Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Event

23. Subsequent Events

Common Stock Repurchases

In 2016, through January 7, 2016, MetLife, Inc. repurchased 1,445,864 shares of its common stock in the open market for $70 million completing the September 2015 authorization.

Dividends

Preferred Stock

On February 19, 2016, MetLife, Inc. announced a first quarter 2016 dividend of $0.253 per share, for a total of $6 million, on its Series A preferred stock, subject to the final confirmation that it has met the financial tests specified in the certificate of designation for the Series A preferred stock, which the Company anticipates will be made and announced on or about March 7, 2016. The dividend will be payable March 15, 2016 to shareholders of record as of February 29, 2016.

Common Stock

On January 6, 2016, the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors declared a first quarter 2016 common stock dividend of $0.375 per share payable on March 14, 2016 to shareholders of record as of February 5, 2016. The Company estimates that the aggregate dividend payment will be $413 million.

The Separation

On January 12, 2016, the Company announced its plan to pursue the Separation. The Company is currently evaluating structural alternatives for the proposed Separation, including a public offering of shares in an independent, publicly traded company, a spin-off, or a sale. The completion of a public offering would depend on, among other things, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing and review process, as well as market conditions. Any Separation that might occur will be subject to the satisfaction of various conditions and approvals, including approval of any transaction by the MetLife, Inc. Board of Directors, satisfaction of any applicable requirements of the SEC, and receipt of insurance and other regulatory approvals and other anticipated conditions.