John Hancock Annuities Launches New 'Retirement Talk' Module

New Video Focuses on Couples Planning for Retirement

News provided by

Feb 14, 2011, 10:00 ET

BOSTON, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Annuities has launched a second module of the integrated 'Retirement Talk' marketing program, giving advisors another simple way to connect with clients who are looking for ways to enhance their retirement security.

The new Retirement Talk module introduces options that help couples planning for retirement ensure that their income will last for the duration of two lives. It features a client-friendly educational video that addresses the emotions that many couples are experiencing after the roller-coaster markets of the last few years, and how they believe it has impacted their plans for retirement. The video complements John Hancock's original highly successful Retirement Talk video, which demystified annuities and the role that guaranteed lifetime income options may play in a well-rounded retirement portfolio.*

The videos plus a wealth of support material, including an interactive income planning calculator, is available at www.jhretirementtalk.com, and also in CD format.

"We're very excited to add this new module to our Retirement Talk program," says Tom Mullen, Chief Marketing Officer, John Hancock Annuities. "The program is aimed at broadening the appeal of annuities in today's marketplace by shifting the focus away from technical discussions around complex annuity concepts, and towards the product's core solution -- guaranteed lifetime income. It also offers ways for advisors to present this solution to clients in simple, everyday terms."

"Our wholesalers have found advisors very receptive to using the Retirement Talk program in their practice because of the reach it offers," says Mike Treske, President of John Hancock Annuity Distribution. "Watching prototypical investors explain how an annuity fits into their portfolio helps clients better understand how a John Hancock Annuity can help strengthen their own retirement strategy."

Retirement Talk videos are packaged with a brief message and suggested follow-up actions for the client to consider. An Advisor Guide provides suggestions on identifying clients who may benefit from the program, and offers talking points to address during client meetings. Customizable client letters are also available. The entire program may be presented by authorized advisors in CD format or via a client-approved micro web site, www.jhretirementtalk.com, where authorized distributors and their clients may view the video and related material.

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. For more than 120 years, clients have looked to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$475 billion (US$478 billion) as at December 31, 2010.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial may 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.

Contact your financial advisor or visit www.jhannuities.com for 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 read the prospectuses carefully prior to purchasing. The prospectuses contain this and other information on the product and the underlying portfolios.

*The guarantee is backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuer, and does not apply to the investment performance or safety of the underlying portfolios.

This material was prepared to support the promotion and marketing of variable annuities. John Hancock, its distributors, and their respective representatives do not provide tax, accounting, investment, or legal advice. Any tax statements contained herein were not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal, state or local tax penalties. Please consult your own independent advisor as to any tax, accounting, investment, or legal statements made herein.

Venture Annuities and the optional riders, which are available for an additional fee, are not available in all states; product features may vary, subject to state regulation. Variable annuities are not FDIC insured, are long-term contracts designed for retirement purposes, and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal. Charges may apply to amounts taken in excess of the withdrawal amount available without a withdrawal charge during the surrender charge period. All withdrawals reduce the death benefit, optional benefits, and contract value. In addition, withdrawals of taxable amounts will be subject to ordinary income tax and, if made prior to age 59 1/2, a 10% IRS penalty tax may apply. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Venture Annuities are 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, Venture Annuities are issued and administered by John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY. Venture Combination Fixed and Variable Annuities are distributed by John Hancock Distributors LLC, member FINRA.