John Hancock Financial Network Launches Wellness Program for Its Financial Services Firms Across the Country

BOSTON, Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Financial Network (JHFN) today announced a wellness program for members of its national network of financial services firms located across the United States. The program, called Performance Matters, was launched at JHFN's practice advancement conference, www.jhfnpac.com.

Through the program, JHFN will provide tools and resources that encourage and support healthier living among its members and provide firms with how-to information so that they can set up local initiatives. JHFN's Managing Partner Association's preferred health insurance carrier CIGNA is working with JHFN on the effort, sharing its own resources supporting wellness. Participation is voluntary, but JHFN is providing incentives for firms and individuals to take part.

"A healthy lifestyle improves performance in overall health, productivity at work, and in one's ability to live and enjoy life," said Brian Heapps, CLU, ChFC, interim president, JHFN. "Our parent company, John Hancock, has had a very successful program that has helped keep health care premium increases lower than the national average – and supported employees with a healthy lifestyle, so we've taken their best ideas and adapted them for our network."  

Components of the program include:

• Turnkey packages for local firm programs – "how-to" materials for establishing a wellness program locally, with additional items such as Performance Matters hats, shirts, pedometers and bags
• JHFN's advisor website page will have monthly newsletters and articles
• Monthly CIGNA webinars on health-related topics such as healthy sleeping habits, heart health, work/life balance, and more
• Access to health calculators/tools such as online coaching programs, a health assessment, a lifestyle management program, and more
• Performance credits – members will receive points for participating in eligible programs and activities, which they will be able to cash in for prizes

As part of the Performance Matters launch at JHFN's conference, registrants were offered daily morning fitness related activities including morning runs and walks, a spin class, yoga and a mindfulness program, which includes tips to reduce stress.

"Having heard a warning message from my doctor, I recently made the decision to exercise more and eat healthier on my own," said Dmitri Sushenia, a JHFN representative from John Hancock Financial Network - Southeastern Financial Partners in Mississippi. "My lifestyle choices have made me more energized, more productive and much healthier. I am so excited that JHFN is introducing Performance Matters, because I know how much being healthy helps in every aspect of one's life."

About John Hancock Financial Network

John Hancock Financial Network is a national network of independent firms with approximately 1,900 financial professionals across the U.S. A leader with the stability and scale to offer an innovative business model, John Hancock Financial Network gives entrepreneurial financial professionals the power to effectively build unique businesses, based on their own vision and market opportunity. For more information on John Hancock Financial Network and its national network of independent firms, visit https://www.johnhancockfinancialnetwork.com.

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 21 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 $481 billion (US$498 billion) as at June 30, 2011. 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.

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SOURCE John Hancock Financial Network