Contacts:     For Media:      John Calagna
                              (212) 578-6252

              For Investors:  Kevin Helmintoller
                              (212) 578-5140

             SEC INQUIRY AT GENERAL AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

NEW YORK, May 14, 2004 - MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) announced today that its
subsidiary, General American Life Insurance Company, has received a so-called
"Wells Notice" in connection with a previously announced SEC investigation
regarding market timing and late trading in a limited number of its
privately-placed variable insurance contracts.  The "Wells Notice" provides
notice that the SEC staff is considering recommending that the SEC bring a civil
action alleging violations of U.S. securities laws.  Under the SEC procedures,
the recipient can avail itself of the opportunity to respond to the SEC staff
before it makes a formal recommendation regarding whether any action alleging
violations of the U.S. securities laws should be considered.

MetLife continues to cooperate fully with the SEC in its investigation and is
unaware of any systemic problems with respect to such matters that may have a
material adverse effect upon MetLife's consolidated financial position.

MetLife, Inc., through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading provider of
insurance and other financial services to individual and institutional
customers.  The MetLife companies serve individuals in approximately 13 million
households in the U.S. and provide benefits to 37 million employees and family
members through their plan sponsors.  Outside the U.S., the MetLife companies
have direct insurance operations in 10 countries serving approximately 8 million
customers.
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This release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including statements relating to trends in the company's operations and
financial results and the business and the products of the company and its
subsidiaries, as well as other statements including words such as "anticipate,"
"believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and other similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements are made based upon management's current expectations
and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the
company. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance.

Actual results may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking
statements as a result of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to
the following: (i) changes in general economic conditions, including the
performance of financial markets and interest rates; (ii) heightened
competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors and the
development of new products by new and existing competitors; (iii) unanticipated
changes in industry trends; (iv) the company's primary reliance, as a holding
company, on dividends from


its subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations and the applicable regulatory
restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such dividends; (v)
deterioration in the experience of the "closed block" established in connection
with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (vi) catastrophe
losses; (vii) adverse results or other consequences from litigation, arbitration
or regulatory investigations; (viii) regulatory, accounting or tax changes that
may affect the cost of, or demand for, the company's products or services; (ix)
downgrades in the company's and its affiliates' claims paying ability, financial
strength or credit ratings; (x) changes in rating agency policies or practices;
(xi) discrepancies between actual claims experience and assumptions used in
setting prices for the company's products and establishing the liabilities for
the company's obligations for future policy benefits and claims; (xii)
discrepancies between actual experience and assumptions used in establishing
liabilities related to other contingencies or obligations; (xiii) the effects of
business disruption or economic contraction due to terrorism or other
hostilities; (xiv) the company's ability to identify and consummate on
successful terms any future acquisitions, and to successfully integrate acquired
businesses with minimal disruption; and (xv) other risks and uncertainties
described from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including its S-1 and S-3 registration statements. The
company specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future
developments or otherwise.