My Retirement Benefit FAQs

Explore answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Transition to MetLife

Your former employer transferred your retirement benefits to us. Going forward we will be making your benefit payment and manage all the services related to your retirement benefit.1

 

Yes. You should receive our welcome package, welcoming you to the MetLife family and providing you with information about your retirement benefits. We will also provide you with an annuity certificate describing your benefits. You’ll receive this certificate from us several months following your first payment. 

 

No, there will be no changes to the gross amount of your benefit payment transferred to MetLife.

No, but it’s important that you review the information provided in the welcome package you received from us. Please call us at 1-800-638-5656 if any information appears incorrect. 

If the transition took place any day other than January 1st, you would receive two tax forms - one from us for benefits paid during the time we made payments to you, and one from your prior benefit payor.

Contacting MetLife

You can call us at 1-800-638-5656. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 9:00pm Eastern Time.

You can create a MyBenefits account to view and manage your benefit information.

To create an account:

  • Click Register to begin
  • Enter your personal information for verification
  • Create a username and password

To add this benefit to an existing MyBenefits account:

  • Click log in and enter your existing username and password
  • Click on the “‘Don’t see all your policies?’” link
  • Select the option titled “‘I obtained my policy/benefit through my employer, an association or a court ordered settlement’”
  • Enter your group as “Retirement Income”

IMPORTANT: If your former employer is still transitioning your benefit to us, you may not be able to see your account information. Try again after you receive your first payment. 

You can submit documents by using one of the options below:

Online:

Register or log in to Mybenefits

Mail:

Retirement & Income Solutions
PO Box 14710
Lexington, KY 40512-4710

Fax:

1-866-855-2773

Email:

ARSDocuments@metlife.com

Managing My Benefit

This benefit is an annuity that your former employer purchased on your behalf. We are now responsible for the payments promised to you and for providing all services related to this benefit.1,2

No, you cannot change the form of your annuity, unless changes are permitted by the group annuity contract. If you believe that there is a mistake in the form of your annuity, please contact us at 1-800-638-5656.

No, you cannot make changes to the Survivor you named when you elected the Joint and Survivor Annuity, unless changes are permitted by the group annuity contract. 

No, we don’t mail monthly statements confirming direct deposit. You can register or log in to MyBenefits to view your payment information any time, day or night after your first payment. Follow the instructions above under “How can I access my benefit information?” to register on MyBenefits. 

Not at this time.

Save time, you can make most changes online through your MyBenefits account. Follow the instructions above under “How can I access my benefit information?” to register on MyBenefits.

You can also call us at 1-800-638-5656. 

Please call us 1-800-638-5656 to report any updates to your personal information including divorce, remarriage or death of a spouse. Depending on your circumstances, we can determine any change to your benefit and advise if additional documentation is required.

You can access your annual tax form online through your MyBenefits account, or you can also call us at 1-800-638-5656, we’re here Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m ET.

Follow the instructions above under “How can I access my benefit information?” to register on MyBenefits.

You can request an income verification letter online through your MyBenefits account, or you can also call us at 1-800-638-5656, we’re here Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET.

Follow the instructions above under “How can I access my benefit information?” to register on MyBenefits.

Common Annuity Terms

An annuity certificate is a document that summarizes the terms of the annuity payments purchased for you.

A group annuity contract is a type of insurance contract issued by an insurance company1 to the Plan Sponsor of
a tax-qualified defined benefit retirement plan which guarantees benefit payments to individuals covered under the contract.2 Annuity certificates are issued to the individuals under a group annuity contract. The certificate and other communications will include a contract number also referred to as Group Number.

An annuitant is an individual who’s entitled to an annuity benefit as evidenced by an annuity certificate. The term annuitant is used to describe the primary person who receives payments as well as a survivor who may receive payments under the terms of the annuity.

MetLife Ratings & Information

Visit us at metlife.com/about-us.

Insurance companies are regulated by state law and are required to maintain enough capital to satisfy their financial obligations to their policyholders.

1 Group annuity contracts can be issued by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, 200 Park Ave. NY, NY 10166 or Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company, 5601 South 59th St., Lincoln, NE 68516. Like most group annuity contracts, MetLife group annuities contain certain limitations, exclusions and terms for keeping them in force. Ask a MetLife representative for costs and complete details.

2 All guarantees are subject to the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing MetLife insurance company.