Skip to main content Accessibility help
  • Help center

    • For financial professionals

  • For financial professionals
  • For plan sponsors
    • Sign in

    Group annuities retirement center

    Our goal is to make the retirement process as simple as possible for you. We work directly with you to inform you of your retirement benefit options when you are nearing retirement.

    Group annuities retirement center

    Our goal is to make the retirement process as simple as possible for you. We work directly with you to inform you of your retirement benefit options when you are nearing retirement.

    Expect to take these steps when you're nearing retirement

    You may contact John Hancock at any time to request an overview of your benefit options.

    A few months before you're eligible to receive your full retirement benefit, expect to receive a letter from John Hancock.

     

    With this letter will be the Retirement benefit checklist. Complete and return this letter to us so that we can determine your eligibility and create your customized retirement benefit options quote package, which we will mail to you.

    Pen and paper

    Request an overview of your benefit options online

    Submit our Benefit Estimate Request form completely and securely online. Click here to get started.

    Selecting the appropriate benefit payment option for you is important.

    Once you receive our benefit information package, review all the materials enclosed. In particular, review the retirement benefit options carefully to determine which option is best for you. Benefit options commonly include:

    Single life annuity

    • You will receive regular, recurring payments for the duration of your lifetime. Upon your passing, all payments will cease, and there will be no further payment due to your survivors.

    Joint and survivor annuity

    • You will receive regular, recurring payments for the duration of your lifetime. Upon your passing, your surviving spouse or designated contingent annuitant, if your employer’s contract allows, will be eligible to continue receiving a percentage of your payments for the remainder of their lifetime. 

    Note: The benefit option you choose and the contingent annuitant you designate upon your retirement are irrevocable. Please consider your options carefully before submitting your paperwork.

    To learn about terms you see in our package you may be unfamiliar with, view our glossary.

    Additional documentation may be required along with your Payment election form.

    Your benefit information package will include a Payment election form, which you must complete and return to us to choose your benefit option.

    Review this form carefully to determine if there any additional documents you must submit along with your form in relation to your situation and benefit option. We will not be able to start your benefit until we receive all requirements.

    Examples of documentation that may be required include:

    • Copy of your birth certificate, driver’s license, or passport
    • Marriage or death certificate of spouse
    • Qualified domestic relations order
    • Voided check for electronic payments
    • State tax withholding forms
    • Notarized spousal signature

    Take a look at our most frequently asked questions:

    To request an overview of your benefit options, print, complete, and return to us the Benefit estimate request form from the forms center. We’ll respond via letter within 10 business days to let you know if we have a benefit for you.

    Your retirement benefit eligibility depends on what is defined in the group annuity contract. Typically, your full retirement benefit is available to you at age 65. You may also be eligible for an early or late retirement option.

    Yes, there may be certain restrictions to begin collecting benefits, including ineligibility if you are currently working or requirements for years of service.

    You will need to provide certain personal information including your name, date of birth, Social Security number, home address, and contact information. Marital status and spouse information are also required. Finally, we need to collect employment information including the name of your former employer, your date of hire, and date of termination. All of this information will be used to determine your benefit options.

    View full list of FAQs

    Need to get in touch? We’re here for you.

    View all contact information

    John Hancock Annuities are issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Lansing, MI 48906, which is not licensed in New York. In New York, John Hancock Annuities are issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595. John Hancock Variable Annuities are distributed by John Hancock Distributors LLC.


    MLINY052022953