MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET) and Fidelity Investments® today announced the introduction of a new deferred variable annuity product that provides investors both growth potential and protection against loss if held for a minimum of 10 years. The MetLife Accumulation Annuity stands out in the marketplace because it offers investors a principal protection guarantee* backed by MetLife, coupled with Fidelity’s money management expertise. The product is distributed exclusively through Fidelity.

“The MetLife Accumulation Annuity brings together the combined strength of one of the world’s leading life insurers, MetLife, and one of the world’s leading providers of financial services, Fidelity,” said Elizabeth Forget, executive vice president of MetLife Retail Retirement & Wealth Solutions. “Through this collaboration we’re able to provide investors with a simple, convenient solution to help them grow and safeguard their retirement assets.”

“This annuity is designed to help people invest appropriately,” said Cyrus Taraporevala, executive vice president of Investment Solutions at Fidelity Investments. “Staying properly allocated across stocks, bonds, and other investments is key to helping achieve successful investment outcomes. The MetLife Accumulation Annuity is an excellent option for investors who are looking for growth potential and the security of protecting their initial investment.”

In today’s market, many investors respond to volatility by either investing too conservatively or trying to time the market—yet both approaches can be problematic. Those who seek to avoid loss by investing in more conservative instruments may be unable to keep pace with inflation, while those who try to stay appropriately allocated face challenges of their own. In fact, according to Dalbar’s 20th Annual Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior Study, the average investor tends to underperform the market, perhaps because many do not have the discipline to stay invested through the market’s inevitable ups and downs.

That’s where the MetLife Accumulation Annuity fits in. The product invests in a diversified portfolio, offering investors the potential to benefit from market growth, while at the same time providing protection for investors against down market cycles. Through the product’s Preservation and Growth feature, the investor is guaranteed the return of their initial investment, adjusted proportionally for any withdrawals**, at the end of a 10-year period+. At the same time, on every contract anniversary, investors have the opportunity to reset the guaranteed amount to a new, higher amount if the account value has increased, extending the 10-year period from that date++.

With the introduction of the MetLife Accumulation Annuity, MetLife and Fidelity are continuing to build on their successful partnership. Fidelity already offers several MetLife annuity products*, including the MetLife Growth and IncomeSM deferred variable annuity and the MetLife Guaranteed Income BuilderSM fixed deferred income annuity.

To learn more about annuities and how they can fit into your overall financial plan, visit www.fidelity.com/preservation or speak with a Fidelity annuity specialist directly at 800-345-1388.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

About Fidelity Investments

Fidelity’s goal is to make financial expertise broadly accessible and effective in helping people live the lives they want. With assets under administration of $4.9 trillion, including managed assets of $2.0 trillion as of September 30, 2014, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a diverse set of customers: helping 23 million people investing their own life savings, 20,000 businesses to manage their employee benefit programs, as well as providing 10,000 advisors and brokers with technology solutions to invest their own clients’ money. Privately held for nearly 70 years, Fidelity employs 41,000 associates who are focused on the long-term success of our customers. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit www.fidelity.com.

The MetLife Accumulation Annuity is a variable annuity issued by MetLife Insurance Company USA, on Policy Form 6-200-1 (11/14) Charlotte, NC 28277 in New York only by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, on Policy Form 1-200-1 (11/14), New York, NY 10166 (collectively and singly “MetLife”). MetLife Insurance Company USA and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company are affiliates. The contract’s financial guarantees are solely the responsibility of the issuing insurance company. Fidelity Brokerage Services, Member NYSE, SIPC, and Fidelity Insurance Agency, Inc., are the distributors; they are not affiliated with any MetLife company.

MetLife Growth and Income annuity (Policy Form Series No. 8800 (10/09)) is a variable annuity issued by MetLife Insurance Company USA, Charlotte, NC 28277 and, in New York (Policy Form Series No. 6800 (10/09)), only by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York, NY 10166 (collectively and singly "MetLife"). MetLife Insurance Company USA and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company are affiliates.

The MetLife Guaranteed Income Builder(sm) is issued by MetLife Insurance Company USA on Policy Form 6-1001-1 (05/14); Charlotte, NC 28277. Product availability and features may vary by state.

Prospectuses for MetLife Accumulation Annuity and for the investment portfolio offered thereunder, are available from MetLife and Fidelity. The contract prospectus contains information about the contract’s features, risks, charges and expenses. The investment objectives, risks and policies of the investment option, as well as its expenses and other information about the investment option, are described in its prospectus. Clients should read the prospectuses and consider this information carefully before investing. Please refer to the contract prospectus for more complete details regarding the Preservation and Growth feature.

* Guarantees apply to certain insurance and annuity products and are subject to product terms, exclusions and limitations and the insurer's claims paying ability and financial strength.

** A 2 percent withdrawal charge may be applied to withdrawals made within the first seven years.

+The Preservation and Growth Rider (PGR) guarantees that the account value will not be less than a minimum guaranteed amount at a specified date (PGR End Date) 10 years from the Contract Date, or last reset date, adjusted proportionally for withdrawals. Withdrawals may substantially reduce the value of the benefit. The PGR Amount (Guaranteed Amount) does not represent an amount of money available for withdrawal or guarantee any return for an investment option and is not used to calculate any benefits under the contract prior to the PGR End Date. While the rider is in force, the additional PGR fee applies. After the PGR End Date, the PGR Rider terminates and assets not withdrawn will remain invested in the annuity but will not be protected against market volatility. The investor bears the risk of any decline in the account value of the contract resulting from the performance of an investment option.

++Stepping up the guaranteed amount to the account value may result in a higher PGR fee, depending on pricing at the time for this rider. The option to step up is available during the rider period prior to the oldest owner turning age 86. See prospectus for details.

Before investing, consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the variable annuity and its investment options. Call or write to Fidelity or visit Fidelity.com for a free prospectus and, if available, summary prospectus containing this information. Please read the prospectus and consider this information carefully before investing. Product availability and features may vary by state. Please refer to the contract prospectus for more complete details regarding the living and death benefits.

Investing involves risk including the risk of loss.
Fidelity Investments and Fidelity are registered service marks of FMR LLC.

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