Apex VUL®
Issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
Massachusetts Mutual Variable Life Separate Account I
Updating Summary Prospectus – April 27, 2026
This Summary Prospectus summarizes key features of the Apex VUL® policy, an individual, flexible premium, adjustable, variable life insurance policy (policy), issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual, Company, we, us, or our).
The current statutory prospectus for the Apex VUL policy contains more information about the policy, including its features, benefits, and risks. You can find the current statutory prospectus and other information about the policy online at www.MassMutual.com/Apex. You can also obtain this information at no cost by calling (800) 272-2216 or by sending an email request to MassMutualServiceCenter@MassMutual.com.
Additional information about certain investment products, including variable life insurance policies, has been prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission staff and is available at www.investor.gov.
The SEC has not approved or disapproved this policy or determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation that it has is a criminal offense.
1
Account Value. The value of your investment in the Separate Account Divisions and the GPA.
Administrative Office. MassMutual Customer Service Center, PO Box 1865, Springfield, MA 01102-1865, (800) 272-2216, (Fax) (866) 329-4527, www.MassMutual.com
Attained Age. The Insured’s age on the Issue Date plus the number of completed Policy Years.
Face Amount. An amount used to determine the insurance coverage the policy provides while it is In Force.
Free Look. Your right to cancel the policy and receive a refund.
Fund(s). The investment entities in which the Separate Account Divisions invest.
Good Order. The actual receipt by our Administrative Office of the instructions related to a request or transaction in writing (or, when permitted, by telephone, fax, website, or other electronic means), within the time limits, if any, along with all forms, information and supporting legal documentation we require to effect the request or transaction. This information includes, to the extent applicable: the completed application or instruction form; your policy number; the transaction amount (in dollars or percentage terms); the names and allocations to and/or from the Separate Account Divisions affected by the request or transaction; the signatures of all Owners; if necessary, Social Security Number or Tax Identification number; tax certification; and any other information or supporting documentation we may require including consents, certifications and guarantees. Instructions must be complete and sufficiently clear so that we do not need to exercise any discretion to follow such instructions. We may, in our sole discretion, determine whether any particular request or transaction is in Good Order, and we reserve the right to change or waive any Good Order requirements at any time. If you have any questions, you may contact our Administrative Office before submitting the form or request.
Grace Period. A period that begins when the Net Surrender Value is not sufficient to cover monthly charges due and your policy stays In Force, during which you can pay the amount of premium needed to avoid termination.
Guaranteed Death Benefit (GDB) Safety Test. A no-lapse guarantee that allows you to keep the policy In Force until the Guaranteed Death Benefit (GDB) Period End Date regardless of the value of the policy, as long as the Policy Debt Limit has not been reached. The GDB Period End Date is shown in the policy’s specifications pages and is the Policy Anniversary on which the Insured reaches Attained Age 85.
In Force. Your policy has not terminated.
Initial Face Amount. The Face Amount on the Policy Date.
Insured. The person on whose life the policy is issued.
Issue Date. The date we issue the policy. The Issue Date starts the contestability and suicide periods.
Modified Endowment Contract (MEC). A special type of life insurance under federal income tax law. Specifically, the law prescribes a test that is intended to differentiate between policies that are purchased primarily for certain tax advantages, versus policies that are purchased primarily for death protection. MECs are still life insurance and offer tax-free death benefits and tax-deferred cash value accumulation. However, pre-death distributions (including loans) are taxed as “income first” (not cost basis first), meaning they are taxable to the extent of gain in the policy. In addition, distributions may be subject to a 10% additional tax.
Monthly Charge Date. The Policy Date and the same day of each succeeding calendar month.
Net Premium. A premium payment received in Good Order minus the premium expense charge.
2
Net Surrender Value. Account Value less any surrender charges and Policy Debt.
Policy Anniversary. The anniversary of the Policy Date.
Policy Date. The starting point for determining the Policy Anniversaries, Policy Years, and Monthly Charge Dates. It is also the day we first deduct monthly charges under the policy.
Policy Debt. All outstanding loans plus accrued interest.
Policy Debt Limit. When total Policy Debt exceeds the Account Value less surrender charges.
Policy Termination. An event where your policy is no longer In Force due to the Net Surrender Value becoming too low to support your policy’s monthly charges and the Guaranteed Death Benefit Safety Test is not met, or if the total Policy Debt exceeds the Account Value less surrender charges.
Policy Year. The twelve-month period beginning with the Policy Date, and each successive twelve-month period thereafter.
Separate Account Division. A variable investment division offered through our Separate Account that invests in the corresponding underlying Fund.
3
Updated Information About Your Policy
The
information in this Updating Summary Prospectus is a summary of certain policy features that have changed since
April
28, 2025. This may not reflect all changes that have occurred since you purchased your policy.
Fund Liquidation
Vest US Large Cap 10% Buffer Strategies VI Fund was liquidated after the close of the New York Stock Exchange on December 15, 2025.
Fund Substitutions
|
Existing Fund (Share Class) |
Replacement Fund (Share Class) |
|
Invesco V.I. Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund (Series I) |
MML Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Fund (Class II) |
|
Invesco V.I. Main Street Fund® (Series I) |
MML Fundamental Equity Fund (Class II) |
Fund Additions
Columbia Variable Portfolio - Commodity Strategy Fund
MML VIP American Funds 80/20 Allocation Fund
MML VIP Invesco Discovery Large Cap Fund
Fund Name Changes
|
Current Fund Name |
New Fund Name |
|
Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund |
Invesco V.I. International Growth Fund |
|
Macquarie VIP Asset Strategy Series |
Nomura VIP Asset Strategy Series |
|
Macquarie VIP Growth Series |
Nomura VIP Growth Series |
|
MML Aggressive Allocation Fund |
MML VIP Aggressive Allocation Fund |
|
MML American Funds Core Allocation Fund |
MML VIP American Funds 65/35 Allocation Fund |
|
MML American Funds Growth Fund |
MML VIP American Funds Growth Fund |
|
MML Balanced Allocation Fund |
MML VIP Balanced Allocation Fund |
|
MML Blend Fund |
MML VIP BlackRock® Balanced Fund |
|
MML Blue Chip Growth Fund |
MML VIP T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund |
|
MML Conservative Allocation Fund |
MML VIP Conservative Allocation Fund |
|
MML Equity Fund |
MML VIP Franklin Templeton Equity Fund |
|
MML Equity Income Fund |
MML VIP T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund |
|
MML Equity Index Fund |
MML VIP BlackRock® Equity Index Fund |
|
MML Fundamental Equity Fund |
MML VIP Invesco Main Street Equity Fund |
|
MML Global Fund |
MML VIP Invesco Global Fund |
|
MML Growth Allocation Fund |
MML VIP Growth Allocation Fund |
|
MML Inflation-Protected and Income Fund |
MML VIP Barings Inflation-Protected and Income Fund |
|
MML International Equity Fund |
MML VIP MFS International Equity Fund |
|
MML Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Fund |
MML VIP Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Fund |
4
|
Current Fund Name |
New Fund Name |
|
MML iShares® 60/40 Allocation Fund |
MML VIP BlackRock iShares® 60/40 Fund |
|
MML iShares® 80/20 Allocation Fund |
MML VIP BlackRock iShares® 80/20 Fund |
|
MML Large Cap Growth Fund |
MML VIP Loomis Sayles Large Cap Growth Fund |
|
MML Managed Bond Fund |
MML VIP Barings Core Bond Fund |
|
MML Managed Volatility Fund |
MML VIP JPMorgan U.S. Research Enhanced Equity Fund |
|
MML Mid Cap Growth Fund |
MML VIP T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund |
|
MML Mid Cap Value Fund |
MML VIP American Century Mid Cap Value Fund |
|
MML Moderate Allocation Fund |
MML VIP Moderate Allocation Fund |
|
MML Short-Duration Bond Fund |
MML VIP Barings Short-Duration Bond Fund |
|
MML Small Cap Equity Fund |
MML VIP Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund |
|
MML Small Cap Growth Equity Fund |
MML VIP Wellington Small Cap Growth Equity Fund |
|
MML Small Company Value Fund |
MML VIP American Century Small Company Value Fund |
|
MML Total Return Bond Fund |
MML VIP Fidelity Institutional AM® Core Plus Bond Fund |
|
MML U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
MML VIP Barings U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
Sub-Adviser Changes
FIAM LLC replaced Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC as the sub-adviser to the MML VIP Fidelity Institutional AM® Core Plus Bond Fund (formerly MML Total Return Bond Fund).
Harris Associates L.P. no longer serves as a sub-adviser to the MML VIP MFS International Equity Fund (formerly MML International Equity Fund).
J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. replaced Gateway Investment Advisers, LLC as the sub-adviser to the MML VIP JPMorgan U.S. Research Enhanced Equity Fund (formerly MML Managed Volatility Fund).
Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited no longer serves as sub-adviser to the Nomura VIP Growth Series (formerly Macquarie VIP Growth Series).
Nomura Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG and Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited will now serve as the sub-advisers to the Nomura VIP Asset Strategy Series (formerly Macquarie VIP Asset Strategy Series).
5
Important Information You Should Consider About the Policy
|
FEES AND EXPENSES |
LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS | |||
|
Charges for Early Withdrawals |
If
you surrender the policy, decrease the Face Amount, or the policy
lapses within a maximum of the first ten Policy Years or the
first ten years following an increase in the Face Amount, a surrender
charge may apply. For the Initial Face Amount, rates are
based on the Insured’s issue age, gender, risk class, and coverage
year. For each increase in the Face Amount, rates are based
on the Insured’s Attained Age, gender, risk class on the effective
date of the increase, and coverage year. The surrender charge
is the sum of surrender charges for the Initial Face Amount
and all Face Amount increases. |
Fee
Tables – Transaction Fees –
Surrender Charges | ||
|
Transaction Charges |
In
addition to surrender charges, you also may be charged for other
transactions. |
Fee
Tables – Transaction Fees | ||
6
|
FEES AND EXPENSES |
LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS | |||
|
Ongoing Fees and Expenses |
In
addition to surrender charges and transaction charges, an investment
in the policy is subject to certain ongoing fees and expenses.
Some of these fees and expenses, such as the insurance charge
and the cost of certain optional riders, are set based on characteristics
of the Insured (e.g., age, sex, and risk classification).
You should view the policy’s specifications pages for
rates applicable to your policy. |
Fee
Tables – Periodic Charges Other
than Annual Fund Operating
Expenses | ||
|
Annual Fee |
Minimum |
Maximum |
||
|
Fund options (Fund fees and expenses) |
0.11%(1) |
1.21%(1) |
||
| (1) | As a percentage of Fund assets. |
|
RISKS |
LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS | |||
|
Risk of Loss |
You can lose money by investing in this policy. |
Principal
Risks – Investment Risks | ||
|
Not a Short-Term Investment |
This
policy is not a short-term investment and is not appropriate for
an investor who needs ready access to cash. |
Overview
of the Policy – What is
the policy, and what is it designed
to do? | ||
|
Risks Associated with Investment Options |
An
investment in this policy is subject to the risk of poor investment
performance and can vary depending upon the performance
of the underlying Funds you choose. |
Principal
Risks – Investment Risks | ||
|
Insurance Company Risks |
An investment in the policy is subject to the risks related to the Depositor (MassMutual). Any obligations (including under any fixed account investment option), guarantees, or benefits of the policy are subject to the claims-paying ability of MassMutual. If MassMutual experiences financial distress, it may not be able to meet its obligations to you. More information about MassMutual, including its financial strength ratings, is available at www.MassMutual.com/ratings. |
General Information About the Company, the Separate Account and the Underlying Funds – The Guaranteed Principal Account (GPA) | ||
7
|
RISKS |
LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS | |||
|
Policy Lapse |
Your policy could terminate (or lapse) if the Net Surrender Value of the policy becomes too low to support the policy’s monthly charges and the Guaranteed Death Benefit (GDB) Safety Test is not met, or if total Policy Debt exceeds the Account Value less surrender charges. Factors that may cause your policy to lapse include: insufficient premium payments, poor investment performance, withdrawals, and unpaid loans or loan interest. If your policy lapses, you may be able to reinstate it. To reinstate your policy, you must provide us certain written materials we require as well as a premium payment sufficient to keep the policy In Force for three months after reinstatement. The death benefit will not be paid if the policy has lapsed. |
Principal
Risks – Policy Termination | ||
|
RESTRICTIONS |
LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS | |||
|
Investments |
Generally,
you may transfer Account Value among the Separate Account
Divisions and the GPA, subject to certain limitations. We
also offer two automated transfer programs: Dollar Cost Averaging
and Portfolio Rebalancing.
Transfers from the GPA are limited to one per Policy Year and may not exceed 25% of your Account Value in the GPA (less any Policy Debt). There is one exception to this rule. If you have transferred 25% of the GPA Value (less any Policy Debt) for three consecutive years and you have not added any Net Premiums or transferred amounts to the GPA during these three consecutive years, you may transfer the remainder of the GPA Value (less any Policy Debt) out of the GPA in the succeeding Policy Year.
Transfers are not permitted from the GPA to the money market Separate Account Division.
Transfers from a Separate Account Division to the money market Separate Account Division are not permitted within 90 days of any transfer from the GPA.
Transfers are not permitted during the Free Look period for those policies in which we refund the premium paid less withdrawals and Policy Debt.
Transfers (including transfers through automated programs) cannot be processed during a Grace Period. In
addition, we reserve the right to reject or restrict transfers if we determine
the transfers reflect frequent trading or a market timing strategy,
or we are required to reject or restrict by the applicable Fund. |
Transfers | ||
8
|
RESTRICTIONS |
LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS | |||
|
Optional Benefits |
Optional benefits, such as riders, may alter the benefits or charges under your policy. Rider availability and benefits may vary by state of issue, and their election may have tax consequences. Riders may have restrictions or limitations. If you elect a particular rider, it may restrict or enhance the terms of your policy, or restrict the availability or terms of other riders. |
Other Benefits Available Under the Policy | ||
|
TAXES |
LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS | |||
|
Tax Implications |
You should consult with a tax professional to determine the tax implications of an investment in and payments received under the policy.
If you purchase the policy through a qualified retirement plan, you do not receive any additional tax deferral.
Withdrawals and partial surrenders are taxed as recovery of cost basis first and income second. Loans and collateral assignments are not taxable when taken. Any gain on your policy is taxed as ordinary income.
If your policy becomes a Modified Endowment Contract or MEC, loans, collateral assignments, withdrawals, and other pre-death distributions will be taxed as income first and recovery of cost basis second. You may have to pay a penalty tax if you take a distribution before you attain age 59½. |
Federal Income Tax Considerations | ||
|
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST |
LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS | |||
|
Investment Professional Compensation |
Your
registered representative may receive compensation in the form
of commissions for selling the policy to you. If your registered
representative is also a MassMutual insurance agent, they
are also eligible for certain cash and non-cash benefits from us.
Cash compensation includes bonuses and allowances based on
factors such as sales, productivity and persistency (policy retention).
Non-cash compensation includes various recognition items
such as prizes and awards as well as attendance at, and payment
of the costs associated with attendance at, conferences, seminars
and recognition trips, and also includes contributions to certain
individual plans such as pension and medical plans. Sales of
the policy may help these registered representatives and their supervisors
qualify for such benefits. |
Other Information – Distribution | ||
|
Exchanges |
Some investment professionals may have a financial incentive to offer you a policy in place of the one you own. You should only exchange your current life insurance policy if you determine, after comparing the features, fees, and risks of both policies, that it is preferable for you to purchase the new policy rather than continue to own your existing life insurance policy. |
Other Benefits Available Under the Policy – Right to Exchange or Convert | ||
9
Funds Available Under the Policy
The following is a list of Funds currently available under the policy. This list of Funds is subject to change, as discussed in the statutory prospectus for the policy. Before you invest, you should review the prospectuses for the Funds. These prospectuses contain more information about the Funds and their risks and may be amended from time to time. You can find the prospectuses and other information about the Funds online at www.MassMutual.com/Apex. You can also request this information at no cost by calling (800) 272-2216 or sending an email request to MassMutualServiceCenter@MassMutual.com.
The current expenses and performance information below reflects fees and expenses of the Funds, but does not reflect the other fees and expenses that your policy may charge. Expenses would be higher and performance would be lower if these charges were included. Each Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
|
Fund Type |
Fund and Adviser/Sub-Adviser |
Current Expenses (expenses/ average assets) |
Average
Annual Total Returns | ||
|
1 Year |
5 Year |
10 Year | |||
|
Asset Allocation |
MML
VIP Aggressive Allocation Fund (Initial Class)(1)(2) |
0.98
%
|
14.17
%
|
8.36
%
|
9.53
%
|
|
Asset Allocation |
MML
VIP American Funds 65/35 Allocation Fund |
1.02
%
|
14.54
%
|
7.37
%
|
8.39
%
|
|
Asset Allocation |
MML
VIP American Funds 80/20 Allocation Fund |
1.13
%
(*) |
— |
— |
— |
|
Asset Allocation |
MML
VIP Balanced Allocation Fund (Initial Class)(1)(4) |
0.86
%
|
11.10
%
|
4.76
%
|
6.33
%
|
|
Asset Allocation |
MML
VIP BlackRock iShares®
60/40 Fund (Class II)(1)(5) |
0.50
%
(*) |
14.66
%
|
— |
— |
|
Asset Allocation |
MML
VIP BlackRock iShares®
80/20 Fund (Class II)(1)(6) |
0.50
%
(*) |
17.14
%
|
— |
— |
|
Asset Allocation |
MML
VIP Conservative Allocation Fund (Initial Class)(1)(7) |
0.83
%
|
10.29
%
|
3.98
%
|
5.59
%
|
|
Asset Allocation |
MML
VIP Growth Allocation Fund (Initial Class)(1)(8) |
0.90
%
|
12.99
%
|
7.08
%
|
8.38
%
|
|
Asset Allocation |
MML
VIP Moderate Allocation Fund (Initial Class)(1)(9) |
0.87
%
|
11.83
%
|
5.72
%
|
7.08
%
|
|
Money Market |
MML
VIP Barings U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
0.52
%
|
3.80
%
|
2.87
%
|
1.80
%
|
10
|
Fund Type |
Fund and Adviser/Sub-Adviser |
Current Expenses (expenses/ average assets) |
Average
Annual Total Returns | ||
|
1 Year |
5 Year |
10 Year | |||
|
Fixed Income |
Fidelity®
VIP Bond Index Portfolio (Initial Class) |
0.14
%
|
6.98
%
|
–0.57
%
|
— |
|
Fixed Income |
Fidelity®
VIP Strategic Income Portfolio (Initial Class) |
0.63
%
|
8.85
%
|
3.07
%
|
4.66
%
|
|
Fixed Income |
Invesco
V.I. Global Strategic Income Fund (Series I) |
0.95
%
(*) |
12.98
%
|
1.65
%
|
3.01
%
|
|
Fixed Income |
MML
VIP Barings Core Bond Fund (Initial Class)(12) |
0.45
%
|
7.85
%
|
0.48
%
|
2.64
%
|
|
Fixed Income |
MML
VIP Barings Inflation-Protected and Income Fund |
0.65
%
|
5.89
%
|
1.12
%
|
3.15
%
|
|
Fixed Income |
MML
VIP Barings Short-Duration Bond Fund (Class II)(14) |
0.59
%
|
5.96
%
|
2.56
%
|
2.57
%
|
|
Fixed Income |
MML
VIP Fidelity Institutional AM®
Core Plus Bond Fund |
0.61
%
|
7.41
%
|
–0.83
%
|
1.83
%
|
|
Fixed Income |
PIMCO
Income Portfolio (Institutional Class) |
0.77
%
|
10.39
%
|
3.58
%
|
— |
|
Fixed Income |
Vanguard
VIF Global Bond Index Portfolio |
0.13
%
|
5.69
%
|
–0.41
%
|
— |
|
Balanced |
MML
VIP BlackRock®
Balanced Fund (Initial Class)(1)(16) |
0.51
%
|
12.84
%
|
7.86
%
|
9.21
%
|
|
Large Cap Value |
American
Funds Insurance Series®
Washington Mutual Investors Fund
(Class 2)(17) |
0.50
%
(*) |
17.21
%
|
13.89
%
|
12.36
%
|
|
Large Cap Value |
MML
Income & Growth Fund (Initial Class) |
0.72
%
|
13.34
%
|
12.35
%
|
10.73
%
|
|
Large Cap Value |
MML
VIP Franklin Templeton Equity Fund (Initial Class)(18) |
0.44
%
|
17.49
%
|
13.75
%
|
11.23
%
|
11
|
Fund Type |
Fund and Adviser/Sub-Adviser |
Current Expenses (expenses/ average assets) |
Average
Annual Total Returns | ||
|
1 Year |
5 Year |
10 Year | |||
|
Large Cap Value |
MML
VIP T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund (Initial Class)(19) |
0.79
%
|
14.45
%
|
11.14
%
|
10.52
%
|
|
Large Cap Blend |
Columbia
Variable Portfolio – Contrarian Core Fund (Class 1)(17) |
0.70
%
(*) |
17.65
%
|
14.18
%
|
14.32
%
|
|
Large Cap Blend |
Fidelity®
VIP Contrafund®
Portfolio (Initial Class) |
0.54
%
|
21.48
%
|
15.36
%
|
15.77
%
|
|
Large Cap Blend |
Fidelity®
VIP Total Market Index Portfolio (Initial Class) |
0.11
%
|
17.11
%
|
13.14
%
|
— |
|
Large Cap Blend |
MML
Focused Equity Fund (Class II) |
0.90
%
|
7.90
%
|
8.75
%
|
12.51
%
|
|
Large Cap Blend |
MML
Sustainable Equity Fund (Initial Class) |
0.56
%
|
11.50
%
|
11.93
%
|
12.98
%
|
|
Large Cap Blend |
MML
VIP BlackRock®
Equity Index Fund (Class III)(20) |
0.14
%
|
17.71
%
|
14.26
%
|
14.66
%
|
|
Large Cap Blend |
MML
VIP Invesco Main Street Equity Fund (Class II)(21) |
0.80
%
|
16.15
%
|
12.47
%
|
14.45
%
|
|
Large Cap Blend |
MML
VIP JPMorgan U.S. Research Enhanced Equity Fund |
0.77
%
|
10.59
%
|
7.06
%
|
6.11
%
|
|
Large Cap Growth |
MML
VIP American Funds Growth Fund (Service Class I)(23)(24)(25) |
1.02
%
|
19.66
%
|
12.89
%
|
17.47
%
|
|
Large Cap Growth |
MML
VIP Invesco Discovery Large Cap Fund (Class II) |
0.78
%
|
— |
— |
— |
|
Large Cap Growth |
MML
VIP Loomis, Sayles Large Cap Growth Fund (Initial Class)(26) |
0.70
%
|
15.09
%
|
14.97
%
|
16.34
%
|
|
Large Cap Growth |
MML
VIP T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (Initial Class)(27) |
0.78
%
|
18.41
%
|
11.08
%
|
15.25
%
|
|
Large Cap Growth |
Nomura
VIP Growth Series (Service Class)(17)(28) |
1.01
%
|
8.41
%
|
11.89
%
|
15.40
%
|
12
|
Fund Type |
Fund and Adviser/Sub-Adviser |
Current Expenses (expenses/ average assets) |
Average
Annual Total Returns | ||
|
1 Year |
5 Year |
10 Year | |||
|
Small/Mid-Cap Value |
MML
Small/Mid Cap Value Fund (Initial Class) |
0.82
%
|
2.40
%
|
8.68
%
|
8.70
%
|
|
Small/Mid-Cap Value |
MML
VIP American Century Mid Cap Value Fund (Initial Class)(29) |
0.89
%
|
8.97
%
|
8.80
%
|
9.14
%
|
|
Small/Mid-Cap Value |
MML
VIP American Century Small Company Value Fund |
0.99
%
(*) |
–3.39
%
|
5.15
%
|
8.54
%
|
|
Small/Mid-Cap Blend |
BlackRock
Small Cap Index V.I. Fund (Class I) |
0.22
%
|
12.65
%
|
5.93
%
|
9.44
%
|
|
Small/Mid-Cap Blend |
Fidelity®
VIP Extended Market Index Portfolio (Initial Class) |
0.12
%
|
12.32
%
|
8.02
%
|
— |
|
Small/Mid-Cap Blend |
MML
VIP Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund (Initial Class)(31) |
0.71
%
|
8.86
%
|
8.38
%
|
10.73
%
|
|
Small/Mid-Cap Blend |
Vanguard
VIF Mid-Cap Index Portfolio |
0.17
%
|
11.54
%
|
8.46
%
|
10.77
%
|
|
Small/Mid-Cap Growth |
Janus
Henderson Enterprise Portfolio (Institutional)(17) |
0.72
%
|
7.67
%
|
5.08
%
|
11.45
%
|
|
Small/Mid-Cap Growth |
MML
VIP Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Fund (Class II)(32) |
0.85
%
(*) |
— |
— |
— |
|
Small/Mid-Cap Growth |
MML
VIP T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund (Initial Class)(33) |
0.82
%
|
4.35
%
|
3.82
%
|
9.94
%
|
|
Small/Mid-Cap Growth |
MML
VIP Wellington Small Cap Growth Equity Fund |
1.05
%
(*) |
7.34
%
|
2.67
%
|
10.59
%
|
|
International/Global |
American
Funds Insurance Series®
Global Small Capitalization Fund (Class
2)(17) |
0.90
%
(*) |
14.64
%
|
0.49
%
|
7.23
%
|
|
International/Global |
American
Funds Insurance Series®
New World Fund®
(Class 2)(17) |
0.82
%
(*) |
28.30
%
|
5.32
%
|
9.25
%
|
|
International/Global |
Fidelity®
VIP International Index Portfolio (Initial Class) |
0.16
%
|
33.15
%
|
8.02
%
|
— |
13
|
Fund Type |
Fund and Adviser/Sub-Adviser |
Current Expenses (expenses/ average assets) |
Average
Annual Total Returns | ||
|
1 Year |
5 Year |
10 Year | |||
|
International/Global |
Fidelity®
VIP Overseas Portfolio (Initial Class) |
0.72
%
|
20.39
%
|
6.62
%
|
7.93
%
|
|
International/Global |
Invesco
V.I. International Growth Fund (Series I)(35) |
1.00
%
(*) |
16.32
%
|
2.15
%
|
5.64
%
|
|
International/Global |
Janus
Henderson Overseas Portfolio (Institutional)(17) |
0.72
%
|
28.87
%
|
8.80
%
|
8.92
%
|
|
International/Global |
MML
Foreign Fund (Initial Class) |
0.92
%
|
32.60
%
|
9.01
%
|
6.72
%
|
|
International/Global |
MML
VIP Invesco Global Fund (Class II)(36) |
0.81
%
|
23.11
%
|
7.51
%
|
9.96
%
|
|
International/Global |
MML
VIP MFS International Equity Fund (Class II)(37) |
0.93
%
(*) |
25.54
%
|
7.32
%
|
7.23
%
|
|
Specialty(38) |
Columbia
Variable Portfolio – Commodity Strategy Fund (Class 1) |
0.75
%
(*) |
15.48
%
|
12.76
%
|
6.75
%
|
|
Specialty(38) |
Fidelity®
VIP Health Care Portfolio (Initial Class) |
0.59
%
|
14.39
%
|
4.18
%
|
8.75
%
|
|
Specialty(38) |
Fidelity®
VIP Real Estate Portfolio (Initial Class) |
0.60
%
|
3.10
%
|
4.23
%
|
3.87
%
|
|
Specialty(38) |
Janus
Henderson Global Technology and Innovation Portfolio (Institutional) |
0.73
%
|
25.15
%
|
13.71
%
|
21.48
%
|
|
Specialty(38) |
Nomura
VIP Asset Strategy Series (Standard Class)(39) |
0.52
%
(*) |
16.87
%
|
7.33
%
|
8.07
%
|
|
Specialty(38) |
Vanguard
VIF Real Estate Index Portfolio |
0.26
%
|
3.11
%
|
4.51
%
|
5.08
%
|
| Fidelity, Contrafund and Fidelity Institutional AM are registered service marks of FMR LLC. Used with permission. |
14
| (*) | This Fund is subject to an expense reimbursement or fee waiver arrangement. As a result, this Fund’s annual expenses reflect temporary expense reductions. See the Fund prospectus for additional information. |
| (1) | These are fund-of-funds investment choices. They are known as fund-of-funds because they invest in other underlying funds. A fund offered in a fund-of-funds structure may have higher expenses than a direct investment in its underlying funds because a fund-of-funds bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. |
| (2) | MML VIP Aggressive Allocation Fund formerly known as MML Aggressive Allocation Fund. |
| (3) | MML VIP American Funds 65/35 Allocation Fund formerly known as MML American Funds Core Allocation Fund. |
| (4) | MML VIP Balanced Allocation Fund formerly known as MML Balanced Allocation Fund. |
| (5) | MML VIP BlackRock iShares® 60/40 Fund formerly known as MML iShares® 60/40 Allocation Fund. |
| (6) | MML VIP BlackRock iShares® 80/20 Fund formerly known as MML iShares® 80/20 Allocation Fund. |
| (7) | MML VIP Conservative Allocation Fund formerly known as MML Conservative Allocation Fund. |
| (8) | MML VIP Growth Allocation Fund formerly known as MML Growth Allocation Fund. |
| (9) | MML VIP Moderate Allocation Fund formerly known as MML Moderate Allocation Fund. |
| (10) | You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time. The yield of this Fund may become very low during periods of low interest rates. After deduction of Separate Account charges, the yield in the division that invests in this Fund could be negative. |
| (11) | MML VIP Barings U.S. Government Money Market Fund formerly known as MML U.S. Government Money Market Fund. |
| (12) | MML VIP Barings Core Bond Fund formerly known as MML Managed Bond Fund. |
| (13) | MML VIP Barings Inflation-Protected and Income Fund formerly known as MML Inflation-Protected and Income Fund. |
| (14) | MML VIP Barings Short-Duration Bond Fund formerly known as MML Short-Duration Bond Fund. |
| (15) | MML VIP Fidelity Institutional AM® Core Plus Bond Fund formerly known as MML Total Return Bond Fund. |
| (16) | MML VIP BlackRock® Balanced Fund formerly known as MML Blend Fund. |
| (17) | This fund is available as an investment option only for policies issued after April 19, 2024. |
| (18) | MML VIP Franklin Templeton Equity Fund formerly known as MML Equity Fund. |
| (19) | MML VIP T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund formerly known as MML Equity Income Fund. |
| (20) | MML VIP BlackRock® Equity Index Fund formerly known as MML Equity Index Fund. |
| (21) | MML VIP Invesco Main Street Equity Fund formerly known as MML Fundamental Equity Fund. |
| (22) | MML VIP JPMorgan U.S. Research Enhanced Equity Fund formerly known as MML Managed Volatility Fund. |
| (23) | The Fund is a “feeder” fund, meaning that it does not buy investment securities directly, but instead invests in shares of a corresponding “master” fund, which in turn purchases investment securities. A fund offered in a master feeder structure may have higher expenses than those of a fund which invests directly in securities because the “feeder” fund bears its own expenses in addition to those of the “master” fund. You should read the Fund prospectuses for more information about this “feeder” fund. |
| (24) | The MML VIP American Funds Growth Fund invests all of its assets in the Class 1 shares of the American Funds Insurance Series® – Growth Fund. However, this Fund is not available directly as an investment choice under your MassMutual variable product. You should read the prospectus along with the prospectus for the MML VIP American Funds Growth Fund. |
| (25) | MML VIP American Funds Growth Fund formerly known as MML American Funds Growth Fund. |
| (26) | MML VIP Loomis, Sayles Large Cap Growth Fund formerly known as MML Large Cap Growth Fund. |
| (27) | MML VIP T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund formerly known as MML Blue Chip Growth Fund. |
| (28) | Nomura VIP Growth Series formerly known as Macquarie VIP Growth Series. |
| (29) | MML VIP American Century Mid Cap Value Fund formerly known as MML Mid Cap Value Fund. |
| (30) | MML VIP American Century Small Company Value Fund formerly known as MML Small Company Value Fund. |
| (31) | MML VIP Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund formerly known as MML Small Cap Equity Fund. |
| (32) | MML VIP Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Fund formerly known as MML Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Fund. |
| (33) | MML VIP T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund formerly known as MML Mid Cap Growth Fund. |
| (34) | MML VIP Wellington Small Cap Growth Equity Fund formerly known as MML Small Cap Growth Equity Fund. |
| (35) | Invesco V.I. International Growth Fund formerly known as Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. International Growth Fund. |
| (36) | MML VIP Invesco Global Fund formerly known as MML Global Fund. |
| (37) | MML VIP MFS International Equity Fund formerly known as MML International Equity Fund. |
| (38) | Specialty funds are an all-encompassing category that consists of funds that forgo broad diversification to concentrate on a certain segment of the economy or a specific targeted strategy. For example, sector funds are targeted strategy funds aimed at specific sectors of the economy, such as financial, technology, healthcare, and so on. Sector funds can, therefore, be more volatile than a more diversified equity fund since the stocks in a given sector tend to be highly correlated with each other. |
| (39) | Nomura VIP Asset Strategy Series formerly known as Macquarie VIP Asset Strategy Series. |
15
This Summary Prospectus incorporates by reference the Apex VUL policy’s statutory prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (SAI), both dated April 27, 2026, as amended or supplemented. The SAI includes additional information about Massachusetts Mutual Variable Life Separate Account I.
You can find the statutory prospectus and SAI at www.MassMutual.com/Apex. You can also obtain this information at no cost by calling (800) 272-2216 or by sending an email request to MassMutualServiceCenter@MassMutual.com.
EDGAR Contract Identifier: C000211478
LI5517-USP