BOSTON , Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Hancock Freedom 529 has added the John Hancock Funds II Emerging Markets Value Fund, subadvised by Dimensional Fund Advisors, in four of the John Hancock Freedom 529 college savings plan enrollment-based portfolios and one of its static portfolios.

At the same time, Hancock is expanding its international allocation in these portfolios in order to better diversify the international component of its investment options and more effectively respond to changes in the international environment.

'The investment options available in John Hancock Freedom 529 are a great strength of our plan,' said Terri Hayes, vice president, John Hancock College Savings. 'Adding an emerging markets fund at this time strengthens our offering to clients.'

The selection and ongoing review process employed by John Hancock and T. Rowe Price provides John Hancock Freedom 529 with a diversified and comprehensive platform. With a multi-managed approach, customers receive diversification and choice from a broad universe of funds and managers from leading fund families.

'We work to provide you with diversification in three ways: by asset class, by investment style and by money manager. Whichever portfolios customers choose, they have access to funds managed by top fund managers and can benefit from their varied strengths, investment styles and expertise in different asset classes,' said Hayes.

Following overall investment guidelines established by the Education Trust of Alaska , John Hancock and T. Rowe Price have jointly hand-selected some of the most respected managers who have consistently shown the ability to outperform their peers.

John Hancock Freedom 529

John Hancock Freedom 529 is a national Section 529 college savings plan. John Hancock Freedom 529 is offered by the Education Trust of Alaska and managed by T. Rowe Price, and is 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). The plan offers a multi-managed approach, allowing investors to work with their financial consultants to pursue a strategy to maximize their investment opportunities, while managing risk. Expanding upon the inherent advantages of a typical 529 savings plan, the product offers investment choices from some of the nation's top mutual fund managers.

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial

John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation (the Company), a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia , and primarily as John Hancock in the United States , the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$400 billion ( US$393 billion ) as at June 30, 2008 .

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.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States . John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance.

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 1-866-222-7498 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.

   529 plans are not FDIC insured, may lose value and are not bank or state
                                 guaranteed.

SOURCE John Hancock College Savings