Brighthouse (formerly MetLife) Life Insurance Review 2026

About Brighthouse Life Insurance (MetLife)

MetLife is one of the largest insurance organizations in the United States and operates globally across insurance, employee benefits, and retirement services. The company is widely recognized for its workplace offerings, including group life insurance, disability coverage, legal plans, and pet insurance, which are typically accessed through employers.

In 2017, MetLife separated much of its U.S. retail life insurance and annuity business into a new publicly traded company, Brighthouse Financial. As a result, consumers shopping for new individual life insurance policies historically associated with the MetLife name generally purchase those policies through Brighthouse Financial rather than directly through MetLife.

Life insurance policies marketed under the Brighthouse brand are issued by affiliated insurance companies depending on the product and state. Financial strength ratings apply at the issuing-company level, which is why the specific legal entity matters when evaluating long-term claims-paying ability.

Brighthouse Life Insurance (MetLife) Review

This review evaluates Brighthouse using a framework designed to reflect how consumers typically experience and compare life insurance companies. 

Financial Strength and Ratings

Financial strength ratings help indicate an insurer’s ability to meet its long-term policy obligations. Brighthouse Financial’s primary life insurance subsidiaries hold the following ratings from major rating agencies:

• A (Excellent) from A.M. Best.¹ AM Best is the only global credit rating agency focused exclusively on insurance. Best’s Credit Ratings provide an independent, third-party opinion of an insurer’s ability to meet ongoing financial obligations. 
• A from S&P Global. ² S&P Global Ratings provide high-quality, objective, independent, and rigorous analytical information to the marketplace.
• A3 from Moody’s.³ Moody’s Investors Service provides independent credit ratings that assess an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing financial obligations.
• A- from Fitch.⁴ Fitch Ratings provides credit ratings, commentary, and research for global capital markets.

These ratings generally reflect balance sheet strength, operating performance, and the company’s ability to pay claims over time. 

Product Mix and Policy Flexibility

Brighthouse Financial offers a focused lineup of individual retail life insurance products distributed through financial professionals. Its portfolio centers on term life and indexed universal life, with a more limited permanent product menu than some large multi-line insurers.

Whole life insurance is generally available through term conversion rather than as a broadly marketed standalone product. Overall, Brighthouse emphasizes advisor-supported policies and indexed universal life solutions rather than a wide range of permanent policy structures.

Underwriting Approach

Brighthouse Financial primarily uses traditional underwriting for its individual life insurance policies. Eligibility and pricing are typically based on factors such as age, health history, lifestyle, and coverage amount.

Medical exam requirements vary by product. Some indexed universal life policies may not require a medical exam depending on the applicant’s profile, though the process can still include review of medical records and other health information. Underwriting requirements differ by policy type and state.

Customer Experience and Accessibility

Brighthouse Financial distributes life insurance policies through licensed insurance agents and financial professionals. The company does not offer direct online quotes or fully self-serve digital applications for individual life coverage.

This advisor-led model may appeal to shoppers who prefer guided support when evaluating permanent or hybrid policies. At the same time, it may feel less convenient for consumers seeking a fully digital purchasing experience or the ability to compare quotes independently online.

Pros and Cons of Brighthouse Life Insurance (MetLife)

Like most insurers, Brighthouse has strengths that appeal to certain shoppers and tradeoffs depending on coverage needs and expectations.  Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros of Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance

• Strong fit for shoppers who want indexed universal life, including hybrid policies that pair life insurance with long-term care features. 
• Clear online resources for learning about products and features before you talk with a financial professional.
• Policyholders can handle key basics online, including account access and making one-time premium payments.⁵
• Indexed universal life may be available without a medical exam for some applicants, depending on age and profile.⁶

Cons of Brighthouse Financial Life Insurance

• The company does not offer online quotes or applications, requiring consumers to work exclusively with a financial professional from start to finish.⁵
• Whole life is generally available only through term conversion rather than as a standalone product.⁶
• A narrower product lineup than many large life insurance companies, with less emphasis on traditional or variable universal life options.⁵
• Limited self-serve shopping tools can make it harder to compare options independently before speaking with an agent.⁵

Products Offered by Brighthouse Life Insurance (MetLife)

Brighthouse offers a focused selection of individual life insurance products designed primarily for distribution through financial professionals. Product availability, including maximum available coverage, varies by age and state.

​​Term Life Insurance

Brighthouse offers term life insurance that provides coverage for a set period with level premiums. These policies are commonly used for income replacement and may include conversion features that allow eligible policyholders to convert to permanent coverage within specified timeframes.

Indexed Universal Life Insurance

Indexed universal life (IUL) is the company’s primary permanent offering. These policies provide lifetime coverage as long as required premiums are paid. They also include a cash value component that can grow through fixed accounts or interest credited in connection with selected market indexes, subject to policy limits.

Brighthouse’s indexed universal life lineup includes product variations designed to combine life insurance protection with long-term care features.

Whole Life Insurance (Conversion Only)

Whole life insurance is generally available only through conversion from an eligible term policy rather than as a broadly marketed standalone product.

Brighthouse also offers optional riders on certain policies, including long-term care acceleration benefits and other policy features depending on product and state.

Affordability Considerations

Brighthouse pricing depends on age, health history, coverage amount, and the type of policy selected. Term life insurance is generally the most affordable option, offering level premiums for a set period. Indexed universal life policies typically require higher premiums because they provide lifetime coverage and include a cash value component.

Premiums for permanent coverage can vary meaningfully based on how the policy is structured, how much flexibility is built into the design, and whether additional features such as long-term care benefits are included. Because Brighthouse does not offer online quotes, pricing comparisons usually require speaking with a financial professional.

Ethos vs Brighthouse Life Insurance (MetLife)

Ethos and Brighthouse share the same goal of simplifying the insurance process, but they aren't interchangeable. They differ in everything from their sales models to their underwriting styles, meaning one might be a much better fit for your specific profile than the other.

Distribution and Application Experience

Brighthouse primarily sells policies through licensed agents and financial professionals. There are no direct online quotes or fully self-serve applications, so the process typically begins with a conversation and product recommendation from an advisor.

Ethos simplifies things by letting you apply once and then matching you with a top-tier insurer based on your info. It’s a fully digital, guided process designed for people who want to skip the traditional back-and-forth and get covered quickly.

Underwriting Approach

Brighthouse frequently uses traditional underwriting that evaluates age, health history, lifestyle, and coverage amount. Depending on the product, this may include medical records review and, in some cases, a medical exam, although certain indexed universal life policies may not require one.

Ethos uses a data-driven approach to skip the traditional physical. They look at your application answers and digital health records to decide on your policy. It’s a streamlined process, but the results still vary based on your individual health.

Best-fit Customer Profiles

Brighthouse may appeal to shoppers who are specifically considering indexed universal life or hybrid life insurance with long-term care features and want an advisor-led process to help structure premiums, riders, and long-term policy goals. It can also be a fit for people who prefer having a dedicated financial professional handle comparisons and paperwork instead of managing the process online.

Ethos is perfect if you want to skip the representative-led process entirely. It’s a great fit for shoppers who value speed and want a straightforward, online path to coverage. You get a solid idea of your eligibility early on, and you can wrap up the whole application on your own time without ever leaving your couch.