Deals & People November 8, 2007

Edward Jones Signs on as Distributor of John Hancock Annuities

John Hancock Annuities has announced a new distribution partnership with retail brokerage firm Edward Jones through which John Hancock annuity products are expected to become available for distribution within the Edward Jones system in early 2008.
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John Hancock’s variable annuities offer the company’s Income Plus for Life optional withdrawal benefit rider, which provides lifetime income and additional rewards to clients who choose to take income later. All guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of John Hancock, a press release said.

John Hancock variable annuities also provide access to various investment management choices, including managers like American Funds and Franklin Templeton, as well as John Hancock’s Lifestyle Portfolios.

“We have had an existing relationship with John Hancock in the area of long-term care insurance since the late 1990’s. Their variable annuity is competitively priced and will be an attractive alternative for our clients looking for retirement savings and income,” said Merry Mosbacher, Principal, Edward Jones Insurance Marketing, in the release.

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Marc Costantini, President, John Hancock Annuities, commented: “Our new alliance with Edward Jones is a natural fit, and we are excited to introduce our annuity products to Edward Jones’ advisors and customers.’

Products November 8, 2007

John Hancock Program Helps Advisers Capture Rollover Assets

John Hancock now offers a program designed to help 401(k) plan advisers capture and retain rollover assets when participants leave 401(k) plans.
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The “Rollover Rewards’ program is designed to direct qualified participants back to the adviser of record on the plan, a press release said. In addition to referring qualified participants back to the plan adviser, John Hancock said it will build a call center to help smaller-balance participants with their rollovers.

The call center will assist those investors who would like to self-direct their rollover IRA using John Hancock mutual funds.

“Everyone tells advisers they need to make rollovers a bigger part of their business but few firms actually help them,’ said David Longfritz, Senior Vice President and General Manager, John Hancock Retirement Income & Rollover Solutions (RIRS), in the release. “Our new program is particularly exciting for plan advisers in that we will help them benefit from business beyond plan sales. Because we cast a broader net with this program, we can identify assets that may be leaving plans before the advisers are aware of it, and can help those advisors retain the assets within their system.’

The program is available only to participants in 401(k) plans provided by John Hancock Retirement Plan Services (RPS). Jim Brockelman, Executive Vice President, National Sales, with John Hancock RPS, said in the release: “We are confident that plan sponsors will appreciate what is effectively an outsourced educational resource for their terminating employees.’

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John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation. More information can be found at www.manulife.com.

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