2007 News Releases

New asset allocation options from leading managers expand choices for John Hancock Variable Annuity clients

Boston– John Hancock Annuities today announced the addition of three new asset allocation options to the John Hancock Trust (JHT), the investment platform available in the company’s Variable Annuity products, effective May 1.

“John Hancock is focused on bringing premier asset management capabilities to the platforms that underlie our variable annuities. We also have long been proponents of a balanced, disciplined investment strategy through the use of asset allocation funds, including our own Lifestyle series of portfolios, which we have offered since 1996,” said Marc Costantini, President, John Hancock Annuities.

“This year, as we refresh our investment platform, we are pleased to add options from two of the best known, most widely respected names in the business: American Funds and Franklin Templeton. These new options give our clients more choices, and more diverse strategies to pursue their retirement goals,” Mr. Costantini added.

The three new asset allocation options are:

• Franklin Templeton Founding Allocation. This is a fund of funds which invests equally in three underlying funds:

• Global, which invests in stocks around the world, including those in the US and emerging markets.
• Income, which invests in both equity and debt securities, focusing on dividend-paying stocks and undervalued bonds.
• Mutual Shares, which invests in undervalued stocks as well as risk arbitrage securities and distressed companies.
  

• American Asset Allocation. This fund invests directly in American Funds Insurance Series (“AFIS”) Asset Allocation Fund, which is managed with a similar investment objective as American Funds American Balanced Fund. The AFIS fund invests in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds and follows a tactical approach to management. It invests between 40 – 80% of assets in stocks and between 20 -50% of assets in bonds, including up to 15% in foreign stocks and up to 5% in foreign bonds.
• American Funds Global Diversification. This is a model portfolio consisting of five funds: 50% American Global Growth, 10% American High Income, 5% American New World, 15% American Global Small Cap, and 20% American Bond. Each of these five funds invests directly in funds of the same name managed by AFIS.

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial
John Hancock 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$426 billion (US$370 billion) as at March 31, 2007.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ 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, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance.

John Hancock carries the highest—“AAA”—financial strength rating from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services.

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Contact:
Beth McGoldrick
617-663-4751
bmcgoldrick@jhancock.com