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MetLife (and Transitioning Brands) – Best for Broad Accessibility & Group Coverage (2026 Guide)
Introduction
In the U.S. life insurance market, MetLife, Inc. has long been one of the most recognized and widely accessible insurance brands. Founded in 1868, MetLife has grown into a global leader in insurance, annuities, and employee benefits, serving tens of millions of customers worldwide. In 2026, MetLife remains a dominant player — particularly in group life insurance, voluntary workplace coverage, and employee benefits — even as parts of its individual life insurance business have transitioned to new brands like Brighthouse Financial. (Wikipedia)
This guide explores why MetLife is considered the best choice for broad accessibility and group life coverage in 2026, how its business has evolved, the implications of its retail life insurance transition, and how you can navigate life insurance options linked to MetLife and related entities.
1. Who Is MetLife? A Brief Company Overview
Historical Roots and Global Reach
MetLife, Inc. — officially known as Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and headquartered in New York — was founded in 1868 and has operated for over 150 years in the life insurance and financial services space. Today, MetLife is a global insurance and benefits giant, with operations in over 40 markets worldwide and a customer base of tens of millions of policyholders. (Wikipedia)
MetLife’s legacy includes life insurance, employee benefits, annuities, and asset management services. While MetLife has transformed over time, it continues to play a leading role in many parts of the insurance industry.
2. MetLife’s Financial Strength & Market Position
MetLife’s financial strength contributes significantly to its accessibility and trust. As a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MET), it holds investments and assets that support its ability to pay claims and underwrite policies over decades. The company consistently ranks among the largest life insurers by direct premiums written, and even after corporate restructuring, it remains a key player in group life insurance. (Wikipedia)
MetLife has carefully positioned itself to remain competitive in global and domestic markets, leveraging brand recognition and strong distribution channels to provide life and benefits solutions at scale.
3. Transition of MetLife’s Individual Life Business to Brighthouse Financial
What Happened to MetLife’s Retail Life Insurance Business
In recent years, MetLife made a strategic decision to separate its U.S. retail individual life insurance and annuity businesses, rebranding this segment as Brighthouse Financial. (Brighthouse Financial)
- In 2016, MetLife announced plans to rebrand its U.S. retail life business as Brighthouse Financial to allow greater focus and flexibility for retail‑oriented products. (MetLife Investor Relations)
- On March 6, 2017, life insurance and annuity solutions formerly offered under the MetLife brand (in the U.S.) began being sold under the Brighthouse Financial name, marking the start of business under that brand. (Brighthouse Financial)
- By August 4, 2017, Brighthouse completed its spin‑off from MetLife and became an independent publicly traded company. (investor.brighthousefinancial.com)
- Some individual policies originally issued by MetLife continue under Brighthouse Financial issuance, though policy terms remain the same and require the same premiums. (metlife.com.br)
- Brighthouse Financial is now a major U.S. provider of annuity and life insurance solutions, with millions of policies and billions in assets in force. (investor.brighthousefinancial.com)
This transition means MetLife no longer markets or issues most new individual life insurance products directly to consumers in the U.S., though existing policies and service continue. Instead, individual retail policies are largely administered and serviced by Brighthouse Financial under an endorsement that changes the issuing company name but not the original contract terms. (metlife.com.br)
Future Changes: Aquarian Acquisition
As of late 2025, Brighthouse Financial has agreed to be acquired by Aquarian Holdings — a transaction anticipated to close in 2026. This private equity buyout will take Brighthouse private, potentially leading to expanded investment and growth strategies for its life insurance and annuity businesses. (Financial Times)
This acquisition marks a shift in the life insurance landscape but does not affect the validity of policies issued by Brighthouse to current holders.
4. Why MetLife Is Best for Broad Accessibility & Group Coverage
A. Leadership in Group Life Insurance and Workplace Benefits
Although MetLife’s U.S. individual life insurance business has largely transitioned, the company remains a market leader in group life insurance and employee benefits. The company’s continued focus on these segments makes it highly accessible to individuals through:
- Employer‑sponsored group life insurance — often term‑based coverage provided as part of employee benefits packages
- Voluntary life insurance options — allowing employees to purchase additional life coverage through payroll deduction
- Worksite and voluntary benefits — supplementing core benefits with accidental death, disability, and other coverages
Group life insurance can be a cost‑effective and convenient way for many individuals to obtain life protection through their employer, without the need for individual underwriting.
B. Scale and Distribution
MetLife’s presence in nearly every major employer market means employees across industries and company sizes have broad access to life insurance benefits. This accessibility is a core advantage for people who might otherwise find individual coverage unaffordable or complex.
5. The Importance of the Brighthouse Transition for Policyholders
A. Continuity of Policy Terms
For current policyholders whose individual life insurance or annuity policies were written under MetLife and then transitioned to Brighthouse Financial, the terms and conditions remain unchanged. The change affects mainly the name of the issuing company on the policy documents — not your rights, coverage, or obligations. (metlife.com.br)
6. MetLife’s Current Life Insurance Offerings (Post‑Transition)
Group Life Insurance
MetLife’s group life portfolio remains a cornerstone of its accessibility:
- Basic term life for employees
- Supplemental/voluntary term life for employee‑paid additional coverage
- Dependent life insurance for spouses and children
These products are typically bundled with employer benefit packages, making them accessible without separate underwriting for group coverage up to certain limits.
Other Workplace Benefits
MetLife also offers complementary workplace benefits that integrate with life coverage:
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
- Disability income protection
- Critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance
These offerings reinforce MetLife’s position as a broad employee benefits provider.
7. Financial Strength & Stability
As a major global insurer, MetLife’s financial strength is a key reason employers and institutions trust the company with group life coverage. While individual policies moved to Brighthouse, MetLife’s ability to underwrite and support large employee benefit programs remains anchored by its capital, scale, and market presence.
Institutional investors and insurers also recognize MetLife’s financial strategies, such as reinsurance partnerships and risk transfer ventures, signaling ongoing confidence in its stability. (Reuters)
8. Pros and Cons of MetLife (and Its Transitioning Brands)
Pros
✔ Broad Workplace Accessibility
MetLife’s group life and employee benefit solutions are widely available through employers and organizations.
✔ Legacy & Market Presence
Founded in 1868, MetLife’s brand recognition and global reach make it a trusted name in insurance.
✔ Smooth Policy Transitions
Individual policies originally under MetLife continue to be honored under Brighthouse with the same terms. (metlife.com.br)
✔ Policyholder Protection
Existing life insurance policies continue until maturity or beneficiary payout — not affected by corporate rebranding or acquisitions. (metlife.com.br)
Cons
⚠ Individual Life Insurance Availability Has Changed
MetLife no longer writes most new individual life insurance in the U.S.; these are now issued by Brighthouse Financial, which may have different ratings and business approaches. (metlife.com.br)
⚠ Customer Service Concerns Are Noted
Some reviews and consumer reports point to customer service challenges under the MetLife/Brighthouse umbrella, particularly for individual policy servicing. (The Annuity Expert)
⚠ Complexity of Transition for Consumers
Policyholders historically insured directly through MetLife may need help understanding which entity now services their policy — MetLife or Brighthouse Financial. (Brighthouse Financial)
9. Who Should Choose MetLife (or a Related Brand)
Employees Seeking Workplace Coverage
If you receive life insurance through your employer, MetLife’s group life products provide accessible coverage often without medical underwriting for basic levels.
Individuals With Existing MetLife Policies
Current holders of MetLife life insurance or annuity contracts should understand their policy’s current issuer (often Brighthouse Financial) and continue payments according to their contracts. (metlife.com.br)
Benefit Planners and HR Professionals
Human resources professionals seeking a trusted partner for employee benefits will often choose MetLife for group life insurance due to its depth of offerings and market reputation.
10. Final Thoughts
In 2026, MetLife (and its transitioning brands like Brighthouse Financial) remains a key part of the U.S. life insurance ecosystem — particularly for those focused on broad accessibility and group life coverage. While individual retail life insurance is now largely marketed through Brighthouse Financial following the spin‑off, MetLife continues to lead in employee benefits and group life solutions, helping millions of people gain coverage through work and organizational benefits.
For current policyholders, the transition to Brighthouse Financial does not affect the rights or terms of your life insurance contract, although you may see a different issuing company name on policy documents. (metlife.com.br)
Choosing between employer‑provided MetLife group life coverage or individual policies now under different brands like Brighthouse involves understanding your priorities — whether it’s convenience, group access, or direct individual insurance purchase — and how these relate to your long‑term financial security.
Sources:
- MetLife’s U.S. life insurance transition and policy transition details. (metlife.com.br)
- MetLife corporate strategy and structural changes. (Brighthouse Financial)
- Brighthouse Financial history and spin‑off details. (Brighthouse Financial)
- Background on Brighthouse Financial operations post‑spin‑off. (investor.brighthousefinancial.com)
- MetLife public company overview. (Wikipedia)
Would you like a comparison chart of all top 5 U.S. life insurance companies in 2026 for quick reference?