John Hancock Life Insurance Review

Company overview and ratings

John Hancock is one of the oldest and highest-rated US life insurers. Policies are issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) of Boston, and in New York by John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York. It is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a publicly traded company.

AM Best affirmed its A+ (Superior) financial strength rating effective December 12, 2025, with a stable outlook. AM Best assessed its balance sheet and its enterprise risk management as very strong.

Vitality term life

John Hancock’s term policies come with Vitality, a program that rewards healthy habits. Vitality Term offers 10, 15, 20 and 30-year level terms. Members can earn rewards such as a discounted Apple Watch and travel and healthy food savings. Members 50 and up can get a subsidy for a multi-cancer screening test.

Vitality Term converts to a John Hancock permanent policy until the end of the level period or age 70, whichever comes first. Its terminal illness benefit can advance up to 50% of the death benefit, to a maximum of $1 million. Vitality Term is not available in New York.

In 2024 John Hancock launched Simple Term with Vitality through Ethos. It gives an instant underwriting decision and offers an optional return-of-premium rider on 25 and 30-year terms. Compare term options on our term life page.

Vitality Term also offers a total disability waiver to issue age 55. If you are disabled for six months, it waives premiums up to $5,000 a month. Rewards are reduced on Vitality Term policies under $2 million of coverage, so check what you would actually receive.

ExpressTrack: no-exam underwriting

ExpressTrack is John Hancock’s accelerated underwriting, and its limits are among the highest we verified. It covers ages 18 to 60 for single-life coverage up to $5 million, with no exam or labs for applicants who qualify. Applications go through John Hancock’s eApp, and some applicants get an instant decision.

Accelerated underwriting is not guaranteed issue. If data checks raise questions, John Hancock can still ask for an exam or records. Read more on our no-medical-exam page and the no-exam carrier comparison.

Indexed universal life

IUL is a core John Hancock product line. Accumulation IUL 26, released in January 2026, is built for cash value growth and added a Nasdaq index account. Protection IUL 26, released in September 2026, focuses on lifetime death benefit guarantees and can be guaranteed to age 121 with enough premium.

Both can be paired with Vitality. IUL is complex, so compare illustrations carefully. Our IUL guide explains caps, floors and policy charges.

Accumulation IUL 26 also offers an S&P loan account with a guaranteed bonus and an enhanced cash value version. At launch it was approved in all states except Florida, Guam and New York.

What John Hancock does not sell

We found no final expense, burial or guaranteed issue policy in John Hancock’s current documents. Secondary sources also report that it does not currently sell traditional whole life. If you need a small whole life policy for funeral costs, look at our final expense companies comparison instead.

Who John Hancock fits

John Hancock suits healthy adults under 60 who want a large term or IUL policy without an exam. ExpressTrack’s $5 million limit is among the highest we verified.

It also fits people who already track their exercise and would use Vitality rewards. If you will not engage with the program, judge the policy on price and conversion terms alone.

It is not a fit for small burial policies or guaranteed issue coverage. Older adults shopping for funeral coverage should start with final expense carriers instead.

Pros, cons and buying through an agent

Pros: an A+ rating; no-exam underwriting up to $5 million for ages 18 to 60; Vitality rewards; strong IUL lineup. Cons: no final expense; Vitality rewards are reduced on term policies under $2 million; some products and rewards are not available in New York.

John Hancock sells through financial professionals and partner platforms rather than a captive sales force. An independent agent can compare it against other high-rated term carriers using the same health profile. Availability varies by state.