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Manulife Financial reaches one million plan participants --Leader in the small business market achieves milestone-- Boston – Manulife Financial’s continued growth in the small and mid-sized business market for 401(k) and other qualified retirement plan products was recently highlighted when the Company enrolled its one-millionth plan participant. A leader in this market, with over 23,000 plans, Manulife has made a name for itself by providing participants with award-winning communications and educational tools. “Working primarily with companies with 500 or fewer employees, this milestone is a testament to Manulife Financial’s ability to understand the needs and expectations of employers who offer 401(k) plans, and our ability to provide their employees with information and tools they need to make good decisions about planning for retirement,” said Kendall Kay, Chief Strategy Officer for Manulife’s U.S. Group Pensions Division. Recently, Manulife Financial received three Top Rating awards in participant service in Plan Sponsor Magazine’s annual defined contribution survey of plan sponsors,* including citations for communication materials, clarity of statements and range of investment options. In the same survey, Manulife was recognized as having the third best participation rate in its plans, at 79.5%. In 2002, Manulife Financial also received an Integrity First award for consumer education from the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) for its enrollment materials. “These awards are an indication of our commitment to helping participants by taking the complexity out of how to make good saving and investment decisions. That includes helping participants to understand their choices, develop informed goals, and take the steps that put them on the road to a financially secure retirement,” added Mr. Kay. About Manulife The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (Manulife USA) is committed to offering the highest quality annuity, life insurance, pension, tax-deferred college savings, and separately managed account products to its clients. Its family of products has been built around a powerful combination of investment options chosen with the goal of providing attractive risk-adjusted returns and broad diversification across asset classes, investment styles, and asset managers. With its extensive product lines, competitive underwriting, excellent ratings, and quality customer service, Manulife USA) is dedicated to providing quality products designed to help create and preserve wealth for its clients. Group annuity contracts are issued by Manulife USA. Product features and availability may differ by state. In New York, products are issued by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of New York (Manulife New York). Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 15 countries and territories worldwide. Through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners, Manulife Financial offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services. Funds under management by Manulife Financial were US$92.5 billion (Cdn$146.2 billion) as at December 31, 2002. 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. * Plan Sponsor magazine’s annual survey about defined contribution providers was conducted in July of 2002. Providers needed a minimum of 25 client responses in order to be included in the listings. -30- Media Contact: Wendy W. Smith U.S. Communications 617-854-4348 wendy_smith@manulife.com |
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