GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
The Depositor. Brighthouse Life Insurance Company ("BLIC" or the "Company") is a Delaware stock life insurance company originally chartered in Connecticut in 1863. Prior to March 6, 2017, BLIC was known as MetLife Insurance Company USA. BLIC is licensed to conduct business in all U.S. states (except New York), the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, Guam, Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. BLIC is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of, and ultimately controlled by, Brighthouse Financial, Inc. ("BHF"), a publicly-traded company. The Company was an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. until August 4, 2017, when BHF became an independent, publicly-traded company following the completion of a separation transaction. BHF, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the largest providers of annuities and life insurance in the U.S. BLIC's executive offices are located at 11225 North Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277.
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company History
MetLife Insurance Company USA: From the close of business on November 14, 2014 to March 6, 2017, BLIC was called MetLife Insurance Company USA ("MetLife USA"). MetLife USA was established following the close of business on November 14, 2014, when MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut, MetLife Investors Insurance Company and Exeter Reassurance Company, Ltd. were merged into MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut, and MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut was then renamed MetLife Insurance Company USA. Simultaneously, MetLife Insurance Company USA changed its domicile from Connecticut to the state of Delaware. As a result of this merger, MetLife USA assumed legal ownership of all of the assets of these predecessor companies, including assets held in the separate accounts, and became responsible for administering the Policies and paying any benefits due under all policies and contracts issued by each of its corporate predecessors. These predecessor companies that issued policies on and prior to November 14, 2014 were the following:
- MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut: MetLife Insurance Company of Connecticut ("MICC"), originally chartered in Connecticut in 1863, was known as Travelers Insurance Company prior to May 1, 2006 . MICC changed its name to MetLife Insurance Company USA and its state of domicile to Delaware after November 14, 2014 as described under "MetLife Insurance Company USA" above.
- MetLife Life and Annuity Company of Connecticut: MetLife Life and Annuity Company of Connecticut ("MLAC"), originally chartered in Connecticut in 1973, was known as Travelers Life and Annuity Company prior to May 1, 2006. On or about December 7, 2007, MLAC merged with and into MICC.
- MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company: MetLife Investors USA Insurance Company ("MLI USA"), originally chartered in Delaware in 1960, was known as Security First Life Insurance Company prior to January 8, 2001. MLI USA was merged into BLIC after the close of business on November 14, 2014, as described under "MetLife Insurance Company USA" above.
- MetLife Investors Insurance Company: MetLife Investors Insurance Company ("MLI"), originally chartered in Missouri in 1981, was known as Cova Financial Services Life Insurance Company prior to February 12, 2001. MLI was merged into BLIC after the close of business on November 14, 2014, as described under "MetLife Insurance Company USA" above.
- MetLife Investors Insurance Company of California: MetLife Investors Insurance Company of California ("MLI-CA"), originally chartered in California in 1972, was known as Cova Financial Life Insurance Company prior to February 12, 2001. On November 9, 2006 MLI-CA merged with and into MLI.
State Regulation. The Company is subject to the laws of the state of Delaware governing insurance companies and to regulation by the Insurance Commissioner of the state of Delaware (the "Commissioner"). An annual statement covering the operations of the Company for the preceding year, as well as its financial conditions as of December 31 of such year, must be filed with the Commissioner in a prescribed format on or before March 1 of each year. The Company's books and assets are subject to review or examination by the Commissioner or his agents at all times, and a full examination of its operations is conducted at least once every four years.
The Company is also subject to the insurance laws and regulations of all other states in which it is licensed to operate. However, the insurance departments of each of these states generally apply the laws of the home state (jurisdiction of domicile) in determining the field of permissible investments.