Exhibit 99.1

Contacts:  For Media:      John Calagna
                           (212) 578-6252

           For Investors:  Tracey Dedrick
                           (212) 578-5140


                SEC INQUIRY AT NEW ENGLAND LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

NEW YORK, December 17, 2004 - MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) announced today that its
subsidiary, New England Life Insurance Company (NELICO), received a Wells Notice
in connection with a previously disclosed SEC investigation regarding a $31
million after-tax charge taken in the 2nd Quarter of 2003 resulting from certain
improperly deferred expenses at NELICO. The Wells Notice provides notice that
the SEC staff is considering recommending that the SEC bring a civil action
alleging violations of the U.S. securities laws. Under the SEC procedures, a
recipient can respond to the SEC staff before the staff makes a formal
recommendation regarding whether any action alleging violations of the U.S.
securities laws should be considered. MetLife continues to cooperate fully with
the SEC in its investigation.

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 individuals in approximately 13 million
households in the U.S. and provide benefits to 37 million employees and family
members through their plan sponsors. Outside the U.S., the MetLife companies
serve approximately 8 million customers through direct insurance operations in
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South
Korea, Taiwan and Uruguay. For more information about MetLife, please visit the
company's Web site at www.metlife.com.

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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 results or other
consequences from litigation, arbitration or regulatory investigations; (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 credit 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; (xiv) the company's
ability to identify and consummate on successful terms any future acquisitions,
and to successfully integrate acquired businesses with minimal disruption; and
(xv) 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.