John Hancock Releases Retail Variable Annuity

John Hancock launched AnnuityNote, which the company said is designed to bring "guaranteed income to a broader market beyond the reach of traditional variable annuities."

AnnuityNote features one underlying diversified portfolio, a lifetime income benefit, and an all-in expense of 1.74%, according to a news release. Marc Costantini, president of John Hancock Annuities, said the annuity has “lower costs and a much more simplified design.”

Features of the product, according to the John Hancock, include:

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  • Lifetime income: After a five-year hold, 5% guaranteed lifetime income is based on the higher of the total amount invested or the fifth contact anniversary value. A withdrawal during the five-year hold may reduce the future lifetime income guarantee.
  • Liquidity: Investors have 100% access to their money beginning on the day of purchase with no surrender charge.
  • Annual all-in expense of 1.74%. The insurance fee is 1.20% for the lifetime income guarantee and the underlying portfolio expense is 0.54%.
  • Market participation. An indexing strategy provides market exposure and diversification among stocks and bonds.
  • Financial strength. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuer, John Hancock.

John Hancock AnnuityNote is an A-share product, with an initial sales charge of 3%. The minimum initial investment is $25,000 and subsequent payments may be made up to nine months after purchase.

AnnuityNote is intended for investors between the ages of 55 and 75, and is available to both qualified and nonqualified accounts. Availability varies by state, and additional restrictions and limitations may apply.


More information is available at www.jhannuitynote.com.

 

Transamerica Offers Plan Administration Support

Transamerica Retirement Services announced a new service, Plan Administration Service Support (PASS), which gives plan sponsors the opportunity to delegate day-to-day plan administration responsibilities to Transamerica.

According to a news release, PASS by Transamerica offers capabilities not previously available to sponsors such as tracking new employees’ eligibility to enroll in the retirement plan, preparing enrollment materials and notices, and mailing to employees’ homes at the appropriate eligibility date. Other duties that can be delegated to the Transamerica plan administrative team include plan maintenance and mailings, loans, and distributions.

Under guidance from the sponsor or the sponsor’s third-party administrator, Transamerica’s PASS representatives can assume a full suite of tasks and help sponsors ensure consistency in the way the plan is administered, Transamerica said.

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PASS can be used for both single-employer and multi-employer plans.


 

More information is available at www.TA-Retirement.com or by calling 888.401.5826 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

 

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