Solutions for Success
MetLife and MMA Support Members Throughout Pandemic
March 2021 MiMfg Magazine 9
Throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic , as manufacturers sought solutions for staying open and keeping their employees safe , MMA members were assured in the fact that their MetLife rates for life insurance , disability , dental and vision benefits would remain affordable .
“ MMA members have been able to take advantage of exclusive rate offers from MetLife for the past 25 years . By having a large participant pool via MMA ’ s membership , rates for all MetLife offerings are discounted and have guaranteed rate stability ,” says Larry Janicki , President of the MMA Service Corporation .
MMA stepped up for members last May and volunteered to pay half of their members ’ insurance premiums for the month . MetLife also recognized the disruption that greatly affected Michigan manufacturing throughout the pandemic and decided to return 25 percent of dental premiums for two months to MMA members .
MetLife ’ s programs offer affordability and flexibility for large employers or small , independently owned shops . In addition , there are local customer service reps dedicated solely to MMA members . This means that MMA members who take advantage of any of MetLife ’ s programs can connect with a local account rep and not have to go through a call center .
Dental and Vision
Employers and employees are able to take advantage of flexible and comprehensive plans for MetLife Dental and Vision . Members are get discounted rates as soon as they enter the program , according to Janicki . Members also have rate guarantees for dental for the first two years and a maximum 5 percent increase in the third year .
“ Overall , we haven ’ t had a rate increase in the past four years ,” says Janicki . “ The members have really benefited from those zero rate increases .”
Life Insurance
Having employer-offered life insurance options may be the first time that employees think about protecting their family and loved ones through a term or whole life plan . Small business owners have the flexibility to pick the right insurance products that maximize value through their MMA membership . Consider this case study from a plan participant :
“ My mother passed away when she was only 49 . Despite our devastation , my brother and I were able to continue our education because she had planned ahead and bought life insurance . That ’ s why my husband and I decided to buy a policy after the birth of our sons . We want them to be financially secure if anything were to happen to us .”
Disability
Picking the right plans for short-term and long-term disability can be a complex and arduous task for employers . Your MMA membership offers plenty of information and direct guidance from a MetLife account representative to help navigate
Check out MetLife ’ s full line-up of cost-saving options at mimfg . org :
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Basic Term Life
• Supplemental Term Life
• Dependent Term Life
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment ( AD & D )
• Disability
• Short-term
• Long-term
the system . And having those options for STD and LTD are important to employees . Consider this case study :
“ I got sick soon after I returned from a trip to Brazil . I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Guillain-Barré Syndrome . After a few days , I was completely paralyzed . My disability insurance was what paid me for the next eight to nine months . While it was overwhelming to have had a major medical issue , I was able to focus on my recovery without worrying about where my next paycheck was coming from .”
See mimfg . org for more on MetLife offerings or contact MMA ' s Brenda Nalett at 517- 487-8512 or nalett @ mimfg . org . 6