Manulife John Hancock Partners with Great Gray to Launch Lifetime Blend+ for Retirement Investment

Manulife John Hancock and Great Gray Introduce Lifetime Blend+

On November 9, 2026, Manulife John Hancock Retirement announced a pivotal partnership with Great Gray Trust Company, LLC to develop the Lifetime Blend+, a novel suite of target-date collective investment trusts (CITs). This initiative is tailored to prepare individuals for extended retirement periods, reflecting the growing need for robust financial strategies in an era where life expectancy continues to rise.

The Concept Behind Lifetime Blend+

The Lifetime Blend+ intends to seamlessly integrate traditional public market investments with private equity, private credit, private infrastructure, and private real estate. This innovative blend aims to provide participants with a diversified array of growth sources, income, and resilience against inflation as they navigate through both the accumulation and decumulation phases of their retirement.

Wayne Park, CEO of Manulife John Hancock Retirement, emphasized the importance of adapting retirement strategies to meet the evolving landscape of retirement needs. He stated that as people live longer, investment solutions must not only ensure a successful transition into retirement but also support participants throughout their retirement years. With this in mind, Lifetime Blend+ builds upon their existing target-date framework by thoughtfully combining private-market exposures.

Role of Great Gray Trust Company

In this collaboration, Great Gray will take on the role of trustee for Lifetime Blend+, establishing a trust framework that ensures fiduciary oversight and operational support necessary for incorporating private-market assets into a daily-valued, participant-directed investment vehicle. The trust is anticipated to allocate up to 20% of its assets to private markets, while the remaining will consist of Manulife John Hancock-affiliated collective investment trusts and stable value products.

The development of Lifetime Blend+ also includes insights from the skilled teams at Manulife Investment Management, which will employ its in-house expertise across real estate and credit markets through associations with notable firms like Apollo Global Management, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, and Townsend.

A Commitment to Private Market Accessibility

Rob Barnett, President and CEO of Great Gray Group, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating that the initiative represents a serious commitment to enhancing access to private markets for retirement savers. By adopting a familiar target-date fund selection process, they aim to maintain the user-friendly experience for participants while expanding their investment opportunities.

The guiding principle at the heart of this product is the Lifetime Through Glidepath introduced by Manulife’s Multi-Asset Solutions Team. This strategy is specifically designed to serve participants by addressing the dual risks of outliving their savings as well as not meeting retirement goals, all while maximizing potential growth and income.

Building Awareness and Education

Manulife John Hancock understands the importance of investor education when transitioning to include private markets in retirement plans. To facilitate informed investment decisions, the firm is committed to providing comprehensive educational resources that clarify the role and benefits of private assets within the broader retirement investment landscape.

The firm aims to assure participants that the newly designed Lifetime Blend+ incorporates established best practices while navigating the complexities of retirement investing.

Conclusion

In summary, the partnership between Manulife John Hancock and Great Gray Trust Company to develop Lifetime Blend+ signifies a strategic advancement in how defined contribution plans can be structured to better prepare participants for longer retirements. This collaboration not only aims to enhance investment outcomes but also fosters an environment where employees feel informed and confident in their retirement plans. As they unveil their unique approach to retirement investments, Manulife John Hancock is leading the way in creating flexible and resilient solutions that cater to future retirement needs.