John Hancock Launches Accumulation Variable Universal Life Product.

John Hancock Life Insurance announced the launch of a new Accumulation VUL product, a variable universal life policy that offers superior cash value and retirement income potential to pre-retirees.

The policy is ideal for a variety of applications including: Supplemental Retirement Income, Bonus Plans, Deferred Compensation Plans, and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans.

"Accumulation VUL is an excellent choice for clients who need to provide for family or business financial obligations but who are also looking for a source of supplemental retirement income," said Steve Finch, President, John Hancock Life Insurance. "In these challenging markets, the enhanced Dollar Cost Averaging and Fixed Account feature can also offer clients a secure option while still providing opportunity for accumulation through the equity markets."

The new Accumulation VUL is priced and designed using the 2001 CSO mortality table, which allows for an extension of the benefit period to age 121.

Policy owners may choose from a broad array of underlying investment accounts that represent nearly every major asset class and investment style; or they may opt for the simplicity and automatic diversification offered by the Lifestyle Portfolios(1). In either case, they'll benefit from tax-deferred growth of policy values and tax-favored treatment of policy withdrawals(2).

The policy also offers a 20-year No-Lapse guarantee, no policy charges after age 100, and zero net cost loans.

Additionally, John Hancock is temporarily offering expanded Dollar Cost Averaging(3,4) options to allow transfers out of the Fixed Account (through December 31, 2010) and increasing the current Fixed Account(5,6) crediting rate by 2% through December 31, 2009 on the new Accumulation VUL. In turbulent markets, these new features allow clients to take advantage of the enhanced Fixed Account rate for the short-term, while Dollar Cost Averaging to one or more investment accounts, including the Lifestyle Portfolios for long-term growth potential.

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$385.3 billion (US$363.5 billion) as at September 30, 2008

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, 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.

Variable universal life insurance has annual fees and expenses associated with it in addition to life insurance related charges (which differ with the product chosen), including surrender charges and investment management fees. Variable universal life insurance products are long-term contracts and are sold by prospectus. They are subject to market risk due to the underlying sub-accounts, and are unsuitable as a short term savings vehicle. The primary purpose of variable universal life insurance is to provide lifetime protection against economic loss due to the death of the insured person. Cash values are not guaranteed if the client is invested in the investment accounts. There are risks associated with each investment option, and the policy may lose value.

*The No-Lapse Guarantee (NLG) is automatically included with Accumulation VUL. It guarantees that your policy will not default, even if the cash surrender value falls to zero or below, provided the minimum NLG premium requirement and the cumulative premium test (performed at the point of lapse) are met. At the end of the No-Lapse Guarantee period, the policy value may be insufficient to keep the policy in force. Thereafter, premiums significantly higher than the No-Lapse Guarantee premium may be required to keep the policy in force. If you pay only the premium to satisfy the No-Lapse Guarantee, you may be foregoing the advantage of building up policy value. Once lapsed, the guarantee cannot be reinstated. Some products include a NLG that allows for the policy owner to catch-up on back premiums during the NLG period. The maximum duration of the NLG is 20 years and may be less at older ages. The duration of the benefit may be shorter in some states. In Illinois the NLG is called "Death Benefit Protection." Loans, withdrawals, or the addition of Supplemental Coverage can result in the loss of the NLG.

Insurance policies and/or associated riders and features may not be available in all states. Some riders may have additional fees and expenses associated with them. Refer to the product prospectus for additional information.

1. The Lifestyle Portfolios in John Hancock Trust described above are

not mutual funds available to the retail public and are only

available under John Hancock's variable annuity contracts or variable

life insurance policies or through participation in certain tax-

qualified retirement plans. The investment advisor of the Lifestyle

Portfolios also manages mutual funds available to the retail public

with similar names and investment objectives. No representation is

made, and no assurance is given, that any Lifestyle Portfolio's

investment results will be comparable to the investment results of

any other fund, including retail mutual funds with the same

investment advisor. Past performance is no guarantee of future

Keywords: John Hancock Life Insurance.

This article was prepared by Insurance Weekly News editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Insurance Weekly News via VerticalNews.com.