MetLifejust launched two optional variable annuity riders — the GuaranteedMinimum Income Benefit Max and Enhanced Death Benefit Max, bothdesigned to help with the ever-growing need to provide clients withmore guaranteed income and consistent returns over time.

According to a recent MetLife poll, 75 percent of baby boomersand 88 percent of financial advisors say that they remain concerned about market volatility. Additionally, 54percent of baby boomers said their comfort level for volatility was10 percent or less, and one-fourth of boomers were only at easewith swings of 5 percent or less.

MetLife designed the new riders to offer clients flexiblebenefits. The GMIB Max and EDB Max give clients 6 percentcompounded growth and 6 percent withdrawals per year of the benefitbase and the same real-life flexibility as MetLife’s popular GMIBPlus and Enhanced Death Benefit riders, both of which will continueto be offered. Clients can adapt to changing circumstances bystarting and stopping withdrawals at any time without losing thecompounding feature. The riders also provide flexibility and choicefor surviving spouses.

Clients who elect the GMIB Max and/or EDB Max may invest in oneor more of the four Protected Growth Strategy portfolios, which areprofessionally managed investment portfolios that are designed toreduce risk and provide protection against market swings.

The Protected Growth Strategies include:

• AllianceBernstein Global Dynamic Allocation Portfolio,sub-advised by AllianceBernstein
• AQR Global Risk Balanced Portfolio, sub-advised by AQR CapitalManagement
• BlackRock Global Tactical Strategies Portfolio, sub-advised byBlackRock
• MetLife Balanced Plus Portfolio, advised by MetLife Adviserswith an overlay sleeve sub-advised by PIMCO

Clients also have the ability to invest in the PyramisGovernment Income Portfolio, sub-advised by Pyramis GlobalAdvisors.

GMIB Max is available for 1 percent of the benefit base as anannual charge deducted from the account value. Upon an optionalstep-up of the benefit base, the charge could increase up to amaximum of 1.5 percent.

EDB Max is available for 0.6 percent of the benefit base forissue ages 69 or younger or 1.15 percent of the benefit base forissue ages 70-75 as an annual charge from the account value. Uponan optional step-up of the death benefit base, the charge mayincrease up to a maximum of 1.5 percent.