Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

15. Equity

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock authorized, issued and outstanding was as follows:

	December 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Series	Shares Authorized	Shares Issued	Shares Outstanding	Shares Authorized	Shares Issued	Shares Outstanding
Series A preferred stock	27,600,000	24,000,000	24,000,000	27,600,000	24,000,000	24,000,000
Series C preferred stock	1,500,000	1,500,000	1,500,000	1,500,000	1,500,000	1,500,000
Series D preferred stock	500,000	500,000	500,000	—	—	—
Series E preferred stock	32,200	32,200	32,200	—	—	—
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock	10,000,000	—	—	10,000,000	—	—
Not designated	160,367,800	—	—	160,900,000	—	—
Total	200,000,000	26,032,200	26,032,200	200,000,000	25,500,000	25,500,000

In June 2018, MetLife, Inc. issued 32,200 shares of 5.625% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series E (the “Series E preferred stock”) with a $0.01 par value per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of $780 million. MetLife, Inc. deposited the Series E preferred stock under a deposit agreement with a depositary, which issued interests in fractional shares of the Series E preferred stock in the form of depositary shares (“Depositary Shares”) evidenced by depositary receipts; each Depositary Share representing 1/1,000th interest in a share of the Series E preferred stock. In connection with the offering of the Depositary Shares, MetLife, Inc. incurred approximately $25 million of issuance costs which have been recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.

In March 2018, MetLife, Inc. issued 500,000 shares of 5.875% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D (the “Series D preferred stock”) with a $0.01 par value per share and a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of $494 million. In connection with the offering of the Series D preferred stock, MetLife, Inc. incurred $6 million of issuance costs which have been recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.

The outstanding preferred stock ranks senior to MetLife, Inc.’s common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up. Holders of the outstanding preferred stock are entitled to receive dividend payments only when, as and if declared by MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof. Dividends on the preferred stock are not cumulative or mandatory. Accordingly, if dividends are not declared on the preferred stock of the applicable series for any dividend period, then any accrued dividends for that dividend period will cease to accrue and be payable. If a dividend is not declared before the dividend payment date for any such dividend period, MetLife, Inc. will have no obligation to pay dividends accrued for such dividend period whether or not dividends are declared for any future period. No dividends may be paid or declared on MetLife, Inc.’s common stock (or any other securities ranking junior to the preferred stock) and MetLife, Inc. may not purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire its common stock (or other such junior stock) unless the full dividends for the latest completed dividend period on all outstanding shares of preferred stock, and any parity stock, have been declared and paid or provided for.

The table below presents the dividend rates of MetLife, Inc.’s preferred stock outstanding at December 31, 2018:

Series	Per Annum Dividend Rate
A	Three-month LIBOR + 1.00%, with floor of 4.00%, payable quarterly in March, June, September and December
C	5.250% from issuance date to, but excluding, June 15, 2020, payable semiannually in June and December; three-month LIBOR + 3.575%, payable quarterly in March, June, September and December, thereafter
D	5.875% from issuance date to, but excluding, March 15, 2028, payable semiannually in March and September commencing in September 2018; three-month LIBOR + 2.959% payable quarterly in March, June, September and December, thereafter
E	5.625% from issuance date, payable quarterly in March, June, September and December, commencing in September 2018

In the table above, dividends on each series of preferred stock are payable in arrears for the periods specified, if declared.

MetLife, Inc. is prohibited from declaring dividends on the Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A preferred stock”) if it fails to meet specified capital adequacy, net income and stockholders’ equity levels. See “— Dividend Restrictions — MetLife, Inc.”

Holders of the preferred stock do not have voting rights except in certain circumstances, including where the dividends have not been paid for an equivalent of six or more dividend payment periods whether or not those periods are consecutive. Under such circumstances, the holders of the preferred stock have certain voting rights with respect to members of the Board of Directors of MetLife, Inc.

The preferred stock is not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund, retirement fund, purchase fund or similar provisions. The Series A preferred stock is redeemable at MetLife, Inc.’s option in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $25 per share of preferred stock, plus declared and unpaid dividends.

MetLife, Inc. may, at its option, redeem the 5.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C (the “Series C preferred stock”), (i) in whole but not in part, at any time prior to June 15, 2020, within 90 days after the occurrence of a “regulatory capital event,” and (ii) in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after June 15, 2020, in each case, at a redemption price equal to $1,000 per Series C preferred share, plus an amount equal to any dividends per share that have accrued but not been declared and paid for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, such redemption date. A “regulatory capital event” could occur as a result of a change or proposed change in capital adequacy rules (or the interpretation or application thereof) that would apply to MetLife, Inc. from rules (or the interpretation or application thereof) in effect with respect to bank holding companies as of June 1, 2015 that would create a more than insubstantial risk, as determined by MetLife, Inc., that the Series C preferred stock would not be treated as “Tier 1 Capital” or as capital with attributes similar to those of Tier 1 Capital.

MetLife, Inc. may, at its option, redeem the Series D preferred stock, (i) in whole but not in part at any time prior to March 15, 2028, within 90 days after the occurrence of a “rating agency event,” at a redemption price equal to $1,020 per share of Series D preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any dividends per share that have accrued but have not been declared and paid for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date; (ii) in whole but not in part, at any time prior to March 15, 2028, within 90 days after the occurrence of a “regulatory capital event”; and (iii) in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after March 15, 2028, in the case of (ii) or (iii), at a redemption price equal to $1,000 per share of Series D preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any dividends per share that have accrued but not been declared and paid for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, such redemption date. MetLife, Inc. may, at its option, redeem the Series E preferred stock, (i) in whole but not in part at any time prior to June 15, 2023, within 90 days after the occurrence of a “rating agency event,” at a redemption price equal to $25,500 per share of Series E preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any dividends per share that have accrued but have not been declared and paid for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date; (ii) in whole but not in part, at any time prior to June 15, 2023, within 90 days after the occurrence of a “regulatory capital event”; and (iii) in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after June 15, 2023, in the case of (ii) or (iii), at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share of Series E preferred stock, plus an amount equal to any dividends per share that have accrued but not been declared and paid for the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, such redemption date. A “rating agency event” means that any nationally recognized statistical rating organization that then publishes a rating for MetLife, Inc. amends, clarifies or changes the criteria used to assign equity credit to securities like the Series D preferred stock or Series E preferred stock, which results in the lowering of the equity credit assigned to the Series D preferred stock or Series E preferred stock, as applicable, or shortens the length of time that the Series D preferred stock or Series E preferred stock, as applicable, is assigned a particular level of equity credit. A “regulatory capital event” could occur as a result of a change or proposed change in capital adequacy rules (or the interpretation or application thereof) of any capital regulator, including but not limited to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), the Federal Insurance Office, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) or any state insurance regulator as may then have group-wide oversight of MetLife, Inc.’s regulatory capital, from rules (or the interpretation or application thereof) in effect as of March 22, 2018, in the case of the Series D preferred stock, or June 4, 2018, in the case of the Series E preferred stock, that would create a more than insubstantial risk, as determined by MetLife, Inc., that the Series D preferred stock or the Series E preferred stock, as applicable, would not be treated as “Tier 1 capital” or as capital with attributes similar to those of Tier 1 capital, except that a “regulatory capital event” will not include a change or proposed change (or the interpretation or application thereof) that would result in the adoption of any criteria substantially the same as the criteria in the capital adequacy rules of the Federal Reserve Board applicable to bank holding companies as of March 22, 2018, in the case of the Series D preferred stock, or June 4, 2018, in the case of the Series E preferred stock.

On December 31, 2018, RCCs related to the Series A preferred stock and the Series C preferred stock expired.

The declaration, record and payment dates, as well as per share and aggregate dividend amounts, for MetLife, Inc.’s preferred stock were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

			Preferred Stock Dividend
			Series A				Series C				Series D				Series E
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share		Aggregate		Per Share		Aggregate		Per Share		Aggregate		Per Share		Aggregate
			(In millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31, 2018
November 15, 2018	November 30, 2018	December 17, 2018	$	0.253	$	6	$	26.250	$	40	$	—	$	—	$	351.563	$	11
August 15, 2018	August 31, 2018	September 17, 2018	0.256		6		—		—		28.233		14		394.531		12
May 15, 2018	May 31, 2018	June 15, 2018	0.256		7		26.250		39		—		—		—		—
March 5, 2018	February 28, 2018	March 15, 2018	0.250		6		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total			$	1.015	$	25	$	52.500	$	79	$	28.233	$	14	$	746.094	$	23
Year Ended December 31, 2017
November 15, 2017	November 30, 2017	December 15, 2017	$	0.253	$	6	$	26.250	$	39	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
August 15, 2017	August 31, 2017	September 15, 2017	0.256		6		—		—		—		—		—		—
May 15, 2017	May 31, 2017	June 15, 2017	0.256		7		26.250		39		—		—		—		—
March 6, 2017	February 28, 2017	March 15, 2017	0.250		6		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total			$	1.015	$	25	$	52.500	$	78	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Year Ended December 31, 2016
November 15, 2016	November 30, 2016	December 15, 2016	$	0.253	$	6	$	26.250	$	39	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
August 15, 2016	August 31, 2016	September 15, 2016	0.256		6		—		—		—		—		—		—
May 16, 2016	May 31, 2016	June 15, 2016	0.256		7		26.250		39		—		—		—		—
March 7, 2016	February 29, 2016	March 15, 2016	0.253		6		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total			$	1.018	$	25	$	52.500	$	78	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

See Note 22 for information on subsequent preferred stock dividends declared.

Common Stock

Issuances

During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, MetLife, Inc. issued 3,114,141 shares, 4,680,116 shares and 4,439,219 shares of its common stock for $108 million, $158 million and $166 million, respectively, in connection with stock option exercises and other stock-based awards. There were no shares of common stock issued from treasury stock for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Repurchase Authorizations

In November 2016, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors authorized $3.0 billion of common stock repurchases in addition to previously authorized repurchases. In November 2017, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors authorized $2.0 billion of common stock repurchases. In May 2018 and November 2018, MetLife, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors authorized $1.5 billion and $2.0 billion of common stock repurchases, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, MetLife, Inc. repurchased 88,029,138 shares, 56,599,540 shares and 6,948,739 shares under these repurchase authorizations for $4.0 billion, $2.9 billion, and $372 million, respectively. At December 31, 2018, MetLife, Inc. had $1.3 billion remaining under its common stock repurchase authorization. See Note 22 for information on subsequent common stock repurchases.

Under these authorizations, MetLife, Inc. may purchase its common stock from the MetLife Policyholder Trust, in the open market (including pursuant to the terms of a pre-set trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)), and in privately negotiated transactions. Common stock repurchases are subject to the discretion of MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company’s capital position, liquidity, financial strength and credit ratings, general market conditions, the market price of MetLife, Inc.’s common stock compared to management’s assessment of the stock’s underlying value, applicable regulatory approvals, and other legal and accounting factors.

Dividends

The declaration, record and payment dates, as well as per share and aggregate dividend amounts, for MetLife, Inc.’s common stock were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

			Dividend
Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Share		Aggregate
			(In millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31, 2018
October 23, 2018	November 6, 2018	December 13, 2018	$	0.420	$	415
July 6, 2018	August 6, 2018	September 13, 2018	0.420		419
April 24, 2018	May 7, 2018	June 13, 2018	0.420		428
January 5, 2018	February 5, 2018	March 13, 2018	0.400		416
Total			$	1.660	$	1,678
Year Ended December 31, 2017
October 24, 2017	November 6, 2017	December 13, 2017	$	0.400	$	422
July 7, 2017	August 7, 2017	September 13, 2017	0.400		427
April 25, 2017	May 8, 2017	June 13, 2017	0.400		431
January 6, 2017	February 6, 2017	March 13, 2017	0.400		437
Total			$	1.600	$	1,717
Year Ended December 31, 2016
October 25, 2016	November 7, 2016	December 13, 2016	$	0.400	$	441
July 7, 2016	August 8, 2016	September 13, 2016	0.400		441
April 26, 2016	May 9, 2016	June 13, 2016	0.400		441
January 6, 2016	February 5, 2016	March 14, 2016	0.375		413
Total			$	1.575	$	1,736

See Note 22 for information on subsequent common stock dividends declared.

The funding of the cash dividends and operating expenses of MetLife, Inc. is primarily provided by cash dividends from MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries. The statutory capital and surplus, or net assets, of MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulatory restrictions except to the extent that dividends are allowed to be paid in a given year without prior regulatory approval. Dividends exceeding these limitations can generally be made subject to regulatory approval. The nature and amount of these dividend restrictions, as well as the statutory capital and surplus of MetLife, Inc.’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries, are disclosed in “— Statutory Equity and Income” and “— Dividend Restrictions — Insurance Operations.” MetLife, Inc.’s principal non-U.S. insurance operations are branches or subsidiaries of American Life Insurance Company (“American Life”), a U.S. insurance subsidiary of the Company. In addition, the payment of dividends by MetLife, Inc. to its shareholders is also subject to restrictions. See “— Dividend Restrictions — MetLife, Inc.”

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Plans for Employees and Agents

Under the MetLife, Inc. 2015 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2015 Stock Plan”), MetLife, Inc. may grant awards to employees and agents in the form of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares or Performance Share Units, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, Cash-Based Awards and Stock-Based Awards (each, as applicable, as defined in the 2015 Stock Plan with reference to shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock (“Shares”)). Awards under the 2015 Stock Plan and its predecessor plan, the MetLife, Inc. 2005 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2005 Stock Plan”) were outstanding at December 31, 2018. MetLife, Inc. granted all awards to employees and agents in 2018 under the 2015 Stock Plan.

The aggregate number of Shares authorized for issuance under the 2015 Stock Plan at December 31, 2018 was 37,344,024.

With the exception of Performance Shares MetLife, Inc. granted in 2013 through 2018, which are re-measured quarterly, MetLife recognizes compensation expense related to awards under the 2005 Stock Plan or 2015 Stock Plan based on the number of awards it expects to vest, which represents the awards granted less expected forfeitures over the life of the award, as estimated at the date of grant. Unless MetLife observes a material deviation from the assumed forfeiture rate during the term in which the awards are expensed, MetLife recognizes any adjustment necessary to reflect differences in actual experience in the period the award becomes payable or exercisable.

Compensation expense related to awards under the 2005 Stock Plan principally relates to the issuance of Stock Options. Under the 2015 Stock Plan, compensation expense principally relates to Stock Options, Unit Options, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Units. MetLife, Inc. granted the majority of each year’s awards under the 2005 Stock Plan and 2015 Stock Plan in the first quarter of the year.

Awards that have become payable in Shares but the issuance of which has been deferred (“Deferred Shares”), payable to employees or agents related to awards under all plans equaled 1,188,792 Shares at December 31, 2018.

MetLife granted cash-settled awards based in whole or in part on the price of Shares or changes in the price of Shares (“Phantom Stock-Based Awards”) under the MetLife, Inc. International Unit Option Incentive Plan, the MetLife International Performance Unit Incentive Plan, and the MetLife International Restricted Unit Incentive Plan prior to 2015, and under the 2015 Stock Plan in 2015 and later.

Plans for Non-Management Directors

Under the MetLife, Inc. 2015 Non-Management Director Stock Compensation Plan (the “2015 Director Stock Plan”), MetLife, Inc. may grant non-management Directors of MetLife, Inc. awards in the form of nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, or Stock-Based Awards (each, as applicable, as defined in the 2015 Director Stock Plan with reference to Shares).

The only awards MetLife, Inc. granted under the 2015 Director Stock Plan and its predecessor plan, the MetLife, Inc. 2005 Non-Management Director Stock Compensation Plan (the “2005 Director Stock Plan”), through December 31, 2018 were Stock-Based Awards that vested immediately. As a result, no awards under the 2005 Director Stock Plan or 2015 Director Stock Plan remained outstanding at December 31, 2018.

The aggregate number of Shares authorized for issuance under the 2015 Director Stock Plan at December 31, 2018 was 1,660,961.

MetLife recognizes compensation expense related to awards under the 2015 Director Stock Plan based on the number of Shares awarded. MetLife, Inc. granted the majority of the awards in 2015 and 2016 under the 2015 Director Stock Plan in the second quarter of each year.

Deferred Shares payable to Directors related to awards under the 2005 Director Stock Plan, 2015 Director Stock Plan, or earlier applicable plans equaled 246,391 Shares at December 31, 2018.

Compensation Expense Related to Stock-Based Compensation

The components of compensation expense related to stock-based compensation includes compensation expense related to Phantom Stock-Based Awards, and excludes the insignificant compensation expense related to the 2015 Director Stock Plan. Those components were:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In millions)
Stock Options and Unit Options	$	6	$	8	$	9
Performance Shares and Performance Units (1)	23		62		75
Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Units	57		58		63
Total compensation expense	$	86	$	128	$	147
Income tax benefit	$	18	$	45	$	51

__________________

(1) The Company may further adjust the number of Performance Shares it expects to vest, and the related compensation expense, if management changes its estimate of the most likely final performance factor.

The following table presents the total unrecognized compensation expense related to stock-based compensation and the expected weighted average period over which these expenses will be recognized at:

	December 31, 2018
	Expense		Weighted Average Period
	(In millions)		(Years)
Stock Options	$	3	1.12
Performance Shares	$	21	1.72
Restricted Stock Units	$	32	1.27

Equity Awards

Stock Options

Stock Options are the contingent right of award holders to purchase Shares at a stated price for a limited time. All Stock Options have an exercise price equal to the closing price of a Share reported on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on the date of grant, and have a maximum term of 10 years. The majority of Stock Options MetLife, Inc. has granted have become or will become exercisable at a rate of one-third of each award on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Other Stock Options have become or will become exercisable on the third anniversary of the grant date. Vesting is subject to continued service, except for employees who meet specified age and service criteria and in certain other limited circumstances.

A summary of the activity related to Stock Options was as follows:

	Shares Under Option		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1)
					(Years)	(In millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 2018	16,009,754		$	38.77	3.54	$	198
Granted	523,946		$	45.50
Exercised	(1,611,987	)	$	33.68
Expired (2)	(2,488,045	)	$	53.63
Forfeited (3)	(78,374	)	$	41.90
Outstanding at December 31, 2018	12,355,294		$	36.70	3.56	$	66
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2018	12,343,714		$	36.70	3.55	$	66
Exercisable at December 31, 2018	11,116,386		$	35.96	3.02	$	64

__________________

(1) The intrinsic value of each Stock Option is the closing price on a particular date less the exercise price of the Stock Option, so long as the difference is greater than zero. The aggregate intrinsic value of all outstanding Stock Options is computed using the closing Share price on December 31,2018of$41.06and December 31,2017of$50.56, as applicable.

(2) Expired options were exercisable, but unexercised, as of their expiration date.

(3) Forfeited awards were either (a) unvested or unexercisable at the end of the awardholder’s employment, where the awardholder did not meet the criteria for post-employment award continuation; or (b) held by awardholders the Company terminated from employment for cause as defined in the terms of the awards.

MetLife estimates the fair value of Stock Options on the date of grant using a binomial lattice model. The significant assumptions the Company uses in its binomial lattice model include: expected volatility of the price of Shares; risk-free rate of return; dividend yield on Shares; exercise multiple; and the post-vesting termination rate.

MetLife bases expected volatility on an analysis of historical prices of Shares and call options on Shares traded on the open market. The Company uses a weighted-average of the implied volatility for publicly-traded call options with the longest remaining maturity nearest to the money as of each valuation date and the historical volatility, calculated using monthly closing prices of Shares. The Company chose a monthly measurement interval for historical volatility as this interval reflects the Company’s view that employee option exercise decisions are based on longer-term trends in the price of the underlying Shares rather than on daily price movements.

The Company’s binomial lattice model incorporates different risk-free rates based on the imputed forward rates for U.S. Treasury Strips for each year over the contractual term of the option. The table below presents the full range of rates that were used for options granted during the respective periods.

The Company determines dividend yield based on historical dividend distributions compared to the price of the underlying Shares as of the valuation date and held constant over the life of the Stock Option.

The Company’s binomial lattice model incorporates the term of the Stock Options, expected exercise behavior and a post-vesting termination rate, or the rate at which vested options are exercised or expire prematurely due to termination of employment. From these factors, the model derives an expected life of the Stock Option. The model’s exercise behavior is a multiple that reflects the ratio of stock price at the time of exercise over the exercise price of the Stock Option at the time the model expects holders to exercise. The model derives the exercise multiple from actual exercise activity. The model determines the post-vesting termination rate from actual exercise experience and expiration activity under the Incentive Plans.

The following table presents the weighted average assumptions, with the exception of risk-free rate (which is expressed as a range), that the model uses to determine the fair value of unexercised Stock Options:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018	2017	2016
Dividend yield	3.52%	3.05%	3.90%
Risk-free rate of return	2.02% - 3.40%	0.94% - 3.22%	0.62% - 2.85%
Expected volatility	34.18%	34.19%	33.58%
Exercise multiple	1.43	1.43	1.43
Post-vesting termination rate	3.77%	2.94%	2.58%
Contractual term (years)	10	10	10
Expected life (years)	6	6	7
Weighted average exercise price of stock options granted	$45.50	$46.85	$34.33
Weighted average fair value of stock options granted	$11.87	$12.36	$8.27

The following table presents a summary of Stock Option exercise activity:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In millions)
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	24	$	59	$	42
Cash received from exercise of stock options	$	54	$	116	$	84
Income tax benefit realized from stock options exercised	$	5	$	20	$	15

Performance Shares

Performance Shares are units that, if they vest, are multiplied by a performance factor to produce a number of final Performance Shares which are payable in Shares. MetLife accounts for Performance Shares as equity awards. MetLife, Inc. does not credit Performance Shares with dividend-equivalents for dividends paid on Shares. Performance Share awards normally vest in their entirety at the end of the three-year performance period. Vesting is subject to continued service, except for employees who meet specified age and service criteria and in certain other limited circumstances.

For awards granted for the 2016 – 2018 and later performance periods in progress through December 31, 2018, the vested Performance Shares will be multiplied by a performance factor of 0% to 175% that the MetLife, Inc. Compensation Committee will determine in its discretion (subject to MetLife, Inc. meeting threshold performance goals related to its adjusted income or total shareholder return). In doing so, the Compensation Committee may consider MetLife, Inc.’s total shareholder return relative to the performance of its competitors and adjusted return on MetLife, Inc.’s common stockholders’ equity relative to its financial plan. MetLife estimates the fair value of Performance Shares each quarter until they become payable. The performance factor for the 2015 - 2017 performance period was 46.3%.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted Stock Units are units that, if they vest, are payable in an equal number of Shares. MetLife accounts for Restricted Stock Units as equity awards. MetLife, Inc. does not credit Restricted Stock Units with dividend-equivalents for dividends paid on Shares. Accordingly, the estimated fair value of Restricted Stock Units is based upon the closing price of Shares on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of estimated dividends to be paid on that stock.

The majority of Restricted Stock Units normally vest in thirds on or shortly after the first three anniversaries of their grant date. Other Restricted Stock Units normally vest in their entirety on the third or later anniversary of their grant date. Vesting is subject to continued service, except for employees who meet specified age and service criteria and in certain other limited circumstances.

The following table presents a summary of Performance Share and Restricted Stock Unit activity:

	Performance Shares				Restricted Stock Units
	Shares		Weighted Average Fair Value (1)		Units		Weighted Average Fair Value (1)
Outstanding at January 1, 2018	4,033,760		$	46.02	3,304,377		$	37.17
Granted	1,405,903		$	34.31	1,446,289		$	40.00
Forfeited (2)	(201,146	)	$	40.88	(201,914	)	$	38.79
Payable (3)	(1,194,283	)	$	46.34	(1,602,483	)	$	37.04
Outstanding at December 31, 2018	4,044,234		$	34.18	2,946,269		$	38.52
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2018	3,984,022		$	34.18	2,903,433		$	38.49

__________________

(1) Values for awards outstanding at January 1, 2018, represent weighted average number of awards multiplied by the fair value per Share at December 31, 2017. Otherwise, all values represent weighted average of number of awards multiplied by the fair value per Share at December 31, 2018. Fair value of Restricted Stock Units on December 31, 2018 was equal to Grant Date fair value.

(2) Forfeited awards were either (a) unvested or unexercisable at the end of the awardholder’s employment, where the awardholder did not meet the criteria for post-employment award continuation; or (b) held by awardholders the Company terminated from employment for cause as defined in the terms of the awards.

(3) Includes both Shares paid and Deferred Shares for later payment.

Performance Share amounts above represent aggregate awards at target, and do not reflect potential increases or decreases that may result from the performance factor. At December 31, 2018, the performance period for the 2016 — 2018 Performance Share grants was completed, but the performance factor had not yet been determined. Included in the immediately preceding table are 1,594,846 outstanding Performance Shares to which the 2016 — 2018 performance factor will be applied.

Liability Awards (Phantom Stock-Based Awards)

Certain MetLife subsidiaries have a liability for Phantom Stock-Based Awards in the form of Unit Options, Performance Units, and/or Restricted Units. These Share-based cash settled awards are recorded as liabilities until MetLife makes payment. The fair value of unsettled or unvested liability awards is re-measured at the end of each reporting period based on the change in fair value of one Share. The liability and corresponding expense are adjusted accordingly until the award is settled.

Unit Options

Unit Options are the contingent right of award holders to receive a cash payment equal to the closing price of a Share on the exercise date, less the closing price on the grant date, if the difference is greater than zero, for a limited time. All Unit Options have an exercise price equal to the closing price of a Share reported on the NYSE on the date of grant, and have a maximum term of 10 years. The majority of Unit Options have become or will become eligible for exercise at a rate of one-third of each award on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Other Unit Options have become or will become eligible for exercise on the third anniversary of the grant date. Vesting is subject to continued service, except for employees who meet specified age and service criteria and in certain other limited circumstances.

Performance Units

Performance Units are units that, if they vest, are multiplied by a performance factor to produce a number of final Performance Units which are payable in cash equal to the closing price of a Share on a date following the last day of the three-year performance period. Performance Units are accounted for as liability awards. MetLife, Inc. does not credit them with dividend-equivalents for dividends paid on Shares. Accordingly, the estimated fair value of Performance Units is based upon the closing price of a Share on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of estimated dividends to be paid on that stock during the performance period.

See “— Equity Awards — Performance Shares” for a discussion of the Performance Shares vesting period and performance factor calculation, which are also used for Performance Units.

Restricted Units

Restricted Units are units that, if they vest, are payable in cash equal to the closing price of a Share on the last day of the restriction period. The majority of Restricted Units normally vest in thirds on or shortly after the first three anniversaries of their grant date. Other Restricted Units normally vest in their entirety on the third or later anniversary of their grant date. Vesting is subject to continued service, except for employees who meet specified age and service criteria and in certain other limited circumstances. Restricted Units are accounted for as liability awards. MetLife, Inc. does not credit Restricted Units with dividend-equivalents for dividends paid on Shares. Accordingly, the estimated fair value of Restricted Units is based upon the closing price of a Share on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of estimated dividends to be paid on that stock during the performance period.

The following table presents a summary of Liability Awards activity:

	Unit Options		Performance Units		Restricted Units
Outstanding at January 1, 2018	681,012		688,229		779,076
Granted	37,904		235,076		392,549
Exercised	(54,361	)	—		—
Expired (1)	(118,107	)	—		—
Forfeited (2)	—		(142,621	)	(140,321	)
Paid	—		(186,085	)	(362,202	)
Outstanding at December 31, 2018	546,448		594,599		669,102
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2018	539,165		577,005		651,263

__________________

(1) Expired options were exercisable, but unexercised, as of their expiration date.

(2) Forfeited awards were either (a) unvested or unexercisable at the end of the awardholder’s employment, where the awardholder did not meet the criteria for post-employment award continuation; or (b) held by awardholders the Company terminated from employment for cause as defined in the terms of the awards.

Performance Units amounts above represent aggregate awards at target, and do not reflect potential increases or decreases that may result from the performance factor. At December 31, 2018, the performance period for the 2016 - 2018 Performance Unit grants was completed, but the performance factor had not yet been determined. Included in the immediately preceding table are 212,464 outstanding Performance Units to which the 2016 - 2018 performance factor will be applied.

Statutory Equity and Income

The states of domicile of MetLife, Inc.’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries each impose risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements that were developed by the NAIC. American Life does not write business in Delaware or any other U.S. state and, as such, is exempt from RBC requirements by Delaware law. Regulatory compliance is determined by a ratio of a company’s total adjusted capital, calculated in the manner prescribed by the NAIC (“TAC”) to its authorized control level RBC, calculated in the manner prescribed by the NAIC (“ACL RBC”), based on the statutory-based filed financial statements. Companies below specific trigger levels or ratios are classified by their respective levels, each of which requires specified corrective action. The minimum level of TAC before corrective action commences is twice ACL RBC (“Company Action Level RBC”). While not required by or filed with insurance regulators, the Company also calculates an internally defined combined RBC ratio (“Statement-Based Combined RBC Ratio”), which is determined by dividing the sum of TAC for MetLife, Inc.’s principal U.S. insurance subsidiaries, excluding American Life, by the sum of Company Action Level RBC for such subsidiaries. The Company’s Statement-Based Combined RBC Ratio was in excess of 360% and in excess of 390% at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In addition, all non-exempted U.S. insurance subsidiaries individually exceeded Company Action Level RBC for all periods presented.

MetLife, Inc.’s foreign insurance operations are regulated by applicable authorities of the jurisdictions in which each entity operates and are subject to minimum capital and solvency requirements in those jurisdictions before corrective action commences. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the adjusted capital of American Life’s insurance subsidiary in Japan, the Company’s largest foreign insurance operation, was in excess of four times the 200% solvency margin ratio that would require corrective action. Excluding Japan, the aggregate required capital and surplus of the Company’s other foreign insurance operations was $4.1 billion and the aggregate actual regulatory capital and surplus of such operations was $11.1 billion as of the date of the most recent required capital adequacy calculation for each jurisdiction. The Company’s foreign insurance operations exceeded the minimum capital and solvency requirements as of the date of the most recent fiscal year-end capital adequacy calculation for each jurisdiction, with immaterial exceptions.

MetLife, Inc.’s insurance subsidiaries prepare statutory-basis financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the insurance department of the state of domicile or applicable foreign jurisdiction. The NAIC has adopted the Codification of Statutory Accounting Principles (“Statutory Codification”). Statutory Codification is intended to standardize regulatory accounting and reporting to state insurance departments. However, statutory accounting principles continue to be established by individual state laws and permitted practices. Modifications by the various state insurance departments may impact the effect of Statutory Codification on the statutory capital and surplus of MetLife, Inc.’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries.

Statutory accounting principles differ from GAAP primarily by charging policy acquisition costs to expense as incurred, establishing future policy benefit liabilities using different actuarial assumptions, reporting surplus notes as surplus instead of debt and valuing securities on a different basis.

In addition, certain assets are not admitted under statutory accounting principles and are charged directly to surplus. The most significant assets not admitted by the Company are net deferred income tax assets resulting from temporary differences between statutory accounting principles basis and tax basis not expected to reverse and become recoverable within three years. Further, statutory accounting principles do not give recognition to purchase accounting adjustments. MetLife, Inc.’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries have no material state prescribed accounting practices, except as described below.

New York has adopted certain prescribed accounting practices, primarily consisting of the continuous Commissioners’ Annuity Reserve Valuation Method, which impacts deferred annuities, and the New York Special Consideration Letter, which mandates certain assumptions in asset adequacy testing. The collective impact of these prescribed accounting practices decreased the statutory capital and surplus of MLIC for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 by $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, compared to what capital and surplus would have been had it been measured under NAIC guidance.

American Life calculates its policyholder reserves on insurance written in each foreign jurisdiction in accordance with the reserve standards required by such jurisdiction. Additionally, American Life’s insurance subsidiaries are valued based on each respective subsidiary’s underlying local statutory equity, adjusted in a manner consistent with the reporting prescribed for its branch operations. The prescribed practice exempts American Life from calculating and disclosing the impact to its statutory capital and surplus. The tables below present amounts from MetLife, Inc.’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries, which are derived from the statutory-basis financial statements as filed with the insurance regulators.

Statutory net income (loss) was as follows:

		Years Ended December 31,
Company	State of Domicile	2018		2017		2016
		(In millions)
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (1)	New York	$	3,656	$	1,982	$	3,444
American Life Insurance Company	Delaware	$	2,086	$	3,077	$	341
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (2)	Delaware	N/A		N/A		$	1,186
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company	Rhode Island	$	345	$	197	$	171
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company (3)	Nebraska	$	76	$	164	$	8
New England Life Insurance Company (2)	Massachusetts	N/A		N/A		$	109
Other (4)	Various	$	16	$	11	$	(70	)

__________________

(1) In December 2016, MLIC transferred all of the issued and outstanding shares of the common stock of each ofNew England Life Insurance Company(“NELICO”) and General American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”) to MetLife, Inc., in the form of a non-cash extraordinarydividend.

(2) In April 2017, in connection with the Separation, MetLife, Inc. contributed all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of each of Brighthouse Insurance and NELICO to Brighthouse Holdings, LLC. As a result of the Separation, Brighthouse Insurance and NELICO ceased to be subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc.

(3) In April 2018, Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company (“MTL”) merged with GALIC (“MTL Merger”). The surviving entity of the merger was MTL, which re-domesticated from Delaware to Nebraska immediately prior to the merger. For the year ended December 31, 2016, MTL’s statutory net income (loss) is as filed with the Delaware Department of Insurance and accordingly, does not include GALIC’s statutory net income (loss) of ($2) million.

(4) In April 2017, in connection with the Separation, MetLife, Inc. contributed all of the issued and outstanding shares of Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY (“Brighthouse NY”) to Brighthouse Holdings, LLC. As a result of the Separation, Brighthouse NY ceased to be a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. For the year ended December 31, 2016, statutory net income (loss) of Brighthouse NY was($87) million.

Statutory capital and surplus was as follows at:

	December 31,
Company	2018		2017
	(In millions)
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company	$	11,098	$	10,384
American Life Insurance Company	$	4,921	$	6,548
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company	$	2,322	$	2,266
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company (1)	$	1,549	$	1,751
Other	$	106	$	100

__________________

(1) See discussion of MTL Merger above.

The Company’s U.S. captive life reinsurance subsidiaries, which reinsure risks including the closed block, level premium term life and ULSG assumed from other MetLife subsidiaries, have no state prescribed accounting practices, except for MRV.

MRV, with the explicit permission of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Vermont, has included, as admitted assets, the value of letters of credit serving as collateral for reinsurance credit taken by various affiliated cedants, in connection with reinsurance agreements entered into between MRV and the various affiliated cedants, which resulted in higher statutory capital and surplus of $2.8 billion and $2.7 billion for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. MRV’s RBC would have triggered a regulatory event without the use of the state prescribed practice.

The combined statutory net income (loss) of MetLife, Inc.’s U.S. captive life reinsurance subsidiaries was ($59) million, $2.1 billion and ($344) million for the years ended December 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and the combined statutory capital and surplus, including the aforementioned prescribed practice, was $1.7 billion at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Dividend Restrictions

Insurance Operations

The table below sets forth the dividends permitted to be paid by MetLife, Inc.’s primary insurance subsidiaries without insurance regulatory approval and the actual dividends paid:

	2019		2018		2017
Company	Permitted Without Approval (1)		Paid (2)		Paid (2)
	(In millions)
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company	$	3,096	$	3,736	$	2,523
American Life Insurance Company	$	—	$	3,200	$	2,200
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company	$	171	$	233	$	185
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company (3)	$	154	$	191	$	—
General American Life Insurance Company (3)	N/A		$	—	$	1

__________________

(1) Reflects dividend amounts that may be paid by the end of 2019 without prior regulatory approval.

(2) Reflects all amounts paid, including those where regulatory approval was obtained as required.

(3) See discussion of MTL Merger above.

Under the New York State Insurance Law, MLIC is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay stockholder dividends to MetLife, Inc. in any calendar year based on either of two standards. Under one standard, MLIC is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay dividends out of earned surplus (defined as positive unassigned funds (surplus), excluding 85% of the change in net unrealized capital gains or losses (less capital gains tax), for the immediately preceding calendar year), in an amount up to the greater of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (ii) its statutory net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year (excluding realized capital gains), not to exceed 30% of surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year. In addition, under this standard, MLIC may not, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, pay any dividends in any calendar year immediately following a calendar year for which its net gain from operations, excluding realized capital gains, was negative. Under the second standard, if dividends are paid out of other than earned surplus, MLIC may, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, pay an amount up to the lesser of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (ii) its statutory net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year (excluding realized capital gains). In addition, MLIC will be permitted to pay a dividend to MetLife, Inc. in excess of the amounts allowed under both standards only if it files notice of its intention to declare such a dividend and the amount thereof with the New York Superintendent of Financial Services (the “Superintendent”) and the Superintendent either approves the distribution of the dividend or does not disapprove the dividend within 30 days of its filing. Under the New York State Insurance Law, the Superintendent has broad discretion in determining whether the financial condition of a stock life insurance company would support the payment of such dividends to its stockholder.

Under the Delaware Insurance Code, American Life is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay a stockholder dividend to MetLife, Inc. as long as the amount of the dividend, when aggregated with all other dividends in the preceding 12 months, does not exceed the greater of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (ii) its net statutory gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year (excluding realized capital gains), not including pro rata distributions of American Life’s own securities. American Life will be permitted to pay a dividend to MetLife, Inc. in excess of the greater of such two amounts only if it files notice of the declaration of such a dividend and the amount thereof with the Delaware Commissioner of Insurance (the “Delaware Commissioner”) and the Delaware Commissioner either approves the distribution of the dividend or does not disapprove the distribution within 30 days of its filing. In addition, any dividend that exceeds earned surplus (defined as “unassigned funds (surplus)”) as of the immediately preceding calendar year requires insurance regulatory approval. Under the Delaware Insurance Code, the Delaware Commissioner has broad discretion in determining whether the financial condition of a stock life insurance company would support the payment of such dividends to its stockholders.

Under the Rhode Island Insurance Code, Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“MPC”) is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay a stockholder dividend to MetLife, Inc. as long as the aggregate amount of all such dividends in any 12 month period does not exceed the lesser of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (ii) net income, not including realized capital gains, for the immediately preceding calendar year, not including pro rata distributions of MPC’s own securities. In determining whether a dividend is extraordinary, MPC may include carry forward net income from the previous two calendar years, excluding realized capital gains less dividends paid in the second and immediately preceding calendar years. MPC will be permitted to pay a dividend to MetLife, Inc. in excess of the lesser of such two amounts only if it files notice of its intention to declare such a dividend and the amount thereof with the Rhode Island Commissioner of Insurance (the “Rhode Island Commissioner”) and the Rhode Island Commissioner either approves the distribution of the dividend or does not disapprove the distribution within 30 days of its filing. Under the Rhode Island Insurance Code, the Rhode Island Commissioner has broad discretion in determining whether the financial condition of a stock property and casualty insurance company would support the payment of such dividends to its stockholders.

Under the Nebraska Insurance Code, MTL is permitted, without prior insurance regulatory clearance, to pay a stockholder dividend to MetLife, Inc. as long as the amount of the dividend, when aggregated with all other dividends in the preceding 12 months, does not exceed the greater of: (i) 10% of its surplus to policyholders as of the end of the immediately preceding calendar year, or (ii) its net statutory gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year (excluding realized capital gains), not including pro rata distributions of MTL’s own securities. MTL will be permitted to pay a dividend to MetLife, Inc. in excess of the greater of such two amounts only if it files notice of the declaration of such a dividend and the amount thereof with the Director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance (the “Nebraska Director”) and the Nebraska Director either approves the distribution of the dividend or does not disapprove the distribution within 30 days of its filing. In addition, any dividend that exceeds earned surplus (defined as “unassigned funds (surplus)”), excluding unrealized capital gains) as of the immediately preceding calendar year requires insurance regulatory approval. Under the Nebraska Insurance Code, the Nebraska Director has broad discretion in determining whether the financial condition of a stock life insurance company would support the payment of such dividends to its stockholders.

MetLife, Inc.

In addition to regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by its insurance subsidiaries to MetLife, Inc., the payment of dividends by MetLife, Inc. to its stockholders is also subject to other restrictions. The declaration and payment of dividends are subject to the discretion of MetLife, Inc.’s Board of Directors and will depend on its financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. In addition, the payment of dividends on MetLife, Inc.’s common stock, and MetLife, Inc.’s ability to repurchase its common stock, may be subject to restrictions described below arising under the terms of MetLife, Inc.’s Series A preferred stock and its junior subordinated debentures in situations where MetLife, Inc. may be experiencing financial stress, as described below. For purposes of this discussion, “junior subordinated debentures” are deemed to include MetLife, Inc.’s Fixed-to-Floating Rate Exchangeable Surplus Trust Securities, as discussed in Note 14.

“Dividend Stopper” Provisions in the Preferred Stock and Junior Subordinated Debentures. If MetLife, Inc. has not paid the full dividends on its preferred stock for the latest completed dividend period, MetLife, Inc. may not repurchase or pay dividends on its common stock during a dividend period under so-called “dividend stopper” provisions. Further, MetLife, Inc.’s Series A preferred stock and its junior subordinated debentures contain provisions that would suspend the payment of preferred stock dividends and interest on junior subordinated debentures if MetLife, Inc. fails to meet certain risk-based capital ratio, net income and stockholders’ equity tests at specified times, except to the extent of the net proceeds from the issuance of certain securities during specified periods. If Series A preferred stock dividends or interest on junior subordinated debentures are not paid, certain provisions in those instruments (including under “dividend stopper” provisions) may restrict MetLife, Inc. from repurchasing its common or preferred stock or paying dividends on its common or preferred stock and interest on its junior subordinated debentures.

The junior subordinated debentures further provide that MetLife, Inc. may, at its option and provided that certain conditions are met, defer payment of interest without giving rise to an event of default for periods of up to 10 years. In that case, after five years MetLife, Inc. would be obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to sell equity securities to raise proceeds to pay the interest. MetLife, Inc. would not be subject to limitations on the number of deferral periods that MetLife, Inc. could begin, so long as all accrued and unpaid interest is paid with respect to prior deferral periods. If MetLife, Inc. were to defer payments of interest, the “dividend stopper” provisions in the junior subordinated debentures would thus prevent MetLife, Inc. from repurchasing or paying dividends on its common stock or other capital stock (including the preferred stock) during the period of deferral, subject to exceptions.

MetLife, Inc. is a party to certain RCCs which limit its ability to eliminate these restrictions through the repayment, redemption or purchase of junior subordinated debentures by requiring MetLife, Inc., with some limitations, to receive cash proceeds during a specified period from the sale of specified replacement securities prior to any repayment, redemption or purchase. See Note 14 for a description of such covenants.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Information regarding changes in the balances of each component of AOCI attributable to MetLife, Inc., was as follows:

	Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses), Net of Related Offsets (1)			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment			Total
	(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	10,311		$	1,458		$	(4,950	)	$	(2,052	)	$	4,767
OCI before reclassifications	800			344			(476		)	(62		)	606
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)	(338		)	(100		)	114			24			(300		)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax	10,773			1,702			(5,312		)	(2,090		)	5,073
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	21			229			—			193			443
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)	(9		)	(66		)	—			(75		)	(150		)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax	12			163			—			118			293
Balance at December 31, 2016	10,785			1,865			(5,312		)	(1,972		)	5,366
OCI before reclassifications	5,392			(140		)	765			(23		)	5,994
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)	(1,732		)	47			125			8			(1,552		)
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax	14,445			1,772			(4,422		)	(1,987		)	9,808
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(289		)	(1,025		)	—			167			(1,147		)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)	87			356			—			(43		)	400
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax	(202		)	(669		)	—			124			(747		)
Disposal of subsidiary (3)	(2,286		)	(305		)	51			28			(2,512		)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)	800			107			(19		)	(10		)	878
Disposal of subsidiary, net of income tax	(1,486		)	(198		)	32			18			(1,634		)
Balance at December 31, 2017	12,757			905			(4,390		)	(1,845		)	7,427
OCI before reclassifications	(8,735		)	157			(679		)	143			(9,114		)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)	1,961			(41		)	36			(35		)	1,921
AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax	5,983			1,021			(5,033		)	(1,737		)	234
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	14			517			—			120			651
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)	(3		)	(135		)	—			(29		)	(167		)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax	11			382			—			91			484
Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles	(425		)	—			—			—			(425		)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense), cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles	1,473			210			36			(382		)	1,337
Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, net of income tax (2)	1,048			210			36			(382		)	912
Sale of subsidiary (3)	—			—			92			—			92
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	7,042		$	1,613		$	(4,905	)	$	(2,028	)	$	1,722

__________________

(1) See Note 8 for information on offsets to investments related to future policy benefits, DAC, VOBA and DSI, and the policyholder dividend obligation.

(2) See Note 1 for further information on adoption of new accounting pronouncements.

(3) See Note 3.

Information regarding amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI was as follows:

AOCI Components	Amounts Reclassified from AOCI									Consolidated Statements of Operations Locations
	Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In millions)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses):
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	$	6		$	404		$	78		Net investment gains (losses)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	(1		)	20			39			Net investment income
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	(19		)	(49		)	(37		)	Net derivative gains (losses)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	—			(86		)	(101		)	Discontinued operations
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), before income tax	(14		)	289			(21		)
Income tax (expense) benefit	3			(87		)	9
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of income tax	(11		)	202			(12		)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives - cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps	23			24			56			Net derivative gains (losses)
Interest rate swaps	18			16			12			Net investment income
Interest rate swaps	—			2			36			Discontinued operations
Interest rate forwards	(2		)	(11		)	(1		)	Net derivative gains (losses)
Interest rate forwards	2			2			4			Net investment income
Interest rate forwards	1			1			1			Other expenses
Interest rate forwards	—			3			4			Discontinued operations
Foreign currency swaps	(558		)	974			(350		)	Net derivative gains (losses)
Foreign currency swaps	(5		)	—			(2		)	Net investment income
Foreign currency swaps	2			2			2			Other expenses
Foreign currency swaps	—			11			5			Discontinued operations
Credit forwards	1			1			3			Net derivative gains (losses)
Credit forwards	1			—			1			Net investment income
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, before income tax	(517		)	1,025			(229		)
Income tax (expense) benefit	135			(356		)	66
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of income tax	(382		)	669			(163		)
Defined benefit plans adjustment: (1)
Amortization of net actuarial gains (losses)	(145		)	(190		)	(199		)
Amortization of prior service (costs) credit	25			23			6
Amortization of defined benefit plan items, before income tax	(120		)	(167		)	(193		)
Income tax (expense) benefit	29			43			75
Amortization of defined benefit plan items, net of income tax	(91		)	(124		)	(118		)
Total reclassifications, net of income tax	$	(484	)	$	747		$	(293	)

__________________

(1) These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs. See Note 17.