How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at MetLife
Covers 14 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Individual Life Insurance Customer Service
Phone1-800-638-5000
Toll-Free1-800-638-5000
Fax(908) 655-9586
Mailing Address
MetLife, PO Box 10356, Des Moines, IA 50306-0356
Other Individual Life Policies
Individual Annuity Contracts
Group Annuity Contracts
Group Life Claims (Mon-Thu 8am-8pm ET, Fri 8am-5pm ET)
Group Benefits General
General Inquiries (1-800-METLIFE)
Life Insurance Claims
Phone1-800-638-5000
Fax(908) 655-9586
Mailing Address
MetLife, PO Box 10356, Des Moines, IA 50306-0356. Claims mailing: MetLife Group Life Claims, P.O. Box 6100, Scranton, PA 18505-6100
Other Individual Life Policies
Individual Annuity Contracts
Group Annuity Contracts
Group Life Claims (Mon-Thu 8am-8pm ET, Fri 8am-5pm ET)
Group Benefits General
General Inquiries (1-800-METLIFE)
WebsiteLearn more→
Individual Life Insurance Claims
Phone1-800-638-5000
Fax(908) 655-9586
Mailing Address
MetLife Group Life Claims, P.O. Box 6100, Scranton, PA 18505-6100
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning with MetLife policies centers on beneficiary designations—the single most important step for ensuring life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits reach the intended recipients without probate involvement. Unlike bank or brokerage accounts, insurance products are not retitled into trusts; instead, trusts are named as beneficiaries when estate tax planning or controlled distributions are needed.
MetLife has 14 product types, and the estate transfer rules differ across them. Some support beneficiary designations, some can be retitled into a trust, and others will require probate if nothing is set up. Each is covered below.
MetLife Term Life InsuranceMetLife Whole Life InsuranceMetLife Universal Life InsuranceMetLife Variable Universal Life InsuranceMetLife Group Life InsuranceMetLife Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)MetLife Group Universal Life (GUL) InsuranceMetLife Group Variable Universal Life (GVUL) InsuranceMetLife Fixed AnnuityMetLife Variable AnnuityMetLife Immediate Income AnnuityMetLife Dental InsuranceMetLife Vision InsuranceMetLife Disability Insurance
1
Log in to your MetLife account at online.metlife.com
2
Navigate to your policy details and select the beneficiary management option
3
Add or update primary beneficiaries:
- Enter full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and relationships
- Specify percentage allocations for multiple beneficiaries (must total 100%)
4
Add contingent beneficiaries if desired:
- Provide the same information as primary beneficiaries
- Specify separate percentage allocations totaling 100%
5
For trusts: select the trust/entity option and provide:
- Trust name exactly as it appears in the trust document
- Date the trust was established
- Tax identification number (EIN)
6
Review and confirm your beneficiary designations
7
MetLife processes the change within 5 business days and mails a confirmation
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trusts can be named as beneficiaries on life insurance policies and annuities
- Primary and contingent beneficiaries allowed with percentage allocations
- Per stirpes distribution options available for descendants
- Group life insurance beneficiary changes may need to go through the employer benefits portal (MyBenefits at mybenefits.metlife.com)
- For ERISA/non-ERISA 403(b) plans, use the dedicated Spousal Consent/Beneficiary Change form (Form 354)
- Beneficiary designations override instructions in a will
- Spousal consent may be required for annuity beneficiary changes in community property states
- All pages of the form must be returned; incomplete submissions cause processing delays
Individual Life Insurance Customer Service
Phone1-800-638-5000
Toll-Free1-800-638-5000
Fax(908) 655-9586
Mailing Address
MetLife, PO Box 10356, Des Moines, IA 50306-0356
Other Individual Life Policies
Individual Annuity Contracts
Group Annuity Contracts
Group Life Claims (Mon-Thu 8am-8pm ET, Fri 8am-5pm ET)
Group Benefits General
General Inquiries (1-800-METLIFE)
Life Insurance Claims
Phone1-800-638-5000
Fax(908) 655-9586
Mailing Address
MetLife, PO Box 10356, Des Moines, IA 50306-0356. Claims mailing: MetLife Group Life Claims, P.O. Box 6100, Scranton, PA 18505-6100
Other Individual Life Policies
Individual Annuity Contracts
Group Annuity Contracts
Group Life Claims (Mon-Thu 8am-8pm ET, Fri 8am-5pm ET)
Group Benefits General
General Inquiries (1-800-METLIFE)
WebsiteLearn more→
Individual Life Insurance Claims
Phone1-800-638-5000
Fax(908) 655-9586
Mailing Address
MetLife Group Life Claims, P.O. Box 6100, Scranton, PA 18505-6100
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your MetLife accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
