MetLife’s story began in 1863 as an insurer of soldiers during the Civil War. In the years that followed, the company pivoted to democratize access to insurance through the creation of “industrial” plans that brought newfound financial security to the doorsteps of working families.
During a volatile era defined by war and economic hardship, the company emerged as a pillar of resilience. By prioritizing public health and financial relief, the organization supported communities in uncertain times and grew to become the largest company in the world in total assets.
MetLife led the second half of the 20th century in its use of data technology in the workplace. The company made insurance relatable to millions through a historic advertising partnership, culminating in record-breaking industry mergers.
Entering the new millennium, MetLife became a publicly traded company and rapidly expanded its operations around the globe. Recent years have focused on driving positive community impact and growth.
The beginnings of MetLife date to 1863 when a group of New York City businessmen founded the National Union and Limb Insurance Company. The new company insured American Civil War sailors and soldiers. After several reorganizations, company management decided to focus on life insurance, and chose the name Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, opening its doors on March 24, 1868.
Protecting families in uncertain times
In 1879, Metropolitan Life pioneered “industrial” insurance—affordable coverage for working families. Agents collected weekly premiums door-to-door, making protection accessible to millions.
Making insurance personal
For 44 years beginning in 1909, Metropolitan Life’s Visiting Nurse Service provided free in-home care to policyholders. With 100 million visits across the U.S. and Canada, the initiative helped families stay healthy and safe.
Caring beyond coverage
After the Titanic disaster in 1912, Metropolitan Life transformed its headquarters at One Madison Avenue into an administrative relief center and paid the first death benefit within 12 hours after the docking of Carpathia—helping families when they needed it most.
Standing strong in times of tragedy
Metropolitan Life started selling group insurance plans in 1917, with the initial 54 plans covering 16,100 lives for $11.2 million.
Bringing benefits to the workplace
Metropolitan Life helped thousands of farmers restore foreclosed farms through its Farm Rehabilitation Program in the 1930s. Agricultural experts improved rundown properties and allowed farmers to work on a share basis until debts were paid. Over 7,000 farms were reopened, with many former owners repurchasing their land.
Sowing the seeds of recovery
In 1934, Fortune called Metropolitan Life “the biggest company in the world” on a total asset basis. By the end of 1933, MetLife paid $1.9 million in claims daily, invested $848,000, and issued nearly 20,000 policies each day. Its assets soared to $3.86 billion, cementing its dominance in the insurance industry.
Growing to unmatched scale
Metropolitan Life made one of the largest private contributions to the U.S. war effort in 1945, investing $3.6 billion in U.S. and $245 million in Canadian government bonds—over half its total assets. By war’s end, 6,689 employees had served in the armed forces, and 110 gave their lives.
Offering strength in service
In 1954, Metropolitan Life installed UNIVAC—the first large-scale electronic data processing system in the life insurance industry—ushering in a new era of efficiency and technology.
Leading through innovation
Metropolitan Life Foundation was established in 1976 to continue its tradition of community investment. Its first Report of Contributions in 1979 highlighted support for civic, cultural, and educational initiatives.
Building on a legacy
Metropolitan Life introduced “Snoopy and the Peanuts gang” in its advertising in 1985, making insurance approachable and relatable for millions. The slogan “Get Met. It Pays.” became iconic and the partnership continued until 2019.
Making insurance relatable to the masses
MetLife took a bold step toward its future in 1996 by merging with The New England—the largest life insurance merger in U.S. history. With New England Investment Companies added, the combined entity managed $298 billion in assets, cementing MetLife’s position as a financial powerhouse.
A merger that made history
After 132 years serving the public as a mutual company, MetLife launched one of the largest IPOs in U.S. history in 2000, debuting on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MET.”
From mutual to market
MetLife announced an agreement with Citigroup in 2005 to purchase Travelers Life & Annuity Company. The acquisition made MetLife the largest individual life insurer in North America, based on sales, and grew MetLife’s general account by more than $28 billion.
Staking claim in the North America
With the $16.3 billion acquisition of American Life Insurance Company (Alico), MetLife strengthened its position as a leading global insurer in 2010—bringing protection and financial security to customers around the world.
Becoming the largest global life insurer
In honor of MetLife’s 150-year legacy, MetLife and its leadership team celebrated by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange in 2018.
Honoring an era
As the world faced the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, MetLife and MetLife Foundation stepped up with more than $250 million in relief efforts to support communities, healthcare systems, and those most affected by the crisis.
Supporting communities through the pandemic
In 2023, MetLife Foundation surpassed $1 billion in charitable contributions worldwide, continuing its commitment to community development, education, and financial health.
Driving impact through giving
At MetLife’s Investor Day in December 2024, the next evolution of its strategy, New Frontier, was unveiled.
The next phase of growth
MetLife officially opened its doors as the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company on March 24, 1868. However, the company’s origins date back to 1863, when a group of New York City businessmen founded the National Union and Limb Insurance Company to insure American Civil War sailors and soldiers.
MetLife’s began as an insurer of soldiers during the Civil War. In the years that followed, the company pivoted to democratize access to insurance through the creation of “industrial” plans that brought newfound financial security to the doorsteps of working families.
During the Great Depression, MetLife helped thousands of farmers through its Farm Rehabilitation Program. The company restored foreclosed farms and allowed farmers to work the land on a share basis until they could repurchase their property.
Metropolitan Life adopted the name MetLife in 1991, reflecting a modernized brand identity and marking a key step in the company’s evolution into a globally recognized financial services provider.
MetLife became a global company in 2010, when it acquired Alico, a major international insurer. This acquisition expanded MetLife’s operations across multiple regions and established it as one of the world’s leading global life insurance companies.
The company started selling group insurance plans in 1917, with the initial 54 plans covering 16,100 lives for $11.2 million.
MetLife introduced Snoopy and the Peanuts gang in 1985 to make insurance appear more approachable and relatable. This iconic partnership, famous for the slogan “Get Met. It Pays,” ran for over 30 years until 2019.
After 132 years as a mutual company, MetLife became publicly traded in 2000. It launched one of the largest IPOs in US history and began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “MET.”
In 1954, MetLife installed UNIVAC, the first large-scale electronic data processing system in the life insurance industry. This installation marked a major shift toward modern efficiency and technology in the workplace.
