Empire Life Signs Agreement with MetLife

KINGSTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 17, 2016) - The Empire Life Insurance Company (Empire Life) announced today it has signed an agreement with MetLife Expatriate Benefits to administer its new Voyageur Global Benefits program for expatriate medical, disability, and life insurance.

"We're delighted to be launching Voyageur Global Benefits and working together with MetLife. With nearly 60 years in the market, they have vast experience when it comes to expatriates benefits," said Steve Pong, senior vice-president, Group Solutions at Empire Life. "MetLife administers the employee benefits of thousands of expatriates around the world. They have the breadth and depth of experience required to deliver the service excellence that both of our organizations are known for."

The number of Canadians living abroad has increased substantially in the past two decades, which has increased demand for expatriate benefits. Recent reports estimate 2.8 million Canadians are living abroad.¹

Voyageur Global Benefits will offer world-class benefits for Canadians working abroad.² A key feature of this new suite of benefits is the MetLife Regional Service Centre model. Located in key areas around the world, this puts local resources closer to members while on assignment. Experienced staff provides local expertise and understanding of regional differences, making it easier to obtain quality medical care, get services paid, and receive local support.

"Working abroad can be both exciting and challenging for expatriates and their families," said Dan DeKeizer, senior vice president, Global Employee Benefits, MetLife. "With Voyageur Global Benefits, customers will have access to more than a million healthcare providers in over 180 countries, which helps deliver peace of mind no matter where they are in the world. We are very pleased to be working with Empire Life, and together, look forward to bringing innovative solutions to the Canadian market."

About Empire Life

The Empire Life Insurance Company (Empire Life) offers competitive individual and group life and health insurance, investment and retirement products. Empire Life is among the top 10 life insurance companies in Canada³ and is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company⁴. Our mission is to make it simple, fast and easy for Canadians to build wealth, generate income, and get the insurance and group benefits coverage they need.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

About Voyageur Global Benefits

Voyageur Global Benefits is a Canadian group insurance benefit program that is governed by the laws of Canada and that is underwritten by The Empire Life Insurance Company (Empire Life), an insurance company domiciled at 259 King Street East, Kingston, ON K7L 3A8. Empire Life is the Canadian insurance company that provides the benefits under the insurance policies it issues.

Voyageur Global Benefits is administered by Delaware American Life Insurance Company (MetLife Expatriate Benefits), a MetLife, Inc., affiliate domiciled at 600 North King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, U.S.A., and MetLife Expatriate Benefits has agreed to provide administration services to Empire Life with regard to Voyageur Global Benefits.

(1) Courtesy APF Canada 2011.

(2) Voyageur Global Benefits will be available in Quebec at a later date.

(3) The Globe and Mail Report on Business Magazine, June 2015, based on revenue.

(4) As at May 19, 2015.