HDFC Life vs MetLife: Founders, CEOs and History
HDFC Life was founded in 2000 by Deepak Parekh, Standard Life Aberdeen plc and is led by Vibha Padalkar. MetLife was founded in 1868 by Henry S. Terry, William A. Brewer and is led by Michel Khalaf.
Company facts
Founders
HDFC Life
Deepak Parekh
Deepak Parekh is widely considered one of the most powerful architects of the modern Indian financial system.
Standard Life Aberdeen plc
Standard Life (now abrdn) provided the absolute critical actuarial expertise and global insurance framework required to launch HDFC Life in 2000.
MetLife
Henry S. Terry
Henry S. Terry is listed among the New York businessmen associated with the 1868 reorganization that created Metropolitan Life Insurance Company out of the National Union Life and Limb Insurance Company.
William A. Brewer
William A. Brewer is credited in company histories as one of the early organizers of Metropolitan Life in 1868. Public records on his personal role are sparse, so this profile does not attribute specific decisions to him.
CEOs and their tenures
HDFC Life
- Amitabh Chaudhry2010–2018
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO from 2010 to 2018, he orchestrated the massive, multi-year turnaround of the insurer, severely cutting operating costs and heavily pivoting away from toxic unit-linked insurance plans (ULIPs).
Source - Vibha Padalkar2018–present
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer
As CEO since 2018 (and former CFO), she heavily modernized the company's digital distribution channels, maintaining its position as a top-tier private insurer despite the massive regulatory changes in India.
Source
MetLife
- Robert H. Benmosche1998–2006
Former Chief Executive Officer
Robert H. Benmosche was the well-known, turnaround CEO who took the helm during a period of severe operational inefficiency and declining market share.
Source - C. Robert Henrikson2006–2011
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
He led the 2010 purchase of Alico from AIG for about $16 billion. Steven Kandarian succeeded him in 2011.
Source - Steven A. Kandarian2011–2020
Former Chief Executive Officer
Steven A. Kandarian was the transformative CEO who oversaw the company's most ambitious, albeit ultimately reversed, strategic maneuver: the accumulation of US retail market share through the New England Financial acquisition.
Source - Michel Khalaf2019–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Michel Khalaf became President and CEO in May 2019 after leading MetLife's US business and EMEA region.
Source
Timeline: HDFC Life and MetLife side by side
1868MetLife
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company named
The National Union Life and Limb Insurance Company, formed in 1863 to insure Civil War soldiers, is reorganized as Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in New York.
1879MetLife
Industrial insurance launched
Under president Joseph F. Knapp, MetLife begins selling small weekly-premium industrial policies collected door to door, the model that drove its early growth.
1909MetLife
Visiting nurse service
MetLife starts a visiting nurse program for industrial policyholders, an early public health initiative tied to insurance.
2000HDFC Life
Registration as India's First Private Life Insurer
IRDAI granted registration certificate No. 101 to HDFC Life, inaugurating the private life insurance era in India.
2000MetLife
Demutualization and NYSE IPO
MetLife converts from a policyholder-owned mutual to a stock company, MetLife, Inc., and lists on the New York Stock Exchange.
2004HDFC Life
Launch of Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs)
Introduced market-linked life insurance plans, enabling Indian policyholders to participate in domestic equity markets.
2005MetLife
Travelers Life & Annuity acquired
MetLife buys Travelers Life & Annuity and most of Citigroup's international insurance businesses for about $11.8B.
2010HDFC Life
Amitabh Chaudhry becomes CEO
Amitabh Chaudhry became CEO of HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited in 2010. Left to become MD and CEO of Axis Bank; Vibha Padalkar succeeded him.
2010MetLife
Alico acquired from AIG
MetLife buys American Life Insurance Company (Alico) from AIG for about $15.5B in cash and stock, greatly expanding its presence in Japan, Europe and the Middle East.
2011HDFC Life
Pioneering Online Term Insurance with Click 2 Protect
Launched Click 2 Protect online, driving direct digital term life insurance adoption across India.
2016MetLife
SIFI designation rescinded
A federal judge rescinds FSOC's 2014 designation of MetLife as a systemically important financial institution; FSOC drops its appeal in 2018.
2017HDFC Life
IPO on NSE and BSE
Listed in November 2017 via an offer for sale of about $1.01 billion (₹8,695 crore).
2017MetLife
Brighthouse Financial spin-off
MetLife completes the separation of most of its US retail life and annuity business as Brighthouse Financial.
2018HDFC Life
Vibha Padalkar Appointed MD & CEO
Vibha Padalkar took office as Managing Director & CEO, launching the blockbuster guaranteed savings plan Sanchay Plus.
2019HDFC Life
Renamed HDFC Life
HDFC Standard Life Insurance was renamed HDFC Life Insurance in January 2019.
2019MetLife
Michel Khalaf becomes CEO
Michel Khalaf succeeds Steven Kandarian as President and CEO in May 2019.
2022HDFC Life
Acquisition of Exide Life Insurance
Completed the acquisition of Exide Life Insurance for 6,687 crore, expanding agency distribution in South India.
2023HDFC Life
HDFC-HDFC Bank Mega-Merger Integration
Following the merger of HDFC and HDFC Bank, HDFC Life became a direct subsidiary of India's largest private bank.
2024MetLife
New Frontier strategy
MetLife reports FY2024 revenue of $71.0B and unveils its New Frontier strategy at a December 2024 investor day.
2025MetLife
PineBridge closes; revenue reaches $77.1B
MIM closes its acquisition of PineBridge Investments on December 30, 2025. FY2025 revenue reaches $77.1B, PFOs $57.6B, and nearly $4.4B is returned to shareholders.
2026HDFC Life
FY26 results and AUM above ~$46.4 billion (₹4.0 lakh crore)
FY26 profit rose 6% to ~$222 million (₹1,910 crore); Q1 FY27 profit rose 12% to ~$70.9 million (₹611 crore) with AUM of ~$46.5 billion (₹4,009 billion).
2026MetLife
Strong first-half 2026
1Q 2026 net income rises 30% to $1.1B and 2Q 2026 adjusted earnings rise 15% to $1.6B, driven by underwriting and volume growth.
Acquisitions
HDFC Life
- Exide Life Insurance Company Limited2022$66.9B
- HDFC International Life and Re Company Limited2016Undisclosed
- HDFC Pension Management Company Limited2012Undisclosed
MetLife
- PineBridge Investments2025Undisclosed
- American Life Insurance Company (Alico)2010$15.5B
- Travelers Life & Annuity (Citigroup)2005$11.8B
- New England Mutual Life Insurance Company1996Undisclosed
Questions about HDFC Life vs MetLife
Who is the CEO of HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited and MetLife, Inc.?
HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited is led by Vibha Padalkar and MetLife, Inc. is led by Michel Khalaf. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited founded vs MetLife, Inc.?
MetLife, Inc. was founded in 1868 — 132 years before HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, which was founded in 2000. MetLife, Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited.
How many employees does HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited have compared to MetLife, Inc.?
HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited employs approximately 35,000 people, while MetLife, Inc. employs approximately 46,000. MetLife, Inc. has the larger workforce at 46,000 employees, compared to HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited's 35,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited and MetLife, Inc. headquartered?
HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited is headquartered in India and MetLife, Inc. is headquartered in United States. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited and MetLife, Inc.?
HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited was founded by Deepak Parekh, Standard Life Aberdeen plc. MetLife, Inc. was founded by Henry S. Terry, William A. Brewer.
Which company has a longer operating history — HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited or MetLife, Inc.?
MetLife, Inc. has been operating for approximately 158 years, making it the more established of the two companies. HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited has been in operation for around 26 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the HDFC Life vs MetLife overview