Pros
Continuous challenges, interesting work, good people. They do allow some employees to telecommute a few days a week. Good student actuarial program and I've heard there are excellent opportunities for actuaries. Training programs vary by area. Some programs have formal classroom training, some offer mentors, some do on-the- job training. Make sure the training program matches your learning style. Political and cultural environments vary by department. Some departments have reputations as being very competitive and political while others are very supportive. I would ask an interviewer to describe the areas 5 biggest weaknesses and 5 biggest strengths to ascertain the work environment. Managerial knowledge and background also varies by area. Some areas are newly formed and don't have a lot of depth of knowledge at the low-mid managerial level. These areas act more "entrepreneurial". Other areas have significant depth and can offer greater management support to employees but their policies and processes are more rigid.
Cons
Performance review system is a forced distribution system which requires a certain percentage of employees to be labeled "unsatisfactory"regardless of their actual job performance. (Employees compete with their peers of the same salary grade/department and are placed in a bell curve for salary and bonus purposes.) This system leads to low morale and can inhibit an employees ability to find another job. Final reviews are done in Feb and bonuses are given out in March. Even employees with good final reviews dislike this process because most of us have friends who undeservedly receive an "unsatisfactory" in their review. Managers can't really tell them how to improve their performance because they met the requirements of their job. (And often did more than was required because you have to work so much to get your work done.) This system causes low morale for everyone. In fact, many of us have stopped recommending Met as an employer due to the performance review system. Regardless of your performance rating, annual salary increases typically range from 0%-3%, even if you are promoted up a career ladder. Increases are currently applied April 1 of each year. The employees cost for their benefits usually increases at a higher rate each year. Once hired you will not see significant salary increases unless you move into management, are in sales or in the student actuarial program. Poor work-life balance: there is often too much work to be done to take a vacation and many people end up working during their vacations or lose their PTO days. Employees that refuse to work all the time will typically have a poor performance review. Constant, significant change every 3-5 years. If you can't deal with regular change then this is not the best environment for you.