How Do I Get My Money Back From Metlife

People are currently reading this guide.

Feeling a little overwhelmed by the idea of getting your money back from MetLife? You're not alone! Many people find navigating insurance policies and claims processes to be a bit daunting. But don't worry, this comprehensive guide is here to walk you through every step. We'll break down the different scenarios where you might be seeking a refund or payout from MetLife and provide clear, actionable instructions. Let's get started, shall we?

How Do I Get My Money Back From MetLife? A Step-by-Step Guide

The process of getting money back from MetLife depends heavily on why you're seeking it. Are you a beneficiary of a life insurance policy? Are you surrendering an annuity? Did you overpay a premium? Each situation has its own specific steps. We'll cover the most common scenarios.

Scenario 1: Claiming Life Insurance Benefits (As a Beneficiary)

This is often the most common reason people seek money from MetLife. When a policyholder passes away, the named beneficiary (or beneficiaries) are entitled to the death benefit.

Step 1: Gather Essential Information and Documents

Before you even contact MetLife, collect everything you possibly can. This will significantly speed up the process.

Policy Number(s): If you know the policy number, great! If not, MetLife has a policy finder tool on their website (metlife.com/policyfinder/) that can help you locate it using the deceased's information.
Certified Death Certificate: This is crucial. You'll need original certified copies. Funeral homes can usually assist you in obtaining these. You'll likely need 10-12 copies, as various entities (banks, credit agencies, other insurance companies) may require them.
Your Personal Information: Full name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number, and your relationship to the insured.
Contact Information: Phone number and email address where MetLife can reach you.
Beneficiary Claim Kit: MetLife provides specific claim kits for individual beneficiaries and for trusts/entities. Download the appropriate one from their website (often found in the "Support and Manage" or "File a Claim" sections). Review this kit thoroughly as it contains valuable information and the necessary forms.
Medical Records (if applicable): For some claims, especially those related to accidental death or if the death occurred at home, complete medical records, including indoor case papers, death summary, and discharge summary, may be required.
Police Reports (if applicable): For accidental deaths, a copy of the First Information Report (FIR), Panchnama, Postmortem Report (PMR), and Viscera report (if applicable) may be needed.
Legal Heir Certificate/Succession Certificate: In the absence of a nominee, this might be required in some jurisdictions (like India, as indicated in search results for PNB MetLife).
Employer Certificate: If the policy was through an employer, an employer certificate in MetLife's format might be required.
Pan Card/Form 60 of the Nominee (India specific): If you are in India and dealing with PNB MetLife, this is a mandatory document.

Step 2: Initiate the Claim

MetLife offers several ways to submit a life insurance claim:

Online: For individual beneficiaries, MetLife typically has an online claim submission portal. This is often the quickest method.
Email: You can email your completed forms and scanned documents to INDlifeclaims@metlife.com (for US policies).
Fax: A fax number is often provided in the claim kit (e.g., 1-908-655-9586 for US policies).
Mail: You can mail the complete claim kit and supporting documents via USPS to the address provided in your kit.

Pro-tip: Always keep copies of everything you submit for your records. If sending by mail, consider using a trackable service.

Step 3: Follow Up and Await Decision

Once MetLife receives your claim, they will review it.

Initial Review: MetLife usually reviews claims within 5 business days and responds within 10 business days if more information is needed.
Claim Decision:
- For non-investigated claims, the turnaround time (TAT) is typically 15 days from the date of intimation (receiving all mandatory documents).
- For investigated claims (e.g., if there are inconsistencies or further verification is needed), the investigation will be completed and a decision made within 45 days from the receipt of claim intimation.
Payment Options: Once your claim is approved, you generally have two ways to receive funds:
- Direct Deposit (Electronic Funds Transfer): This is usually the fastest method.
- Check via USPS: A check will be mailed within 5 business days.
- MetLife Total Control Account: For some claims, particularly annuity payouts, you might have the option to deposit funds into an interest-bearing, no-fee MetLife Total Control Account, which may come with a debit card.

Important: If there are multiple beneficiaries, each beneficiary needs to submit their own claim kit. MetLife will pay each beneficiary their proceeds separately.

Scenario 2: Surrendering a Life Insurance Policy or Annuity

Surrendering a policy means cashing it out for its cash surrender value. This is a significant decision and should be approached with careful consideration, as there may be charges and tax implications.

Step 1: Understand the Implications of Surrender

Before you proceed, it's vital to understand what surrendering your policy means:

Surrender Charges: Early cancellation, especially with certain types of policies like Universal Life or annuities, may be subject to high surrender charges. These fees can significantly reduce the amount you receive.
Taxable Portion: The cash surrender value may be subject to income tax. MetLife is generally required to withhold 10% of the taxable portion for federal income tax, and some states also have withholding requirements.
Loss of Coverage: You will lose the insurance coverage that the policy provided, which might mean your loved ones are no longer financially protected.
Market Conditions: If your policy's value is tied to investments (like a variable annuity or universal life policy), surrendering when unit prices are low might not be financially advantageous.
Alternatives to Full Surrender: Consider if a partial withdrawal would meet your needs instead. If you only need a specific amount, you might be able to withdraw a portion and leave the rest invested, subject to minimum remaining balances.

Step 2: Access the Surrender Form

Online Portal: For many policies, you can log in to your MetLife account (e.g., mymetlife.net) and navigate to the policy you wish to surrender. Look for options like "I want to…" dropdown, then "Request Policy Change," and finally "Full Surrender Request."
Download Forms: MetLife often provides "Full Policy Surrender Request" forms on their website's form library. Search for "surrender form" or "policy surrender."

Step 3: Complete and Submit the Surrender Form

The surrender form will require specific details:

Policy Number(s): The policy you wish to surrender.
Owner Information: Your full name, Social Security or Tax ID number, phone number, and email address. If co-owned, include the co-owner's details.
Trust/Entity Information (if applicable): If the policy is owned by a trust or entity, provide its full name, date of trust, Tax ID, and contact person details.
Reason for Surrender: You may be asked to provide a reason for the surrender (e.g., financial services, relocation, reinvestment, etc.).
Method of Payment:
- Check: Specify the mailing address for the check.
- Wire Transfer/EFT: Provide your bank details, including IBAN (if applicable in your country) or account number and SWIFT code. Note that bank charges may apply for wire transfers, and there might be minimum amounts for wire transfers (e.g., amounts greater than USD 10,000 for some international surrenders).
- Total Control Account: Some annuity surrenders may offer this option.
Tax Withholding Preferences: You will usually need to indicate if you want MetLife to withhold federal and state income tax from the taxable portion of the surrender value. It's advisable to consult a tax advisor before making this decision.
Signatures: All policy owners must sign and date the form.

Important Notes for Surrendering:

If your policy payments were made through standing orders, ensure you notify your bank to cancel the standing order instruction to avoid further deductions.
Ensure your bank account details are complete and correct to avoid delays or rejection of the wire transfer.
MetLife generally cannot remit to sanctioned countries.

Step 4: Await Processing and Payment

Once MetLife receives your complete surrender request, they will process it. The timeline for processing can vary, but ensuring all documents are accurate and complete will help avoid delays. They will then issue the payment based on your chosen method.

Scenario 3: Requesting a Refund for Overpayment or Other Issues

If you believe you've overpaid a premium, or if there's another reason you're owed a refund (e.g., policy cancelled during a "free look" period), the process is usually simpler.

Step 1: Review Your Policy and Statements

Policy Terms: Check your policy documents for terms related to refunds, cancellation, or "free look" periods. For instance, some MetLife policies offer a 30-day "free look" period from the policy effective date, during which you can cancel for a refund.
Payment History: Review your bank statements or MetLife premium payment history to confirm any overpayment.

Step 2: Contact MetLife Customer Service

This is the most direct route for general refund inquiries.

Phone: Call MetLife's customer service number. For individual life insurance, it's often 1-800-638-5000 (US). For other policy types, check their "Contact Us" page on their website.
Email: You can also send an email with your policy number and the details of your refund request. MetLife often provides specific email addresses for premium-related queries (e.g., indiaservice@pnbmetlife.co.in with the subject <Your Policy Number> PM for PNB MetLife in India).
Online Portal: Some online portals might have a messaging system or a request form for premium adjustments or refunds.

Step 3: Provide Necessary Information

When you contact customer service, be prepared to provide:

Your full name and contact information.
Your policy number.
A clear explanation of why you believe you are owed a refund (e.g., "I believe I made an overpayment on X date for Y amount").
Any supporting documentation you have (e.g., bank statement showing the overpayment).

MetLife will then investigate your request and process any eligible refund.

Scenario 4: Checking for Unclaimed Funds

Sometimes, policy proceeds or uncashed checks go unclaimed. MetLife, like other insurance companies, is required by law to turn over unclaimed funds to the state after a certain period (this is called "escheatment").

Step 1: Use MetLife's Policy Finder and Unclaimed Property Tools

MetLife Policy Finder: Visit metlife.com/policyfinder/ to search for a policy using the insured's name and last state of residence. This tool primarily searches individual life insurance policies, not group policies (e.g., through employment).
MetLife Unclaimed Amount Search (for PNB MetLife India): If you are in India, PNB MetLife and other Indian insurers have dedicated pages for searching unclaimed amounts (e.g., on https://www.google.com/search?q=pnbmetlife.com).

Step 2: Check State Unclaimed Property Websites

This is a critical step as funds may have already been escheated to the state.

MissingMoney.com: This is a national database that lists unclaimed property for a majority of US states.
State-Specific Websites: Visit the official unclaimed property website for every state in which you (or the deceased policyholder) have lived. These are typically managed by the state treasurer's office.

Step 3: Provide Required Documentation for Claiming Unclaimed Funds

If you find unclaimed funds, you will typically need to provide documentation to verify your claim. This might include:

Proof of identity (e.g., driver's license, passport).
Proof of residence (e.g., utility bills, pay stubs, W-2 statements from the relevant period).
Proof of relationship to the policyholder (if you are a beneficiary).
The death certificate (if it's a life insurance death benefit).

Note: There is no fee to search or make a claim using official state unclaimed property websites. Be wary of third-party services that charge for this.

10 Related FAQs (How To...)

Here are quick answers to some common questions related to getting your money back from MetLife:

How to Check the Status of My MetLife Claim?

You can usually check the status of your claim by calling MetLife's customer service number for the relevant policy type or by logging into your online account if you submitted the claim online. MetLife typically reviews claims within 5 business days and responds within 10 if more info is needed.

How to Find a Lost MetLife Policy Number?

Use MetLife's online policy finder tool at metlife.com/policyfinder/ or contact their customer service with the insured's personal details (name, date of birth, last known address).

How to Handle Multiple Beneficiaries for a MetLife Policy?

Each named beneficiary on a MetLife policy generally needs to submit their own claim kit and required documents to receive their portion of the proceeds. MetLife will process payments to each individual separately.

How to Avoid Delays When Filing a MetLife Claim?

Ensure all forms are fully and accurately completed, provide all requested mandatory documents in the required format, and use the recommended submission method (e.g., online for faster processing). Keep copies of everything you submit.

How to Contact MetLife Customer Service for Refunds?

For general inquiries and refunds, you can call their main customer service line (e.g., 1-800-638-5000 for individual life insurance in the US). For specific issues like premium refunds, check their "Contact Us" page for dedicated email addresses or phone numbers.

How to Understand Tax Implications of MetLife Payouts?

Life insurance death benefits are generally tax-free to the beneficiary. However, the cash surrender value of a policy or annuity withdrawals may be subject to income tax on any gains. Consult a qualified tax advisor for personalized advice.

How to Get Money from an Uncashed MetLife Check?

If you have an uncashed MetLife check, contact MetLife's customer service immediately. They can help you re-issue the check or advise if the funds have been escheated to your state's unclaimed property division.

How to Surrender a MetLife Annuity?

You will typically need to complete a "One-Time Withdrawal Form" or a "Full Policy Surrender Request" form for annuities. These forms are usually available on MetLife's website or by contacting their annuity service center. Be aware of potential surrender charges and tax implications.

How to Deal with an Investigated MetLife Claim?

If your claim is under investigation, it means MetLife needs to verify certain details. Cooperate fully by providing any additional requested information promptly. Investigations typically aim to be completed within 45 days.

How to Find Out if a Deceased Loved One Had a MetLife Policy?

Besides using MetLife's policy finder, check the deceased's personal records, bank statements (for premium payments), and contact their former employers. You can also reach out to your state's department of insurance or use national unclaimed property databases.

8843240506131205435