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AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of MetLife, Inc. and Its Life/Health Subsidiaries

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OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” (Superior) of the members of Metropolitan Life Insurance Group (collectively referred to as MetLife or the group). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent) and the Long- and Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR; Short-Term IR) of MetLife, Inc. (headquartered in New York, NY) [NYSE: MET]. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of companies and Long- and Short-Term IRs.)

The ratings reflect MetLife’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its strong operating performance, very favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

MetLife’s strong balance sheet strength assessment is supported by AM Best’s view of the consolidated holding company’s capital adequacy that is enhanced by the financial flexibility and the liquidity of its ultimate parent (MetLife, Inc.), which historically has maintained significant and steady levels of excess liquidity. Additionally, there has been a longer-term trend toward reduced liability risk on MetLife’s balance sheet, related to equity and interest rate risk as its product portfolio changes over time. MetLife’s financial leverage and interest coverage levels are at appropriate levels for the ratings. Mortgage exposure remains materially higher than peers; however, it continues to perform within management expectations and is managed within the organization’s asset and liability framework.

The group has a history of consistently positive operating performance with consistent growth metrics on a statutory and GAAP basis. Earnings are well-diversified by geography, business line and distribution channel. The group benefits segment has strong earnings and moderate growth with low earnings volatility. AM Best views the group’s operating performance as strong, with its focus on expanding its product offerings, concentration on higher margin product lines with steadier returns and lower expenses. AM Best views the group’s ERM as appropriate, as it continues to focus on improving its overall program, capital modeling and stress testing.

The FSR of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICRs of “aa-” (Superior) have been affirmed with stable outlooks for the following subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc.:

Delaware American Life Insurance Company
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company
SafeGuard Health Plans, Inc. (TX)
SafeGuard Health Plans, Inc. (FL)
SafeGuard Health Plans, Inc. (CA)
MetLife Global Benefits, Ltd.
Metropolitan General Insurance Company

The following Short-Term IRs have been affirmed:

MetLife Funding, Inc.—

-- AMB-1+ (Strongest) on commercial paper

MetLife, Inc.—

-- AMB-1 (Outstanding) on commercial paper

The following Long-Term IRs have been affirmed with a stable outlook:

MetLife, Inc.—

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 25.2 billion 0.495% senior unsecured notes, due 2026

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 64.9 billion 0.769% senior unsecured notes, due 2029

-- “a” (Excellent) on JPY 7.1 billion 1.009% senior unsecured notes, due 2029

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 1.0 billion 4.55% senior unsecured notes, due 2030

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 23.1 billion 1.415% senior unsecured notes, due 2031

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 10.7 billion 0.898% senior unsecured notes, due 2031

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 600 million 6.50% senior unsecured notes, due 2032

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 1.0 billion 5.375% senior unsecured notes, due 2033

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 16.7 billion 1.67% senior unsecured notes, due 2034

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 750 million 6.375% senior unsecured notes, due 2034

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 26.5 billion 1.189% senior unsecured notes, due 2034

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 750 million 5.3% senior unsecured notes, due 2034

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 1.0 billion 5.70% senior unsecured notes, due 2035

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 24.4 billion 1.385% senior unsecured notes, due 2039

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 11.2 billion 1.953% senior unsecured notes, due 2039

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 750 million 5.875% senior unsecured notes, due 2041

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 750 million 4.125% senior unsecured notes, due 2042

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 1.0 billion 4.875% senior unsecured notes, due 2043

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 15.5 billion 2.195% senior unsecured notes, due 2044

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 500 million 4.721% senior unsecured debentures, due 2044

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 1.0 billion 4.05% senior unsecured notes, due 2045

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 750 million 4.6% senior unsecured notes, due 2046

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 1 billion 5.0% senior unsecured notes, due 2052

-- “a-” (Excellent) on USD 1 billion 5.25% senior unsecured notes, due 2054

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 23.5 billion 2.39% senior unsecured notes, due 2054

-- “a-” (Excellent) on JPY 15.2 billion 2.448% senior unsecured notes, due 2059

-- “bbb+” (Good) on USD 1 billion 6.35% senior unsecured notes, due 2055

-- “bbb+” (Good) on USD 1 billion 5.85% subordinated notes, due 2056

-- “bbb” (Good) on USD 1.25 billion 6.40% junior subordinated debentures, due 2066

-- “bbb” (Good) on USD 500 million 10.75% junior subordinated debentures, due 2069

-- “bbb” (Good) on USD 600 million floating rate non-cumulative preferred stock, Series A

-- “bbb” (Good) on USD 500 million 5.875% non-cumulative preferred stock, Series D

-- “bbb” (Good) on USD 805 million 5.625% non-cumulative preferred stock, Series E

-- “bbb” (Good) on USD 1.0 billion 4.75% non-cumulative preferred stock, Series F

-- “bbb” (Good) on USD 1.0 billion 3.85% non-cumulative preferred stock, Series G

MetLife Capital Trust IV—

-- “bbb” (Good) on USD 700 million 7.875% exchangeable surplus trust securities (junior subordinated), due 2067

Metropolitan Life Global Funding I— “aa-” (Superior) program rating

-- “aa-” (Superior) on all outstanding notes issued under the program

The following indicative Long-Term IRs have been affirmed stable outlooks:

MetLife, Inc. —

-- “a-” (Excellent) on senior unsecured debt

-- “bbb+” (Good) on subordinated debt

-- “bbb” (Good) on preferred stock

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.