Hyderabad: MetLife India (www.metlifeindia.com) has launched Met Bhavishya across the country today.

Met Bhavishya is a safe and guaranteed money-back policy that is designed specifically to provide for a child's life stages when the parent needs the money the most. One of the main features of the product is the in-built waiver of premium on the death of life. Met Bhavishya, a non-par product that also offers guaranteed periodic and terminal additions, is available with all riders and presents tax benefits as applicable.

All Met Bhavishya policyholders enjoy flexibility to choose the timing of the payments, depending on whether it is the child's schooling, undergraduate or post-graduate education that is to be funded. Met Bhavishya is suited to all parents with children below the age of 12, with the child as the beneficiary.

Says Metlife India managing director Venkatesh S Mysore: "With this new product launch, we reiterate our commitment to providing exceptional services to all Metlife customers in India. It is clear that there is a steep percentage increase in educational fees across the country. Met Bhavishya offers the advantage of a safe and guaranteed option that is designed to meet education expenses at different points of time when large amounts of funding are required. We have ensured that all pay-outs coincide with important milestones in every child's life."

MetLife India is the Indian affiliate of MetLife, the No 1 life insurer in the US based on approximately $2.4 trillion in life insurance in-force as of 31 December 2002. MetLife India was incorporated in April 2001 as a joint venture between MetLife International Holdings, the Jammu and Kashmir Bank, M Pallonji and Co and other private investors.

MetLife India benefits from its affiliated company's 135-year old expertise and track record of establishing successful operations in emerging markets, in addition to the unique strengths of its Indian promoters. MetLife India offers a range of innovative products and aims to build financial freedom for everyone. MetLife India is headquartered in Bangalore and has offices in 10 cities and an additional 1,000 outreach points through its distribution channel partners.

MetLife is a leading provider of insurance and other financial services to individual and institutional customers. The MetLife companies serve approximately 12 million individuals in the US and provide benefits to 37 million employees and family members through their plan sponsors. Outside the US, the MetLife companies have insurance operations in 12 countries serving approximately 8 million customers.