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John Hancock Retirement Unveils FutureChoice Suite

In a significant move for retirement planning, John Hancock Retirement, part of Manulife Wealth and Asset Management, introduced its innovative FutureChoice suite on March 18, 2025. This new offering aims to redefine the retirement landscape by focusing on advisor-centric solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of financial advisors and their clients.

The FutureChoice suite represents a strategic innovation in John Hancock's retirement product portfolio, designed with direct contributions from financial advisors and third-party administrators (TPAs). This open-architecture suite encompasses both bundled and unbundled corporate plan solutions, alongside Taft-Hartley and multi-plan offerings. Regulatory approvals are currently underway with the expectation that the initial FutureChoice offerings will roll out later this year.

Wayne Park, CEO of John Hancock Retirement, emphasizes the importance of innovation by stating, "Our new FutureChoice suite is the latest implementation of our strategic vision and dedication to innovating the future of retirement." By investing in business transformation and partnering with industry experts, John Hancock aims to leverage advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance customer insights and add value to retirement plans.

Committed to being the preferred partner for advisors, TPAs, and plan sponsors, John Hancock is investing resources to modernize its retirement plan ecosystem. The FutureChoice suite is designed to provide enhanced digital capabilities aimed at helping all participants achieve their retirement goals effectively. As part of its continued ambition to be a multiplatform plan provider, the company is committed to enhancing its offerings and providing better service.

Earlier this year, John Hancock also launched FutureStep™, an open-architecture solution tailored specifically for small businesses, further enhancing its footprint as a significant player in the retirement market. FutureChoice expands on this foundation, utilizing insights from external partners to develop a spectrum of innovative retirement offerings. These partnerships have informed the design process, focusing on creating human-centered, digital-first experiences that facilitate seamless customer journeys.

Jack Barry, head of product development at John Hancock Retirement, stated, "To design FutureChoice, we worked with our partners to envision a best-in-class retirement plan experience for advisors, TPAs, plan sponsors, and participants." This collaborative approach aims to develop a suite of configurable offerings equipped with cutting-edge technologies that meet future market demands.

In addition to the suite launch, the company will undergo a rebranding to Manulife John Hancock Retirement starting in April. This strategic branding move, which merges the global parent company Manulife with the John Hancock retirement business, reflects the organization’s strength and capabilities in the retirement sector. As one of the largest retirement plan providers worldwide, Manulife serves over nine million customers globally, providing innovative products and personalized capabilities that empower individuals to save and invest confidently.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation stands as a leader in global financial services, dedicated to making lives better through easier decision-making and reliable financial advice. Its diverse offerings in Canada, Asia, and Europe enable individuals and organizations to navigate their financial futures securely. As of the end of 2024, Manulife employs over 37,000 professionals and engages with over 36 million customers, ranking as a prominent player in the financial landscape.

About John Hancock Retirement

For over five decades, John Hancock Retirement has been at the forefront of retirement planning in the United States. It is one of the largest full-service retirement plan providers, adopting a personalized approach to retirement solutions. By collaborating with advisors and plan sponsors, John Hancock ensures that each retirement plan is customized to meet participant needs effectively. This commitment has solidified its position as a trusted choice in the retirement planning industry.