Exhibit 99.1




Contacts:         For Media:        John Calagna
                                    212-578-6252
                                    jcalagna@metlife.com

                  For Investors:    Kevin Helmintoller
                                    212-578-5140
                                    helmintoller@metlife.com

                  METLIFE ANNOUNCES ENHANCED FLEXIBILITY IN ITS
                            STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

NEW YORK, June 25, 2002 - MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced that its
board of directors terminated the company's automatic stock repurchase program
pursuant to which it has been repurchasing all shares, subject to certain
limitations, available for sale from the MetLife Policyholder Trust. The
policyholder trust was established in connection with the demutualization of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. This change will improve the company's
flexibility in determining the timing and amount of repurchases in its overall
repurchase program, including purchases from the policyholder trust.

MetLife reaffirmed its plans to repurchase approximately $600 million of its
common stock in 2002. From January 1, 2002 through June 21, 2002, MetLife
repurchased approximately 13.6 million shares at an aggregate cost of
approximately $429 million. During that time period, sales from the policyholder
trust equaled approximately 3% of the average daily trading volume of MetLife
common stock.

From the company's initial public offering in April 2000 through June 21, 2002,
the company has repurchased approximately 84.9 million shares at an aggregate
cost of approximately $2.4 billion.

The company's current repurchase authorization permits repurchases from the
policyholder trust, in the open market and through privately negotiated
transactions. The timing of all repurchases will be dependent upon market
conditions and other corporate considerations. The company's stock repurchase
program may be modified, extended or terminated by its board of directors at any
time.

MetLife emphasized that the change in its repurchase program does not alter the
manner in which those who hold shares in the policyholder trust buy or sell
their shares of MetLife common stock.

MetLife, Inc., through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading provider of
insurance and other financial services to individual and institutional
customers. The MetLife companies serve approximately 10 million individual
households in the U.S. and companies and institutions with 33 million employees
and members. It also has international insurance operations in 13 countries.

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