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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: September 19, 2002
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(Date of earliest event reported)
MetLife, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-15787 13-4075851
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) Number) Identification No.)
One Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010-3690
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(212) 578-2211
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Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure
On September 19, 2002, Fitch Ratings lowered its insurer financial
strength and debt ratings of MetLife, Inc. and certain affiliated companies and
assigned debt ratings to two affiliated companies. Fitch Ratings said that the
changes in ratings were a result of its comprehensive industry review of all
North American life insurance groups in light of its belief that recent adverse
performance within the investment markets required an accelerated recognition
of certain industry trends that have been negatively impacting life insurers.
MetLife represents one of 35 life insurance groups, making up approximately 42%
of Fitch's ratings universe, that had ratings lowered as a result of the
review. Fitch Ratings reported that MetLife's Rating Outlook is Stable.
Fitch Ratings reaffirmed MetLife Funding, Inc.'s Commercial Paper and
Short-Term Issuer ratings of "F1+", and GenAmerica Capital I's Guaranteed
Preferred Capital Securities rating of "A-" with a Stable outlook.
The following insurer financial strength and debt ratings changes and
assignments were made by Fitch Ratings.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
--Lowered to "AA" from "AA+"; Outlook: Stable
New England Life Insurance Company
--Lowered to "AA" from "AA+"; Outlook: Stable
General American Life Insurance Company
--Lowered to "AA" from "AA+"; Outlook: Stable
Paragon Life Insurance Company
--Lowered to "AA" from "AA+"; Outlook: Stable
Security Equity Life Insurance Company
--Lowered to "AA" from "AA+"; Outlook: Stable
MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company
--Lowered to "AA" from "AA+"; Outlook: Stable
MetLife Investors Insurance Company
--Lowered to "AA" from "AA+"; Outlook: Stable
MetLife, Inc.
--Long-term issuer -- Lowered to "A" from "AA-"; Outlook: Stable
--5.25% Notes Due 12/1/06 -- Lowered to "A" from "AA-"; Outlook: Stable
--6.125% Notes Due 12/1/11 -- Lowered to "A" from "AA-"; Outlook: Stable
--Commercial paper -- Lowered to "F1" from "F1+"
--Short-term Issuer -- Lowered to "F1" from "F1+"
MetLife Capital Trust I
-- 8% Equity Security Units -- Assign "A-"; Outlook: Stable
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
--Surplus notes -- Lowered to "A+" from "AA-"; Outlook: Stable
(includes surplus notes issued by New England Mutual Life Insurance
Company and assumed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company)
GenAmerica Capital I
--Long-term Issuer -- Assign "A-"; Outlook: Stable
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
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Name: Gwenn L. Carr
Title: Vice-President and Secretary
Date: September 20, 2002