SM or Variable Annuity? Growth

how can I guarantee

Growth ?

even when the market declines?

{ } shine some light on . . . saving for retirement with a variable annuity

You may be years from retirement. But that doesn't mean you should sit back and ignore your investments. The closer you get to retirement and needing income, the more a market decline can hurt your investment portfolio. Even if you're not planning to retire for another 5 to 15 years, you may want to think about protecting your future retirement income from market declines.

The Preference PremierSM and Preference Plus Select? variable annuities are issued by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The American Forerunner Series? variable annuity is issued by New England Life Insurance Company. All are MetLife companies and are referred to as "MetLife" throughout this brochure.

GMIB Plus

Guaranteed growth ? when the market declines ?

can mean more retirement income.

In this hypothetical example, let's say you're age 55 and have $100,000 to invest in a MetLife variable annuity. Let's compare a $100,000 investment in equities without the optional Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit Plus (GMIB Plus) living benefit rider (Portfolio 1) versus a $100,000 investment with the GMIB Plus rider (Portfolio 2). Both portfolios are invested in the MetLife Stock Index Portfolio, which closely resembles the S&P 500? Index.1 We used the portfolio's real returns from the years 1993 through 2008.

$500k $400k $300k

While the market does well, both portfolio account values grow.

1

4 Because the GMIB Plus 5% Compounding

income base steps up during good years and continues to compound at 5% during down years, after 16 years, Portfolio 2's income base has grown to 499,759.

2 When the market declines in the early

2000s, Portfolio 1 and 2 account values lose money. However, the 5% Compounding income base of Portfolio 2 continues to compound at 5% each year.

$200k

3 After 16 years, Portfolio 1's account

value is $207,253 and Portfolio 2's account value is $165,364.

$100k

$0 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 Age

Portfolio 1 ? Account value (without GMIB Plus)

Portfolio 2 ? Account value (with GMIB Plus)

Portfolio 2 ? 5% Compounding income base (GMIB Plus)

The GMIB Plus is referred to as GMIB Plus II in the prospectus. The 5% Compounding income base is referred to as Annual Increase Amount in the prospectus. There is another component of the income base, known as the Highest Anniversary Value, which is not discussed here. Please see the prospectus for more details. The GMIB Plus income bases do not guarantee a cash or account value, cannot be taken as a lump sum and do not guarantee a minimum return for any investment portfolio. Please see the prospectus for complete details of the GMIB Plus, including any withdrawal limitations.

1 You cannot invest directly in the S&P 500 Index, an unmanaged index of 500 stocks. You may not allocate 100% of your purchase payments within the MetLife Stock Index Portfolio due to allocation requirements of the Build Your Own Portfolio Platform program.

Age

55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71

Year

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Net Rate of Return (%)

7.99% -0.34% 34.79% 20.86% 30.13% 26.33% 19.01% -10.70% -14.64% -23.48% 26.29% 8.90% 3.09% 13.77% 3.65% -38.04%

Portfolio 1 without GMIB Plus

Account value at year end

$100,000 $107,985 $107,619 $145,055 $175,311 $228,132 $288,205 $343,004 $306,300 $261,465 $200,073 $252,674 $275,165 $283,663 $322,711 $334,505 $207,253

Portfolio 2 with GMIB Plus

Account value at year end

5% Compounding income base

$100,000

100,000

$106,935

106,935*

$105,450 $140,952 $168,872 $217,980

112,282 140,952* 168,872* 217,980*

$273,091

273,091*

$322,149 $284,294 $239,129 $179,252

322,149* 338,257 355,169 372,928

$222,463

391,574

$238,154 $241,191 $269,860 $274,963

411,153 431,711 453,296 475,961

$165,364

499,759

This example is for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed a representation of future performance or a guarantee of any kind. The illustration assumes no withdrawals and $100,000 invested into the MetLife Stock Index Portfolio from Dec. 31, 1992 ? Dec. 31, 2008. The rate of return is reduced by an applicable 0.53% portfolio management fee and reflects variable annuity fees including a Separate Account Charge of 1.25%. The Portfolio 2 account value takes into account the 1.00% GMIB Plus rider fee. This hypothetical illustration does not take into account premium taxes. Withdrawal charges would apply if withdrawals exceed the contract's free withdrawal amount. Please see the prospectus for further information.

The effects of income and penalty taxes have not been reflected in this hypothetical illustration. Withdrawals from the contract will be subject to ordinary income tax to the extent that the account value immediately before the withdrawal exceeds the total amount paid into the contract. A withdrawal in excess of this amount will constitute a nontaxable return of principal. If the taxpayer has not attained age 59? at the time of the distribution, the portion of the withdrawal that is subject to ordinary income tax may also be subject to a 10% Federal income tax penalty.

MetLife Average Annual Total Return as of September 30, 2009 Assuming Contract Surrender (standardized performance). Shown below is the actual average annual total return since the Investment Option's inception, derived from the performance of the investment option's corresponding portfolio in the underlying trust, adjusted to reflect the charges and expenses as if the contract had existed during the stated period(s). The return information is based on the accumulation unit value and reflects all portfolio-level expenses, the Separate Account Charge of 1.25%, the Earnings Preservation Benefit rider charge of 0.25%, the Enhanced Death Benefit rider charge of 0.95% (issue ages 70?75), the GMIB Plus II rider charge of 1.00% of the "Income Base,"2 the maximum applicable withdrawal charge of up to 7% and the annual account fee of $30.3 The investment return and principal value of the investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original investment. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. This is past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Average Annual Total Return calculations, current as of the most recent month end, are available at .

MetLife Stock Index Portfolio

MetLife Investment Option Inception

7/2/90

1-Year -17.03%

5-Year -4.02%

10-Year -6.06%

Since MetLife Inception

3.04%

2 The GMIB Plus and Enhanced Death Benefit riders are not available in all states. 3 Pro-rated based on an average contract size; not applicable for contracts with account values greater than $50,000. 4 Step-ups may be elected prior to age 81. Withdrawals may affect your ability to take a step-up. 5 Annuity income is determined using conservative GMIB Plus annuity rates. Annuity rates may differ by state.

For qualified contracts, taking required minimum distributions prior to exercising the GMIB Plus may reduce the rider's benefit. See the prospectus for more details.

How much could you take in income?

Portfolio 1: Your financial professional might suggest you take 5% of your retirement savings annually. In

this hypothetical example, at age 71, that would give you $10,363 each year ? but with no guarantee that your money would last as long as you need it to.

Portfolio 2: With the GMIB Plus, you are allowed to take up to 5% of your 5% Compounding income base

annually, while still preserving your lifetime income guarantee. At age 71, that would give you $24,988 each year. While your account value would decline, your income base would remain constant at 499,759. You can, at some future time (10 years after the last step-up4), turn that value into guaranteed lifetime income under the GMIB Plus when you annuitize.5 You must exercise the rider by the contract anniversary following age 90.

Grow your retirement income ?

even in down markets ? with a variable annuity.

With a MetLife variable annuity and the protection of the optional GMIB Plus living benefit rider, you can take advantage of market gains* and continue to grow your retirement income ? even if the market declines.

{ Ask your financial professional about MetLife today.

* An optional step-up occurs because the account value exceeds the current year's 5% Compounding income base. If a step-up occurs, the GMIB Plus Income Base will increase and thus the total fee for the rider (a percentage of the Income Base) will also increase. Also, upon a step-up, we may increase the annual charge, not to exceed the charge applicable to current annuity purchasers of the same rider. Maximum allowable charge is 1.50%. Guarantees apply to certain insurance and annuity products and optional benefits (not securities, variable or investment advisory products) and are subject to product terms, exclusions and limitations and the insurer's claims-paying ability and financial strength. Please note: You can convert your annuity into income under the regular provisions of the contract at any time after the first 30 days from contract issue. If current annuity purchase rates applied to your account value would produce greater income, you'll receive that instead. In that case, the GMIB Plus rider is not exercised, it terminates and you would have paid for the GMIB Plus rider without using it.

About the GMIB Plus

? Optional benefit must be elected at contract issue and may be cancelled under the Guaranteed Principal Option (if available).

? Contract owner must be age 78 or younger at time of purchase.

? Available for an additional annual charge of 1.00% of the higher of the two income bases, deducted from account value and assessed on the contract anniversary date.*

? With GMIB Plus, you must allocate your purchase payments within the Build Your Own Portfolio Platform program. For available portfolios within this program, please see the Build Your Own Portfolio Platform Worksheet and the "Investment Allocation Restrictions for Certain Benefits" section of the prospectus.

what is a

Variable Annuity?

In simplest terms, a variable annuity is a long-term contract between you and an insurance company in which the insurance company makes periodic lifetime payments to you. A variable annuity contains investment options that have the potential to grow and insurance features that offer protection, such as living and death benefits.

Variable annuities: ? Are one of the only investments you can buy that offer income for life, no matter how long you live. ? Offer a wide variety of investment options to help you diversify and grow your purchase payments on a tax-deferred basis.1 This

may help you keep pace with inflation. ? Provide the ability to reduce downside risk by offering a variety of optional living and death benefit riders that can help grow

and protect immediate or future income and help provide for your loved ones, regardless of market conditions. ? Give you the flexibility to withdraw portions of your account value if you choose. You can use the money as an ongoing source

of extra income or withdraw it periodically, as unexpected financial needs arise.

Although a variable annuity may be an appropriate choice for some people as part of an overall retirement portfolio, it is not suitable for everyone. You should speak with your financial professional to see if a variable annuity is right for you. Please read the prospectus for complete details before investing.

To provide the investment and insurance-related features, variable annuities contain certain fees, including contract fees, a separate account charge, and variable investment option charges and expenses. Optional living and death benefit riders carry additional charges.

Like most investments, variable annuity contracts will fluctuate in value and are subject to loss due to market declines.

Withdrawal charges may apply if you withdraw principal too soon. Withdrawals of taxable amounts are subject to ordinary income tax and a 10% Federal income tax penalty may apply if made prior to age 59?. Please see the prospectus for complete details.

1 If you are buying a variable annuity to fund a qualified retirement plan or IRA, you should do so for the variable annuity's features and benefits other than tax deferral. In such cases, tax deferral is not an additional benefit of the variable annuity. References throughout this material to tax advantages, such as tax deferral and tax-free transfers, are subject to this consideration.

Guarantees apply to certain insurance and annuity products and optional benefits (not securities, variable or investment advisory products) and are subject to product terms, exclusions and limitations and the insurer's claims-paying ability and financial strength.

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