John Hancock Retirement Plan Services Honored with 14 Awards for Communications Excellence

BOSTON (Map) - BOSTON, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Hancock Retirement Plan Services (JHRPS) has been recognized for communications excellence by the League of American Communications Professionals (LACP) with fourteen awards, including five that received "Top 100" distinction.

Out of the 1,250 entries LACP received from firms in 10 countries, JHRPS won an award for every program submitted for consideration. This recognition included a Platinum award for a DVD developed for a sales roadshow to introduce the company's Guaranteed Income for Life (G.I.F.L.) feature, which was ranked in the top 2 percent of all materials entered. Commented one LACP judge, "Our belief is that the target audience will find the level of relevance to be superb, demonstrating the success of this project in connecting with the right people and delivering a highly applicable and persuasive message."

"Providing our partners, clients and their participants with top quality communication and educational materials has long been a key differentiator for John Hancock," said Andrew Ross, Senior Vice President, Marketing. "To win an award for every program we entered is great recognition of the talented team here, and validates the customer feedback we hear every day."

Materials for the company's Guaranteed Income for Life introduction were the most recognized with nine awards, including G.I.F.L. Roadshow DVD, G.I.F.L. Participant Package, G.I.F.L. Internal Launch, G.I.F.L. Advertising, G.I.F.L. Brochure, G.I.F.L. Marketing Video, G.I.F.L. Product Video, G.I.F.L. Roadshow, G.I.F.L. Microsite.

The LACP awards judge multi media, print and web communications focused on a wide range of audiences including 401(k) participants, plan sponsors, financial representatives, third party administrators and internal audiences.

League of American Communications Professionals:

The League of American Communications Professionals LLC (LACP) was established in 2001 in order to create a forum within the public relations industry that facilitates discussion of best-in-class practices within the profession while also recognizing those who demonstrate exemplary communications capabilities. For further information please go to http://www.lacp.com.

About John Hancock Retirement Plan Services

Among mutual fund, life insurance companies and banks, JHRPS is ranked as the #1 provider to 401(k)s based on number of 401(k) plans managed, according to CFO Magazine. (CFO Magazine 401(k) Buyers Guide Study, published May 2008.)

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company 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 Cdn $385.3 billion (U.S. $363.5 billion) as at September 30, 2008.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at http://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 whole life, term life, variable life, and universal life insurance, as well as college savings products, fixed and variable annuities, long-term care insurance, mutual funds and various forms of business insurance.

Both John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (John Hancock USA) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (John Hancock New York) do business under certain instances using the John Hancock Retirement Plan Services name. Group annuity contracts are issued by John Hancock USA, 601 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02116, which is licensed and offers products in all states, except New York. Product features and availability may differ by state. Guarantees of withdrawals provided under the "Guaranteed Income for Life" are supported by John Hancock USA's general account and are contingent on the claims paying ability of John Hancock USA. Group annuity contracts and administrative services or recordkeeping agreements issued in New York are only issued by John Hancock New York, 100 Summit Lake Drive, Valhalla, New York 10595, which is licensed in New York. Guarantees of withdrawals provided under the "Guaranteed Income For Life" are supported by John Hancock New York's general account and are contingent on the claims paying ability of John Hancock New York. Guarantees are subject to the limitations, terms, and conditions set forth in the Rider. You should consider the objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment options to which the feature applies and the limitations, terms and conditions of the feature as set forth in the Lifetime Income Benefit Rider before selecting this feature.

To obtain group annuity investment option Fund sheets and prospectuses for each sub-account's underlying investment vehicle call 1-877-346-8378. These documents contain complete details on investment objectives, risks, fees, charges and expenses as well as other information about the underlying investment vehicle, which should be carefully considered. Please read these documents carefully prior to investing.

NOT FDIC INSURED / MAY LOSE VALUE / NOT BANK GUARANTEED / NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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