<PAGE>   1


    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 18, 2001
                                                        REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                   ----------

                                  METLIFE, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

<TABLE>
<S>                                  <C>                                                        <C>
           DELAWARE                                                                                13-4075851
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                       ONE MADISON AVENUE                        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
 INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10010-3690                   IDENTIFICATION NO.)
                                     (ADDRESS OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
</TABLE>

                     METLIFE, INC. 2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                     METLIFE, INC. 2000 DIRECTORS STOCK PLAN
             METLIFE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR SENIOR OFFICERS
                 METLIFE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR OFFICERS
         METLIFE INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS SPECIAL DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
             METROPOLITAN LIFE AUXILIARY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN
 AUXILIARY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN OF PARTICIPATING METROPOLITAN AFFILIATES
       SUPPLEMENTAL AUXILIARY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN OF PARTICIPATING
                             METROPOLITAN AFFILIATES
                            (FULL TITLE OF THE PLAN)

                              GARY A. BELLER, ESQ.
               SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                                  METLIFE, INC.
                               ONE MADISON AVENUE
                             NEW YORK, NY 10010-3690
                                 (212) 578-2211
            (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                                 ---------------


                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TITLE OF SECURITIES   AMOUNT TO BE    PROPOSED MAXIMUM OFFERING      PROPOSED MAXIMUM            AMOUNT OF
TO BE REGISTERED      REGISTERED(1)   PRICE PER SHARE(2)             AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE    REGISTRATION FEE
----------------      -------------   ----------------               ------------------------    ----------------
<S>                   <C>             <C>                            <C>                         <C>
COMMON STOCK          38,323,333      $29.26                         $1,121,340,724              $280,336
($.01 PAR VALUE       SHARES
PER SHARE)(3)
</TABLE>
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)      PURSUANT TO RULE 416 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THIS
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED TO COVER ANY ADDITIONAL
         SHARES WHICH MAY BE ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLANS REFERENCED ABOVE BY REASON
         OF APPLICABLE ANTI-DILUTION PROVISIONS.

(2)      ESTIMATED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 457(h) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
         1933, AS AMENDED, SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING THE
         REGISTRATION FEE. THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE IS
         BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH AND LOW PRICES OF METLIFE, INC. COMMON
         STOCK REPORTED BY THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE ON APRIL 11, 2001, WHICH
         IS WITHIN FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION
         STATEMENT.

(3)      EACH SHARE OF COMMON STOCK INCLUDES A SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING
         PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE STOCKHOLDER
         RIGHTS AGREEMENT.



                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The following documents filed with the Commission by MetLife, Inc. (the
"Registrant") are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof:

(a)      The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
         31, 2000;

(b)      All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") since
         December 31, 2000; and

(c)      The description of the Registrant's common stock incorporated by
         reference into the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A
         (File No. 001-15787), filed with the Commission on March 31, 2000, from
         the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (No.
         333-91517), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
         updating such description.

         All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be
a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

         Not applicable.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

         The validity of the shares of Common Stock which may be issued by the
Registrant pursuant to the MetLife, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, the MetLife,
Inc. 2000 Directors Stock Plan, the MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for
Senior Officers, the MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers, the
MetLife Individual Business Special Deferred
<PAGE>   3
Compensation Plan, the Metropolitan Life Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan,
the Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan of Participating Metropolitan
Affiliates and the Supplemental Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan of
Participating Metropolitan Affiliates (collectively, the "Plans") will be passed
upon for the Company by Gary A. Beller, Esq., Senior Executive Vice-President
and General Counsel of the Registrant. As of this date, Mr. Beller beneficially
owns shares of the Registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share, and
also participates in certain of the Plans, including the MetLife, Inc. 2000
Stock Incentive Plan.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         The Registrant's directors and officers may be indemnified against
liabilities, fines, penalties and claims imposed upon or asserted against them
as provided in the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Registrant's Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws. Such
indemnification covers all costs and expenses incurred by a director or officer
in his capacity as such. The Board of Directors, by a majority vote of a quorum
of disinterested directors or, under certain circumstances, independent counsel
appointed by the Board of Directors, must determine that the director or officer
seeking indemnification was not guilty of willful misconduct or a knowing
violation of the criminal law. In addition, the Delaware General Corporation Law
and the Registrant's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may,
under certain circumstances, eliminate the liability of directors and officers
in a stockholder or derivative proceeding.

         If the person involved is not a director or officer of the Registrant,
the Board of Directors may cause the Registrant to indemnify, to the same extent
allowed for the Registrant's directors and officers, such person who was or is a
party to a proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was the Registrant's
employee or agent, or is or was serving at the Registrant's request as director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.

         The Registrant has in force and effect policies insuring its directors
and officers against losses which they or any of them will become legally
obligated to pay by reason of any actual or alleged error or misstatement or
misleading statement or act or omission or neglect or breach of duty by the
directors and officers in the discharge of their duties, individually or
collectively, or any matter claimed against them solely by reason of their being
directors or officers. Such coverage is limited by the specific terms and
provisions of the insurance policies.


ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED

         Not applicable.
<PAGE>   4
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Exhibit                       Description
          -------                       -----------
           Number
           ------
<S>               <C>
         4.1      Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MetLife,
                  Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 2000 (the "2000 10-K")).

         4.2      Amended and Restated By-Laws of MetLife, Inc. (incorporated
                  herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant's 2000
                  10-K).

         4.3      Form of Certificate of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
                  (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the
                  Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No.
                  333-91517 (the "Registration Statement")).

         4.4      Stockholder Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant's 2000 10-K).

         5        Opinion of Gary A. Beller, Esq., Senior Executive
                  Vice-President and General Counsel of the Registrant,
                  regarding the legality of the securities registered hereunder.

         10.1     MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Senior Officers
                  (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
                  Registration Statement).

         10.2     MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers (incorporated
                  herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration
                  Statement).

         10.3     MetLife, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and
                  restated (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of
                  the Registration Statement).

         10.4     MetLife, Inc. 2000 Directors Stock Plan, as amended and
                  restated (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of
                  the Registration Statement).

         10.5     MetLife, Inc. Individual Business Special Deferred
                  Compensation Plan.

         10.6     Metropolitan Life Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan
                  (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.31 of the
                  Registration Statement).

         10.7     Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan of Participating
                  Metropolitan Affiliates (incorporated herein by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.32 of the Registration Statement).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
<S>               <C>
         10.8     Supplemental Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan of
                  Participating Metropolitan Affiliates (incorporated herein by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.33 of the Registration Statement).

         23.1     Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

         23.2     Consent of Gary A. Beller, Esq., Senior Executive Vice-
                  President and General Counsel of the Registrant (included in
                  Exhibit 5).

         24       Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this
                  Registration Statement).
</TABLE>


ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS

A. The undersigned Company hereby undertakes:

         1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
         a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to:

                  (i) include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
                  Securities Act of 1933;

                  (ii) reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
                  after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the
                  most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
                  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
                  change in the information set forth in this Registration
                  Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
                  decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar
                  value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
                  registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
                  estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form
                  of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
                  424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
                  represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
                  offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
                  Fee" table in this effective Registration Statement;

                  (iii) include any material information with respect to the
                  plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
                  Registration Statement or any material change to such
                  information in this Registration Statement;

                  provided, however, that paragraphs A(1)(i) and A(1)(ii) do not
                  apply if the information required to be included in a
                  post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
                  periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by
                  the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the
                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
                  reference in this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>   6
         2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
         Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
         deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
         offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
         be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
         any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
         termination of the offering.

B. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions summarized in Item 6 of
this Registration Statement or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>   7
                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on this 18th day of
April, 2001.


                                             METLIFE, INC.


                                             By:     /S/ Robert H. Benmosche
                                                     -----------------------
                                             Name:    Robert H. Benmosche
                                             Title:   Chairman, President and
                                                      Chief Executive Officer


         Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes and
appoints Robert H. Benmosche and Gary A. Beller, or any of them, as such
person's attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, to sign and file on such person's behalf individually and in
each capacity stated below (i) any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this registration statement and any subsequent registration
statement filed by MetLife, Inc. pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and (ii) any and all other instruments which either said
attorneys-in-fact and agents deems necessary or advisable to comply with the
Securities Act of 1933, the rules, regulations and requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and Blue Sky or other state securities laws
and regulations, as fully as such person could do in person, hereby verifying
and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact, or his substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         SIGNATURE                             TITLE                            DATE
         ---------                             -----                            ----
<S>                                <C>                                     <C>
/S/ Robert H. Benmosche
------------------------           Chairman, President, Chief              April 18, 2001
    Robert H. Benmosche            Executive Officer and Director

/S/ Curtis H. Barnette
------------------------           Director                                April 18, 2001
    Curtis H. Barnette

/S/ Gerald Clark
------------------------           Vice-Chairman, Chief Investment         April 18, 2001
    Gerald Clark                   Officer and Director

/S/ Joan Ganz Cooney
------------------------           Director                                April 18, 2001
    Joan Ganz Cooney
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   8
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         SIGNATURE                             TITLE                             DATE
         ---------                             -----                             ----
<S>                                 <C>                                    <C>
                                    Director                               April 18, 2001
 /s/ John C. Danforth
-------------------------
     John C. Danforth


 /s/ Burton A. Dole, Jr.
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     Burton A. Dole, Jr.


 /s/ James R. Houghton
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     James R. Houghton


 /s/ Helene L. Kaplan
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     Helene L. Kaplan


 /s/ Charles M. Leighton
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     Charles M. Leighton


 /s/ Stewart G. Nagler
-------------------------           Vice-Chairman, Chief Financial         April 18, 2001
     Stewart G. Nagler              Officer and Director


 /s/ John J. Phelan Jr
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     John J. Phelan, Jr.


 /s/ Hugh B. Price
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     Hugh B. Price


 /s/ Ruth J. Simmons
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     Ruth J. Simmons


 /s/ William C. Steere Jr.
-------------------------           Director                               April 18,  2001
     William C. Steere, Jr.


 /s/ Virginia M. Wilson
-------------------------           Controller                             April 18, 2001
     Virginia M. Wilson
</TABLE>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "METLIFE INC", "cik": "0001099219", "assigned-sic": "6411", "irs-number": "134075851", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-59134", "film-number": "1605427"}, "business-address": {"street1": "ONE MADISON AVENUE", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10010-3690", "phone": "2125782211"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "ONE MADISON AVENUE", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10010-3690"}}
1

    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 18, 2001
                                                        REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                   ----------

                                  METLIFE, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE                                                                                13-4075851
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                       ONE MADISON AVENUE                        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
 INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10010-3690                   IDENTIFICATION NO.)
                                     (ADDRESS OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
METLIFE, INC. 2000 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                     METLIFE, INC. 2000 DIRECTORS STOCK PLAN
             METLIFE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR SENIOR OFFICERS
                 METLIFE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR OFFICERS
         METLIFE INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS SPECIAL DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
             METROPOLITAN LIFE AUXILIARY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN
 AUXILIARY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN OF PARTICIPATING METROPOLITAN AFFILIATES
       SUPPLEMENTAL AUXILIARY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN OF PARTICIPATING
                             METROPOLITAN AFFILIATES
                            (FULL TITLE OF THE PLAN)

                              GARY A. BELLER, ESQ.
               SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                                  METLIFE, INC.
                               ONE MADISON AVENUE
                             NEW YORK, NY 10010-3690
                                 (212) 578-2211
            (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                                 ---------------

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
TITLE OF SECURITIES   AMOUNT TO BE    PROPOSED MAXIMUM OFFERING      PROPOSED MAXIMUM            AMOUNT OF
TO BE REGISTERED      REGISTERED(1)   PRICE PER SHARE(2)             AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE    REGISTRATION FEE
----------------      -------------   ----------------               ------------------------    ----------------
COMMON STOCK          38,323,333      $29.26                         $1,121,340,724              $280,336
($.01 PAR VALUE       SHARES
PER SHARE)(3)
================================================================================
2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)      PURSUANT TO RULE 416 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THIS
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED TO COVER ANY ADDITIONAL
         SHARES WHICH MAY BE ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLANS REFERENCED ABOVE BY REASON
         OF APPLICABLE ANTI-DILUTION PROVISIONS.

(2)      ESTIMATED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 457(h) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
         1933, AS AMENDED, SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING THE
         REGISTRATION FEE. THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE IS
         BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF THE HIGH AND LOW PRICES OF METLIFE, INC. COMMON
         STOCK REPORTED BY THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE ON APRIL 11, 2001, WHICH
         IS WITHIN FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION
         STATEMENT.

(3)      EACH SHARE OF COMMON STOCK INCLUDES A SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING
         PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE STOCKHOLDER
         RIGHTS AGREEMENT.

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The following documents filed with the Commission by MetLife, Inc. (the
"Registrant") are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof:

(a)      The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
         31, 2000;

(b)      All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
         Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") since
         December 31, 2000; and

(c)      The description of the Registrant's common stock incorporated by
         reference into the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A
         (File No. 001-15787), filed with the Commission on March 31, 2000, from
         the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (No.
         333-91517), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
         updating such description.

         All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be
a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

         Not applicable.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

         The validity of the shares of Common Stock which may be issued by the
Registrant pursuant to the MetLife, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, the MetLife,
Inc. 2000 Directors Stock Plan, the MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for
Senior Officers, the MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers, the
MetLife Individual Business Special Deferred
3
Compensation Plan, the Metropolitan Life Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan,
the Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan of Participating Metropolitan
Affiliates and the Supplemental Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan of
Participating Metropolitan Affiliates (collectively, the "Plans") will be passed
upon for the Company by Gary A. Beller, Esq., Senior Executive Vice-President
and General Counsel of the Registrant. As of this date, Mr. Beller beneficially
owns shares of the Registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share, and
also participates in certain of the Plans, including the MetLife, Inc. 2000
Stock Incentive Plan.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         The Registrant's directors and officers may be indemnified against
liabilities, fines, penalties and claims imposed upon or asserted against them
as provided in the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Registrant's Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws. Such
indemnification covers all costs and expenses incurred by a director or officer
in his capacity as such. The Board of Directors, by a majority vote of a quorum
of disinterested directors or, under certain circumstances, independent counsel
appointed by the Board of Directors, must determine that the director or officer
seeking indemnification was not guilty of willful misconduct or a knowing
violation of the criminal law. In addition, the Delaware General Corporation Law
and the Registrant's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may,
under certain circumstances, eliminate the liability of directors and officers
in a stockholder or derivative proceeding.

         If the person involved is not a director or officer of the Registrant,
the Board of Directors may cause the Registrant to indemnify, to the same extent
allowed for the Registrant's directors and officers, such person who was or is a
party to a proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was the Registrant's
employee or agent, or is or was serving at the Registrant's request as director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.

         The Registrant has in force and effect policies insuring its directors
and officers against losses which they or any of them will become legally
obligated to pay by reason of any actual or alleged error or misstatement or
misleading statement or act or omission or neglect or breach of duty by the
directors and officers in the discharge of their duties, individually or
collectively, or any matter claimed against them solely by reason of their being
directors or officers. Such coverage is limited by the specific terms and
provisions of the insurance policies.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED

         Not applicable.
4
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
Exhibit                       Description
          -------                       -----------
           Number
           ------
4.1      Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of MetLife,
                  Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 2000 (the "2000 10-K")).

         4.2      Amended and Restated By-Laws of MetLife, Inc. (incorporated
                  herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registrant's 2000
                  10-K).

         4.3      Form of Certificate of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
                  (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the
                  Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No.
                  333-91517 (the "Registration Statement")).

         4.4      Stockholder Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant's 2000 10-K).

         5        Opinion of Gary A. Beller, Esq., Senior Executive
                  Vice-President and General Counsel of the Registrant,
                  regarding the legality of the securities registered hereunder.

         10.1     MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Senior Officers
                  (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
                  Registration Statement).

         10.2     MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers (incorporated
                  herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration
                  Statement).

         10.3     MetLife, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and
                  restated (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of
                  the Registration Statement).

         10.4     MetLife, Inc. 2000 Directors Stock Plan, as amended and
                  restated (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of
                  the Registration Statement).

         10.5     MetLife, Inc. Individual Business Special Deferred
                  Compensation Plan.

         10.6     Metropolitan Life Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan
                  (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.31 of the
                  Registration Statement).

         10.7     Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan of Participating
                  Metropolitan Affiliates (incorporated herein by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.32 of the Registration Statement).
5
10.8     Supplemental Auxiliary Savings and Investment Plan of
                  Participating Metropolitan Affiliates (incorporated herein by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.33 of the Registration Statement).

         23.1     Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

         23.2     Consent of Gary A. Beller, Esq., Senior Executive Vice-
                  President and General Counsel of the Registrant (included in
                  Exhibit 5).

         24       Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this
                  Registration Statement).
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS

A. The undersigned Company hereby undertakes:

         1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
         a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to:

                  (i) include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
                  Securities Act of 1933;

                  (ii) reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
                  after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the
                  most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
                  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
                  change in the information set forth in this Registration
                  Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
                  decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar
                  value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
                  registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
                  estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form
                  of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
                  424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
                  represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate
                  offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
                  Fee" table in this effective Registration Statement;

                  (iii) include any material information with respect to the
                  plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
                  Registration Statement or any material change to such
                  information in this Registration Statement;

                  provided, however, that paragraphs A(1)(i) and A(1)(ii) do not
                  apply if the information required to be included in a
                  post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
                  periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by
                  the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the
                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
                  reference in this Registration Statement.
6
         2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
         Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
         deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
         offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
         be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
         any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
         termination of the offering.

B. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions summarized in Item 6 of
this Registration Statement or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
7
                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on this 18th day of
April, 2001.

                                             METLIFE, INC.

                                             By:     /S/ Robert H. Benmosche
                                                     -----------------------
                                             Name:    Robert H. Benmosche
                                             Title:   Chairman, President and
                                                      Chief Executive Officer

         Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes and
appoints Robert H. Benmosche and Gary A. Beller, or any of them, as such
person's attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, to sign and file on such person's behalf individually and in
each capacity stated below (i) any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this registration statement and any subsequent registration
statement filed by MetLife, Inc. pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and (ii) any and all other instruments which either said
attorneys-in-fact and agents deems necessary or advisable to comply with the
Securities Act of 1933, the rules, regulations and requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and Blue Sky or other state securities laws
and regulations, as fully as such person could do in person, hereby verifying
and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact, or his substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
SIGNATURE                             TITLE                            DATE
         ---------                             -----                            ----
/S/ Robert H. Benmosche
------------------------           Chairman, President, Chief              April 18, 2001
    Robert H. Benmosche            Executive Officer and Director

/S/ Curtis H. Barnette
------------------------           Director                                April 18, 2001
    Curtis H. Barnette

/S/ Gerald Clark
------------------------           Vice-Chairman, Chief Investment         April 18, 2001
    Gerald Clark                   Officer and Director

/S/ Joan Ganz Cooney
------------------------           Director                                April 18, 2001
    Joan Ganz Cooney
8
SIGNATURE                             TITLE                             DATE
         ---------                             -----                             ----
Director                               April 18, 2001
 /s/ John C. Danforth
-------------------------
     John C. Danforth

 /s/ Burton A. Dole, Jr.
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     Burton A. Dole, Jr.

 /s/ James R. Houghton
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     James R. Houghton

 /s/ Helene L. Kaplan
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     Helene L. Kaplan

 /s/ Charles M. Leighton
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     Charles M. Leighton

 /s/ Stewart G. Nagler
-------------------------           Vice-Chairman, Chief Financial         April 18, 2001
     Stewart G. Nagler              Officer and Director

 /s/ John J. Phelan Jr
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     John J. Phelan, Jr.

 /s/ Hugh B. Price
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     Hugh B. Price

 /s/ Ruth J. Simmons
-------------------------           Director                               April 18, 2001
     Ruth J. Simmons

 /s/ William C. Steere Jr.
-------------------------           Director                               April 18,  2001
     William C. Steere, Jr.

 /s/ Virginia M. Wilson
-------------------------           Controller                             April 18, 2001
     Virginia M. Wilson