You do not file a new lawsuit for a refund. You recover through the court-approved settlement for eligible Sun Life universal life policies. Universal life pairs a death benefit with a cash account that pays insurance charges. The national case covers only certain older policies sold in Canada.
Table of Contents
- Which policies count?
- What were the overcharge claims?
- How is the $213.5 million divided?
- How do former holders claim?
- Can you still sue separately?
Which policies count?
According to the official settlement notice, the class covers Universal Plus, Flexiplus and OptiMet policies sold by MetLife agents in Canada from 1987 through 1998. That sales channel and date range control eligibility.
Only certain Universal Plus and Flexiplus owners can receive money, including former owners, successor owners and estates. OptiMet members receive no benefits because only the permitted ninth-year increase was found, according to claims administrator CA2.
- Universal Plus or Flexiplus policy, not OptiMet alone
- Sold by a MetLife agent in Canada between 1987 and 1998
- You held it, succeeded to it, or act for the estate
What were the overcharge claims?
According to the Law Times report, plaintiffs said Sun Life raised Flexiplus cost-of-insurance rates and administration fees for impermissible reasons. They also said Universal Plus premiums exceeded the stated Maximum Premium.
Sun Life denied liability and said it administered the policies consistently with their terms and industry standards. It settled without admission of wrongdoing, according to the official notice and Law Times.
How is the $213.5 million divided?
According to the class counsel press release via Cision, about $142.5 million is cash for past excess charges. About $71 million is value from permanent freezes or caps on future cost-of-insurance charges and fees for current holders. Money.ca describes the deal as covering about 70,000 eligible holders and approved Sept.
8, 2026, with effectiveness Oct. 8, 2026. Cash addresses past deductions, while freezes limit what can be taken later.
How do former holders claim?
Money.ca reports that current holders receive largely direct or automatic relief. Former holders, successor owners and estates must affirmatively apply through the claims process. Gather your policy number, ownership history and, for estates, authority to act.
Then follow the administrator's filing instructions exactly and keep copies. Money.ca also reports that any unclaimed money returns to Sun Life rather than increasing other payments. That makes filing, not waiting, the decisive step for former holders.
- Confirm Universal Plus or Flexiplus ownership from a 1987-1998 MetLife sale
- Collect statements, transfer papers, or probate letters showing your right
- File through the appointed claims administrator before its cutoff
Can you still sue separately?
According to the official FAQ, you cannot start a separate refund suit on the same claims. The opt-out deadline of Sept.
17, 2021 has passed, so the settlement binds remaining class members. The claims process or automatic relief is now the only refund path for covered claims. Pull old MetLife paperwork and check the administrator's eligibility list before discarding anything.