FAQs

The distribution was the method by which Brighthouse Financial, Inc. separated from MetLife, Inc. On August 4, 2017, MetLife, Inc. distributed 96,776,670 shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s common stock, representing approximately 80.8% of those shares, on a pro rata basis to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders.

No, the number of shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock you own did not change as a result of the distribution.

On the August 4, 2017 distribution date, MetLife, Inc. common shareholders received a distribution of one share of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock for every 11 shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock they held as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on the July 19, 2017 record date. MetLife, Inc. common shareholders who sold their MetLife, Inc. shares in the “regular-way” market after that date, but before and through the August 4 date that Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock was distributed, sold their entitlement to receive Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock in the distribution. Shareholders of MetLife, Inc. who owned less than 11 shares of common stock, or others who would otherwise have received fractional shares, received cash.

The distribution was effective as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 4, 2017.

Registered shareholders: If you are a registered shareholder (meaning you hold physical MetLife, Inc. stock certificates or you own your shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock directly through an account with MetLife, Inc.’s transfer agent, Computershare Inc.), Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s transfer agent credited the whole shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock you received in the distribution by way of direct registration in book-entry form under the Direct Registration System (the “DRS”) to your DRS book-entry account on or shortly after the August 4, 2017 distribution date. The transfer agent keeps a record of your shares of common stock on Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s record of owners. You may access information regarding your DRS account holding the Brighthouse Financial, Inc. shares at Computershare Trust Company, N.A. using the following website www.computershare.com/brighthouse or via Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s transfer agent’s interactive voice response system at (888) 670-4771. If you were entitled to receive whole shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock in the distribution, promptly after the August 4, 2017 distribution date, the distribution agent will mail to you a DRS account statement that reflects the number of whole shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock you own, along with a check for any cash in lieu of fractional shares you would otherwise have been entitled to receive.

“Street name” or beneficial shareholders: If you own your shares of MetLife, Inc. common stock beneficially through a bank, broker or other nominee, the bank, broker or other nominee holds the shares in “street name” and records your ownership on its books. In this case, your bank, broker or other nominee should credit your account with the whole shares of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock you received in the August 4, 2017 distribution on or shortly after the distribution date. Please contact your bank, broker or other nominee for further information about your account.

Trust beneficiaries: If you are a beneficiary of the MetLife Policyholder Trust established in connection with the demutualization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in April 2000, see Brighthouse Financial Distribution Information for Trust Beneficiaries

Brighthouse Financial, Inc. will not issue any physical stock certificates to any shareholders, even if requested.

Brighthouse Financial, Inc. common stock began trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol “BHF” on August 7, 2017.

Yes. MetLife, Inc. common stock will continue to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MET”.

MetLife intends for the Distribution to qualify as a “reorganization” under section 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. Assuming that this characterization is respected, MetLife shareholders generally will not recognize any gain or loss on the Distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes (except to the extent that gain or loss may be recognized with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares of BHF common stock). Please also refer to the Information Statement for more information, including some caveats and exceptions.

For information about cost basis allocation, please see Form 8937.

The Form 8937 provides information about the basis consequences of the distribution, and how to allocate your cost basis between the MetLife and Brighthouse shares. Please also refer to the Information Statement for more information.

These Frequently Asked Questions & Answers provide only a summary of the terms of the distribution. You should read the section entitled “The Separation and Distribution” in Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s Information Statement for a more detailed description.

If you have any questions relating to the mechanics of the distribution, you should contact the distribution agent at: