BOSTON, July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --John Hancock Funds has launched a new program designed to help retirement plan advisers demonstrate their value and build stronger client relationships. Available on the John Hancock Funds' adviser web site, http://www.jhfunds.com, the program, "Focus on Value: What Matters Most to Your Clients and How to Build on It," includes a Guidebook, Wholesaler PowerPoint, and Plan Sponsor Toolkit.

In addition, John Hancock participated as a co-sponsor for a survey and study of plan sponsors released in the spring and called: "Can a Professional Retirement Plan Adviser Really Make That Much of a Difference?" The survey findings provide first-person insight into ways that plan sponsors believe retirement plan advisers may bring the greatest value to their plans and participants.

"New Department of Labor regulations this year require retirement plan service providers to reveal investment expenses and fees to plan sponsors. The right adviser can help monitor and review fees to ensure compliance," noted Gene Huxhold, Senior Managing Director, Investment Only Retirement Plans. "Our materials illuminate insights and provide steps to boost the specific values that plan sponsors recognize and appreciate most about service the retirement plan advisers provide. John Hancock is committed to the Investment Only space and to helping retirement plan advisers express their value to plans and participants."

The new Guidebook from John Hancock Funds includes five key findings from the research study whereby plan sponsors offered observations about what retirement plan advisers bring to their plans:

The guidebook also offers corresponding practice management tips for advisers.

Also available are the Wholesaler PowerPoint, a client-facing presentation that mirrors the Guidebook and is formatted for iPad delivery, and the Plan Sponsor Toolkit, which offers a comprehensive approach to evaluating a new or existing financial adviser for a company's retirement plan.

About John Hancock Funds

The Boston-based mutual fund business unit of John Hancock Financial, John Hancock Funds manages more than $74.5 billion in open-end funds, closed-end funds, private accounts, college savings and retirement plans, and related party assets for individual and institutional investors as at March 31, 2012.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. In 2012, John Hancock celebrates 150 years of serving clients across the United States, while Manulife celebrates its 125th anniversary. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial Corporation 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 C$512 billion (US$512 billion) as at March 31, 2012. 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 manulife.com.

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John Hancock Funds Launches Program To Help Retirement Plan Advisers Demonstrate Their Value