John Hancock Retirement Plan Services Announces Distribution Partnership with Edward Jones

BOSTON, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Hancock Retirement Plan Services today announced a distribution partnership with the financial services firm Edward Jones. Through the agreement, Edward Jones' financial advisors will have access to the John Hancock 401(k) platform, including JH Signature(TM), defined contribution plans and the Guaranteed Income For Life feature.

"We are pleased to be expanding the reach of our products and services and are particularly excited to be working with Edward Jones," said Art Creel, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, John Hancock Retirement Plan Services. "Our companies share a commitment to provide strong support to advisors, excellent value and service to customers," said Creel.

"This distribution partnership with John Hancock is a natural fit and its 401(k) platform, with its Guaranteed Income For Life feature, will be an attractive solution for clients looking for income in retirement," said Clif Helbert, the partner responsible for Retirement Plan Marketing at Edward Jones.

About Edward Jones

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm's 12,000-plus financial advisors work directly with more than 8 million clients to understand their personal goals -- from college savings to retirement -- and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options available today.

Edward Jones, which ranked No. 2 on FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For 2009," is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones interactive Web site is located at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting Web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through 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$421 billion (US$362 billion) as of June 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.

Both John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (John Hancock USA) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (John Hancock New York) do business under certain instances using the John Hancock Retirement Plan Services name. JH Signature(TM) is a trademark for the Defined Contribution service package for the Group Annuity Contracts. Group annuity contracts are issued by John Hancock USA, 601 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02116, which is licensed and offers products in all states, except New York. John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser, provides investment information relating to the contract.

Product features and availability may differ by state. Guarantees of withdrawals provided under the "Guaranteed Income for Life" are supported by John Hancock USA's and John Hancock New York's general account and are contingent on the claims paying ability of John Hancock USA and John Hancock New York. Guarantees are subject to the limitations, terms, and conditions set forth in the Rider. A Plan Sponsor should consider the objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment options to which the feature applies and the limitations, terms, conditions and fee of the feature as set forth in the Lifetime Income Benefit Rider before selecting this feature.

To obtain group annuity investment option Fund sheets and prospectuses for each sub-account's underlying investment vehicle call 1-877-346-8378 These documents contain complete details on investment objectives, risks, fees, charges and expenses as well as other information about the underlying investment vehicle, which should be carefully considered. Please read these documents carefully prior to investing.

NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY

SOURCE John Hancock Retirement Plan Services