
indirectly.
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The Euroclear Operator advises that it is regulated and examined
by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission and the National
Bank of Belgium.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the
Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions
Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures
of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law
(collectively, the Terms and Conditions). The Terms
and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within
Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear,
and receipts of payments with respect to securities in
Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible
basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific
securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under
the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear
Participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons
holding through Euroclear Participants.
Distributions with respect to the senior notes held beneficially
through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of
Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and
Conditions.
Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures
Initial settlement for the senior notes will be made in
immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between
Clearstream Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will
occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable
rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and
will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional
Eurobonds in immediately available funds.
You should be aware that investors will only be able to make and
receive deliveries, payments and other communications involving
the senior notes through Clearstream and Euroclear on business
days in Luxembourg or Brussels, depending on whether Clearstream
or Euroclear is used. Those systems may not be open for business
on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for
business in the United States.
In addition, because of time-zone differences, there may be
problems with completing transactions involving Clearstream and
Euroclear on the same business day as in the United States.
U.S. investors who wish to transfer their interests in the
senior notes, or to make or receive a payment or delivery of the
senior notes, on a particular day may find that the transactions
will not be performed until the next business day in Luxembourg
or Brussels, depending on whether Clearstream or Euroclear is
used.
Clearstream or Euroclear will credit payments to the cash
accounts of participants in Clearstream or Euroclear in
accordance with the relevant systemic rules and procedures, to
the extent received by its depositary. Clearstream or Euroclear,
as the case may be, will take any other action permitted to be
taken by a holder under the indenture on behalf of a Clearstream
or Euroclear participant only in accordance with its relevant
rules and procedures.
Although Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing
procedures in order to facilitate transfers of the senior notes
among participants of Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under
no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures
and such procedures may be discontinued at any time.
Certificated Notes
We will issue certificated senior notes to you in certificated
form only if:
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The common depositary for Clearstream and Euroclear notifies us
that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depository for
the global notes, and we have not appointed a successor
depositary within 90 days of our receipt of that
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We determine to no longer have the senior notes represented by
global notes. |
In the event that we issue certificated securities under the
limited circumstances described above, and the senior notes are
listed on the Irish Stock Exchange at that time, then holders of
certificated securities may transfer their senior notes in whole
or in part upon the surrender of the certificate to be
transferred, together with a completed and executed assignment
form endorsed on the definitive note, at, as the case may be,
the main office of the transfer agent in London, at the main
office of the transfer agent in Dublin, Ireland or at the
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offices of the transfer agent in The City of New York. Copies of
this assignment form may be obtained at, as the case may be, the
main office of the transfer agent in London, at the main office
of the transfer agent in Dublin or at the offices of the
transfer agent in The City of New York. Each time that we
transfer or exchange a new note in certificated form for another
note in certificated form, and after a transfer agent receives a
completed assignment form, we will make available for delivery
the new definitive note at, as the case may be, the main office
of the transfer agent in London, at the main office of the
transfer agent in Dublin or at the offices of the transfer agent
in The City of New York. Alternatively, at the option of the
person requesting the transfer or exchange, we will mail, at
that persons risk, the new definitive note to the address
of that person that is specified in the assignment form. In
addition, if we issue senior notes in certificated form, then we
will make payments of interest (including additional amounts
payable in respect of interest) on the senior notes to holders
in whose names the senior notes in certificated form are
registered at the close of business on the record date for these
payments. If the senior notes are issued in certificated form,
we will make payments of principal and any redemption payments
against the surrender of these certificated senior notes at, as
the case may be, the main office of the paying agent in London,
at the offices of the paying agent in The City of New York or,
as long as the senior notes are listed on the Irish Stock
Exchange, at the main office of the paying agent in Dublin. We
will make payments to holders of senior notes by check delivered
to the addresses of the holders as their addresses appear on our
register or by transfer to an account maintained by that holder
with a bank located in the United Kingdom.
If we issue the senior notes in certificated form, so long as
the senior notes are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, we will
maintain a paying agent and a transfer agent in Ireland. We will
also publish a notice in Ireland in the Irish Times if
any change is made in the paying agent or the transfer agent in
Ireland.
Replacement of Notes
If any mutilated senior note is surrendered to the trustee, we
will execute and the trustee will authenticate and deliver in
exchange for such mutilated senior note a new senior note of the
same series and principal amount. If the trustee and we receive
evidence to our satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft
of any senior note and any security or indemnity required by
them, then we shall execute and the trustee shall authenticate
and deliver, in lieu of such destroyed, lost or stolen senior
note, a new senior note of the same series and principal amount.
All expense associated with issuing the new senior note shall be
borne by the owner of the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
senior note.
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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following summary describes certain material
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition,
ownership and disposition of the senior notes by beneficial
owners of the senior notes. This summary is based on the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Code), and Treasury regulations, rulings and
judicial decisions as of the date hereof, all of which are
subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. The
discussion applies only to beneficial owners that acquire the
senior notes pursuant to the offering at the initial offering
price and who will hold the senior notes as capital assets
within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. This
summary is for general information only and does not address all
aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be
relevant to holders of the senior notes in light of their
particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules
(such as broker-dealers, banks or other financial institutions,
insurance companies, partnerships, tax-exempt organizations,
persons that have a functional currency other than the
U.S. dollar, and persons who hold the senior notes as part
of a hedging or conversion transaction). If a partnership or an
entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax
purposes owns any of the senior notes, the tax treatment of a
partner or an equity interest owner of such other entity will
generally depend upon the status of the person and the
activities of the partnership or other entity treated as a
partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership or an equity
interest owner of another entity treated as a partnership
holding any of the senior notes, you should consult your tax
advisors. This summary does not address the effects of any
state, local or non-U.S. tax laws. Prospective holders
should consult their tax advisors as to the particular tax
consequences to them of acquiring, holding and disposing of the
senior notes.
For purposes of the following discussion, a
U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of a
senior note that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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an individual citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in
or under the laws of the United States, any State or the
District of Columbia; |
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal
income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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a trust, if (a) a court within the United States is able to
exercise primary supervision over administration of the trust
and one or more United States persons have authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) it has a
valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
For purposes of the following discussion, a
non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of a
senior note that is a nonresident alien individual or a
corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. person for
U.S. federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders
Payments of Interest. Interest with respect to the senior
notes will generally be treated as qualified stated interest and
taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary income at the time
accrued or received, in accordance with such
U.S. holders method of accounting for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. A cash method
U.S. holder must include in income the U.S. dollar
value of the amount of interest received, determined by
translating the pounds sterling received at the spot
rate for such pounds sterling on the date such payment is
received regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted
into U.S. dollars. A cash method U.S. holder will not
recognize exchange gain or loss with respect to the receipt of
such payment (except exchange gain or loss that may be
recognized upon the disposition of such pounds sterling on a
date following the payment date, as discussed below under
Disposition of Senior Notes).
In the case of an accrual method U.S. holder, the amount of
any interest income accrued with respect to the senior notes
during any accrual period generally will be determined by
translating the accrued interest into U.S. dollars at the
average exchange rate applicable to the accrual period (or, with
respect to an accrual period that spans two taxable years, at
the average exchange rate for the partial period within the
relevant taxable year). Notwithstanding the rule described
above, an accrual method U.S. holder may elect to translate
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accrued interest income using the spot rate in effect on the
last day of the accrual period (or, with respect to an accrual
period that spans two taxable years, using the spot rate in
effect on the last day of the relevant taxable year). If the
last day of an accrual period is within five business days of
the date of receipt of the accrued interest, a U.S. holder
may translate accrued interest using the spot rate in effect on
the date of receipt. The above election is made by the taxpayer
by filing a statement with the taxpayers tax return as
required by the applicable Treasury regulations. Such election
will apply to all other debt obligations held by the
U.S. holder and may not be changed without the consent of
the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. An accrual method
U.S. holder will recognize exchange gain or loss with
respect to any accrued interest income on the date that payment
in respect of the interest income is received in an amount equal
to the difference between (i) the U.S. dollar value of
the payment, based on the spot rate in effect on the date the
payment is received, and (ii) the amount of interest income
accrued in respect of the payment. Any exchange gain or loss
generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss.
Disposition of Senior Notes. Upon the sale, exchange,
redemption, retirement or other disposition of a senior note, a
U.S. holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss
equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of
the amount realized on the sale, exchange, redemption,
retirement or other disposition (except to the extent of accrued
but unpaid interest, which will be taxable as ordinary income)
and such holders adjusted tax basis in the senior notes.
Except with respect to gain or loss attributable to fluctuations
in exchange rates as discussed below, any such gain or loss will
be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or
loss if the U.S. holder has held the senior note for more
than one year. Long-term capital gains of noncorporate
U.S. holders that are recognized before January 1,
2009 are generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Gain
or loss from the disposition of a senior note by a
U.S. holder generally will be treated as realized from
U.S. sources for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
If a U.S. holder receives pounds sterling in respect of the
sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a
senior note, the U.S. holder generally will be deemed to
realize the U.S. dollar value of the pounds sterling based
on the spot rate in effect on the date of the disposition. A
U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in a senior note
generally will equal the U.S. dollar value of the issue
price of the senior note based on the spot rate in effect on the
date of purchase (reduced by any cash payments received with
respect to the senior note other than payments of interest).
Gain or loss realized upon a U.S. holders sale,
exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a
senior note, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in
currency exchange rates, is generally treated as ordinary income
or loss and not as capital gain or loss. This gain or loss
equals the difference between (i) the principal amount of
the senior note translated into U.S. dollars at the
spot rate on the date of disposition and
(ii) the U.S. holders tax basis in the senior
note. The realization of the exchange gain or loss is limited to
the amount of the overall gain or loss realized on the
disposition of the senior note. Any portion of the proceeds of
the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition
attributable to accrued interest income will be treated as a
payment of interest and may result in exchange gain or loss
under the rules set forth above under Payments of
Interest.
A U.S. holder will have tax basis in pounds sterling
received as interest on, or on the sale, exchange, redemption,
retirement or other disposition of a senior note, equal to its
dollar value (determined by translating the pounds sterling
received at the spot rate for such pounds sterling
on the date such payment is received). Any gain or loss
recognized by the U.S. holder on a sale, exchange,
redemption, retirement or other disposition of pounds sterling
will be ordinary income or loss and will not be treated as
interest income or expense, except to the extent provided in
Treasury Regulations or administrative pronouncements of the
U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
A U.S. holder that purchases a senior note with previously
owned pounds sterling will recognize exchange gain or loss at
the time of the purchase in an amount equal to the difference,
if any, between the U.S. holders tax basis in the
pounds sterling and the U.S. dollar value of the senior
note on the date of purchase. Any such exchange gain or loss
generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss.
Reportable Transactions. Recently enacted Federal tax
shelter legislation (as part of the American Jobs Creation Act
of 2004) requires participants in a reportable
transaction to disclose certain information about
S-70
the transaction on IRS Form 8886 and to satisfy document
retention requirements relating to the transaction. Tax
penalties apply for failure to disclose such reportable
transactions. A transaction may be a reportable transaction
based upon any of several indicia, which may arise from holding
or disposing of the senior notes (for example, certain loss
transactions). A purchase of a senior note is not a reportable
transaction. If a U.S. holder participates in a reportable
transaction in connection with holding or disposing of a senior
note (because, for example, the U.S. holder realizes a foreign
currency loss over a threshold amount), the U.S. holder will be
treated as participating in a reportable transaction and will
have to disclose its participation in such transaction on IRS
Form 8886. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors
concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to
their holding of or disposing of the senior notes.
Non-U.S. Holders
Payments of Interest. A 30% U.S. federal withholding
tax will not apply to any payment of interest on a senior note
to a non-U.S. holder if the interest qualifies for the
portfolio interest exemption. This will be the case
provided that the non-U.S. holder:
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does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of our stock that are
entitled to vote within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3) of
the Code; |
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is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us
through stock ownership; |
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is not a bank whose receipt of interest on the senior notes is
described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code; and |
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either (a) provides its name and address, and certifies,
under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States
person, which certification may be made on an IRS
Form W-8BEN or successor form, or (b) holds its senior
notes through various foreign intermediaries and satisfies the
certification requirements of applicable Treasury regulations. |
Special certification and other rules apply to certain
non-U.S. holders that are entities rather than individuals,
particularly entities treated as partnerships for
U.S. federal income tax purposes and certain other
flowthrough entities, and to non-U.S. holders acting as (or
holding senior notes through) intermediaries.
If the portfolio interest exemption does not apply, payments of
interest will be subject to the 30% U.S. federal
withholding tax, unless the non-U.S. holder provides us
with a properly executed (1) IRS Form W-8BEN, or
successor form, claiming an exemption from or reduction in
withholding under the benefit of a tax treaty or (2) IRS
Form W-8ECI, or successor form, stating that interest paid
on the senior note is not subject to withholding tax because it
is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business
in the United States.
If a non-U.S. holder is engaged in a trade or business in
the United States and interest on a senior note is effectively
connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if an
income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a
U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the
non-U.S. holder), such holder (although exempt from the 30%
withholding tax) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax
on that interest on a net income basis in the same manner as if
the holder were a United States person as defined under the
Code. In addition, if the holder is a foreign corporation, it
may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its
earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to
adjustments, that are effectively connected with its conduct of
a trade or business in the United States. For this purpose,
interest will be included in earnings and profits. However, any
branch profits tax that would otherwise apply may not apply, or
may apply at a reduced rate, under an applicable income tax
treaty that the United States may have with a country of which
the non-U.S. holder is a qualified resident.
Disposition of Senior Notes. The 30% U.S. federal
withholding tax will not apply to any gain that a
non-U.S. holder realizes on the sale, exchange, redemption,
retirement or other disposition of a senior note.
Any gain realized on the disposition of a senior note by a
non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax unless (i) that gain is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in
the United States by the holder (and, if an income tax treaty
applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent
S-71
establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder), or
(ii) the holder is an individual who is present in the
United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of
that disposition and other conditions are met. If
(i) applies and the non-U.S. holder is a corporation,
such holder may be subject to the branch profits tax referred to
above, unless the holder qualifies for a lower rate or an
exemption from such branch profits tax under an applicable
income tax treaty.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax
Senior notes will generally not be included in a
non-U.S. holders estate for U.S. federal estate
tax purposes unless such holder owns, either actually or
constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting powers
of all the classes of our stock entitled to vote or, at the time
of such holders death, payments with respect to the senior
notes would have been effectively connected to the conduct by
such holder of a trade or business in the United States.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
U.S. Holders. In general, information reporting
requirements will apply to payments of principal and interest
made on the senior notes to, and to the proceeds of the sale of
the senior notes within the United States by, certain
non-corporate U.S. holders of senior notes, and backup
withholding at the applicable rate will apply to these payments
if the U.S. holder (i) fails to provide an accurate
taxpayer identification number in the manner required or
(ii) is notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it
has failed to report all interest and dividends required to be
shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns.
Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is
allowable as a credit against a holders U.S. federal
income tax liability, if any, and a refund may be obtained if
the amount withheld exceeds the holders actual
U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required
information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Non-U.S. Holders. In general, subject to the
discussion above under Non-U.S. Holders
Payments of Interest, a non-U.S. holder will not be
subject to backup withholding with respect to payments that we
make to the non-U.S. holder, provided that we do not have
actual knowledge that the holder is a United States person and
the holder has given us the statement or provided the
certifications described above under
Non-U.S. Holders Payments of
Interest. In addition, subject to the discussion above
under Non-U.S. Holders Disposition of
Senior Notes, a non-U.S. holder will not be subject
to backup withholding or information reporting with respect to
the proceeds of the sale or other disposition of a senior note
within the United States or conducted through certain
U.S.-related financial intermediaries if the payor receives the
statements or certifications described above and does not have
actual knowledge that the holder is a United States person, as
defined under the Code, or the holder otherwise establishes an
exemption.
Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is
allowable as a credit against a holders U.S. federal
income tax liability, if any, and a refund may be obtained if
the amount withheld exceeds the holders actual
U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required
information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE
APPLICABILITY OF THE ABOVE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEIR PARTICULAR
SITUATIONS, INCLUDING THE NECESSITY OF SATISFYING VARIOUS
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, AND CONCERNING THE APPLICABILITY OF
OTHER TAXES, SUCH AS ESTATE TAXES AND STATE AND LOCAL TAXES.
S-72
CERTAIN UNITED KINGDOM TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a summary of the material United Kingdom tax
aspects as of the date of this prospectus supplement in relation
to acquiring, holding or disposing of the senior notes. This
summary is based on current United Kingdom tax law and HM
Revenue & Customs practice and relates only to the
position of persons who are the absolute beneficial owners of
the senior notes and may not apply to certain classes of persons
such as dealers and holders who are connected with us for
relevant tax purposes.
Withholding Tax on Interest Paid
Interest paid on the senior notes should not have a United
Kingdom source and therefore should be made without withholding
or deduction for or on account of United Kingdom income tax.
Furthermore, payments of interest made in respect of senior
notes which carry a right to interest and are listed on a
recognised stock exchange within the meaning of
section 841 of the United Kingdom Income and Corporation
Taxes Act 1988 (ICTA 1988) (the quoted
Eurobond exemption) may be made without withholding or
deduction for or on account of United Kingdom income tax in any
event because the senior notes should qualify as quoted
eurobonds. The Irish Stock Exchange is a recognized stock
exchange for these purposes. In the event that we exercise our
option to delist the senior notes (as described under
Listing and General Information) then the quoted
Eurobond exemption would no longer be applicable.
The United Kingdom HM Revenue & Customs has certain
powers to require any person paying or crediting interest in the
ordinary course of its business to provide information to the
United Kingdom HM Revenue & Customs in respect of the
interest paid or credited and the persons to whom the interest
was so paid or credited. In certain circumstances, the United
Kingdom HM Revenue & Customs may be entitled to
exchange such information with the tax authorities of other
jurisdictions. Interest for this purpose includes any amount to
which a person holding a relevant discounted security is
entitled upon redemption of that security.
Taxation of Noteholders
Noteholders within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax
in respect of a senior note (including a noteholder so
chargeable in relation to assets held in connection with a
trade, profession or vocation carried on in the United Kingdom
through a permanent establishment) will generally be liable to
United Kingdom corporation tax on any interest, profits, returns
or other gains on, or fluctuations in value of, the senior notes
(and be entitled to obtain relief for permitted losses). Any
such profits (including interest) or permitted losses will
generally be chargeable (or allowable, as appropriate) for each
accounting period on an authorized accruals or mark to market
basis, in accordance with noteholders statutory accounts.
Stamp Duty
No United Kingdom stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax is
payable on the issue, ownership, transfer, transfer by delivery
or redemption of a senior note.
INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE
APPLICABILITY OF THE ABOVE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEIR PARTICULAR
SITUATIONS AND CONCERNING THE APPLICABILITY OF OTHER TAXES.
S-73
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting
agreement and pricing agreement dated the date of this
prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc. has agreed to sell to each
of the underwriters named below, severally, and each of the
underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the principal
amount of the senior notes set forth opposite its name below.
Barclays Bank PLC and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc will act as
joint global coordinators and, together with Banc of America
Securities Limited, Goldman Sachs International and Merrill
Lynch International, will act as joint book-running managers for
the offering. Barclays Bank PLC and The Royal Bank of Scotland
plc are the representatives of the underwriters.
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Principal | |
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Amount of | |
Underwriters |
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Senior Notes | |
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Barclays Bank PLC
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£80,000,000 |
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The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
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80,000,000 |
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Banc of America Securities Limited
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80,000,000 |
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Goldman Sachs International
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80,000,000 |
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Merrill Lynch International
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40,000,000 |
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ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
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10,000,000 |
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BNP Paribas
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10,000,000 |
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Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch
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10,000,000 |
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HSBC Bank plc
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10,000,000 |
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Total
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£400,000,000 |
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The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the
several underwriters to purchase the senior notes offered hereby
are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and
to certain other conditions. The underwriters are committed to
take and pay for all of the senior notes being offered, if any
are taken. In the event of default by any underwriter, the
underwriting agreement provides that, in certain circumstances,
the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may
be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.
The senior notes sold by the underwriters to the public will
initially be offered at the initial public offering price set
forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. If all the
senior notes are not sold at the initial public offering price,
the underwriters may change the offering price and the other
selling terms. Purchasers of the senior notes may be required to
pay stamp taxes and other charges in accordance with the laws
and practices of the country of purchase in addition to the
issue price set forth in the cover page hereof. The underwriters
will sell the senior notes through their respective selling
agents in jurisdictions outside the U.S.
Although application has been made to list the senior notes on
the Irish Stock Exchange, the senior notes constitute a new
issue of securities with no established trading market. The
underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market
for the senior notes, but they have no obligation to do so and
may discontinue market making at any time without providing any
notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of any
trading market for the senior notes. MetLife, Inc. estimates
that its expenses for this offering will be approximately
£330,000, or $600,000.
It is expected that delivery of the senior notes will be made
against payment therefor on or about the date specified in the
last paragraph on the cover of this prospectus supplement, which
will be the fifth business day following the date of pricing of
the senior notes (such settlement cycle being herein referred to
as T+5). Trades in the secondary market generally
are required to settle in three business days after the
securities are priced, unless the parties to any such trade
expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to
trade the senior notes on the date of pricing or the next
succeeding business day will be required, by virtue of the fact
that the senior notes initially will settle in T+5, to
specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such
trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the senior
notes who wish to trade senior notes on the date of pricing or
the next succeeding business day should consult their own
advisors.
S-74
MetLife, Inc. has agreed that, for the period beginning on the
date of the underwriting agreement and continuing to and
including the closing date for the purchase of the senior notes
offered hereby, it will not, without the prior written consent
of Barclays Bank PLC and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, offer,
sell, contract to offer or sell or otherwise dispose of any debt
securities of MetLife, Inc. with the exception of (i) the
offering of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
MetLife, Inc.s 5.00% Senior Notes due 2015, (ii) the
offering of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
MetLife, Inc.s 5.70% Senior Notes due 2035, and
(iii) issuances by MetLife, Inc. or its affiliates of
commercial paper having a term not exceeding one year.
MetLife, Inc. has agreed to indemnify the underwriters against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act, or to contribute to payments which the underwriters may be
required to make in respect of any such liabilities.
In connection with the offering of the senior notes, the
representatives may engage in transactions that stabilize,
maintain or otherwise affect the price of the senior notes.
Specifically, the representatives may overallot in connection
with the offering of the senior notes, creating a syndicate
short position. In addition, the representatives may bid for,
and purchase, senior notes in the open market to cover syndicate
short positions or to stabilize the price of the senior notes.
Finally, the representatives may reclaim selling concessions
allowed for distributing the senior notes in the offering of the
senior notes, if the representatives repurchase previously
distributed senior notes in syndicate covering transactions,
stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities
may stabilize or maintain the market price of the senior notes
above independent market levels. The representatives are not
required to engage in any of these activities, may end any of
them at any time, and must bring them to an end after a limited
period. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc will act as the
stabilization manager for this offering of senior notes.
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the
underwriters and their affiliates have engaged, and may in the
future engage, in commercial banking and/or investment banking
transactions with us and our affiliates for which they have in
the past received, and may in the future receive, customary
fees. Affiliates of some of the lenders under MetLife,
Inc.s credit agreements are acting as underwriters for
this offering. Affiliates of Banc of America Securities Limited
and Goldman Sachs International have advised MetLife, Inc. with
respect to the Acquisition and are acting as underwriters for
this offering of senior notes.
S-75
OFFERING RESTRICTIONS
The senior notes are offered for sale in those jurisdictions in
the United States, Europe and elsewhere where it is lawful to
make such offers.
Each of the underwriters has severally represented and agreed
that it has not offered, sold or delivered and it will not
offer, sell or deliver, directly or indirectly, any of the
senior notes, in or from any jurisdiction except under
circumstances that are reasonably designed to result in
compliance with the applicable laws and regulations thereof.
To the extent any underwriter is not registered in the United
States as a broker-dealer, it will not effect any sales of the
senior notes in the United States other than through an
affiliate that is registered in the United States as a
broker-dealer.
United States
Senior notes being offered and sold outside of the United States
are being offered and sold in reliance upon Regulation S
under the Securities Act. Senior notes initially offered and
sold outside the United States may be resold in the United
States pursuant to the shelf registration statement under the
Securities Act on file with the SEC. This prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus relate to both senior notes
being offered and sold in reliance upon Regulation S and senior
notes being offered and sold pursuant to such registration
statement under the Securities Act.
United Kingdom
Each underwriter has severally represented and agreed
specifically that: (a) prior to 1 July 2005 (or such
later date on which Directive 2003/71/EC (and any relevant
implementing measure) is implemented in the United Kingdom) it
has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any such
senior notes to persons in the United Kingdom except to persons
whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding,
managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for
the purposes of their businesses or otherwise in circumstances
which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the
public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Public
Offers of Securities Regulations 1995, as amended; (b) it
has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only
communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or
inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning
of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act
2000 (the FSMA)) received by it in connection with
the issue or sale of any such senior notes in circumstances in
which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and
(c) it has complied and will comply with all applicable
provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in
relation to the senior notes in, from or otherwise involving the
United Kingdom.
France
No prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or
replacement thereto) has been prepared in connection with the
offering of the senior notes that has been approved by the
Authorité des marchés financiers or by the
competent authority of another state that is a contracting party
to the Agreement on the European Economic Area that has been
recognized in France; no senior notes have been offered or sold
and will be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the
public in France except to qualified investors (investisseurs
qualifiés) and/or to a limited circle of investors
(cercle restreint dinvestisseurs) acting for their
own account as defined in article L. 411-2 of the
French Code Monétaire et Financier and applicable
regulations thereunder; none of this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying prospectus, or any other materials related to the
offering or information contained therein relating to the senior
notes has been released, issued or distributed to the public in
France except to qualified investors (investisseurs
qualifiés) and/or to a limited circle of investors
(cercle restreint dinvestisseurs) mentioned above;
and the direct or indirect resale to the public in France of any
senior notes acquired by any qualified investors
(investisseurs qualifiés) and/or any investors
belonging to a limited circle of investors (cercle restreint
dinvestisseurs) may be made only as
S-76
provided by articles L. 412-1 and L. 621-8 of the
French Code Monétaire et Financier and applicable
regulations thereunder.
Germany
In connection with the initial placement of any senior notes in
Germany, each underwriter has represented and agreed not to
offer or sell any senior notes in the Federal Republic of
Germany other than in compliance with applicable laws and
regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany governing the
issue, offering and sale of securities. In particular, each
underwriter has acknowledged that no German sales prospectus
(Verkaufsprospekt) under the German Securities Sales Prospectus
Act (Wertpapier-Verkaufsprospektgesetz) of 1990 (as amended)
(the Sales Prospectus Act) has been or will be
published in respect of the senior notes. Furthermore, each
underwriter has represented and agreed that any offering of
senior notes in the Federal Republic of Germany may be made only
(1) for an aggregate purchase price per purchaser of at
least 40,000 (or
the foreign currency equivalent) or (2) in compliance with
any other applicable provisions of German law setting forth
exemptions from the prospectus requirement for offerings of
securities in the Federal Republic of Germany.
Italy
The offering of the senior notes has not been cleared by CONSOB
(the Italian Securities Exchange Commission) pursuant to Italian
securities legislation and, accordingly, no senior notes may be
offered, sold or delivered, nor may copies of this prospectus
supplement or of any other document relating to the senior notes
be distributed in the Republic of Italy, except (1) to
professional investors (operatori qualificati), as
defined in Article 31, second paragraph, of CONSOB
Regulation No. 11522 of July 1, 1998, as amended; or
(2) in circumstances which are exempted from the rules on
solicitation of investments pursuant to Article 100 of
Legislative Decree No. 58 of February 24, 1998 (the
Financial Services Act) and Article 33, first paragraph, of
CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as
amended. Any offer, sale or delivery of the senior notes or
distribution of copies of this prospectus supplement or any
other document relating to the senior notes in the Republic of
Italy under (1) or (2) above must be (i) made by an
investment firm, bank or financial intermediary permitted to
conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance
with the Financial Services Act and Legislative Decree
No. 385 of September 1, 1993 (the Banking Act); and
(ii) in compliance with Article 129 of the Italian
Banking Act and the implementing guidelines of the Bank of
Italy, as amended from time to time, pursuant to which the issue
or the offer of securities in the Republic of Italy may need to
be preceded and followed by an appropriate notice to be filed
with the Bank of Italy depending, inter alia, on the aggregate
value of the securities issued or offered in the Republic of
Italy and their characteristics; and (iii) in compliance
with any other applicable laws and regulations.
Netherlands
With respect to the initial offering and any and all secondary
offers thereafter, the senior notes with a denomination of less
than 50,000 (or
its equivalent thereof in any other currency) may only be
offered for sale, and an offer of such senior notes may only be
communicated, to individuals or corporate entities in the
Netherlands that trade and invest in securities in the course of
their business or professional activities, including banks,
investment companies, financial intermediaries, insurance
companies, pension funds, and other institutional investors and
companies that regularly invest in securities, within the
meaning of Section 2 of the Exemption Regulation pursuant
to the 1995 Act on the Supervision of Securities Trade
(Vrijstellingsregeling Wet toezicht effectenverkeer 1995).
The senior notes may not be offered or sold, transferred or
delivered, as part of their initial distribution or at any time
thereafter, directly or indirectly, to any individual or legal
entity in the Netherlands other than to individuals or legal
entities who or which trade or invest in securities in the
conduct of their profession or trade, which includes banks,
securities intermediaries, insurance companies, pension funds,
other institutional investors and commercial enterprises which,
as an ancillary activity, regularly trade or invest in
securities.
S-77
Ireland
Each underwriter has represented, warranted and agreed that
(1) except in circumstances which do not constitute an
offer to the public within the meaning of the Irish Companies
Act 1963 to 2003 (as amended from time to time) (the Irish
Acts), it has not offered or sold and will not offer or
sell any senior notes in Ireland or elsewhere, by means of any
document prior to application for listing of the senior notes
being made and the Irish Stock Exchange having approved the
relevant listing particulars in accordance with the European
Communities (Stock Exchange) Regulations 1984 (the 1984
Regulations) and thereafter by means of any document other
than (i) the relevant listing particulars and/or
(ii) a form of application issued in connection with the
senior notes which indicates where the relevant listing
particulars can be obtained or inspected or which is issued with
the relevant listing particulars; (2) it has not made and
will not make any offer of the senior notes which would require
a prospectus to be issued under the European Communities
(Transferable Securities and Stock Exchange) Regulations 1992 of
Ireland; and (3) it has complied with and will comply with
all applicable provisions of the Irish Acts, the 1984
Regulations and the Irish Investment Intermediaries Act, 1995
(as amended) (including, without limitation, Sections 9, 23
(including any advertising restrictions made thereunder) and 50
and will conduct itself in accordance with a code of conduct
drawn up pursuant to Section 37) with respect to anything
done by it in relation to the senior notes.
S-78
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the senior notes offered hereby will be passed
upon for MetLife, Inc. by Richard S. Collins, Chief
Counsel General Corporate of MetLife, and by
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P., New York, New
York, which has also acted as special United Kingdom tax counsel
for MetLife, Inc. Mr. Collins is paid a salary by an affiliate
of MetLife, Inc., is a participant in various employee benefit
plans offered by MetLife, Inc. and its affiliates, holds
MetLife, Inc. common stock and has options to purchase
additional shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock. Cleary Gottlieb
Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York, New York, will pass
upon certain legal matters for the underwriters. LeBoeuf, Lamb,
Greene & MacRae, L.L.P. maintains various group and
other insurance policies with Metropolitan Life.
EXPERTS
The combined balance sheet of Citigroups Life Insurance
and Annuities Assets to be Acquired and Liabilities to be
Assumed as of December 31, 2004, and the related combined
statements of income, changes in shareholders equity and
cash flows and for the year then ended, included in the
Form 8-K of MetLife, Inc. dated May 13, 2005, have
been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
report of KPMG LLP, independent auditors, also incorporated by
reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing. The combined financial statements of
Citigroups Life Insurance and Annuities Assets to be
Acquired and Liabilities to be Assumed represent a carve out of
certain businesses from a consolidated group of companies rather
than a complete legal entity.
LISTING AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Application has been made to list the senior notes on the Irish
Stock Exchange. In connection with the listing application, we
have deposited our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation with the Irish Stock Exchange, where copies may be
obtained upon request. So long as any of the senior notes are
outstanding, copies of these documents, together with this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the
indenture governing the senior notes, a copy of the global note
representing the senior notes and our current annual and
quarterly reports, and all future annual and quarterly reports,
will be made available for inspection at the main office in
Ireland of J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) plc, our paying agent
and transfer agent for the senior notes in Ireland. Copies of
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will
be available free of charge at the main office of our paying
agent in Ireland and at our principal executive offices located
at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166-0188, United
States.
The Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council
(2004/109/EC) the Transparency Directive) regarding
the harmonization of transparency requirements relating to
financial information of issuers whose securities are admitted
to trading on a regulated market in the European Union, such as
the Irish Stock Exchange, is required to be implemented by EU
member states by 20 January 2007. If the Transparency
Directive (and/or any other European or national legislation) is
implemented or takes effect in Ireland in a manner that would
require us to publish or produce financial statements according
to accounting principles or standards that are different from
U.S. GAAP, or that would otherwise impose requirements on us
that we, in our discretion, determine are not reasonable, we may
delist the senior notes. In these circumstances, there can be no
assurance that we would obtain an alternative admission to
listing, trading and/or quotation for the senior notes by
another listing authority, exchange and/or system within or
outside the European Union and a delisting of the senior notes
from the Irish Stock Exchange may have a material adverse effect
on the ability of noteholders to resell the senior notes in the
secondary market.
So long as any of the senior notes remain outstanding and listed
on the Irish Stock Exchange, copies of the following items will
be available at the main office of the paying agent in Ireland
and at our principal executive offices located at the address
set forth above:
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this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus; |
S-79
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all documents that are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus; |
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the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Amended and Restated Bylaws of MetLife, Inc.; |
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the audited annual consolidated financial statements of MetLife,
Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003; |
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future annual, quarterly and other reports of MetLife, Inc.; |
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the indenture, as supplemented; and |
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any documents relating to these items. |
Except as disclosed in this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated
herein or therein by reference, there has been no material
adverse change in our financial position since December 31,
2004.
Our annual reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and our
annual reports to our shareholders include our audited
consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for the
periods identified in those reports, which financial statements
were prepared in accordance with United States generally
accepted accounting principles. Our quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q filed with the SEC include our unaudited
consolidated financial statements as of the dates and for the
periods identified in those reports. Our independent registered
public accounting firm is Deloitte & Touche LLP. See
Experts in the accompanying prospectus.
It is reasonably possible that the Companys total exposure
with respect to the matters noted in Note 5 to our
unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements
contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 2005 and Note 10 to our audited
consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 may
be greater than the liability recorded by MetLife, Inc. in its
consolidated financial statements and that future charges to
income may be necessary. While the potential future charges
could be material in particular quarterly or annual periods in
which they are recorded, based on information currently known by
management, it does not believe any such charges are likely to
have a material adverse effect on the Companys
consolidated financial position.
The senior notes have been accepted for clearance through
Clearstream and Euroclear and have been assigned the following
identification numbers:
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ISIN Number |
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Common Code |
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XS0223386417 |
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022338641 |
S-80
PROSPECTUS
$14,876,994,500
METLIFE, INC.
DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITARY SHARES,
COMMON STOCK, WARRANTS, PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND UNITS
METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST II
METLIFE CAPITAL TRUST III
TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by MetLife, Inc.,
As Set Forth Herein
MetLife, Inc., MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital
Trust III will provide the specific terms of these
securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read
this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement
carefully before you make your investment decision.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO SELL SECURITIES UNLESS
ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
MetLife, Inc., MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital
Trust III may offer securities through underwriting
syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters,
through agents, or directly to purchasers. The prospectus
supplement for each offering of securities will describe in
detail the plan of distribution for that offering. For general
information about the distribution of securities offered, please
see Plan of Distribution in this prospectus.
MetLife, Inc.s common stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the trading symbol MET. Unless
otherwise stated in this prospectus or an accompanying
prospectus supplement, none of these securities will be listed
on a securities exchange, other than MetLife, Inc.s common
stock.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state
securities commission, the New York Superintendent of Insurance
or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of
these securities or determined if this prospectus or the
accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. They
have not made, nor will they make, any determination as to
whether anyone should buy these securities. Any representation
to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is April 27, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires,
references in this prospectus to MetLife,
we, our, or us refer to
MetLife, Inc., together with Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company, and their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries,
while references to MetLife, Inc. refer only to
MetLife, Inc. on an unconsolidated basis. References in this
prospectus to the trusts refer to MetLife Capital
Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that
MetLife, Inc., MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital
Trust III filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC) using a shelf
registration process. Under this shelf process, MetLife, Inc.
may, from time to time, sell any combination of debt securities,
preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, warrants,
purchase contracts and units and MetLife Capital Trust II
and MetLife Capital Trust III may, from time to time, sell
trust preferred securities guaranteed by MetLife, Inc., as
described in this prospectus, in one or more offerings up to a
total dollar amount of $14,876,994,500 or the equivalent thereof
on the date of issuance in one or more foreign currencies,
foreign currency units or composite currencies. This prospectus
provides you with a general description of the securities
MetLife, Inc. and the trusts may offer. Each time that
securities are sold, a prospectus supplement that will contain
specific information about the terms of that offering will be
provided. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or
change information contained in this prospectus. You should read
both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with
additional information described under the heading Where
You Can Find More Information.
You should rely on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the
trusts have authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither
MetLife, Inc. nor the trusts are making an offer to sell these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
You should assume that the information in this prospectus is
accurate as of the date of the prospectus. Our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may
have changed since that date.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
MetLife, Inc. files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and
other information, including the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part, can be read and copied at the
SECs public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the
public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet site at
www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding companies that file
electronically with the SEC, including MetLife, Inc. MetLife,
Inc.s common stock is listed and traded on the New York
Stock Exchange. These reports, proxy statements and other
information can also be read at the offices of the New York
Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.
The SEC allows incorporation by reference into this
prospectus of information that MetLife, Inc. files with the SEC.
This permits MetLife, Inc. to disclose important information to
you by referencing these filed documents. Any information
referenced this way is considered part of this prospectus, and
any information filed with the SEC subsequent to the date of
this prospectus will automatically be deemed to update and
supersede this information. Information furnished under
Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of MetLife, Inc.s
Current Reports on Form 8-K is not incorporated by
reference in this registration statement and prospectus.
MetLife, Inc. incorporates by reference the following documents
which have been filed with the SEC:
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Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated March 31,
2000, relating to registration of shares of MetLife, Inc.s
common stock and Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated
March 31, 2000, relating to registration of MetLife,
Inc.s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
purchase rights; |
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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004; and |
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Current Reports on Form 8-K filed February 1, 2005,
February 4, 2005, February 28, 2005, March 15,
2005, March 30, 2005, April 4, 2005, April 15,
2005 and April 22, 2005. |
MetLife, Inc. incorporates by reference the documents listed
above and any future filings made with the SEC in accordance
with Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 until MetLife, Inc., MetLife Capital
Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III file a
post-effective amendment which indicates the termination of the
offering of the securities made by this prospectus.
MetLife, Inc. will provide without charge upon written or oral
request, a copy of any or all of the documents which are
incorporated by reference into this prospectus, other than
exhibits to those documents, unless those exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into those documents.
Requests should be directed to Investor Relations, MetLife,
Inc., 1 MetLife Plaza, Long Island City, New York 11101 by
electronic mail (metir@metlife.com) or by telephone
(212-578-2211). You may also obtain some of the documents
incorporated by reference into this document at MetLifes
website, www.metlife.com. You should be aware that all other
information contained on MetLifes website is not a part of
this document.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement may
contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or
is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements give expectations or forecasts of
future events. You can identify these statements by the fact
that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.
They use words such as anticipate,
estimate, expect, project,
intend, plan, believe, and
other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a
discussion of future operating or financial performance. In
particular, these include statements relating to future actions,
prospective services or products, future performance or results
of current and anticipated services or products, sales efforts,
expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal
proceedings, trends in operations and financial results.
Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong.
They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or
unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be
important in determining MetLifes actual future results.
These statements are based on current expectations and the
current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and
uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements
are not guarantees of future performance, and there are no
guarantees about the performance of any securities offered by
this prospectus. Actual results could differ materially from
those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
Among factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially are:
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changes in general economic conditions, including the
performance of financial markets and interest rates; |
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heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry
of new competitors and the development of new products by new
and existing competitors; |
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unanticipated changes in industry trends; |
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MetLife, Inc.s primary reliance, as a holding company, on
dividends from its subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations
and the existence of regulatory restrictions on the ability of
its subsidiaries to pay such dividends; |
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deterioration in the experience of the closed block
established in connection with the reorganization of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; |
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catastrophe losses; |
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adverse results from litigation, arbitration or regulatory
investigations; |
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regulatory, accounting or tax changes that may affect the cost
of, or demand for, our products or services; |
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downgrades in our and our affiliates claims paying
ability, financial strength or credit ratings; |
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changes in rating agency policies or practices; |
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discrepancies between actual claims experience and assumptions
used in setting prices for our products and establishing the
liabilities for our obligations for future policy benefits and
claims; |
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discrepancies between actual experience and assumptions used in
establishing liabilities related to other contingencies or
obligations; |
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the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due
to terrorism or other hostilities; |
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our ability to identify and consummate on successful terms any
pending or future acquisitions, including our announced
agreement to acquire Travelers Insurance Company, certain
affiliated companies and substantially all of the international
insurance business of Citigroup Inc., and to successfully
integrate acquired businesses with minimal disruption; |
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other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in
MetLife, Inc.s or the trusts filings with the SEC; |
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the risk factors or uncertainties set forth herein or listed
from time to time in prospectus supplements or any document
incorporated by reference herein; and |
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other risks and uncertainties that have not been identified at
this time. |
Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the trusts undertake any obligation to
publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if any
of MetLife, Inc. or the trusts later become aware that it is not
likely to be achieved. You are advised, however, to consult any
further disclosures MetLife, Inc. or the trusts make on related
subjects in reports to the SEC.
METLIFE, INC.
We are a leading provider of insurance and other financial
services to a broad spectrum of individual and institutional
customers. We offer life insurance, annuities, automobile and
homeowners insurance and mutual funds to individuals, as well as
group insurance, reinsurance, and retirement and savings
products and services to corporations and other institutions. We
serve individuals in approximately 13 million households in
the United States and provide benefits to 37 million
employees and family members through their plan sponsors.
We distribute our products and services nationwide through
multiple channels, with the primary distribution systems being
our core career agency system, our general agency distribution
systems, our regional sales forces, our dedicated sales forces,
financial intermediaries, independent agents and product
specialists. We operate in the international markets that we
serve through subsidiaries and joint ventures. Our international
segment focuses on the Asia/ Pacific region and Latin America
and currently has insurance operations in 11 countries serving
approximately 9 million customers.
MetLife, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the State of
Delaware. MetLife, Inc.s principal executive offices are
located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166-0188,
and its telephone number is 212-578-2211.
THE TRUSTS
MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III
are statutory trusts formed on May 17, 2001 under Delaware
law pursuant to declarations of trust between the trustees named
therein and MetLife, Inc. and the filing of certificates of
trust with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
MetLife, Inc., as sponsor of the trusts, and the trustees named
in the declarations of trust will amend and restate the
declarations of trust in their entirety substantially in the
forms which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, as
of or prior to the date the trusts issue any
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trust preferred securities. The declarations of trust will be
qualified as indentures under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939.
The trusts exist for the exclusive purposes of:
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issuing preferred securities offered by this prospectus and
common securities to MetLife, Inc.; |
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investing the gross proceeds of the preferred securities and
common securities in related series of debt securities, which
may be senior or subordinated, issued by MetLife, Inc.; and |
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engaging in only those other activities which are necessary,
appropriate, convenient or incidental to the purposes set forth
above. |
The payment of periodic cash distributions on the trust
preferred securities and payments on liquidation and redemption
with respect to the trust preferred securities, in each case to
the extent the trusts have funds legally and immediately
available, will be guaranteed by MetLife, Inc. to the extent set
forth under Description of Guarantees.
MetLife, Inc. will own, directly or indirectly, all of the
common securities of the trusts. The common securities will
represent an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3%
of each trusts total capitalization. The preferred
securities of each trust will represent the remaining 97% of
each trusts total capitalization. The common securities
will have terms substantially identical to, and will rank equal
in priority of payment with, the preferred securities. However,
if MetLife, Inc. defaults on the related series of debt
securities, then cash distributions and liquidation, redemption
and other amounts payable on the common securities will be
subordinate to the trust preferred securities in priority of
payment.
The trusts each have a term of approximately 55 years, but
may dissolve earlier as provided in their respective
declarations of trust. The trusts business and affairs
will be conducted by the trustees appointed by MetLife, Inc., as
the direct or indirect holder of all of the common securities.
The holder of the common securities of each trust will be
entitled to appoint, remove or replace any of, or increase or
reduce the number of, the trustees of the trust. However, the
number of trustees shall be at least two, at least one of which
shall be an administrative trustee. The duties and obligations
of the trustees will be governed by the declaration of trust for
each trust. A majority of the trustees of each trust will be
persons who are employees or officers of or affiliated with
MetLife, Inc. One trustee of each trust will be a financial
institution which will be unaffiliated with MetLife, Inc. and
which will act as property trustee and as indenture trustee for
purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, pursuant to the
terms set forth in a prospectus supplement. In addition, unless
the property trustee maintains a principal place of business in
the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of
applicable law, one trustee of each trust will have its
principal place of business or reside in the State of Delaware.
The property trustee will hold title to the debt securities for
the benefit of the holders of the trust securities and the
property trustee will have the power to exercise all rights,
powers and privileges under the indenture as the holder of the
debt securities. In addition, the property trustee will maintain
exclusive control of a segregated non-interest bearing bank
account to hold all payments made in respect of the debt
securities for the benefit of the holders of the trust
securities. The property trustee will make payments of
distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption and
otherwise to the holders of the trust securities out of funds
from this property account.
The rights of the holders of the trust preferred securities,
including economic rights, rights to information and voting
rights, are provided in the declarations of trust of MetLife
Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III,
including any amendments thereto, the trust preferred
securities, the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and the Trust
Indenture Act.
MetLife, Inc. will pay all fees and expenses related to the
trusts and the offering of trust preferred securities. The
principal offices of each trust is: c/o Chase Bank USA,
National Association, 500 Stanton Christiana Road,
3rd Floor/ OPS4, Newark, Delaware 19713, Attention:
Institutional Trust Services. The telephone number of each
trust is: 302-552-6279.
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For financial reporting purposes,
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the trusts will not be treated as MetLife, Inc.s
subsidiaries; and |
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the accounts of the trusts will not be included in MetLife,
Inc.s consolidated financial statements. |
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46),
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, and, in December
2003, issued Revised Interpretation No. 46
(FIN 46R), Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities, which amended FIN 46. Prior to the issuance of
FIN 46 and FIN 46R, issuer trusts that issued capital
securities were generally consolidated by their parent
companies. Under FIN 46 and FIN 46R, MetLifes
issuer trusts will no longer be consolidated. MetLife, Inc. is a
bank holding company, subject to the rules and regulations of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System regarding
capital treatment of trust preferred securities. On
March 1, 2005, the Federal Reserve Board adopted a final
rule that allows the continued inclusion of trust preferred
securities in the Tier 1 capital of bank holding companies.
Please read the prospectus supplement relating to the trust
preferred securities for further information concerning the
trusts and the trust preferred securities.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We may use the proceeds of securities sold under this
registration statement for, among other things, general
corporate purposes and to finance a portion of the purchase
price of MetLifes proposed acquisition of the life
insurance and annuity operations commonly known as Travelers
Life & Annuity and certain international insurance
businesses from Citigroup Inc. The prospectus supplement for
each offering of securities will specify the intended use of the
proceeds of that offering. The trusts will use all of the
proceeds they receive from the sale of trust preferred
securities to purchase debt securities issued by MetLife, Inc.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed
charges.
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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2004 | |
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)
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2.09 |
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1.78 |
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1.53 |
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1.14 |
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1.32 |
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(1) |
For purposes of this computation, earnings are defined as income
from continuing operations before provision for income taxes
excluding undistributed income and losses from equity method
investments, minority interest and fixed charges. Fixed charges
are the sum of interest and debt issue costs, interest credited
to policyholder account balances, interest on bank deposits and
an estimated interest component of rent expense. As of the date
of this prospectus, there is no preferred stock outstanding and
accordingly, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends is equal to the ratio of earnings to
fixed charges and is not disclosed separately. |
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the debt
securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock,
warrants, purchase contracts and units that MetLife, Inc. may
sell from time to time, and the trust preferred securities
guaranteed by MetLife, Inc. that MetLife Capital Trust II
and MetLife Capital Trust III may sell from time to time.
These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete
descriptions of each security. However, this prospectus and the
accompanying prospectus supplement contain the material terms of
the securities being offered.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
As used in this prospectus, debt securities means the
debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness
that MetLife, Inc. may issue from time to time. The debt
securities will either be senior debt securities or subordinated
debt securities. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement
states otherwise, senior debt securities will be issued under
the Senior Indenture dated as of November 9, 2001 between
us and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (predecessor to
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association) (the
Senior Indenture) and subordinated debt securities
will be issued under a Subordinated Indenture to be
entered into with J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National
Association. This prospectus sometimes refers to the Senior
Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture collectively as the
Indentures.
The Senior Indenture and form of Subordinated Indenture are
incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The statements
and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus
supplement regarding provisions of the Indentures and debt
securities are summaries thereof, do not purport to be complete
and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to, all of the provisions of the Indentures and the
debt securities, including the definitions therein of certain
terms.
The debt securities will be direct unsecured obligations of
MetLife, Inc. The senior debt securities will rank equally with
all of MetLife, Inc.s other senior and unsubordinated
debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and
junior in right of payment to all of MetLife, Inc.s
present and future senior indebtedness.
Because MetLife, Inc. is principally a holding company, its
right to participate in any distribution of assets of any
subsidiary, including Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, upon
the subsidiarys liquidation or reorganization or
otherwise, is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the
subsidiary, except to the extent MetLife, Inc. may be recognized
as a creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, MetLife,
Inc.s obligations under the debt securities will be
effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness
and liabilities of its subsidiaries, including liabilities under
contracts of insurance and annuities written by MetLife,
Inc.s insurance subsidiaries, and holders of debt
securities should look only to MetLife, Inc.s assets for
payment thereunder.
The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of
debt securities that MetLife, Inc. may issue and provide that
MetLife, Inc. may issue debt securities from time to time in one
or more series, in each case with the same or various
maturities, at par or at a discount. MetLife, Inc. may issue
additional debt securities of a particular series without the
consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series
outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional
debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt
securities of that series, will constitute a single series of
debt securities under the applicable Indenture. The Indentures
also do not limit our ability to incur other debt.
Each prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to
the specific series of debt securities being offered. These
terms will include some or all of the following:
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the title of debt securities and whether they are subordinated
debt securities or senior debt securities; |
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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities; |
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the price or prices at which MetLife, Inc. will sell the debt
securities; |
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the maturity date or dates of the debt securities; |
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the rate or rates of interest, if any, which may be fixed or
variable, per annum at which the debt securities will bear
interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates, if
any; |
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the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, the dates
on which interest will be payable, or the method by which such
date or dates will be determined; |
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the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and
the duration of any such deferral period, including the maximum
consecutive period during which interest payment periods may be
extended; |
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whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if
any) or interest on the debt securities may be determined with
reference to any index, formula or other method, such as one or
more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices,
and the manner of determining the amount of such payments; |
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the dates on which MetLife, Inc. will pay interest on the debt
securities and the regular record date for determining who is
entitled to the interest payable on any interest payment date; |
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the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest on the debt securities will be payable; |
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if MetLife, Inc. possesses the option to do so, the periods
within which and the prices at which MetLife, Inc. may redeem
the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to optional
redemption provisions, and the other terms and conditions of any
such provisions; |
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MetLife, Inc.s obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or
purchase debt securities by making periodic payments to a
sinking fund or through an analogous provision or at the option
of holders of the debt securities, and the period or periods
within which and the price or prices at which MetLife, Inc. will
redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities, in whole or in
part, pursuant to such obligation, and the other terms and
conditions of such obligation; |
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the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued,
if other than denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000; |
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the portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the
principal amount of the debt securities which MetLife, Inc. must
pay upon the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities
in connection with an Event of Default (as described below), if
other than the full principal amount; |
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the currency, currencies or currency unit in which MetLife, Inc.
will pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if
any, on the debt securities, if not United States dollars and
the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in United
States dollars; |
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provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders of the
debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events; |
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any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events
of Default or MetLife, Inc.s covenants with respect to the
applicable series of debt securities, and whether or not such
Events of Default or covenants are consistent with those
contained in the applicable Indenture; |
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the application, if any, of the terms of the Indenture relating
to defeasance and covenant defeasance (which terms are described
below) to the debt securities; |
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whether the subordination provisions summarized below or
different subordination provisions will apply to the debt
securities; |
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the terms, if any, upon which the holders may or are required to
convert or exchange such debt securities into or for MetLife,
Inc.s common stock or other securities or property or into
Securities of a third party, including conversion price (which
may be adjusted), the method of calculating the conversion
price, or the conversion period; |
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whether any of the debt securities will be issued in global or
certificated form and, if so, the terms and conditions upon
which global debt securities may be exchanged for certificated
debt securities; |
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any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders
of debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due
and payable because of an Event of Default; |
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the depositary for global or certificated debt securities; |
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if applicable, a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax
considerations applicable to specific debt securities; |
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any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents
or registrars or other agents with respect to the debt
securities; |
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any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Indentures, as amended or supplemented. |
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any
securities exchange.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the debt securities will be issued in fully
registered form without coupons.
Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below
their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest
at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal
income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to
any such debt securities. The debt securities may also be issued
as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign
currencies or currency units, as described in more detail in the
prospectus supplement relating to any of the particular debt
securities. The prospectus supplement relating to specific debt
securities will also describe any special considerations and
certain additional tax considerations applicable to such debt
securities.
The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of
subordinated debt securities will describe the specific
subordination provisions. However, unless otherwise noted in the
prospectus supplement, subordinated debt securities will be
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of MetLife,
Inc.s Senior Indebtedness (as described below).
Under the Subordinated Indenture, Senior
Indebtedness means all amounts due on obligations in
connection with any of the following, whether outstanding at the
date of execution of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter
incurred or created:
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the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest in respect
of indebtedness of MetLife, Inc. for borrowed money and
indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds or other
similar instruments issued by MetLife, Inc.; |
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all capital lease obligations of MetLife, Inc.; |
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all obligations of MetLife, Inc. issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale
obligations of MetLife, Inc. and all obligations of MetLife,
Inc. under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade
accounts payable in the ordinary course of business); |
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all obligations of MetLife, Inc. for the reimbursement on any
letter of credit, bankers acceptance, security purchase
facility or similar credit transaction; |
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all obligations of MetLife, Inc. in respect of interest rate
swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or options
contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option
contracts and other similar agreements; |
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all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons
for the payment of which MetLife, Inc. is responsible or liable
as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and |
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all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons
secured by any lien on any property or asset of MetLife, Inc.
whether or not such obligation is assumed by MetLife, Inc. |
Senior Indebtedness does not include:
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indebtedness or monetary obligations to trade creditors created
or assumed by MetLife, Inc. in the ordinary course of business
in connection with the obtaining of materials or services; |
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indebtedness that is, by its terms, subordinated to, or ranks
equal with, the subordinated debt securities; and |
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any indebtedness of MetLife, Inc. to its affiliates (including
all debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt
securities issued to any trust, partnership or other entity
affiliated with MetLife, Inc. that is a financing vehicle of
MetLife, Inc. in connection with the issuance by such financing
entity of preferred securities or other securities guaranteed by
MetLife, Inc.) unless otherwise expressly provided in the terms
of any such indebtedness. |
At December 31, 2004, Senior Indebtedness aggregated
approximately $5.7 billion. The amount of Senior
Indebtedness which MetLife, Inc. may issue is subject to
limitations imposed by its board of directors.
Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and
be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions
irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any
term of such Senior Indebtedness.
Unless otherwise noted in the accompanying prospectus
supplement, if MetLife, Inc. defaults in the payment of any
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior
Indebtedness when it becomes due and payable, whether at
maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or
otherwise, then, unless and until such default is cured or
waived or ceases to exist, MetLife, Inc. will make no direct or
indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or
otherwise) in respect of the principal of or interest on the
subordinated debt securities or in respect of any redemption,
retirement, purchase or other requisition of any of the
subordinated debt securities.
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any
subordinated debt securities, the holders of all senior debt
securities outstanding at the time of such acceleration will
first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due
on the senior debt securities before the holders of the
subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any
payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the
subordinated debt securities.
If any of the following events occurs, MetLife, Inc. will pay in
full all Senior Indebtedness before it makes any payment or
distribution under the subordinated debt securities, whether in
cash, securities or other property, to any holder of
subordinated debt securities:
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any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization
of MetLife, Inc., whether voluntary or involuntary or in
bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership; |
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any general assignment by MetLife, Inc. for the benefit of
creditors; or |
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any other marshaling of MetLife, Inc.s assets or
liabilities. |
In such event, any payment or distribution under the
subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities or
other property, which would otherwise (but for the subordination
provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of the
subordinated debt securities, will be paid or delivered directly
to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the
priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior
Indebtedness has been paid in full. If any payment or
distribution under the subordinated debt securities is received
by the trustee of any subordinated debt securities in
contravention of any of the terms of the Subordinated Indenture
and before all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full,
such payment or distribution or security will be received in
trust for the benefit of, and paid over or delivered and
transferred to, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness at the
time outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing
among such holders for application to the payment of all Senior
Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all
such Senior Indebtedness in full.
The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the issuance of
additional Senior Indebtedness.
If debt securities are issued to a trust in connection with the
issuance of trust preferred securities, such debt securities may
thereafter be distributed pro rata to the holders of such trust
securities in connection with the dissolution of such trust upon
the occurrence of certain events described in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
9
Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise,
the following restrictive covenants shall apply to each series
of senior debt securities:
Limitation on Liens. So long as any senior debt
securities are outstanding, neither MetLife, Inc. nor any of its
subsidiaries will create, assume, incur or guarantee any debt
which is secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, security
interest or other encumbrance on any capital stock of:
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Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; |
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any successor to substantially all of the business of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company which is also a subsidiary
of MetLife, Inc.; or |
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any corporation (other than MetLife, Inc.) having direct or
indirect control of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or any
such successor. |
However, this restriction will not apply if the debt securities
then outstanding are secured at least equally and ratably with
the otherwise prohibited secured debt so long as it is
outstanding.
Limitations on Dispositions of Stock of Certain
Subsidiaries. So long as any senior debt securities are
outstanding and subject to the provisions of the Senior
Indenture regarding mergers, consolidations and sales of assets,
neither MetLife, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries will sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of capital stock (other than
preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind) of:
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Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; |
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any successor to substantially all of the business of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company which is also a subsidiary
of MetLife, Inc.; or |
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any corporation (other than MetLife, Inc.) having direct or
indirect control of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or any
such successor; |
except for, in each case:
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a sale or other disposition of any of such stock to a
wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. or of such subsidiary;
or |
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a sale or other disposition of all of such stock for at least
fair value (as determined by MetLife, Inc.s board of
directors acting in good faith); or a sale or other disposition
required to comply with an order of a court or regulatory
authority of competent jurisdiction, other than an order issued
at MetLife, Inc.s request or the request of any of
MetLife, Inc.s subsidiaries. |
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Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other
Transactions |
(i) MetLife, Inc. may not merge with or into or consolidate
with another corporation or sell, assign, transfer, lease or
convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to,
any other corporation other than a direct or indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., and (ii) no
corporation may merge with or into or consolidate with MetLife,
Inc. or, except for any direct or indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., sell, assign, transfer, lease or
convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to
MetLife, Inc., unless:
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MetLife, Inc. is the surviving corporation or the corporation
formed by or surviving such merger or consolidation or to which
such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance has been
made, if other than MetLife, Inc., has expressly assumed by
supplemental indenture all the obligations of MetLife, Inc.
under the debt securities, the Indentures, and any guarantees of
preferred securities or common securities issued by the trusts; |
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immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; |
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if at the time any preferred securities of the trusts are
outstanding, such transaction is not prohibited under the
applicable declaration of trust and the applicable preferred
securities guarantee of each trust; and |
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MetLife, Inc. delivers to the trustee an officers
certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the
supplemental indenture complies with the applicable Indenture. |
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Events of Default, Notice and Waiver |
Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise,
the following shall constitute Events of Default
under the Indentures with respect to each series of debt
securities:
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MetLife, Inc.s failure to pay any interest on any debt
security of such series when due and payable, continued for
30 days; |
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MetLife, Inc.s failure to pay principal (or premium, if
any) on any debt security of such series when due, regardless of
whether such payment became due because of maturity, redemption,
acceleration or otherwise, or is required by any sinking fund
established with respect to such series; |
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MetLife, Inc.s failure to observe or perform any other of
its covenants or agreements with respect to such series for
90 days after MetLife, Inc. receives notice of such failure; |
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certain defaults with respect to MetLife, Inc.s debt which
result in a principal amount in excess of $100,000,000 becoming
or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it
would otherwise have become due and payable (other than the debt
securities or non-recourse debt); |
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of
MetLife, Inc.; and |
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certain events of dissolution or winding-up of the trusts in the
event that debt securities are issued to the trusts or a trustee
of the trusts in connection with the issuance of securities by
the trusts. |
If an Event of Default with respect to any debt securities of
any series outstanding under either of the Indentures shall
occur and be continuing, the trustee under such Indenture or the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
debt securities of that series outstanding may declare, by
notice as provided in the applicable Indenture, the principal
amount (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the debt
securities of that series) of all the debt securities of that
series outstanding to be due and payable immediately; provided
that, in the case of an Event of Default involving certain
events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, acceleration
is automatic; and, provided further, that after such
acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on
acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may,
under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration
if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of
accelerated principal, have been cured or waived. Upon the
acceleration of the maturity of original issue discount
securities, an amount less than the principal amount thereof
will become due and payable. Reference is made to the prospectus
supplement relating to any original issue discount securities
for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of
maturity thereof.
Any past default under either Indenture with respect to debt
securities of any series, and any Event of Default arising
therefrom, may be waived by the holders of a majority in
principal amount of all debt securities of such series
outstanding under such Indenture, except in the case of
(i) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium,
if any) or interest on any debt securities of such series or
(ii) default in respect of a covenant or provision which
may not be amended or modified without the consent of the holder
of each outstanding debt security of such series affected.
The trustee is required, within 90 days after the
occurrence of a default (which is known to the trustee and is
continuing), with respect to the debt securities of any series
(without regard to any grace period or notice requirements), to
give to the holders of the debt securities of such series notice
of such default; provided, however, that, except in the case of
a default in the payment of the principal of (and premium, if
any) or interest, or in the payment of any sinking fund
installment, on any debt securities of such series, the
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trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it in
good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in
the interests of the holders of the debt securities of such
series.
The trustee, subject to its duties during default to act with
the required standard of care, may require indemnification by
the holders of the debt securities of any series with respect to
which a default has occurred before proceeding to exercise any
right or power under the Indentures at the request of the
holders of the debt securities of such series. Subject to such
right of indemnification and to certain other limitations, the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of any series under either Indenture
may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with
respect to the debt securities of such series.
No holder of a debt security of any series may institute any
action against MetLife, Inc. under either of the Indentures
(except actions for payment of overdue principal of (and
premium, if any) or interest on such debt security or for the
conversion or exchange of such debt security in accordance with
its terms) unless (i) the holder has given to the trustee
written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance
thereof with respect to the debt securities of such series
specifying an Event of Default, as required under the applicable
Indenture, (ii) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the debt securities of that series then
outstanding under such Indenture shall have requested the
trustee to institute such action and offered to the trustee
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
to be incurred in compliance with such request, and
(iii) the trustee shall not have instituted such action
within 60 days of such request.
MetLife, Inc. is required to furnish annually to the trustee
statements as to MetLife, Inc.s compliance with all
conditions and covenants under each Indenture.
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Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance |
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, MetLife,
Inc. may discharge or defease its obligations under each
Indenture as set forth below.
MetLife, Inc. may discharge certain obligations to holders of
any series of debt securities issued under either the Senior
Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture which have not already
been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and which have
either become due and payable or are by their terms due and
payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one
year) by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or, in the
case of debt securities payable only in U.S. dollars,
U.S. government obligations (as defined in either
Indenture), as trust funds in an amount certified to be
sufficient to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption
or otherwise, the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on such debt securities.
If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, MetLife,
Inc. may elect either (i) to defease and be discharged from
any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of
or within any series (except as otherwise provided in the
relevant Indenture) (defeasance) or (ii) to be
released from its obligations with respect to certain covenants
applicable to the debt securities of or within any series
(covenant defeasance), upon the deposit with the
relevant Indenture trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money
and/or government obligations which, through the payment of
principal and interest in accordance with their terms, will
provide money in an amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to
pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such
debt securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be,
and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As
a condition to defeasance or covenant defeasance, MetLife, Inc.
must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect
that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner
and at the same times as would have been the case if such
defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion
of counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (i)
above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal
Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income tax law
occurring after the date of the relevant Indenture. In addition,
in the case of either defeasance or covenant defeasance,
MetLife, Inc. shall have delivered to the trustee (i) an
officers certificate to the effect that the relevant debt
securities
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exchange(s) have informed it that neither such debt securities
nor any other debt securities of the same series, if then listed
on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such
deposit, and (ii) an officers certificate and an
opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been
complied with.
MetLife, Inc. may exercise its defeasance option with respect to
such debt securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of its
covenant defeasance option.
Under the Indentures, MetLife, Inc. and the applicable trustee
may supplement the Indentures for certain purposes which would
not materially adversely affect the interests or rights of the
holders of debt securities of a series without the consent of
those holders. MetLife, Inc. and the applicable trustee may also
modify the Indentures or any supplemental indenture in a manner
that affects the interests or rights of the holders of debt
securities with the consent of the holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of each affected series issued under the Indenture.
However, the Indentures require the consent of each holder of
debt securities that would be affected by any modification which
would:
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extend the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series,
or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any
premium payable upon the redemption thereof; |
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reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount
debt security or any other debt security payable upon
acceleration of the maturity thereof; |
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change the currency in which any debt security or any premium or
interest is payable; |
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impair the right to enforce any payment on or with respect to
any debt security; |
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adversely change the right to convert or exchange, including
decreasing the conversion rate or increasing the conversion
price of, any debt security (if applicable); |
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reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt
securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is
required for modification or amendment of the Indentures or for
waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indentures
or for waiver of certain defaults; |
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reduce the requirements contained in the Indentures for quorum
or voting; or |
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modify any of the above provisions. |
If debt securities are held by a trust or a trustee of a trust,
a supplemental indenture that affects the interests or rights of
the holders of debt securities will not be effective until the
holders of not less than a majority in liquidation preference of
the preferred securities and common securities of the applicable
trust, collectively, have consented to the supplemental
indenture; provided, further, that if the consent of the holder
of each outstanding debt security is required, the supplemental
indenture will not be effective until each holder of the
preferred securities and the common securities of the applicable
trust has consented to the supplemental indenture.
The Indentures permit the holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
any series issued under the Indenture which is affected by the
modification or amendment to waive MetLife, Inc.s
compliance with certain covenants contained in the Indentures.
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Payment and Paying Agents |
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any
interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name a
debt security is registered at the close of business on the
record date for the interest.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt
securities of a particular series will be payable at the office
of such paying agent or paying agents as
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MetLife, Inc. may designate for such purpose from time to time.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at MetLife, Inc.s option,
payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears
in the security register.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, a paying agent designated by MetLife, Inc. and
located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, will
act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities
of each series. All paying agents initially designated by
MetLife, Inc. for the debt securities of a particular series
will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. MetLife,
Inc. may at any time designate additional paying agents or
rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change
in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that
MetLife, Inc. will be required to maintain a paying agent in
each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular
series.
All moneys paid by MetLife, Inc. to a paying agent for the
payment of the principal, interest or premium on any debt
security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after
such principal, interest or premium has become due and payable
will be repaid to MetLife, Inc. upon request, and the holder of
such debt security thereafter may look only to MetLife, Inc. for
payment thereof.
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Denominations, Registrations and Transfer |
Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise,
debt securities will be represented by one or more global
certificates registered in the name of a nominee for The
Depository Trust Company (DTC). In such case, each
holders beneficial interest in the global securities will
be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial
interests will only be effected through DTCs records.
A holder of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial
interest in a global security for certificated securities
registered in the holders name if:
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DTC notifies MetLife, Inc. that it is unwilling or unable to
continue serving as the depositary for the relevant global
securities or DTC ceases to maintain certain qualifications
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and no successor
depositary has been appointed for 90 days; or |
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MetLife, Inc. determines, in its sole discretion and subject to
the procedures of DTC, that the global security shall be
exchangeable. |
If debt securities are issued in certificated form, they will
only be issued in the minimum denomination specified in the
accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of
such denomination. Transfers and exchanges of such debt
securities will only be permitted in such minimum denomination.
Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be
registered at the trustees corporate office or at the
offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by MetLife,
Inc. under the Indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an
equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different
denominations may also be made at such locations.
The Indentures and debt securities will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of
New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.
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Relationship with the Trustees |
The trustee under the Indentures is J.P. Morgan Trust
Company, National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust
Company, N.A.). MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries maintain
ordinary banking and trust relationships with a number of banks
and trust companies, including the trustee under the Indentures.
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Conversion or Exchange Rights |
The prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on
which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or
exchangeable for securities described in this prospectus. These
terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or
exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at
MetLife, Inc.s option.
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These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of
MetLife, Inc.s common stock or other securities to be
received by the holders of such series of debt securities to be
adjusted.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
MetLife, Inc.s authorized capital stock consists of:
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200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.01 per share, of which no shares were issued or
outstanding as of the date of this prospectus; |
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10,000,000 shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which no
shares were issued or outstanding as of the date of this
prospectus; and |
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3,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share, of which 732,487,999 shares, as well
as the same number of rights to purchase shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to the stockholder
rights plan adopted by MetLife, Inc.s board of directors
on September 29, 1999, were outstanding as of
December 31, 2004. See Stockholder Rights
Plan for a description of the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock. The remaining shares of
authorized and unissued common stock will be available for
future issuance without additional stockholder approval. |
Dividends. The holders of common stock, after any
preferences of holders of any preferred stock, are entitled to
receive dividends as determined by the board of directors. The
issuance of dividends will depend upon, among other factors
deemed relevant by MetLife, Inc.s board of directors,
MetLifes financial condition, results of operations, cash
requirements, future prospects and regulatory restrictions on
the payment of dividends by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
and MetLife, Inc.s other subsidiaries. There is no
requirement or assurance that MetLife, Inc. will declare and pay
any dividends. In addition, the indenture, as supplemented by a
supplemental indenture, governing the terms of MetLife,
Inc.s 3.911% Debentures due May 15, 2005,
prohibits the payment of dividends on common stock of MetLife,
Inc. during a deferral of interest payments on such securities
or an event of default under the indenture, as supplemented, or
the related guarantee.
Voting Rights. The holders of common stock are entitled
to one vote per share on all matters on which the holders of
common stock are entitled to vote and do not have any cumulative
voting rights.
Liquidation and Dissolution. In the event of MetLife,
Inc.s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders
of common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in
MetLife, Inc.s assets, if any, remaining after the payment
of all of MetLife, Inc.s liabilities and the liquidation
preference of any outstanding class or series of preferred stock.
Other Rights. The holders of common stock have no
preemptive, conversion, redemption or sinking fund rights. The
holders of shares of MetLife, Inc.s common stock are not
required to make additional capital contributions.
Transfer Agent and Registrar. The transfer agent and
registrar for MetLife, Inc.s common stock is Mellon
Investor Services, successor to ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C.
General. MetLife, Inc.s board of directors has the
authority to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to
fix the title and number of shares constituting any such series
and the designations, powers, preferences, limitations and
relative rights including offering price, any dividend rights
(including whether dividends will be cumulative or
non-cumulative), dividend rate, voting rights, terms of any
redemption, any redemption price or prices, conversion or
exchange rights and any liquidation preferences of the shares
constituting any series, without any further vote or action by
stockholders. The specific terms of the preferred stock will be
described in the prospectus supplement.
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MetLife, Inc. has authorized 10,000,000 shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for issuance
in connection with its stockholder rights plan. See
Stockholder Rights Plan for a
description of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock.
Voting Rights. The Delaware General Corporation Law
provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right
to vote separately as a class on any proposal involving
fundamental changes in the rights of holders of such preferred
stock. The prospectus supplement will describe the voting
rights, if any, of the preferred stock.
Conversion or Exchange. The prospectus supplement will
describe the terms, if any, on which the preferred stock may be
convertible into or exchangeable for securities described in
this prospectus. These terms will include provisions as to
whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of
the holder or at MetLife, Inc.s option. These provisions
may set forth the conversion price, the method of determining
the conversion price and the conversion period and may allow or
require the number of shares of MetLife, Inc.s common
stock or other securities to be received by the holders of
preferred stock to be adjusted.
Redemption. The prospectus supplement will describe the
obligation, if any, to redeem the preferred stock in whole or in
part at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, MetLife, Inc. may not purchase or redeem any of the
outstanding shares or any series of preferred stock unless full
cumulative dividends, if any, have been paid or declared and set
apart for payment upon all outstanding shares of any series of
preferred stock for all past dividend periods, and unless all of
MetLife, Inc.s matured obligations with respect to all
sinking funds, retirement funds or purchase funds for all series
of preferred stock then outstanding have been met.
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Certain Provisions in MetLife, Inc.s Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws and in Delaware and New York
Law |
A number of provisions of MetLife, Inc.s certificate of
incorporation and by-laws deal with matters of corporate
governance and rights of stockholders. The following discussion
is a general summary of selected provisions of MetLife,
Inc.s certificate of incorporation and by-laws and
regulatory provisions that might be deemed to have a potential
anti-takeover effect. These provisions may have the
effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt which is not
approved by MetLife, Inc.s board of directors but which
individual stockholders may deem to be in their best interests
or in which stockholders may receive a substantial premium for
their shares over then current market prices. As a result,
stockholders who might desire to participate in such a
transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. Such
provisions will also render the removal of the incumbent board
of directors or management more difficult. Some provisions of
the Delaware General Corporation Law and the New York Insurance
Law may also have an anti-takeover effect. The following
description of selected provisions of MetLife, Inc.s
certificate of incorporation and by-laws and selected provisions
of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the New York
Insurance Law is necessarily general and reference should be
made in each case to MetLife, Inc.s certificate of
incorporation and by-laws, which are incorporated by reference
as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
prospectus forms a part, and to the provisions of those laws.
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Classified Board of Directors and Removal of
Directors |
Pursuant to MetLife, Inc.s certificate of incorporation,
the directors are divided into three classes, as nearly equal in
number as possible, with each class having a term of three
years. The classes serve staggered terms, such that the term of
one class of directors expires each year. Any effort to obtain
control of MetLife, Inc.s board of directors by causing
the election of a majority of the board may require more time
than would be required without a staggered election structure.
MetLife, Inc.s certificate of incorporation also provides
that, subject to the rights of the holders of any class of
preferred stock, directors may be removed only for cause at a
meeting of stockholders by a vote of a majority of the shares
then entitled to vote. This provision
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may have the effect of slowing or impeding a change in
membership of MetLife, Inc.s board of directors that would
effect a change of control.
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Exercise of Duties by Board of Directors |
MetLife, Inc.s certificate of incorporation provides that
while the MetLife Policyholder Trust (as described below) is in
existence, each MetLife, Inc. director is required, in
exercising his or her duties as a director, to take the
interests of the trust beneficiaries into account as if they
were holders of the shares of common stock held in the trust,
except to the extent that any such director determines, based on
advice of counsel, that to do so would violate his or her duties
as a director under Delaware law.
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Restriction on Maximum Number of Directors and Filling of
Vacancies on MetLife, Inc.s Board of Directors |
Pursuant to MetLife, Inc.s by-laws and subject to the
rights of the holders of any class of preferred stock, the
number of directors may be fixed and increased or decreased from
time to time by resolution of the board of directors, but the
board of directors will at no time consist of fewer than three
directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any class of
preferred stock, stockholders can only remove a director for
cause by a vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote, in
which case the vacancy caused by such removal may be filled at
such meeting by the stockholders entitled to vote for the
election of the director so removed. Any vacancy on the board of
directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the
number of directors or resulting from a removal for cause where
the stockholders have not filled the vacancy, subject to the
rights of the holders of any class of preferred stock, may be
filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although
less than a quorum. If the vacancy is not so filled it will be
filled by the stockholders at the next annual meeting of
stockholders. The stockholders are not permitted to fill
vacancies between annual meetings, except where the vacancy
resulted from a removal for cause. These provisions give
incumbent directors significant authority that may have the
effect of limiting the ability of stockholders to effect a
change in management.
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Advance Notice Requirements for Nomination of Directors
and Presentation of New Business at Meetings of Stockholders;
Action by Written Consent |
MetLife, Inc.s by-laws provide for advance notice
requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations for
director. In addition, pursuant to the provisions of both the
certificate of incorporation and the by-laws, action may not be
taken by written consent of stockholder. Rather, any action
taken by the stockholders must be effected at a duly called
meeting. Moreover, the stockholders do not have the power to
call a special meeting. Only the chief executive officer or the
secretary pursuant to a board resolution or, under some
circumstances, the president or a director who also is an
officer, may call a special meeting. These provisions make it
more difficult for a stockholder to place a proposal or
nomination on the meeting agenda and prohibit a stockholder from
taking action without a meeting, and therefore may reduce the
likelihood that a stockholder will seek to take independent
action to replace directors or with respect to other matters
that are not supported by management for stockholder vote.
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Limitations on Director Liability |
MetLife, Inc.s certificate of incorporation contains a
provision that is designed to limit the directors
liability to the extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law and any amendments to that law. Specifically,
directors will not be held liable to MetLife, Inc. or its
stockholders for an act or omission in their capacity as a
director, except for liability as a result of:
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a breach of the duty of loyalty to MetLife, Inc. or its
stockholders; |
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acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
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payment of an improper dividend or improper repurchase of
MetLife, Inc.s stock under Section 174 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law; or |
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actions or omissions pursuant to which the director received an
improper personal benefit. |
The principal effect of the limitation on liability provision is
that a stockholder is unable to prosecute an action for monetary
damages against a director of MetLife, Inc. unless the
stockholder can demonstrate one of the specified bases for
liability. This provision, however, does not eliminate or limit
director liability arising in connection with causes of action
brought under the federal securities laws. MetLife, Inc.s
certificate of incorporation also does not eliminate the
directors duty of care. The inclusion of the limitation on
liability provision in the certificate may, however, discourage
or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit
against directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties, even
though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have
benefited MetLife, Inc. and its stockholders. This provision
should not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as
injunction or rescission based upon a directors breach of
the duty of care.
MetLife, Inc.s by-laws also provide that MetLife, Inc.
indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent
permitted by Delaware law. MetLife, Inc. is required to
indemnify its directors and officers for all judgments, fines,
settlements, legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred
in connection with pending or threatened legal proceedings
because of the directors or officers position with
MetLife, Inc. or another entity, including Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company, that the director or officer serves at
MetLife, Inc.s request, subject to certain conditions, and
to advance funds to MetLife, Inc.s directors and officers
to enable them to defend against such proceedings. To receive
indemnification, the director or officer must succeed in the
legal proceeding or act in good faith and in a manner reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
MetLife, Inc. and with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be
lawful.
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Supermajority Voting Requirement for Amendment of Certain
Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws |
Some of the provisions of MetLife, Inc.s certificate of
incorporation, including those that authorize the board of
directors to create stockholder rights plans, that set forth the
duties, election and exculpation from liability of directors and
that prohibit stockholders from taking actions by written
consent, may not be amended, altered, changed or repealed unless
the amendment is approved by the vote of holders of 75% of the
then outstanding shares entitled to vote at an election of
directors. This requirement exceeds the majority vote of the
outstanding stock that would otherwise be required by the
Delaware General Corporation Law for the repeal or amendment of
such provisions of the certificate of incorporation. MetLife,
Inc.s by-laws may be amended, altered or repealed by the
board of directors or by the vote of holders of 75% of the then
outstanding shares entitled to vote in the election of
directors. These provisions make it more difficult for any
person to remove or amend any provisions that have an
anti-takeover effect.
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Business Combination Statute |
In addition, as a Delaware corporation, MetLife, Inc. is subject
to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
unless it elects in its certificate of incorporation not to be
governed by the provisions of Section 203. MetLife, Inc.
has not made that election. Section 203 can affect the
ability of an interested stockholder of MetLife,
Inc. to engage in certain business combinations, including
mergers, consolidations or acquisitions of additional shares of
MetLife, Inc. for a period of three years following the time
that the stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder. An interested stockholder is
defined to include any person owning, directly or indirectly,
15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation.
The provisions of Section 203 are not applicable in some
circumstances, including those in which (1) the business
combination or transaction which results in the stockholder
becoming an interested stockholder is approved by
the corporations board of directors prior to the time the
stockholder becomes an interested stockholder or
(2) the interested stockholder, upon
consummation of such transaction, owns at least 85% of the
voting stock of the corporation outstanding prior to such
transaction.
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Restrictions on Acquisitions of Securities |
The insurance laws and regulations of New York, the jurisdiction
in which MetLife, Inc.s principal insurance subsidiary,
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, is organized, may delay or
impede a business
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combination involving MetLife, Inc. In addition to the
limitations described in the immediately preceding paragraph,
the New York Insurance Law prohibits any person from acquiring
control of MetLife, Inc., and thus indirect control of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, without the prior approval
of the New York Superintendent of Insurance. That law presumes
that control exists where any person, directly or indirectly,
owns, controls, holds the power to vote or holds proxies
representing 10% or more of MetLife, Inc.s outstanding
voting stock, unless the New York Superintendent, upon
application, determines otherwise. Even persons who do not
acquire beneficial ownership of more than 10% of the outstanding
shares of MetLife, Inc.s common stock may be deemed to
have acquired such control, if the New York Superintendent
determines that such persons, directly or indirectly, exercise a
controlling influence over MetLife, Inc.s management or
policies. Therefore, any person seeking to acquire a controlling
interest in MetLife, Inc. would face regulatory obstacles which
may delay, deter or prevent an acquisition.
The insurance holding company law and other insurance laws of
many states also regulate changes of control (generally presumed
upon acquisitions of 10% or more of voting securities) of
insurance holding companies such as MetLife, Inc.
MetLife, Inc.s board of directors has adopted a
stockholder rights plan under which each outstanding share of
MetLife, Inc.s common stock issued between April 4,
2000 and the earlier of the distribution date (as described
below) and the expiration of the rights (as described below)
will be coupled with a stockholder right. Initially, the
stockholder rights will be attached to the certificates
representing outstanding shares of common stock, and no separate
rights certificates will be distributed. Each right will entitle
the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of MetLife,
Inc.s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
Each one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock will have economic and voting
terms equivalent to one share of MetLife, Inc.s common
stock. Until it is exercised, the right itself will not entitle
the holder thereof to any rights as a stockholder, including the
right to receive dividends or to vote at stockholder meetings.
The description and terms of the rights are set forth in a
rights agreement entered into between MetLife, Inc. and Mellon
Investor Services, successor to ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C., as rights agent. Although the material
provisions of the rights agreement have been accurately
summarized, the statements below concerning the rights agreement
are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is
made to the rights agreement itself, which is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus in its entirety. Each statement
is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
Stockholder rights are not exercisable until the distribution
date and will expire at the close of business on April 4,
2010, unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by MetLife, Inc. A
distribution date would occur upon the earlier of:
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the tenth day after the first public announcement or
communication to MetLife, Inc. that a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons (referred to as an
acquiring person) has acquired beneficial ownership
of 10% or more of MetLife, Inc.s outstanding common stock
(the date of such announcement or communication is referred to
as the stock acquisition time); or |
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the tenth business day after the commencement or announcement of
the intention to commence a tender offer or exchange offer that
would result in a person or group becoming an acquiring person. |
If any person becomes an acquiring person, each holder of a
stockholder right will be entitled to exercise the right and
receive, instead of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock, common stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, a
reduction in purchase price, property or other securities of
MetLife, Inc.) having a value equal to two times the purchase
price of the stockholder right. All stockholder rights that are
beneficially owned by an acquiring person or its transferee will
become null and void.
If at any time after a public announcement has been made or
MetLife, Inc. has received notice that a person has become an
acquiring person, (1) MetLife, Inc. is acquired in a merger
or other business combination, or (2) 50% or more of
MetLife, Inc.s and its subsidiaries assets, cash
flow or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a
stockholder right (except rights which previously have been
voided as set
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forth above) will have the right to receive, upon exercise,
common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to
two times the purchase price of the right.
The purchase price payable, the number of one one-hundredths of
a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock or
other securities or property issuable upon exercise of rights
and the number of rights outstanding, are subject to adjustment
from time to time to prevent dilution. With certain exceptions,
no adjustment in the purchase price or the number of shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock issuable upon
exercise of a stockholder right will be required until the
cumulative adjustment would require an increase or decrease of
at least one percent in the purchase price or number of shares
for which a right is exercisable.
At any time until the earlier of (1) the stock acquisition
time, or (2) the final expiration date of the rights
agreement, MetLife, Inc. may redeem all the stockholder rights
at a price of $0.01 per right. At any time after a person
has become an acquiring person and prior to the acquisition of
beneficial ownership by such person of 50% or more of the
outstanding shares of MetLife, Inc.s common stock,
MetLife, Inc. may exchange the stockholder rights, in whole or
in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock, or
one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or
series of preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences
and privileges), per right.
The stockholder rights plan is designed to protect stockholders
in the event of unsolicited offers to acquire MetLife, Inc. and
other coercive takeover tactics which, in the opinion of its
board of directors, could impair its ability to represent
stockholder interests. The provisions of the stockholder rights
plan may render an unsolicited takeover more difficult or less
likely to occur or may prevent such a takeover, even though such
takeover may offer MetLife, Inc.s stockholders the
opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the prevailing
market rate and may be favored by a majority of MetLife,
Inc.s stockholders.
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MetLife Policyholder Trust |
Under a plan of reorganization adopted in September 1999,
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company converted from a mutual life
insurance company to a stock life insurance company subsidiary
of MetLife, Inc. MetLife established the MetLife Policyholder
Trust to hold the shares of common stock allocated to eligible
policyholders. A total of 494,466,664 shares of common
stock were distributed to the MetLife Policyholder Trust on the
effective date of the plan of reorganization. As of
December 31, 2004, the trust held 321,314,794 shares
of MetLife, Inc.s common stock. Because of the number of
shares held by the trust and the voting provisions of the trust,
the trust may affect the outcome of matters brought to a
stockholder vote.
The trustee will generally vote all of the shares of common
stock held in the trust in accordance with the recommendations
given by MetLife, Inc.s board of directors to its
stockholders or, if the board gives no such recommendation, as
directed by the board, except on votes regarding certain
fundamental corporate actions. As a result of the voting
provisions of the trust, MetLife, Inc.s board of directors
will effectively be able to control votes on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders, excluding those fundamental
corporate actions described below, so long as the trust holds a
substantial number of shares of MetLife, Inc.s common
stock.
If the vote relates to fundamental corporate actions specified
in the trust, the trustee will solicit instructions from the
beneficiaries and vote all shares held in the trust in
proportion to the instructions it receives, which would give
disproportionate weight to the instructions actually given by
trust beneficiaries. These actions include:
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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 stockholders 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
MetLife, Inc.s stockholders under applicable Delaware law; |
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any transaction that would result in an exchange or conversion
of shares of common stock held by the trust for cash, securities
or other property; and |
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any proposal requiring MetLife, Inc.s board of directors
to amend or redeem the rights under the stockholder rights plan,
other than a proposal with respect to which MetLife, Inc. has
received advice of nationally-recognized legal counsel to the
effect that the proposal is not a proper subject for stockholder
action under Delaware law. |
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions
of the depositary shares. Further terms of the depositary shares
and the applicable deposit agreement will be stated in the
applicable prospectus supplement. The following description and
any description of the depositary shares in a prospectus
supplement may not be complete and is subject to and qualified
in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the
deposit agreement, a form of which has been filed as an exhibit
to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a
part.
The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any
prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general
provisions described below may apply to such depositary shares
will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.
MetLife, Inc. may choose to offer fractional interests in debt
securities or fractional shares of common stock or preferred
stock. MetLife, Inc. may issue fractional interests in debt
securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be,
in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would
represent a fractional interest in a security of a particular
series of debt securities or a fraction of a share of common
stock or of a particular series of preferred stock, as the case
may be, and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt.
MetLife, Inc. will deposit the debt securities or shares of
common stock or preferred stock represented by depositary shares
under a deposit agreement between MetLife, Inc. and a depositary
which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, as an owner of a
depositary share, you will be entitled, in proportion to the
applicable fraction of a debt security or share of common stock
or preferred stock represented by the depositary share, to all
the rights and preferences of the debt security, common stock or
preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the
depositary share, including, as the case may be, interest,
dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, sinking fund,
repayment at maturity, subscription and liquidation rights.
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Interest, Dividends and Other Distributions |
The depositary will distribute all payments of interest, cash
dividends or other cash distributions received on the debt
securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be,
to you in proportion to the number of depositary shares that you
own. In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the
depositary will distribute property received by it to you in an
equitable manner, unless the depositary determines that it is
not feasible to make a distribution. In that case, the
depositary may sell the property and distribute the net proceeds
from the sale to you.
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Redemption of Depositary Shares |
If a debt security, common stock or series of preferred stock
represented by depositary shares is redeemed, the depositary
will redeem your depositary shares from the proceeds received by
the depositary resulting from the redemption. The redemption
price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable
fraction of the redemption price per debt security or share of
common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, payable in
relation to the redeemed series of debt securities, common stock
or preferred stock. Whenever MetLife, Inc. redeems debt
securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock held by
the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same
redemption date, the number of depositary shares
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representing, as the case may be, fractional interests in the
debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock
redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be
redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected
by lot, proportionately or by any other equitable method as the
depositary may determine.
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Exercise of Rights under the Indentures or Voting the
Common Stock or Preferred |
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which you are entitled
to vote, or of any request for instructions or directions from
you as holder of fractional interests in debt securities, common
stock or preferred stock, the depositary will mail to you the
information contained in that notice. Each record holder of the
depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to
instruct the depositary how to give instructions or directions
with respect to the debt securities represented by that
holders depositary shares or how to vote the amount of the
common stock or preferred stock represented by that
holders depositary shares. The record date for the
depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for
the debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as the
case may be. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent
practicable, to give instructions or directions with respect to
the debt securities or to vote the amount of the common stock or
preferred stock, as the case may be, represented by the
depositary shares in accordance with those instructions.
MetLife, Inc. will agree to take all reasonable action which the
depositary may deem necessary to enable the depositary to do so.
The depositary will abstain from giving instructions or
directions with respect to your fractional interests in the debt
securities or voting shares of the common stock or preferred
stock, as the case may be, if it does not receive specific
instructions from you.
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Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement |
MetLife, Inc. and the depositary may amend the form of
depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any
provision of the deposit agreement at any time. However, any
amendment which materially and adversely affects the rights of
the holders of the depositary shares will not be effective
unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at
least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.
The deposit agreement will terminate if:
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all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed; |
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if applicable, the debt securities and the preferred stock
represented by depositary shares have been converted into or
exchanged for common stock or, in the case of debt securities,
repaid in full; or |
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there has been a final distribution in respect of the common
stock or preferred stock, including in connection with the
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of MetLife, Inc., and the
distribution proceeds have been distributed to you. |
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Resignation and Removal of Depositary |
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to MetLife,
Inc. notice of its election to do so. MetLife, Inc. also may, at
any time, remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will
take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and
its acceptance of such appointment. MetLife, Inc. must appoint
the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of
the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary
must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in
the United States and having total assets of not less than
$1,000,000,000.
MetLife, Inc. will pay all transfer and other taxes and
governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the
depositary arrangements. MetLife, Inc. will pay charges of the
depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the debt
securities or preferred stock, as the case may be, and issuance
of depositary receipts, all withdrawals of depositary shares of
debt securities or preferred stock, as the case may be, by you
and any repayment or redemption of the debt securities or
preferred stock, as the case may be. You will pay
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other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges, as well
as the other charges that are expressly provided in the deposit
agreement to be for your account.
The depositary will forward all reports and communications from
MetLife, Inc. which are delivered to the depositary and which
MetLife, Inc. is required or otherwise determines to furnish to
holders of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, as
the case may be. Neither MetLife, Inc. nor the depositary will
be liable under the deposit agreement to you other than for its
gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Neither
MetLife, Inc. nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute
or defend any legal proceedings relating to any depositary
shares, debt securities, common stock or preferred stock unless
satisfactory indemnity is furnished. MetLife, Inc. and the
depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or
accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting
debt securities or shares of common stock or preferred stock for
deposit, you or other persons believed to be competent and on
documents which MetLife, Inc. and the depositary believe to be
genuine.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
MetLife, Inc. may issue warrants to purchase debt securities,
preferred stock, common stock or other securities described in
this prospectus, or any combination of these securities, and
these warrants may be issued independently or together with any
underlying securities and may be attached or separate from the
underlying securities. MetLife, Inc. will issue each series of
warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into
between MetLife, Inc. and a warrant agent. The warrant agent
will act solely as MetLife, Inc.s agent in connection with
the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation
or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial
owners of warrants.
The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions
of the warrants. Further terms of the warrants and the
applicable warrant agreement will be stated in the applicable
prospectus supplement. The following description and any
description of the warrants in a prospectus supplement may not
be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by
reference to the terms and provisions of the warrant agreement,
a form of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of
any warrants that MetLife, Inc. may offer, including the
following:
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the title of the warrants; |
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the total number of warrants; |
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the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
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the currency or currencies investors may use to pay for the
warrants; |
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the designation and terms of the underlying securities
purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
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the price at which and the currency, currencies, or currency
units in which investors may purchase the underlying securities
purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
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the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will
commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
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whether the warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer
form; |
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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
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if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants which
may be exercised at any one time; |
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if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying
securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of
warrants issued with each underlying security; |
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if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the
related underlying securities will be separately transferable; |
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if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal
income tax considerations; |
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the identity of the warrant agent; |
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the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the
warrants; and |
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any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and
limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the
warrants. |
Warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant
certificates of different denominations, and warrants may be
exercised at the warrant agents corporate trust office or
any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of
warrants exercisable for debt securities will not have any of
the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon
such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal
(or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities
purchasable upon such exercise. Prior to the exercise of their
warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of
preferred stock or common stock will not have any rights of
holders of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon
such exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if
any, or voting rights of the preferred stock or common stock
purchasable upon such exercise. Prior to the exercise of their
warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for other securities
described in this prospectus will not have any rights of holders
of such securities purchasable upon such exercise.
A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount
of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or
that will be determinable as described in, the applicable
prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up
to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on
the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant
certificate properly completed and duly executed at the
corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office
indicated in the prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc. will, as
soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon
such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by
such warrant certificate is exercised, a new warrant certificate
will be issued for the remaining warrants.
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Enforceability of Rights; Governing Law |
The holders of warrants, without the consent of the warrant
agent, may, on their own behalf and for their own benefit,
enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or
proceeding against MetLife, Inc. to enforce their rights to
exercise and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of
their warrants. Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus
supplement, each issue of warrants and the applicable warrant
agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to
its principles of conflicts of laws.
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
As may be specified in a prospectus supplement, MetLife, Inc.
may issue purchase contracts obligating holders to purchase from
MetLife, Inc., and MetLife, Inc. to sell to the holders, a
number of debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred
stock, or other securities described in this prospectus or the
applicable prospectus supplement at a future date or dates. The
purchase contracts may require MetLife, Inc. to make periodic
payments to the holders of the purchase contracts. These
payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis to be
specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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The prospectus supplement relating to any purchase contracts
will specify the material terms of the purchase contracts and
any applicable pledge or depositary arrangements, including one
or more of the following:
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The stated amount that a holder will be obligated to pay under
the purchase contract in order to purchase debt securities,
common stock, preferred stock, or other securities described in
this prospectus or the formula by which such amount shall be
determined. |
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The settlement date or dates on which the holder will be
obligated to purchase such securities. The prospectus supplement
will specify whether the occurrence of any events may cause the
settlement date to occur on an earlier date and the terms on
which an early settlement would occur. |
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The events, if any, that will cause MetLife, Inc.s
obligations and the obligations of the holder under the purchase
contract to terminate. |
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The settlement rate, which is a number that, when multiplied by
the stated amount of a purchase contract, determines the number
of securities that MetLife, Inc. or a trust will be obligated to
sell and a holder will be obligated to purchase under that
purchase contract upon payment of the stated amount of that
purchase contract. The settlement rate may be determined by the
application of a formula specified in the prospectus supplement.
If a formula is specified, it may be based on the market price
of such securities over a specified period or it may be based on
some other reference statistic. |
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Whether the purchase contracts will be issued separately or as
part of units consisting of a purchase contract and an
underlying security with an aggregate principal amount equal to
the stated amount. Any underlying securities will be pledged by
the holder to secure its obligations under a purchase contract. |
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The type of underlying security, if any, that is pledged by the
holder to secure its obligations under a purchase contract.
Underlying securities may be debt securities, common stock,
preferred stock, or other securities described in this
prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. |
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The terms of the pledge arrangement relating to any underlying
securities, including the terms on which distributions or
payments of interest and principal on any underlying securities
will be retained by a collateral agent, delivered to MetLife,
Inc. or be distributed to the holder. |
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The amount of the contract fee, if any, that may be payable by
MetLife, Inc. to the holder or by the holder to MetLife, Inc.,
the date or dates on which the contract fee will be payable and
the extent to which MetLife, Inc. or the holder, as applicable,
may defer payment of the contract fee on those payment dates.
The contract fee may be calculated as a percentage of the stated
amount of the purchase contract or otherwise. |
The descriptions of the purchase contracts and any applicable
underlying security or pledge or depository arrangements in this
prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the
material provisions of the applicable agreements and are subject
to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the terms and
provisions of the purchase contract agreement, pledge agreement
and deposit agreement, forms of which have been or will be filed
as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
prospectus forms a part.
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, MetLife,
Inc. may issue units comprised of one or more of the other
securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each
unit may also include debt obligations of third parties, such as
U.S. Treasury securities. Each unit will be issued so that
the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security
included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the
rights and obligations of a holder of each included security.
The prospectus supplement will describe:
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the designation and terms of the units and of the securities
comprising the units, including whether and under what
circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or
transferred separately; |
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a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the
units; |
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a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement,
transfer or exchange of the units; and |
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whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global
form. |
The descriptions of the units and any applicable underlying
security or pledge or depositary arrangements in this prospectus
and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material
provisions of the applicable agreements and are subject to, and
qualified in their entirety by reference to, the terms and
provisions of the applicable agreements, forms of which have
been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement
of which this prospectus forms a part.
DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions
of the trust preferred securities. Further terms of the trust
preferred securities and the amended and restated declarations
of trust will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement will also indicate whether the general
terms described in this section apply to that particular series
of trust preferred securities. The following description and any
description of the trust preferred securities and amended and
restated declarations of trust in a prospectus supplement may
not be complete and are subject to and qualified in their
entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the amended
and restated declarations of trust, forms of which have been or
will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which
this prospectus forms a part.
Each trust may issue only one series of trust preferred
securities having terms described in the prospectus supplement.
The declaration of trust of each trust will authorize the
administrative trustees, on behalf of the trust, to issue the
trust preferred securities of the trust. The trusts will use all
of the proceeds they receive from the sale of trust preferred
securities and common securities to purchase debt securities
issued by MetLife, Inc. The debt securities will be held in
trust by the trusts property trustee for the benefit of
the holders of the trust preferred securities and common
securities.
The trust preferred securities of each trust will have such
terms as are set forth in the trusts declaration of trust,
including as relates to distributions, redemption, voting,
liquidation rights and the other preferred, deferral and special
rights and restrictions. A prospectus supplement relating to the
trust preferred securities being offered will include specific
terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or
all of the following:
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the distinctive designation of the trust preferred securities; |
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the number of trust preferred securities issued by the trust; |
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the total and per-security liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities; |
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the annual distribution rate, or method of determining such
rate, for trust preferred securities of the trust; |
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the date or dates on which distributions will be payable and any
corresponding record dates; |
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whether distributions on the trust preferred securities will be
cumulative; |
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if the trust preferred securities have cumulative distribution
rights, the date or dates, or method of determining the date or
dates, from which distributions on the trust preferred
securities will be cumulative; |
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the amount or amounts that will be paid out of the assets of the
trust to the holders of the trust preferred securities of the
trust upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
termination of the trust; |
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the obligation, if any, of the trust to purchase or redeem the
trust preferred securities; |
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if the trust is to purchase or redeem the trust preferred
securities: |
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the price or prices at which the trust preferred securities will
be purchased or redeemed in whole or in part; |
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the period or periods within which the trust preferred
securities will be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part; |
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the terms and conditions upon which the trust preferred
securities will be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part; |
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the voting rights, if any, of the trust preferred securities in
addition to those required by law, including: |
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the number of votes per trust preferred security; and |
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any requirement for the approval by the holders of trust
preferred securities as a condition to specified action or
amendments to the trusts declaration of trust; |
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the rights, if any, to defer distributions on the trust
preferred securities by extending the interest payment period on
the related debt securities; |
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if the trust preferred securities may be converted into or
exercised or exchanged for MetLifes common stock or
preferred stock or any other securities, the terms on which
conversion, exercise or exchange is mandatory, at the option of
the holder or at the option of each trust, the date on or the
period during which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur,
the initial conversion, exercise or exchange price or rate and
the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common stock
or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion,
exercise or exchange may be adjusted; |
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the terms upon which the debt securities may be distributed to
holders of trust preferred securities; |
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whether the preferred securities are to be issued in book-entry
form and represented by one or more global certificates; |
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certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
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if applicable, any securities exchange upon which the trust
preferred securities shall be listed; |
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provisions relating to events of default and the rights of
holders of trust preferred securities in the event of default; |
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other agreements or other rights including upon the
consolidation or merger of the trust; and |
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any other relative rights, preferences, privileges, limitations
or restrictions of the trust preferred securities not
inconsistent with the trusts declaration of trust or
applicable law. |
All trust preferred securities offered will be guaranteed by
MetLife, Inc. to the extent set forth under Description of
Guarantees. Any material United States federal income tax
considerations applicable to an offering of trust preferred
securities will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
In connection with the issuance of preferred securities, each
trust will issue one series of common securities. The
declaration of each trust authorizes the regular trustees to
issue on behalf of such trust one series of common securities
having such terms including distributions, redemption, voting,
liquidation rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth
therein. The terms of the common securities issued by the trust
will be substantially identical to the terms of the preferred
securities issued by such trust and the common securities will
rank equally, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with
the preferred securities. However, upon an event of default
under the declaration of trust, the rights of the holders of the
common securities to payment in respect of distributions and
payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be
subordinated to the rights of the holders of the preferred
securities. Except in certain limited circumstances, the common
securities will also carry the right to vote, and appoint,
remove or replace any of the trustees of a trust. MetLife, Inc.
will own, directly or indirectly, all of the common securities
of each trust.
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Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of
Trust Preferred Securities |
If an event of default occurs, and is continuing, under the
declaration of trust of MetLife Capital Trust II or MetLife
Capital Trust III, the holders of the preferred securities
of that trust would typically rely on the property trustee to
enforce its rights as a holder of the related debt securities
against MetLife, Inc. Additionally, those who together hold a
majority of the liquidation amount of the trusts preferred
securities will have the right to:
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direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the property trustee; or |
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direct the exercise of any trust or power that the property
trustee holds under the declaration of trust, including the
right to direct the property trustee to exercise the remedies
available to it as a holder of MetLife, Inc.s debt
securities. |
If the property trustee fails to enforce its rights under the
applicable series of debt securities, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, a holder of trust preferred securities of such
trust may institute a legal proceeding directly against MetLife,
Inc. to enforce the property trustees rights under the
applicable series of debt securities without first instituting
any legal proceeding against the property trustee or any other
person or entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an event of default occurs and
the event is attributable to MetLife, Inc.s failure to pay
interest or principal on the debt securities when due, including
any payment on redemption, and this debt payment failure is
continuing, a preferred securities holder of the trust may
directly institute a proceeding for the enforcement of this
payment. Such a proceeding will be limited, however, to
enforcing the payment of this principal or interest only up to
the value of the aggregate liquidation amount of the
holders preferred securities as determined after the due
date specified in the applicable series of debt securities.
DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES
The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions
of the guarantees. Further terms of the guarantees will be
stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The prospectus
supplement will also indicate whether the general terms
described in this section apply to those guarantees. The
following description and any description of the guarantees in a
prospectus supplement may not be complete and is subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and
provisions of the guarantee agreements, forms of which have been
or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of
which this prospectus forms a part, and the Trust Indenture Act.
MetLife, Inc. will execute and deliver the guarantees for the
benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities. Each
guarantee will be held by the guarantee trustee for the benefit
of holders of the trust preferred securities to which it relates.
Each guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act. J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National
Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A.) will
act as indenture trustee under each guarantee for purposes of
the Trust Indenture Act.
Pursuant to each guarantee, MetLife, Inc. will irrevocably and
unconditionally agree, to the extent set forth in the guarantee,
to pay in full, to the holders of the related trust preferred
securities, the following guarantee payments, to the extent
these guarantee payments are not paid by, or on behalf of, the
related trust, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or
counterclaim that MetLife, Inc. may have or assert against any
person:
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any accrued and unpaid distributions required to be paid on the
trust preferred securities of the trust, but if and only if and
to the extent that the trust has funds legally and immediately
available to make those payments; |
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any distributions of MetLifes common stock or preferred
stock or any of its other securities, in the event that the
trust preferred securities may be converted into or exercised
for our common stock or preferred stock, to the extent the
conditions of such conversion or exercise have occurred or have
been satisfied and the trust does not distribute such shares or
other securities but has received such shares or other
securities; |
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the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid
distributions to the date of redemption, with respect to any
trust preferred securities called for redemption by the trust,
but if and only to the extent the trust has funds legally and
immediately available to make that payment; and |
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upon a dissolution, winding-up or termination of the trust,
other than in connection with the distribution of debt
securities to the holders of trust preferred securities of the
trust, the lesser of: |
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the total of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid
distributions on the trust preferred securities of the trust to
the date of payment, to the extent the trust has funds legally
and immediately available to make that payment; and |
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the amount of assets of the trust remaining available for
distribution to holders of trust preferred securities of the
trust in liquidation of the trust. |
MetLife, Inc. may satisfy its obligation to make a guarantee
payment by directly paying the required amounts to the holders
of the related trust preferred securities or by causing the
related trust to pay such amounts to such holders.
Each guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payments with
respect to the related trust preferred securities from the time
of issuance of the trust preferred securities. The guarantees
will not apply to the payment of distributions and other
payments on the trust preferred securities when the related
trust does not have sufficient funds legally and immediately
available to make the distributions or other payments. If
MetLife, Inc. does not make interest payments on the debt
securities purchased by a trust, such trust will not pay
distributions on the preferred securities issued by such trust
and will not have funds available therefor. The guarantee, when
taken together with MetLife, Inc.s obligations under the
debt securities, the Indentures and the declarations of trust,
will provide a full and unconditional guarantee by MetLife, Inc.
of payments due on the trust preferred securities.
MetLife, Inc. will also agree separately, through guarantees of
the common securities, to irrevocably and unconditionally
guarantee the obligations of the trusts with respect to the
common securities to the same extent as the guarantees of the
preferred securities. However, upon an event of default under
the Indentures, holders of preferred securities shall have
priority over holders of common securities with respect to
distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or
otherwise.
MetLife, Inc.s obligation under each guarantee to make the
guarantee payments will be an unsecured obligation of MetLife,
Inc. and, if subordinated debt securities are issued to the
applicable trust and unless otherwise noted in the prospectus
supplement, will rank:
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subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of MetLife,
Inc.s other liabilities, including the subordinated debt
securities, except those obligations or liabilities ranking
equal or subordinate to the guarantees by their terms; |
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equally with any other securities, liabilities or obligations
that may have equal ranking by their terms; and |
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senior to all of MetLife, Inc.s common stock. |
If subordinated debt securities are issued to the applicable
trust, the terms of the trust preferred securities will provide
that each holder of trust preferred securities, by accepting the
trust preferred securities, agrees to the subordination
provisions and other terms of the guarantee related to
subordination.
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Each guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of
collection. This means that the holder of trust preferred
securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against
MetLife, Inc. to enforce its rights under the guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or
entity.
Each guarantee will be unsecured and, because MetLife, Inc. is
principally a holding company, will be effectively subordinated
to all existing and future liabilities of MetLife, Inc.s
subsidiaries, including liabilities under contracts of insurance
and annuities written by MetLife, Inc.s insurance
subsidiaries. The guarantee does not limit the incurrence or
issuance of other secured or unsecured debt by MetLife, Inc.
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Amendments and Assignment |
For any changes that materially and adversely affect the rights
of holders of the related trust preferred securities, each
guarantee may be amended only if there is prior approval of the
holders of more than 50% in liquidation amount of the
outstanding trust preferred securities issued by the applicable
trust. All guarantees and agreements contained in each guarantee
will bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of MetLife, Inc. and will inure to the benefit
of the holders of the related trust preferred securities of the
applicable trust then outstanding.
Each guarantee will terminate and will have no further force and
effect as to the related trust preferred securities upon:
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distribution of debt securities to the holders of all trust
preferred securities of the applicable trust; or |
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full payment of the amounts payable upon liquidation of the
applicable trust. |
Each guarantee will continue to be effective or will be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the
related trust preferred securities must restore payment of any
sums paid with respect to the trust preferred securities or
under the guarantee.
Each guarantee provides that an event of default under a
guarantee occurs upon MetLife, Inc.s failure to perform
any of its obligations under the applicable guarantee.
The holders of a majority or more in liquidation amount of the
trust preferred securities to which any guarantee relates may
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee with respect
to the guarantee or may direct the exercise of any trust or
power conferred upon the guarantee trustee in respect of the
guarantee.
If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce the guarantee, any
holder of the related trust preferred securities may institute a
legal proceeding directly against MetLife, Inc. to enforce the
holders rights under such guarantee without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the trust, the guarantee
trustee or any other person or entity.
Furthermore, if MetLife, Inc. fails to make a guarantee payment,
a holder of trust preferred securities may directly institute a
proceeding against MetLife, Inc. for enforcement of the
preferred securities guarantee for such payment.
The holders of a majority or more in liquidation amount of trust
preferred securities of any series may, by vote, on behalf of
the holders of all the trust preferred securities of the series,
waive any past event of default and its consequences.
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Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee |
Prior to an event of default with respect to any guarantee and
after the curing or waiving of all events of default with
respect to the guarantee, the guarantee trustee may perform only
the duties that are specifically set forth in the guarantee.
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Once a guarantee event of default has occurred and is
continuing, the guarantee trustee is to exercise, with respect
to the holder of the trust preferred securities of the series,
the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise
in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Unless the guarantee
trustee is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by the guarantee
trustee by a holder of the related trust preferred securities,
the guarantee trustee is not required to exercise any of its
powers under any guarantee at the request of the holder.
Additionally, the guarantee trustee is not required to expend or
risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in
the performance of its duties if the guarantee trustee
reasonably believes that it is not assured repayment or adequate
indemnity.
The guarantee trustee is J.P. Morgan Trust Company,
National Association (as successor to Bank One Trust Company,
N.A.), which is one of a number of banks and trust companies
with which MetLife, Inc. and its subsidiaries maintain ordinary
banking and trust relationships.
Each guarantee will be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard
to its principles of conflicts of laws.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
MetLife, Inc. may sell the securities being offered hereby in
one or more of the following ways from time to time:
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to underwriters or dealers for resale to the public or to
institutional investors; |
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directly to institutional investors; or |
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through agents to the public or to institutional investors. |
The prospectus supplement with respect to each series of
securities will state the terms of the offering of the
securities, including:
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the name or names of any underwriters or agents; |
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the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to be
received by MetLife, Inc. or the applicable trust from the sale; |
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any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items
constituting underwriters or agents compensation; |
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any initial public offering price; |
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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers; and |
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any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed. |
If MetLife, Inc. or the trusts use underwriters in the sale, the
securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own
account and may be resold from time to time in one or more
transactions, including:
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negotiated transactions; |
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at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed; |
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at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
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at prices related to prevailing market prices; or |
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at negotiated prices. |
The securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in
the prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon
their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment
pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more
remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts
or as agents
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for MetLife, Inc. or the trusts. The prospectus supplement will
identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its
agreement, if any, with MetLife, Inc. or the trusts and its
compensation.
Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the
obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will
be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of
securities, if any are purchased.
If MetLife, Inc. sells the securities directly or through agents
designated by it, MetLife, Inc. will identify any agent involved
in the offering and sale of the securities and will list any
commissions payable by MetLife, Inc. to the agent in the
accompanying prospectus supplement. Unless indicated otherwise
in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a
best efforts basis to solicit purchases for the period of its
appointment.
MetLife, Inc. may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to
solicit offers by certain institutional investors to purchase
securities and provide for payment and delivery on a future date
specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement. MetLife,
Inc. will describe any such arrangement in the prospectus
supplement. Any such institutional investor may be subject to
limitations on the minimum amount of securities that it may
purchase or on the portion of the aggregate principal amount of
such securities that it may sell under such arrangements.
Institutional investors from which such authorized offers may be
solicited include:
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commercial and savings banks; |
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insurance companies; |
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pension funds; |
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investment companies; |
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educational and charitable institutions; and |
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such other institutions as MetLife, Inc. may approve. |
Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be
entitled under agreements entered into with MetLife, Inc. and/or
the applicable trust, or both, to indemnification by MetLife,
Inc. against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to
payments which the underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing
firms may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers, agents and
remarketing agents may be customers of, engage in transactions
with, or perform services for MetLife, Inc., any trust and/or
MetLife, Inc.s affiliates in the ordinary course of
business.
Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and
will have no established trading market other than the common
stock which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Any common
stock sold will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, upon
official notice of issuance. The securities, other than the
common stock, may or may not be listed on a national securities
exchange. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by
MetLife, Inc. or any trust for public offering and sale may make
a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be
obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any
time without notice.
Any offering of trust preferred securities will be made in
compliance with Rule 2810 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
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LEGAL OPINIONS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus
supplement, the validity of the securities offered hereby will
be passed upon for MetLife, Inc. by Richard S. Collins,
Chief Counsel General Corporate, of MetLife, Inc.
Mr. Collins is paid a salary by MetLife, is a participant
in various employee benefit plans offered by MetLife to
employees generally and has options to purchase shares of
MetLife, Inc. common stock. Certain matters of Delaware law
relating to the validity of the trust preferred securities of
MetLife Capital Trust II and MetLife Capital Trust III
will be passed upon for the trust by Richards, Layton &
Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel for
the trusts.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial
statement schedules, and managements report on the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
incorporated in this prospectus by reference from MetLife,
Inc.s Annual Report on Form 10-K have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are
incorporated by reference herein, (which reports
(1) express an unqualified opinion on the consolidated
financial statements and consolidated financial statements
schedules and include an explanatory paragraph relating to
MetLife, Inc.s change of its method of accounting for
certain non-traditional long duration contracts and separate
accounts, and for embedded derivatives in certain insurance
products as required by new accounting guidance which became
effective on January 1, 2004 and October 1, 2003,
respectively, (2) express an unqualified opinion on
managements assessment regarding the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting, and (3) express
an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting), and have been so incorporated in
reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF METLIFE, INC.
MetLife, Inc.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166-0188
U.S.A.
TRUSTEE, REGISTRAR, U.S. PAYING AGENT AND
U.S. TRANSFER AGENT
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association
4 New York Plaza, 15th Floor
New York New York 10004
U.S.A.
LONDON PAYING AGENT AND TRANSFER AGENT
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London branch
Trinity Tower
9 Thomas More Street
London E1W 1YT
England
IRISH PAYING AGENT AND TRANSFER AGENT
J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) plc
JPMorgan House
International Financial Service Centre
Dublin 1
Ireland
IRISH LISTING AGENT
Arthur Cox Listing Services Limited
Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2
Ireland
LEGAL ADVISERS
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To the Company
as to U.S. law |
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To the Company
as to Irish law |
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To the Company
as to English law |
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LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene &
MacRae, L.L.P.
125 West 55th Street
New York, New York 10019
U.S.A. |
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Arthur Cox
Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2
Ireland |
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LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene &
MacRae
No. 1 Minster Court
Mincing Lane
London EC3R 7YL
England |
To the Underwriters
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
One Liberty Plaza
New York, New York 10006
U.S.A.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Two World Financial Center
New York, New York 10281
U.S.A.