--- ticker: MET company: MetLife Inc. filing_type: 10-K year_current: 2026 year_prior: 2025 risks_added: 0 risks_removed: 0 risks_modified: 8 risks_unchanged: 38 source: SEC EDGAR url: https://riskdiff.com/met/2026-vs-2025/ markdown_url: https://riskdiff.com/met/2026-vs-2025/index.md generated: 2026-05-10 --- # MetLife Inc.: 10-K Risk Factor Changes 2026 vs 2025 > Source: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR) > Generated: 2026-05-10 > All data extracted directly from official filings. No hallucinated content. > **[AI-Generated Summary]** The paragraph below was produced by a language > model and may contain errors. All other content on this page is deterministically > extracted from the original SEC filing. > MetLife made substantive modifications to 8 of its 46 total risk factors while maintaining the same overall risk disclosure structure with no new or removed risks. The company updated disclosure language across economically sensitive risks including economic conditions, derivatives, real estate, and competition, alongside operational risks tied to its Brighthouse separation and intangible asset impairment considerations. These modifications reflect refinements to existing risk narratives rather than the introduction of new risk categories or elimination of previously disclosed exposures. --- ## Summary | Status | Count | |--------|-------| | New risks added | 0 | | Risks removed | 0 | | Risks modified | 8 | | Unchanged | 38 | --- ## Modified: We May Face Difficult Economic Conditions **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Market conditions resulting in reductions in the value of assets we manage or lower transaction volume may have an adverse effect on the revenues and profitability of our institutional asset management services, which depend on fees related primarily to the value of assets under management ("AUM")." **Prior (2025):** Market factors, including interest rates, credit spreads, declining equity or debt markets, derivative prices and availability, real estate conditions, foreign currency exchange rates, consumer and government spending, government default or spending reductions to avoid default, business investment, climate change, public health risks, volatility, disruptions and strength of the capital markets, deflation and inflation, and government actions in response thereto, may inhibit revenue growth, reduce investment opportunities and result in reduced investment returns or losses, derivative losses, reductions in fees generated, changes in insurance liabilities, impairments, increased valuation allowances, increases in reserves, reduced net investment income and changes in unrealized gain or loss positions. Higher unemployment, changes to inflation, lower family income, lower corporate earnings, greater government regulation, lower business investment, lower consumer spending, elevated incidence of claims, adverse utilization of benefits relative to our best estimate expectations, lapses or surrenders of policies, reduced demand for our products, and deferred or canceled payments of insurance premiums may negatively affect our earnings and capitalization. **Current (2026):** Market factors, including interest rates, credit spreads, declining equity or debt markets, derivative prices and availability, real estate conditions, foreign currency exchange rates, consumer and government spending, government default or spending reductions to avoid default, business investment, climate change, public health risks, volatility, disruptions and strength of the capital markets, deflation and inflation, and government actions in response thereto, may inhibit revenue growth, reduce investment opportunities and result in reduced investment returns or losses, derivative losses, reductions in fees generated, changes in insurance liabilities, impairments, increased valuation allowances, increases in reserves, reduced net investment income and changes in unrealized gain or loss positions. Market conditions resulting in reductions in the value of assets we manage or lower transaction volume may have an adverse effect on the revenues and profitability of our institutional asset management services, which depend on fees related primarily to the value of assets under management ("AUM"). Higher unemployment, changes to inflation, lower family income, lower corporate earnings, greater government regulation, lower business investment, lower consumer spending, elevated incidence of claims, adverse utilization of benefits relative to our best estimate expectations, lapses or surrenders of policies, reduced demand for our products and services, and deferred or canceled payments of insurance premiums may negatively affect our earnings and capitalization. --- ## Modified: Derivatives Risks **Key changes:** - Added sentence: "Strategies we manage for clients may face similar collateral and margin requirements, which can affect liquidity and performance." - Removed sentence: "29 29 29 Table of Contents Table of Contents" **Prior (2025):** If our counterparties, clearing brokers or central clearinghouses fail or refuse to honor their obligations under our derivatives agreements, our risks may not be fully hedged. A counterparty, clearing broker, or central clearinghouse may become insolvent or otherwise unable or unwilling to make payments or to return collateral under the terms of derivatives agreements, increasing our costs or resulting in significant losses. If the net estimated fair value of a derivative to which we are a party declines, we may need to pledge additional collateral or make increased payments. In addition, we may face increased costs to the extent we replace counterparties or clearing brokers who suffer financial difficulties. Furthermore, our derivatives valuations may change based on changes to our valuation methodology or errors in such valuation or valuation methodology. 29 29 29 Table of Contents Table of Contents **Current (2026):** If our counterparties, clearing brokers or central clearinghouses fail or refuse to honor their obligations under our derivatives agreements, our risks may not be fully hedged. A counterparty, clearing broker, or central clearinghouse may become insolvent or otherwise unable or unwilling to make payments or to return collateral under the terms of derivatives agreements, increasing our costs or resulting in significant losses. If the net estimated fair value of a derivative to which we are a party declines, we may need to pledge additional collateral or make increased payments. Strategies we manage for clients may face similar collateral and margin requirements, which can affect liquidity and performance. In addition, we may face increased costs to the extent we replace counterparties or clearing brokers who suffer financial difficulties. Furthermore, our derivatives valuations may change based on changes to our valuation methodology or errors in such valuation or valuation methodology. --- ## Modified: Real Estate Risks **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Changes in leasable commercial space supply and demand, lessee behaviors, pandemics and other public health issues, creditworthiness of tenants and partners, capital markets volatility, interest rate fluctuations, commodity prices, farm incomes, housing and commercial property market conditions, and real estate investment supply and demand may adversely impact our investments in commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans, and real estate and REJVs." **Prior (2025):** Changes in leasable commercial space supply and demand, lessee behaviors, pandemics and other public health issues, creditworthiness of tenants and partners, capital markets volatility, interest rate fluctuations, commodity prices, farm incomes, housing and commercial property market conditions, and real estate investment supply and demand may adversely impact our investments in commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans, and real estate equity investments including joint ventures. **Current (2026):** Changes in leasable commercial space supply and demand, lessee behaviors, pandemics and other public health issues, creditworthiness of tenants and partners, capital markets volatility, interest rate fluctuations, commodity prices, farm incomes, housing and commercial property market conditions, and real estate investment supply and demand may adversely impact our investments in commercial, agricultural and residential mortgage loans, and real estate and REJVs. Asset market stress may also adversely affect real estate strategies we manage under client mandates, reducing AUM and related fees. --- ## Modified: We May Face Risks Related to Our Separation from Brighthouse **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Brighthouse may not succeed as a standalone entity or may enter into a transaction, including a sale, which could adversely affect separation-related arrangements or expose us to litigation, financial or regulatory risks." **Prior (2025):** We may not realize any or all of the expected tax or other benefits of the Brighthouse separation. Brighthouse may not succeed as a standalone entity, causing litigation or regulatory claims against us. **Current (2026):** We may not realize any or all of the expected tax or other benefits of the Brighthouse separation. Brighthouse may not succeed as a standalone entity or may enter into a transaction, including a sale, which could adversely affect separation-related arrangements or expose us to litigation, financial or regulatory risks. --- ## Modified: We May Face Competition for Business **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Competitive pressures, based on a number of factors including service, product features, scale, price, commission structure, financial strength, investment performance, the level of fees charged, our ability to develop new investment strategies and products, institutional client relationships, talent, claims-paying ratings, credit ratings, e-business capabilities, name recognition, sustainability-related expectations, technology, AI, adaptation in light of pandemics and other public health issues, changes in regulation and taxes, and other factors, may adversely affect the persistency of our products and our ability to sell products in the future." - Reworded sentence: "Furthermore, the institutional asset management and securities brokerage businesses have relatively low barriers to entry and continually attract new entrants." - Reworded sentence: "An increase in consolidation activity among banks, insurance brokers, broker-dealers, and asset managers may negatively impact the insurance industry's sales." - Reworded sentence: "In addition, legislative and other changes affecting the regulatory environment for our business may not impact all activities and companies equally, which could adversely affect our competitive position within the insurance industry, institutional asset management industry and the broader financial services industry." **Prior (2025):** Competitive pressures, based on a number of factors including service, product features, scale, price, financial strength, claims-paying ratings, credit ratings, e-business capabilities, name recognition, performance against ESG metrics, technology, adaptation in light of pandemics and other public health issues, changes in regulation and taxes, and other factors, may adversely affect the persistency of our products and our ability to sell products in the future. We may be harmed by competition from other insurance companies, as well as non-insurance financial services companies, which may have a broader array of products, more competitive pricing, higher claims paying ability ratings, greater financial resources with which to compete, or pre-existing customer bases for financial services products. Additionally, we may lose purchasers of group insurance products that are subject to periodic re-underwriting due to more favorable terms from competitors. Furthermore, the investment management and securities brokerage businesses have relatively low barriers to entry and continually attract new entrants. Our customers and clients may engage other financial service providers, resulting in our loss of business. An increase in consolidation activity among banks, insurance brokers, broker-dealers and investment advisers may negatively impact the insurance industry's sales. It may increase competition for access to distributors, resulting in greater distribution expenses, and may impair our ability to market insurance products to or expand our current customer base. Consolidation and other industry changes may also increase the likelihood that distributors will renegotiate agreements on terms less favorable to us. In addition, legislative and other changes affecting the regulatory environment for our business may not impact all activities and companies equally, which could adversely affect our competitive position within the insurance industry and the broader financial services industry. **Current (2026):** Competitive pressures, based on a number of factors including service, product features, scale, price, commission structure, financial strength, investment performance, the level of fees charged, our ability to develop new investment strategies and products, institutional client relationships, talent, claims-paying ratings, credit ratings, e-business capabilities, name recognition, sustainability-related expectations, technology, AI, adaptation in light of pandemics and other public health issues, changes in regulation and taxes, and other factors, may adversely affect the persistency of our products and our ability to sell products in the future. We may be harmed by competition from other insurance companies, asset managers, and non-insurance financial services companies, which may have a broader array of products, more competitive pricing, higher claims paying ability ratings, greater financial resources with which to compete, or pre-existing customer bases for financial services products. Competition may also result in fee compression or a shift toward lower-fee passive products, which could reduce the profit margins of our institutional asset management business. Additionally, we may lose purchasers of group insurance products that are subject to periodic re-underwriting due to more favorable terms from competitors. Furthermore, the institutional asset management and securities brokerage businesses have relatively low barriers to entry and continually attract new entrants. Our customers and clients may engage other financial service providers, resulting in our loss of business. An increase in consolidation activity among banks, insurance brokers, broker-dealers, and asset managers may negatively impact the insurance industry's sales. It may increase competition for access to distributors, resulting in greater distribution expenses, and may impair our ability to market insurance products to or expand our current customer base. Consolidation and other industry changes may also increase the likelihood that distributors will renegotiate agreements on terms less favorable to us. In addition, legislative and other changes affecting the regulatory environment for our business may not impact all activities and companies equally, which could adversely affect our competitive position within the insurance industry, institutional asset management industry and the broader financial services industry. 35 35 35 Table of Contents Table of Contents --- ## Modified: We May Have to Pledge Collateral or Make Payments in Derivatives and Reinsurance Transactions **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "We may have to pledge additional collateral and increase payments we make under our derivatives and reinsurance transactions." **Prior (2025):** We may have to pledge additional collateral and increase payments we make under our derivatives transactions. Regulators, clearinghouses, counterparties, or clearing brokers may restrict or eliminate eligible collateral, increase our collateral requirements, or charge us to pledge such collateral, which would increase our costs, reduce our investment income, and harm our liquidity. **Current (2026):** We may have to pledge additional collateral and increase payments we make under our derivatives and reinsurance transactions. Regulators, clearinghouses, counterparties, or clearing brokers may restrict or eliminate eligible collateral, increase our collateral requirements, or charge us to pledge such collateral, which would increase our costs, reduce our investment income, and harm our liquidity. --- ## Modified: We May Be Required to Impair VODA, VOBA or VOCRA **Key changes:** - Removed sentence: "36 36 36 Table of Contents Table of Contents" **Prior (2025):** Adverse changes to investment returns, mortality, morbidity, persistency, interest crediting rates, dividends paid to policyholders, expenses to administer the business, significant or sustained equity market declines, significant changes to bond spreads, and certain other economic variables, such as inflation, could cause an impairment of the value of distribution agreements acquired ("VODA"), VOBA or the value of customer relationships acquired ("VOCRA"). We may accelerate amortization or impair these assets in the period these occur. 36 36 36 Table of Contents Table of Contents **Current (2026):** Adverse changes to investment returns, mortality, morbidity, persistency, interest crediting rates, dividends paid to policyholders, expenses to administer the business, significant or sustained equity market declines, significant changes to bond spreads, and certain other economic variables, such as inflation, could cause an impairment of the value of distribution agreements acquired ("VODA"), VOBA or the value of customer relationships acquired ("VOCRA"). We may accelerate amortization or impair these assets in the period these occur. --- ## Modified: Our Efforts to Enhance the Sustainability of our Businesses May Not Meet Investors', Regulators' or Customers' Expectations **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Some of our stockholders, investors, and customers, or those considering such a relationship with us, evaluate our business or other practices according to a variety of sustainability standards and expectations." - Added sentence: "32 32 32 Table of Contents Table of Contents" **Prior (2025):** Some of our shareholders, investors and customers, or those considering such a relationship with us, evaluate our business or other practices according to a variety of ESG standards and expectations. Our practices and performance are subject to increasing scrutiny with regard to various aspects of ESG performance from regulators and other stakeholders. Our investors or others may evaluate our practices by ESG criteria that are continually evolving and not always clear or readily measurable. These standards and expectations may also, as a whole, reflect contrasting or conflicting values or agendas and are not always susceptible to consensus. Our decisions and priorities must also necessarily, and simultaneously, take account of multiple business goals and interests. Our practices may not change in the particulars or at the rate some stakeholders expect. As a result, our efforts to conduct our business in accordance with some or all these expectations may involve trade-offs. In June 2022, we announced our commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions by 2050 or sooner. This commitment applies to GHG emissions from our global owned and leased offices and vehicle fleets, employee business travel, supply chain and general account investment portfolio, including the general accounts of MetLife, Inc.'s wholly-owned subsidiaries, where reliable data and methodologies are available. We have oriented our climate objectives and interim targets to advance this commitment, which involves assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Data and measurement techniques continue to evolve. Further, because of the financed emissions included in our investment portfolio, our ability to meet our commitments is dependent on those counterparties meeting their own carbon reduction objectives. We may fail to meet our commitments or targets, and our policies and processes to evaluate and manage ESG standards in coordination with other business priorities may not prove completely effective or fully satisfy expectations of some stakeholders. For example, some current customers and potential customers may decline to do business with us based on our sustainability practices and related policies and actions. We may also face adverse regulatory, investor, media, or public scrutiny leading to business, reputational, or legal challenges. **Current (2026):** Some of our stockholders, investors, and customers, or those considering such a relationship with us, evaluate our business or other practices according to a variety of sustainability standards and expectations. Our practices and performance are subject to increasing scrutiny with regard to various aspects of sustainability performance from regulators and other stakeholders. Our investors or others may evaluate our practices against sustainability criteria that continue to evolve and may be unclear, inconsistent or based on methodologies that are not readily measurable. These standards and expectations may reflect differing or conflicting priorities. Our decisions and priorities must balance multiple objectives simultaneously, and our practices may not change in the manner or time frame some stakeholders expect. As a result, our efforts to operate in alignment with some or all of these expectations may involve trade-offs. Our sustainability aspirations and interim targets rely on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Further, because of the financed emissions included in our investment portfolio, our ability to achieve these aspirations depends in part on counterparties meeting their own emissions reduction objectives. Standards, data sources, analytical tools and regulatory requirements related to sustainability practices continue to evolve, and the availability, quality, and comparability of data varies across our operations, supply chain, and investment activities. We also rely on data provided by third parties, which may be incomplete, inaccurate, delayed, or unavailable. As techniques, industry standards, and regulatory expectations continue to develop, our assessments, reporting, and targets may change. We may fail to meet our interim targets, and our policies and processes to evaluate and manage sustainability standards in coordination with other business priorities may not prove completely effective or fully satisfy expectations of some stakeholders. For example, some current and potential customers may decline to do business with us based on our sustainability practices and related policies and actions. We may also face adverse regulatory, investor, media, or public scrutiny leading to business, reputational, or legal challenges. 32 32 32 Table of Contents Table of Contents --- *Data sourced from SEC EDGAR. Last updated 2026-05-10.*