MetLife to Provide Annuity Benefits to 13,500 Lockheed Martin Retirees and Beneficiaries

Rhea-AI Summary

MetLife's subsidiary, Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company, has secured an agreement with Lockheed Martin to manage annuity benefits for approximately 13,500 retirees, covering pension obligations of about $1.4 billion. This marks the second pension risk transfer transaction between the two firms, following a $1.9 billion agreement in 2019. The arrangement ensures the retirees will continue receiving their benefits without any changes. MetLife manages around $3 billion annually for about 720,000 annuitants, reinforcing its position as a leader in the pension risk transfer market.

Positive

• Secured a $1.4 billion pension obligation agreement with Lockheed Martin.
• This is the second pension risk transfer deal, enhancing relationships with a key client.
• MetLife is a leading provider in the pension risk transfer industry, managing $3 billion annually.

Negative

• None.

MetLife, Inc. announced today that its subsidiary, Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company, has entered into an agreement with Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) to provide annuity benefits to approximately 13,500 retirees and beneficiaries in Lockheed Martin’s defined benefit (DB) pension plans, representing pension obligations of approximately $1.4 billion.

Lockheed Martin, through its master retirement trust, purchased a group annuity contract from Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company in December 2020. The transaction will not change the amount or timing of the monthly pension benefit received by the corporation’s retirees and beneficiaries. Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company, rather than Lockheed Martin, will be responsible for making these monthly payments. No action is needed by retirees or beneficiaries. Lockheed Martin and MetLife will provide details to retired participants and beneficiaries whose ongoing payments will be made by Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company. This is the second pension risk transfer transaction Lockheed Martin has signed with MetLife. In 2019, MetLife assumed approximately $1.9 billion in pension obligations for approximately 20,000 of the company’s retirees and their beneficiaries.

“With this transaction we are looking forward to continuing our work with Lockheed Martin to provide guaranteed lifetime income for their retirees as well as benefits to the retirees’ spouses and beneficiaries,” said Graham Cox, executive vice president and head of Retirement & Income Solutions at MetLife. “MetLife is a leading pension risk transfer (PRT) provider. By taking on these pension obligations, we will help Lockheed Martin provide its retirees and beneficiaries with financial security.”

The PRT market rebounded in the second half of 2020 and MetLife expects to see this trend continue in 2021. MetLife’s 2020 Pension Risk Transfer Poll found that while most plan sponsors reported that their companies have been broadly impacted by COVID-19, 81% said the pandemic would neither decrease the likelihood of transacting nor cause a delay in transacting.

MetLife, through Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company, is a market leader in the pension risk transfer industry, managing benefit payments of approximately $3 billion a year for about 720,000 annuitants. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company issued its first group annuity contract in 1921 to fund a defined benefit plan. MetLife’s Retirement & Income Solutions Customer Solutions Center team has been recognized by J.D. Power for providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" for the Live Phone Channel. MetLife's Retirement & Income Solutions (RIS) business includes U.S. Pensions, Institutional Income Annuities, and Structured Settlements in addition to other institutional products.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacturing, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements in this news release, such as “looking forward” and “will,” are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the “Risk Factors” MetLife, Inc. describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. MetLife’s future results could differ, and it has no obligation to correct or update any of these statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210126005949/en/

FAQ

What is the recent agreement between MetLife and Lockheed Martin?

MetLife's subsidiary has agreed to manage annuity benefits for approximately 13,500 retirees, covering $1.4 billion in pension obligations.

How many retirees are affected by the MetLife and Lockheed Martin agreement?

Approximately 13,500 retirees and beneficiaries from Lockheed Martin's defined benefit pension plans.

What was the amount of the previous pension risk transfer deal between MetLife and Lockheed Martin?

The previous deal in 2019 involved approximately $1.9 billion in pension obligations.

How much does MetLife manage annually in the pension risk transfer market?

MetLife manages around $3 billion annually for about 720,000 annuitants.

Will retirees see any changes in their monthly pension benefits due to the new agreement?

No, the agreement will not change the amount or timing of the monthly pension benefits.