MassMutual life insurance review 2025

Based on data from MassMutual insurance reviews and other indicators of quality, MassMutual may be a good choice for those looking for the best life insurance, especially whole life coverage. MassMutual is in third place — well above average — in the J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking for 2024, suggesting that policyholders are generally happy with their interactions with the company. Its mobile apps for iOS and Android have both earned high rankings, and allow customers to manage their policies digitally. If you prefer working with a live agent, the company has a bricks-and-mortar presence in Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C. and every state except Alaska. 

Founded in 1851, MassMutual has the credibility that comes with more than 170 years of writing policies. As a mutual company, it has consistently returned dividends to eligible policyholders each year, although this benefit is not guaranteed. Based on Bankrate's research, it's particularly worth considering for its whole life insurance policies, but also offers a range of other types of coverage, including term, universal and variable universal life.

• Term: MassMutual's term life insurance offers affordable and flexible coverage options with terms of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years. These policies provide guaranteed level premiums for the selected term length, making them a cost-effective choice for those needing temporary life insurance coverage. Additionally, MassMutual term policies come with the option to convert to permanent life insurance without a medical exam, offering long-term flexibility. Enhanced benefits include the waiver of premium rider, which waives premiums if you become totally disabled, and the accelerated death benefit for terminal illness rider, allowing you to access a portion of the death benefit if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness. These features make MassMutual's term life insurance a robust option for individuals seeking comprehensive and adaptable coverage.
• Permanent: Permanent life insurance refers to a few different types of policies, including whole life, universal life and variable life. Generally speaking, permanent life insurance is more expensive than term, but it comes with a few perks that term policies lack. For instance, permanent life insurance comes with a cash value account that has the potential to grow over time. Unlike term policies, permanent life insurance covers you for your entire life rather than a predetermined amount of time. As such, permanent life insurance may be best for people who want coverage with no concerns of policy expiration (as long as premiums are paid).
• Whole: Whole life cash value has the potential to increase in value at a guaranteed rate, and with MassMutual, you may earn dividends. Although dividends aren’t guaranteed, MassMutual attests that they’ve issued a dividend payout to whole life policyholders every year since 1869. Additionally, whole life premiums typically stay the same for the duration of the policy, and the death benefit is fixed.
• Universal: Universal life can also grow in cash value (based on the current interest rate), but unlike MassMutual whole life, there is no potential to earn dividends. Universal life also has flexible premiums, and you may increase or decrease your death benefit after policy inception.
• Variable universal: Variable universal life insurance has flexible premiums, and like a regular universal life policy, you can increase or decrease your death benefits after you purchase the policy. The cash value portion of variable universal life policies are invested stocks, so cash value can increase (or decrease) depending on the market.

Pros and cons of MassMutual life insurance

MassMutual offers a range of life insurance products backed by a strong financial foundation. Understanding the pros and cons of this insurer can help you make an informed decision about whether it suits your needs.

Although this MassMutual Life Insurance review is extensive, you may still wonder if this company can offer coverage to help you meet your financial goals. While you’re shopping, you may want to compare life insurance quotes from the companies below:

MassMutual vs. State Farm

Another Bankrate Awards winner for the past three years, State Farm offers the best term life insurance based on its exceptional customer satisfaction score, excellent AM Best financial strength rating and near-nationwide availability.

Learn more: State Farm Insurance review

MassMutual vs. Nationwide

If you’re looking into universal life insurance, Nationwide could be a solid choice. Like MassMutual, Nationwide boasts an above-industry-average J.D. Power score and has a plethora of digital tools for those who prefer hands-on policy management.

Learn more: Nationwide Insurance review

MassMutual vs. Mutual of Omaha

If you’re looking for life insurance for people over 50, Mutual of Omaha may be a good fit. The company has high third-party ratings and is Bankrate’s 2025 winner for best guaranteed issue life insurer.

Learn more: Mutual of Omaha Insurance review

Bankrate knows the value of doing research before choosing a life insurance company. That’s why we’ve spent so much time and effort compiling honest and comprehensive insurance carrier reviews.

MassMutual is a well-established company with many decades of experience in the insurance industry. It scores very well with third-party organizations that monitor financial stability and customer satisfaction. The company has you covered whether you wish to manage your policy via its well-regarded mobile apps or through hands-on work with a local agent. According to Bankrate's extensive research, it is a particularly good choice for those looking for solid whole life policies, although it does offer an extensive range of other types of insurance coverage as well, along with the ability to customize your policy with its robust list of riders.

What are real-life customers saying about MassMutual?

In an effort to provide more insight into MassMutual's customer experiences, we examined feedback on public forums. Overall, users commend MassMutual for its strong reputation and financial stability, but some report issues with delayed death benefits and poor customer service. Here’s what customers had to say:

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

MassMutual company details

Need to get in contact with MassMutual? Here are a few ways to do so:

• Customer service: 1-800-272-2216
• Claims: 1-800-272-2216
• Website: massmutual.com
• Address: 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111

State availability

MassMutual has finance professionals available in all 50 states except Alaska and offices in Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. However, not all of MassMutual’s life insurance products may be available in every state.

MassMutual tools and benefits

In addition to high third-party ratings and various types of life insurance, MassMutual offers the following perks:

• Mobile app: MassMutual’s mobile app is rated highly at the App Store and Google Play. It allows policyholders to manage their policies, handle payments and more.
• Financial advisors: MassMutual operates through financial professionals who help advise policyholders and potential clients.
• Various calculators: MassMutual’s website features a life insurance calculator, which may be helpful for those who are wondering how much life insurance they need. Additionally, there are other specialized calculators for figuring out college savings, budgeting, disability income, retirement income and more.
• Online tools: Policyholders can use MassMutual’s website to manage their policy online and read MassMutual’s blog, which publishes useful materials such as guides to life insurance, financial literacy articles and how-to pieces.
• Financial products and services: Among the many investment and retirement products the company offers, you will find annuities, individual retirement accounts, mutual funds and 529 plans.

Frequently asked questions about MassMutual

Life Bankrate Score

Our 2025 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impact policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s financial strength, product and rider offerings, availability, customer experience and corporate sustainability. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Ratings): To determine a life insurance company’s financial health and reliability, we assessed several industry-standard ratings, such as J.D. Power, AM Best, Comdex, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and credit agencies like Moody’s, Fitch and S&P.
• Tier 2 (Coverage options): We assessed companies’ coverage options, availability and policy features to help policyholders find a provider that best meets their needs. We examined each company’s life insurance product lines, including term, whole and universal life options.
• Tier 3 (Accessibility & process): To assess the ease and transparency of applying for coverage, we reviewed the simplicity of obtaining a quote and insurers' underwriting processes — including eligibility requirements. We also considered insurers’ community engagement.

Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.