UPDATE: Steven A. Kandarian served as MetLife Chairman, President & CEO from 2011 to 2019. He retired on April 30, 2019. The current CEO is Michel Khalaf (since May 1, 2019). Michel Khalaf — MetLife CEO Salary, Age, Email & Net Worth →
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), one of the world’s largest insurance and financial services companies, was founded in 1868 and is headquartered in New York City. Steven A. Kandarian led MetLife as President & CEO from May 2011 to April 2019, and as Chairman from January 2012 to April 2019. Under his leadership, MetLife underwent a major transformation including the landmark 2017 spin-off of its U.S. retail business into Brighthouse Financial and a successful legal challenge to the company’s “too big to fail” (SIFI) designation by federal regulators. Today, Kandarian serves on the boards of ExxonMobil Corporation and Jackson Financial Inc.
Read on to discover former MetLife CEO Steven Kandarian’s net worth in 2026, salary and compensation history, career & education, email & contact details, wife & family, and more.
(Suggested: MetLife CEO Email & Net Worth – Michel Khalaf Salary)
Steven Kandarian – Quick Facts
| Steven A. Kandarian — At a Glance | |
| Full Name | Steven Albert Kandarian |
| Position (Former) | Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer |
| Company | MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) |
| CEO Tenure | May 1, 2011 – April 30, 2019 |
| Age | 73–74 years (born 1952) |
| Birthplace | West Hartford, Connecticut, USA |
| Education | B.A. Clark University; J.D. Georgetown University; M.B.A. Harvard Business School |
| Net Worth (Est. 2026) | ~$47 Million |
| Final-Year Compensation | ~$14.7 Million (FY2017) |
| Current Board Seats | ExxonMobil (since 2018); Jackson Financial (Chair, since 2021) |
| Successor | Michel Khalaf |
MetLife Competitors
MetLife, Inc. is a Fortune 500 company and one of the world’s largest providers of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs. The key competitors of MetLife include:
- Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU) – major U.S. life insurance and financial services rival
- New York Life Insurance – largest mutual life insurer in the United States
- AIG (American International Group) – global insurance and financial services
- Aflac (NYSE: AFL) – supplemental insurance leader
- Allstate (NYSE: ALL) – one of the largest U.S. personal lines insurers
- Allianz (ETR: ALV) – European insurance and asset management giant
- Manulife / John Hancock (TSX: MFC) – Canadian insurer with major U.S. operations
- AXA (EPA: CS) – French multinational insurance and investment firm
Steven Kandarian Net Worth 2026 – MetLife CEO Salary
As of 2026, Steven Kandarian’s net worth is estimated at approximately $47 million USD, based on reported stock holdings across multiple companies including MetLife, ExxonMobil, Jackson Financial, and other board affiliations. This figure reflects decades of executive compensation, stock awards, and investment gains accumulated during his tenure as MetLife CEO and through subsequent board directorships.
In his final full year as MetLife CEO (2017), Kandarian earned a total compensation of approximately $14.7 million, which was a 3.6% decrease from his 2016 total compensation of $15.3 million. His base salary during this period was $1.5 million.
MetLife CEO Compensation History (Steven Kandarian)
| Component | FY2017 | FY2016 | FY2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Stock Awards | $7,499,973 | $7,999,980 | $5,499,989 |
| Non-Equity Incentive | $3,937,500 | $4,312,500 | $2,475,000 |
| Change in Pension & Deferred Comp. | $1,358,037 | $1,051,281 | $1,125,375 |
| All Other Compensation | $436,283 | $424,891 | $367,025 |
| TOTAL | $14,731,793 | $15,288,652 | $10,967,389 |
Key Insight: Over 87% of Kandarian’s compensation was performance-based (stock awards + non-equity incentive), reflecting MetLife’s pay-for-performance culture. His base salary remained flat at $1.5 million from 2014 through his retirement in 2019.
MetLife Net Worth 2026 – Is MetLife Profitable?
Yes, MetLife is a highly profitable company and one of the world’s largest financial institutions. As of February 2026, MetLife has a market capitalization of approximately $51.6 billion USD, with shares trading at around $79 on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MET). In FY2025, MetLife reported strong results with adjusted earnings per share (excluding notable items) of $8.89, up 10% year-over-year.
MetLife Financial Summary
| Metric | FY2025 | FY2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $77.1B | $71.0B | ▲ 8.6% |
| Net Income | $3.2B | $4.2B | ▼ 23.8% |
| Adjusted Earnings (excl. notables) | $5.9B | $5.4B | ▲ ~10% |
| Adjusted EPS (excl. notables) | $8.89 | $8.10 | ▲ 10% |
| Market Capitalization | ~$51.6 Billion (Feb 2026) | — | |
| Book Value Per Share | $39.02 | $34.23 | ▲ 14% |
| Adjusted Return on Equity | 16.0% | 15.4% | ▲ 60 bps |
| Employees | ~45,000 | — | |
| NYSE Ticker | MET | — | |
Record Performance: MetLife reported record Retirement & Income Solutions sales in 2025, including $14.2 billion in pension risk transfer deals and $11.1 billion of U.K. longevity reinsurance. The company achieved a 16% adjusted return on equity, the highest in its recent history.
(Recommended: AIG CEO Email & Net Worth – Peter Zaffino Salary)
Steven Kandarian Contact – Email Address | LinkedIn
Steven Kandarian retired from MetLife in April 2019 and no longer maintains a public corporate email address at the company. For MetLife-related inquiries, contact the current CEO Michel Khalaf. Kandarian can be reached through his board positions at ExxonMobil and Jackson Financial.
| Contact Information | |
| Former MetLife Email | No longer active (retired April 2019) |
| Steven Kandarian – LinkedIn | |
| ExxonMobil (Board) | ExxonMobil Board of Directors |
| MetLife Corporate HQ | 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166 |
| MetLife Customer Support | metlife.com/contact-us |
Career & Education – Company, University, & College
Steven A. Kandarian built a distinguished career spanning private equity, government service, and corporate leadership before becoming one of the longest-serving CEOs in MetLife’s modern history. His career began in investment banking at Rotan Mosle, Inc. before transitioning to private equity.
Steven Kandarian Career Timeline
| Period | Role | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Early Career | Investment Banker | Rotan Mosle, Inc. |
| Late 1980s | Managing Director | Lee Capital Holdings |
| 1990–1993 | President & Founder | Eagle Capital Holdings |
| 1993–2001 | Founder & Managing Partner | Orion Partners, LP |
| 2001–2004 | Executive Director | Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC) |
| 2005–2011 | EVP & Chief Investment Officer | MetLife, Inc. |
| 2011–2019 | Chairman, President & CEO | MetLife, Inc. |
| 2018–Present | Independent Director | ExxonMobil Corporation |
| 2021–Present | Non-Executive Chair | Jackson Financial Inc. |
Before becoming MetLife CEO, Kandarian founded and ran Orion Partners, LP, a private equity firm, from 1993 to 2001. In 2001, he was appointed Executive Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) by President George W. Bush, where he oversaw the federal agency responsible for guaranteeing the pensions of 44 million American workers. His expertise in pension risk management and investment strategy drew the attention of MetLife.
In April 2005, Kandarian joined MetLife as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, managing the company’s $500+ billion general account portfolio. Between 2007 and 2012, he was closely involved in enterprise-wide strategy, helping guide MetLife through the financial crisis and its global expansion. On May 1, 2011, he succeeded Robert Henrikson as President and CEO, and became Chairman of the Board in January 2012.
(Related: Aflac CEO Email & Net Worth – Dan Amos Salary)
During his eight-year tenure, Kandarian led several transformative initiatives: the successful legal challenge to MetLife’s SIFI (“too big to fail”) designation in 2016, the separation and IPO of Brighthouse Financial in 2017, and a major strategic pivot toward high-growth Asian and Latin American markets. He retired from MetLife on April 30, 2019, and was succeeded by Michel Khalaf.
Education
| University | Degree / Program | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Clark University | Bachelor of Arts in Economics | clarku.edu |
| Georgetown University Law Center | Juris Doctor (J.D.) | law.georgetown.edu |
| Harvard Business School | Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) | hbs.edu |
Steven Kandarian Wiki – Age, Wife, Family, & More
Former MetLife CEO Steven Albert Kandarian (age 73–74, born 1952) was born and raised in West Hartford, Connecticut. He is the son of Albert Kandarian, who worked for the IRS, and Lillian Kandarian. The Kandarian family is of Armenian descent; Steven’s ancestors immigrated to the United States in the late 19th century, fleeing persecution in the Ottoman Empire. He had one sister, Linda Kandarian Ryan (1945–2009), who worked as a school teacher and publishing consultant before passing away from cancer.
Steven married and has three children. He keeps his personal and family life largely private. Kandarian has been described as having inherited a sharp sense of humor from his father and an appreciation for art from his mother. Notably, he bought his first stock in a publicly traded company at the age of 12, foreshadowing his career in finance and investment management.
Notable Achievements & Board Positions
- SIFI Designation Victory (2016) – Successfully challenged MetLife’s designation as a “systemically important financial institution” in federal court, a landmark case for the insurance industry
- Brighthouse Financial Spin-Off (2017) – Led the separation of MetLife’s U.S. retail life insurance business into an independent publicly traded company
- ExxonMobil Board (2018–present) – Independent Director; serves on Compensation, Executive, and Nominating & Governance committees
- Jackson Financial Inc. (2021–present) – Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
- Neuberger Berman (2015–present) – Board member of the independent investment management firm
- Business Roundtable – Former member, advocating for sound public policy
- Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation – Director, supporting cancer research initiatives
(Suggested: Prudential Financial CEO – John Strangfeld Salary & Net Worth)
About MetLife, Inc.
MetLife, Inc. is an American multinational financial services and insurance company headquartered at 200 Park Avenue, New York City. Founded in 1868, MetLife is one of the world’s largest providers of insurance, annuities, and employee benefit programs, serving approximately 100 million customers in over 40 countries. The company operates through several key business segments:
| Business Segment | Focus | Description |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Group Benefits | Employee Benefits | Group life, dental, disability, vision, and accident & health insurance |
| Retirement & Income Solutions | Pensions & Annuities | Pension risk transfers, structured settlements, and institutional retirement products |
| Asia | Life & Health | Insurance products across Japan, South Korea, and other Asian markets |
| Latin America | Insurance & Benefits | Life, dental, and other insurance products across Latin American markets |
| EMEA | Insurance & Benefits | Operations across Europe, Middle East, and Africa |
| MetLife Investment Management | Asset Management | One of the largest institutional asset managers with $600B+ AUM |
MetLife trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MET. The company employs approximately 45,000 people worldwide and has a market capitalization of roughly $51.6 billion as of February 2026. MetLife is led by CEO Michel Khalaf, who succeeded Steven Kandarian in May 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the current CEO of MetLife?
The current CEO of MetLife is Michel Khalaf, who has served as President & CEO since May 1, 2019. He succeeded Steven A. Kandarian, who retired after eight years leading the company. Glenn Hubbard succeeded Kandarian as Chairman of the Board.
What is Steven Kandarian’s net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Steven Kandarian’s estimated net worth is approximately $47 million USD. This figure is based on reported stock holdings across multiple companies including MetLife, ExxonMobil, Jackson Financial, AECOM, and other investments accumulated during his career as MetLife CEO and through his subsequent board directorships.
What was Steven Kandarian’s salary as MetLife CEO?
In his final full year (FY2017), Steven Kandarian’s total compensation was approximately $14.7 million, including a $1.5 million base salary, $7.5 million in stock awards, and $3.9 million in non-equity incentive compensation. Over 87% of his pay was performance-based.
Why did Steven Kandarian retire from MetLife?
Kandarian retired from MetLife on April 30, 2019 after an eight-year tenure as CEO. MetLife announced his planned retirement in January 2019, naming Michel Khalaf as his successor. At the time of his retirement, Kandarian was 66 years old and had overseen a major transformation of the company, including the Brighthouse Financial separation and the successful SIFI de-designation.
What boards does Steven Kandarian serve on?
As of 2026, Steven Kandarian serves on the board of ExxonMobil Corporation (since February 2018), where he sits on the Compensation, Executive, and Nominating & Governance committees. He also serves as Non-Executive Chairman of Jackson Financial Inc. (since 2021) and as a board member of Neuberger Berman (since 2015).
Is MetLife a profitable company?
Yes, MetLife is a highly profitable company. In FY2025, MetLife reported total revenue of $77.1 billion, net income of $3.2 billion, and adjusted earnings per share of $8.89 (up 10% year-over-year). The company achieved a 16% adjusted return on equity and recorded record Retirement & Income Solutions sales.
Article last updated:February 2026March 2, 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings (DEF 14A proxy statements), official company press releases, corporate governance disclosures, and reputable news outlets. Net worth figures are estimates based on reported stock holdings and may vary by source. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.