2006 News Releases

Boston – John Hancock this week announced the launch of its Variable Annuity products on the Morgan Stanley platform. Already the number-one variable annuity in the wirehouse channel (Q3 2006) according to the Variable Annuity Research Database Service (VARDS), John Hancock Variable Annuities are now available to more than 8,000 Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors.

“Our alliance with Morgan Stanley has been an important one for John Hancock in the mutual fund space for many years, and we expect similar growth in the variable annuity product as well,” said Bob Cassato, Executive Vice President of Distribution, John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. “A key factor behind our success in building new VA distribution relationships is our strong financial rating. Recently, Standard & Poor’s upgraded John Hancock to AAA, making us the highest S&P rated company offering variable annuities with lifetime withdrawal benefits.”

John Egbert, President of the wirehouse distribution channel for John Hancock, said: “Joining the Morgan Stanley platform opens up opportunities for both firms to increase VA sales and market share. We already have the number-one selling VA contract across all channels, as measured by VARDS, and we expect it to be a big success at Morgan Stanley as well.”

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial
John Hancock 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$381 billion (US$341 billion) as at September 30, 2006.

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 www.manulife.com.

John Hancock, 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.

Venture Combination Fixed and Variable Annuities are issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)* and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York and are distributed by John Hancock Distributors LLC, member NASD.

For more information, visit www.jhannuities.com.

VARDS ranking is based on third quarter 2006 marketshare data.

Variable annuities are long-term investment vehicles designed for retirement and are sold by prospectus only. Current and prospective clients should read the prospectus carefully for all risks, charges and expenses before investing. There are risks involved when investing in a variable annuity, including possible loss of principal. Withdrawal and distributions of taxable amounts are subject to ordinary income tax and if made prior to age 59 ½ may be subject to an additional 10% federal income tax penalty. Early withdrawals will reduce the death benefit and cash surrender value.

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Contact:
Beth McGoldrick
617-663-4751