Responsible Governance
Our Approach
Effective governance underpins MetLife’s ability to fulfill our purpose and deliver on our promise of customer and employee care. We have built a culture in which colleagues take responsibility for their actions, adopt an ownership mindset and are empowered to speak up.
To maintain this culture, MetLife continuously improves governance practices and regularly adopts and updates trainings, policies and codes, and resources for colleagues to uphold and promote in their day-today practices. A description of many of these practices may be found on the Corporate Governance website and at the Sustainability Resource Center. Certain of these resources include:1
- Antitrust Guidelines;
- Code of Business Ethics;
- Directors’ Code of Business Ethics;
- Financial Management Code of Business Ethics;
- Global Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy;
- Global Anti-Money Laundering Policy;
- Global Customer Protection Policy;
- Global Electronic Communications Policy;
- Global Employee Conflict of Interest Policy;
- Global Fraud Risk Management Policy;
- Global Policy on Escalation of Concerns and Investigation Handling;
- Global Privacy and Data Protection Policy;
- Global Privacy & Information Security Program;
- Global Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policy;
- Global Security Policies and Standards;
- Global Trade and Economic Sanctions Policy;
- Global Workplace Statement;
- MetLife Environmental Policy Statement;
- MetLife Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Harassment Policy;
- MetLife Ethics & Fraud HelpLine;
- MetLife Pay Equity Statement;
- MetLife Speak Up Tool;
- MetLife U.S. Privacy Notices and Policies;
- Supplier Code of Business Ethics;
- Third Party Risk Management Policy; and
- U.S. Complaint Handling Policy.
Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence
The power of AI lies in how humans and machines can bolster each other’s strengths. We recognize that AI used in the right way can be a force multiplier for MetLife. By developing and deploying new technologies, and leveraging AI, we can serve our stakeholders in new and better ways. To guide the implementation of AI solutions, MetLife has enacted a Global Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policy.
The Policy is based on the following seven principles which provide the foundation for the ethical, transparent and secure use of MetLife’s AI solutions:
- Fairness: AI solutions will not produce impermissibly discriminatory outcomes;
- Transparency and Explainability: Decisions made by AI solutions must be explainable and appropriately disclosed;
- Privacy: AI solutions will be implemented in a manner that respects privacy requirements;
- Accountability: AI solutions are designed with appropriate human oversight;
- Performance: AI solutions will be monitored so that they perform as intended;
- Data Governance, Quality and Retention: We have established governance mechanisms to provide legal and strategic oversight in the design, development, deployment and use of AI; and
- Resiliency and Security: AI solutions will be robust, secure and safe.
Highlights
Published
Provided
UN Global Compact (UNGC)
Advocated
Governance
Board of Directors
MetLife’s Board of Directors oversees the following: the development and execution of MetLife’s strategic and financial business plans, management succession plans, risk management, corporate governance, information security program and sustainability strategy and execution. The Board of Directors also advises the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other executive officers in their management of the Company’s business.
In performing their general oversight responsibility, Directors apply their business judgment to help ensure that the Company’s executive officers manage the best long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders. We maintain a Directors’ Code of Business Ethics, which requires each Director to annually review and sign an acknowledgment of understanding and compliance.
Each of MetLife’s Board committees (with the exception of the Executive Committee) is chaired by an independent Director with demonstrated expertise in the responsibilities of such committee and strong leadership skills.
Global Sustainability Governance
MetLife’s sustainability efforts are coordinated across the enterprise. Operationally, MetLife’s Sustainability function is dedicated to sustainability strategy, management and reporting. The Chief Sustainability Officer leads the function, in coordination with other senior executives.
MetLife’s Regional President of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Head of Global Sustainability, who reports directly to the CEO, oversees the function. Additionally, MetLife’s leaders include sustainability in annual performance objectives as part of a shared goal for MetLife’s Executive Leadership Team.
Within the Finance function, MetLife has an ESG Financial Reporting Controller who supports regulated and voluntary reporting containing environmental, social and governance (ESG) information.
We also have a Sustainability Reporting Steering Committee that oversees ESG regulatory and reporting disclosures, and is responsible for the consistency and appropriate control oversight of such disclosures. MetLife’s Government Affairs, Legal Affairs, Communications and ESG Financial Reporting teams track and lead preparations for implementation of new sustainability regulations in partnership with relevant stakeholders across the Company.
MetLife’s CEO has final sign-off on the publication of the annual Sustainability Report, and the report is shared with the Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee of the Board of Directors annually. Read MetLife’s 2025 Proxy Statement for more information about Board governance and sustainability.
