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Customers who own or previously owned a universal life insurance policy the Brighthouse Life Insurance Co. issued or administered in any U.S. state, territory or Puerto Rico that contains the language, “We will base these cost of insurance] rates only on our future outlook for mortality and expenses” may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a [class action settlement.
Brighthouse Life Insurance agreed to pay $9.25 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it and its predecessors, MetLife Insurance Co. USA, MetLife Insurance Co. of Connecticut and Travelers Insurance Co., failed to decrease cost of insurance rates despite improved mortality expectations and reduced expenses. The lawsuit claimed policyholders paid more than they should have to keep their life insurance policies in force.
Who are the class members?
Class members must meet all of the following criteria:
- They own or previously owned a universal life insurance policy in any of the 50 states, Puerto Rico or any U.S. territory.
- Brighthouse Life Insurance issued and/or administered the policy.
- The policy contains the language, “We will base these [cost of insurance] rates only on our future outlook for mortality and expenses.”
- The policy was in force as determined by the applicable statute of limitations as of April 6, 2021.
The settlement class includes 22 specific policy forms. Class members should refer to the settlement website for a full list of included policy forms.
How much is the Brighthouse Life Insurance payout?
The total settlement fund is $9,250,000. Eligible class members can receive a cash payment from the net settlement fund. The actual amount each class member receives depends on the total number of valid class members and deductions for settlement administration expenses, attorneys' fees and costs, and a service award to the named plaintif.
No action needed to receive payment
Class members do not need to file a claim to receive their cash payment. The settlement administrator already has the necessary information and will automatically issue payments to eligible class members. There is no online claim form or PDF claim form to submit.
Class members whose address changed should notify the settlement administrator in writing to ensure they receive their payment.
Settlement administrator’s mailing address: Martin v. Brighthouse Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 2477, Portland, OR 97208-2477
Payout options
The settlement administrator will mail checks to eligible class members at the address on file. Checks are valid for 180 days from mailing.
$9.25 million settlement fund breakdown
The $9,250,000 settlement fund includes:
- Settlement administration costs: Amount not specified
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $3,080,250
- Attorneys' expenses: Amount not specified
- Service award to class representative: Up to $25,000
- Payments to eligible class members: Remaining settlement fund
Important dates
- Deadline to opt out: Dec. 11, 2026
- Fairness hearing: Jan. 26, 2027
When is the Brighthouse Life Insurance settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments to eligible class members after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.
Why is there a class action settlement?
Brighthouse Life Insurance and its predecessors allegedly failed to decrease cost of insurance rates despite improved mortality expectations and reduced expenses. The plaintiffs claimed that as a result, policyholders paid more than they should have for certain policy charges.
Brighthouse denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation.
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