Office address: One MetLife Way, Whippany, NJ 07981
Website: investments.metlife.com
Year established: 1868
Company type: financial services
Employees: 950+
Expertise: fixed income, private credit, real estate, small and small-mid cap equities, asset-based finance, pension solutions, sustainable investing, portfolio management, risk management, institutional asset management
Parent company: MetLife, Inc.
Key people: Michel Khalaf (CEO); John McCallion (head of MIM); Brian Funk (president); Timothy Rabe, Geert Henckens, and Kerry O’Brien (global heads); Kathryn Vorisek (senior managing director)
Financing status: corporation
MetLife is a leading US-based provider of insurance, annuities, and employee benefits, with a strong presence in over 40 countries. Its investment arm, MetLife Investment Management, serves institutional investors and draws on more than 150 years of experience. MIM manages $624 billion in assets as of June 2025, focusing on fixed income, private credit, and real estate.
MetLife began its story in 1863, during a time of great uncertainty in America. The company first operated as the National Union Life and Limb Insurance Company, offering coverage to Civil War soldiers and sailors.
After a few challenging years, the business shifted its focus to life insurance, which led to the creation of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in 1868. By 1880, it was signing up hundreds of new policies each day, showing its growing influence in the industry.
As the years passed, the company did not stay confined to the US. It expanded its reach to Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The firm became known for more than just insurance.
It supported public health campaigns, provided basic care through visiting nurse services, and invested in agriculture and infrastructure. These activities expanded its involvement in public health and community development.
MetLife Investment Management emerged as a key part of the company’s growth. MIM brought deep experience in fixed income, private credit, real estate, and equities to institutional investors.
Drawing on MetLife’s long history of stability and careful risk management, MIM built tailored investment solutions for clients. By 2024, MIM had become a top global manager, originating $21 billion in private credit transactions and leading in infrastructure debt investments.
In 2025, the firm made a move to strengthen its investment arm. The company acquired portfolio management teams from Mesirow, bringing in about 20 experienced specialists.
This deal added high-yield, bank loan, and small-cap equity expertise to MIM’s offerings. The acquisition showed its commitment to growing its in-house talent and expanding its investment capabilities for institutional clients.
MetLife Investment Management has broad expertise in institutional investment products. Its offerings include:
MetLife Investment Management is also known for its experience in building tailored portfolio solutions and for its accessible, accountable, and collaborative approach. The firm’s long history and broad resources help clients pursue strong, risk-adjusted returns across changing markets.
MetLife states that its culture centers on valuing all perspectives and supporting employee growth. The firm’s core values include:
According to the company, the work environment is built on teamwork and access to resources for success. To support this, the firm provides its staff with:
MetLife provides career growth tools, manager check-ins, and access to a learning experience platform. Workforce and leadership workshops support ongoing development. The company states it is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all employment laws.
Michel A. Khalaf is CEO and president of MetLife, leading the company’s global operations and strategy. Before this, Khalaf served as CEO for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia after MetLife acquired Alico from AIG. He later managed the EMEA region and US businesses, launching new strategies to drive growth and value.
MetLife Investment Management’s senior leadership team works closely with the CEO to guide MIM's operations:
This leadership team brings global experience and a strong focus on institutional investing. Their combined expertise supports MetLife Investment Management’s mission to deliver tailored solutions for clients worldwide.
MetLife Investment Management is helping pension plan sponsors manage market swings by sharing strategies for derisking and asset allocation. The firm’s experts guide clients on shifting from equities to bonds and private credit, aiming to balance risk and improve returns. This approach supports clients as they prepare for future changes and helps MIM stay relevant in a changing market.
In 2025, MetLife Investment Management released an impact report highlighting how its Global Bond Fund financed projects across 169 countries. The report showed that the firm supported environmental and social initiatives, including clean energy, water treatment, and affordable housing, while delivering competitive returns. This work positions MIM as a leader in responsible investing and supports its long-term commitment to global sustainability.
Industry leaders are divided on whether income options in 401(k) plans will succeed and become a popular product in the next decade.
As the weather heats up in May, so does the competition among insurance carriers that are releasing new features for their variable annuities.
Retirees are increasingly worried that they will live too long and their savings will run out, and financial services companies are noticing.
MetLife is bringing in its deferred income annuity as an asset allocation option in a defined contribution plan.
Annuities are from Principal Financial Group, Symetra Life Insurance and firms affiliated with MetLife Investors.
Recent scandals have taught financial services firms to scrutinize the people they hire more closely.
Insurers are stepping up their wholesaler education efforts to help advisers prepare for tougher suitability rules involving the sale of variable annuities.
Despite initial concerns about portability, cost and complexity, annuities in defined contribution plans are slowly gaining momentum, according to a new report.
Prudential's fourth-quarter net income fell to $792 million, or $1.75 per share, from $893 million.
Now that annuities are becoming accepted as part of an overall retirement income program, fee-only planners are wondering whether they should sell the products themselves or refer sales to outside agents.
MetLife will now distribute its retail-deferred income annuity through the carrier’s independent distribution arm.
A new rule governing broker-dealers' sales of deferred variable annuities is about to drop, and the firms are arming themselves to face it — but not without a little grumbling.
The American Council of Life Insurers today elected Dennis R. Glass, president and CEO of Lincoln Financial Group, as its 2008 chairman.
Financial advisers are resisting using annuities designed for 401(k) plans which are created by insurance firms.
