John Hancock Launches New Retirement Income Solution

- John Hancock AnnuityNote Variable Annuity offers a simplified solution to generating lifetime income

- Market participation with downside protection

- Simple A share structure

BOSTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Hancock today announced the launch of a new retirement income product designed to bring the elusive goal of guaranteed income to a broader market beyond the reach of traditional variable annuities. The new product, John Hancock AnnuityNote, features one underlying diversified portfolio*, a straightforward lifetime income benefit, and an all-in expense of 1.74 percent.

"The need for guaranteed retirement income from a financially secure company has never been greater," said Marc Costantini, President of John Hancock Annuities. "Over the past 18 months we have witnessed unprecedented market volatility and deterioration in investor confidence. Our new AnnuityNote helps generate a future lifetime income that is not impacted by market downturns. It also has lower costs and a much more simplified design."

"With our new AnnuityNote product, we at John Hancock believe we can now offer a solution to advisors and clients who may in the past have avoided annuities for reasons such as cost and complexity," said Robert Cassato, Executive Vice President, Distribution. "We think many cost conscious advisors will now be inclined to consider converting a portion of their clients' retirement savings into predictable, guaranteed income using a John Hancock AnnuityNote."

Among the features of John Hancock's AnnuityNote are:

     --  Lifetime income. After a five-year hold, five percent guaranteed         lifetime income is based on the higher of the total amount invested or         the fifth contact anniversary value. A withdrawal during the five-year         hold may reduce the future lifetime income guarantee.     --  Liquidity. Investors have 100 percent access to their money beginning on         the day of purchase with no surrender charge.     --  Annual all-in expense is 1.74 percent. The insurance fee is 1.20 percent         for the lifetime income guarantee and the underlying portfolio expense         is 0.54 percent.     --  Market Participation. An indexing strategy provides market exposure and         diversification among stocks and bonds.     --  Financial Strength. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability         of the issuer, John Hancock. 

John Hancock AnnuityNote is an A share product, with a front-end load sales charge and annual product expenses of 1.74 percent. The initial sales charge is three percent.

The minimum initial investment for an AnnuityNote is $25,000 and subsequent payments may be made up to nine months after purchase. AnnuityNote is intended for investors between the ages of 55 and 75. AnnuityNote is available to both qualified and nonqualified accounts. However, purchasing an AnnuityNote through an IRA or qualified plan will not provide any additional tax advantages; therefore, it should only be done if investors value the product's other features. Because an AnnuityNote is primarily designed to provide lifetime income, if withdrawals are not intended, investors should consider whether the other features are suitable for retirement needs, and if they are willing to incur the annual fees.

On the fifth contract anniversary, the retirement income value will be calculated. If no withdrawals have occurred during the five-year hold, at minimum, the annual income amount will be equal to five percent of the initial contract purchase payment. If market returns have grown the contract value above the initial purchase payment, the lifetime income amount will equal five percent of the current contract value. This income will be paid monthly and is guaranteed for life.

Availability varies by state. Additional restrictions and limitations may apply. See the prospectus for full details. AnnuityNote is not a promissory note, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, or in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "bond."

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation (the Company), a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$405 billion (US$322 billion) as at March 31, 2009.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under "945" on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at www.johnhancock.com.

Call 800-334-4437 or visit www.jhannuitynote.comfor more information, including product and fund prospectuses that contain complete details on investment objectives, risks, fees, charges, and expenses, as well as other information about the investment company, which should be carefully considered. Please advise your clients to read the prospectuses carefully prior to purchasing. The prospectuses contain this and other information on the product and the underlying portfolios.

* Though the portfolio invests in other underlying funds, the annuity owner will not have the ability to make the investment decisions.

Variable annuities are not FDIC insured, are long-term contracts designed for retirement purposes, and are subject to investment risk, including Withdrawals come first from any contract gains, and can reduce the death benefit, the guaranteed income stream and contract value. Taxable distributions are subject to ordinary income tax, and, if made prior to age 591/2, may also be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. For use

John Hancock AnnuityNote Variable Annuity is issued and administered by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Bloomfield Hills, MI, which is not licensed in New York. In New York, John Hancock AnnuityNote Variable Annuity is issued and administered by John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY. John Hancock AnnuityNote Variable Annuity is distributed by John Hancock Distributors LLC, member FINRA.

SOURCE John Hancock Financial