8-KMaterial AgreementsFinancial EventsExhibits & Filings

METLIFE INC 8-K Report, Material Agreement (May 20, 2005)

Filed May 20, 2005For Securities:METMET-PEMET-PFMET-PA

Summary

MetLife Inc. has filed an 8-K report detailing significant financial and employment agreements. Key among these is the entry into a $7 billion senior bridge credit facility with Bank of America and Goldman Sachs. This facility is intended to finance a portion of MetLife's acquisition of Travelers Insurance Company and its international insurance businesses from Citigroup Inc. The funding is contingent on satisfying several conditions, including the successful closing of the acquisition and maintaining certain debt ratings. Additionally, the company has entered into employment continuation agreements with two key executives: Steven Kandarian, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, and Catherine A. Rein, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. These agreements, effective upon a change of control, ensure employment continuation for three years and outline specific severance benefits, including salary, bonus, and continued benefits, in instances of termination without cause or if their employment terms are not met. These arrangements are designed to provide stability and retention for critical leadership during a period of potential corporate transition.

Key Highlights

  • 1MetLife entered into a $7 billion senior bridge credit facility to finance the acquisition of Travelers Insurance Company and Citigroup's international insurance businesses.
  • 2The bridge facility is with Bank of America, N.A. and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., acting as administrative agent and syndication agent, respectively.
  • 3Funding under the bridge facility is subject to several conditions, including the satisfaction of acquisition agreement terms and maintaining specified debt ratings.
  • 4Employment continuation agreements were established with Steven Kandarian (Chief Investment Officer) and Catherine A. Rein (Chief Administrative Officer).
  • 5These executive agreements provide for a three-year employment continuation in the event of a change of control.
  • 6Severance benefits for these executives include a lump-sum payment (three times base salary plus average bonus), continuation of benefits, and pension service credit under specific termination scenarios.
  • 7The agreements include provisions for excise tax gross-up for the executives in certain change of control scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

The $7 billion senior bridge credit facility is intended to finance a portion of MetLife's acquisition of Travelers Insurance Company and substantially all of Citigroup Inc.'s international insurance businesses.

Key conditions include no material adverse change in MetLife's business since December 31, 2004, satisfaction of all conditions in the Acquisition Agreement, acceptance of the Acquisition Agreement by the lenders, assurances that senior unsecured debt ratings will remain at or above a specified level, and satisfaction of certain financial covenants.

Upon a change of control, their employment would continue for three years. If their employment is terminated without cause or their terms of employment do not meet specified standards during this period, they are entitled to termination benefits, which include a lump-sum severance payment (three times their base salary and average bonus), continuation of benefits for up to three years, and additional service credit for pension benefits.

Yes, Ms. Rein's agreement ensures she is made whole for any excise taxes due on payments exceeding the change of control excise tax threshold. Mr. Kandarian's agreement also includes an excise tax gross-up, but it is contingent on the total payments exceeding the threshold by 10% or more; otherwise, his payable amounts will be reduced to the maximum that avoids the excise tax.