1 There is no additional federal income tax benefit in funding your retirement plan account with an annuity contract. Non-tax reasons for using an annuity may include stable earnings, lifetime payment choices, death benefits, and similar characteristics.
MetLife Financial Freedom Select variable annuity products are offered by prospectus only. To obtain a prospectus, please contact MetLife at the service center number reflected on your enrollment materials. Please carefully read the product prospectus and consider the product’s features, risks, charges and expenses, and the investment objectives, risks and policies of the underlying portfolios, as well as other information about the underlying funding options. This and other information is available in the prospectus. Product availability and features may vary by state. All product guarantees, including optional benefits, are subject to the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
The amounts allocated to the variable funding options are subject to market fluctuations so that, when withdrawn, they may be worth more or less than their original value. There is no guarantee that any of the variable funding options will meet their stated goals or objectives.
Like most annuity contracts/certificates, MetLife’s contracts/certificates contain charges, limitations, exclusions, holding periods, termination provisions and terms for keeping them in force.
If you are buying a variable annuity to fund a qualified retirement plan or IRA, you should do so for the variable annuity’s features and benefits other than tax deferral. In such cases, tax deferral is not an additional benefit of the variable annuity. References throughout this material to tax advantages, such as tax deferral and tax-free transfers, are subject to this consideration.
MetLife and/or its affiliates ("MetLife") receive fees for providing administrative and recordkeeping services. The fees may be deducted directly from the Participant's account, be paid for by the Employer, be paid from the Plan assets and/or paid from the fees deducted from Participant account values allocated to the mutual funds available under the Plan. The fees can vary based upon the mutual funds that are available in the Plan and Plan Participants’ asset allocations. Because different mutual funds pay different rates of compensation and rates of mutual fund compensation are subject to change from time to time, compensation received by MetLife varies based on the rates of compensation in effect from time to time. MetLife may receive a finder’s fee from certain fund companies, which is additional compensation to MetLife. MetLife may also impose separate transactional fees for certain Participant elected transactions that will be charged directly to Plan Participants unless paid by the Employer or the Plan. MetLife may increase the annual administrative service fee charged to Participants’ accounts. MetLife may also pay a portion of the fees it collects to an entity that is designated as a directed trustee or directed custodian of the Plan; or to a third party administrator, or third party investment advisor. MetLife may receive payments for administrative services provided under the third party investment advisory services. MetLife also receives compensation for administrative services on annuities that are issued by unaffiliated insurance companies. MetLife also receives fees with respect to annuities it issues, according to the terms of the annuity contracts and prospectuses, if applicable. If you would like more information on the compensation that MetLife receives, contact your Employer. MetLife may realize a profit from any of the fees described above.
Ordinary income taxes generally apply at withdrawal. Withdrawal charges may also apply. Withdrawals will reduce the living benefit, death benefit and account value. Withdrawals prior to age 59½ from a TSA (before separation of service) are generally prohibited. Where allowed, a 10% federal income tax penalty generally applies, in addition to ordinary income taxes. Consult with your tax advisor to determine whether an exception to these tax rules may apply.
Any discussion of taxes is for general informational purposes only, does not purport to be complete or cover every situation, and should not be construed as legal, tax or accounting advice. Clients should confer with their qualified legal, tax and accounting advisors as appropriate.
The plan document governs the terms of the plan and is available from your employer. In general, if any conflicts occur between this material and the plan documents provided by your employer that define the plan, the plan documents will govern.
MetLife Financial Freedom Select variable annuity is issued by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company,200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 and distributed by MetLife Investors Distribution Company (MLIDC) (member FINRA). Both are MetLife companies. Policy Form numbers G.FFS(08/02) and G-MFFS-1(8/04).
