MetLife (MET 0.69%) has declared a dividend for Q1 2013, the company announced in an official release. The payout amounts to $0.185 per share of common stock. It will be disbursed on March 13 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 6.

The firm has shifted to paying dividends on a quarterly basis rather than yearly. The just-announced payout is in line with the $0.74 annual disbursement it's paid since 2007.

This year, MetLife plans to transition back into a more traditional insurance company. It is in the process of selling its banking assets, which by law make it a bank holding company and, as such, subject it to more stringent regulations.