John Hancock Launches Single-Premium Whole Life Policy With Long-Term Care Benefits

BOSTON, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Hancock Life Insurance today announced the launch of LifeCare, a single-premium whole life insurance product that provides protection for both life and long-term care (LTC) insurance needs -- in a single policy.

With LifeCare, John Hancock clients can reposition some of their assets into a policy that will help further protect their family with life insurance while also protecting their assets from the high costs of long-term care should they eventually need it.

"John Hancock's LifeCare provides that a benefit will be paid regardless," said Steve Finch, President, John Hancock Life Insurance. "It may be a life insurance death benefit, it may be a long-term care insurance benefit or some combination of the two, but the client will be paid a benefit. In addition, if a client needs long-term care, the total benefit amount is typically several times greater than the premium paid. If they don't need it, or only need some care, the remaining death benefit goes to the beneficiaries."

He added that LifeCare's strong cash values provide clients a liquidity option should they need it.

"With more than 78 million baby boomers expected to retire in the next two decades, we believe John Hancock's LifeCare will offer many of them a very attractive, cost-effective solution to long-term care and asset protection needs," Mr. Finch said.

LifeCare also offers a streamlined tele-underwriting process. The policy can often be issued in as little as eight days with no exams, labs or doctors' statements, convenient for the client and the producer.

John Hancock, which has a long, successful history of providing long-term care riders on its fully underwritten products, is an industry leader in both the life insurance and long-term care insurance markets. The policy is backed by one of the industry's most highly rated companies.

"The addition of LifeCare further strengthens John Hancock's portfolio of universal, variable and whole life insurance products designed to meet every client's need," Mr. Finch said. "John Hancock's LifeCare product is the industry's best reason yet to consider a life insurance policy with long-term care benefits.''

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial Corporation 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 $437 billion (US$407 billion) as at September 30, 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.

Guaranteed product features are dependent upon minimum premium requirements and the claims-paying ability of the issuer.

LifeCare cannot be exchanged for any other John Hancock insurance product and replacement of LifeCare for a different John Hancock insurance product will require full underwriting.

LifeCare, the Acceleration rider, and the Continuation rider may not all be available in some states. The Acceleration rider is automatically included with every LifeCare policy, and the Continuation rider is optional. There are additional costs associated with these riders that are included in the single premium. LifeCare with the Acceleration and/or Continuation rider is not considered long-term care insurance in some states. When the death benefit is accelerated for long-term care expenses, the death benefit is reduced dollar for dollar, and the policy cash value is reduced proportionally. Please go to www.jhsalesnet.com for the most current state approvals.

For prospective policyholders in New York, this product is a life insurance policy that accelerates the death benefit for qualified long-term care services and is not a health insurance policy providing long-term care insurance subject to the minimum requirements of New York Law, does not qualify for the New York State Long-Term Care Partnership program and is not a Medicare supplement policy.

The Acceleration rider has exclusions and limitations, reductions of benefits, and terms under which it may be continued in force or discontinued. Consult the state specific Outline of Coverage for additional details.

Insurance products are issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02116 (not licensed in New York) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595.

SOURCE John Hancock Life Insurance