#45 – MetLife: Navigating Life With Purpose

“To help our customers navigate life’s twists and turns.”

This is the purpose statement by MetLife, the 156-year-old insurance holding company headquartered in New York, serving over 90 million customers across more than 60 countries.

Founded in 1868, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company—better known today as MetLife—has grown into one of the world’s largest global providers of insurance, annuities, and employee benefits programs.

Listed on the NYSE since 2000 (ticker: MET), MetLife operates with a network of subsidiaries and partners across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.

Its purpose — helping people navigate life’s unpredictability — aligns with a business model centered not only on risk coverage, but on guidance and resilience.

MetLife has shifted from traditional insurance towards a more holistic approach to financial well-being, including retirement readiness, mental health benefits, and inclusive workplace support.

In 2023, MetLife reported $68.8 billion in total revenue and was ranked 43rd on the Fortune 500 list.

The company’s investments in digital innovation (like its AI-powered customer service tools) and sustainability initiatives (targeting net zero by 2050) further reinforce a strategy that’s both future-facing and grounded in long-term responsibility