BOSTON, May 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock
Investments expanded the share classes available in its college
savings plan, John Hancock Freedom 529, to include a fee-based
share class, Class F, for all of its 22 unique portfolios. Class F
units are available for account holders who open an account and
purchase shares through the fee-based programs of broker-dealers
and investment advisor firms, and they have no initial sales
charge or annual distribution and service fee.
"We strive to provide our customers with products and education
to help them achieve important financial goals, including
retirement and college savings," said John Hancock Investments
President and CEO Andrew G. Arnott.
"Given the continued rise in fee-based investment programs, we felt
it was time to add Class F shares, allowing advisors to offer a
lower-cost option suitable for clients in an advisory fee-based
program."
Mr. Arnott added that college savings plans, such as John
Hancock Freedom 529, have helped raise awareness about the
importance of planning and the many benefits designed to make
saving easier. National 529 Day, which falls on May 29, was created by the industry to continue
that work by focusing attention throughout the month of May on
saving for college and the benefits of using a 529 plan. John
Hancock will be promoting 529 Day
and 529 plans in general with a series of emails to advisors;
promotion on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn; and sharing a College
Coach webinar series focusing on the admissions process and
financial aid. For more information on the importance of saving for
higher education and the benefits of John Hancock Freedom 529,
please visit us at johnhancockfreedom529.com.
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 and Manulife
John Hancock 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 $1 trillion (US
$754 billion) as at March 31, 2017. Manulife Financial Corporation
trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the
SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet 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, long-term care insurance, college
savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional
information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.
If your state or your designated beneficiary's state offers a
529 plan, you may want to consider what, if any, potential state
income-tax or other benefits it offers before investing. State
tax or other benefits should be one of many factors to be
considered prior to making an investment decision. Please consult
with your financial, tax, or other advisor about how these state
benefits, if any, may apply to your specific circumstances. You may
also contact your state 529 plan or any other 529 college savings
plan to learn more about their features. Please contact your
financial consultant or call 866-222-7498 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. Please 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 that have a selling agreement with John Hancock
Distributors LLC. John Hancock Distributors LLC is a member of
FINRA and is listed with the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
(MSRB). © 2017 John Hancock. All rights reserved. Information
included in this material is believed to be accurate as of
May 2017.
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SOURCE John Hancock College Savings