Exhibit (4)(d)

                   [METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LOGO]

                       METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                                 A Stock Company
                   One Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010-3690

                            CUSTODIAL IRA ENDORSEMENT

This Endorsement amends the Annuity Income Certificate to which it is attached,
in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of Internal Revenue
Code Section 401(a)(9) and its applicable regulations.

THE DEFINITIONS OF "ANNUITY INCOME", AND "VALUATION DATE" IN QUESTION 1 ARE
DELETED AND REPLACED WITH THE FOLLOWING:

         "Annuity income" as of any valuation date means the total fixed and
         variable payments that would be payable as of that date. (For an
         explanation of annuity income, see Question 4.)

         "Valuation date" refers to each day the variable payment is calculated.
         A valuation date will also occur on any day that we determine the fair
         market value.

THE FOLLOWING DEFINITION IS ADDED TO QUESTION 1:

         "Fair market value" of this certificate as determined by us on any
         valuation date is equal to the annuity income as of that date
         multiplied by the corresponding annuity purchase rate determined on
         that same date.

SUBSECTIONS (a) AND (d) OF THE "REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS" SECTION OF
QUESTION 17 ARE DELETED AND REPLACED WITH THE FOLLOWING:

         (a)      Payments under this certificate must comply with Code Section
                  401(a)(9) and the regulations thereunder, pertaining to the
                  minimum distribution incidental benefit rules.

         (d)      For Annuity Income Certificates issued as IRAs, SEPs, and
                  SIMPLE IRAs, the federal tax law requires that payments must
                  begin to made by April 1 of the year following the calendar
                  year in which the annuitant becomes 70-1/2. Income payment
                  must be made for the annuitant's life or for the joint lives
                  of the annuitant and the beneficiary; or over a period no
                  longer than the annuitant's life expectancy or joint life
                  expectancy of the annuitant and the beneficiary (using Table V
                  or Table VI of Regulation Section 1.72-9. Payments must be
                  non-increasing or increase only as permitted under the income
                  tax regulations or as otherwise permitted under federal tax
                  law (e.g., payments may vary with the investment performance
                  of the underlying assets).



Form G.20247-583


THE FOLLOWING SUBSECTION IS ADDED TO QUESTION 17:

         FOR NON-QUALIFIED CERTIFICATES ISSUED TO CUSTODIAL IRAS:

         Payments must begin no later than the April 1 of the year following the
         calendar year in which the annuitant becomes 70-1/2. If the income
         payments that we would otherwise make during any calendar year are less
         than the required minimum distribution amount calculated under
         applicable federal income tax rules (treating the fair market value of
         this certificate as of the last business day of the prior calendar year
         as the only asset in the custodial IRA for purposes of this provision)
         then, unless you direct us otherwise, we will make an additional
         payment to you in a single sum on or before April 30 of that calendar
         year. The amount of this additional payment will, unless you request a
         smaller amount, be equal to the difference between the minimum
         distribution amount calculated by us and the income payments (exclusive
         of this additional payment) payable in the calendar year.

         If we make this additional payment, then the annuity income otherwise
         payable in the following calendar years will be reduced by a percentage
         equal to the ratio of this additional payment divided by the fair
         market value determined as of the date the additional payment was made.


/s/ Gwenn L. Carr
------------------------------
    Gwenn L. Carr
    Vice-President & Secretary



Form G.20247-583