Brighthouse Financial (BHF) to make Richard Cook CAO in Sept. 2026
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF) announced a leadership change in its finance organization. The Board appointed Richard A. Cook, currently Deputy Chief Accounting Officer, as Chief Accounting Officer effective September 3, 2026, succeeding Melissa B. Pavlovich, whose last day will be September 2, 2026. The company states that Ms. Pavlovich’s departure is not related to its financial statements, disclosures, or accounting principles and practices.
In his new role, Mr. Cook will receive an annual base salary of $425,000, a target annual short-term incentive opportunity of 60% of base salary, and a target long-term incentive opportunity valued at $219,500 under the Brighthouse Financial, Inc. 2017 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan, all subject to plan terms and performance goals. Mr. Cook, age 50, has been with Brighthouse since 2016 and previously held senior accounting and reporting roles at MetLife and other financial institutions.
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8-K Event Classification
2 items: 5.02, 9.01
2 items
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Annual base salary: $425,000
Short-term incentive target: 60% of annual base salary
Long-term incentive target value: $219,500
+3 more
6 metrics
Annual base salary
$425,000
Annual base salary for Richard A. Cook as Chief Accounting Officer
Short-term incentive target
60% of annual base salary
Target annual short-term incentive opportunity for Richard A. Cook
Long-term incentive target value
$219,500
Target annual LTI opportunity under the 2017 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan
Effective date of CAO appointment
September 3, 2026
Date Richard A. Cook becomes Chief Accounting Officer
Last day of outgoing CAO
September 2, 2026
Last day of employment for Melissa B. Pavlovich at Brighthouse Financial
Age of new CAO
50 years
Age of Richard A. Cook as disclosed in the filing
Key Terms
Chief Accounting Officer, Short-Term Incentive Plan, 2017 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan, Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock
4 terms
Chief Accounting Officer financial
"appointed Richard A. Cook ... as Chief Accounting Officer"
A chief accounting officer is a senior executive responsible for overseeing a company's financial records and ensuring all accounting practices are accurate and compliant with regulations. They play a key role in preparing financial reports that help investors understand the company's financial health, much like a trusted navigator guiding a ship through complex waters. Their work ensures transparency and trust in the company's financial information.
Short-Term Incentive Plan financial
"Short-Term Incentive Plan of 60% of his annual base salary"
2017 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan financial
"under the Amended and Restated Brighthouse Financial, Inc. 2017 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan"
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock financial
"interest in a share of 6.600% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A"
Preferred stock that pays a fixed dividend but does not require the company to make up missed payments later; if a dividend is skipped, shareholders lose that income permanently rather than accumulating a balance the company must repay. Investors care because this structure offers higher priority than common shares for payouts but less protection for dividend income, so it’s a trade-off between steady yield and the risk of permanent missed payments.
FAQ
What leadership change did Brighthouse Financial (BHF) announce in this 8-K?
Brighthouse Financial appointed Richard A. Cook as Chief Accounting Officer effective September 3, 2026. He will replace Melissa B. Pavlovich, whose last day at the company will be September 2, 2026.
Why is Brighthouse Financial’s current Chief Accounting Officer leaving?
Brighthouse Financial disclosed that Melissa B. Pavlovich is resigning after accepting a new opportunity. The company stated her departure is not related to its financial statements, disclosures, or accounting principles and practices.
What compensation will the new CAO of Brighthouse Financial (BHF) receive?
Richard A. Cook will receive an annual base salary of $425,000, a target annual short-term incentive equal to 60% of base salary, and a target long-term incentive opportunity valued at $219,500, subject to performance and plan terms.
When does Richard A. Cook’s appointment as CAO of BHF become effective?
Richard A. Cook’s appointment as Chief Accounting Officer becomes effective on September 3, 2026. The filing also notes that outgoing CAO Melissa B. Pavlovich’s last day with Brighthouse Financial will be September 2, 2026.
What is Richard A. Cook’s background before becoming CAO at Brighthouse Financial (BHF)?
Richard A. Cook, age 50, joined Brighthouse in 2016 and has served as Investment Controller, Interim CAO, and Deputy CAO. Before Brighthouse, he held regulatory reporting and investment accounting roles at MetLife, Inc., State Street Bank & Trust, and AEGON Equity Group.
Are Brighthouse Financial’s financial statements affected by this CAO transition?
The company specifically stated that Ms. Pavlovich’s departure is not due to any matters related to Brighthouse Financial’s financial statements, disclosures, or accounting principles and practices, indicating no disclosed accounting dispute behind the transition.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 18, 2026 (August 12, 2026)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||||||||||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (980 ) 365-7100
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company | |||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. | ☐ | ||||||||||
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On August 17, 2026, the Board of Directors of Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (“Brighthouse Financial” or the “Company”) appointed Richard A. Cook, the Company’s Deputy Chief Accounting Officer, as Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”), effective September 3, 2026. Mr. Cook will succeed Melissa B. Pavlovich, who informed the Company on August 12, 2026 that she has accepted a new opportunity and will be resigning from the Company. Ms. Pavlovich’s last day at Brighthouse Financial will be September 2, 2026.
Ms. Pavlovich’s departure is not due to any matters related to the Company’s financial statements or disclosures, or accounting principles and practices.
Pursuant to an offer letter in connection with his appointment, in his new role, Mr. Cook will receive an annual base salary of $425,000. He will have a target annual short-term incentive opportunity under the Amended and Restated Brighthouse Services, LLC Short-Term Incentive Plan of 60% of his annual base salary and will be eligible to receive incentive awards under the Amended and Restated Brighthouse Financial, Inc. 2017 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “LTI Plan”) with a target opportunity valued at $219,500, in each case, subject to the terms of the applicable plan, individual performance and the Company’s achievement of certain specified performance goals. Awards under the LTI Plan are also subject to the applicable award agreement (including the award agreement supplement).
Mr. Cook, age 50, joined the Company in 2016 as Investment Controller and served in that role until his appointment as Interim CAO in November 2024. He served as Interim CAO until August 2025, when he was appointed to his current role as the Company’s Deputy CAO.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Cook was Assistant Vice President, Regulatory Reporting for MetLife, Inc. where he was a key member of the Investment External Reporting & Analytics group since 2010. He originally joined MetLife in 2004 and oversaw the Specialized Investment Accounting team. Mr. Cook began his career at State Street Bank & Trust and also worked at AEGON Equity Group.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | ||||
| 104* | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | ||||
* Filed herewith.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| BRIGHTHOUSE FINANCIAL, INC. | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ Allie Lin | ||||||||||
| Name: Allie Lin | |||||||||||
| Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | |||||||||||
Date: August 18, 2026
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