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MetLife enters Irish market, launching Group Life cover today
Jan 06, 2026
MetLife enters Irish market, launching Group Life cover today
Dublin, January 6th, 2026 – MetLife, one of the world’s leading insurers with over 150 years of experience, is bringing its employee benefits offering to the Irish insurance market, with Group Life cover available to employers and employees in Ireland from today, distributed exclusively through brokers.
MetLife’s Group Life cover provides financial protection for employees’ families in the case of a bereavement. The launch introduces MetLife’s 360Health to Ireland, a suite of value-added services for employees which include unlimited virtual GP access and comprehensive wellbeing support. These features are designed to support employees and their families when they need it most. A Master Trust is also available, centralising administration and making it easier for employers to manage benefits.
MetLife serves customers in more than 40 markets and is recognised for fast, fair and compassionate claims handling, with a typical turnaround of under three days in comparable markets*.
MetLife Group already has deep roots in Ireland, employing nearly 200 people across its European head office in Dublin and its campus in Galway. Launching Group Life cover marks the next stage in MetLife’s continued commitment to the country, underpinned by its dedication to providing world-class employee benefits and a strong culture of innovation.
Wayne Gibbons, Ireland Country Lead, said: “Group Life is about more than a payout. It’s about giving employees peace of mind, helping families through the hardest moments and giving employers confidence that their people are supported. Our goal is to deliver the highest standards of service to Irish employers and employees, combining strong local knowledge with international expertise, while raising the bar on what workplace benefits can offer in Ireland.”
MetLife Europe d.a.c. (trading as MetLife) is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
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Note to Editors
*Turnaround times: 95% of UK Group Life payments were paid within just 2.5 working days. MetLife protection portfolio period 1st January 2024 – 31st December 2024 inclusive. Figures based on working days during this period.
Master Trust: A Master Trust is a discretionary trust capable of providing benefits to a range of different employers unconnected to each other. Each employer operates within its own segregated section of the insurer’s Master Trust, with the trustees taking care of the administration and the legal and tax responsibilities. Trustees are required to act solely in the best interests of beneficiaries, follow the rules of the scheme, and ensure that any policy payments are administered accurately, efficiently, and on time.
Traditionally offering life benefits requires an employer to set up a registered pension scheme or excepted discretionary trust to pay benefits. Many employers are comfortable doing this themselves but for those without the time, expertise or size, MetLife’s Master Trust offers a flexible approach which can reduce employers’ administrative burden.