MetLife UK has expanded the availability of its life and legacy services provided by Everest to group life policyholders to more people.
Already accessible to spouses, partners and dependents of the insured employee, access is being extended to employees’ parents and in-laws.
The partnership with Everest provides an independent, funeral concierge service offering end-of-life planning and funeral support to employees and their families in the event of their death.
It also provides independent research reports on local funeral homes, including locations, services, and costs for more than 8,000 providers, that are shareable with relatives to help make informed decisions on funerals.
Digital tools including will writing, mirror wills, living wills and drafting power of attorney come at no cost, and can be stored in the firm’s digital lock box, should the time come.
Charlotte O’Brien, head of employee benefits at MetLife UK, said: “Protection is not just about financial wellbeing.
“Continuous innovation is vital to help people feel looked after and supported. That’s never truer than when suffering a bereavement, and in extending our group life and legacy proposition to the parents and in-laws of the insured employee, we aim to provide more family members peace of mind.
“Those older family members will now know that they can access independent support and guidance if they need to leave their affairs in order, plan for the future, or arrange a funeral.
“This unique benefit should also help encourage people to talk about and plan for the future in a way that’s convenient and practical, rather than in highly emotive or emergency moments. In doing so, we are trying to remove some of the strain that comes with bereavement so individuals can focus on themselves and their families.”
Mark Wood, executive chairman at Everest, added: “Our collaboration with MetLife has delivered valuable support at their time of grief to employees of MetLife’s group life clients.
“The extent to which our services are valued is reflected in MetLife’s new business and renewal performance.
“Today we announce the extension of our services to encompass employees’ parents and parents in law.”