If you receive structured settlement payments from MetLife (Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company), you have the legal right to sell some or all of your future payments for a lump sum. We have dealt with MetLife on hundreds of transactions and know their internal process well. They are generally straightforward to work with, but they do have one policy that catches people off guard: their partial payment restriction.
MetLife's Partial Payment Restriction
MetLife has an internal policy that restricts partial payment sales in many states. If a state's Structured Settlement Protection Act contains language stating that an annuity issuer “shall not be required to divide any periodic payment between the payee and any transferee,” MetLife interprets this as a prohibition on selling a portion of a monthly payment or a portion of a lump sum payment. This means in those states, you generally need to sell the entire payment stream for specific periods rather than splitting individual payments.
This provision exists in most states because it comes from the NCOIL Model Act. States confirmed to have this language include:
- Alabama
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Most other states that adopted the NCOIL model also contain this language.
Notable states without this restriction (where partial MetLife payment sales may be possible):
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
This restriction does not mean you cannot sell your MetLife payments. It means the transaction may need to be structured differently. Instead of selling a portion of each payment, you would sell entire payments for specific periods. We structure every MetLife deal to work within these rules, and we can usually find an arrangement that gets you the cash you need.
How to Get Your MetLife Benefits Letter (Verification of Benefits)
Before a transaction can proceed, you will need a Verification of Benefits letter from MetLife. This letter confirms your payment amounts, dates, frequency, duration, and whether payments are guaranteed or life contingent. Here is how to request one:
- Call MetLife Structured Settlements at (800) 638-2704 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM – 9 PM ET)
- Ask for the Retirement & Income Solutions: Structured Settlements department
- Have your policy/contract number, full name, and Social Security Number ready
- Request a “Verification of Benefits” letter
- MetLife mails the letter (they do not fax or email for security reasons)
- Expect 7–14 business days for delivery
Tip: You do not need a benefits letter to get a free quote from CSF. Call us at (800) 317-3769 and we can help you gather the information we need to provide an accurate quote.
How CSF Handles MetLife Transfers
CSF has a simplified process for purchasing MetLife structured settlement payments:
- Free quote: call (800) 317-3769 or request a quote online
- Deal structuring: CSF structures the transaction to comply with MetLife's policies and your state's SSPA
- Court filings: we handle all court filings and legal paperwork
- MetLife processing: MetLife processes the transfer after court approval
- Lump sum payment: you receive your lump sum
We see deals fall apart at other companies because they do not structure MetLife transactions correctly. Our experience with MetLife's specific policies means we get it right the first time, avoiding delays and rejected filings. If you have questions about your MetLife annuity, call us at (800) 317-3769. That gets you a direct line to our team, not a call center.