John Hancock Launches New Retirement Income Solution

- John Hancock AnnuityNote Variable Annuity offers a simplified solution to
generating lifetime income

- Market participation with downside protection

- Simple A share structure

BOSTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Hancock today announced the
launch of a new retirement income product designed to bring the elusive goal
of guaranteed income to a broader market beyond the reach of traditional
variable annuities. The new product, John Hancock AnnuityNote, features one
underlying diversified portfolio*, a straightforward lifetime income benefit,
and an all-in expense of 1.74 percent.

"The need for guaranteed retirement income from a financially secure company
has never been greater," said Marc Costantini, President of John Hancock
Annuities. "Over the past 18 months we have witnessed unprecedented market
volatility and deterioration in investor confidence. Our new AnnuityNote helps
generate a future lifetime income that is not impacted by market downturns. It
also has lower costs and a much more simplified design."

"With our new AnnuityNote product, we at John Hancock believe we can now offer
a solution to advisors and clients who may in the past have avoided annuities
for reasons such as cost and complexity," said Robert Cassato, Executive Vice
President, Distribution. "We think many cost conscious advisors will now be
inclined to consider converting a portion of their clients' retirement savings
into predictable, guaranteed income using a John Hancock AnnuityNote."

Among the features of John Hancock's AnnuityNote are:
-- Lifetime income. After a five-year hold, five percent 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 percent access to their money beginning
on
the day of purchase with no surrender charge.
-- Annual all-in expense is 1.74 percent. The insurance fee is 1.20
percent
for the lifetime income guarantee and the underlying portfolio expense
is 0.54 percent.
-- 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 a front-end load sales
charge and annual product expenses of 1.74 percent. The initial sales charge
is three percent.

The minimum initial investment for an AnnuityNote 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. AnnuityNote is available to both
qualified and nonqualified accounts. However, purchasing an AnnuityNote
through an IRA or qualified plan will not provide any additional tax
advantages; therefore, it should only be done if investors value the product's
other features. Because an AnnuityNote is primarily designed to provide
lifetime income, if withdrawals are not intended, investors should consider
whether the other features are suitable for retirement needs, and if they are
willing to incur the annual fees.

On the fifth contract anniversary, the retirement income value will be
calculated. If no withdrawals have occurred during the five-year hold, at
minimum, the annual income amount will be equal to five percent of the initial
contract purchase payment. If market returns have grown the contract value
above the initial purchase payment, the lifetime income amount will equal five
percent of the current contract value. This income will be paid monthly and is
guaranteed for life.

Availability varies by state. Additional restrictions and limitations may
apply. See the prospectus for full details. AnnuityNote is not a promissory
note, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, or in general, any interest
or instrument commonly known as a "bond."

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation
John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation (the
Company), a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions
of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife
Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as 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$405 billion (US$322
billion) as at March 31, 2009.

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
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 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 www.johnhancock.com.

Call 800-334-4437 or visit www.jhannuitynote.com for more information,
including product and fund prospectuses that contain complete details on
investment objectives, risks, fees, charges, and expenses, as well as other
information about the investment company, which should be carefully
considered. Please advise your clients to read the prospectuses carefully
prior to purchasing. The prospectuses contain this and other information on
the product and the underlying portfolios.

* Though the portfolio invests in other underlying funds, the annuity owner
will not have the ability to make the investment decisions.
Variable annuities are not FDIC insured, are long-term contracts designed for
retirement purposes, and are subject to investment risk, including Withdrawals
come first from any contract gains, and can reduce the death benefit, the
guaranteed income stream and contract value. Taxable distributions are subject
to ordinary income tax, and, if made prior to age 591/2, may also be subject
to a 10% federal income tax penalty. For use

John Hancock AnnuityNote Variable Annuity is issued and administered by John
Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Bloomfield Hills, MI, which is not
licensed in New York. In New York, John Hancock AnnuityNote Variable Annuity
is issued and administered by John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York,
Valhalla, NY. John Hancock AnnuityNote Variable Annuity is distributed by John
Hancock Distributors LLC, member FINRA.

SOURCE John Hancock Financial

Beth McGoldrick of John Hancock, +1-617-663-4751, bmcgoldrick@jhancock.com