NEW YORK, September 19, 2006 – For the fourth year in a row, MetLife has received a perfect score of 100 percent in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRC) 2006 Corporate Equality Index, a rating system for how major U.S. corporations treat their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) employees and consumers.

The HRC Corporate Equality Index rated companies on a scale from 0 to 100 percent on several factors, including a written non-discrimination policy as well as employee benefits, training programs, support networks, advertising and marketing, and contributions to the GLBT community.

"We are extremely proud to have been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for our efforts to make MetLife the company that it is today – one that both respects and values the diverse backgrounds of our employees and customers," said Debra J. Capolarello, senior vice president and chief talent officer for MetLife. "Receiving a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year is a testament to the dedication of the people of MetLife, who have worked hard to put best practices in place that benefit our workforce, the workplace and the marketplace."

"This year, more major American businesses received a perfect rating for equality and fairness than in any other year," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.  "At an ever increasing pace, corporate executives understand that supporting their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees is not only the right thing to do but it is also good for business.  The findings in this years’ report sends a clear message that the American workplace is rapidly becoming more inclusive of diversity."

In the workplace, MetLife offers its U.S. employees and their domestic same- and opposite-sex partners a variety of health and other benefits, including adoption assistance and supplemental life insurance. MetLife also has a recognized GLBT affinity group, as well as a company-wide diversity council, which consists of senior members from across the company and is committed to ensuring that diversity is built into all of MetLife’s business practices.

To better serve the needs of the GLBT marketplace, MetLife has a GLBT Marketing Advisory Council that is made up of financial services representatives and members of MetLife’s advanced market and financial planning teams. The council provides support and guidance for MetLife’s ongoing GLBT marketing strategy.

MetLife, a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) is a leading provider of insurance and other financial services to millions of individual and institutional customers throughout the United States. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. offers life insurance, annuities, automobile and homeowner’s insurance and retail banking services to individuals, as well as group insurance, reinsurance and retirement and savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. Outside the U.S., the MetLife companies have direct insurance operations in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com.