John Hancock's Advanced Markets Unit Offers Producers New Online Tools To Meet Needs of High Net Worth Clients, Small Business Owners

BOSTON, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The John Hancock Life Insurance Advanced Markets Group has developed two technology tools that enable producers to better meet the needs of key client groups: high net worth customers and small business owners.

With the Business Analyzer, producers can help business owners determine the most appropriate non-qualified plan options available to help them address retirement and estate planning objectives, not only for themselves, but for key employees within the organization.

With the Estate Tax Calculator, producers may work with high net worth clients to quickly and easily project estate values and potential estate taxes due.

"John Hancock has made a commitment to producers that we will make doing business with us as efficient and simple as possible," said Randy Zipse, Vice President and Head of the Advanced Markets Group. "With the Business Analyzer and Estate Tax Calculator, we continue to make good on that commitment. Both products simplify the process of determining the right plan for producers to recommend to best meet their clients' needs."

For small business owners, attracting and retaining the right people is central to business success. In many instances, the business owner and the key employees may quickly hit the limit for savings in a qualified retirement plan like a 401(k).

John Hancock's Business Analyzer helps producers choose the optimal non-qualified plan options for their clients. The product is an interactive decision-tree tool that facilitates the data gathering process to help advisors narrow down nonqualified plan options such as a Restricted Endorsement Bonus Arrangement, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan or Executive Bonus Plan. It not only assists on retirement funding issues, but also helps business owners address estate planning objectives.

For high net worth clients, the potential impact of estate taxes is a crucial financial consideration. John Hancock's online Estate Tax Calculator enables producers to project their clients' estate values and potential estate taxes due. The calculator also enables producers to show clients the gift taxes due on a new gift, or estate taxes due on an estate that has made prior taxable gifts.

"Whether it's appropriately funding retirement and compensation for a business owner and key employees or ensuring clarity about the potential impact of estate taxes, finding the right answer means asking the right questions," Mr. Zipse said. "With the Business Analyzer and Estate Tax Calculator, John Hancock has provided producers with sophisticated yet easy to use tools to help meet their clients' needs."

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 125th 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$512 billion (US$512 billion) as at March 31, 2012.  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.

SOURCE John Hancock Financial