EQUITY ADDITIONS(TM)
                 VARIABLE ADDITIONAL INSURANCE DIVIDEND OPTION
                 ISSUED BY METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                       SUPPLEMENT DATED NOVEMBER 9, 1998
                                      TO
                         PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1998
 
  This supplements the information contained in the prospectus ("Prospectus")
for the Variable Additional Insurance dividend option, dated May 1, 1998. You
should keep this Supplement to the Prospectus for future reference.
 
  1. A new definition is added under "Definitions" on page 3 of the Prospectus
as follows:
 
  "Components" are the corresponding portions of the VAI cash value that are
  attributable to payments made from each of the base policy, each dividend
  option and each additional benefit rider that comprises the Policy, plus or
  minus the separate account return on such payments. The VAI cash value is
  equal to the sum of the cash value in all of the Components."
 
  2. The second and third sentence "Conditional Guaranteed Minimum VAI Death
Benefit" on page 9 of the Prospectus are deleted in their entirety and
replaced with the following:
 
  "During any "7-pay test" period, the conditional guaranteed minimum VAI
  death benefit generally will equal the VAI death benefit at the beginning
  of any such "7-pay test" period, reduced for any loans, withdrawals or cash
  value transfers that are taken from the VAI since the beginning of the "7-
  pay test" period. The conditional guaranteed minimum VAI death benefit will
  end or be reduced if the dividend option for the next dividend payment date
  is changed from VAI to any other dividend option, if the Policy becomes a
  MEC, or for any loan, withdrawal or cash value transfer. Consult with your
  account representative before taking any such action to find out the effect
  such action will have on the conditional guaranteed minimum VAI death
  benefit or call Metropolitan Life at 800-638-5000"
 
  3. The following is added as the third sentence under "Issuance of a VAI" on
page 10 of the Prospectus:
 
  "Adding the VAI rider after the issuance of your base policy could result
  in a reduction of premium limits under the MEC rules. See "Taxation of the
  Policy" below. Your account representative can tell you what these premium
  limits are or you can get this information by calling Metropolitan Life at
  800-638-5000"
 
  4. The following is added as the second sentence under the first paragraph
under "Payments" on page 10 of the Prospectus.
 
  "Metropolitan Life will keep track of payments plus or minus the cash value
  that reflects the return on such payments while they are in the VAI that
  originated with each Component of the Policy for purposes of deducting
  charges from the VAI, as well as making loans, transfers and withdrawals."
 
  5. The following is added as the second sentence under "Charges" on page 11
of the Prospectus:
 
  "All charges deducted under the VAI will be deducted on a pro rata basis
  based on the cash value in each Component."
 
  6. The following is added as the last sentence under "Effect of a Loan" on
page 15 of the Prospectus:
 
  "In addition, a loan will reduce the Conditional Guaranteed Minimum VAI
  Death Benefit to the extent security for the loan is taken from the VAI
  cash value."
 
  7. The following is added as the last sentence to the third paragraph on
page 16 of the Prospectus:
 
  "In addition any withdrawal or transfer from the VAI will reduce the
  Conditional Guaranteed Minimum VAI Death Benefit."
 
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  8. The fourth sentence under "Loan Privileges" on page 15 of the Prospectus
is amended in its entirety, as follows:
 
  "If an Owner would like to take a loan, then the Owner may direct from
  where security shall be taken among the available cash value in the
  different parts of the Policy and from the available cash value in the
  components of VAI. If the Owner does not so direct, it shall be taken from
  available cash value in the different parts of the Policy and from the cash
  value in the components of VAI in a manner that Metropolitan Life will set
  forth at the time the loan is taken.
 
  9. The section "Automatic Transfers of VAI Cash Value" on page 16 of the
Prospectus is revised in its entirety as follows:
 
  "Metropolitan Life may make arrangements for automatic transfers of the VAI
  cash value available in the future to pay base policy premiums which an
  Owner will be able to request in writing on forms provided by Metropolitan
  Life. The terms and conditions under which automatic transfers will be
  permitted will be set forth in the forms provided by Metropolitan Life.
  Automatic transfer arrangements will reduce the Conditional Guaranteed
  Minimum VAI Death Benefit."
 
  10. The second paragraph under "Withdrawal and Transfer Privileges" which is
on page 16 of the Prospectus is revised in its entirety as follows:
 
  "Metropolitan Life may require that these requests be made on forms
  provided for these purposes. The maximum amount available for transfer from
  VAI to other parts of the Policy will be equal to the cash value in its
  corresponding component of the VAI on the Date of Receipt of the request.
  The maximum amount available for withdrawal is the VAI cash value on the
  Date of Receipt of the request. If an Owner would like to take a partial
  withdrawal, the Owner can direct from where it shall be taken among the
  available cash value in the components of VAI. If the Owner does not so
  direct, it shall be taken from the cash value in the components of VAI in a
  manner that Metropolitan Life will set forth at the time the withdrawal is
  taken.
 
  11. The following is added before the last sentence under the first
paragraph under "Distribution of the VAI" on page 18 of the Prospectus:
 
  "However, writing representatives receive compensation based on an the
  aggregate cash value in all of: (i) the Policy, which may include a VAI;
  and (ii) certain other products of Metropolitan Life and its affiliated
  companies. This compensation will not exceed .12% per year of such total
  cash value."
 
98102QWF (EXP 5/99) MLIC-LD
 
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