• Contact us.
  To begin the process, you need to notify MetLife¹ of the death.
  You can do this by:
  • - Completing the death notification form here.
  • - Contacting us by phone at 1-800-638-7732 or by mail.
• Here’s what you can expect.
  After we have processed the death notification, we will send the beneficiary(ies) on file a letter and the necessary forms needed to process the claim on the annuity contract.
• Payout options.
  Once we receive the required forms, we will review and process the request, if all requirements are met. The beneficiary(ies) can choose from the claim options available or they can open an interest -bearing, Total Contract Account^®2. To learn more about the Total Control Account^® please visit MetLifeRetailTCA.MetLife.com.

The individual claim form will require personal details about the contract owner and beneficiary(ies). These details include but are not limited to:

• Full name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Beneficiary(ies) relationship to the contract owner
• Annuity contract number(s) the claim is being made on

If the trust/entity claim form is being completed, the personal details of the contract owner (as described above) will be needed. Information about the trust/entity will also be needed as shown below.

• Full name of estate/trust/entity
• The beneficiary(ies) relationship to the estate/trust/entity (i.e. executor, trustee, CEO)
• Address for the estate/trust/entity
• Date trust established (if claiming on behalf of a trust)
• Tax identification number for trust/estate/entity
• Annuity contract number(s) the claim is being made on
• Documentation concerning the authorized representation for the trust/estate/entity

The claim form and documents can be submitted by:

• Email to requests@metlife.com
• Fax to 1-877-547-9669
• Mail via USPS to the address provided on the claim form.

When determining if a death certificate is needed, please keep in mind that if the original/certified death certificate is already on file from another beneficiary another copy will not be needed.

Additionally, if the contract(s) being claimed is (are):

• $15,000 or less a death certificate is not required.
• $15000.01 but less or equal to $300,000 a photocopy of the death certificate is acceptable.
• More than $300,000 an original certified death certificate must be provided via mail. A certified death certificate has a raised or colored seal on it.

The cause of death must be on the certificate.

Once we receive the documents, the beneficiary(ies) can call our customer service team at 1-800-638-7732 for updates. We’ll automatically notify the beneficiary(ies) by mail of the payment status or if we need more information.

Once a claim is received, everything is reviewed within 5 business days. We will respond to the claim within 10 business days if more information is needed.

Each beneficiary needs to submit a claim form in order to get paid. We’ll pay each beneficiary their proceeds separately as we receive the required claim documents from each of them. We don’t require all beneficiaries to make a claim before making payment to each individual.

Funds can be received in the following ways.

1. Receive a check via USPS within 5 business days. Please note mail delivery times may vary.
2. Transfer the funds directly to a bank account (via electronic funds transfer)
3. Deposit funds into an interest bearing, no fee MetLife Total Control Account (claim minimum $50,000 payable to you). *With a Total Control Account there is also the option to receive a debit card that's accepted anywhere Visa is accepted. To learn more about this option please visit, MetLifeRetailTCA.MetLife.com.

We recognize this may be a difficult time and we’re here to help. Please call us at 1-800-638-7732 with any questions or concerns you may have. We’re available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.