Filed by Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed under other applicable sections
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: MetLife, Inc.
Commission File No.: 001-15787
Subject Company: Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated
Commission File Nos.: 333-151390 and 333-152828
On August 21, 2008, Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated began using the following presentation:
Proposed Transaction and
Shareholder Proposals
Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated
August 21, 2008
Proposal One: The Transaction
Recapitalization of RGA common stock into two classes, both to
be listed on the NYSE
RGA class A common
Each outstanding share of existing common reclassified into one share of class
A common stock
Entitled to elect up to 20% of RGA directors
RGA class B common
MetLife exchanges each of its shares of class A (other than 3 million shares)
for one share of class B common
Entitled to elect at least 80% of RGA directors
Class A common and class B common entitled to receive the same per
share consideration in any reorganization or in any merger or
consolidation of
RGA with another company (except as may be permitted
with respect to their existing rights to elect directors)
Class B common subject to significant holder voting limitation
Exchange offer in which MetLife offers to acquire MetLife
common stock in exchange for all RGA class B common stock
Priced at a 10% discount to the per-share value of RGA common stock to
MetLife stockholders, subject to a limit of 1.3071 shares of class B
common stock per share of MetLife common
Conditioned on sufficient tenders to result in the distribution of at least
90% of the class B shares
MetLife will dispose of any unexchanged class B stock in one or more
subsequent debt exchanges or split-offs
Transaction designed with the intention for the divestiture to be
tax-free to MetLife and its stockholders
Unanimously recommended by special committee of RGAs
Board composed entirely of directors unaffiliated with MetLife
Proposal One: The Transaction (contd)
Key Points for Consideration:
Expected to eliminate overhang and increase liquidity and public
float of the market for RGA common stock
Expected to allow RGA to pursue future business initiatives free
from constraint of a controlling corporate shareholder whose
policies may conflict, as MetLife and RGAs businesses evolve over
time and their strategies diverge
Expected to permit RGA shareholders to share in any premium
associated with any subsequent change in control of RGA
Increased potential for IRS Section 382 ownership change that
could limit ability to utilize NOLs and other tax attributes
Potential restrictions on RGA engaging in certain transactions
which could jeopardize the tax-free status of the divestiture
See pages 15-17 and 54-59 of RGAs proxy statement/prospectus
dated August 4, 2008 for additional discussion of benefits and
disadvantages
of the divestiture to RGA and its shareholders and
RGAs reasons for the Recapitalization
Proposal Two: Class B Significant
Holder Voting Limitation
Designed to promote equal treatment of both classes of stock
Holders of more than 15% of class B common stock are restricted to 15% of
voting power for election of class B directors
Exception: if holder has more than 15% of class A common stock, the holder can vote
class B common stock to the extent the holder has an equivalent or greater percentage of
class A common stock
In other respects, rights of holders of class A and class B common will be
identical, and will vote together as a single class, except that:
Class A common can elect no more than 20% of the directors
Class B common can elect at least 80% of the directors
There will be a separate vote by class on any proposal to convert class B common into
class A common, as described in Proposal Four
Missouri law provides separate class voting rights on certain amendments to the articles of
incorporation, including those that adversely affect the rights of holders of a particular
class
Holders of class A and class B common will be entitled to receive the same
per share consideration in any reorganization or in any merger or
consolidation of RGA with another company (except as may
be permitted
with respect to their existing rights to elect directors)
Proposal Three: Acquisition
Restrictions
Intended to protect shareholder value by attempting to protect
against a limitation on use of NOLs and other tax attributes,
subject to enforceability considerations
Prohibits and invalidates any direct or indirect sale or transfer
(broadly defined) to any person or group (as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code) who owns, or would own, 5% or more (by
value)
of RGA stock
Limited duration: 36 months and one day after completion of the
recapitalization
Scope intended to be narrowly tailored:
Examples of exclusions include: shares acquired in the divestiture; any
transaction directly with RGA; any tender or exchange offer meeting
certain fairness criteria; and transactions approved in advance
by the
RGA board of directors
Proposal Four: Potential Conversion
of Class B Common Stock Following
Divestiture
Articles of incorporation would contemplate possible
conversion of all stock into a single class of common stock on a
one-for-one basis
Would only take place if:
RGA board of directors determines to submit such proposal to RGA
shareholders; and
A majority of each class of RGA common stock represented in person or
by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting approve the proposal
No binding commitment by RGA board to, and no assurance
RGA board will, consider proposing a conversion. If submitted,
no assurance that the proposal would be approved.
Proposal Five: Section 382 Rights
Plan Proposal
Intended to protect shareholder value by attempting to
protect against a limitation on use of NOLs and other tax
attributes
Rights become exercisable when, among other things, any
person or group (other than a grandfathered or exempted
person) becomes a 5% shareholder (as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code), or a grandfathered
or exempted
person acquires more shares
Limited duration: 36 months and one day after completion of
the recapitalization
Scope intended to be narrowly tailored:
Examples of exclusions include: shares acquired in the divestiture;
and acquisitions approved in advance by the RGA board of directors
Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward-looking Statements
This presentation contains both historical and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather
reflect the Companys current expectations, estimates
and projections concerning future results and events. Forward-looking statements generally
can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and include, without limitation, words such as believe,
expect, anticipate, may, could, intend, intent, belief, estimate, plan, foresee, likely, will or other similar
words or phrases. These
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other
factors that are difficult to predict and that may cause the Companys actual
results, performance or achievements to vary materially from what is
expressed in or indicated by such forward-looking statements. The Company cannot make any assurance that projected results or events will be
achieved.
The risk factors set forth in the Companys prospectus dated August 11, 2008 and proxy statement/prospectus dated August 4, 2008 in the
respective sections entitled Risk Factors, and the matters
discussed in RGAs SEC filings, including the Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of RGAs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and
RGAs
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, could affect future results, causing these
results to differ materially from those expressed in RGAs forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements included in this document are only made as of the date of this document or the respective documents incorporated
by reference herein, as applicable, and RGA has no obligation
to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances.
Numerous important factors could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking
statements including, without limitation, (1) adverse changes in mortality,
morbidity, lapsation or claims experience, (2) changes in our financial
strength and credit ratings or those of MetLife, Inc. ("MetLife"), the beneficial owner of a majority of our common shares, or its subsidiaries, and the
effect of such changes on
our future results of operations and financial condition, (3) inadequate risk analysis and underwriting, (4) general
economic conditions or a prolonged economic downturn affecting the demand for insurance and reinsurance in our current and planned markets,
(5)
the availability and cost of collateral necessary for regulatory reserves and capital, (6) market or economic conditions that adversely affect our ability
to make timely sales of investment securities, (7) risks inherent in our risk management and
investment strategy, including changes in investment
portfolio yields due to interest rate or credit quality changes, (8) fluctuations in U.S. or foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, or securities
and real estate markets, (9) adverse litigation
or arbitration results, (10) the adequacy of reserves, resources and accurate information relating to
settlements, awards and terminated and discontinued lines of business, (11) the stability of and actions by governments and economies in the
markets
in which we operate, (12) competitive factors and competitors' responses to our initiatives, (13) the success of our clients, (14) successful
execution of our entry into new markets, (15) successful development and introduction of new products and distribution
opportunities, (16) our ability
to successfully integrate and operate reinsurance business that we acquire, (17) regulatory action that may be taken by state Departments of
Insurance with respect to us, MetLife, or its subsidiaries, (18) our dependence
on third parties, including those insurance companies and reinsurers
to which we cede some reinsurance, third-party investment managers and others, (19) the threat of natural disasters, catastrophes, terrorist attacks,
epidemics or pandemics anywhere
in the world where we or our clients do business, (20) changes in laws, regulations, and accounting standards
applicable to us, our subsidiaries, or our business, (21) the effect of our status as an insurance holding company and regulatory restrictions
on our
ability to pay principal of and interest on our debt obligations, and (22) other risks and uncertainties described in this document and in our other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with MetLifes proposed divestiture of its stake in RGA, on August 11, 2008, RGA filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the SEC) a registration statement on Form
S-4 (No. 333-152828), as amended, which
includes a form of prospectus relating to the exchange offer. On August 14, 2008, MetLife filed with the SEC a statement
on Schedule TO. In addition, RGA has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form
S-4 (File No. 333-151390), as
amended, which includes a final proxy statement/prospectus dated August 4, 2008 related to the recapitalization.
Investors and holders of RGA and MetLife securities
are strongly encouraged to read the registration
statements and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, including the prospectus dated August 11,
2008 relating to the exchange offer and related exchange offer materials, the tender offer statement
on Schedule
TO, and the proxy statement/prospectus dated August 4, 2008 relating to the recapitalization, as well as any
amendments and supplements to those documents, because they contain important information about RGA,
MetLife, and the proposed
transactions. The prospectus relating to the exchange offer and related exchange offer
materials have been mailed to stockholders of MetLife. The proxy statement/prospectus relating to the recapitalization
and related transactions has been mailed to shareholders of RGA. Investors and security holders can obtain free copies
of the registration statements, the prospectus relating to the exchange offer and related exchange offer materials and the
tender
offer statement on Schedule TO, and the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the recapitalization, as well as
other filed documents containing information about MetLife and RGA, without charge, at
the SECs web site
(www.sec.gov). Free copies of RGAs filings also may be obtained by directing a request to RGA, Investor Relations,
by
phone to (636) 736-7243, in writing to Mr. John Hayden, Vice President-Investor Relations, Reinsurance Group of
America, Incorporated, 1370 Timberlake Manor Parkway, Chesterfield, Missouri,
63017, or by email to
investrelations@rgare.com. Free copies of MetLifes filings may be obtained by directing a request to MetLife,
Investor
Relations, by phone to (212) 578-2211, in writing to MetLife, Inc., 1 MetLife Plaza, Long Island City, NY 11101, or by
email to metir@metlife.com. Neither RGA, MetLife nor any of their respective directors or executive officers or the dealer
managers with respect to the exchange offer makes any recommendation as to whether you should participate
in
the exchange offer.
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be
any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such solicitation or sale
would be unlawful prior to registration or
qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Such an offer may be made solely by a prospectus meeting the
requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The distribution
of this communication may,
in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document
should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions.
Participants in the Solicitation
RGA, MetLife and their respective directors and executive officers may be
deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies
from RGAs shareholders with respect to the proposed
recapitalization.
Information regarding the directors and executive officers of RGA is included
in its definitive proxy statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
filed with the SEC on April 9, 2008. Information regarding the directors
and
officers of MetLife is included in the definitive proxy statement for MetLifes
2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on March 18, 2008.
More detailed information
regarding the identity of potential participants, and
their direct or indirect interests, by securities holdings or otherwise, is set
forth in the proxy statement/prospectus dated August 4, 2008 and the
prospectus dated August 11, 2008 relating
to the exchange offer, each as
may be amended from time to time, and other materials to be filed with the
SEC in connection with the proposed transactions.