-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, OUAOBfC/mEO8XNkMassBMv5ngfaYcX9HcMlqguCOiGY3tof/m9Kukn7F4LiPYCcw SUblmkqvdIJrG3xduVD7aw== 0000950123-03-001120.txt : 20030210 0000950123-03-001120.hdr.sgml : 20030210 20030210172443 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-03-001120 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20030210 ITEM INFORMATION: Other events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits ITEM INFORMATION: FILED AS OF DATE: 20030210 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: METLIFE INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001099219 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411] IRS NUMBER: 134075851 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-15787 FILM NUMBER: 03548064 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE MADISON AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10010-3690 BUSINESS PHONE: 2125782211 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE MADISON AVENUE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10010-3690 8-K 1 y66515ae8vk.txt METLIFE, INC. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 -------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report: February 10, 2003 --------------------------------- (Date of earliest event reported) MetLife, Inc. ------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-15787 13-4075851 - ---------------------------- ---------------- ------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) Number) Identification No.) One Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010-3690 ------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 578-2211 -------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure. Asbestos-Related Claims Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (hereinafter, "Metropolitan Life" or the "Company"), a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., is a defendant in thousands of lawsuits seeking compensatory and punitive damages for personal injuries allegedly caused by exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing products. Metropolitan Life has never engaged in the business of manufacturing, producing, distributing or selling asbestos or asbestos-containing products nor has Metropolitan Life issued liability or workers' compensation insurance to companies in the business of manufacturing, producing, distributing or selling asbestos or asbestos-containing products. Rather, these lawsuits have principally been based upon allegations relating to certain research, publication and other activities of one or more of Metropolitan Life's employees during the period from the 1920's through approximately the 1950's and alleging that Metropolitan Life learned or should have learned of certain health risks posed by asbestos and, among other things, improperly publicized or failed to disclose those health risks. MetLife does not believe that it should have legal liability in such cases. Legal theories asserted against Metropolitan Life have included negligence, intentional tort claims and conspiracy claims concerning the health risks associated with asbestos. Although, Metropolitan Life believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims, and has not suffered any adverse monetary judgments in respect of these claims, due to the risks and expenses of litigation, almost all past cases have been resolved by settlements. Metropolitan Life's defenses (beyond denial of certain factual allegations) to plaintiffs' claims include (i) that MetLife owed no duty to the plaintiffs -- it had no special relationship with the plaintiffs and did not manufacture, produce, distribute or sell the asbestos products that allegedly injured plaintiffs; (ii) that plaintiffs cannot demonstrate justifiable detrimental reliance; and (iii) that plaintiffs cannot demonstrate proximate causation. In defending asbestos cases, MetLife selects various strategies depending upon the jurisdictions in which such cases are brought and other factors which, in MetLife's judgment, best protect MetLife's interests. Strategies include seeking to settle or compromise claims, motions challenging the legal or factual basis for such claims or defending on the merits at trial. In the last twelve months, two trial courts granted motions dismissing claims against Metropolitan Life on some or all of the above grounds. Other courts have denied motions brought by Metropolitan Life to dismiss cases without the necessity of trial. There can be no assurance that Metropolitan Life will receive favorable decisions on motions in the future. Metropolitan Life intends to continue to exercise its best judgment regarding settlement or defense of such cases, including when trials of these cases are appropriate. The following table sets forth the total number of asbestos personal injury claims pending against Metropolitan Life as of the dates indicated, the number of new claims during the years ended on those dates and the total settlement payments made to resolve asbestos personal injury claims during those years:
At or for the Years Ended December 31, ------------ 2002 2001 2000 ---- ---- ---- Asbestos personal injury claims at year end (approximate).............. 106,500 89,000 73,000 Number of new claims during year (approximate)......................... 66,000 59,500 54,500 Settlement payments during year (dollars in millions)(1)............... $95.1 $90.7 $71.1
- --------------- (1) Settlement payments represent payments made by Metropolitan Life during the year in connection with settlements made in that year and in prior years. Amounts do not include Metropolitan Life's attorneys' fees and expenses and do not reflect amounts received from insurance carriers. During the fourth quarter of 2002, Metropolitan Life analyzed its claims experience and reviewed external publications and numerous variables to identify trends and assess their impact on its recorded asbestos liability. Certain publications suggest a trend towards more asbestos-related claims and a greater awareness of asbestos litigation generally by potential plaintiffs and plaintiffs' lawyers. Plaintiffs' lawyers continue to advertise heavily with respect to asbestos litigation. Bankruptcies and reorganizations of other defendants in asbestos litigation may increase the pressures on remaining defendants, including Metropolitan Life. Through the first nine months of 2002, the number of new claims received by Metropolitan Life was lower than those received during the comparable 2001 period. However, the number of new claims received by Metropolitan Life during the fourth quarter of 2002 was significantly higher than those received in the prior year quarter, resulting in more new claims being received by Metropolitan Life in 2002 than in 2001. Factors considered in review also included expected trends in filing cases, the dates of initial exposure of plaintiffs to asbestos, the likely percentage of total asbestos claims which included Metropolitan Life as a defendant and experience in claims settlement negotiations. Metropolitan Life also considered views derived from actuarial calculations it made in the fourth quarter of 2002. These calculations were made using, among other things, current information regarding Metropolitan Life's claims and settlement experience, information available in public reports, as well as a study regarding the possible future incidence of mesothelioma. Based on all of the above information, including greater than expected claims experience over the last three years, Metropolitan Life expects to receive more claims in the future than it had previously expected.Previously, Metropolitan Life's liability reflected that the increase in asbestos-related claims was a result of an acceleration in the reporting of such claims; its liability now reflects that such increase is also the result of increase in the total number of asbestos-related claims expected to be received by it. Accordingly, Metropolitan Life increased its recorded liability for asbestos-related claims by $402 million from $820 million to approximately $1,225 million at December 31, 2002. This total recorded asbestos-related liability (after the self-insured retention) is within the coverage of the excess insurance policies discussed below. During 1998, Metropolitan Life paid $878 million in premiums for excess insurance policies for asbestos-related claims. The excess insurance policies for asbestos-related claims provide for recovery of losses up to $1,500 million, which is in excess of a $400 million self-insured retention. The asbestos-related policies are also subject to annual and per-claim sublimits. Amounts are recoverable under the policies annually with respect to claims paid during the prior calendar year. Although amounts paid by Metropolitan Life in any given year that may be recoverable in the next calendar year under the policies will be reflected as a reduction in the Company's operating cash flows for the year in which they are paid,, management believes that the payments will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's liquidity. Each asbestos-related policy contains an experience fund and a reference fund that provides for payments to the Company at the commutation date if the reference fund is greater than zero at commutation or pro rata reductions from time to time in the loss reimbursements to the Company if the cumulative return on the reference fund is less than the return specified in the experience fund. The return in the reference fund is tied to performance of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index. A claim will be made under the excess insurance policies in 2003 for the amounts paid with respect to asbestos litigation in excess of the retention. Based on performance of the reference fund, at December 31, 2002, the loss reimbursements to the Company in 2003 and the recoverable with respect to later periods will be $42 million less than the amount of the recorded losses. Such foregone loss reimbursements may be recovered upon commutation depending upon future performance of the reference fund. The foregone loss reimbursements are estimated to be $9 million with respect to 2002 claims and $42 million in the aggregate. The $402 million increase in the recorded liability for asbestos claims less the foregone loss reimbursement adjustment of $42 million ($27 million after-tax) resulted in an increase in the recoverable by $360 million. At December 31, 2002, a portion ( $136 million) of the $360 million recoverable was recognized in income while the remainder ($224 million) was recorded as a deferred gain which is expected to be recognized in the future over the estimated settlement period of the excess insurance policies. The $402 million increase in the recorded liability, less the portion of the recoverable recognized in income, resulted in a net expense of $266 million, $169 million, net of income taxes. The $360 million recoverable may change depending on the future performance of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index. As a result of the excess insurance policies, $1,237 million is recorded as a recoverable at December 31, 2002 ($224 million of which is deferred as mentioned above); the amount includes recoveries expected to be obtained in 2003 for amounts paid in 2002. If at some point in the future, the Company believes the liability for probable and estimable losses for asbestos-related claims should be increased, an expense would be recorded and the insurance recoverable would be adjusted subject to the terms, conditions and limits of the excess insurance policies. Portions of the change in the insurance recoverable would be deferred and amortized into income over the estimated remaining settlement period of the insurance policies. The Company believes adequate provision has been made in its consolidated financial statements for all reasonably probable and estimable losses for asbestos-related claims. The ability of Metropolitan Life to estimate its ultimate asbestos exposure is subject to considerable uncertainty due to numerous factors. The availability of data is limited and it is difficult to predict with any certainty numerous variables that can affect liability estimates, including the number of future claims, the cost to resolve claims, the disease mix and severity of disease, the jurisdiction of claims filed, tort reform efforts and the impact of any possible future adverse verdicts and their amounts. Recent bankruptcies of other companies involved in asbestos litigation, as well as advertising by plaintiffs' asbestos lawyers, may be resulting in an increase in the number of claims and the cost of resolving claims, as well as the number of trials and possible adverse verdicts Metropolitan Life may experience. Plaintiffs are seeking additional funds from defendants, including Metropolitan Life, in light of such recent bankruptcies by certain other defendants. Metropolitan Life will continue to study its claims experience, review external literature regarding asbestos claims experience in the United States and consider numerous variables that can affect its asbestos liability exposure, including bankruptcies of other companies involved in asbestos litigation and legislative and judicial developments, to identify trends and to assess their impact on the recorded asbestos liability. The number of asbestos cases that may be brought or the aggregate amount of any liability that Metropolitan Life may ultimately incur is uncertain. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that the Company's total exposure to asbestos claims may be greater than the liability recorded by the Company in its consolidated financial statements and that future charges to income may be necessary. While the potential future charges could be material in particular quarterly or annual periods in which they are recorded, based on information currently known by management, it does not believe any such charges are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. METLIFE, INC. By: /s/ Gwenn L. Carr ------------------------------------- Name: Gwenn L. Carr Title: Vice-President and Secretary Date: February 10, 2003 EX-99.1 3 y66515aexv99w1.txt PRESS RELEASE Exhibit 99.1 Contacts: For Media: John Calagna (212) 578-6252 For Investors: Kevin Helmintoller (212) 578-5140 METLIFE ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2002 RESULTS ~ Fourth Quarter Net Income of $0.78 Per Diluted Share, Full-Year 2002 of $2.20 Per Diluted Share ~ NEW YORK, February 10, 2003 - MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today reported fourth quarter 2002 net income of $561 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $296 million, or $0.40 loss per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2001. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2002 included after-tax net investment gains of $223 million ($0.31 per diluted share), consisting of $1.03 billion of pre-tax gross investment gains, partially offset by $723 million of pre-tax gross investment losses (including $339 million of writedowns). The gross investment gains were primarily derived from the company's real estate sales program, which resulted in $575 million of pre-tax investment gains from the sale of 17 properties that had a carrying value of approximately $840 million. The net loss for the fourth quarter 2001 included net investment losses of $172 million after-tax ($0.23 loss per diluted share). Operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2002 were $338 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, compared with an operating loss of $124 million, or $0.17 loss per diluted share, for the prior year period. (Operating earnings are defined as net income excluding after-tax net investment gains or losses, and the after-tax impact from the cumulative effect of accounting changes. Operating earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure that management uses in managing the company's business and evaluating its results.) Fourth quarter 2002 net income and operating earnings also included the following items: - - A $169 million after-tax charge ($0.23 per diluted share) related to the company's asbestos-related litigation, approximately $142 million ($0.20 per diluted share) of which is expected to be amortized into income in future periods; - - A $20 million after-tax benefit ($0.03 per diluted share) from the release of a previously established liability for the company's 2001 business realignment initiatives; and, - - A $17 million after-tax benefit ($0.02 per diluted share) from the release of a previously established liability for disability insurance-related losses from the September 11, 2001 tragedies. The $169 million after-tax charge resulted from a $402 million increase in the company's asbestos-related liability. This increase resulted from MetLife's ongoing review of its asbestos-related litigation. Including this increase, MetLife's total recorded asbestos-related liability was approximately $1.23 billion at December 31, 2002. This amount is within the coverage of the excess insurance policies obtained in 1998 for asbestos-related liabilities that provide for the recovery of losses up to $1.50 billion. Concurrent with the increase, MetLife raised the level of its recoverable under these insurance policies. A portion of the recoverable was deferred and is expected to be amortized into income over the life of the excess insurance policies. The company filed today a Form 8-K that includes additional information with respect to the company's asbestos-related litigation. The fourth quarter 2001 net loss and operating loss also included several items: - - A $330 million after-tax charge ($0.44 per diluted share) related to the aforementioned business realignment initiatives; - - A $159 million after-tax charge ($0.21 per diluted share) to cover costs associated with a class action lawsuit and a related regulatory inquiry pending against Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; and, - - The establishment of a $74 million after-tax policyholder liability ($0.10 per diluted share) with respect to certain group annuity contracts at New England Financial. Total premiums and fees for the fourth quarter of 2002 were $5.81 billion, up 15% from the prior year period. "We surpassed a number of goals this year as we continued our earnings momentum and enhanced our operations, while maintaining our strong financial strength and credit ratings," said Robert H. Benmosche, chairman and chief executive officer. "The exceptional results of Institutional Business resulted in an operating return on allocated equity of 23.0%. Individual Business exceeded its goal of reducing operating expenses by $200 million pre-tax, while streamlining its operations." "Through improved operating fundamentals, including rate increases, Auto & Home exceeded its goal of $155 million in operating earnings and achieved a combined ratio under 100%. And, through strategic and accretive acquisitions in Mexico and Chile, our International business nearly tripled its operating earnings while continuing to plant seeds for future growth," said Mr. Benmosche. "We also took steps to build on our financial strength, including completing a $1 billion debt offering in December and successfully executing our real estate sales program," added Mr. Benmosche. "These actions - which demonstrate our financial flexibility - coupled with strong fundamental statutory earnings, significantly enhanced Metropolitan Life Insurance Company's capital and surplus position in 2002." Mr. Benmosche also reiterated the company's 2003 annual operating earnings guidance in the range of $2.80 to $2.90 per diluted share. FULL YEAR NET INCOME AND OPERATING EARNINGS Net income for 2002 was $1.61 billion, or $2.20 per diluted share. For 2001, net income was $473 million, or $0.62 per diluted share. The 2002 net income included after-tax net investment losses of $139 million ($0.19 per diluted share) consisting of $2.97 billion of pre-tax gross investment losses (including $1.50 billion of writedowns) and $2.62 billion of pre-tax gross investment gains. Net income for 2001 included net investment losses of $433 million ($0.56 per diluted share). Operating earnings for 2002 were $1.74 billion, or $2.39 per diluted share, compared with $906 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, in 2001. Operating return on equity (ROE) for 2002 was 11.7%, up from 6.1% for the prior year. Full-year 2002 and 2001 net income and operating earnings, as well as operating ROE, included the aforementioned items in the fourth quarters. Net income for 2001 also included losses of $208 million after-tax ($0.27 per diluted share) associated with the September 11th tragedies. Excluding these items, 2002 operating ROE was 12.7%, up from 11.3% in 2001. Total premiums and fees for 2002 were $21.2 billion, up 11% from the prior year. Total assets under management grew 6% to $299.2 billion at December 31, 2002, compared with $282.5 billion at December 31, 2001. FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR SEGMENT RESULTS Individual Business Fourth Quarter Results: Individual Business operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2002 were $174 million, up from $52 million in the prior year quarter. The 2001 quarter included a $61 million business realignment initiatives charge and a $74 million charge relating to the establishment of a New England Financial policyholder liability, both of which are net of income taxes. The current year quarter included an after-tax charge of $13 million in the universal life insurance product line reflecting a one-time refinement in expected mortality costs. Results excluding the aforementioned items were flat versus the year-ago period. The positive impact of expense savings, improved underwriting results and higher interest margins on the company's fixed annuity products were offset by the impact of poor equity markets on lower fee revenues and higher guaranteed minimum death benefit claims, as well as higher expenses related to the segment's allocated pension and other post-retirement benefit costs. Total life insurance and annuity premiums and deposits increased 11% to $4.58 billion from $4.11 billion in the year-ago quarter. Total first year life insurance premiums and deposits (excluding corporate owned life insurance, or COLI, and bank owned life insurance, or BOLI, sales) were $234 million, up 8% from $217 million for the fourth quarter of 2001. First year premiums and deposits for variable and universal life insurance products (excluding COLI and BOLI sales) were $174 million, up 13% from $154 million for the same period in 2001. Annuity deposits were $2.35 billion, up 34% from $1.76 billion for the prior year period, driven by increases in production by: MetLife Investors Group, up 67%; MetLife Resources, up 24%; and, MetLife Financial Services, up 11%. Fixed annuity deposits were $464 million, down 6% from $493 million in the prior year quarter, and up 3% from the third quarter of 2002. Variable annuity deposits were $1.89 billion, up 49% from $1.27 billion in the prior year quarter, and up 23% from the third quarter of 2002. Full Year Results: Individual Business operating earnings for 2002 were $770 million, compared with $585 million in the prior year. The 2001 results included the aforementioned $61 million business realignment initiatives charge, a $74 million charge relating to the establishment of a New England Financial policyholder liability, and a $15 million loss associated with the September 11th tragedies, all of which are net of income taxes. Improved underwriting and investment margins in traditional life insurance offset declines in variable life insurance and annuities due to the impact of equity market performance on product fees, amortization of deferred acquisition costs, and higher guaranteed minimum death benefit claims. Individual Business exceeded its expense savings goal and ended the year with savings of $140 million after-tax ($220 million pre-tax). The expense reduction was partially offset by a $65 million after-tax increase in allocated pension and other post-retirement benefit costs. Total life insurance and annuity premiums and deposits increased 14% to $16.20 billion from $14.26 billion from the prior year. Total first year life insurance premiums and deposits (excluding COLI and BOLI sales) were $859 million, up 17% from $734 million in 2001. First year premiums and deposits for variable and universal life insurance products (excluding COLI and BOLI sales) were $645 million, up 19% from $543 million in 2001. Annuity deposits were $7.89 billion, up 39% from $5.68 billion for the prior year, again driven by increases in production by: MetLife Investors Group, up 98%; New England Financial, up 32%; MetLife Resources, up 16%; and, MetLife Financial Services, up 6%. Fixed annuity deposits were $1.47 billion, up 21% from $1.21 billion for the prior year. Variable annuity deposits were $6.42 billion, up 44% from $4.47 billion for the prior year. Institutional Business Fourth Quarter Results: Institutional Business operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2002 were $262 million, up from a loss of $47 million for the prior year period. The 2002 quarter included the aforementioned $20 million after-tax release of a previously established liability for business realignment initiatives in the retirement and savings product line, and a $17 million after-tax release of a previously established liability in the non-medical health and other product line for disability insurance-related losses associated with the September 11, 2001 tragedies. The 2001 quarter included a $267 million after-tax business realignment initiatives charge (with $264 million, $2 million and $1 million impacting the retirement and savings, non-medical health and other, and group life product lines, respectively). The following discussion of quarter-over-quarter variances is based on product line operating earnings excluding the aforementioned items: Group life results were $82 million, compared with $76 million during the prior year period. The increase was due to improved underwriting and higher investment spreads, partially offset by slightly higher investments in technology. Non-medical health and other results were $43 million, compared with $35 million in the 2001 quarter. Better underwriting results, particularly in the disability and long-term care product lines, contributed to this increase. Retirement and savings results were $100 million, down from $109 million in the prior year period. Improvements in expense efficiencies, driven primarily by the exit from the large market 401(k) administrative business, were offset by lower investment spreads and slightly lower underwriting results. Total premiums, fees and other revenues increased 17% to $2.46 billion from $2.10 billion reported in the fourth quarter of 2001. Premiums, fees and other revenues for the non-medical health and other category increased 19% to $824 million from $691 million for the prior year period. Group life premiums, fees and other revenues increased 11% to $1.33 billion from $1.20 billion in the year-ago period. Full Year Results: Institutional Business operating earnings for 2002 were $981 million, compared with $379 million for 2001. The 2002 results included the aforementioned $20 million after-tax release of a liability for business realignment initiatives in the retirement and savings product line, and a $17 million after-tax release of a liability in the non-medical health and other product line for disability insurance-related losses associated with the September 11, 2001 tragedies. The 2001 results included the aforementioned $267 million after-tax business realignment initiatives charge (with $264 million, $2 million and $1 million impacting the retirement and savings, non-medical health and other, and group life product lines, respectively) and a $182 million after-tax loss associated with the September 11th tragedies (with $99 million related to group life and $83 million related to non-medical health and other). The following discussion of year-over-year variances is based on product line operating earnings excluding the aforementioned items: Group life results were $308 million, compared with $298 million for the prior year. Increased investment spreads and improved underwriting results were partially offset by slightly higher investments in technology. Non-medical health and other results were $184 million, compared with $152 million for the prior year. Improvements were driven by better underwriting results primarily in the disability and long-term care product lines, slightly higher investment spreads and improved expense efficiencies. Retirement and savings results were $452 million, compared with $378 million for the prior year. Improved underwriting results in the company's group annuity product lines combined with the exit from the large market 401(k) administrative business and the discontinuation of the externally managed, guaranteed index separate accounts, drove the year-over-year increase in earnings. Total premiums, fees and other revenues were up 11% to $9.48 billion from $8.53 billion reported in 2001. Premiums, fees and other revenues for the non-medical health and other category increased 12% in 2002 to $3.14 billion from $2.81 billion for the prior year. Group life premiums, fees and other revenues increased 5% to $5.16 billion from $4.93 billion for the prior year. Auto & Home Fourth Quarter Results: Auto & Home operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2002 were $48 million, compared with $43 million for the prior year quarter. The 2001 quarter included a $2 million after-tax business realignment initiatives charge. Growth in this segment resulted from continuing rate increases in its automobile and homeowners product lines, as well as lower operating expenses, partially offset by increased homeowners claims severity. Full Year Results: Auto & Home operating earnings for 2002 were $162 million, compared with $52 million in 2001. The 2001 results included a $2 million business realignment initiatives charge and a $4 million loss associated with the September 11th tragedies, both of which are net of income taxes. Year-over-year implemented rate increases of 11% and 26% in the automobile and homeowners lines, respectively, combined with volatility management actions and fewer catastrophe and weather-related losses, drove the significant increase in earnings. Partially offsetting these items were higher claims severity levels and increased costs associated with the segment's participation in the New York State automobile assigned risk pool. Auto & Home's combined ratio in 2002 was 99.4%, compared with 106% for the prior year. The improvement in the combined ratio was driven by increased average earned premium resulting from rate increases, fewer catastrophe and other weather-related losses, and better expense efficiencies. International Fourth Quarter Results: Operating earnings from International in the fourth quarter of 2002 were $38 million compared with an after-tax operating loss of $8 million in the year-ago period. The 2002 quarter included approximately $26 million of after-tax earnings from acquisitions in Mexico and Chile. In addition, operating earnings benefited from the modifications of policy contracts under a plan authorized by the Superintendency of Insurance in Argentina, partially offset by the costs associated with the company's decision to close its operations in Poland. The 2001 quarter was negatively impacted by an $18 million after-tax operating loss in Argentina, which reflected the impact of the economic environment at that time, substantially offset by deployed tax strategies in International's mature operations. Full Year Results: International operating earnings were $94 million for 2002, up from $32 million in 2001. The acquisition of Aseguradora Hidalgo, S.A. in June 2002 and the Chilean acquisition in November 2001 contributed $55 million to 2002 after-tax earnings. In 2001, a $20 million after-tax operating loss in Argentina was substantially offset by deployed tax strategies in International's mature operations. Reinsurance Fourth Quarter Results: Reinsurance operating earnings for the fourth quarter of 2002 were $15 million, up from a loss of $1 million in the prior year quarter. The reinsurance operations are conducted primarily through Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE: RGA), of which MetLife beneficially owns approximately 59%. The increase in fourth quarter 2002 operating earnings is due primarily to premium growth and improved results at RGA, which were partially offset by lower results from MetLife's wholly-owned reinsurance affiliate. The 2001 quarter included an increase in liabilities related to RGA's Argentine pension business and higher than expected claims levels in its U.S. operation. Full Year Results: Reinsurance operating earnings in 2002 were $79 million, up from $46 million in 2001. The 2001 results included $7 million after-tax of losses associated with the September 11th tragedies. The increase in earnings for the year was due primarily to premium growth and improved results from RGA, partially offset by lower results from MetLife's wholly-owned reinsurance affiliate. Asset Management Fourth Quarter Results: Operating earnings for the asset management segment were $1 million for the fourth quarter of 2002, down from $2 million in the year-ago period. Full Year Results: Asset management operating earnings for 2002 were $8 million, compared with $11 million in 2001. The decline in the fourth quarter and full-year 2002 earnings was primarily due to lower assets under management resulting from adverse equity market conditions and customer withdrawals. The full-year 2001 earnings included results from Conning Corporation, which was sold by MetLife on July 2, 2001. Corporate and Other Fourth Quarter Results: Corporate and Other reported an operating loss of $200 million in the fourth quarter of 2002, compared with an operating loss of $165 million in the year-ago period. The 2002 quarter included the $169 million after-tax charge for asbestos-related litigation, while the 2001 quarter included a $159 million after-tax litigation charge. The decline from the prior year quarter resulted from a lower investment yield and a reduction in Corporate and Other's average asset base, due primarily to the funding of the acquisitions in Mexico and Chile as well as share repurchase activity in 2002. The fourth quarter loss was slightly offset by $19 million of after-tax income associated with the sale of a company-occupied building (501 Boylston Street, Boston, MA). Full Year Results: Corporate and Other reported an operating loss of $350 million in 2002, compared with an operating loss of $199 million in the prior year. The 2002 results included the $169 million after-tax charge for asbestos-related litigation, while the 2001 results included the $159 million after-tax litigation charge. The operating loss in 2002 was negatively impacted by lower investment yields and a reduction in Corporate and Other's average asset base related to the acquisitions and share repurchases mentioned above. In addition, 2002 results declined due to the settlement provision for General American Life Insurance Company's former Medicare business, partially offset by income associated with the sale of 501 Boylston Street (mentioned above). CORPORATE EVENTS Share Repurchase For the quarter ended December 31, 2002, the company did not repurchase any common shares. From April 2000 to December 31, 2002, the company bought back approximately 86.6 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $2.4 billion. At December 31, 2002, the company had approximately $806 million remaining on its existing share repurchase authorization. Earnings Conference Call MetLife will hold its fourth quarter and full-year 2002 earnings conference call and audio Webcast on Tuesday, February 11, 2003, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. (ET). The conference call will be available live via telephone and Internet. To listen over the telephone, dial (612) 326-1003 (domestic and international callers). To listen to the conference call over the Internet, visit www.metlife.com (through a link on the Investor Relations page). Those who want to listen to the call on the telephone or via the Internet should dial in or go to the Web site at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, and/or download and install any necessary audio software. The conference call will be available for replay via telephone and Internet beginning at 11:30 a.m. (ET) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003, until Tuesday, February 18, 2003, at 11:59 p.m. (ET). To listen to a replay of the conference call over the telephone, dial (320) 365-3844 (domestic and international callers). The access code for the replay is 670217. To access the replay of the conference call over the Internet, visit the above-mentioned Web site. 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 12 million individuals in the U.S. and companies and institutions with 33 million employees and members. It also has international insurance operations in 12 countries. # # # This release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to trends in the company's operations and financial results and the business and the products of the company and its subsidiaries, as well as other statements including words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are made based upon management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the company. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to the following: (i) changes in general economic conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest rates; (ii) heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors and the development of new products by new and existing competitors; (iii) unanticipated changes in industry trends; (iv) the company's primary reliance, as a holding company, on dividends from its subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations and the applicable regulatory restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such dividends; (v) deterioration in the experience of the "closed block" established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (vi) catastrophe losses; (vii) adverse litigation or arbitration results; (viii) regulatory, accounting or tax changes that may affect the cost of, or demand for, the company's products or services; (ix) downgrades in the company's and its affiliates' claims paying ability, financial strength or debt ratings; (x) changes in rating agency policies or practices; (xi) discrepancies between actual claims experience and assumptions used in setting prices for the company's products and establishing the liabilities for the company's obligations for future policy benefits and claims; (xii) discrepancies between actual experience and assumptions used in establishing liabilities related to other contingencies or obligations; (xiii) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to terrorism or other hostilities; and (xiv) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its S-1 and S-3 registration statements. The company specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. For a copy of MetLife's Quarterly Financial Supplement, please visit www.metlife.com. MetLife, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operating Earnings Unaudited (Dollar amounts in millions)
Three months ended December 31, Year ended December 31, ------------------------------- ----------------------- 2002 2001 2002 2001 --------- --------- --------- --------- Premiums and fees $ 5,809 $ 5,054 $ 21,225 $ 19,101 Net investment income 2,964 2,883 11,453 11,380 Other revenues 301 377 1,377 1,507 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total 9,074 8,314 34,055 31,988 --------- --------- --------- --------- Policyholder benefits, claims and dividends 5,737 5,526 21,465 20,540 Interest credited to policyholder account balances 773 856 2,950 3,084 Other expenses 2,085 2,129 7,067 7,022 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total 8,595 8,511 31,482 30,646 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating earnings, before provision for income taxes 479 (197) 2,573 1,342 Provision for income taxes 141 (73) 829 436 --------- --------- --------- --------- OPERATING EARNINGS (1) $ 338 $ (124) $ 1,744 $ 906 ========= ========= ========= =========
(1) In accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 ("SFAS 144"), a recently issued accounting standard pertaining to long-lived assets, income related to the company's real estate sold and held for sale is classified as Discontinued Operations. Included in operating earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 is $15 million and $21 million related to real estate sold and held for sale. Included in operating earnings for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 is $82 million and $86 million, respectively, related to real estate sold and held for sale. This presentation differs from the presentation required by SFAS 144. MetLife, Inc. Financial Highlights Unaudited (Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data or unless otherwise noted)
At or for the three months At or for the 12 months ended December 31, ended December 31, -------------------------- ----------------------- 2002 2001 2002 2001 -------- -------- -------- -------- Other Financial Data: Operating earnings $ 338 $ (124) $ 1,744 $ 906 Net income $ 561 $ (296) $ 1,605 $ 473 Total assets under management (billions) $ 299 $ 283 $ 299 $ 283 Individual Business Sales Data: Total first year life premiums and deposits $ 235 $ 272 $ 912 $ 962 Variable and universal life first year premiums and deposits $ 175 $ 209 $ 698 $ 771 Total annuity deposits $ 2,352 $ 1,763 $ 7,893 $ 5,676 Mutual fund sales $ 548 $ 692 $ 2,612 $ 3,064 Earnings per Share Calculation: Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 720.9 747.0 729.2 767.0 Operating earnings per share - diluted $ 0.47 $ (0.17) $ 2.39 $ 1.18 Net income per share - diluted $ 0.78 $ (0.40) $ 2.20 $ 0.62
MetLife, Inc. Balance Sheet Data Unaudited (Dollar amounts in millions)
At At December 31, December 31, 2002 2001 ------------ ------------ Balance Sheet Data: General account assets $ 217,692 $ 194,256 Separate account assets 59,693 62,714 ------------ ------------ Total assets $ 277,385 $ 256,970 ============ ============ Policyholder liabilities (including amounts of closed block) $ 165,242 $ 151,005 Short-term debt 1,161 355 Long-term debt 4,425 3,628 Other liabilities 28,214 21,950 Separate account assets 59,693 62,714 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities 258,735 239,652 ------------ ------------ Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities 1,265 1,256 ------------ ------------ Common stock, at par value 8 8 Capital in excess of par value 14,968 14,966 Retained earnings 2,807 1,349 Treasury stock (2,405) (1,934) Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,007 1,673 ------------ ------------ Total equity 17,385 16,062 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 277,385 $ 256,970 ============ ============
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