BOSTON, Feb. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Investments today completed a
repositioning of its target-date portfolios for the defined contribution (DC) retirement plan marketplace. The portfolios now
have new names and lower fees, following multiple rounds of expense reductions since 2014. With three distinct target-date series
offering two glide paths, more than 20 elite asset managers, and a choice of active or passive underlying strategies, the new
names more closely align each series with its investment approach and objective.
"These funds have strong performance, a competitive fee structure, and a multimanager approach that mirrors everything we do
at John Hancock Investments," said Andrew G. Arnott, President & CEO. "In fact, John Hancock
Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios were ranked #1 by top DC plan advisors for open architecture."*
- John Hancock Multimanager Lifetime Portfolios, formerly known as John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios, are
designed to help manage longevity risk—the prospect of outliving one's assets—by following a dynamic glide path that begins
with 95 percent equity exposure, which gradually decreases to 50 percent at the target retirement date, and then continues
tapering down over the initial 20 years of retirement until stabilizing at 25 percent. The portfolio management team at John
Hancock Asset Management implements the asset allocation strategy with a combination of active open-end mutual funds and other
investments, tapping nearly 20 specialized teams. Each portfolio posted top-quartile performance for the 10 years ending
12/31/16.**
- John Hancock Multi-Index Lifetime Portfolios, formerly known as John Hancock Retirement Living II Portfolios, are
also designed to help manage longevity risk and follow the same lifetime glide path. John Hancock Asset Management implements
the asset allocation strategy with a combination of low-cost index-tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other investments
to minimize the impact of expenses on portfolio returns. Each portfolio posted top-decile performance for the 3 years ending
12/31/16.**
- John Hancock Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios, formerly known as John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios, are
designed for an investor who wishes to limit retirement "readiness zone" risk, or downside risk in the years immediately
leading up to retirement. The portfolios follow a more conservative glide path that begins with 82 percent equity exposure,
which decreases to and stabilizes at eight percent upon reaching the target retirement date. John Hancock Asset Management
implements the asset allocation strategy with a combination of index-tracking ETFs and other investments to minimize the impact
of expenses on portfolio returns.
Asset allocation portfolios at John Hancock Investments total over $53 billion.*** "Our
target-risk portfolios have long been a source of business strength and client satisfaction," said Todd
J. Cassler, President of Institutional Distribution. "Today, our target-date series of funds, managed by the same
industry-leading asset allocation team at John Hancock Asset Management, represent one of the biggest opportunities we have to
extend the reach of our multimanager model in the DC investment only (DCIO) channel."
Beginning today, the new names will be supported by a full complement of advertising and multimedia resources—available at
jhinvestments.com/targetdate—for DC plan sponsors, advisors, consultants, and
participants.
About John Hancock Investments
John Hancock has helped individuals and institutions build and protect wealth since
1862. Today, we are one of the strongest and most-recognized financial brands. We serve investors globally through a unique
multimanager approach: We search the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized expertise for every strategy we offer,
then we apply robust investment oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising standards and serve the best
interests of our shareholders. Our approach to asset management has led to a diverse set of investments deeply rooted in investor
needs, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes.
About John Hancock Financial and Manulife
John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife, a leading Canada-based financial
services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada, and
the United States. Operating as Manulife in Canada and
Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, our
group of companies offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its
extensive network of employees, agents, and distribution partners. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its
subsidiaries were CAD$966 billion (US$862 billion) as of September 30, 2016. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on
the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.
The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of
financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, college savings, and other forms of
business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.
This material is not intended to be, nor shall it be interpreted or construed as, a recommendation or providing advice,
impartial or otherwise. John Hancock Investments and its representatives and affiliates may receive compensation derived from the
sale of and/or from any investment made in its products and services.
The portfolio's performance depends on the advisor's skill in determining asset class allocations, the mix of underlying
funds, and the performance of those underlying funds. The portfolio is subject to the same risks as the underlying funds and
exchange-traded funds in which it invests: Stocks and bonds can decline due to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, or economic
developments; foreign investing, especially in emerging markets, has additional risks, such as currency and market volatility and
political and social instability; the securities of small companies are subject to higher volatility than those of larger, more
established companies; and high-yield bonds are subject to additional risks, such as increased risk of default. Each portfolio's
name refers to the approximate retirement year of the investors for whom the portfolio's asset allocation strategy is designed.
The portfolios with dates further off initially allocate more aggressively to stock funds. As a portfolio approaches and passes
its target date, the allocation will gradually migrate to more conservative, fixed-income funds. The principal value of each
portfolio is not guaranteed, and you could lose money at any time, including at, or after, the target date. Liquidity—the extent
to which a security may be sold or a derivative position closed without negatively affecting its market value, if at all—may be
impaired by reduced trading volume, heightened volatility, rising interest rates, and other market conditions. Hedging and other
strategic transactions may increase volatility and result in losses if not successful. Please see the portfolio's prospectus for
additional risks. The underlying funds' performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class which they were selected
to represent. Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track, which
may cause lack of liquidity, more volatility and increased management fees. Each portfolio is subject to the same risks as
the underlying funds in which it invests, which include the following: stocks and bonds can decline due to adverse
issuer, market, regulatory or economic developments; foreign investing, especially in emerging markets, has additional risks,
such as currency and market volatility and political and social instability; the securities of small-capitalization companies are
subject to higher volatility than larger, more established companies; and high-yield bonds are subject to additional risks such
as increased risk of default. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions may increase a fund's volatility and
could produce disproportionate losses, potentially more than the fund's principal investment. Liquidity, the extent to
which a security may be sold or a derivative position closed without negatively impacting its market value, if at all, may be
impaired by reduced market activity or participation, legal restrictions, or other economic and market impediments. Other than
Multi-Index Income Preservation Portfolio, each portfolio's name refers to the approximate retirement year of the investors for
whom the portfolio's asset allocation strategy is designed. The portfolios with dates farther off initially allocate more
aggressively to stock funds. As a portfolio approaches its target date, the allocation will gradually migrate to more
conservative fixed-income funds. The principal value of each portfolio. Including Multi-Index Income Preservation
Portfolio, is not guaranteed and you could lose money at any time, including at, or after, the target date. Unlike other
John Hancock Multi-Index Preservation Portfolios, Multi-Index Income Preservation Portfolio is not designed to decrease its
equity holdings over time. This portfolio typically will have greater exposure to risks associated with fixed-income securities
than will other John Hancock Multi-Index Income Preservation Portfolios. The portfolio is designed for an investor in or near
retirement, and it is anticipated that investors will make gradual withdrawals from the portfolio.
A fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses should be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus
contains this and other important information about the fund. To obtain a prospectus, contact your financial professional, call
John Hancock Investments at 1-800-225-5291, or visit jhinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before
investing or sending money.
* "Opportunities in Target Date Funds," Ignites Retirement Research, March 2016. The #1 ranking
is based on a survey of 225 DC plan advisors.
** Morningstar, 2017.
*** John Hancock Investments as of 12/31/16.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/john-hancock-investments-debuts-new-names-for-target-date-fund-suites-highlighting-open-architecture-and-lower-costs-for-retirement-savers-300400661.html
SOURCE John Hancock Investments