Frequently Asked Questions

You can change your address and/or phone number through the MetOnline servicing site. Watch this video to see how easy it is.

Providing us with your updated information helps us to keep you informed about the status of your policies. If you don’t have time to register for MetOnline today, you can complete our Online Change of Address Form.

You can now view and print tax statements by logging in to your online account and selecting the option to view documents. You can also send a request to requests@metlife.com to request a copy of the 1099 form.

You can fax and email requests to the following:
Fax number: 1-877-547-9666
Email: requests@metlife.com

For contracts that are available online, you can complete by logging into your online account and selecting "Transfer Funds" from the drop down menu.

You can contact your financial professional with any questions, log in to your online account, or reach MetLife at the numbers below:

Individual Annuities: 1-800-638-7732

• Check with your financial institution to find out whether it can arrange an electronic payment, so that it can send the payment automatically to MetLife.
• For other options available that may enable you to make the payment electronically, contact our call center at 1-800-638-7732.
• For customers in Maryland, visit https://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/newscenter/NewsDetails.aspx?NR=2021294 for more information. 

Yes, the taxable portion of your payment is taxed as ordinary income in the year you take the withdrawal. We will send you a 1099R generally showing the taxable amount and any taxes withheld to help you file your taxes.

For any tax related questions, we recommend you reach out to a tax advisor.  You may be subject to tax penalties and the underestimated tax rules if withholding amounts aren’t enough.

In general, your income benefit works one of two ways: 

1.  You can take income in regular payments for the withdrawal amount allowed under the benefit. You can start or stop this at any time. You have the option to withdraw the income as one lump sum payment or split it up into regular payments.   

2.  You can annuitize many, but not all, income benefits to create a lifetime stream of income.  To learn more, please contact us at 1-800-638-7732.

Information on your financial advisor can be found in the upper right-hand corner of your statement. If no advisor is listed, we suggest conducting an internet search or asking a trusted source, such as family or friends for a recommendation.

To put your bank account on file, simply complete the EFT enrollment form.  

To update your beneficiary(ies), download the beneficiary form here.

The step-up is an option provided to you because of your selection of the GMIB Rider when you signed up for your annuity. The step-up is designed to lock-in gains by increasing your income base to the higher amount. If you choose to step-up, you will not be able to receive guaranteed lifetime income payments at the new increased value until after the 10-year waiting period.  A new GMIB rider fee may also apply. See the form for further information.

This feature offers you the opportunity to restore any deposits (purchase payments) made within 120 days of the contract effective date found on the upper right-hand corner of your statement.  Please be aware, the value is adjusted for any withdrawals to date and electing this option also terminates your Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit rider and any fees associated with it.

An RMD generally is a type of distribution required under IRS rules where minimum amounts must be withdrawn annually starting the year the contract holder reaches their RMD beginning age or, if later, the year in which they retire.

Your RMD is determined by dividing your retirement account’s prior year-end fair market value by the applicable distribution period or life expectancy factor. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a worksheet to help you calculate the amount you must withdraw. The RMD amount is calculated each year, so the amount that must be withdrawn each year may be different.

You must take your first RMD by April 1^st of the year following the year you reach your RMD beginning age. You must then take all subsequent RMDs by December 31^st of each year. If you delayed your first RMD until April 1^st of the year following the year you reached your RMD beginning age then you must also take a second RMD, for the current year, by December 31^st of the same year.

To begin taking your RMD, you may submit an RMD request form or reach out to our Customer Service Team.

If you missed taking your RMD, or fail to take the full RMD amount, you'll be subject to an IRS penalty. The IRS may waive this penalty if you can show that the missed RMD was due to reasonable error, and you are taking reasonable steps to correct the error. For additional information, we recommend your reach out to a tax advisor.