John Hancock Life Insurance Launches Enhanced HealthStyles Program

BOSTON, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock's Life Underwriting unit today announced enhancements to its HealthStyles program. HealthStyles is John Hancock's proprietary crediting program that allows permanent life insurance (both individual and survivorship) applicants who have favorable health and lifestyle factors to receive an improved underwriting rate class.

As the result of a multi-year research initiative by John Hancock's industry-leading Underwriting Research and Development Team, the HealthStyles program now allows John Hancock's underwriters to offer credits to a larger number of clients for a broader range of health and lifestyle behaviors than before.

"Practically speaking, clients' healthy lifestyles as evidenced by a wide range of factors such as exercise, nutritious diet and preventive medical care can now directly translate into greater savings for them through better underwriting offers," said Dr. Larry Segel, Chief Medical Officer at John Hancock Life Insurance.

Specifically, the new program offers potential class upgrades on Standard or better risks for clients ages 20-65, and potential upgrades on certain Substandard decisions to a maximum of Standard for clients ages 18-70.

"A key part of John Hancock's strategy is to maintain our industry-leading position as a technically advanced, innovative and competitive underwriter," said Steve Finch, President, John Hancock Life Insurance. "The enhanced HealthStyles program is an example of how our underwriting expertise can result in potentially better decisions for a greater numbers of clients."

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. In 2012, John Hancock celebrates 150 years of serving clients across the United States, while Manulife celebrates its 125^th anniversary. 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 C$500 billion (US$491 billion) as at December 31, 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 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 johnhancock.com.

Guaranteed product features are dependent upon the claims-paying ability of the issuer.

Insurance policies and/or associated riders and features may not be available in all states. Some riders may have additional fees and expenses associated with them.

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. MLINY02211216325

SOURCE John Hancock Financial