AARP Health Care Options Announces New Long-Term Care Insurance Product Targeted at Boomers; Focus on Flexibility, Simplicity and Control.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2003

The great expectation that Boomers will get what they ask for may once again prove true with the introduction of the AARP Long-Term Care Insurance Plan - MyChoice(TM). AARP Health Care Options, the health products and services program for AARP members, announced today the introduction of MyChoice, a new and unique long-term care insurance product, underwritten by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife), the exclusive provider of AARP's long-term care insurance products. MyChoice, designed for Baby Boomers age 50 plus, offers AARP members a simple option to help protect against the rising costs of long-term care services, now and well into the future.

"We listened to our younger members and developed MyChoice with a unique 'cash and counseling' approach focusing on flexibility and simplicity, and providing members with control over their benefits," said Dawn Sweeney, president of AARP Services, Inc. "MyChoice is a cutting-edge product that offers members the flexibility to use their benefits as they choose. We are excited about the launch of MyChoice and are pleased to continually provide our members quality products and services," added Sweeney.

At the time benefits are payable to the insured, they will receive their pre-selected full cash benefit regardless of the cost to cover long-term care expenses. In addition, insureds have access to Nurse Care Advisors, who are Registered Nurses (RNs), and can offer care planning suggestions, assistance with locating reliable resources and professional long-term care advice.

"Working closely with AARP Health Care Options, we designed a product that would appeal to members in their 50s and early 60s who are looking for simple solutions that provide the most control over their long-term care decisions. Insureds are not limited on the type of care they choose, who provides it or where they receive it," said Jodi Anatole, vice president, MetLife Long-Term Care.

MyChoice complements the current AARP Long-Term Care Insurance Plan and expands the choices that AARP members have for meeting their long-term care insurance needs. Other specific features of MyChoice include:

-- Return of Premium on Death Option: This option provides

protection for those who are concerned that they will not use

their entire benefit before they die.

-- International Coverage: This plan even provides coverage for

care received outside of the United States.

-- Non-Facility Care Covered at 100% of the Monthly Benefit

Amount: This feature allows insureds to compensate friends and

family, or anyone who may care for them at home.

-- Inflation Protection: Although available with most plans,

inflation protection is especially important for younger

members, because long-term care insurance benefits may not be

used for several years. This feature helps ensure that the

coverage purchased will keep pace with inflation.

The product is currently available to AARP members in 31 states. It is anticipated that MyChoice will be available to AARP members nationwide by the end of this year. AARP members can receive information through direct mail and by calling 1-800-880-6185 ext. 247. Beginning in the Fall of 2003, members will be able to get additional information at educational meetings in various states. For more information about MyChoice and AARP Healthcare Options, members can go to the Web site www.aarphealthcare.com. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and over. It provides information and resources; engages in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assists members in serving their communities; and offers a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for its members. These include AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, its monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, its quarterly newspaper in Spanish; NRTA Live and Learn, its quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and its Web site, www.aarp.org. It has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

MetLife is a leading provider of long-term care insurance to individuals and group sponsors. MetLife is also the exclusive provider for the AARP endorsed Long-Term Care Insurance Plan.

MetLife, a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), 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 U.S. and provide benefits to 37 million employees and family members through their plan sponsors. Outside the U.S., the MetLife companies have insurance operations in 12 countries serving approximately 8 million customers. For more information about MetLife, please visit the company's Web site at www.metlife.com.