MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced the launch of MetLife Shield
Level SelectorSM 3-Year, a single premium deferred annuity.
The new offering complements MetLife Shield Level SelectorSM,
which launched in 2013. Both allow clients to benefit from
potential market growth while helping protect assets from market decline.
Clients can now choose between the three-year withdrawal charge schedule
offered by Shield Level Selector 3-Year and the six-year withdrawal
charge schedule offered by Shield Level Selector, allowing them greater
flexibility to select the timeframe that best meets their personal
investment needs.
“People approaching retirement age often grapple with a central
question—does the potential for market growth outweigh the risk of
market losses when it comes to retirement savings?” said Elizabeth
Forget, executive vice president of MetLife Retail Retirement & Wealth
Solutions. “With our Shield offerings, we’ve created solutions that give
clients the potential for market gains coupled with downside protection.
Our new 3-Year design offers additional flexibility, allowing clients
who may have a shorter investment timeline access to the unique features
of Shield.”
Shield Level Selector 3-Year and Shield Level Selector offer a number of
benefits to clients including:
-
Protection. Clients can customize the level of downside
protection for their product investment, with options ranging from 10
percent to 100 percent.
-
Participation. Clients can choose from several different
index-linked investment options.
-
Personalization. By electing either Shield Level Selector
3-Year or Shield Level Selector, clients can tailor their investment
to align with their individual retirement strategy timeline.
“We heard feedback from advisors that their clients are seeking not only
the opportunity for market growth with downside protection, but also the
flexibility to adapt to changing conditions,” said Forget. “With Shield
Level Selector 3-Year, advisors now have access to an additional tool to
develop customized solutions for their clients.”
About MetLife
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates
(“MetLife”), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the
world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance,
annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately
100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and
holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin
America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.
The prospectuses for the MetLife Shield Level SelectorSM and
MetLife Shield Level SelectorSM 3-Year annuities
issued by a MetLife insurance company (MetLife) are available from your
financial professional. The contract prospectus contains information
about the contract’s features, risks, charges and expenses. Clients
should read the prospectuses and consider this information carefully
before investing. Product availability and features may vary by state.
Please refer to the contract prospectuses for more complete details
regarding the optional Return of Premium Death Benefit. MetLife reserves
the right to substitute any index at any time.
MetLife Shield Level Selector and MetLife Shield Level Selector 3-Year
are long term investments designed for retirement purposes and have
limitations, exclusions, charges, termination provisions and terms for
keeping them in force. There is a risk of substantial loss of principal
for losses beyond the Shield Rate, because you agree to absorb all
losses that exceed their chosen Shield Rate. Please refer to “Risk
Factors” in the contract prospectuses for more details. All contract
guarantees, including the optional death benefit and annuity payout
rates, are subject to the claims paying ability and financial strength
of the issuing insurance company.
Withdrawals of taxable amounts are subject to ordinary income tax and if
made before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% Federal income tax penalty.
Distributions of taxable amounts from a nonqualified annuity may also be
subject to the 3.8% Unearned Income Medicare Contribution Tax on Net
Investment Income if your clients' modified adjusted gross income
exceeds the applicable threshold amount. Withdrawals will reduce the
death benefits and account value. Withdrawals may be subject to
withdrawal charges.
The MetLife Shield Level Selector 3-Year Single Premium Deferred Annuity
and MetLife Shield Level Selector Single Premium Deferred Annuity are
issued by MetLife Insurance Company USA on Policy Form L-22494 (09/12),
Charlotte, NC 28277 and in New York, only by Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company on Policy Form ML-22494 (09/12), New York, NY 10166
(collectively and singly, "MetLife"). This product is distributed by
MetLife Investors Distribution Company (member FINRA). All are MetLife
companies.
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