MetLife 401(k) Plan

Bridgewater, New Jersey

MetLife 401K plan details: employer match info, participant login access, withdrawal options, and full plan review. 2026 data with contacts, details.

401(k) QualifiedEmployer MatchMoney PurchaseFortune 500NJInsurance
Overall Rating
4.5/5
Editorial Score
Active Participants
15,136
Total Plan Assets
$8.3B
▲ 8.5% YoY
Avg. Balance per Participant
$551K
Number of Plans
2

Plan Analysis

MetLife, in the Insurance sector and headquartered in New Jersey, manages a 401(k) program with $8.3B in total plan assets across 15,136 active participants, established 54 years ago. Plan assets grew 8.5% year-over-year, reflecting solid investment returns and contributions. With an average balance of $551K per participant, this plan ranks well above the national median 401(k) balance of approximately $35,000. The employer contributed an average of $4,377 per active participant, equivalent to 18% of the 2026 employee deferral limit. Participants contributed an average of $10,542 each through employee deferrals. Distributions totaled $674.6M (8% of assets), reflecting normal retirement and separation activity. MetLife sponsors 2 retirement plans, providing employees with diverse savings options.

Use our 401(k) calculator to see how your contributions could grow, or review the 2026 IRS limits.

MetLife 401(k) Data Insights

Key observations from the most recent Form 5500 filing

  • Legacy plan: Established 54 years ago (1970), making it one of the longest-running 401(k) plans in its sector. Long-established plans often have more favorable terms and lower administrative costs.
  • Higher expenses: Plan expenses of $685.1M represent 8.2% of assets, above the industry average. Participants should review fund expense ratios within their accounts.
  • Strong returns: The plan generated $1.3B in investment income (16.2% of assets), reflecting favorable market conditions and investment selection during the filing year.
  • Low loan usage: Participant loans of $38.0M represent just 0.5% of plan assets - well below the industry average, suggesting strong employee financial wellness.

How MetLife Compares

Comparison against 284 employer 401(k) plans in our database

Metric MetLife Database Median Comparison
Avg. Balance per Participant $551K $140K ▲ 293% above median
Employer Contribution per Participant $4K $3K ▲ 27% above median
YoY Asset Growth 8.5% 12.9% ▼ Below median
Total Assets vs. Insurance Sector $8.3B $10.4B ▬ Near sector median

MetLife 401(k) Employer Match

Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 42% of employee deferrals ($4,377 per participant annually)

Use our employer match calculator to see how much free money you could earn.

MetLife 401(k) Plan Features

Plan features derived from DOL Form 5500 filing data

FeatureDetails
Employer Match Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 42% of employee deferrals ($4,377 per participant annually)
401(k) Loans Available - up to 5 years
457 Plan Also offers a 457 plan - eligible employees can contribute to both for double tax-advantaged savings
Plan History Established 1970 - 54 years of retirement benefits

How to Maximize Your MetLife 401(k)

1

Contribute enough to get the full employer match - MetLife contributed 42% of employee deferrals in the latest filing

2

Consider increasing your contribution rate annually - even 1% more per year adds up significantly over time

3

Use 401(k) loans only as a last resort - they reduce your retirement savings growth

4

Use our 401(k) calculator to project your retirement savings and find the right contribution rate

Use our 401(k) calculator to project your savings growth, or check how much free match money you could earn.

Contact Information

Plan Sponsor

METLIFE GROUP, INC.

(908) 253-1977

501 US HIGHWAY 22 WEST, BRIDGEWATER, NJ 08807-2441

Filing Information

EIN: 55-0790010

Plan Effective Date: 1970-05-01

Source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)

MetLife 401(k) Withdrawals

OptionDetails
Age 59½+ WithdrawalsPenalty-free withdrawals available after age 59½
Rule of 55Penalty-free if you leave MetLife at age 55+
Hardship WithdrawalsCheck with plan administrator
401(k) LoansAvailable - up to lesser of $50,000 or 50% of vested balance (5-year term)
RolloverRoll over to new employer plan or IRA when leaving MetLife
Total Distributions (Latest Filing)$674.6M paid to departing/retired participants
Outstanding Loans$38.0M in active participant loans

MetLife Stock (MET)

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2026 Contribution Limits for MetLife 401(k)

See the full breakdown in our 2026 contribution limits guide, including rules for catch-up contributions (50+) and super catch-up (60-63).

Category Limit Details
Employee Deferral $24,500 Standard elective deferral limit for all participants
Catch-Up (Age 50+) +$8,000 Additional contributions for participants age 50 and over (total: $32,500)
Super Catch-Up (Age 60-63) +$11,250 SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up for ages 60-63 (total: $35,750)
Total Annual Additions (415 Limit) $72,000 Maximum combined employee + employer contributions
Compensation Cap $350,000 Maximum compensation considered for contributions
MetLife Avg. Employee Deferral $10,542 43% of the $24,500 limit (based on latest Form 5500 filing)
MetLife Avg. Employer Contribution $4,377 Employer contributes $66.3M total across 15,136 participants

MetLife 401(k) Plan Details

Data from DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)

Plan Name Active Participants Total Assets Employer Contributions Participant Contributions 401(k)
METLIFE 401(K) PLAN 14,863 $8.3B $65.6M $158.0M Yes
METLIFE LEGAL PLANS 401(K) RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN 273 $16.6M $613K $1.6M Yes

Plan Type Details

Primary Plan: METLIFE 401(K) PLAN

Plan Types: DC (Money Purchase); DC (Target Benefit); DC (Other); Offset; DC (Matching); IRA (SIMPLE); 457 Plan; DC (401(k))

Funded By: Trust Insurance

Financial Summary

MetricAmount
Total Assets (Beginning of Year)$7,676,425,469
Total Assets (End of Year)$8,332,552,639
Employer Contributions$66,252,522
Participant Contributions$159,566,929
Total Distributions$674,570,287
Total Income (Gains/Losses)$1,346,583,752
Total Expenses$685,062,353
Outstanding Participant Loans$38,038,257

Participant Breakdown

Active Participants
15,136
Total All Participants
32,737
Retired/Separated Receiving
257

Plan Review & Rating

Editorial rating based on DOL Form 5500 data

4.5
Match Generosity
4.7
Fund Options
4.3
Fees & Costs
4.2
Customer Service
4.2

Ratings are based on publicly available plan data, participant feedback, and industry benchmarks. Individual experience may vary. This is not financial advice. Data sourced from DOL Form 5500 filings.

People Also Ask About MetLife 401(k)

The MetLife 401(k) match is Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 42% of employee deferrals ($4,377 per participant annually). Compared to the average Fortune 500 match of 4-6% of salary, MetLife's % maximum is below average. However, your own contributions are always fully vested, and the plan offers other advantages like mega backdoor Roth access. Always contribute at least enough to get the full match - it's free money.

Vesting schedules determine when employer match contributions fully belong to you. Common schedules include immediate vesting, 3-year cliff vesting, or 6-year graded vesting. At MetLife, with $66.3M in annual employer contributions across the plan, understanding your vesting timeline matters before considering a job change. Contact MetLife HR for the exact vesting schedule.

Withdrawals from your MetLife 401(k) are generally available after age 59½, upon separation from service, disability, or financial hardship. The plan processed $674.6M in distributions during the last filing year. Early withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% penalty plus income taxes. The Rule of 55 allows penalty-free withdrawals if you leave MetLife at age 55 or older.

Yes, you can roll over your MetLife 401(k) to a Traditional IRA (for pre-tax funds) or Roth IRA (for Roth 401(k) funds). With an average balance of $551K per participant, a direct rollover avoids the mandatory 20% withholding that applies to indirect rollovers. Contact your plan administrator or the receiving IRA custodian to initiate the transfer.

Many Fortune 500 companies, including MetLife, have auto-enrollment features. With 15,136 active participants and $159.6M in annual employee deferrals, the plan demonstrates strong participation. Auto-enrollment typically starts at 3-6% of salary with annual escalation. You can opt out or change your contribution rate at any time through the plan provider portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

MetLife offers an employer match of Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 42% of employee deferrals ($4,377 per participant annually). Use our employer match calculator to see how much free money you could earn.

You can access your MetLife 401(k) account through the plan provider's participant portal. The plan serves 15,136 active participants. If you're a current or former employee, use the login link above or contact the plan administrator at the phone number listed on this page. First-time users will need to register using their Social Security number and date of birth.

For 2026, MetLife 401(k) participants can contribute up to $24,500 in employee deferrals. Participants aged 50+ can contribute an additional $8,000 in catch-up contributions (total $32,500). Those aged 60-63 can make super catch-up contributions of $11,250 (total $35,750). Currently, MetLife participants contribute an average of $10,542 per year in employee deferrals. Employer contributions are separate from these limits.

Many MetLife 401(k) plans offer loan provisions. As of the latest filing, MetLife participants had $38.0M in outstanding loans (averaging $2,513 across participants with active loans). The IRS limits 401(k) loans to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of your vested balance. With an average account balance of $551K in the MetLife plan, the maximum potential loan amount for a fully vested participant would vary accordingly. Check with your plan administrator for specific loan terms, or see our withdrawal rules guide.

When you leave MetLife, you have several options for your 401(k): keep it in the plan (if the balance is over $7,000), roll it over to a new employer's plan, roll it to an IRA, or take a cash distribution (subject to taxes and potential penalties). In the most recent filing year, the plan processed $674.6M in distributions to departing or retired participants. Employer match contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule.

According to the most recent Form 5500 filing, the MetLife 401(k) plan has 15,136 active participants managing $8.3B in plan assets. The average account balance is $551K per participant.

Many major employers, including MetLife, offer both traditional pre-tax and Roth after-tax 401(k) contribution options. Given that MetLife participants average $10,542 in annual deferrals, choosing between Roth and traditional depends on whether you expect your tax bracket to be higher or lower in retirement. Contact the MetLife plan administrator for availability.

The MetLife 401(k) plan typically offers a range of investment options including target-date funds, index funds, actively managed funds, and potentially company stock. The plan generated $1.3B in total investment income during the last filing year. Use our 401(k) calculator to project growth, or log into your account to see current options.

MetLife (MET) may offer company stock as an investment option within the 401(k) plan. Be mindful of concentration risk - financial advisors typically recommend limiting company stock to no more than 10-15% of your portfolio, especially given that your employment income already depends on MetLife's performance.

For 2026, MetLife matches Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 42% of employee deferrals ($4,377 per participant annually). The 2026 employee deferral limit is $24,500 ($32,500 if 50+, $35,750 if 60-63). Use our match calculator to estimate your free money.

401(k) Guides & Tools

Learn more about managing your MetLife 401(k)

Related Company 401(k) Plans

Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from public DOL Form 5500 filings and is provided for educational purposes only. This is not financial, tax, or investment advice. Plan details may have changed since the last filing. Always consult your plan administrator, HR department, or a qualified financial advisor for the most current information about your 401(k) plan. 401K.is is not affiliated with MetLife or their plan providers. Stock data for MET is provided by Polygon.io and may be delayed.

Last updated: March 2026 | Data source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings) | Filed: 2025-10-07