Frequently Asked Questions

The individual claim form will require personal details about the contract owner and beneficiary(ies). These details include but are not limited to:

• Full name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Beneficiary(ies) relationship to the contract owner
• Contract policy number(s) the claim is being made on

If the trust/entity claim form is being completed, the personal details of the contract owner (as described above) will be needed. Information about the trust/entity will also be needed as shown below.

• Full name of estate/trust/entity
• The beneficiary(ies) relationship to the estate/trust/entity (i.e. executor, trustee, CEO)
• Address for the estate/trust/entity
• Date trust established (if claiming on behalf of a trust)
• Tax identification number for trust/estate/entity
• Annuity contract number(s) the claim is being made on
• Documentation concerning the authorized representation for the trust/estate/entity

The claim form and documents can be submitted by:

• Email to requests@metlife.com
• Fax to 1-877-547-9669
• Mail via USPS to the address provided on your claim form.

When determining if a death certificate is needed, please keep in mind that if the original/certified death certificate is already on file from another beneficiary another copy will not be needed.

Additionally, if the contract(s) being claimed is (are):

• $15,000 or less a death certificate is not required.
• $15000.01 but less or equal to $300,000 a photocopy of the death certificate is acceptable.
• More than $300,000 an original certified death certificate must be provided via mail. A certified death certificate has a raised or colored seal on it.

The cause of death must be on the certificate. 

If a child has not yet reached age of majority as determined by their resident state, the minor cannot sign for themselves.
Additional requirements may be requested regarding a Guardian's authority.

The beneficiary(ies) will be asked to submit a completed W8-BEN form in addition to the standard claim requirements. Upon review, additional requirements may also be requested.

Each beneficiary will need to complete their own separate claim form. Once complete, you can choose to either submit your forms together or separately; whichever is easiest for you. Also, please note that we only need one death certificate – just one beneficiary needs to send it.

Each beneficiary needs to submit a claim form in order to receive payment. We’ll pay each beneficiary their proceeds separately as we receive the required claim documents from each of them. We don’t require all beneficiaries to make a claim before making payment to each individual.

If you are a beneficiary related to the contract owner, you should be able to obtain a death certificate from the funeral home. If the funeral home is unable to provide you with a copy, please contact the local authority responsible for providing vital records, in the place where the death occurred. Depending on the local laws, this may be a county or state office. They can tell you exactly what you need to do.

If the total death benefit for all annuity products is $15,000 or less a death certificate is not required. If the total death benefit is more than $300,000 an original certified death certificate must be provided via mail. If the total death benefit is $15,000.01 but less or equal to $300,000 a photocopy of the death certificate is acceptable.

Cause of death must be on the certificate. In addition, if you are the beneficiary and also the spouse, of the deceased and are choosing spousal continuation for benefits totaling $50,000 or less a death certificate is not required provided the passing can be confirmed by our Claim Team. Only one death certificate must be provided.

• If you are the beneficiary and you signed a document with a funeral home that authorizes us to make a payment directly to them, please provide us a copy of that document.
• If you have Power of Attorney over the beneficiary, please to provide us a copy of the document granting your authority.
• If you’re claiming on behalf of an estate, please provide us with the court issued appointment papers naming you as the estate representative. Please note that the will of the contract owner isn’t enough, and you can’t submit it to us in place of the court issued appointment papers.

Once we receive the documents, the beneficiary(ies) can call our customer service team at 1-800-638-7732 for updates. We’ll automatically notify the beneficiary(ies) by mail of the payment status or if we need more information.

Once a claim is received, everything is reviewed within 5 business days. We will respond to the claim within 10 business days if more information is needed.

Each beneficiary needs to submit a claim form in order to get paid. We’ll pay each beneficiary their proceeds separately as we receive the required claim documents from each of them. We don’t require all beneficiaries to make a claim before making payment to each individual.

Funds can be received in the following ways.

1. Receive a check via USPS within 5 business days. Please note mail delivery times may vary.
2. Transfer the funds directly to a bank account (via electronic funds transfer)
3. Deposit funds into an interest bearing, no fee MetLife Total Control Account (claim minimum $50,000 payable to you). *With a Total Control Account there is also the option to receive a debit card that's accepted anywhere Visa is accepted. To learn more about this option please visit, MetLifeRetailTCA.MetLife.com.

• Phone: 1-800-343-8496 Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.
• Fax: 877-547-9669
• Email: Requests@metlife.com

We recognize this may be a difficult time and we’re here to help. Please call us at 1-800-638-7732. with any questions or concerns you may have. We’re available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.