BOSTON, April 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock today announced the launch of its new John Hancock Vitality app for iPhone and iPod touch. The app enables John Hancock Vitality life insurance policyholders to record their healthy activities to earn points as part of the John Hancock Vitality program. Policyholders can view their points and status, earn points by submitting prevention screenings and athletic events, and log health club workouts.

The John Hancock Vitality program also integrates with Apple's HealthKit making it easier for participants to complete their Vitality Health Review (VHR) by giving the app access to data from the Health app. This means that policyholders with an Apple Watch and iPhone can accurately record their steps and activity to help them accumulate "Vitality Points."

The program enhancement comes on the heels of the insurer's introduction of its innovative John Hancock Vitality life insurance solutions earlier this month - a Universal Life product and a Term Life product that provide policyholders with industry-leading financial protection as well as opportunities to significantly save on their annual premiums and earn valuable rewards and discounts simply for living a healthy life.

"We are proud to provide our policyholders with a convenient new way record their progress toward living longer, healthier lives," said Michael Doughty, president, John Hancock Insurance. "With our new life insurance solutions that reward policyholders for healthy living, John Hancock is changing the conversation around life insurance, making it more engaging and relevant for today's consumers."

With John Hancock's new life insurance products, Protection UL with Vitality and John Hancock Term with Vitality, policyholders immediately begin accumulating "Vitality Points" after their policy is issued and when they complete health-related activities like getting an annual health screening, walking or running an extra mile.

The number of Vitality Points a policyholder earns over the course of a year determines their program status level. The healthier their lifestyle, the more points they can accumulate to earn valuable travel, shopping and entertainment-related rewards and discounts from leading retailers. Additionally, depending on the type of product they purchase, a policyholder could save as much as 15 percent off their annual premium.

Policyholders who wish to earn points for their steps and activity data simply opt-in via the John Hancock Vitality app, enabling their data to be used in calculating their progress toward their fitness goals and toward a Vitality Status (Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum), which determines their level of rewards and premium savings.

The John Hancock Vitality app is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.AppStore.com/JohnHancockVitality.

To learn more about John Hancock with Vitality products, visit www.JHRewardsLife.com.

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 PSA, 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.

About Vitality

The Vitality Group is a member of Discovery Ltd., a global financial service organization offering an incentive-based wellness program to employers as part of their benefits program. With a foundation based on actuarial science and behavioral economic theory, Vitality encourages changes in lifestyle that reduce health care costs, both in the short run and long term, by rewarding members for addressing their specific health issues. Vitality wellness programs serve companies in a wide range of sizes and industries, improving individuals' health and wellbeing as well as employers' bottom lines.

Vitality brings a global perspective through successful partnerships with large employers and best-in- class insurers around the world, in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, China and more recently Singapore and Australia. Additional information can be found at www.thevitalitygroup.com.

(1) Available on iPhone 4 and newer iPhone models.

Insurance products are issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02117 (not licensed in New York) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595.

Vitality is the provider of the John Hancock Vitality Program in connection with policies issued by John Hancock.

Insurance policies and/or associated riders and features may not be available in all states. The John Hancock Vitality Program is available with select John Hancock policies. Please consult your financial representative as to product availability.

Premium Savings will apply based on the Status attained by the life insured. Please consult your financial representative as to how premium savings may affect the policy you purchase.

John Hancock Vitality Program rewards and discounts are only available to the person insured under the eligible life insurance policy.

Rewards may vary based on the type of insurance policy purchased for the insured (Vitality Program Member), the ownership and inforce status of the insurance policy, and the state where the insurance policy was issued .

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SOURCE John Hancock Financial