[February 14, 2012]

MetLife Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today reported fourth quarter 2011 net income of $1.1 billion, or $1.06 per share, and operating earnings¹ of $1.4 billion, or $1.31 per share. MetLife today also reported full year 2011 net income of $6.7 billion, or $6.29 per share, and operating earnings of $5.4 billion, or $5.02 per share.

"MetLife had a solid year and a strong fourth quarter, even in the face of some significant market pressures," said Steven A. Kandarian, chairman, president and chief executive officer of MetLife, Inc. "We delivered higher earnings per share over 2010. Our capital position is strong and getting stronger. And our ability to grow operating earnings in the face of low interest rates remains intact. In short, we think we're the best-positioned company in the life insurance sector to deliver shareholder value."

FULL YEAR 2011 SUMMARY

• Operating earnings of $5.4 billion, or $5.02 per share, up 40% over 2010
• Premiums, fees & other revenues of $45.7 billion, up 32% over 2010
• Total assets of nearly $800 billion, up 9% from year-end 2010

FOURTH QUARTER 2011 SUMMARY

• Operating earnings of $1.4 billion, or $1.31 per share, up 17% over the fourth quarter of 2010
• Total International sales up 12% compared with combined MetLife and Alico fourth quarter 2010 results
• Premiums, fees & other revenues of $11.5 billion, up 23% over the fourth quarter of 2010, largely due to the acquisition of Alico as well as growth in the U.S.
• Book value per share of $54.59, up 24% from year-end 2010

BUSINESS DISCUSSIONS

On November 21, 2011, MetLife announced it was reorganizing into three broad geographic regions - The Americas, EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) and Asia - to better reflect the company's global reach. MetLife expects to report financial results under this new structure beginning with the first quarter of 2012.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, MetLife began reporting certain operations of MetLife Bank and insurance operations in the Caribbean Region, Panama and Costa Rica as divested businesses. These operations are excluded from operating earnings as well as investment portfolio and derivative gains and losses. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform with the current period segment presentation.

All comparisons of fourth quarter 2011 results in the business discussions that follow are with the fourth quarter of 2010, unless otherwise noted. Reconciliations of segment net income to segment operating earnings are provided in the tables that accompany this release and in the Fourth Quarter 2011 Quarterly Financial Supplement, which is available on the Investor Relations section of www.metlife.com.

U.S. BUSINESS

• U.S. Business operating earnings of $932 million, up 4%; the annual review of deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC") assumptions and other adjustments resulted in a net $27 million, or $0.03 per share, after tax, increase in U.S. Business operating earnings
• Favorable underwriting results in group life and continued improvement in non-medical health underwriting, particularly in the dental business
• Variable annuity sales of $7.2 billion
• Premiums, fees & other revenues of $7.6 billion, up 7% primarily due to growth in Retirement Products and Corporate Benefit Funding

Insurance Products

Operating earnings for Insurance Products - which includes group life, individual life and non-medical health insurance - were $411 million, up 33% largely due to the positive impact of DAC and other adjustments in individual life as well as favorable underwriting results in group life and non-medical health. Premiums, fees & other revenues for Insurance Products were $5.1 billion, relatively unchanged.

Retirement Products

Operating earnings for Retirement Products - which includes the company's U.S. annuity products - were $216 million, down 5% due to the negative impact of DAC and other adjustments as well as lower variable investment income, offset by growth from strong positive net flows and higher core spreads. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2011, total annuity sales increased 41% and declined 15%, respectively, primarily due to a change in the level of variable annuity sales. Premiums, fees & other revenues for Retirement Products were $1.0 billion, up 35% due to increased sales of immediate annuities and higher fee income.

Corporate Benefit Funding

Operating earnings for Corporate Benefit Funding - which includes the U.S. and U.K. pension closeout businesses, structured settlements and other benefit funding products - were $224 million, down 21% primarily due to lower variable investment income. Premiums, fees & other revenues for Corporate Benefit Funding were $739 million, up 44% largely due to higher pension closeout sales (which often fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter).

Auto & Home

Operating earnings for Auto & Home were $81 million, up 9% due mainly to lower catastrophes. In addition, favorable non-catastrophe claim development related to prior accident years was $14 million, or $0.01 per share, after tax, compared with $16 million, after tax, in the fourth quarter of 2010. Excluding catastrophes, Auto & Home's combined ratio remained strong at 90.2%, compared with 90.0%. Net written premiums were $740 million, up 2%.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

• International operating earnings of $570 million, up 89% largely due to the acquisition of Alico²
• Total International sales up 12% compared with combined MetLife and Alico fourth quarter 2010 results
• Premiums, fees & other revenues of $3.8 billion, reflecting growth in Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East as well as the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rates

Japan

Operating earnings in Japan were $326 million, up 3% over the third quarter of 2011 largely due to higher net investment income and both solid underwriting results and improved persistency in accident and health insurance. Compared with combined MetLife and Alico results in the fourth quarter of 2010, sales grew 16%. Premiums, fees & other revenues in Japan were $1.8 billion, higher than in the fourth quarter of 2010 (which reflected only one month of Alico results) and relatively unchanged from the third quarter of 2011.

Other International Regions

Operating earnings in the Other International Regions were $244 million, up 17%, while premiums, fees & other revenues grew to $2.0 billion. The increases, which were largely due to the Alico acquisition, were partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, in Latin America, premiums, fees & other revenues grew due to premium increases in Mexico, Chile and Argentina. Premiums, fees & other revenues also benefited from strong performance in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

²MetLife acquired Alico on November 1, 2010. Accordingly, Alico's financial results prior to that date are not reflected in MetLife's historical financial statements.

CORPORATE & OTHER

Corporate & Other had an operating loss of $104 million, compared with an operating loss of $2 million. Results in the fourth quarter of 2010 benefited from several one-time items, while the fourth quarter of 2011 was impacted by higher expenses.

INVESTMENTS

Net investment income was $4.9 billion, up 11% from the fourth quarter of 2010 and down slightly from the third quarter of 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2011, variable investment income was within the plan range at $247 million ($162 million, after tax and the impact of DAC). In the fourth quarter of 2010, variable investment income was $423 million ($268 million, after tax and the impact of DAC).

For the fourth quarter of 2011, MetLife reported a $213 million, after tax, investment portfolio net loss compared with an investment portfolio net gain of $6 million, after tax.

Separately, MetLife reported derivative net gains of $351 million, after tax, which were largely due to declines in interest rates and gains in the company's variable annuity hedging program. In the fourth quarter of 2010, MetLife reported $1.1 billion, after tax, in derivative net losses. MetLife uses derivatives in connection with its broader portfolio management strategy to hedge a number of risks, including changes in interest rates and fluctuations in foreign currencies. Movement in interest rates, foreign currencies and MetLife's credit spreads - which impact the valuation of certain insurance liabilities - can generate derivative gains or losses. Derivative gains or losses related to MetLife's credit spreads do not have an economic impact on the company.

Conference Call

MetLife will hold its fourth quarter and full year 2011 earnings conference call and audio Webcast on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. (ET). The conference call will be available live via telephone and the Internet. To listen over the telephone, dial (612) 326-1027 (domestic and international callers). To listen to the conference call over the Internet, visit www.metlife.com (through a link on the Investor Relations page). Those who want to listen to the call on the telephone or via the Internet should dial in or go to the Web site at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, and/or download and install any necessary audio software.

The conference call will be available for replay via telephone and the Internet beginning at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, until Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (ET). To listen to a replay of the conference call over the telephone, dial (320) 365-3844 (domestic and international callers). The access code for the replay is 226299. To access the replay of the conference call over the Internet, visit the above-mentioned Web site.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs, serving 90 million customers in over 50 countries. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures

All references in this press release (except in this section) to net income (loss), net income (loss) per share, operating earnings, operating earnings per share, book value per share, and premiums, fees and other revenues, should be read as net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders, net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders per diluted common share, operating earnings available to common shareholders, operating earnings available to common shareholders per diluted common share, book value per common share, and premiums, fees and other revenues (operating), respectively.

Operating earnings is the measure of segment profit or loss that MetLife uses to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") accounting guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is MetLife's measure of segment performance. Operating earnings is also a measure by which MetLife senior management's and many other employees' performance is evaluated for the purposes of determining their compensation under applicable compensation plans.

Operating earnings is defined as operating revenues less operating expenses, both net of income tax. Operating earnings available to common shareholders is defined as operating earnings less preferred stock dividends.

Operating revenues and operating expenses exclude results of discontinued operations and other businesses that have been or will be sold or exited by MetLife ("Divested Businesses"). Operating revenues also excludes net investment gains (losses) ("NIGL") and net derivative gains (losses) ("NDGL").

The following additional adjustments are made to GAAP revenues, in the line items indicated, in calculating operating revenues:

• Universal life and investment-type product policy fees excludes the amortization of unearned revenue related to NIGL and NDGL and certain variable annuity guaranteed minimum income benefits ("GMIB") fees ("GMIB Fees");
• Net investment income: (i) includes amounts for scheduled periodic settlement payments and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of investments but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, (ii) includes income from discontinued real estate operations, (iii) excludes post-tax operating earnings adjustments relating to insurance joint ventures accounted for under the equity method, (iv) excludes certain amounts related to contractholder-directed unit-linked investments, and (v) excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are variable interest entities ("VIEs") consolidated under GAAP; and
• Other revenues are adjusted for settlements of foreign currency earnings hedges.

The following additional adjustments are made to GAAP expenses, in the line items indicated, in calculating operating expenses:

• Policyholder benefits and claims and policyholder dividends excludes: (i) changes in the policyholder dividend obligation related to NIGL and NDGL, (ii) inflation-indexed benefit adjustments associated with contracts backed by inflation-indexed investments and amounts associated with periodic crediting rate adjustments based on the total return of a contractually referenced pool of assets, (iii) benefits and hedging costs related to GMIBs ("GMIB Costs"), and (iv) market value adjustments associated with surrenders or terminations of contracts ("Market Value Adjustments");
• Interest credited to policyholder account balances includes adjustments for scheduled periodic settlement payments and amortization of premium on derivatives that are hedges of policyholder account balances but do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and excludes amounts related to net investment income earned on contractholder-directed unit-linked investments;
• Amortization of DAC and value of business acquired ("VOBA") excludes amounts related to: (i) NIGL and NDGL, (ii) GMIB Fees and GMIB Costs and (iii) Market Value Adjustments;
• Amortization of negative VOBA excludes amounts related to Market Value Adjustments;
• Interest expense on debt excludes certain amounts related to securitization entities that are VIEs consolidated under GAAP; and
• Other expenses excludes costs related to: (i) noncontrolling interests, (ii) implementation of new insurance regulatory requirements, and (iii) business combinations.

MetLife believes the presentation of operating earnings and operating earnings available to common shareholders as MetLife measures it for management purposes enhances the understanding of the company's performance by highlighting the results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers of the business. Operating revenues, operating expenses, operating earnings, operating earnings available to common shareholders, operating earnings available to common shareholders per diluted common share, book value per common share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), and book value per diluted common share, excluding AOCI, should not be viewed as substitutes for the following financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP: GAAP revenues, GAAP expenses, GAAP income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, GAAP net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders, GAAP net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders per diluted common share, book value per common share, and book value per diluted common share, respectively. Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the Fourth Quarter 2011 Quarterly Financial Supplement and/or in the tables that accompany this earnings press release.

Statistical sales information for life insurance is calculated by MetLife using the LIMRA International, Inc. definition of sales for core direct sales, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges, corporate-owned life insurance, bank-owned life insurance, and private placement variable universal life insurance. Individual annuities sales consists of statutory premiums direct and assumed, excluding company sponsored internal exchanges.

Forward-Looking Statements

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

Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining the actual future results of MetLife, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors that might cause such differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in MetLife, Inc.'s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). These factors include: (1) difficult conditions in the global capital markets; (2) concerns over U.S. fiscal policy and the trajectory of the national debt of the U.S., as well as rating agency downgrades of U.S. Treasury securities; (3) increased volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets, which may affect our ability to seek financing or access our credit facilities; (4) uncertainty about the effectiveness of the U.S. government's programs to stabilize the financial system, the imposition of fees relating thereto, or the promulgation of additional regulations; (5) impact of comprehensive financial services regulation reform on us; (6) exposure to financial and capital market risk; (7) changes in general economic conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest rates, which may affect our ability to raise capital, generate fee income and market-related revenue and finance statutory reserve requirements and may require us to pledge collateral or make payments related to declines in value of specified assets; (8) potential liquidity and other risks resulting from our participation in a securities lending program and other transactions; (9) investment losses and defaults, and changes to investment valuations; (10) impairments of goodwill and realized losses or market value impairments to illiquid assets; (11) defaults on our mortgage loans; (12) the impairment of other financial institutions that could adversely affect our investments or business; (13) our ability to address unforeseen liabilities, asset impairments, loss of key contractual relationships, or rating actions arising from acquisitions or dispositions, including our acquisition of American Life Insurance Company and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (collectively, "ALICO") and to successfully integrate and manage the growth of acquired businesses with minimal disruption; (14) uncertainty with respect to the outcome of the closing agreement entered into with the United States Internal Revenue Service in connection with the acquisition of ALICO; (15) the dilutive impact on our stockholders resulting from the issuance of equity securities in connection with the acquisition of ALICO or otherwise; (16) economic, political, currency and other risks relating to our international operations, including with respect to fluctuations of exchange rates; (17) our primary reliance, as a holding company, on dividends from our subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations and the applicable regulatory restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such dividends; (18) downgrades in our claims paying ability, financial strength or credit ratings; (19) ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures; (20) availability and effectiveness of reinsurance or indemnification arrangements, as well as default or failure of counterparties to perform; (21) 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; (22) catastrophe losses; (23) heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors, consolidation of distributors, the development of new products by new and existing competitors, distribution of amounts available under U.S. government programs, and for personnel; (24) unanticipated changes in industry trends; (25) changes in accounting standards, practices and/or policies; (26) changes in assumptions related to deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred sales inducements, value of business acquired or goodwill; (27) increased expenses relating to pension and postretirement benefit plans, as well as health care and other employee benefits; (28) exposure to losses related to variable annuity guarantee benefits, including from significant and sustained downturns or extreme volatility in equity markets, reduced interest rates, unanticipated policyholder behavior, mortality or longevity, and the adjustment for nonperformance risk; (29) deterioration in the experience of the "closed block" established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (30) adverse results or other consequences from litigation, arbitration or regulatory investigations; (31) inability to protect our intellectual property rights or claims of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others; (32) discrepancies between actual experience and assumptions used in establishing liabilities related to other contingencies or obligations; (33) regulatory, legislative or tax changes relating to our insurance, banking, international, or other operations that may affect the cost of, or demand for, our products or services, impair our ability to attract and retain talented and experienced management and other employees, or increase the cost or administrative burdens of providing benefits to employees; (34) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to disasters such as terrorist attacks, cyberattacks, other hostilities, or natural catastrophes, including any related impact on our disaster recovery systems, cyber- or other information security systems and management continuity planning; (35) the effectiveness of our programs and practices in avoiding giving our associates incentives to take excessive risks; and (36) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in MetLife, Inc.'s filings with the SEC.

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

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