BOSTON, March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Retirement Plan Services (JH RPS) has hired Erik Whinery as regional vice president, responsible for sales and relationship development with financial representatives and plan consultants in John Hancock's Central Division, with a focus on central Texas. He reports to Gary Tankersley, divisional vice president, Central Division.

"Erik will be a great addition to our sales team," said Bob Carroll, national sales manager, John Hancock RPS. "He's shown great leadership in the retirement plan sales industry, earning awards from prior employers, and will help John Hancock Retirement Plan Services as it grows in this region."

Whinery most recently served as RVP of 401(k) sales, handling Colorado, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming, for a significant retirement plan provider.

He is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Communication Studies. He holds Series 6, 63 and State Variable Life Insurance licenses.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife

John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, our group of companies offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Assets under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were C$691 billion (US$596 billion) as at December 31, 2014. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York and John Hancock Retirement Plan Services LLC are collectively referred to as "John Hancock".

John Hancock Retirement Plan Services LLC and Manulife Asset Management Trust Company, conducting business as "John Hancock Trust Company", provides trust and custodial services, and offers service programs for retirement plans through which a sponsor or administrator of a plan may invest in mutual funds, ETFs and collective investment trusts on behalf of plan participants. Mutual funds, ETFs and collective investment trusts available on the JH Enterprise® platform through Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC ("Fidelity"), have not been individually selected by John Hancock or Fidelity Investments®. Securities products, when offered, are offered through John Hancock Distributors LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Both John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York do business under certain instances using the John Hancock Retirement Plan Services name. Group annuity contracts are issued by: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02210 (not licensed in New York) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595. The Investment Management Services Division of John Hancock provides investment information relating to the group annuity contract.

Plan administrative services may be provided by John Hancock Retirement Plan Services LLC or a plan consultant selected by the Plan.

NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY

© 2015 All rights reserved.

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SOURCE John Hancock Retirement Plan Services