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MassMutual Life Insurance Review
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance offers term, whole, and universal life insurance policies, plus annuities for individuals and solutions for employers that want to provide group life insurance benefits. It exited retirement plan recordkeeping through a sale to Empower and today focuses on protection and annuities. It also offers a no-charge LifeBridge insurance plan to eligible parents that provides a 10-year, $50,000 policy for your child’s education should you pass away, plus a term life option that lets many eligible applicants apply without a medical exam.
MassMutual is ideal for individuals who would prefer to manage their life insurance and annuity planning all in one place with a financially strong mutual insurer; you can verify current ratings on S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s, and AM Best. MassMutual’s policies emphasize core coverage, with minimum term face amounts often starting around $100,000. Its living-benefit rider options are somewhat narrower than some peers, but it’s still worth including in your quote-gathering, especially if you value straightforward protection and long-term guarantees.
The Life Insurance Factors We Analyzed
Customer experience
J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study reports results on a 1,000-point scale; in the 2024 edition, State Farm ranks highest, while many large mutuals, including MassMutual, land around industry average. Complaint activity can change over time; for the most current insurer-specific complaint information, consult the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Broader consumer indicators also show elevated volumes versus prior years, including record finance-related complaints handled by the CFPB in 2023 and record fraud losses reported by the FTC in 2023 (CFPB; FTC).
As with many insurance companies, you’ll have to call the company to get a quote for most products, although you can apply for MassMutual’s no-exam Direct Term option online (eligibility rules apply and some applicants may still be asked for an exam under accelerated underwriting). Once you have a policy, the online portal makes the experience even easier, allowing you to manage your life insurance policies and retirement investment products all from the same place — just note that while MassMutual’s Apple app adds even more convenience, the Android app provides similar functionality; recent reviews vary by platform.
Coverage and rider information
While MassMutual stands out for some of its unique coverages, like long-term care coverage that is bundled with a life insurance policy, it has fewer policy add-ons than other top companies like New York Life, State Farm, and Northwestern Mutual. These optional coverages, or “riders,” allow you to customize your life insurance and add extra financial protection in case of injury, disability, or long-term illness. MassMutual doesn’t advertise many riders on its website; it’s missing options like spouse and child insurance riders, an accidental death rider, and a critical illness rider.
However, just because MassMutual isn’t the most customizable doesn’t mean it can’t offer you a good policy. It stands out in particular for its Direct Term policy, which can be purchased without the need for a medical exam — a great option for people with preexisting conditions — with death benefits ranging from $100,000 to $3 million. Its regular term life policies can also be converted into permanent policies without an additional medical exam, so you have the security of staying with the same company if you decide you need more coverage down the line.
Life insurance coverage features
MassMutual Life Insurance Overview: Financial Strength, Availability, and History
MassMutual has a long operating history and has been an early adopter of offerings beyond basic protection, including retirement services and financial planning and later universal life options. It backs up its history with strong financial strength assessments from major independent ratings agencies; always verify the current rating and outlook on S&P, Moody’s, and AM Best because ratings and outlooks can change.
As a mutual company, policyholders may be eligible to receive company dividends, and MassMutual reports a long record of paying them. For current complaint information, consult the NAIC, and it continues to write a significant number of premiums in the U.S. life insurance market.
- In business since: the mid-19th century
- S&P Global financial strength rating: See current rating and outlook on S&P’s public Ratings Search
- Moody’s financial strength rating: See current rating and outlook on Moody’s issuer page
- A.M. Best financial strength rating: See current rating and outlook on AM Best
- States served: 50 plus Washington, D.C.
The Competition
All information accurate as of 2025.
The Bottom Line
MassMutual offers customers a wide range of protection and accumulation solutions, including life insurance and annuities (products; expanded annuity options via MassMutual Ascend). It is widely regarded as financially strong by independent agencies, and its direct-to-consumer term option may not require a medical exam for many eligible applicants. While its living-benefit rider lineup is less expansive than some competitors, its participating whole life and straightforward term coverage make it a solid contender to include in your quotes.
MassMutual Life Insurance FAQ
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