Enhanced Preference Plus Account (EPPA) Product Microsite
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Enhanced Preference Plus Account is a tax sheltered variable annuity1,2 issued by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“MetLife”) to provide a retirement savings vehicle for employees of public schools, colleges and universities, nonprofit hospitals and nonprofit organizations under IRC §501(c)(3). Enhanced Preference Plus Account variable annuity is designed to help individuals accumulate assets for retirement. It can also provide a steady stream of income throughout their retirement years, if annuitized. Enhanced Preference Plus Account variable annuity offers:
EPPA Facts-at-a-Glance
What is a variable annuity?
textEPPA Performance
textMinimum contribution
textFunding Options
textTransfers among funding options
textBenefitsensitivity prospectus
textIncome for life
textDeath Benefit
textMinimum Distribution
textFees andCharges5
textLoan Provision
textA variable annuity is a long-term retirement savings vehicle specifically designed to help individuals save for retirement, providing them with a stream of retirement income that they cannot outlive.
Although a variable annuity may be an appropriate choice for some people as part of an overall retirement portfolio, it is not suitable for everyone. Please read the prospectus thoroughly and completely before investing.
A variable annuity offers the following advantages:
Tax-deferral
Individuals pay no income tax on contributions until the money is withdrawn from their account (unlike Roth contributions which are deducted after tax withholdings).1,2
Death benefit
If the individual dies before income payments begin, the individual’s beneficiary is guaranteed to receive a specified amount. The beneficiary will get a benefit from this feature if, at the time of death, the account balance is less than the guaranteed amount.5
Range of underlying funding options
The underlying funding options available in a variable annuity typically invest in stocks, bonds, money market instruments or some combination of the three.7
Periodic payments
Individuals can elect to receive periodic income payments that continue for their lifetime (and the lifetime of their spouse).8
1. There is no additional tax deferral advantage to funding a qualified retirement plan with an annuity such as FFA. All accounts under qualified plans, including section 403(b) plans and IRAs, are eligible for tax deferral. There should be reasons other than tax deferral, such as the opportunity for lifetime payouts and the other benefits offered under the FFA certificate, for purchasing an annuity certificate under the qualified retirement plan.
2. May not be available in all states.
3. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. Only one investment strategy may be in effect at a time.
4. Restrictions may apply. See the prospectus for more details.
Click below to review performance reports and prospectuses:
Annuity |
Performance Reports |
Prospectus |
Enhanced Preference Plus Account - 457(b) |
Performance Reports |
Prospectus |
Enhanced Preference Plus Account - IRC 401 | Performance Reports | Prospectus |
Enhanced Preference Plus Account - Maximum Deferred Comp | Performance Reports | Prospectus |
Enhanced Preference Plus Account - MetLife Employer Group | Performance Reports | Prospectus |
Enhanced Preference Plus Account - TSA | Performance Reports | Prospectus |
None. If no purchase payments are made for more than 36 months and the account balance is under $2,000, MetLife may cancel the certificate, if permitted by law, by paying the account balance less any outstanding loans (if loans are permitted by plan). Early withdrawal charges may apply. No certificate will be terminated due solely to negative investment performance.
- Asset Allocation Portfolios
- “Fund-of-Funds”
- Index Portfolios
- Fixed Interest Account
- Portfolios that invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Note: Purchase payments allocated to the investment divisions are not guaranteed and bear the risk of loss
Free. Non-taxable. Unlimited. Other restrictions may apply. Please see prospectus for more details.
No contract withdrawal charge will apply:5
- At retirement, provided 10 years of uninterrupted contract participation unless the plan defines retirement and the individual retires under that provision.
- Upon separation from service from the employer sponsor (for some contract variations).
- To purchase a life annuity or an income arrangement for a noncommutable period of 5 years or more.
- In any given contract year, for partial withdrawals of up to 20% of the account balance.
- Upon death.
- To any withdrawal required to avoid federal income tax penalties or satisfy federal income tax rules for this annuity. (Does not apply to 72(t) distributions).
- If the plan permits withdrawal for hardship and a request is made for a withdrawal as a result of unforeseen hardship or emergency.
Create a stream of income for life — guaranteed by MetLife.
Assuming income has not started, the standard death benefit is the greatest of:
- Account balance;
- Total purchase payments less withdrawals (including any applicable withdrawal charges);
- Highest account balance on 12/31 following the end of any fifth certificate anniversary less withdrawals, fees and charges since that 12/31 date. In each case, the amount is reduced by outstanding loans, where loans are permitted by plan.
The minimum distribution generally required each year once individuals reach age 73, or when they retire, whichever is later, by federal income tax rules can be calculated and forwarded from the Financial Freedom Account by enrolling in MetLife’s automated required minimum distribution service. Failure to take required minimum distributions for a year will result in a penalty tax on the amount of the shortfall. MetLife will guarantee the calculation for this annuity against Internal Revenue Service (IRS) penalties for this annuity (based upon the information provided). May not be available in all markets.
Annual contract fee
There is no Separate Account annual contract fee. Depending on the plan provisions, there may be a $20 annual contract fee from the Fixed Interest Account.
Annual Separate Account charge
0.95% (as a percentage of an individual’s average account balance in the Separate Account).
Withdrawal Charges5
A declining 7-year withdrawal charge applies to each contribution. 7-year withdrawal charge schedule: 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0%.
Note: The fees and charges mentioned above do not include investment management fees and other expenses of the funding options under individuals’ contract. Please refer to the prospectus for more information.
The amount that may be borrowed, the interest rate charged, the loan repayment schedules and loan application fees are described in the loan application form and the certificate (TSA only). Loan availability may be subject to the provisions of the employer’s plan.
Automated investment strategies4
- * The AllocatorSM
Each month, a dollar amount individuals choose is transferred from the Fixed Interest Account to any of the funding options they choose. The Allocator uses dollar cost averaging to take advantage of ups and downs in the market by investing the same amount at regular intervals of time.9
- * The EqualizerSM
Take the emotion out of investing by automating the process with the Equalizer, a feature that helps individuals try to buy low and sell to mated strategy that allocates money equally between the Fixed Interest Account and one of two stock investment divisions, either the MetLife Stock Index Division or the Frontier Mid Cap Growth Division. The transaction occurs automatically each quarter. If one investment division or the Fixed Interest Account outperforms the other, units or amounts are redeemed and transferred to the other so that they have equal balances.
- * The Equity Generator®
Purchase payments go into the Fixed Interest Account, where they earn an interest rate guaranteed by MetLife and are protected from investment risk. Then each month, an amount equal to the accrued interest is transferred into one investment division of individuals' choice. The guarantee associated with the Fixed Interest Account is subject to the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.9
- * The Rebalancer®
Once individuals select a specific asset allocation, the Rebalancer seeks to keep the account in balance. Each quarter, the Rebalancer automatically returns the account balance to the allocation initially selected. 100% of the account balance must be allocated to this strategy.
- * The Index Selector®
Individuals select one of five asset allocation models which are designed to correlate to various risk tolerance levels. Each asset allocation model is comprised of one or more index portfolio and, depending on the model, the Fixed Interest Account. 100% of the account balance must be allocated to the model of individuals' choice. Each quarter, the model percentages of the model of individuals' choice are maintained by automatic transfers among the index portfolios and the Fixed Interest Account.9
- * Asset Allocation Funding Options
A diversified funding option that offers fully managed funding choices across a wide selection of asset classes PPA offers Asset classes and is designed to meet a specific investment objective and risk tolerance. Each Asset Allocation Portfolio is a "fund of funds" that invests in other underlying portfolios. Because of this two-tier structure, each Asset Allocation Portfolio bears its own investment management fees and expenses, as well as its pro rata share of the investment management fees and expenses of the underlying portfolios.10 Combining the investment strategies of several managers in a single portfolio may help to manage investment risk and provides individuals with a wide range of investment management expertise. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against loss.