Mass is a stronger company, but products are a bit more expensive, but that is the price you pay for stability. some people it is worth for, for some, no.
Mass is still a mutual company and I believe Met demutualized to become a stock company several years ago. Kind of lost track of the traditional life side, but did not know New England (formerly New England Mutual) was now part of Met.
Mass absorbed the "blue chip company" a few years ago. MONY is now part of AXA which also bought (or morphed into) the former Equitable.
I just got back from a New England Financial interview and I don't know why everybody seems to be pretty impressed with them. Before I can get hired, of course I have to do the assessment, but after that I have to bring them four clients before I become salaried. They also pushed the warm market pretty hard. My question is if I had a warm market, why would I need them? If I can get the bodies (leads) any product I push will offer all the training and product knowledge I could use. So why would I go with them?