Earlier this year, we announced plans to pursue a separation of a substantial portion of our U.S. Retail business, which includes the retail distribution of individual life insurance policies and annuity contracts issued by MetLife Insurance Company USA (MLUS), First MetLife Investors Insurance Company (FMLI) and New England Life Insurance Company (NELICO). In July, we announced the name of this separated business that will continue with the U.S. retail distribution of MLUS, FMLI and NELICO products would be Brighthouse Financial. We are excited about the positive impact this will bring, and we thank you for your continued partnership during this time of transition.
The ultimate form and timing of any separation of Brighthouse Financial from MetLife will be influenced by a number of factors, including regulatory considerations and economic conditions. As we continue to plan for a separation, we have important information for you that may affect your firm. Please review this information carefully and contact your Strategic Relationship Manager with any questions.
As of March 6, 2017 the following changes will take effect:
APPLICATIONS/FORMS
- Paper applications, New Business and Post Issue forms will not be available from the close of business on Friday March 3, 2017 until the start of business on Monday, March 6, 2017.
- Please destroy existing applications, New Business and Post Issue forms prior to March 6, 2017.
- Brighthouse Life Insurance Company and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY applications and documents will be available for use on Monday March 6, 2017. Transition rules will be implemented as follows:
- If a Metropolitan Life Insurance Company application or forms are submitted after 3/3, the application will be rejected and you will be required to submit a Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of New York application to proceed.
- If a MetLife Insurance Company USA application or forms arrive between 3/6 and 4/4, we will accept the application and amend the company name to reflect Brighthouse Life Insurance Company.
- Beginning 4/5, MetLife Insurance Company USA applications and forms will no longer be accepted.
- If a MetLife Insurance Company USA application or form arrives 4/5 or later the application will be rejected and you will be required to submit a Brighthouse Life Insurance Company application to proceed.
- Effective March 6, applications, New Business and Post Issue forms are available at https://eforms.metlife.com/BrighthouseFinancial. (Note: this URL will not work until March 6.)
PRODUCT NAME UPDATES
Linked here, you will find the existing product names, along with our new Brighthouse Financial product names. We have also referenced the current CUSIPs and will advise you once our CUSIP numbers change in the future.
eNew BUSINESS
- This site will be co-branded beginning on, March 3, 2017.
- Please note that in connection with the separation of a substantial portion of MetLife’s U.S. Retail business, the following name changes are effective as of March 6, 2017:
- Retail Life Insurance products will be issued by Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, Charlotte, NC 28277 (current issuer is ‘MetLife Insurance Company USA’) or Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY, New York, NY 10017 (in New York only) (current issuer is ‘First MetLife Investors Insurance Company’). Variable products will be distributed through Brighthouse Securities, LLC (member FINRA) Brighthouse Life Insurance Company, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY and Brighthouse Securities, LLC are all Brighthouse Financial companies.
ILLUSTRATION SYSTEMS
- All New Business web-based illustrations will not be available from the close of business on Friday, March 3, 2017 (5:00 pm EST) until the start of business on Monday, March 6, 2017 (8:00 am EST) when the new company names, Brighthouse Life Insurance Company and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY, will be in effect.
- All desktop Illustrations should not be used from the close of business on Friday, March 3, 2017 until the start of business on Monday, March 6, 2017.
- Users of desktop systems will need to accept the update prior to running illustrations on Monday, March 6th in order to remain compliant with all legal guidelines. If the update is not completed, these illustrations will not be accepted with applications.
PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION
This link will bring you to the communication that was sent out in October which includes information regarding Legal Entities, Industry Automation, Appointments, Licensing & Contracting, as well as Advisor and Client Communications.