Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

  Number
ML
  --------

METLIFE(R)

 COMMON STOCK                                                COMMON STOCK
PAR VALUE $0.01                                             PAR VALUE $0.01

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS               [PHOTO]                 SHARES
 OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE               METLIFE, INC.
                                                            CUSIP 59156R 10 8
                                                         SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN
                                                              DEFINITIONS AND
                                                               RESTRICTIONS

          FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK OF

METLIFE, INC. TRANSFERABLE ON THE BOOKS OF THE CORPORATION BY THE HOLDER HEREOF
IN PERSON OR BY DULY AUTHORIZED ATTORNEY UPON SURRENDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE
PROPERLY ENDORSED. THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE ISSUED
AND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS OF THE CORPORATION EACH AS FROM TIME TO TIME AMENDED,
TO ALL OF WHICH THE HOLDER BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ASSENTS. THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT
VALID UNTIL COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.

     WITNESS THE FACSIMILE SEAL OF THE CORPORATION AND THE FACSIMILE SIGNATURES
OF ITS DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICERS.

DATED:

Countersigned and Registered:
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
Transfer Agent and Registrar

By: Norma Cianfaglione
Authorized signature

[SEAL]

                                             Robert H. Benmosche
                                             Chairman of the Board and
                                             Chief Executive Officer

                                             William J. Wheeler
                                             Treasurer
<PAGE>   2
                                   METLIFE(R)

     This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain
Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between the Corporation and
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent (the "Rights
Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and
a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement,
such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be
evidenced by this certificate. The Corporation will mail to the holder of this
certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement (as in effect on the date of
mailing) without charge promptly after receipt of a written request therefor.
Under certain circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person, or any Associate or Affiliate thereof
(as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), whether currently held by
or on behalf of such Person or by any subsequent holder, may become null and
void.

     The Corporation will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so
requests a copy of the powers, designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights of each class of shares or
series thereof, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such
preferences and/or rights.

     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM - as tenants in common       UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -       Custodian
                                                        ------          -------
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties                  (Cust)          (Minor)
JT TEN  - as joint tenants with right
          of survivorship and not as                under Uniform Gifts to Minor
          tenants in common                           Act
                                                         -----------------------
                                                                 (State)

    Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

     For value received,               hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
                         -------------

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
   IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
--------------------------------------

--------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Shares
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute
and appoint
            -------------------------------------------------------------------

Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within-named
Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:
      ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
                                                         Signature

                                            ------------------------------------
                                                         Signature

                                            NOTICE: The signature to this
                                            assignment must correspond with the
                                            name as written upon the face of the
                                            Certificate, in every particular,
                                            without alteration or enlargement,
                                            or any change whatever.

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

By

THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED
BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION
(BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN
ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE
GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT
TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.1

===============================================================================

                    METLIFE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN 2000

                              For Senior Officers

                                 [METLIFE LOGO]

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===============================================================================

                             DEFERRED COMPENSATION
                            PLAN FOR SENIOR OFFICERS

The MetLife Deferred Compensation Plan for Senior Officers provides you with
the opportunity to defer receipt of a portion of your compensation to a later
date, reducing gross income in the year of the deferral for purposes of federal
and most state income taxes. The Deferred Compensation Plan is administered by
a Plan Committee composed of the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, the
Senior Vice President of Tax and the Vice President of Employee Benefits. This
booklet will serve as the plan document.

QUESTIONS?

MetLife Specialized Benefit Resources
Pauline King
Phone: (732) 602-4733
Fax: (732) 602-6455
E-mail: pking1@metlife.com

<PAGE>   3
===============================================================================

     ELIGIBILITY

     Senior Officers (as defined by the Plan Committee) of MetLife and
     designated subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the Deferred
     Compensation Plan for Senior Officers. Senior Officers appointed during a
     Plan year will be eligible to defer future base salary for the remainder of
     the Plan year, provided they elect to do so within 30 days of appointment.

     If you choose to participate, deferral will begin on January 1 of each
     year.

     ELIGIBLE COMPENSATION

     Up to 33% of Annual Cash Compensation (consisting of base salary and any
     annual incentive programs*) may be deferred. The Company reserves the right
     to restrict the amount of deferral so that it does not exceed limits
     imposed by New York State Insurance law. The deferral of base salary may be
     expressed as either a dollar amount or a percentage, but the deferral of
     any incentive payment may be expressed only as a percentage. The minimum
     amount that may be deferred is 5% of Annual Cash Compensation, but not less
     than $5,000.

     FICA, Medicare, and any other taxes which are due in the year deferred
     amounts would have otherwise been payable will be paid from your other
     compensation.

     *Annual incentive programs include the Annual Variable Incentive Plan,
      Corporate Investments Incentive Plan, Real Estate Investments Incentive
      Plan, Agricultural Investments Incentive Plan, Individual Regional
      Executive Plan and Institutional Regional Executive Plan. Payments from
      the Long Term Performance Compensation Plan are not deferrable.

2.
<PAGE>   4
===============================================================================

                  MAKING A
                  DEFERRAL ELECTION

                  To designate a deferral, a Deferral Election Form must be
                  completed and submitted by the due date on the election form,
                  indicating the deferred amounts. This due date will be prior
                  to the year in which the deferred amounts would have been
                  otherwise paid.

                  Deferral of base salary amounts will begin with the first
                  January payroll period and end with the last December payroll
                  period in the year following the deferral election.

                  IN ADDITION TO INDICATING THE AMOUNT TO BE DEFERRED, YOU MUST
                  ALSO DECIDE:

                  -   THE INVESTMENT OPTION - Deferred amounts will not be
                      actually invested in the funds selected, but earnings
                      (gains or losses) will be credited to participant's
                      accounts in accordance with the performance of the fund
                      selected. Investment choices may be changed up to six
                      times per year, according to the instructions on page 4.

                  -   THE DISTRIBUTION DATE - This cannot be less than three
                      years after the year of deferral. Once you have designated
                      a distribution date, this decision cannot be changed,
                      except as otherwise provided in the Plan.

                  -   THE DISTRIBUTION METHOD OR HOW THE DEFERRED AMOUNT IS TO
                      BE PAID - Payment may be in a single lump sum, or over
                      five, ten or fifteen years in annual installments. Once
                      you have designated a distribution method, this decision
                      cannot be changed, except as otherwise provided in the
                      Plan.

                                                                              3.

<PAGE>   5
================================================================================

     DEFERRED COMPENSATION ACCOUNTS

     An account will be established for each participant in the Deferred
     Compensation Plan. These accounts are unfunded, meaning any amounts
     credited to the accounts will be solely for record-keeping purposes and
     will not be considered to be held in trust or in escrow or in any way
     vested to the participant.

     The maintenance of such account will not give you any right or security
     interest in any asset of MetLife. All amounts in such account remain
     subject to the claims of the general creditors of MetLife.

     The amount deferred will be credited to the deferral account at the end of
     each payroll period in which the funds would otherwise have been paid. The
     amounts deferred will accrue earnings based on the performance of the
     particular investment vehicle(s) of your choice.

     PARTICIPANTS MAY CHOOSE AMONG THE FOLLOWING INVESTMENT FUND OPTIONS:
     --------------------------------------------------------------------

     -- MetLife SIP Fixed Income Fund

     -- Loomis Sayles Bond Fund

     -- MetLife SIP Common Stock Index Fund

     -- Oakmark Fund

     -- MetLife SIP Small Company Stock Fund

     -- Oakmark International Portfolio

     See page 5 for information about the investment options, including
     investment objectives.

     Investment choices may be changed by the participant up to six times each
     year, by contacting Pauline King of MetLife Specialized Benefit Resources
     at (732) 602-4733. The changes will be made as of the business day your
     written request is received, if received before 4 p.m. ET or as of the next
     business day, if received after 4 p.m. ET. You will receive a confirmation
     letter within two weeks.

     4.

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================================================================================

FUND OBJECTIVES

Following are brief descriptions of the investment objectives of each of the
funds:

1.   METLIFE SIP FIXED INCOME FUND

     This portfolio seeks to achieve the highest possible current income
consistent with the preservation of capital and predictable growth through a
guaranteed interest rate by investing in Guaranteed Investment Contracts or
similar contracts.

2.   LOOMIS SAYLES BOND FUND

     This portfolio seeks to achieve high total return through current income
and capital appreciation, by investing primarily in debt securities including
convertibles. At least 65% of its total assets will normally be invested in
bonds. Up to 35% of its assets may be invested in securities of below
investment-grade quality, and up to 20% of assets may be invested in preferred
stocks.

3.   METLIFE SIP COMMON STOCK INDEX FUND

     This portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital and income, with minimal
transaction costs. The portfolio seeks to approximate the performance of the
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index by investing in the stocks of
companies which are included in the index.

4.   OAKMARK FUND

     This portfolio seeks to achieve high total return through long-term growth
of capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities. Up to 25%
of its total assets may be invested in securities of non-U.S. issuers, but no
more than 5% of assets are expected to be invested in emerging markets.

5.   METLIFE SIP SMALL COMPANY STOCK FUND

     This portfolio seeks to achieve high total return through long-term growth
of capital appreciation by investing in the stocks of small U.S. companies with
strong growth potential.

6.   OAKMARK INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO

     This portfolio seeks to achieve high total return through long-term growth
of capital appreciation by investing in the stocks of international equity
securities of mature markets, less developed markets, and in selected emerging
markets. There are no limits on the geographic asset distribution. At least 65%
of its total assets will normally be invested in non-U.S. issuers.

                                                                              5.
<PAGE>   7
================================================================================

DISTRIBUTIONS

PAYMENT DESIGNATION

Payment will begin in January or July coincident with or next following the
date specified at the time of your election. The form of payment will be made
according to the option elected for each year's deferred funds. Regardless of
the option elected, payment will be made in a single lump sum if employment
terminates prior to retirement eligibility under the MetLife Retirement Plan or
upon your death. No loans can be taken.

Payments are subject to such deductions as may be required in accordance with
all federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations.

In the event that you die while annual installments are in progress, the
balance of your Deferred Compensation Account will immediately become due and
payable in one lump sum to your designated beneficiary.

HARDSHIP EXCEPTIONS

In the case of extreme hardship, contributions to the Plan may be discontinued
and/or payments may be made from your account at the discretion of the Plan
Committee. If contributions are to be discontinued or payment made, the amount
involved cannot exceed the funds required to satisfy the financial consequences
of the hardship.

Extreme hardship includes any unforeseeable or extraordinary occurrence or
event caused by an event beyond the control of the participant or beneficiary,
such as illness, disability, accident, or family problems resulting in a
participant's financial need that cannot be met from other assets or normal
sources of income.

ACCELERATED DISTRIBUTION EXCEPTIONS

You may elect to receive an immediate lump sum distribution without a hardship,
but you must withdraw the full account balance for all years in which you made
deferrals under the Plan and there will be a 10% penalty forfeited to the
Company. In addition, funds received pursuant to such distribution will be
deemed to be taxable income. Future deferrals under the Plan will not be
permitted until the Plan year commencing at least three years after the date of
the distribution.

6.
<PAGE>   8

============================================================

                  NONASSIGNABILITY AND
                  BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS

NONASSIGNABILITY

Neither the participant nor any designated beneficiary shall have any right to
sell, assign, transfer or commute any rights under this Plan.

BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS

You may designate an individual, a trustee or your estate as beneficiary and you
may change your beneficiary at any time. A beneficiary designation will be valid
as of the date the written request is received. If there is no valid beneficiary
designation, or if no designated beneficiary survives the participant, the
account balance at your death shall be paid as soon as practicable to your
surviving spouse, and in the event you are not married at death, to your estate.

NOTE: MetLife may terminate or amend the Plan at any time, provided, however,
that no such amendment or termination shall impair any rights which have accrued
under the Plan.

                                                                              7.
<PAGE>   9
================================================================================
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (DCP) AND A
401(k) PLAN SUCH AS THE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT LOAN (SIP)?

A 401(k) plan is a "qualified plan" -this means that it is qualified under the
Internal Revenue Code. Under a 401(k) plan, participants can defer income,
subject to certain limits. The chief limitations of 401(k) plans are the
various Internal Revenue Code-imposed caps on the amount that can be deferred.

The chief advantages of the DCP are the substantially greater deferral
opportunities it can offer. The chief disadvantage is that it does not offer
the security of a qualified plan which is afforded full ERISA protection.

Participation in the DCP does not affect your ability to participate in SIP. If
eligible, you can participate in either or both plans.

I AM CONSIDERING DEFERRING $10,000 UNDER THE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR
SENIOR OFFICERS. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS DEFERRAL VERSUS AFTER-TAX
INVESTMENT?

Assume you defer $10,000 in 2000, requesting a distribution in 2005, combined
federal and state income tax rates remain level at 45% and the value of the
deferral increases at 10% per year. (For the purpose of this example, the 1.45%
Medicare tax withholding is ignored.)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==========================================================================================
                             DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN            AFTER-TAX INVESTMENT
YEAR                          VALUE   TAXES   NET VALUE         VALUE    TAXES   NET VALUE
==========================================================================================
<S>                          <C>      <C>     <C>              <C>       <C>     <C>
2000 (Year of Deferral)      $10,000  $0      $10,000          $10,000   $4,500  $5,500
2001                         $11,000  $0      $11,000          $ 6,050   $0      $6,050
2002                         $12,100  $0      $12,100          $ 6,655   $0      $6,655
2003                         $13,310  $0      $13,310          $ 7,321   $0      $7,321
2004                         $14,641  $0      $14,641          $ 8,053   $0      $8,053
2005 (Year of Distribution)  $16,105  $7,247  $ 8,858          $ 8,858   $1,511* $7,347

</TABLE>

Tax rates may vary and are subject to change. MetLife recommends that you speak
to your tax advisor before making an election under this Plan.

* Assumes investment in a deferred annuity with no penalty at withdrawal.

WHY DO I HAVE TO MADE A DEFERRAL ELECTION BEFORE I KNOW WHAT I WILL BE PAID?

The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") requires that an irrevocable election to
defer income be made before the income is actually earned. Since your election
will remain in effect for an entire plan year, you may want to be conservative
in your deferral amount.
<PAGE>   10
==========================================================================

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO MY DEFERRALS IN THE EVENT METLIFE BECOMES INSOLVENT?

In the unlikely event of MetLife's insolvency, Plan participants would be
viewed as general creditors and their claims for their deferrals would be
treated in the manner and sequence stipulated by New York State Insurance Law.

WHEN AM I TAXED ON DEFERRED COMPENSATION OR EARNINGS THEREON?

Under current law, for federal (and most state) income tax purposes you will
not be taxed until you actually receive this money. Some states and localities
do not exclude deferred compensation from current taxation (check with your tax
advisor to find out if this is the case in your state). Note, however, that
your deferrals are subject to current Social Security (FICA) taxes.

ARE DISTRIBUTIONS ELIGIBLE TO BE ROLLED OVER INTO AN IRA?

No. Because this is not a tax-qualified plan under the Internal Revenue Code,
you cannot roll your distributions over into an IRA or to another employer's
qualified plan when you leave MetLife. When electing a Plan distribution, we
encourage you to seek professional tax advice to determine the best course of
action for your financial circumstances.

WILL PAYMENT TO MY BENEFICIARIES BE INCLUDED IN MY GROSS ESTATE FOR FEDERAL
ESTATE TAX PURPOSES?

Yes. The present value of your deferral account balances at the time of your
death will be included. If, however, your beneficiary is your spouse and the
payments qualify for the estate tax marital deduction, in effect these amounts
will not give rise to federal estate taxes.

IS MY DEFERRAL INCLUDED IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY WAGE BASE?

Yes. Deferrals are subject to withholding for Social Security (FICA) taxes in
the year of the deferral until the annual taxable wage base under the Social
Security provision is reached. There is no maximum annual taxable wage base for
the hospital insurance tax provision of FICA (the "Medicare tax"). Required
withholdings for FICA shall be made from your other compensation.

WILL I PAY SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES WHEN I TAKE MY DISTRIBUTION?

No. Because Social Security taxes were taken into account at the time the
deferrals were made, you owe no additional Social Security taxes when
distributions are made. Distributions of deferred amounts will not affect
receipt of Social Security benefits.

                                                                              9.
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================================================================================

HOW WILL MY DEFERRALS AFFECT MY OTHER BENEFITS?

LIFE INSURANCE FOR YOU, SURVIVOR BENEFIT, SHORT TERM DISABILITY AND LONG TERM
DISABILITY

Your pay used to calculate benefits for these Plans will be calculated based on
pre-deferral amounts.

COMPENSATION CONTINUANCE PLAN

Deferrals will continue to be taken from your pay during periods of short
illness absence in which you are paid under the Company's Compensation
Continuance Plan.

RETIREMENT PLAN

Your final average pay will be based on annual base compensation and incentive
payments, not receipts. That is, the calculation will be based on the
pre-deferral amounts.

SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN (SIP)

If you are participating in the Savings and Investment Plan (SIP), the
Company's 4% match will be allocated as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPENSATION                  SIP (QUALIFIED PLAN)             AUXILIARY SIP                 AUXILIARY SIP FOR DEFERRALS
------------                  --------------------        -------------------------          ---------------------------
<S>                           <C>                         <C>                                <C>
Non-Deferred Compensation:
Up to $170,000*                        X

Non-Deferred Compensation
in Excess of $170,000*                                                X

Deferred Compensation                                                                                     X
</TABLE>

FOR EXAMPLE:

<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>
Annual Cash Compensation      $300,000
Amount of Deferral            $ 60,000
                              --------
Non-Deferred Compensation     $240,000
</TABLE>

The 4% SIP match would be allocated to the participant's accounts as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPENSATION                  SIP (QUALIFIED PLAN)               AUXILIARY SIP               AUXILIARY SIP FOR DEFERRALS
------------                  --------------------        --------------------------         ---------------------------
<S>                           <C>                         <C>                                <C>
Non-Deferred Compensation:           $6,800
Up to $170,000*                  4% of $170,000

Non-Deferred Compensation                                            $2,800
in Excess of $170,000*                                     4% of ($240,000 - $170,000)

Deferred Compensation                                                                                    $2,400
                                                                                                     4% of $60,000
</TABLE>

* Maximum compensation limit under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) for Qualified
  Plans, indexed from time to time, is currently $170,000. Note that the Company
  matching contribution for Auxiliary SIP is subject to FICA tax as well.

10.
<PAGE>   12
===============================================================================
HOW ARE PLAN PAYMENTS TO ME OR MY BENEFICIARIES TREATED FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES?

For federal tax purposes, generally, payments are taxed as ordinary income when
received and are subject to income tax withholding at the rate applicable in the
year received. For deferrals that are excluded from state and local taxable
income at the time the deferrals are made, payments are taxed as ordinary
income when received.

For deferral payments made while you are an active employee, MetLife uses a flat
income tax withholding rate.

HOW DOES METLIFE FUND THE DEFERRED COMPENSATION ACCOUNTS?

The deferred compensation accounts established for each participant are
unfunded. The accounts established are solely for record-keeping purposes.
MetLife has established a RabbiTrust for the Plan, but the existence of this
trust in no way guarantees payment to the participant.

Deferred amounts remain subject to claims of the Company's general creditors.

HOW WILL EARNINGS BE CREDITED TO MY ACCOUNT?

The investment options you select are used solely as a device for crediting
investment returns to your account; your deferrals will not actually be invested
in the investment options. Your investment returns will "mirror" the actual
performance of the investment options you choose and performance will be
measured on  a daily basis. Your deferrals are subject to investment risk. As
with any investment, if the returns on the funds you choose are positive, your
account balance will grow. If the returns are negative, your account balance
will diminish.

CAN I HAVE MY DEFERRALS UNDER EXISTING INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED COMPENSATION
AGREEMENTS WITH METLIFE CREDITED WITH THE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE OF THE FUNDS
OFFERED IN THE DEFFERED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR SENIOR OFFICERS?

If you want to have some or all of your existing individual deferrals credited
with the investment performance of the funds offered in the Deferred
Compensation Plan for Senior Officers, you must contact Pauline King of
MetLife's Specialized Benefit Resources at (732) 602-4733 to obtain an
Investment Preference Form. The changes will be made as of the business day
your written request is received, if received before 4 p.m. ET or as of the
next business day, if received after 4 p.m. ET. You will receive a confirmation
letter within two weeks.

                                                                             11.

<PAGE>   13
================================================================================

     NOTES
<PAGE>   14

                                    METLIFE

                      Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
                  One Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010
                      18000224958 (1199) Printed in U.S.A.

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