2005 News Releases

BOSTON - John Hancock’s College Savings division today announced the appointment of Breen Egan to Vice President, National Sales. In this role, Egan will be responsible for the promotion and sales of the John Hancock Freedom 529 savings plan, through the company’s network of wholesaling and distribution partners.

“We’re very pleased to have Breen join our team,” said Diana Scott, Senior Vice President and General Manager of John Hancock College Savings. “Breen’s experience managing investment sales operations will be an asset as we grow our business.”

Prior to joining the College Savings Division, Egan had been Assistant Vice President, Investment Sales U.S., for MFC Global Investment Management, responsible for the promotion and sales of MFC Global’s retail mandates to Manulife’s U.S. business units.

Breen joined MFC Global Investment Management in 2003, with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, including 10 years as a wholesaler with Manulife Investments. His educational background includes a Bachelor or Arts and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Manitoba.

About John Hancock Freedom 529
John Hancock Freedom 529 has more than $1 billion in assets under management, making it the fifth largest plan in the country and the #1 multi-managed plan in the U.S.* The plan offers 3 investment strategies, 19 different portfolios and 8 fund companies.

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial
John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, 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$360 billion (US$310 billion) as at September 30, 2005.

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.

The John Hancock unit offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance products, as well as college savings products, fixed and variable annuities, long term care insurance, mutual funds and various forms of business insurance.

*Source: Non-proprietary sold 529 plans, ranked by assets, Financial Research Corporation, December, 2004.

If the Account Holder or Beneficiary is not an Alaska resident, there may be 529 plans offered by their home state(s) that offer potential state income tax or other benefits to its residents that should be considered before investing. Please call 1-866-626-8529 to obtain a Plan Disclosure Document or prospectus for any of the underlying funds. The Plan Disclosure Document contains complete details on investment objectives, risks, fees, charges and expenses, as well as more information about municipal fund securities and the underlying investment companies that should be considered before investing. Your clients should read the Plan Disclosure Document carefully prior to investing. John Hancock Freedom 529 is a college savings plan offered by the Education Trust of Alaska, managed by T. Rowe Price, and distributed by John Hancock Distributors LLC through other broker/dealers appointed by John Hancock Distributors LLC. John Hancock Distributors LLC is a member of the NASD and is listed with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB).

© 2005. John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), a Manulife Financial Company. All rights reserved. MLI1129055711

- 529 plans are not FDIC insured may lose value and are not bank or state guaranteed.

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Melissa Berczuk
617-572-6390