Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on September 25, 2009
1933 Act File No. 33-5186
1940 Act File No. 811-04651
 
 
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. [ ]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 47
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
AMENDMENT NO. 47
(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)
JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
601 CONGRESS STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02210-2805
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE
(617) 663-2999
THOMAS M. KINZLER, ESQ.
601 CONGRESS STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02210-2805
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
COPIES OF COMMUNICATIONS TO:
MARK P. GOSHKO, ESQ.
K & L GATES LLP
ONE LINCOLN STREET
BOSTON, MA 02111-2950
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING: As soon as practicable after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
o   immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
 
þ   on October 1, 2009 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
 
o   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
 
o   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
 
o   75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
 
o   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
o   this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
 
 

 


Table of Contents

(JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL FUNDS LOGO)
 
John Hancock
Strategic Income Fund

 
 
PROSPECTUS 10–1–09

 
4  CLASS A, B AND C SHARES
 
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) has not approved or disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is committing a federal crime.
 

 
 
An Income Fund


Table of Contents


 

 
 
Table of contents
 
 
Fund summary
 
A concise look at the investment goal, main strategies and main risks, past performance and the costs of investing.
 
Fund details
 
More about topics covered in the summary section, including descriptions of the various risk factors that investors should understand before investing.
 
Your account
 
How to place an order to buy, sell or exchange shares, as well as information about the business policies and any distributions that may be paid.
 
     
 
     
2
  Strategic Income Fund
     
5
  Risks of investing
     
8
  Who’s who
     
10
  Financial highlights
     
12
  Choosing a share class
     
13
  How sales charges are calculated
     
13
  Sales charge reductions and waivers
     
14
  Opening an account
     
16
  Buying shares
     
17
  Selling shares
     
19
  Transaction policies
     
21
  Dividends and account policies
     
22
  Additional investor services
     
    For more information    See back cover

  


Table of Contents

 
 Fund summary
 
 
John Hancock
 
Strategic Income Fund
 
Day-to-day investment management: MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
 
Class / Ticker      A / JHFIX      B / STIBX      C / JSTCX
 
 
Goal and strategy
 
To seek a high level of current income.
 
Under normal market conditions, the fund invests primarily in the following types of securities: foreign government and corporate debt securities from developed and emerging markets, U.S. government and agency securities, and domestic high-yield bonds.
 
The fund may also invest in preferred stock and other types of debt securities.
 
Although the fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities rated as low as D (in default) by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) (and their unrated equivalents), it generally intends to keep its average credit quality in the investment-grade range (AAA to BBB). There is no limit on the fund’s average maturity.
 
In managing the fund, the subadviser allocates assets among the three major types of securities based on analysis of economic factors, such as projected international interest rate movements, industry cycles and political trends. However, the subadviser may invest up to 100% of the fund’s assets in any one sector.
 
Within each type of security, the subadviser looks for investments that are appropriate for the overall fund in terms of yield, credit quality, structure and industry distribution. In selecting securities, relative yields and risk/reward ratios are the primary considerations.
 
The fund may use certain higher-risk investments, including derivatives (investments whose value is based on indexes, securities or currencies) and restricted or illiquid securities. In addition, the fund may invest up to 10% of net assets in domestic or foreign stocks.
 
In abnormal circumstances, the fund may temporarily invest extensively in investment-grade short-term securities. In these and other cases, the fund might not achieve its goal.
 
The fund may trade securities actively, which could increase its transaction costs (thus lowering performance) and increase your taxable distributions.
 
Main risks
 
An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.
 
Instability in the financial markets has led the United States government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its goal.
 
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.
 
The fund’s main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 5.
 
Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.
 
Changing distribution levels risk The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends on the amount of income and/or dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds.
 
Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities, may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon the nature of their support.
 
Equity securities risk Equity securities may include common, preferred and convertible preferred stocks and securities, the values of which are tied to the price of stocks, such as rights, warrants and convertible debt securities. The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions.
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund summary

 
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Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield securities involve a higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in higher-rated categories.
 
Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.
 
Foreign securities risk (including Emerging Markets risk) As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. These risks are heightened in the case of emerging markets.
 
Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. In addition, the use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.
 
High portfolio turnover risk Actively trading securities can increase transaction costs (thus lowering performance) and taxable distributions.
 
Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.
 
Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund summary

 
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Past performance
 
                                                       
 Calendar year total returns – Class A  (%)
                                                       
Best quarter: Q2 ’03, 7.11   Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, –7.71   Year-to-date as of 6-30-09: 13.23
                                                       
                                                       
                                                       
1999
    2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008
3.35
    1.14     4.90     7.30     16.88     8.75     2.28     4.48     5.57     –10.85
                                                       
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPHIC)
 
                             
 Average annual total returns  (%)   1 Year   5 Year   10 Year    
 
as of 12-31-08                            
Class A before tax     –14.92       0.87       3.68      
After tax on distributions
    –17.69       –1.73       0.79      
After tax on distributions, with sale
    –9.60       –0.67       1.42      
Class B before tax     –15.53       0.82       3.59      
Class C before tax     –12.29       1.10       3.44      
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index     5.24       4.65       5.63      
 
Calendar year total returns
 
These do not include sales charges and would have been lower if they did. Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class A and would be different for other share classes. Fund returns vary from year to year and may indicate the fund’s level of volatility; however, as always, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment.
 
Average annual total returns
 
These include sales charges. Performance of a broad-based securities market index is included for comparison purposes and may provide information regarding the fund’s risks. Indexes do not have sales charges and you cannot invest in them directly. All figures assume dividend reinvestment.
 
After-tax returns These are shown only for Class A and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
 
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.
 
 
Investor costs
 
                             
 Shareholder transaction expenses 1   (%)   Class A     Class B     Class C      
 
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price     4.50                  
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less     2     5.00       1.00      
 
                             
 Annual operating expenses  (%)   Class A     Class B     Class C      
 
Management fee     0.38       0.38       0.38      
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees     0.30       1.00       1.00      
Other expenses 3     0.22       0.22       0.22      
Total fund operating expenses 4     0.90       1.60       1.60      
 
Expense example
 
Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment during the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return, and the reinvestment of all dividends. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. The example is for comparison only and does not reflect actual expenses and returns, either past or future.
 
                                                     
 Expenses  ($)   Class A     Class B     Class C      
 
Shares     Sold       Kept       Sold       Kept       Sold       Kept      
1 Year     538       538       663       163       263       163      
3 Years     724       724       805       505       505       505      
5 Years     926       926       1,071       871       871       871      
10 Years     1,508       1,508       1,713 5     1,713 5     1,900       1,900      
 
Annual operating expenses
 
These are paid from the fund’s assets; shareholders, therefore, pay these costs indirectly.
 
 
1 A $4.00 fee will be charged for wire redemptions.
 
2 Except for investments of $1 million or more; see “How sales charges are calculated.”
 
3 “Other expenses” shown exclude 0.03% of one-time extraordinary fees incurred in the prior fiscal year.
 
4 Expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than those shown in the “Annual operating expenses” table for one or more of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as asset levels decrease; (iii) fees may be incurred for extraordinary events such as proxy or fund tax expenses, or (iv) the termination of voluntary expense cap reimbursements and/or fee waivers, as applicable.
 
5 Reflects conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares, which have a lower expense ratio, after eight years.
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund summary

 
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 Fund details
 
 
Risks of investing
 
Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund’s overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. For further details about fund risks, including additional risk factors that are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
 
Active management risk
 
A fund is subject to management risk because it relies on the subadviser’s ability to pursue the fund’s goal. The subadviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. The fund generally does not attempt to time the market and instead generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its benchmark, the fund may buy securities not included in its benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions than its benchmark. To the extent the fund invests in those securities, its performance depends on the ability of the subadviser to choose securities that perform better than securities that are included in the benchmark.
 
Changing distribution levels risk
 
The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends on the amount of income and/or dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds. The fund may not be able to pay distributions or may have to reduce its distribution level if the income and/or dividends the fund receives from its investments decline.
 
Credit and counterparty risk
 
This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract (see “Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk”) or a borrower of a fund’s securities will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the fund’s share price and income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic or foreign governments, or their sub-divisions or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency, instrumentality, corporation or otherwise supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many types of U.S. government securities ( e.g ., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Banks), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States ( e.g ., U.S. Treasury bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadviser may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on payment of those assets.
 
Funds that invest in below investment-grade securities (also called junk bonds), which are fixed-income securities rated “Ba” or lower by Moody’s or “BB” or lower by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), or determined by a subadviser to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their sub-divisions and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry greater credit risk: their issuers’ continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative, and they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions, and may be less liquid than higher-rated securities.
 
In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent it makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency contracts and/or swap contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC derivatives transactions can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While the subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.
 
Equity securities risk
 
Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies in which the fund is invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality or “blue chip” equity securities, or securities of established companies with large market capitalizations (which generally have strong financial characteristics), can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund details

 
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The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well as periods of poor performance.
 
Fixed-income securities risk
 
Fixed-income securities are generally subject to two principal types of risks: (a) interest rate risk and (b) credit quality risk.
 
Interest rate risk. Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates. When interest rates decline, the market value of the fixed-income securities generally can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the market value of fixed-income securities generally can be expected to decline. The longer the duration or maturity of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest rate risk.
 
Credit quality risk. Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. If the credit quality of a fixed-income security deteriorates after a fund has purchased the security, the market value of the security may decrease and lead to a decrease in the value of the fund’s investments. Funds that may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities, commonly referred to as “junk” securities, are riskier than funds that may invest in higher-rated fixed-income securities. Additional information on the risks of investing in investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category and lower-rated fixed-income securities is set forth below.
 
Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category risk. Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category (rated “Baa” by Moody’s or “BBB” by S&P and comparable unrated securities) involve a higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in the higher-rating categories. While such securities are considered investment-grade quality and are deemed to have adequate capacity for payment of principal and interest, such securities lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics as well. For example, changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher-grade securities.
 
Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk. Lower-rated fixed-income securities are defined as securities rated below investment grade (rated “Ba” and below by Moody’s, and “BB” and below by S&P) (also called junk bonds). The general risks of investing in these securities are as follows:
 
•  Risk to principal and income. Investing in lower-rated fixed-income securities is considered speculative. While these securities generally provide greater income potential than investments in higher-rated securities, there is a greater risk that principal and interest payments will not be made. Issuers of these securities may even go into default or become bankrupt.
 
•  Price volatility. The price of lower-rated fixed-income securities may be more volatile than securities in the higher-rating categories. This volatility may increase during periods of economic uncertainty or change. The price of these securities is affected more than higher-rated fixed-income securities by the market’s perception of their credit quality, especially during times of adverse publicity. In the past, economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have, at times, caused more defaults by issuers of these securities and may do so in the future. Economic downturns and increases in interest rates have an even greater affect on highly leveraged issuers of these securities.
 
•  Liquidity. The market for lower-rated fixed-income securities may have more limited trading than the market for investment-grade fixed-income securities. Therefore, it may be more difficult to sell these securities, and these securities may have to be sold at prices below their market value in order to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in market conditions.
 
•  Dependence on subadviser’s own credit analysis. While a subadviser may rely on ratings by established credit-rating agencies, it will also supplement such ratings with its own independent review of the credit quality of the issuer. Therefore, the assessment of the credit risk of lower-rated fixed-income securities is more dependent on the subadviser’s evaluation than the assessment of the credit risk of higher-rated securities.
 
Additional risks regarding lower-rated corporate fixed-income securities. Lower-rated corporate debt securities (and comparable unrated securities) tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher-rated corporate fixed-income securities. Issuers of lower-rated corporate debt securities may also be highly leveraged, increasing the risk that principal and income will not be repaid.
 
Additional risks regarding lower-rated foreign government fixed-income securities. Lower-rated foreign government fixed-income securities are subject to the risks of investing in foreign countries described under “Foreign securities risk.” In addition, the ability and willingness of a foreign government to make payments on debt when due may be affected by the prevailing economic and political conditions within the country. Emerging-market countries may experience high inflation, interest rates and unemployment, as well as exchange rate trade difficulties and political uncertainty or instability. These factors increase the risk that a foreign government will not make payments when due.
 
Prepayment of principal. Many types of debt securities, including floating-rate loans, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment risk occurs when the issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security’s maturity. Securities subject to prepayment risk can offer less potential for gains when the credit quality of the issuer improves.
 
Foreign securities risk
 
Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities markets outside the United States are subject to additional and more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. There are generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial costs and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on dividends and interest payable on foreign securities. Also, for lesser developed countries, nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a country), political changes or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a fund’s investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, a fund could lose its entire investment in a foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the U.S.
 
Emerging markets risk. Funds that invest a significant portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in countries with “emerging market” economies are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds investing primarily in more developed foreign markets,
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund details

 
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since emerging market securities may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political and other risks greater than, or in addition to, risks of investing in developed foreign countries. These risks include: high currency exchange rate fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a fund’s ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging market countries; the fact that companies in emerging market countries may be newly organized and may be smaller and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers; different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions; difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging market issuers.
 
Currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, and intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on its investment and also lose money on the position designed to act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure represented by their securities into another foreign currency. This may result in a fund’s currency exposure being substantially different than that suggested by its securities investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings and/or that invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign currency transactions (such as futures, forwards and swaps) may also involve leveraging risk, in addition to currency risk. Leverage may disproportionately increase a fund’s portfolio losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates, stock prices or currency rates are changing.
 
Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk
 
The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its subadviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest risk and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic transactions are different from those needed to select a fund’s securities. Even if the subadviser only uses hedging and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market, if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed a fund’s initial investment in such contracts. In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised.
 
A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates or indexes. Examples of derivative instruments include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and swap agreements (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps and swaps on exchange traded funds). Derivatives may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates and related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes, including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way to adjust efficiently the exposure of a fund to various securities, markets and currencies without a fund actually having to sell existing investments and make new investments. This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further, since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer to the SAI.
 
The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise to honor its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other party’s consent to assign the transaction to a third party. If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms ( e.g. , the definition of default) differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While a subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund contracts with a limited number of
 
 
 
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counterparties, the fund’s risk will be concentrated and events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund. Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks, including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other assets, instruments or references, there is a risk that they will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely track. Suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a subadviser may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce risk exposure. A detailed discussion of various hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. To the extent the fund utilizes hedging and other strategic transactions, it will be subject to the same risks.
 
High portfolio turnover risk
 
A high fund portfolio turnover rate (over 100%) generally involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses, which must be borne directly by a fund. The portfolio turnover rate of a fund may vary from year to year, as well as within a year.
 
Issuer risk
 
An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures or other factors.
 
Liquidity risk
 
A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the fund’s ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds which invest in emerging markets and related derivatives that are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions.
 
These investment strategies and securities are described further in the SAI.
 
Who’s who
 
Below are the names of the various entities involved with the fund’s investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.
 
Trustees
 
Oversee the fund’s business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund’s operations. The Board of Trustees can change the fund’s investment goal and strategy without shareholder approval.
 
Investment adviser
 
Manages the fund’s business and investment activities.
 
John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805
 
Founded in 1968, John Hancock Advisers, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.
 
The adviser administers the business and affairs of the fund and retains and compensates the investment subadviser to manage the assets of the fund. As of June 30, 2009, the adviser had total assets under management of approximately $18 billion.
 
The adviser does not itself manage any of the fund’s portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadviser and recommend its hiring, termination and replacement. In this connection, the adviser: (i) monitors the compliance of the subadviser with the investment objectives and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the performance of the subadviser and (iii) reports periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.
 
The fund relies on an order from the SEC permitting the adviser, subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadviser or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisers or the fees paid to a subadviser from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the adviser to appoint a subadviser that is an affiliate of the adviser or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a subadviser to a fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an affiliated subadviser, without the approval of the shareholders.
 
Management fee
 
The fund pays the adviser a management fee for its services to the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the current value of the net assets of the fund determined in accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied to the average daily assets of the fund.
 
             
    Annual
   
Average Daily Net Assets   Rate    
 
 
 
             
First $100 million     0 .60%    
             
Between $100 million and $250 million     0 .45%    
             
Between $250 million and $500 million     0 .40%    
             
Between $500 million and $650 million     0 .35%    
             
Excess over $650 million     0 .30%    
 
During its most recent fiscal year, the fund paid to the investment adviser a management fee equal to 0.38% of net assets.
 
Out of these fees, the investment adviser in turn pays the fees of the subadviser.
 
The basis for the Trustees’ approval of the advisory fees, and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the subadvisory agreement, is discussed in the fund’s May 31, 2009 annual shareholder report.
 
Subadviser
 
Handles the fund’s day-to-day portfolio management.
 
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199
 
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC Global (U.S.)) was founded in 1979 and provides investment advisory services to individual and institutional investors. MFC Global (U.S.) is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. (a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation) and, as of June 30, 2009, had total assets under management of approximately $24 billion.
 
 
 
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Below are brief biographical profiles of the leaders of the fund’s investment management team, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage and any investments they may have in the fund, see the SAI.
 
Barry H. Evans, CFA
 
•  Joined fund team in 2006
 
•  President and chief fixed-income officer, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
 
•  Senior vice president, chief fixed-income officer and chief operating officer, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1986−2005)
 
•  Began business career in 1986
 
•  Analysis of global economic conditions
 
John F. Iles
 
•  Joined fund team in 2005
 
•  Vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
 
•  Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
 
•  Began business career in 1984
 
•  Analysis of specific issuers pertaining to high-yield and emerging markets
 
Daniel S. Janis III
 
•  Joined fund team in 1999
 
•  Senior vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
 
•  Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
 
•  Began business career in 1984
 
•  Primarily responsible for fund management and day-to-day purchase and sale decisions
 
Custodian
 
Holds the fund’s assets, settles all portfolio trades and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund’s net asset value (NAV).
 
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Lafayette Corporate Center
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
 
Principal distributor
 
Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners and other financial representatives.
 
John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805
 
Transfer agent
 
Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and statements, distribution of dividends and processing of buy and sell requests.
 
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
 
 
 
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Financial highlights
 
These tables detail the financial performance of each share class described in this prospectus, including total return information showing how much an investment in the fund has increased or decreased each year.
 
The financial statements of the fund as of May 31, 2009, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The report of PwC is included, along with the fund’s financial statements, in the fund’s annual report, which has been incorporated by reference into the SAI and is available upon request.
 
                                         
CLASS A SHARES
 Per share operating performance                                                  period ended   5-31-09   5-31-08   5-31-07   5-31-06   5-31-05
 
Net asset value, beginning of year     $6.40       $6.61       $6.81       $6.99       $6.69  
Net investment income 1     0.41       0.40       0.32       0.30       0.31  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (0.64 )     (0.15 )     0.07             0.39  
Total from investment operations     (0.23 )     0.25       0.39       0.30       0.70  
Less distributions                                        
From net investment income     (0.42 )     (0.40 )     (0.35 )     (0.34 )     (0.36 )
From net realized gain     (0.14 )     (0.06 )     (0.24 )     (0.14 )     (0.04 )
Total distributions     (0.56 )     (0.46 )     (0.59 )     (0.48 )     (0.40 )
Net asset value, end of year     $5.61       $6.40       $6.61       $6.81       $6.99  
Total return 2 (%)     (3.06 )     3.93       5.98       4.38       10.58  
                                         
                                         
                                         
  Ratios and supplemental data
                                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)     $720       $765       $784       $818       $764  
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                        
Expenses before reductions
    0.93 3     0.90       0.87       0.88       0.90  
Expenses net of all fee waivers
    0.93 3     0.90       0.87       0.88       0.90  
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
    0.93 3     0.90       0.87       0.88       0.90  
Net investment income
    7.23       6.00       4.80       4.26       4.48  
Portfolio turnover (%)     43       52       118       52       29  
                                         
                                         
                                         
                                         
CLASS B SHARES
 Per share operating performance                                                  period ended   5-31-09   5-31-08   5-31-07   5-31-06   5-31-05
 
Net asset value, beginning of year     $6.40       $6.61       $6.81       $6.99       $6.69  
Net investment income 1     0.37       0.35       0.27       0.25       0.26  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (0.64 )     (0.14 )     0.07       0.01       0.39  
Total from investment operations     (0.27 )     0.21       0.34       0.26       0.65  
Less distributions                                        
From net investment income     (0.38 )     (0.36 )     (0.30 )     (0.30 )     (0.31 )
From net realized gain     (0.14 )     (0.06 )     (0.24 )     (0.14 )     (0.04 )
Total distributions     (0.52 )     (0.42 )     (0.54 )     (0.44 )     (0.35 )
Net asset value, end of year     $5.61       $6.40       $6.61       $6.81       $6.99  
Total return 2 (%)     (3.73 )     3.21       5.27       3.67       9.81  
                                         
                                         
                                         
  Ratios and supplemental data
                                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)     $131       $184       $242       $350       $460  
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                        
Expenses before reductions
    1.63 3     1.60       1.54       1.57       1.60  
Expenses net of fee waivers
    1.63 3     1.60       1.54       1.57       1.60  
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
    1.63 3     1.60       1.54       1.57       1.60  
Net investment income
    6.51       5.27       4.12       3.57       3.79  
Portfolio turnover (%)     43       52       118       52       29  
                                         
                                         
                                         
 
 
 
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Financial highlights, continued
 
                                         
CLASS C SHARES
 Per share operating performance                                                  period ended   5-31-09   5-31-08   5-31-07   5-31-06   5-31-05
 
Net asset value, beginning of year     $6.40       $6.61       $6.81       $6.99       $6.69  
Net investment income 1     0.37       0.35       0.27       0.25       0.26  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (0.64 )     (0.14 )     0.07             0.39  
Total from investment operations     (0.27 )     0.21       0.34       0.25       0.65  
Less distributions                                        
From net investment income     (0.38 )     (0.36 )     (0.30 )     (0.29 )     (0.31 )
From net realized gain     (0.14 )     (0.06 )     (0.24 )     (0.14 )     (0.04 )
Total distributions     (0.52 )     (0.42 )     (0.54 )     (0.43 )     (0.35 )
Net asset value, end of year     $5.61       $6.40       $6.61       $6.81       $6.99  
Total return 2 (%)     (3.73 )     3.21       5.24       3.65       9.81  
                                         
                                         
                                         
  Ratios and supplemental data
                                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)     $201       $193       $219       $270       $282  
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                        
Expenses before reductions
    1.63 3     1.60       1.57       1.58       1.60  
Expenses net of fee waivers
    1.63 3     1.60       1.57       1.58       1.60  
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
    1.63 3     1.60       1.57       1.58       1.60  
Net investment income
    6.53       5.29       4.10       3.56       3.79  
Portfolio turnover (%)     43       52       118       52       29  
                                         
 
 
1 Based on the average of the shares outstanding.
 
2 Assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
 
3 Includes proxy fees. The impact of this expense to the gross and net expense ratios was 0.03%.
 
 
 
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 Your account
 
 
Choosing a share class
 
Each share class has its own cost structure, including a Rule 12b-1 plan that allows it to pay fees for the sale, distribution and service of its shares. Your financial representative can help you decide which share class is best for you.
 
Class A
 
•  A front-end sales charge, as described in the section “How sales charges are calculated.”
 
•  Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 0.30%.
 
Class B
 
•  No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work right away for you.
 
•  Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 1.00%.
 
•  A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC), as described in the section “How sales charges are calculated.”
 
•  Automatic conversion to Class A shares after eight years, thus reducing future annual expenses.
 
Class C
 
•  No front-end sales charge; all your money goes to work right away for you.
 
•  Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of 1.00%.
 
•  A 1.00% CDSC on shares sold within one year of purchase.
 
•  No automatic conversion to Class A shares, so annual expenses continue at the Class C level throughout the life of your investment.
 
The maximum amount you may invest in Class B shares with any single purchase request is $99,999.99 and the maximum amount you may invest in Class C shares with any single purchase is $999,999.99. John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services), the transfer agent for the fund, may accept a purchase request for Class B shares for $100,000 or more, or for Class C shares for $1,000,000 or more when the purchase is pursuant to the Reinstatement Privilege (see “Sales charge reductions and waivers”).
 
12b-1 fees
 
Rule 12b-1 fees will be paid to the fund’s distributor, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and may be used by the distributor for expenses relating to the distribution of, and shareholder or administrative services for holders of, the shares of the class and for the payment of service fees that come within Rule 2830(d)(5) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
 
Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of the fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost shareholders more than other types of sales charges.
 
Other classes of shares of the fund, which have their own expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.
 
Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.
 
Additional payments to financial intermediaries
 
Shares of the fund are primarily sold through financial intermediaries, such as brokers, banks, registered investment advisers, financial planners and retirement plan administrators. These firms may be compensated for selling shares of the fund in two principal ways:
 
•  directly, by the payment of sales commissions, if any; and
 
•  indirectly, as a result of the fund paying Rule 12b-1 fees.
 
Certain firms may request, and the distributor may agree to make, payments in addition to sales commissions and 12b-1 fees out of the distributor’s own resources. These additional payments are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing.” These payments assist in the distributor’s efforts to promote the sale of the fund’s shares. The distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor’s promotional efforts.
 
The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the fund’s net assets, which, as well as benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and other fees for the adviser and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales system or give preferential access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in the distributor’s marketing efforts by allowing the distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences, seminars or other programs attended by the intermediary’s sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.
 
The SAI discusses the distributor’s revenue-sharing arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus. You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the distributor or the fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.
 
The distributor, adviser and their affiliates may have other relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction-processing services or effecting portfolio transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these services, the adviser or the fund may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary may have other compensated relationships with the adviser or its affiliates that are not related to the fund.
 
Rollover program compensation
 
The broker-dealer of record for a pension, profit-sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) or described in Section 457(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), that is funded by certain group annuity contracts issued by John Hancock insurance companies, is eligible to receive ongoing compensation (Rollover Compensation) when a plan participant terminates from the qualified plan and rolls over assets into a John Hancock- sponsored custodial IRA or a John Hancock custodial Roth IRA invested in shares of John
 
 
 
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Hancock funds. The Rollover Compensation is paid from a fund’s 12b-1 fees to the plan’s broker-dealer of record at an annual rate not expected to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net eligible assets held in John Hancock funds (0.15% for the John Hancock Money Market Fund) under the rollover program. Rollover Compensation is made in the first year and continues thereafter, quarterly in arrears. A John Hancock insurance company may also pay the third-party administrator for the plan a one-time nominal fee not expected to exceed $25 per participant rollover into a John Hancock fund for facilitating the transaction.
 
How sales charges are calculated
 
Class A sales charges are as follows:
 
                     
    As a % of
  As a % of
   
Your investment   offering price*   your investment    
 
 
 
                     
Up to $99,999     4 .50%     4 .71%    
                     
$100,000 – $249,999     3 .75%     3 .90%    
                     
$250,000 – $499,999     2 .75%     2 .83%    
                     
$500,000 – $999,999     2 .00%     2 .04%    
                     
$1,000,000 and over     See below              
 
* Offering price is the net asset value per share plus any initial sales charge.
 
You may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge if you own or are purchasing Class A, Class B, Class C, Class T, Class ADV, all Class R shares, Class I2 or Class I shares of a John Hancock open-end mutual fund. To receive the reduced sales charge, you must tell your broker or financial representative at the time you purchase the fund’s Class A shares about any other John Hancock mutual funds held by you, your spouse or your children under the age of 21 living in the same household. This includes investments held in an individual retirement account or with a broker or financial representative other than the one handling your current purchase. John Hancock will credit the combined value, at the current offering price, of all eligible accounts to determine whether you qualify for a reduced sales charge on your current purchase. You may need to provide documentation for these accounts, such as an account statement. For more information about these reduced sales charges, you may visit the fund’s Web site at www.jhfunds.com. You may also consult your broker or financial adviser, or refer to the section entitled “Initial sales charge on Class A shares” in the fund’s SAI. You may request an SAI from your broker or financial adviser, by accessing the fund’s Web site at www.jhfunds.com or by calling Signature Services at 1-800-225-5291.
 
Investments of $1 million or more
 
Class A shares are available with no front-end sales charge on investments of $1 million or more. There is a CDSC on any Class A shares upon which a commission or finder’s fee was paid that are sold within one year of purchase, as follows:
 
Class A deferred charges on investments of $1 million or more
 
             
    CDSC on shares
   
Your investment   being sold    
 
 
 
             
First $1M – $4,999,999     1 .00%    
             
Next $1 – $5M above that     0 .50%    
             
Next $1 or more above that     0 .25%    
 
For purposes of this CDSC, all purchases made during a calendar month are counted as having been made on the first day of that month.
 
The CDSC is based on the lesser of the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, and is not charged on shares you acquired by reinvesting your dividends. To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares we will first sell any shares in your account that are not subject to a CDSC.
 
Class B and Class C
 
Shares are offered at their net asset value per share, without any initial sales charge.
 
A CDSC may be charged if a commission has been paid and you sell Class B or Class C shares within a certain time after you bought them, as described in the tables below. There is no CDSC on shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends. The CDSC is based on the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, whichever is less. The CDSCs are as follows:
 
Class B deferred charges
 
             
Years after purchase   CDSC    
 
 
 
             
1 st year     5 .00%    
             
2 nd year     4 .00%    
             
3 rd or 4 th year     3 .00%    
             
5 th year     2 .00%    
             
6 th year     1 .00%    
             
After 6 th year     None      
 
Class C deferred charges
 
             
Years after purchase   CDSC    
 
 
 
             
1 st year     1 .00%    
             
After 1 st year     None      
 
For purposes of these CDSCs, all purchases made during a calendar month are counted as having been made on the first day of that month.
 
To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, we will first sell any shares in your account that carry no CDSC. If there are not enough of these shares to meet your request, we will sell those shares that have the lowest CDSC.
 
Sales charge reductions and waivers
 
Reducing your Class A sales charges
 
There are several ways you can combine multiple purchases of shares of John Hancock funds to take advantage of the breakpoints in the sales charge schedule. The first three ways can be combined in any manner.
 
•  Accumulation Privilege — lets you add the value of any class of shares of any John Hancock open-end fund you already own to the amount of your next Class A investment for purposes of calculating the sales charge. However, Class A shares of money market funds will not qualify unless you have already paid a sales charge on those shares.
 
•  Letter of Intention — lets you purchase Class A shares of a fund over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge as if all shares had been purchased at once. You can use a Letter of Intention to qualify for reduced sales charges if you plan to invest at least $100,000 in a fund’s Class A and Class T shares during the next 13 months. The calculation of this amount would include accumulations and combinations as well as your current holdings of all classes of John Hancock funds, which include any reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. However, Class A shares of money market funds will be excluded unless you have already paid a sales charge. When you sign this letter, the fund agrees to charge you the reduced sales charges. Completing a Letter of Intention does not obligate you to purchase additional shares. However, if you do not buy enough shares to qualify for the lower sales charges by the earlier of the end of the 13-month period or when you sell your shares, your sales charges will be recalculated to reflect your actual purchase level. Also available for individual retirement plan investors is a 48-month Letter of Intention, described in the SAI.
 
 
 
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•  Combination Privilege — lets you combine shares of all funds for purposes of calculating the Class A sales charge.
 
To utilize any reduction, you must complete the appropriate section of your application, or contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).
 
Group investment program
 
A group may be treated as a single purchaser under the accumulation and combination privileges. Each investor has an individual account, but the group’s investments are lumped together for sales charge purposes, making the investors potentially eligible for reduced sales charges. There is no charge or obligation to invest (although initial investments per account opened must satisfy minimum initial investment requirements specified in the section entitled “Opening an account”), and individual investors may close their accounts at any time.
 
To utilize this program, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services to find out how to qualify. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).
 
CDSC waivers
 
As long as Signature Services is notified at the time you sell, the CDSC for each share class will be waived in the following cases:
 
•  to make payments through certain systematic withdrawal plans
 
•  certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. or PruSolutions SM programs
 
•  redemptions pursuant to the fund’s right to liquidate an account less than the stated minimum in the section “Opening an account”
 
•  redemptions of Class A shares made after one year from the inception of a retirement plan at John Hancock
 
•  to make certain distributions from a retirement plan
 
•  because of shareholder death or disability
 
•  rollovers, contract exchanges or transfers of John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets required by John Hancock funds as a result of its decision to discontinue maintaining and administering 403(b)(7) accounts
 
To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).
 
Reinstatement privilege
 
If you sell shares of a John Hancock fund, you may reinvest some or all of the proceeds back into the same share class of the same fund and account from which it was removed, within 120 days without a sales charge, as long as Signature Services or your financial representative is notified before you reinvest. If you paid a CDSC when you sold your shares, you will be credited with the amount of the CDSC.
 
To utilize this privilege, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services.
 
Waivers for certain investors
 
Class A shares may be offered without front-end sales charges or CDSCs to the following individuals and institutions:
 
•  selling brokers and their employees and sales representatives (and their Immediate Family, as defined in the SAI)
 
•  financial representatives utilizing fund shares in certain eligible retirement platforms, fee-based or wrap investment products under a signed agreement with the distributor
 
•  fund trustees and other individuals who are affiliated with these or other John Hancock funds (and their Immediate Family, as defined in the SAI)
 
•  individuals transferring assets held in a SIMPLE IRA, SEP or SAR-SEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to an IRA
 
•  individuals converting assets held in an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP or SAR-SEP invested in John Hancock funds directly to a Roth IRA
 
•  individuals recharacterizing assets from an IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, SAR-SEP or SIMPLE IRA invested in John Hancock funds back to the original account type from which it was converted
 
•  participants in certain 529 plans that have a signed agreement with the distributor (one-year CDSC may apply)
 
•  participants in certain retirement plans with at least 100 eligible employees (one-year CDSC applies)
 
•  certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch, The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. or PruSolutions SM programs
 
•  terminating participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after distribution) assets held in a pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code, that is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including subsequent investments
 
•  participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after distribution) from a terminating pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code (the assets of which, immediately prior to its termination, were held in certain John Hancock group annuity contracts but are now transferred from such contracts and held either: (i) in trust by a distribution processing organization; or (ii) in a custodial IRA or custodial Roth IRA sponsored by an authorized third party trust company and made available through John Hancock), to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including subsequent investments
 
•  individuals rolling over assets held in a John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account into a John Hancock custodial IRA account
 
To utilize a waiver, you must contact your financial representative or Signature Services. Consult the SAI for additional details (see the back cover of this prospectus).
 
Other waivers
 
Front-end sales charges and CDSCs are not imposed in connection with the following transactions:
 
•  exchanges from one John Hancock fund to the same class of any other John Hancock fund (see “Transaction policies” in this prospectus for additional details)
 
•  dividend reinvestments (see “Dividends and account policies” in this prospectus for additional details)
 
Opening an account
 
1   Read this prospectus carefully.
 
2   Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial investment for the Class A, B and C shares of the fund is $2,500 except as follows:
 
  •  Coverdell ESAs: $2,000
 
  •  there is no minimum initial investment for certain group retirement plans using salary deduction or similar group methods of payment
 
  •  group investments: $250
 
 
 
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  •  there is no minimum initial investment for fee-based or wrap accounts of selling firms that have executed a fee-based or wrap agreement with the distributor
 
3   All shareholders must complete the account application, carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions, contact your financial representative or call Signature Services at 1-800-225-5291.
 
4   Complete the appropriate parts of the account privileges application. By applying for privileges now, you can avoid the delay and inconvenience of having to file an additional application if you want to add privileges later.
 
5   Make your initial investment using the instructions under “Buying shares.” You and your financial representative can initiate any purchase, exchange or sale of shares.
 
Important information about opening a new account
 
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account.
 
For individual investors opening an account When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number.
 
For investors other than individuals When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business and taxpayer identification number (TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account, such as name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and other information that will help Signature Services identify the entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for more details.
 
 
 
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Buying shares
 
     
 Opening an account   Adding to an account
 
By check    
• Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to “John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.”

• Deliver the check and your completed application to your financial representative or mail them to Signature Services (address below).
 
• Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to “John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.”

• Fill out the detachable investment slip from an account statement. If no slip is available, include a note specifying the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered.

• Deliver the check and your investment slip or note to your financial representative, or mail them to Signature Services (address below).
     
     
 
 
By exchange    
• Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.
 
• Log on to the Web site below to process exchanges between funds.

• Call EASI-Line for automated service.

• Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.
     
     
 
 
By wire    
• Deliver your completed application to your financial representative or mail it to Signature Services.

• Obtain your account number by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

• Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

• Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.
 
• Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

• Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.
     
     
 
 
By Internet    
• See “By exchange” and “By wire.”
 
• Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system.

• Complete the “Bank information” section on your account application.

• Log on to the Web site below to initiate purchases using your authorized bank account.
     
     
 
 
By phone    
• See “By exchange” and “By wire.”
 
• Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the ACH system.

• Complete the “To purchase, exchange or redeem shares via telephone” and “Bank information” sections on your account application.

• Call EASI-Line for automated service.

• Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between 8:00  a.m. and 7:00  p.m. , Eastern Time, on most business days.

To add to an account using the Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program, see “Additional investor services.”
 
 
                 
 
Regular mail   Express delivery   Web site   EASI-Line   Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
  Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
  www.jhfunds.com   (24/7 automated service)
1-800-338-8080
  1-800-225-5291
 
 
 
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Selling shares
 
     
    To sell some or all of your shares
 
By letter    
• Accounts of any type.

• Sales of any amount.
 
• Write a letter of instruction or complete a stock power indicating the fund name, the share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell.

• Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required (see next page).

• Mail the materials to Signature Services (address below).

• A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered, or otherwise according to your letter of instruction.
     
     
 
 
By Internet    
• Most accounts.

• Sales of up to $100,000.
 
• Log on to the Web site below to initiate redemptions from your fund.
     
     
 
 
By phone    
• Most accounts.

• Sales of up to $100,000.
 
• Call EASI-Line for automated service.

• Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between 8:00  a.m. and 7:00  p.m. , Eastern Time, on most business days.
     
     
 
 
By wire or electronic funds transfer (EFT)    
• Requests by letter to sell any amount.

• Requests by Internet or phone to sell up to $100,000.
 
• To verify that the Internet or telephone redemption privilege is in place on an account, or to request the form to add it to an existing account, call Signature Services.

• Funds requested by wire will generally be wired the next business day. A $4 fee will be deducted from your account. Your bank may also charge you a fee for this service.

• Funds requested by EFT are generally available by the second business day. Your bank may charge you a fee for this service.
     
     
 
 
By exchange    
• Accounts of any type.

• Sales of any amount.
 
• Obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging by accessing the fund’s Web site by Internet, or by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

• Log on to the Web site below to process exchanges between your funds.

• Call EASI-Line for automated service.

• Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.

To sell shares through a systematic withdrawal plan, see “Additional investor services.”
 
 
                 
 
Regular mail   Express delivery   Web site   EASI-Line   Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
  Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
  www.jhfunds.com   (24/7 automated service)
1-800-338-8080
  1-800-225-5291
 
 
 
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Selling shares in writing
 
In certain circumstances, you will need to make your request to sell shares in writing. You may need to include additional items with your request, unless they were previously provided to Signature Services and are still accurate. These items are shown in the table below. You may also need to include a signature guarantee, which protects you against fraudulent orders. You will need a signature guarantee if:
 
•  your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;
 
•  you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares and are requesting payment by check (this requirement is waived for certain entities operating under a signed fax trading agreement with John Hancock); or
 
•  you are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the address/bank of record and payable to the registered owner(s).
 
You will need to obtain your signature guarantee from a member of the Signature Guarantee Medallion Program. Most broker-dealers, banks, credit unions and securities exchanges are members of this program. A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.
 
     
 Seller   Requirements for written requests
 
Owners of individual, joint or UGMA/UTMA accounts (custodial accounts for minors)  
• Letter of instruction.

• On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered.

• Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
     
     
 
 
Owners of corporate, sole proprietorship, general partner or association accounts  
• Letter of instruction.

• Corporate business/organization resolution, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock funds business/organization certification form.

• On the letter and the resolution, the signature of the person(s) authorized to sign for the account.

• Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
     
     
 
 
Owners or trustees of trust accounts  
• Letter of instruction.

• On the letter, the signature(s) of the trustee(s).

• Copy of the trust document, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock funds trust certification form.

• Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
     
     
 
 
Joint tenancy shareholders with rights of survivorship with a deceased co-tenant(s)  
• Letter of instruction signed by surviving tenant.

• Copy of death certificate.

• Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

• Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.
     
     
 
 
Executors of shareholder estates  
• Letter of instruction signed by executor.

• Copy of order appointing executor, certified within the past 12 months.

• Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

• Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.
     
     
 
 
Administrators, conservators, guardians and other sellers or account types not listed above  
• Call Signature Services for instructions.
 
 
                 
 
Regular mail   Express delivery   Web site   EASI-Line   Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
  Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
  www.jhfunds.com   (24/7 automated service)
1-800-338-8080
  1-800-225-5291
 
 
 
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Transaction policies
 
Valuation of shares
 
Calculation of NAV
 
The NAV for each class of shares of the fund is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time) on each business day that the NYSE is open. On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests. The time at which shares are priced and until which purchase and redemption orders are accepted may be changed as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares outstanding for that class.
 
Valuation of Securities
 
Except as noted below, securities held by a fund are primarily valued on the basis of market quotations or official closing prices. Certain short-term debt instruments are valued on the basis of amortized cost. Shares of other open-end investments companies held by a fund are valued based on the NAVs of those investment companies.
 
Fair Valuation of Securities. If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or do not accurately reflect fair value for a security, or if a security’s value has been materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, the security will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to the fund’s Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of a security’s fair value may be made by persons acting pursuant to the direction of the Trustees.
 
In deciding whether to a fair value a security, the fund’s Pricing Committee may review a variety of factors, including:
 
in the case of foreign securities:
 
  •  developments in foreign markets,
 
  •  the performance of U.S. securities markets after the close of trading in the market, and
 
  •  the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities or baskets of foreign securities.
 
in the case of fixed income securities:
 
  •  actions by the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee and other significant trends in U.S. fixed-income markets.
 
in the case of all securities:
 
  •  political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded,
 
  •  announcements relating to the issuer of the security concerning matters such as trading suspensions, acquisitions, recapitalizations, litigation developments, a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry, and
 
  •  events affecting the securities markets in general (such as market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in U.S. and/or foreign markets).
 
Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that a fund’s NAV reflects the fair market value of the fund’s portfolio securities as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that is no longer reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain thereby diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all potential opportunities for such trading gains. The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security in an orderly transaction between market participants but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair valuation price may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market price for the investment existed, and these differences could be material. With respect to any portion of a fund’s assets that is invested in other open-end investment companies, that portion of the fund’s NAV is calculated based on the NAV of that investment company. The prospectus for the other investment company explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that other investment company.
 
If the fund has portfolio securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when the fund does not prices its shares, the NAV of the fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the fund’s shares.
 
Buy and sell prices
 
When you buy shares, you pay the NAV, plus any applicable sales charges, as described earlier. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV, minus any applicable deferred sales charges.
 
Execution of requests
 
The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has the right to redeem in kind.
 
At times of peak activity, it may be difficult to place requests by telephone. During these times, consider using EASI-Line, accessing www.jhfunds.com or sending your request in writing.
 
In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal securities laws.
 
Telephone transactions
 
For your protection, telephone requests may be recorded in order to verify their accuracy. Also for your protection, telephone redemption transactions are not permitted on accounts in which names or mailing addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.
 
Exchanges
 
You may exchange shares of a class of the fund for shares of the same class of any other John Hancock fund that is then offering that class, generally without paying any additional sales charges, except if you are exchanging into a fund with a higher sales charge. The registration for both accounts must be identical.
 
Class B and Class C shares will continue to age from the original date and will retain the same CDSC rate. A CDSC rate that has increased will drop again with a future exchange into a fund with a lower rate. A fund may cancel or change its exchange policies at any time upon
 
 
 
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60 days’ written notice to its shareholders. For further details, see “Additional services and programs” in the SAI (see the back cover of this prospectus).
 
Excessive trading
 
The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market timing or other types of excessive short-term trading. Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs.
 
Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders
 
Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject or cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing excessive trading and transactions accepted by any shareholder’s financial intermediary. For example, the fund may, in its discretion, restrict, reject or cancel a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a specific “Limitation on exchange activity,” as described below, if the fund or its agent determines that accepting the order could interfere with the efficient management of the fund’s portfolio, or otherwise not be in the fund’s best interest in light of unusual trading activity related to your account. In the event that the fund rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you would like the redemption request to be processed even if the purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of exchange requests in the event that, in the fund’s judgment, such delay would be in the fund’s best interest, in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the exchange will receive the fund’s NAV at the conclusion of the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account holder level or the underlying shareholder level.
 
Exchange limitation policies
 
The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail excessive trading practices.
 
Limitation on exchange activity
 
The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the fund’s shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement to permit market timing or disruptive trading.
 
Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations or Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or pre-established exchange, asset-allocation and dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation since the fund believes that they are advantageous to shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.
 
These exchange limits are subject to the fund’s ability to monitor exchange activity, as discussed under “Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices” below. Depending upon the composition of the fund’s shareholder accounts, and in light of the limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the fund’s shareholders may not be subject to the exchange limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange limitation policy, the fund considers information available to it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common ownership, control or influence.
 
Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices
 
Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or prevent all frequent trading or other practices that disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary, including a financial adviser, broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor, maintains the records of the fund’s underlying beneficial owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as financial advisers, brokers, retirement plan administrators or fee-based program sponsors. These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to aggregate its clients’ transactions and ownership positions and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to the fund. However, the fund will work with financial intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to the fund, at the fund’s request, certain information relating to their customers investing in the fund through omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in excessive trading in violation of the fund’s policies. The fund cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the fund’s ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading practices in these types of accounts may be limited.
 
 
 
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Excessive trading risk
 
To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may interfere with the efficient management of the fund’s portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit and engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would correspondingly increase the fund’s operating costs and decrease the fund’s investment performance. Maintenance of higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.
 
While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:
 
•  A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under “Valuation of shares,” entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).
 
•  A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.
 
•  A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in below investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under “Valuation of shares,” incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).
 
Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of a fund’s portfolio and raise costs. A fund that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in U.S. government securities, money market instruments, investment-grade corporate issuers or large-capitalization U.S. equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other shareholders.
 
Account information
 
The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying an account holder’s identity. For example, an individual will be required to supply his or her name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number. If you do not provide the required information, we may not be able to open your account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV minus any applicable sales charges and take any other steps that it deems reasonable.
 
Certificated shares
 
The fund no longer issues share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded. Any existing certificated shares can only be sold by returning the certificated shares to Signature Services, along with a letter of instruction or a stock power and a signature guarantee.
 
Sales in advance of purchase payments
 
When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to ten business days after the purchase.
 
Dividends and account policies
 
Account statements
 
In general, you will receive account statements as follows:
 
•  after every transaction (except a dividend reinvestment, automatic investment or systematic withdrawal) that affects your account balance
 
•  after any changes of name or address of the registered owner(s)
 
•  in all other circumstances, every quarter
 
Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by January 31.
 
Dividends
 
The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. Capital gains, if any, are distributed annually, typically after the end of the fund’s fiscal year. Most of the fund’s dividends are income dividends. Your dividends begin accruing the day after the fund receives payment and continues through the day your shares are actually sold.
 
Dividend reinvestments
 
Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will be reinvested. No front-end sales charge or CDSC will be imposed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.
 
Taxability of dividends
 
For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes, dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the fund’s short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund’s long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund’s holding period. Some dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December.
 
The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every January, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.
 
Returns of capital
 
If the fund’s distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year my be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder’s cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.
 
 
 
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Taxability of transactions
 
Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.
 
Small accounts
 
If the value of your account is less than $2,500, you may be asked to purchase more shares within 30 days. If you do not take action, the fund may close out your account and mail you the proceeds. Alternatively, the fund may charge you $20 a year to maintain your account. You will not be charged a CDSC if your account is closed for this reason.
 
Additional investor services
 
Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program
 
MAAP lets you set up regular investments from paychecks or bank accounts to the John Hancock fund(s). Investors determine the frequency and amount of investments ($25 minimum per month), and they can terminate the program at any time. To establish, you must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirements specified in the section “Opening an account” and complete the appropriate parts of the account application.
 
Systematic withdrawal plan
 
This plan may be used for routine bill payments or periodic withdrawals from your account. To establish:
 
•  Make sure you have at least $5,000 worth of shares in your account.
 
•  Make sure you are not planning to invest more money in this account (buying shares during a period when you are also selling shares of the same fund is not advantageous to you because of sales charges).
 
•  Specify the payee(s). The payee may be yourself or any other party, and there is no limit to the number of payees you may have, as long as they are all on the same payment schedule.
 
•  Determine the schedule: monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually or in certain selected months.
 
•  Fill out the relevant part of the account application. To add a systematic withdrawal plan to an existing account, contact your financial representative or Signature Services.
 
Retirement plans
 
John Hancock funds offers a range of retirement plans, including traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell ESAs, SIMPLE plans and SEPs. Using these plans, you can invest in any John Hancock fund (except tax-free income funds). To find out more, call Signature Services at 1-800-225-5291.
 
John Hancock funds do not accept requests to establish new John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts; do not accept requests for exchanges or transfers into your existing John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts; and require additional disclosure documentation if you direct John Hancock funds to exchange or transfer some or all of your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets to another 403(b)(7) contract or account. In addition, the fund no longer accepts salary deferrals into 403(b)(7) accounts. Please refer to the SAI for more information regarding these restrictions.
 
Disclosure of fund holdings
 
The fund’s policy regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings can be found in the SAI and the portfolio holdings information can be found at www.jhfunds.com.
 
The following information for the fund is posted on the Web site, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top ten holdings; top ten sector analysis; total return/yield; top ten countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top ten portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted to the Web site within 15 days after each calendar month end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to the SEC on Form N-Q as of the end of the first and third quarters of the fund’s fiscal year and on Form N-CSR as of the second and fourth quarters of the fund’s fiscal year.
 
 
 
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For more information
 
 
Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:
 
Annual/Semiannual report to shareholders
Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditors’ report (in annual report only).
 
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund, and includes a summary of the fund’s policy regarding disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of) this prospectus.
 
To obtain a free copy of these documents
There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus or SAI from John Hancock:
 
Online:  www.jhfunds.com
 
By mail:  John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
 
By EASI-Line:  1-800-338-8080
 
By phone:  1-800-225-5291
 
By TDD:  1-800-554-6713
 
You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:
 
Online:  www.sec.gov
 
By e-mail (duplicating fee required):  publicinfo@sec.gov
 
By mail (duplicating fee required):  Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-0102
 
In person:  at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.
For access to the Reference Room call 1-800-732-0330.
 

 
© 2009 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC    910PN 10/09    SEC file number: 811-04651
 
 
(JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL FUNDS LOGO)
 
John Hancock Funds, LLC
MEMBER FINRA | SIPC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805
 
www.jhfunds.com
 
Electronic delivery now available at
www.jhfunds.com/edelivery


Table of Contents

(JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL FUNDS LOGO)
 
John Hancock
Strategic Income Fund

 
CLASS I SHARES

 
PROSPECTUS
10–1–09
 
 
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) has not approved or disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is committing a federal crime.
 

 
 
An Income Fund  


Table of Contents


 

 
 
Table of contents
 
 
Fund summary
 
A concise look at the investment goal, main strategies and main risks, past performance and the costs of investing.
 
Fund details
 
More about topics covered in the summary section, including descriptions of the various risk factors that investors should understand before investing.
 
Your account
 
How to place an order to buy, sell or exchange shares, as well as information about the business policies and any distributions that may be paid.
 
     
 
     
2
  Strategic Income Fund
     
5
  Risks of investing
     
8
  Who’s who
     
10
  Financial highlights
     
11
  Who can buy shares
     
11
  Opening an account
     
12
  Buying shares
     
13
  Selling shares
     
15
  Transaction policies
     
17
  Dividends and account policies
     
    For more information    See back cover

  


Table of Contents

 
 Fund summary
 
 
John Hancock
 
Strategic Income Fund
 
Day-to-day investment management: MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
 
Class / Ticker      I / JSTIX
 
 
Goal and strategy
 
To seek a high level of current income.
 
Under normal market conditions, the fund invests primarily in the following types of securities: foreign government and corporate debt securities from developed and emerging markets, U.S. government and agency securities, and domestic high-yield bonds.
 
The fund may also invest in preferred stock and other types of debt securities.
 
Although the fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities rated as low as D (in default) by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) (and their unrated equivalents), it generally intends to keep its average credit quality in the investment-grade range (AAA to BBB). There is no limit on the fund’s average maturity.
 
In managing the fund, the subadviser allocates assets among the three major types of securities based on analysis of economic factors, such as projected international interest rate movements, industry cycles and political trends. However, the subadviser may invest up to 100% of the fund’s assets in any one sector.
 
Within each type of security, the subadviser looks for investments that are appropriate for the overall fund in terms of yield, credit quality, structure and industry distribution. In selecting securities, relative yields and risk/reward ratios are the primary considerations.
 
The fund may use certain higher-risk investments, including derivatives (investments whose value is based on indexes, securities or currencies) and restricted or illiquid securities. In addition, the fund may invest up to 10% of net assets in domestic or foreign stocks.
 
In abnormal circumstances, the fund may temporarily invest extensively in investment-grade short-term securities. In these and other cases, the fund might not achieve its goal.
 
The fund may trade securities actively, which could increase its transaction costs (thus lowering performance) and increase your taxable distributions.
 
Main risks
 
An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.
 
Instability in the financial markets has led the United States government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its goal.
 
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.
 
The fund’s main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 5.
 
Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.
 
Changing distribution levels risk The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends on the amount of income and/or dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds.
 
Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities, may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon the nature of their support.
 
Equity securities risk Equity securities may include common, preferred and convertible preferred stocks and securities, the values of which are tied to the price of stocks, such as rights, warrants and convertible debt securities. The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions.
 
 
 
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Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield securities involve a higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in higher-rated categories.
 
Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.
 
Foreign securities risk (including Emerging Markets risk) As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. These risks are heightened in the case of emerging markets.
 
Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. In addition, the use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.
 
High portfolio turnover risk Actively trading securities can increase transaction costs (thus lowering performance) and taxable distributions.
 
Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.
 
Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.
 
 
 
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Past performance
 
                                                       
 Calendar year total returns – Class I 1   (%)
                                                       
Best quarter: Q2 ’03, 7.10   Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, –7.61   Year-to-date as of 6-30-09: 13.24
                                                       
                                                       
                                                       
1999
    2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008
3.65
    1.45     5.21     7.77     17.09     9.17     2.66     4.88     5.97     –10.50
                                                       
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPHIC)
 
                             
 Average annual total returns 1   (%)   1 Year   5 Year   10 Year    
 
as of 12-31-08                            
Class I before tax     –10.50       2.20       4.52      
After tax on distributions
    –13.54       –0.58       1.51      
After tax on distributions, with sale
    –6.72       0.36       2.07      
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index     5.24       4.65       5.63      
 
Calendar year total returns
 
Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class I and would be different for other share classes. Fund returns vary from year to year and may indicate the fund’s level of volatility; however, as always, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment.
 
Average annual total returns
 
Performance of a broad-based securities market index is included for comparison purposes and may provide information regarding the fund’s risks. Indexes do not have sales charges and you cannot invest in them directly. All figures assume dividend reinvestment.
 
After-tax returns These are shown only for Class I and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
 
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.
 
 
1 August 18, 1986 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class I shares were first offered on September 4, 2001. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the gross fees and expenses of Class I shares.
 
 
Investor costs
 
             
 Annual operating expenses  (%)   Class I      
 
Management fee     0.38      
Other expenses 2     0.16      
Total fund operating expenses 3     0.54      
 
Expense example
 
Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment during the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return, and the reinvestment of all dividends. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. The example is for comparison only and does not reflect actual expenses and returns, either past or future.
 
             
 Expenses  ($)   Class I      
 
1 Year     55      
3 Years     173      
5 Years     302      
10 Years     677      
 
Annual operating expenses
 
These are paid from the fund’s assets; shareholders, therefore, pay these costs indirectly.
 
 
2 “Other expenses” shown exclude 0.03% of one-time extraordinary fees incurred in the prior fiscal year.
 
3 Expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than those shown in the “Annual operating expenses” table for one or more of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as asset levels decrease; (iii) fees may be incurred for extraordinary events such as proxy or fund tax expenses, or (iv) the termination of voluntary expense cap reimbursements and/or fee waivers, as applicable.
 
 
 
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 Fund details
 
 
Risks of investing
 
Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund’s overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. For further details about fund risks, including additional risk factors that are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
 
Active management risk
 
A fund is subject to management risk because it relies on the subadviser’s ability to pursue the fund’s goal. The subadviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. The fund generally does not attempt to time the market and instead generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its benchmark, the fund may buy securities not included in its benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions than its benchmark. To the extent the fund invests in those securities, its performance depends on the ability of the subadviser to choose securities that perform better than securities that are included in the benchmark.
 
Changing distribution levels risk
 
The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends on the amount of income and/or dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds. The fund may not be able to pay distributions or may have to reduce its distribution level if the income and/or dividends the fund receives from its investments decline.
 
Credit and counterparty risk
 
This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract (see “Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk”) or a borrower of a fund’s securities will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the fund’s share price and income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic or foreign governments, or their sub-divisions or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency, instrumentality, corporation or otherwise supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many types of U.S. government securities ( e.g ., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Banks), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States ( e.g ., U.S. Treasury bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadviser may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on payment of those assets.
 
Funds that invest in below investment-grade securities (also called junk bonds), which are fixed-income securities rated “Ba” or lower by Moody’s or “BB” or lower by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), or determined by a subadviser to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their sub-divisions and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry greater credit risk: their issuers’ continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative, and they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions, and may be less liquid than higher-rated securities.
 
In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent it makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency contracts and/or swap contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC derivatives transactions can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While the subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.
 
Equity securities risk
 
Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies in which the fund is invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality or “blue chip” equity securities, or securities of established companies with large market capitalizations (which generally have strong financial characteristics), can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.
 
 
 
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The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well as periods of poor performance.
 
Fixed-income securities risk
 
Fixed-income securities are generally subject to two principal types of risks: (a) interest rate risk and (b) credit quality risk.
 
Interest rate risk. Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates. When interest rates decline, the market value of the fixed-income securities generally can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the market value of fixed-income securities generally can be expected to decline. The longer the duration or maturity of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest rate risk.
 
Credit quality risk. Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. If the credit quality of a fixed-income security deteriorates after a fund has purchased the security, the market value of the security may decrease and lead to a decrease in the value of the fund’s investments. Funds that may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities, commonly referred to as “junk” securities, are riskier than funds that may invest in higher-rated fixed-income securities. Additional information on the risks of investing in investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category and lower-rated fixed-income securities is set forth below.
 
Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category risk. Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category (rated “Baa” by Moody’s or “BBB” by S&P and comparable unrated securities) involve a higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in the higher-rating categories. While such securities are considered investment-grade quality and are deemed to have adequate capacity for payment of principal and interest, such securities lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics as well. For example, changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher-grade securities.
 
Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk. Lower-rated fixed-income securities are defined as securities rated below investment grade (rated “Ba” and below by Moody’s, and “BB” and below by S&P) (also called junk bonds). The general risks of investing in these securities are as follows:
 
•  Risk to principal and income. Investing in lower-rated fixed-income securities is considered speculative. While these securities generally provide greater income potential than investments in higher-rated securities, there is a greater risk that principal and interest payments will not be made. Issuers of these securities may even go into default or become bankrupt.
 
•  Price volatility. The price of lower-rated fixed-income securities may be more volatile than securities in the higher-rating categories. This volatility may increase during periods of economic uncertainty or change. The price of these securities is affected more than higher-rated fixed-income securities by the market’s perception of their credit quality, especially during times of adverse publicity. In the past, economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have, at times, caused more defaults by issuers of these securities and may do so in the future. Economic downturns and increases in interest rates have an even greater affect on highly leveraged issuers of these securities.
 
•  Liquidity. The market for lower-rated fixed-income securities may have more limited trading than the market for investment-grade fixed-income securities. Therefore, it may be more difficult to sell these securities, and these securities may have to be sold at prices below their market value in order to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in market conditions.
 
•  Dependence on subadviser’s own credit analysis. While a subadviser may rely on ratings by established credit-rating agencies, it will also supplement such ratings with its own independent review of the credit quality of the issuer. Therefore, the assessment of the credit risk of lower-rated fixed-income securities is more dependent on the subadviser’s evaluation than the assessment of the credit risk of higher-rated securities.
 
Additional risks regarding lower-rated corporate fixed-income securities. Lower-rated corporate debt securities (and comparable unrated securities) tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher-rated corporate fixed-income securities. Issuers of lower-rated corporate debt securities may also be highly leveraged, increasing the risk that principal and income will not be repaid.
 
Additional risks regarding lower-rated foreign government fixed-income securities. Lower-rated foreign government fixed-income securities are subject to the risks of investing in foreign countries described under “Foreign securities risk.” In addition, the ability and willingness of a foreign government to make payments on debt when due may be affected by the prevailing economic and political conditions within the country. Emerging-market countries may experience high inflation, interest rates and unemployment, as well as exchange rate trade difficulties and political uncertainty or instability. These factors increase the risk that a foreign government will not make payments when due.
 
Prepayment of principal. Many types of debt securities, including floating-rate loans, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment risk occurs when the issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security’s maturity. Securities subject to prepayment risk can offer less potential for gains when the credit quality of the issuer improves.
 
Foreign securities risk
 
Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities markets outside the United States are subject to additional and more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. There are generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial costs and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on dividends and interest payable on foreign securities. Also, for lesser developed countries, nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a country), political changes or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a fund’s investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, a fund could lose its entire investment in a foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the U.S.
 
Emerging markets risk. Funds that invest a significant portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in countries with “emerging market” economies are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds investing primarily in more developed foreign markets,
 
 
 
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since emerging market securities may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political and other risks greater than, or in addition to, risks of investing in developed foreign countries. These risks include: high currency exchange rate fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a fund’s ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging market countries; the fact that companies in emerging market countries may be newly organized and may be smaller and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers; different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions; difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging market issuers.
 
Currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, and intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on its investment and also lose money on the position designed to act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure represented by their securities into another foreign currency. This may result in a fund’s currency exposure being substantially different than that suggested by its securities investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings and/or that invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign currency transactions (such as futures, forwards and swaps) may also involve leveraging risk, in addition to currency risk. Leverage may disproportionately increase a fund’s portfolio losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates, stock prices or currency rates are changing.
 
Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk
 
The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its subadviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest risk and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic transactions are different from those needed to select a fund’s securities. Even if the subadviser only uses hedging and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market, if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed a fund’s initial investment in such contracts. In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised.
 
A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates or indexes. Examples of derivative instruments include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and swap agreements (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps and swaps on exchange traded funds). Derivatives may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates and related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes, including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way to adjust efficiently the exposure of a fund to various securities, markets and currencies without a fund actually having to sell existing investments and make new investments. This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further, since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer to the SAI.
 
The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise to honor its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other party’s consent to assign the transaction to a third party. If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms ( e.g. , the definition of default) differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While a subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund contracts with a limited number of
 
 
 
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counterparties, the fund’s risk will be concentrated and events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund. Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks, including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other assets, instruments or references, there is a risk that they will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely track. Suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a subadviser may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce risk exposure. A detailed discussion of various hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. To the extent the fund utilizes hedging and other strategic transactions, it will be subject to the same risks.
 
High portfolio turnover risk
 
A high fund portfolio turnover rate (over 100%) generally involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses, which must be borne directly by a fund. The portfolio turnover rate of a fund may vary from year to year, as well as within a year.
 
Issuer risk
 
An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures or other factors.
 
Liquidity risk
 
A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the fund’s ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds which invest in emerging markets and related derivatives that are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions.
 
These investment strategies and securities are described further in the SAI.
 
Who’s who
 
Below are the names of the various entities involved with the fund’s investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.
 
Trustees
 
Oversee the fund’s business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund’s operations. The Board of Trustees can change the fund’s investment goal and strategy without shareholder approval.
 
Investment adviser
 
Manages the fund’s business and investment activities.
 
John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805
 
Founded in 1968, John Hancock Advisers, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.
 
The adviser administers the business and affairs of the fund and retains and compensates the investment subadviser to manage the assets of the fund. As of June 30, 2009, the adviser had total assets under management of approximately $18 billion.
 
The adviser does not itself manage any of the fund’s portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadviser and recommend its hiring, termination and replacement. In this connection, the adviser: (i) monitors the compliance of the subadviser with the investment objectives and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the performance of the subadviser and (iii) reports periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.
 
The fund relies on an order from the SEC permitting the adviser, subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadviser or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisers or the fees paid to a subadviser from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the adviser to appoint a subadviser that is an affiliate of the adviser or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a subadviser to a fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an affiliated subadviser, without the approval of the shareholders.
 
Management fee
 
The fund pays the adviser a management fee for its services to the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the current value of the net assets of the fund determined in accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied to the average daily assets of the fund.
 
             
    Annual
   
Average Daily Net Assets   Rate    
 
 
 
             
First $100 million     0 .60%    
             
Between $100 million and $250 million     0 .45%    
             
Between $250 million and $500 million     0 .40%    
             
Between $500 million and $650 million     0 .35%    
             
Excess over $650 million     0 .30%    
 
During its most recent fiscal year, the fund paid to the investment adviser a management fee equal to 0.38% of net assets.
 
Out of these fees, the investment adviser in turn pays the fees of the subadviser.
 
The basis for the Trustees’ approval of the advisory fees, and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the subadvisory agreement, is discussed in the fund’s May 31, 2009 annual shareholder report.
 
Subadviser
 
Handles the fund’s day-to-day portfolio management.
 
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199
 
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC Global (U.S.)) was founded in 1979 and provides investment advisory services to individual and institutional investors. MFC Global (U.S.) is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. (a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation) and, as of June 30, 2009, had total assets under management of approximately $24 billion.
 
 
 
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Below are brief biographical profiles of the leaders of the fund’s investment management team, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage and any investments they may have in the fund, see the SAI.
 
Barry H. Evans, CFA
 
•  Joined fund team in 2006
 
•  President and chief fixed-income officer, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
 
•  Senior vice president, chief fixed-income officer and chief operating officer, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1986−2005)
 
•  Began business career in 1986
 
•  Analysis of global economic conditions
 
John F. Iles
 
•  Joined fund team in 2005
 
•  Vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
 
•  Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
 
•  Began business career in 1984
 
•  Analysis of specific issuers pertaining to high-yield and emerging markets
 
Daniel S. Janis III
 
•  Joined fund team in 1999
 
•  Senior vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
 
•  Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
 
•  Began business career in 1984
 
•  Primarily responsible for fund management and day-to-day purchase and sale decisions
 
Custodian
 
Holds the fund’s assets, settles all portfolio trades and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund’s net asset value (NAV).
 
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Lafayette Corporate Center
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
 
Principal distributor
 
Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners and other financial representatives.
 
John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805
 
Transfer agent
 
Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and statements, distribution of dividends and processing of buy and sell requests.
 
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
 
 
 
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Financial highlights
 
This table details the financial performance of Class I shares, including total return information showing how much an investment in the fund has increased or decreased each year.
 
The financial statements of the fund as of May 31, 2009, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The report of PwC is included, along with the fund’s financial statements, in the fund’s annual report, which has been incorporated by reference into the SAI and is available upon request.
 
                                         
CLASS I SHARES
 Per share operating performance                                                  period ended   5-31-09   5-31-08   5-31-07   5-31-06   5-31-05
 
Net asset value, beginning of year     $6.40       $6.61       $6.81       $6.99       $6.69  
Net investment income 1     0.42       0.42       0.34       0.32       0.33  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (0.65 )     (0.14 )     0.07       0.01       0.39  
Total from investment operations     (0.23 )     0.28       0.41       0.33       0.72  
Less distributions                                        
From net investment income     (0.44 )     (0.43 )     (0.37 )     (0.37 )     (0.38 )
From net realized gain     (0.14 )     (0.06 )     (0.24 )     (0.14 )     (0.04 )
Total distributions     (0.58 )     (0.49 )     (0.61 )     (0.51 )     (0.42 )
Net asset value, end of year     $5.59       $6.40       $6.61       $6.81       $6.99  
Total return 2 (%)     (3.03 )     4.33       6.38       4.78       11.00  
                                         
                                         
                                         
  Ratios and supplemental data
                                         
Net asset value, end of year (in millions)     $45       $13       $16       $13       $4  
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                        
Expenses before reductions
    0.57 3     0.51       0.49       0.49       0.53  
Expenses net of fee waivers
    0.57 3     0.51       0.49       0.49       0.53  
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
    0.57 3     0.51       0.49       0.49       0.53  
Net investment income
    7.70       6.35       5.19       4.64       4.85  
Portfolio turnover (%)     43       52       118       52       29  
                                         
 
 
1 Based on the average of the shares outstanding.
 
2 Assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
 
3 Includes proxy fees. The impact of this expense to the gross and net expense ratios was 0.03%.
 
 
 
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 Your account
 
 
Who can buy shares
 
Class I shares are offered without any sales charge to certain types of investors, as noted below, if they also meet the minimum initial investment requirement for purchases of Class I shares — See “Opening an account”:
 
•  Retirement and other benefit plans
 
•  Endowment funds and foundations
 
•  Any state, county or city, or its instrumentality, department, authority or agency
 
•  Accounts registered to insurance companies, trust companies and bank trust departments
 
•  Investment companies, both affiliated and not affiliated with the adviser
 
•  Investors who participate in fee-based, wrap and other investment platform programs
 
•  Any entity that is considered a corporation for tax purposes
 
•  Fund trustees and other individuals who are affiliated with the fund and other John Hancock funds
 
Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.
 
Other share classes of the fund, which have their own expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.
 
Additional payments to financial intermediaries
 
Class I shares do not carry sales commissions or pay 12b-1 fees. However, certain financial intermediaries may request, and the distributor may agree to make, payments out of the distributor’s own resources. These additional payments are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing.” These payments assist in the distributor’s efforts to promote the sale of the fund’s shares. The distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor’s promotional efforts.
 
The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the fund’s net assets, which, as well as benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and other fees for the adviser and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales system or give preferential access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in the distributor’s marketing efforts by allowing the distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences, seminars or other programs attended by the intermediary’s sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.
 
The SAI discusses the distributor’s revenue-sharing arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus. You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the distributor or the fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.
 
The distributor, adviser and their affiliates may have other relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction-processing services or effecting portfolio transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these services, the adviser or the fund may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary may have other compensated relationships with the adviser or its affiliates that are not related to the fund.
 
Opening an account
 
1   Read this prospectus carefully.
 
2   Determine if you are eligible by referring to “Who can buy shares.”
 
3   Determine how much you want to invest. The minimum initial investment is $250,000. The minimum initial investment requirement may be waived, in the fund’s sole discretion, for investors in certain fee-based, wrap or other investment platform programs that do not require the fund to pay any type of administrative payments per shareholder account to any third party. The fund may waive the minimum initial investment for other categories of investors at its discretion. There are no minimum investment requirements for subsequent purchases to existing accounts.
 
4   All shareholders must complete the account application, carefully following the instructions. If you have any questions, please contact your financial representative or call John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (Signature Services) at 1-888-972-8696.
 
5   Make your initial investment using the instructions on the next page.
 
Important information about opening a new account
 
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account.
 
For individual investors opening an account When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number.
 
For investors other than individuals When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business and taxpayer identification number (TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account, such as name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and other information that will help Signature Services identify the entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for more details.
 
 
 
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Buying shares
 
     
 Opening an account   Adding to an account
 
By check    
• Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to “John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.”

• Deliver the check and your completed application to your financial representative or mail them to Signature Services (address below).
 
• Make out a check for the investment amount, payable to “John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.”

• If your account statement has a detachable investment slip, please complete it in its entirety. If no slip is available, include a note specifying the fund name, your share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered.

• Deliver the check and your investment slip or note to your financial representative, or mail them to Signature Services (address below).
     
     
 
 
By exchange    
• Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.
 
• You may exchange Class I shares for other Class I shares or Money Market Class A shares.

• Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.
     
     
 
 
By wire    
• Deliver your completed application to your financial representative or mail it to Signature Services.

• Obtain your account number by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

• Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

• Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.
 
• Obtain wiring instructions by calling Signature Services.

• Instruct your bank to wire the amount of your investment. Specify the fund name, the share class, your account number and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Your bank may charge a fee to wire funds.
     
     
 
 
By phone    
• See “By exchange” and “By wire.”
 
• Verify that your bank or credit union is a member of the ACH system.

• Complete the “To purchase, exchange or redeem shares via telephone” and “Bank information” sections on your account application.

• Call your financial representative or call Signature Services between 8:30  a.m. and 5:00  p.m. , Eastern Time, on most business days.
 
 
             
 
Regular mail   Express delivery   Web site   Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
  Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
  www.jhfunds.com   1-888-972-8696
 
 
 
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Selling shares
 
     
    To sell some or all of your shares
 
By letter    
• Sales of any amount.
 
• Write a letter of instruction or complete a stock power indicating the fund name, the share class, your account number, the name(s) in which the account is registered and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell.

• Include all signatures and any additional documents that may be required (see next page).

• Mail the materials to Signature Services (address below).

• A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which the account is registered, or otherwise according to your letter of instruction.

• Certain requests will require a Medallion signature guarantee. Please refer to “Selling shares in writing” on the next page.
     
     
 
 
By phone    
Amounts up to $100,000:

• Most accounts

Amounts up to $5 million:

• Available to the following types of accounts: custodial accounts held by banks, trust companies or broker-dealers; endowments and foundations; corporate accounts; group retirement plans; and pension accounts (excluding IRAs, 403(b) plans and all John Hancock custodial retirement accounts).
 
• Redemption proceeds of up to $100,000 may be sent by wire or by check. A check will be mailed to the exact name(s) and address on the account.

• To place your request with a representative at John Hancock Funds, call Signature Services between 8:30  a.m. and 5:00  p.m. , Eastern Time, on most business days, or your financial representative.

• Redemption proceeds exceeding $100,000 must be wired to your designated bank account.

• Redemption proceeds exceeding $100,000 and sent by check will require a letter of instruction with a Medallion signature guarantee. Please refer to “Selling shares in writing.”
     
     
 
 
By wire or electronic funds transfer (EFT)    
• Requests by letter to sell any amount.

• Qualified requests by phone to sell to $5 million (accounts with telephone redemption privileges).
 
• To verify that the telephone redemption privilege is in place on an account, or to request the form to add it to an existing account, call Signature Services.

• Amounts of $5 million or more will be wired on the next business day.

• Amounts up to $100,000 may be sent by EFT or by check. Funds from EFT transactions are generally available by the second business day. Your bank may charge a fee for this service.
     
     
 
 
By exchange    
• Sales of any amount.
 
• Obtain a current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging by accessing the fund’s Web site by Internet, or by calling your financial representative or Signature Services.

• You may only exchange Class I shares for other Class I shares or Money Market fund Class A shares.

• Call your financial representative or Signature Services to request an exchange.
 
 
             
 
Regular mail   Express delivery   Web site   Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
  Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
  www.jhfunds.com   1-888-972-8696
 
 
 
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Selling shares in writing
 
In certain circumstances, you will need to make your request to sell shares in writing. You may need to include additional items with your request, unless they were previously provided to Signature Services and are still accurate. These items are shown in the table below. You may also need to include a signature guarantee, which protects you against fraudulent orders. You will need a signature guarantee if:
 
•  your address of record has changed within the past 30 days;
 
•  you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares and are requesting payment by check (this requirement is waived for certain entities operating under a signed fax trading agreement with John Hancock);
 
•  you are selling more than $5 million worth of shares from the following types of accounts: custodial accounts held by banks, trust companies or broker-dealers; endowments and foundations; corporate accounts; group retirement plans; and pension accounts (excluding IRAs, 403(b) plans and all John Hancock custodial retirement accounts); or
 
•  you are requesting payment other than by a check mailed to the address/bank of record and payable to the registered owner(s).
 
You will need to obtain your signature guarantee from a member of the Signature Guarantee Medallion Program. Most broker-dealers, banks, credit unions and securities exchanges are members of this program. A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.
 
     
 Seller   Requirements for written requests
 
Owners of individual, joint or UGMA/UTMA accounts (custodial accounts for minors)  
• Letter of instruction.

• On the letter, the signatures and titles of all persons authorized to sign for the account, exactly as the account is registered.

• Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
     
     
 
 
Owners of corporate, sole proprietorship, general partner or association accounts  
• Letter of instruction.

• Corporate business/organization resolution, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock funds business/organization certification form.

• On the letter and the resolution, the signature of the person(s) authorized to sign for the account.

• Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
     
     
 
 
Owners or trustees of trust accounts  
• Letter of instruction.

• On the letter, the signature(s) of the trustee(s).

• Copy of the trust document, certified within the past 12 months, or a John Hancock funds trust certification form.

• Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).
     
     
 
 
Joint tenancy shareholders with rights of survivorship with a deceased co-tenant(s)  
• Letter of instruction signed by surviving tenant.

• Copy of death certificate.

• Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

• Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.
     
     
 
 
Executors of shareholder estates  
• Letter of instruction signed by executor.

• Copy of order appointing executor, certified within the past 12 months.

• Medallion signature guarantee, if applicable (see above).

• Inheritance tax waiver, if applicable.
     
     
 
 
Administrators, conservators, guardians and other sellers or account types not listed above  
• Call Signature Services for instructions.
 
 
             
 
Regular mail   Express delivery   Web site   Signature Services, Inc.
Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
  Mutual Fund Operations
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
164 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
  www.jhfunds.com   1-888-972-8696
 
 
 
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Transaction policies
 
Valuation of shares
 
Calculation of NAV
 
The NAV for each class of shares of the fund is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time) on each business day that the NYSE is open. On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests. The time at which shares are priced and until which purchase and redemption orders are accepted may be changed as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares outstanding for that class.
 
Valuation of Securities
 
Except as noted below, securities held by a fund are primarily valued on the basis of market quotations or official closing prices. Certain short-term debt instruments are valued on the basis of amortized cost. Shares of other open-end investments companies held by a fund are valued based on the NAVs of those investment companies.
 
Fair Valuation of Securities. If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or do not accurately reflect fair value for a security, or if a security’s value has been materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, the security will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to the fund’s Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of a security’s fair value may be made by persons acting pursuant to the direction of the Trustees.
 
In deciding whether to a fair value a security, the fund’s Pricing Committee may review a variety of factors, including:
 
in the case of foreign securities:
 
  •  developments in foreign markets,
 
  •  the performance of U.S. securities markets after the close of trading in the market, and
 
  •  the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities or baskets of foreign securities.
 
in the case of fixed income securities:
 
  •  actions by the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee and other significant trends in U.S. fixed-income markets.
 
in the case of all securities:
 
  •  political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded,
 
  •  announcements relating to the issuer of the security concerning matters such as trading suspensions, acquisitions, recapitalizations, litigation developments, a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry, and
 
  •  events affecting the securities markets in general (such as market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in U.S. and/or foreign markets).
 
Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that a fund’s NAV reflects the fair market value of the fund’s portfolio securities as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that is no longer reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain thereby diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all potential opportunities for such trading gains. The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security in an orderly transaction between market participants but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair valuation price may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a readily available market price for the investment existed, and these differences could be material. With respect to any portion of a fund’s assets that is invested in other open-end investment companies, that portion of the fund’s NAV is calculated based on the NAV of that investment company. The prospectus for the other investment company explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that other investment company.
 
If the fund has portfolio securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when the fund does not price its shares, the NAV of the fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the fund’s shares.
 
Buy and sell prices
 
When you buy shares, you pay the NAV. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV.
 
Execution of requests
 
The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has the right to redeem in kind.
 
At times of peak activity, it may be difficult to place requests by telephone. During these times, consider using EASI-Line, accessing www.jhfunds.com or sending your request in writing.
 
In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal securities laws.
 
Telephone transactions
 
For your protection, telephone requests may be recorded in order to verify their accuracy. Also for your protection, telephone redemption transactions are not permitted on accounts in which names or mailing addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.
 
Exchanges
 
You may exchange Class I shares for Class I shares of other John Hancock funds or Money Market Fund Class A shares. The registration for both accounts involved must be identical. Note: Once exchanged into Money Market Fund Class A shares, shares may only be exchanged back to Class I shares.
 
Under certain circumstances, an investor in the fund pursuant to a fee-based, wrap or other investment platform program of certain firms, as determined by the fund, may be afforded an opportunity to make a conversion of Class A shares also owned by the investor in the same fund to Class I shares of that fund. Conversion of Class A shares to
 
 
 
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Class I shares of the same fund in these particular circumstances does not cause the investor to realize taxable gain or loss. For further details, see “Additional information concerning taxes” in the SAI for information regarding taxation upon the redemption or exchange of shares of the fund (see the back cover of this prospectus).
 
The fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time, upon 60 days’ written notice to its shareholders. For further details, see “Additional services and programs” in the SAI (see the back cover of this prospectus).
 
Excessive trading
 
The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market timing or other types of excessive short-term trading. Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs.
 
Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders
 
Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject or cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing excessive trading and transactions accepted by any shareholder’s financial intermediary. For example, the fund may, in its discretion, restrict, reject or cancel a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a specific “Limitation on exchange activity,” as described below, if the fund or its agent determines that accepting the order could interfere with the efficient management of the fund’s portfolio, or otherwise not be in the fund’s best interest in light of unusual trading activity related to your account. In the event that the fund rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you would like the redemption request to be processed even if the purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of exchange requests in the event that, in the fund’s judgment, such delay would be in the fund’s best interest, in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the exchange will receive the fund’s NAV at the conclusion of the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account holder level or the underlying shareholder level.
 
Exchange limitation policies
 
The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail excessive trading practices.
 
Limitation on exchange activity
 
The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the fund’s shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement to permit market timing or disruptive trading.
 
Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations or Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or pre-established exchange, asset-allocation and dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation since the fund believes that they are advantageous to shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.
 
These exchange limits are subject to the fund’s ability to monitor exchange activity, as discussed under “Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices” below. Depending upon the composition of the fund’s shareholder accounts, and in light of the limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the fund’s shareholders may not be subject to the exchange limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange limitation policy, the fund considers information available to it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common ownership, control or influence.
 
Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices
 
Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or prevent all frequent trading or other practices that disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary, including a financial adviser, broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor, maintains the records of the fund’s underlying beneficial owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as financial advisers, brokers, retirement plan administrators or fee-based program sponsors. These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to aggregate its clients’ transactions and ownership positions and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to the fund. However, the fund will work with financial intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to the fund, at the fund’s request, certain information relating to their customers investing in the fund through omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in excessive trading in violation of the fund’s policies. The fund
 
 
 
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cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the fund’s ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading practices in these types of accounts may be limited.
 
Excessive trading risk
 
To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may interfere with the efficient management of the fund’s portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit and engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would correspondingly increase the fund’s operating costs and decrease the fund’s investment performance. Maintenance of higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.
 
While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:
 
•  A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under “Valuation of shares,” entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).
 
•  A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.
 
•  A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in below investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under “Valuation of shares,” incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).
 
Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of a fund’s portfolio and raise costs. A fund that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in U.S. government securities, money market instruments, investment-grade corporate issuers or large-capitalization U.S. equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other shareholders.
 
Account information
 
The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying an account holder’s identity. For example, an individual will be required to supply his or her name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number. If you do not provide the required information, we may not be able to open your account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV and take any other steps that it deems reasonable.
 
Certificated shares
 
The fund no longer issues share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded. Any existing certificated shares can only be sold by returning the certificated shares to Signature Services, along with a letter of instruction or a stock power and a signature guarantee.
 
Sales in advance of purchase payments
 
When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to ten business days after the purchase.
 
Dividends and account policies
 
Account statements
 
In general, you will receive account statements as follows:
 
•  after every transaction (except a dividend reinvestment) that affects your account balance
 
•  after any changes of name or address of the registered owner(s)
 
•  in all other circumstances, every quarter
 
Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by January 31.
 
Dividends
 
The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. Capital gains, if any, are distributed annually, typically after the end of the fund’s fiscal year. Most of the fund’s dividends are income dividends. Your dividends begin accruing the day after the fund receives payment and continues through the day your shares are actually sold.
 
Dividend reinvestments
 
Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will be reinvested.
 
Taxability of dividends
 
For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes, dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the fund’s short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund’s long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund’s holding period. Some dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December.
 
The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every January, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.
 
Returns of capital
 
If the fund’s distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year my be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder’s cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.
 
 
 
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Taxability of transactions
 
Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.
 
Disclosure of fund holdings
 
The fund’s policy regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings can be found in the SAI and the portfolio holdings information can be found at www.jhfunds.com.
 
The following information for the fund is posted on the Web site, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top ten holdings; top ten sector analysis; total return/yield; top ten countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top ten portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted to the Web site within 15 days after each calendar month end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to the SEC on Form N-Q as of the end of the first and third quarters of the fund’s fiscal year and on Form N-CSR as of the second and fourth quarters of the fund’s fiscal year.
 
 
 
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For more information
 
 
Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:
 
Annual/Semiannual report to shareholders
Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditors’ report (in annual report only).
 
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund, and includes a summary of the fund’s policy regarding disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of) this prospectus.
 
To obtain a free copy of these documents
There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus or SAI from John Hancock:
 
Online:  www.jhfunds.com
 
By mail:  John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
 
By phone:  1-888-972-8696
 
By TDD:  1-800-554-6713
 
You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:
 
Online:  www.sec.gov
 
By e-mail (duplicating fee required):  publicinfo@sec.gov
 
By mail (duplicating fee required):  Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-0102
 
In person:  at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.
For access to the Reference Room call 1-800-732-0330.
 

 
© 2009 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC    91IPN 10/09    SEC file number: 811-04651
 
 
(JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL FUNDS LOGO)
 
John Hancock Funds, LLC
MEMBER FINRA | SIPC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805
 
www.jhfunds.com
 
Electronic delivery now available at
www.jhfunds.com/edelivery


Table of Contents

(JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL FUNDS LOGO)
 
John Hancock
Strategic Income Fund

 
 
PROSPECTUS 10–1–09

 
4  CLASS R1, R3, R4 AND R5 SHARES
 
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) has not approved or disapproved this fund or determined whether the information in this prospectus is adequate and accurate. Anyone who indicates otherwise is committing a federal crime.
 

 
 
An Income Fund


Table of Contents


 

 
 
Table of contents
 
 
Fund summary
 
A concise look at the investment goal, main strategies and main risks, past performance and the costs of investing.
 
Fund details
 
More about topics covered in the summary section, including descriptions of the various risk factors that investors should understand before investing.
 
Your account
 
How to place an order to buy, sell or exchange shares, as well as information about the business policies and any distributions that may be paid.
 
     
 
     
2
  Strategic Income Fund
     
6
  Risks of investing
     
9
  Who’s who
     
11
  Financial highlights
     
13
  Who can buy shares
     
13
  Class cost structure
     
13
  Opening an account
     
14
  Information for plan participants
     
14
  Transaction policies
     
16
  Dividends and account policies
     
    For more information    See back cover

  


Table of Contents

 
 Fund summary
 
 
John Hancock
 
Strategic Income Fund
 
Day-to-day investment management: MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
 
Class / Ticker      R1 / JSTRX      R3 / JSNHX      R4 / JSNFX      R5 / JSNVX
 
 
Goal and strategy
 
To seek a high level of current income.
 
Under normal market conditions, the fund invests primarily in the following types of securities: foreign government and corporate debt securities from developed and emerging markets, U.S. government and agency securities, and domestic high-yield bonds.
 
The fund may also invest in preferred stock and other types of debt securities.
 
Although the fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities rated as low as D (in default) by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) (and their unrated equivalents), it generally intends to keep its average credit quality in the investment-grade range (AAA to BBB). There is no limit on the fund’s average maturity.
 
In managing the fund, the subadviser allocates assets among the three major types of securities based on analysis of economic factors, such as projected international interest rate movements, industry cycles and political trends. However, the subadviser may invest up to 100% of the fund’s assets in any one sector.
 
Within each type of security, the subadviser looks for investments that are appropriate for the overall fund in terms of yield, credit quality, structure and industry distribution. In selecting securities, relative yields and risk/reward ratios are the primary considerations.
 
The fund may use certain higher-risk investments, including derivatives (investments whose value is based on indexes, securities or currencies) and restricted or illiquid securities. In addition, the fund may invest up to 10% of net assets in domestic or foreign stocks.
 
In abnormal circumstances, the fund may temporarily invest extensively in investment-grade short-term securities. In these and other cases, the fund might not achieve its goal.
 
The fund may trade securities actively, which could increase its transaction costs (thus lowering performance) and increase your taxable distributions.
 
Main risks
 
An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.
 
Instability in the financial markets has led the United States government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its goal.
 
Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.
 
The fund’s main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 6.
 
Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.
 
Changing distribution levels risk The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends on the amount of income and/or dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds.
 
Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities, may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon the nature of their support.
 
Equity securities risk Equity securities may include common, preferred and convertible preferred stocks and securities, the values of which are tied to the price of stocks, such as rights, warrants and convertible debt securities. The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions.
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund summary

 
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Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield securities involve a higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in higher-rated categories.
 
Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.
 
Foreign securities risk (including Emerging Markets risk) As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. These risks are heightened in the case of emerging markets.
 
Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. In addition, the use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.
 
High portfolio turnover risk Actively trading securities can increase transaction costs (thus lowering performance) and taxable distributions.
 
Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.
 
Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund summary

 
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Table of Contents

 
Past performance
 
                                                       
 Calendar year total returns – Class R1 1   (%)
                                                       
Best quarter: Q2 ’03, 6.99   Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, –7.81   Year-to-date as of 6-30-09: 13.04
                                                       
                                                       
                                                       
1999
    2000     2001     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008
2.83
    0.64     4.40     6.80     16.34     8.39     2.04     4.17     5.07     –11.26
                                                       
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPHIC)
 
                             
 Average annual total returns 1   (%)   1 Year   5 Year   10 Year    
 
as of 12-31-08                            
Class R1 before tax     –11.26       1.44       3.73      
After tax on distributions
    –14.02       –1.05       0.91      
After tax on distributions, with sale
    –7.22       –0.12       1.50      
Class R3 before tax     –11.17       1.45       3.81      
Class R4 before tax     –10.90       1.75       4.12      
Class R5 before tax     –10.63       2.06       4.43      
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index     5.24       4.65       5.63      
 
Calendar year total returns
 
Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes. Fund returns vary from year to year and may indicate the fund’s level of volatility; however, as always, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment.
 
Average annual total returns
 
Performance of a broad-based securities market index is included for comparison purposes and may provide information regarding the fund’s risks. Indexes do not have sales charges and you cannot invest in them directly. All figures assume dividend reinvestment.
 
After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
 
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.
 
 
1 August 18, 1986 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R1 shares were first offered on August 5, 2003 and Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares were first offered on May 21, 2009. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares.
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund summary

 
4


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Investor costs
 
                                     
 Annual operating expenses  (%)   Class R1     Class R3     Class R4     Class R5      
 
Management fee     0.38       0.38       0.38       0.38      
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees     0.50       0.50       0.25       0.00      
Service plan fee 2     0.25       0.15       0.10       0.05      
Other expenses     0.17 3     0.17 4     0.17 4     0.17 4    
Total fund operating expenses 5     1.30       1.20 6     0.90 6     0.60 6    
 
Expense example
 
Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment during the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return, and the reinvestment of all dividends. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. The example is for comparison only and does not reflect actual expenses and returns, either past or future.
 
                                     
 Expenses  ($)   Class R1     Class R3     Class R4     Class R5      
 
Shares                                    
1 Year     132       122       92       61      
3 Years     412       381       287       192      
5 Years     713       660       498       335      
10 Years     1,568       1,455       1,108       750      
 
Annual operating expenses
 
These are paid from the fund’s assets; shareholders, therefore, pay these costs indirectly.
 
 
2 Service plan fees are paid by the fund to the adviser under an agreement pursuant to which the adviser will provide, either directly or through third parties, certain other services to retirement plans or participants.
 
3 “Other expenses” shown exclude 0.03% of one-time extraordinary fees incurred in the prior fiscal year.
 
4 “Other expenses” are estimated for the class’s first year of operations. Actual expenses may be different.
 
5 Expenses for the current fiscal year may be higher than those shown in the “Annual operating expenses” table for one or more of the following reasons: (i) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in a higher advisory fee rate if advisory fee breakpoints are not achieved; (ii) a significant decrease in average net assets may result in an increase in the expense ratio because certain fund expenses do not decrease as asset levels decrease; (iii) fees may be incurred for extraordinary events such as proxy or fund tax expenses, or (iv) the termination of voluntary expense cap reimbursements and/or fee waivers, as applicable.
 
6 The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund through June 30, 2010 to the extent necessary to limit the total expenses of each class as follows: 1.25% for Class R3, 0.95% for Class R4, and 0.65% for Class R5 excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary fees, taxes, litigation, brokerage and interest expenses.
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund summary

 
5


Table of Contents

 
 Fund details
 
 
Risks of investing
 
Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund’s overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance. For further details about fund risks, including additional risk factors that are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not considered primary factors, see the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
 
Active management risk
 
A fund is subject to management risk because it relies on the subadviser’s ability to pursue the fund’s goal. The subadviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results. The fund generally does not attempt to time the market and instead generally stays fully invested in the relevant asset class, such as domestic equities or foreign equities. Notwithstanding its benchmark, the fund may buy securities not included in its benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions than its benchmark. To the extent the fund invests in those securities, its performance depends on the ability of the subadviser to choose securities that perform better than securities that are included in the benchmark.
 
Changing distribution levels risk
 
The amount of the distributions paid by the fund generally depends on the amount of income and/or dividends received by the fund on the securities it holds. The fund may not be able to pay distributions or may have to reduce its distribution level if the income and/or dividends the fund receives from its investments decline.
 
Credit and counterparty risk
 
This is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract (see “Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk”) or a borrower of a fund’s securities, will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations. Credit risk associated with investments in fixed-income securities relates to the ability of the issuer to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on an obligation. A fund that invests in fixed-income securities is subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit ratings downgraded or will default, potentially reducing the fund’s share price and income level. Nearly all fixed-income securities are subject to some credit risk, which may vary depending upon whether the issuers of the securities are corporations, domestic or foreign governments, or their sub-divisions or instrumentalities. U.S. government securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk depending upon whether the securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, supported by the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, supported only by the credit of the issuing U.S. government agency, instrumentality, corporation or otherwise supported by the United States. For example, issuers of many types of U.S. government securities ( e.g ., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home Loan Banks), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, are neither guaranteed nor insured by the U.S. government. An agency of the U.S. government has placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship, a statutory process with the objective of returning the entities to normal business operations. It is unclear what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. As a result, these securities are subject to more credit risk than U.S. government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States ( e.g ., U.S. Treasury bonds). When a fixed-income security is not rated, a subadviser may have to assess the risk of the security itself. Asset-backed securities, whose principal and interest payments are supported by pools of other assets, such as credit card receivables and automobile loans, are subject to further risks, including the risk that the obligors of the underlying assets default on payment of those assets.
 
Funds that invest in below investment-grade securities (also called junk bonds), which are fixed-income securities rated “Ba” or lower by Moody’s or “BB” or lower by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), or determined by a subadviser to be of comparable quality to securities so rated, are subject to increased credit risk. The sovereign debt of many foreign governments, including their sub-divisions and instrumentalities, falls into this category. Below investment-grade securities offer the potential for higher investment returns than higher-rated securities, but they carry greater credit risk: their issuers’ continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments is considered speculative, and they are more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions, and may be less liquid than higher-rated securities.
 
In addition, a fund is exposed to credit risk to the extent it makes use of OTC derivatives (such as forward foreign currency contracts and/or swap contracts) and engages to a significant extent in the lending of fund securities or the use of repurchase agreements. OTC derivatives transactions can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction. If the counterparty defaults, a fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will be able to meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, a fund will succeed in enforcing them. A fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While the subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of contract counterparties, there can be no assurance that the counterparty will be in a position to meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions.
 
Equity securities risk
 
Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate, and can decline and reduce the value of a fund investing in equities. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by a fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies in which the fund is invested declines, or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Even a fund that invests in high-quality or “blue chip” equity securities, or securities of established companies with large market capitalizations (which generally have strong financial characteristics), can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. Companies with large market capitalizations may also have less growth potential than smaller companies and may be less able to react quickly to changes in the marketplace.
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund details

 
6


Table of Contents

 
The fund may maintain substantial exposure to equities and generally does not attempt to time the market. Because of this exposure, the possibility that stock market prices in general will decline over short or extended periods subjects the fund to unpredictable declines in the value of its investments, as well as periods of poor performance.
 
Fixed-income securities risk
 
Fixed-income securities are generally subject to two principal types of risks: (a) interest rate risk and (b) credit quality risk.
 
Interest rate risk. Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates. When interest rates decline, the market value of the fixed-income securities generally can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the market value of fixed-income securities generally can be expected to decline. The longer the duration or maturity of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest rate risk.
 
Credit quality risk. Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. If the credit quality of a fixed-income security deteriorates after a fund has purchased the security, the market value of the security may decrease and lead to a decrease in the value of the fund’s investments. Funds that may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities, commonly referred to as “junk” securities, are riskier than funds that may invest in higher-rated fixed-income securities. Additional information on the risks of investing in investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category and lower-rated fixed-income securities is set forth below.
 
Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category risk. Investment-grade fixed-income securities in the lowest-rating category (rated “Baa” by Moody’s or “BBB” by S&P and comparable unrated securities) involve a higher degree of risk than fixed-income securities in the higher-rating categories. While such securities are considered investment-grade quality and are deemed to have adequate capacity for payment of principal and interest, such securities lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics as well. For example, changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher-grade securities.
 
Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk. Lower-rated fixed-income securities are defined as securities rated below investment grade (rated “Ba” and below by Moody’s, and “BB” and below by S&P) (also called junk bonds). The general risks of investing in these securities are as follows:
 
•  Risk to principal and income. Investing in lower-rated fixed-income securities is considered speculative. While these securities generally provide greater income potential than investments in higher-rated securities, there is a greater risk that principal and interest payments will not be made. Issuers of these securities may even go into default or become bankrupt.
 
•  Price volatility. The price of lower-rated fixed-income securities may be more volatile than securities in the higher-rating categories. This volatility may increase during periods of economic uncertainty or change. The price of these securities is affected more than higher-rated fixed-income securities by the market’s perception of their credit quality, especially during times of adverse publicity. In the past, economic downturns or an increase in interest rates have, at times, caused more defaults by issuers of these securities and may do so in the future. Economic downturns and increases in interest rates have an even greater affect on highly leveraged issuers of these securities.
 
•  Liquidity. The market for lower-rated fixed-income securities may have more limited trading than the market for investment-grade fixed-income securities. Therefore, it may be more difficult to sell these securities, and these securities may have to be sold at prices below their market value in order to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in market conditions.
 
•  Dependence on subadviser’s own credit analysis. While a subadviser may rely on ratings by established credit-rating agencies, it will also supplement such ratings with its own independent review of the credit quality of the issuer. Therefore, the assessment of the credit risk of lower-rated fixed-income securities is more dependent on the subadviser’s evaluation than the assessment of the credit risk of higher-rated securities.
 
Additional risks regarding lower-rated corporate fixed-income securities. Lower-rated corporate debt securities (and comparable unrated securities) tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher-rated corporate fixed-income securities. Issuers of lower-rated corporate debt securities may also be highly leveraged, increasing the risk that principal and income will not be repaid.
 
Additional risks regarding lower-rated foreign government fixed-income securities. Lower-rated foreign government fixed-income securities are subject to the risks of investing in foreign countries described under “Foreign securities risk.” In addition, the ability and willingness of a foreign government to make payments on debt when due may be affected by the prevailing economic and political conditions within the country. Emerging-market countries may experience high inflation, interest rates and unemployment, as well as exchange rate trade difficulties and political uncertainty or instability. These factors increase the risk that a foreign government will not make payments when due.
 
Prepayment of principal. Many types of debt securities, including floating-rate loans, are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment risk occurs when the issuer of a security can repay principal prior to the security’s maturity. Securities subject to prepayment risk can offer less potential for gains when the credit quality of the issuer improves.
 
Foreign securities risk
 
Funds that invest in securities traded principally in securities markets outside the United States are subject to additional and more varied risks, as the value of foreign securities may change more rapidly and extremely than the value of U.S. securities. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Additionally, issuers of foreign securities may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as U.S. issuers. Reporting, accounting and auditing standards of foreign countries differ, in some cases significantly, from U.S. standards. There are generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions, transfer taxes, higher custodial costs and the possibility that foreign taxes will be charged on dividends and interest payable on foreign securities. Also, for lesser developed countries, nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a country), political changes or diplomatic developments could adversely affect a fund’s investments. In the event of nationalization, expropriation or other confiscation, a fund could lose its entire investment in a foreign security. All funds that invest in foreign securities are subject to these risks. Some of the foreign risks are also applicable to funds that invest a material portion of their assets in securities of foreign issuers traded in the U.S.
 
Emerging markets risk. Funds that invest a significant portion of their assets in the securities of issuers based in countries with “emerging market” economies are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk than funds investing primarily in more developed foreign markets,
 
 
 
Strategic Income Fund – Fund details

 
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since emerging market securities may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political and other risks greater than, or in addition to, risks of investing in developed foreign countries. These risks include: high currency exchange rate fluctuations; increased risk of default (including both government and private issuers); greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability (including the risk of war); more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a fund’s ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging market countries; the fact that companies in emerging market countries may be newly organized and may be smaller and less seasoned; the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in the unavailability of material information about issuers; different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions; difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments in foreign jurisdictions; and significantly smaller market capitalizations of emerging market issuers.
 
Currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, and intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or by currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. Certain funds may engage in proxy hedging of currencies by entering into derivative transactions with respect to a currency whose value is expected to correlate to the value of a currency the fund owns or wants to own. This presents the risk that the two currencies may not move in relation to one another as expected. In that case, the fund could lose money on its investment and also lose money on the position designed to act as a proxy hedge. Certain funds may also take active currency positions and may cross-hedge currency exposure represented by their securities into another foreign currency. This may result in a fund’s currency exposure being substantially different than that suggested by its securities investments. All funds with foreign currency holdings and/or that invest or trade in securities denominated in foreign currencies or related derivative instruments may be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative foreign currency transactions (such as futures, forwards and swaps) may also involve leveraging risk, in addition to currency risk. Leverage may disproportionately increase a fund’s portfolio losses and reduce opportunities for gain when interest rates, stock prices or currency rates are changing.
 
Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk
 
The ability of a fund to utilize hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions successfully will depend in part on its subadviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements and market risk, counterparty risk, credit risk, interest risk and other risk factors, none of which can be assured. The skills required to successfully utilize hedging and other strategic transactions are different from those needed to select a fund’s securities. Even if the subadviser only uses hedging and other strategic transactions in a fund primarily for hedging purposes or to gain exposure to a particular securities market, if the transaction is not successful, it could result in a significant loss to a fund. The amount of loss could be more than the principal amount invested. These transactions may also increase the volatility of a fund and may involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of the risks assumed, thereby magnifying the impact of any resulting gain or loss. For example, the potential loss from the use of futures can exceed a fund’s initial investment in such contracts. In addition, these transactions could result in a loss to a fund if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised.
 
A fund may invest in derivatives, which are financial contracts with a value that depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates or indexes. Examples of derivative instruments include options contracts, futures contracts, options on futures contracts and swap agreements (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps and swaps on exchange traded funds). Derivatives may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates and related indexes. A fund may use derivatives for many purposes, including for hedging, and as a substitute for direct investment in securities or other assets. Derivatives may be used in a way to adjust efficiently the exposure of a fund to various securities, markets and currencies without a fund actually having to sell existing investments and make new investments. This generally will be done when the adjustment is expected to be relatively temporary or in anticipation of effecting the sale of fund assets and making new investments over time. Further, since many derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. When a fund uses derivatives for leverage, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. To limit leverage risk, a fund may segregate assets determined to be liquid or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions to cover its obligations under derivative instruments. For a description of the various derivative instruments the fund may utilize, refer to the SAI.
 
The use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional assets. In particular, the use of derivative instruments exposes a fund to the risk that the counterparty to an over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contract will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise to honor its obligations. OTC derivatives transactions typically can only be closed out with the other party to the transaction, although either party may engage in an offsetting transaction that puts that party in the same economic position as if it had closed out the transaction with the counterparty or may obtain the other party’s consent to assign the transaction to a third party. If the counterparty defaults, the fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that the counterparty will meet its contractual obligations or that, in the event of default, the fund will succeed in enforcing them. For example, because the contract for each OTC derivatives transaction is individually negotiated with a specific counterparty, a fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty may interpret contractual terms ( e.g. , the definition of default) differently than the fund when the fund seeks to enforce its contractual rights. If that occurs, the cost and unpredictability of the legal proceedings required for the fund to enforce its contractual rights may lead it to decide not to pursue its claims against the counterparty. The fund, therefore, assumes the risk that it may be unable to obtain payments owed to it under OTC derivatives contracts or that those payments may be delayed or made only after the fund has incurred the costs of litigation. While a subadviser intends to monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will meet its obligations, especially during unusually adverse market conditions. To the extent a fund contracts with a limited number of
 
 
 
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counterparties, the fund’s risk will be concentrated and events that affect the creditworthiness of any of those counterparties may have a pronounced effect on the fund. Derivatives also are subject to a number of other risks, including market risk and liquidity risk. Since the value of derivatives is calculated and derived from the value of other assets, instruments or references, there is a risk that they will be improperly valued. Derivatives also involve the risk that changes in their value may not correlate perfectly with the assets, rates or indexes they are designed to hedge or closely track. Suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The fund is also subject to the risk that the counterparty closes out the derivatives transactions upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. In addition, a subadviser may determine not to use derivatives to hedge or otherwise reduce risk exposure. A detailed discussion of various hedging and other strategic transactions appears in the SAI. To the extent the fund utilizes hedging and other strategic transactions, it will be subject to the same risks.
 
High portfolio turnover risk
 
A high fund portfolio turnover rate (over 100%) generally involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses, which must be borne directly by a fund. The portfolio turnover rate of a fund may vary from year to year, as well as within a year.
 
Issuer risk
 
An issuer of a security purchased by a fund may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline and the issuer may default on its obligations. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures or other factors.
 
Liquidity risk
 
A fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker, or legal restrictions impair the fund’s ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve investments in securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, foreign securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Exposure to liquidity risk may be heightened for funds which invest in emerging markets and related derivatives that are not widely traded, and that may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions.
 
These investment strategies and securities are described further in the SAI.
 
Who’s who
 
Below are the names of the various entities involved with the fund’s investment and business operations, along with brief descriptions of the role each entity performs.
 
Trustees
 
Oversee the fund’s business activities and retain the services of the various firms that carry out the fund’s operations. The Board of Trustees can change the fund’s investment goal and strategy without shareholder approval.
 
Investment adviser
 
Manages the fund’s business and investment activities.
 
John Hancock Advisers, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805
 
Founded in 1968, John Hancock Advisers, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., which in turn is a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.
 
The adviser administers the business and affairs of the fund and retains and compensates the investment subadviser to manage the assets of the fund. As of June 30, 2009, the adviser had total assets under management of approximately $18 billion.
 
The adviser does not itself manage any of the fund’s portfolio assets but has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadviser and recommend its hiring, termination and replacement. In this connection, the adviser: (i) monitors the compliance of the subadviser with the investment objectives and related policies of the fund, (ii) reviews the performance of the subadviser and (iii) reports periodically on such performance to the Board of Trustees.
 
The fund relies on an order from the SEC permitting the adviser, subject to Board approval, to appoint a subadviser or change the terms of a subadvisory agreement without obtaining shareholder approval. The fund, therefore, is able to change subadvisers or the fees paid to a subadviser from time to time without the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the change. This order does not, however, permit the adviser to appoint a subadviser that is an affiliate of the adviser or the fund (other than by reason of serving as a subadviser to a fund), or to increase the subadvisory fee of an affiliated subadviser, without the approval of the shareholders.
 
Management fee
 
The fund pays the adviser a management fee for its services to the fund. The fee is stated as an annual percentage of the current value of the net assets of the fund determined in accordance with the following schedule, and that rate is applied to the average daily assets of the fund.
 
             
    Annual
   
Average Daily Net Assets   Rate    
 
 
 
             
First $100 million     0 .60%    
             
Between $100 million and $250 million     0 .45%    
             
Between $250 million and $500 million     0 .40%    
             
Between $500 million and $650 million     0 .35%    
             
Excess over $650 million     0 .30%    
 
During its most recent fiscal year, the fund paid to the investment adviser a management fee equal to 0.38% of net assets.
 
Out of these fees, the investment adviser in turn pays the fees of the subadviser.
 
The basis for the Trustees’ approval of the advisory fees, and of the investment advisory agreement overall, including the subadvisory agreement, is discussed in the fund’s May 31, 2009 annual shareholder report.
 
Subadviser
 
Handles the fund’s day-to-day portfolio management.
 
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02199
 
MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (MFC Global (U.S.)) was founded in 1979 and provides investment advisory services to individual and institutional investors. MFC Global (U.S.) is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. (a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation) and, as of June 30, 2009, had total assets under management of approximately $24 billion.
 
 
 
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Below are brief biographical profiles of the leaders of the fund’s investment management team, in alphabetical order. These managers share portfolio management responsibilities. For more about these individuals, including information about their compensation, other accounts they manage and any investments they may have in the fund, see the SAI.
 
Barry H. Evans, CFA
 
•  Joined fund team in 2006
 
•  President and chief fixed-income officer, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
 
•  Senior vice president, chief fixed-income officer and chief operating officer, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1986−2005)
 
•  Began business career in 1986
 
•  Analysis of global economic conditions
 
John F. Iles
 
•  Joined fund team in 2005
 
•  Vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
 
•  Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
 
•  Began business career in 1984
 
•  Analysis of specific issuers pertaining to high-yield and emerging markets
 
Daniel S. Janis III
 
•  Joined fund team in 1999
 
•  Senior vice president, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005)
 
•  Vice president, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (1999−2005)
 
•  Began business career in 1984
 
•  Primarily responsible for fund management and day-to-day purchase and sale decisions
 
Custodian
 
Holds the fund’s assets, settles all portfolio trades and collects most of the valuation data required for calculating the fund’s net asset value (NAV).
 
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Lafayette Corporate Center
Two Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
 
Principal distributor
 
Markets the fund and distributes shares through selling brokers, financial planners and other financial representatives.
 
John Hancock Funds, LLC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805
 
Transfer agent
 
Handles shareholder services, including recordkeeping and statements, distribution of dividends and processing of buy and sell requests.
 
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
 
 
 
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Financial highlights
 
These tables detail the financial performance of each share class described in this prospectus, including total return information showing how much an investment in the fund has increased or decreased each year.
 
The financial statements of the fund as of May 31, 2009, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The report of PwC is included, along with the fund’s financial statements, in the fund’s annual report, which has been incorporated by reference into the SAI and is available upon request.
 
                                         
CLASS R1 SHARES
 Per share operating performance                                                  period ended   5-31-09   5-31-08   5-31-07   5-31-06   5-31-05
 
Net asset value, beginning of year     $6.40       $6.61       $6.81       $6.99       $6.69  
Net investment income 1     0.38       0.37       0.29       0.28       0.29  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (0.64 )     (0.14 )     0.07             0.39  
Total from investment operations     (0.26 )     0.23       0.36       0.28       0.68  
Less distributions                                        
From net investment income     (0.39 )     (0.38 )     (0.32 )     (0.32 )     (0.34 )
From net realized gain     (0.14 )     (0.06 )     (0.24 )     (0.14 )     (0.04 )
Total distributions     (0.53 )     (0.44 )     (0.56 )     (0.46 )     (0.38 )
Net asset value, end of year     $5.61       $6.40       $6.61       $6.81       $6.99  
Total return 2 (%)     (3.44 )     3.46       5.58       4.07       10.36  
                                         
                                         
                                         
  Ratios and supplemental data
                                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)     $5       $5       $5       $4       $1  
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):                                        
Expenses before reductions
    1.33       1.35       1.26       1.19       1.08  
Expenses net of fee waivers
    1.33       1.35       1.26       1.19       1.08  
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
    1.33       1.35       1.26       1.19       1.08  
Net investment income
    6.81       5.54       4.44       4.00       4.29  
Portfolio turnover (%)     43       52       118       52       29  
                                         
                                         
                                         
         
CLASS R3 SHARES
 Per share operating performance                                                  period ended   5-31-09 3
 
Net asset value, beginning of period     $5.58  
Net investment income 1     0.01  
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments     0.01  
Total from investment operations     0.02  
Less distributions        
From net investment income     (0.01 )
Net asset value, end of period     $5.59  
Total return 4 (%)     0.36 5,6
         
         
         
  Ratios and supplemental data
         
Net assets, end of period (in millions)     7
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):        
Expenses before reductions
    3.49 8,9
Expenses net of fee waivers
    1.25 8,9
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
    1.25 8,9
Net investment income
    6.02 8
Portfolio turnover (%)     43  
         
         
         
 
 
 
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Financial highlights, continued
 
         
Class R4
 Per share operating performance                                                  period ended   5-31-09 10
 
Net asset value, beginning of period     $5.58  
Net investment income 1     0.01  
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments     0.01  
Total from investment operations     0.02  
Less distributions        
From net investment income     (0.01 )
Net asset value, end of period     $5.59  
Total return 4 (%)     0.36 5,6
         
         
         
  Ratios and supplemental data
         
Net assets, end of period (in millions)     7
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):        
Expenses before reductions
    3.25 8,9
Expenses net of fee waivers
    0.95 8,9
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
    0.95 8,9
Net investment loss
    6.32 8
Portfolio turnover (%)     43  
         
         
         
         
CLASS R5 SHARES
 Per share operating performance                                                  period ended   5-31-09 11
 
Net asset value, beginning of period     $5.58  
Net investment income 1     0.01  
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments     0.01  
Total from investment operations     0.02  
Less distributions        
From net investment income     (0.01 )
Net asset value, end of period     $5.59  
Total return 4 (%)     0.36 5,6
         
         
         
  Ratios and supplemental data
         
Net assets, end of period (in millions)     7
Ratios (as a percentage of average net assets):        
Expenses before reductions
    3.00 8,9
Expenses net of fee waivers
    0.65 8,9
Expenses net of all fee waivers and credits
    0.65 8,9
Net investment income
    6.62 8
Portfolio turnover (%)     43  
         
 
 
1 Based on the average of the shares outstanding.
 
2 Assumes dividend reinvestment and does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
 
3 Class R3 shares began operations on 5-21-09.
 
4 Assumes dividend reinvestment.
 
5 Not annualized.
 
6 Total returns would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced during the periods shown.
 
7 Less than $500,000.
 
8 Annualized.
 
9 Includes proxy fees. The impact of this expense to the gross and net expense ratios was 0.03%.
 
10 Class R4 shares began operations on 5-21-09.
 
11 Class R5 shares began operations on 5-21-09.
 
 
 
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 Your account
 
 
Who can buy shares
 
Class R1, R3, R4 and R5 shares are available to certain types of investors, as noted below:
 
•  Qualified tuition programs under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), (529 Plans) distributed by John Hancock or one of its affiliates.
 
•  Retirement Plans including pension, profit sharing and other plans qualified under Section 401(a) or described in Section 403(b) or 457 of the Code, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans.
 
•  Retirement Plans, traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs where the shares are held on the books of the fund through investment-only omnibus accounts (either at the plan level or at the level of the financial service firm) that trade through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC).
 
Except as noted above, Class R1, R3, R4 and R5 shares are not available to retail or institutional non-retirement accounts, traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, individual 403(b) plans or other individual retirement accounts.
 
Class cost structure
 
Class R1, R3, R4 and R5 shares of the fund are sold without any front-end or deferred sales charges. Each of Class R1, R3 and R4 shares has a Rule 12b-1 plan that allows it to pay fees for the sale, distribution and service of its shares. Class R5 shares do not have a Rule 12b-1 plan.
 
Class R1
 
•  Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of up to 0.50%
 
Class R3
 
•  Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of up to 0.50%
 
Class R4
 
•  Distribution and service (12b-1) fees of up to 0.25%
 
In addition to the 12b-1 plan, the fund has adopted service plans for Class R1, R3, R4 and R5 shares, which authorize the fund to pay affiliated and unaffiliated entities a service fee for providing certain recordkeeping and other administrative services in connection with investments in the fund by retirement plans. The service fee is a specified percentage of the average daily net assets of the fund’s share class held by plan participants and is up to 0.25% for Class R1 shares; 0.15% for Class R3 shares; 0.10% for Class R4 shares; and 0.05% for Class R5 shares.
 
12b-1 fees
 
Rule 12b-1 fees will be paid to the fund’s distributor, John Hancock Funds, LLC, and may be used by the distributor for expenses relating to the distribution of, and shareholder or administrative services for holders of, the shares of the class and for the payment of service fees that come within Rule 2830(d)(5) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
 
Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of the fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost shareholders more than other types of sales charges.
 
Other classes of shares of the fund, which have their own expense structure, may be offered in separate prospectuses.
 
Your broker-dealer or agent may charge you a fee to effect transactions in fund shares.
 
Additional payments to financial intermediaries
 
Shares of the fund are primarily sold through financial intermediaries, such as brokers, banks, registered investment advisers, financial planners and retirement plan administrators. These firms may be compensated for selling shares of the fund in two principal ways:
 
•  directly, by the payment of sales commissions, if any; and
 
•  indirectly, as a result of the fund paying Rule 12b-1 fees.
 
Certain firms may request, and the distributor may agree to make, payments in addition to sales commissions and 12b-1 fees out of the distributor’s own resources. These additional payments are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing.” These payments assist in the distributor’s efforts to promote the sale of the fund’s shares. The distributor agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. The distributor determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. The distributor generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the fund and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor’s promotional efforts.
 
The distributor hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the fund’s net assets, which, as well as benefiting the fund, would result in additional management and other fees for the adviser and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature the fund in its sales system or give preferential access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, the firm may agree to participate in the distributor’s marketing efforts by allowing the distributor or its affiliates to participate in conferences, seminars or other programs attended by the intermediary’s sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue-sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in the fund, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue-sharing payments may provide your firm with an incentive to favor the fund.
 
The SAI discusses the distributor’s revenue-sharing arrangements in more detail. Your intermediary may charge you additional fees other than those disclosed in this prospectus. You can ask your firm about any payments it receives from the distributor or the fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.
 
The distributor, adviser and their affiliates may have other relationships with your firm relating to the provisions of services to the fund, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction-processing services or effecting portfolio transactions for the fund. If your intermediary provides these services, the adviser or the fund may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition, your intermediary may have other compensated relationships with the adviser or its affiliates that are not related to the fund.
 
Opening an account
 
1   Read this prospectus carefully.
 
 
 
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2   Determine if you are eligible by referring to “Who can buy shares.”
 
3   Eligible Retirement Plans generally may open an account and purchase Class R1, R3, R4 or R5 of shares by contacting any broker, dealer or other financial service firm authorized to sell Class R1, R3, R4 or R5 shares of the fund.
 
Additional shares may be purchased through a Retirement Plan’s administrator or record keeper. There is no minimum initial investment to purchase Class R1, R3, R4 or R5 shares.
 
Important information about opening a new account
 
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act) requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person or entity that opens an account.
 
When you open an account, you will be asked for the name of the entity, its principal place of business and taxpayer identification number (TIN) and may be requested to provide information on persons with authority or control over the account, such as name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide documents, such as articles of incorporation, trust instruments or partnership agreements and other information that will help Signature Services identify the entity. Please see the Mutual Fund Account Application for more details.
 
Information for plan participants
 
Plan participants generally must contact their plan service provider to purchase, redeem or exchange shares. The administrator of a Retirement Plan or employee benefits office can provide participants with detailed information on how to participate in the plan, elect a fund as an investment option, elect different investment options, alter the amounts contributed to the plan or change allocations among investment options. For questions about participant accounts, participants should contact their employee benefits office, the plan administrator or the organization that provides recordkeeping services for the plan.
 
Financial service firms may provide some of the shareholder servicing and account maintenance services required by Retirement Plan accounts and their plan participants, including transfers of registration, dividend payee changes and generation of confirmation statements, and may arrange for plan administrators to provide other investment or administrative services. Financial service firms may charge Retirement Plans and plan participants transaction fees and/or other additional amounts for such services. Similarly, Retirement Plans may charge plan participants for certain expenses. These fees and additional amounts could reduce an investment return in the fund.
 
Transaction policies
 
Valuation of shares
 
Calculation of NAV
 
The NAV for each class of shares of the fund is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (typically 4:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time) on each business day that the NYSE is open. On holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated and the fund does not transact purchase or redemption requests. The time at which shares are priced and until which purchase and redemption orders are accepted may be changed as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Each class of shares of the fund has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to each share class by the number of fund shares outstanding for that class.
 
Valuation of Securities
 
Except as noted below, securities held by a fund are primarily valued on the basis of market quotations or official closing prices. Certain short-term debt instruments are valued on the basis of amortized cost. Shares of other open-end investments companies held by a fund are valued based on the NAVs of those investment companies.
 
Fair Valuation of Securities. If market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available or do not accurately reflect fair value for a security, or if a security’s value has been materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, the security will be valued at its fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. The Trustees have delegated the responsibility to fair value securities to the fund’s Pricing Committee, and the actual calculation of a security’s fair value may be made by persons acting pursuant to the direction of the Trustees.
 
In deciding whether to a fair value a security, the fund’s Pricing Committee may review a variety of factors, including:
 
in the case of foreign securities:
 
  •  developments in foreign markets,
 
  •  the performance of U.S. securities markets after the close of trading in the market, and
 
  •  the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities or baskets of foreign securities.
 
in the case of fixed income securities:
 
  •  actions by the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee and other significant trends in U.S. fixed-income markets.
 
in the case of all securities:
 
  •  political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded,
 
  •  announcements relating to the issuer of the security concerning matters such as trading suspensions, acquisitions, recapitalizations, litigation developments, a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry, and
 
  •  events affecting the securities markets in general (such as market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in U.S. and/or foreign markets).
 
Fair value pricing of securities is intended to help ensure that a fund’s NAV reflects the fair market value of the fund’s portfolio securities as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (as opposed to a value that is no longer reflects market value as of such close), thus limiting the opportunity for aggressive traders or market timers to purchase shares of the fund at deflated prices reflecting stale security valuations and promptly sell such shares at a gain thereby diluting the interests of long-term shareholders. However, a security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value, and no assurance can be given that fair value pricing of securities will successfully eliminate all potential opportunities for such trading gains. The use of fair value pricing has the effect of valuing a security based upon the price the fund might reasonably expect to receive if it sold that security in an orderly transaction between market participants but does not guarantee that the security can be sold at the fair value price. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty and subjective nature of fair valuation, a fair valuation price may differ significantly from the value that would have
 
 
 
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been used had a readily available market price for the investment existed, and these differences could be material. With respect to any portion of a fund’s assets that is invested in other open-end investment companies, that portion of the fund’s NAV is calculated based on the NAV of that investment company. The prospectus for the other investment company explains the circumstances and effects of fair value pricing for that other investment company.
 
If the fund has portfolio securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when the fund does not price its shares, the NAV of the fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the fund’s shares.
 
Buy and sell prices
 
When you buy shares, you pay the NAV. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV.
 
Execution of requests
 
The fund is open on those days when the NYSE is open, typically Monday through Friday. Buy and sell requests are executed at the next NAV to be calculated after Signature Services receives your request in good order. In unusual circumstances, the fund has the right to redeem in kind.
 
In unusual circumstances, the fund may temporarily suspend the processing of sell requests or may postpone payment of proceeds for up to three business days or longer, as allowed by federal securities laws.
 
Exchanges
 
You may exchange your Class R1, R3, R4 or R5 shares for shares of the same class of other John Hancock Funds that are available through your plan, or Money Market Fund Class A shares, without paying any additional sales charges. The registration for both accounts involved must be identical. Note: Once exchanged into Money Market Fund Class A, shares may only be exchanged back into Class R1, R3, R4 or R5 shares, as applicable.
 
The fund may change or cancel its exchange policies at any time, upon 60 days’ written notice to its shareholders. For further details, see “Additional services and programs” in the SAI (see the back cover of this prospectus).
 
Excessive trading
 
The fund is intended for long-term investment purposes only and does not knowingly accept shareholders who engage in market timing or other types of excessive short-term trading. Short-term trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio investment strategies and may increase fund expenses for all shareholders, including long-term shareholders who do not generate these costs.
 
Right to reject or restrict purchase and exchange orders
 
Purchases and exchanges should be made primarily for investment purposes. The fund reserves the right to restrict, reject or cancel (with respect to cancellations within one day of the order), for any reason and without any prior notice, any purchase or exchange order, including transactions representing excessive trading and transactions accepted by any shareholder’s financial intermediary. For example, the fund may, in its discretion, restrict, reject or cancel a purchase or exchange order even if the transaction is not subject to a specific “Limitation on exchange activity,” as described below, if the fund or its agent determines that accepting the order could interfere with the efficient management of the fund’s portfolio, or otherwise not be in the fund’s best interest in light of unusual trading activity related to your account. In the event that the fund rejects or cancels an exchange request, neither the redemption nor the purchase side of the exchange will be processed. If you would like the redemption request to be processed even if the purchase order is rejected, you should submit separate redemption and purchase orders rather than placing an exchange order. The fund reserves the right to delay for up to one business day, consistent with applicable law, the processing of exchange requests in the event that, in the fund’s judgment, such delay would be in the fund’s best interest, in which case both the redemption and purchase side of the exchange will receive the fund’s NAV at the conclusion of the delay period. The fund, through its agents in their sole discretion, may impose these remedial actions at the account holder level or the underlying shareholder level.
 
Exchange limitation policies
 
The Board of Trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures by which the fund, subject to the limitations described below, takes steps reasonably designed to curtail excessive trading practices.
 
Limitation on exchange activity
 
The fund or its agent may reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege, or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in John Hancock funds if the fund or its agent determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or disruptive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the fund. The fund or its agent cannot ensure that it will be able to identify all cases of market timing or disruptive trading, although it attempts to have adequate procedures in place to do so. The fund or its agent may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of the fund’s shareholders. The fund does not have any arrangement to permit market timing or disruptive trading.
 
Exchanges made on the same day in the same account are aggregated for purposes of counting the number and dollar amount of exchanges made by the account holder. The exchange limits referenced above will not be imposed or may be modified under certain circumstances. For example, these exchange limits may be modified for accounts held by certain retirement plans to conform to plan exchange limits, ERISA considerations or Department of Labor regulations. Certain automated or pre-established exchange, asset-allocation and dollar-cost-averaging programs are not subject to these exchange limits. These programs are excluded from the exchange limitation since the fund believes that they are advantageous to shareholders and do not offer an effective means for market timing or excessive trading strategies. These investment tools involve regular and predetermined purchase or redemption requests made well in advance of any knowledge of events affecting the market on the date of the purchase or redemption.
 
These exchange limits are subject to the fund’s ability to monitor exchange activity, as discussed under “Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices” below. Depending upon the composition of the fund’s shareholder accounts, and in light of the limitations on the ability of the fund to detect and curtail excessive trading practices, a significant percentage of the fund’s shareholders may not be subject to the exchange limitation policy described above. In applying the exchange limitation policy, the fund considers information available to it at the time and reserves the right to consider trading activity in a single account or multiple accounts under common ownership, control or influence.
 
 
 
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Limitation on the ability to detect and curtail excessive trading practices
 
Shareholders seeking to engage in excessive trading practices sometimes deploy a variety of strategies to avoid detection and, despite the efforts of the fund to prevent excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the fund or its agent will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their trading practices. The ability of the fund and its agent to detect and curtail excessive trading practices may also be limited by operational systems and technological limitations. Because the fund will not always be able to detect frequent trading activity, investors should not assume that the fund will be able to detect or prevent all frequent trading or other practices that disadvantage the fund. For example, the ability of the fund to monitor trades that are placed by omnibus or other nominee accounts is severely limited in those instances in which the financial intermediary, including a financial adviser, broker, retirement plan administrator or fee-based program sponsor, maintains the records of the fund’s underlying beneficial owners. Omnibus or other nominee account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the fund, particularly among certain financial intermediaries such as financial advisers, brokers, retirement plan administrators or fee-based program sponsors. These arrangements often permit the financial intermediary to aggregate its clients’ transactions and ownership positions and do not identify the particular underlying shareholder(s) to the fund. However, the fund will work with financial intermediaries as necessary to discourage shareholders from engaging in abusive trading practices and to impose restrictions on excessive trades. In this regard, the fund has entered into information-sharing agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which these intermediaries are required to provide to the fund, at the fund’s request, certain information relating to their customers investing in the fund through omnibus or other nominee accounts. The fund will use this information to attempt to identify excessive trading practices. Financial intermediaries are contractually required to follow any instructions from the fund to restrict or prohibit future purchases from shareholders that are found to have engaged in excessive trading in violation of the fund’s policies. The fund cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to it from financial intermediaries and so cannot ensure that it will be able to detect abusive trading practices that occur through omnibus or other nominee accounts. As a consequence, the fund’s ability to monitor and discourage excessive trading practices in these types of accounts may be limited.
 
Excessive trading risk
 
To the extent that the fund or its agent is unable to curtail excessive trading practices in the fund, these practices may interfere with the efficient management of the fund’s portfolio and may result in the fund engaging in certain activities to a greater extent than it otherwise would, such as maintaining higher cash balances, using its line of credit and engaging in increased portfolio transactions. Increased portfolio transactions and use of the line of credit would correspondingly increase the fund’s operating costs and decrease the fund’s investment performance. Maintenance of higher levels of cash balances would likewise result in lower fund investment performance during periods of rising markets.
 
While excessive trading can potentially occur in the fund, certain types of funds are more likely than others to be targets of excessive trading. For example:
 
•  A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in small- or mid-capitalization stocks or securities in particular industries that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under “Valuation of shares,” entails a greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).
 
•  A fund that invests a material portion of its assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers may be a potential target for excessive trading if investors seek to engage in price arbitrage based upon general trends in the securities markets that occur subsequent to the close of the primary market for such securities.
 
•  A fund that invests a significant portion of its assets in below investment-grade (junk) bonds that may trade infrequently or are fair valued as discussed under “Valuation of shares,” incurs greater risk of excessive trading, as investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of those types of securities (referred to as price arbitrage).
 
Any frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of a fund’s portfolio and raise costs. A fund that invests in the types of securities discussed above may be exposed to this risk to a greater degree than a fund that invests in highly liquid securities. These risks would be less significant, for example, in a fund that primarily invests in U.S. government securities, money market instruments, investment-grade corporate issuers or large-capitalization U.S. equity securities. Any successful price arbitrage may cause dilution in the value of the fund shares held by other shareholders.
 
Account information
 
The fund is required by law to obtain information for verifying an account holder’s identity. For example, an individual will be required to supply his or her name, residential address, date of birth and Social Security number. If you do not provide the required information, we may not be able to open your account. If verification is unsuccessful, the fund may close your account, redeem your shares at the next NAV and take any other steps that it deems reasonable.
 
Certificated shares
 
The fund no longer issues share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded. Any existing certificated shares can only be sold by returning the certificated shares to Signature Services, along with a letter of instruction or a stock power and a signature guarantee.
 
Sales in advance of purchase payments
 
When you place a request to sell shares for which the purchase money has not yet been collected, the request will be executed in a timely fashion, but the fund will not release the proceeds to you until your purchase payment clears. This may take up to ten business days after the purchase.
 
Dividends and account policies
 
Account statements
 
In general, you will receive account statements from your plan’s recordkeeper.
 
Every year you should also receive, if applicable, a Form 1099 tax information statement, mailed by January 31, by your plan’s recordkeeper.
 
Dividends
 
The fund generally declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. Capital gains, if any, are distributed annually, typically after the end of the fund’s fiscal year. Most of the fund’s dividends are income dividends. Your dividends begin accruing the day after the fund receives payment and continues through the day your shares are actually sold.
 
Dividend reinvestments
 
Most investors have their dividends reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the same fund. If you choose this option, or if you do
 
 
 
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not indicate any choice, your dividends will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your dividends and capital gains sent directly to your bank account or a check may be mailed if your combined dividend and capital gains amount is $10 or more. However, if the check is not deliverable or the combined dividend and capital gains amount is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your dividend or capital gains checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent dividends and capital gains will be reinvested.
 
Taxability of dividends
 
For investors who are not exempt from federal income taxes, dividends you receive from the fund, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally considered taxable. Dividends from the fund’s short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Dividends from the fund’s long-term capital gains are taxable at a lower rate. Whether gains are short-term or long-term depends on the fund’s holding period. Some dividends paid in January may be taxable as if they had been paid the previous December.
 
The Form 1099 that is mailed to you every January, if applicable, details your dividends and their federal tax category, although you should verify your tax liability with your tax professional.
 
Returns of capital
 
If the fund’s distributions exceed its taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year my be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce each shareholder’s cost basis in the fund and result in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those shares on which the distribution was received are sold.
 
Taxability of transactions
 
Any time you sell or exchange shares, it is considered a taxable event for you if you are not exempt from federal income taxes. Depending on the purchase price and the sale price of the shares you sell or exchange, you may have a gain or a loss on the transaction. You are responsible for any tax liabilities generated by your transactions.
 
Disclosure of fund holdings
 
The fund’s policy regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings can be found in the SAI and the portfolio holdings information can be found at www.jhfunds.com.
 
The following information for the fund is posted on the Web site, generally on the fifth business day after month end: top ten holdings; top ten sector analysis; total return/yield; top ten countries; average quality/maturity; beta/alpha; and top ten portfolio composition. The holdings of the fund will be posted to the Web site within 15 days after each calendar month end. The holdings of the fund are also disclosed quarterly to the SEC on Form N-Q as of the end of the first and third quarters of the fund’s fiscal year and on Form N-CSR as of the second and fourth quarters of the fund’s fiscal year.
 
 
 
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For more information
 
 
Two documents are available that offer further information on the fund:
 
Annual/Semiannual report to shareholders
Includes financial statements, a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected performance, as well as the auditors’ report (in annual report only).
 
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund, and includes a summary of the fund’s policy regarding disclosure of its portfolio holdings, as well as legal and regulatory matters. A current SAI has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into (and is legally a part of) this prospectus.
 
To obtain a free copy of these documents
There are several ways you can get a current annual/semiannual report, prospectus or SAI from John Hancock:
 
Online:  www.jhfunds.com
 
By mail:  John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
PO Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510
 
By phone:  1-888-972-8696
 
You can also view or obtain copies of these documents through the SEC:
 
Online:  www.sec.gov
 
By e-mail (duplicating fee required):  publicinfo@sec.gov
 
By mail (duplicating fee required):  Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-0102
 
In person:  at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.
For access to the Reference Room call 1-800-732-0330.
 

 
© 2009 JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC    91RPN 10/09    SEC file number: 811-04651
 
 
(JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL FUNDS LOGO)
 
John Hancock Funds, LLC
MEMBER FINRA | SIPC
601 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210-2805
 
www.jhfunds.com
 
Electronic delivery now available at
www.jhfunds.com/edelivery


JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 Shares
Statement of Additional Information
October 1, 2009
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides information about John Hancock Strategic Income Fund (the “Fund”) in addition to the information that is contained in the Fund’s current Prospectus for Class A, Class B and Class C shares, and the Fund’s Class I shares and Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares Prospectuses (the “Prospectuses”). The Fund is a diversified series of John Hancock Strategic Series (the “Trust”).
This SAI is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses. This SAI incorporates by reference the Fund’s Annual Report. A copy of a Prospectus or the Annual Report for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 can be obtained free of charge by writing or telephoning:
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc.
P. O. Box 9510
Portsmouth, NH 03802-9521
1-800-225-5291
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ORGANIZATION OF THE FUND
The Fund is the sole series of the Trust, an open-end investment management company organized as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust was organized in April 1986.
John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”) is the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (“Manulife Financial”). Founded in 1862, John Hancock Financial Services and its subsidiaries (“John Hancock”) today offer a broad range of financial products and services, including whole, term, variable, and universal life insurance, as well as college savings products, mutual funds, fixed and variable annuities, long-term care insurance and various forms of business insurance.
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and most of Asia, and primarily through 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$420.9 billion (US$362.0 billion) as at June 30, 2009.
Manulife Financial trades as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”), the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the Pacific Stock Exchange (“PSE”), and under ‘0945’ on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (“SEHK”). Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.
The Fund is sub-advised by MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (“MFC Global (U.S.)” or the “Sub-Adviser”). MFC Global (U.S.) is a subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Manulife Financial. MFC Global (U.S.) is responsible for providing investment advice to the Fund subject to the review of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) and the overall supervision of the Adviser.
The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Fund and is responsible for the supervision of MFC Global (U.S.)’s services to the Fund.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The following information supplements the discussion of the Fund’s investment objective and policies discussed in the Prospectus. Appendix A contains further information describing investment risks. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The investment objective is fundamental and may only be changed with shareholder approval.
The investment objective of the Fund is a high level of current income. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in: (i) foreign government and corporate debt securities, (ii) U.S. Government securities and (iii) lower-rated high yield high risk debt securities.
The Fund may invest in all types of debt securities. The debt securities in which the Fund may invest include bonds, debentures, notes (including variable and floating rate instruments), preferred and preference stock, zero coupon bonds, payment-in-kind securities, increasing rate note securities, participation interest, multiple class pass through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, stripped debt securities, other mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and other derivative debt securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund’s assets will be invested in each of the foregoing three sectors. However, from time to time the Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets in any one sector.
The Fund may also invest up to 10% of net assets in common stocks of U.S. and foreign companies.

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Investment Companies. To the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, the Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies in pursuit of its investment objective. This may include investments in money market mutual funds in connection with the Fund’s management of daily cash portions. In addition to the advisory and operational fees the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation, the Fund and its shareholders will also bear the pro rata portion of each other investment company’s advisory and operational expenses.
Lower Rated Securities . The higher yields and high income sought by the Fund are generally obtainable from high yield risk securities in the lower rating categories of the established rating services. These securities are rated below Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or below BBB by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”) or Fitch Investors Service (“Fitch”). The Fund may invest in securities rated as low as D by Moody’s or S&P, which indicates that the obligations are in default. Lower rated securities are generally referred to as junk bonds. See Appendix B attached to this SAI for a description of the characteristics of the various ratings categories. The Fund is not obligated to dispose of securities whose issuers subsequently are in default or which are downgraded below the minimum ratings noted above. The credit ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch (the “Rating Agencies”), such as those ratings described in this SAI, may not be changed by the Rating Agencies in a timely fashion to reflect subsequent economic events. The credit ratings of securities do not evaluate market risk. The Fund may also invest in unrated securities which, in the opinion of the Adviser, offer comparable yields and risks to the rated securities in which the Fund may invest.
Ratings as Investment Criteria. In general, the ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch represent the opinions of these agencies as to the quality of the securities which they rate. It should be emphasized however, that ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. These ratings will be used by the Fund as initial criteria for the selection of portfolio securities. Among the factors which will be considered are the long-term ability of the issuer to pay principal and interest and general economic trends. Appendix B contains further information concerning the rating of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch and their significance. Subsequent to its purchase by the Fund, an issue of securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by the Fund. Neither of these events will require the sale of the securities by the Fund.
Debt securities that are rated in the lower rating categories, or which are unrated, involve greater volatility of price and risk of loss of principal and income. In addition, lower ratings reflect a greater possibility of an adverse change in financial condition affecting the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The market price and liquidity of lower rated fixed income securities generally respond to short-term corporate and market developments to a greater extent than the price and liquidity of higher rated securities, because these developments are perceived to have a more direct relationship to the ability of an issuer of lower rated securities to meet its ongoing debt obligations. Although the Adviser seeks to minimize these risks through diversification, investment analysis and attention to current developments in interest rates and economic conditions, there can be no assurance that the Adviser will be successful in limiting the Fund’s exposure to the risks associated with lower rated securities. Because the Fund invests in securities in the lower rated categories, the achievement of the Fund’s goals is more dependent on the Adviser’s ability than would be the case if the Fund were investing in securities in the higher rated categories.
The Fund’s investments in debt securities may include increasing rate note securities, zero coupon bonds and payment-in-kind bonds. Zero coupon bonds have a determined interest rate, but payment of the interest is deferred until maturity of the bonds. Payment- in-kind securities pay interest in either cash or additional securities, at the issuer’s option, for a specified period. The market prices of zero coupon and payment-in-kind bonds are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes, and thereby tend to be more volatile than securities which pay interest periodically and in cash. Increasing rate note securities are typically refinanced by the issuers within a short period of time.
The market value of debt securities which carry no equity participation usually reflects yields generally available on securities of similar quality and type. When such yields decline, the market value of a portfolio already invested at higher yields can be expected to rise if such securities are protected against early call. In general, in selecting securities for its portfolio, the Fund intends to seek protection against early call. Similarly, when such yields

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increase, the market value of a portfolio already invested at lower yields can be expected to decline. The Fund’s portfolio may include debt securities which sell at substantial discounts from par. These securities are low coupon bonds which, because of their lower acquisition cost tend to sell on a yield basis approximating current interest rates during periods of high interest rates.
Reduced volume and liquidity in the high yield high risk bond market or the reduced availability of market quotations may make it more difficult to dispose of the Fund’s investments in high yield high risk securities and to value accurately these assets. The reduced availability of reliable, objective data may increase the Fund’s reliance on management’s judgment in valuing high yield high risk bonds. In addition, the Fund’s investments in high yield high risk securities may be susceptible to adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not justified by fundamental factors. The Fund’s investments, and consequently its net asset value per share (“NAV”), will be subject to the market fluctuations and risk inherent in all securities.
Foreign Securities . The Fund may invest in debt obligations (which may be denominated in the U.S. dollar or in foreign currencies) issued or guaranteed by foreign corporations, certain supranational entities (such as the World Bank), and foreign governments (including political subdivisions having taxing authority) or their agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund may also invest in debt securities that are issued by U.S. corporations and denominated in non-U.S. currencies. No more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets, at the time of purchase, will be invested in government securities of any one foreign country.
The Fund may also invest in American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs (sponsored and unsponsored) are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation, and are designed for trading in United States securities markets. Issuers of unsponsored ADRs are not contractually obligated to disclose material information in the United States, and, therefore, there may not be a correlation between that information and the market value of an unsponsored ADR.
The percentage of the Fund’s assets that will be allocated to foreign securities will vary depending on the relative yields of foreign and U.S. securities, the economies of foreign countries, the condition of such countries’ financial markets, the interest rate climate of such countries and the relationship of such countries’ currency to the U.S. dollar. These factors are judged on the basis of fundamental economic criteria (e.g., relative inflation levels and trends, growth rate forecasts, balance of payments status and economic policies) as well as technical and political data. The Fund may invest in any country where the Adviser believes there is a potential to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Investments in securities of issuers in non-industrialized countries generally involve more risk and may be considered highly speculative.
The value of portfolio securities denominated in foreign currencies may increase or decrease in response to changes in currency exchange rates. The Fund will incur costs in connection with converting between currencies.
Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts involving currencies of the different countries in which it will invest as a hedge against possible variations in the foreign exchange rate between these currencies as well as to enhance return or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of currency. The foreign currency transactions of the Fund may be conducted on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency prevailing in the foreign exchange market. Forward foreign currency contracts are contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward foreign currency contracts with respect to specific receivables for payables of the Fund accruing in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities denominated in foreign currencies. Portfolio hedging is the use of forward foreign currency contracts to offset portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in such foreign currencies. The Fund will not attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio positions and will enter into such transactions only to the extent, if any, deemed appropriate by the Adviser.
If the Fund enters into a forward contract requiring it to purchase foreign currency, the Fund will segregate cash or liquid securities in a separate account in an amount equal to the value of the Fund’s total assets committed to the consummation of such forward contract. Those assets will be valued at market daily and if the value of the assets in

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the separate account declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the account so that the value of the account will equal the amount of the Fund’s commitment with respect to such contracts.
Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates.
There is no limitation on the value of the Fund’s assets that may be committed to forward contracts or on the term of a forward contract. In addition to the risks described above, forward contracts are subject to the following additional risks: (1) that the Fund’s performance will be adversely affected by unexpected changes in currency exchange rates; (2) that the counterparty to a forward contract will fail to perform its contractual obligations; (3) that the Fund will be unable to terminate or dispose of its position in a forward contract; and (4) with respect to hedging transactions in forward contracts, that there will be imperfect correlation between price changes in the forward contract and price changes in the hedged portfolio assets.
The cost to the Fund of engaging in foreign currency transactions varies with such factors as that currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Since transactions in foreign currency are usually conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved.
Global Risks . Investments in foreign securities may involve certain risks not present in domestic investments due to exchange controls, less publicly available information, more volatile or less liquid securities markets, and the possibility of expropriation, confiscatory taxation or political, economic or social instability. There may be difficulty in enforcing legal rights outside the United States. Some foreign companies are not subject to the same uniform financial reporting requirements, accounting standards and governmental supervision as domestic companies, and foreign exchange markets are regulated differently from the U.S. stock market. Security trading practices abroad may offer less protection to investors such as the Fund. In addition, foreign securities may be denominated in the currency of the country in which the issuer is located. Consequently, changes in the foreign exchange rate will affect the value of the Fund’s shares and dividends. Finally, you should be aware that the expense ratios of international funds generally are higher than those of domestic funds, because there are greater costs associated with maintaining custody of foreign securities and the increased research necessary for international investing results in a higher advisory fee.
These risks may be intensified in the case of investments in emerging markets or countries with limited or developing capital markets. These countries are located in the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern Europe, Latin and South America and Africa. Security prices in these markets can be significantly more volatile than in more developed countries, reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established markets and economies. Political, legal and economic structures in many of these emerging market countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and they may lack the social, political, legal and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. Emerging market countries may have failed in the past to recognize private property rights. They may have relatively unstable governments, present the risk of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership, or prohibitions on repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. Their economies may be predominately based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of substantial holdings difficult or impossible at times. The Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other arrangements before making certain investments in these countries. Securities of issuers located in these countries may have limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements.
The Fund may acquire other restricted securities including securities for which market quotations are not readily available. These securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in public offerings with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be

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obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities will be priced at fair market value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Trustees.
Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement the Fund would buy a security for a relatively short period (usually not more than 7 days) subject to the obligation to sell it back to the issuer at a fixed time and price plus accrued interest. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and with “primary dealers” in U.S. Government securities. The Adviser will continuously monitor the creditworthiness of the parties with whom it enters into repurchase agreements.
The Fund has established a procedure providing that the securities serving as collateral for each repurchase agreement must be delivered to the Fund’s custodian either physically or in book entry form and that the collateral must be marked to market daily to ensure that each repurchase agreement is fully collateralized at all times. In the event of bankruptcy or other default by a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience delays in or be prevented from liquidating the underlying securities and could experience losses, including the possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period in while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, possible subnormal levels of income and decline in value of the underlying securities or lack of access to income during this period and the expense of enforcing its rights.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements . The Fund may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements which involve the sale of U.S. Government securities held in its portfolio to a bank with an agreement that the Fund will buy back the securities at a fixed future date at a fixed price plus an agreed amount of “interest” which may be reflected in the repurchase price. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings by the Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of securities purchased by the Fund with proceeds of the transaction may decline below the repurchase price of the securities sold by the Fund which it is obligated to repurchase. To minimize various risks associated with reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund will establish and maintain a separate account consisting of liquid securities, of any type or maturity, in an amount at least equal to the repurchase prices of these securities (plus any accrued interest thereon) under such agreements. The Fund will also continue to be subject to the risk of a decline in the market value of the securities sold under the agreements because it will reacquire those securities upon effecting their repurchase. In addition, the Fund will not enter into reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings exceeding in the aggregate 33% of the market value of its total assets. The Fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only with federally insured banks which are approved in advance as being creditworthy by the Board. Under procedures established by the Board, the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the banks involved.
Restricted Securities. The Fund may purchase securities that are not registered (“restricted securities”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), including commercial paper issued in reliance on Section 4(2) of the 1933 act. However, the Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. If the Board determines, based upon a continuing review of the trading markets for specific Section 4(2) paper or Rule 144A securities, that they are liquid, they will not be subject to the 15% limit in illiquid investments. The Board may adopt guidelines and delegated to the Adviser the daily function of determining and monitoring the liquidity of restricted securities. The Board, however, will retain sufficient oversight and be ultimately responsible for the determinations. The Board will carefully monitor the Fund’s liquidity and availability of information. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund if qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities.
Options on Securities, Securities Indices and Currency . The Fund may purchase and write (sell) call and put options on any securities in which it may invest, on any securities index based on securities in which it may invest or on any currency in which Fund investments may be denominated. These options may be listed on national domestic securities exchanges or foreign securities exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market. The Fund may write covered put and call options and purchase put and call options to enhance total return, as a substitute for the

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purchase or sale of securities or currency, or to protect against declines in the value of portfolio securities and against increases in the cost of securities to be acquired.
Writing Covered Options . A call option on securities or currency written by the Fund obligates the Fund to sell specified securities or currency to the holder of the option at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. A put option on securities or currency written by the Fund obligates the Fund to purchase specified securities or currency from the option holder at a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration date. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options requires cash settlement payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price fluctuations in a group of securities or segment of the securities market rather than price fluctuations in a single security. Writing covered call options may deprive the Fund of the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the securities or foreign currency assets in its portfolio. Writing covered put options may deprive the Fund of the opportunity to profit from a decrease in the market price of the securities or foreign currency assets to be acquired for its portfolio.
All call and put options written by the Fund are covered. A written call option or put option may be covered by (i) maintaining cash or liquid securities, either of which may be quoted or denominated in any currency, in a segregated account with a value at least equal to the Fund’s obligation under the option, (ii) entering into an offsetting forward commitment and/or (iii) purchasing an offsetting option or any other option which, by virtue of its exercise price or otherwise, reduces the Fund’s net exposure on its written option position. A written call option on securities is typically covered by maintaining the securities that are subject to the option in a segregated account. The Fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index.
The Fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange traded call or put option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are referred to as “closing purchase transactions.”
Purchasing Options . The Fund would normally purchase call options in anticipation of an increase, or put options in anticipation of a decrease (“protective puts”), in the market value of securities or currencies of the type in which it may invest. The Fund may also sell call and put options to close out its purchased options.
The purchase of a call option would entitle the Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities or currency at a specified price during the option period. The Fund would ordinarily realize a gain on the purchase of a call option if, during the option period, the value of such securities or currency exceeded the sum of the exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.
The purchase of a put option would entitle the Fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities or currency at a specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities or the currencies in which they are denominated. Put options may also be purchased by the Fund for the purpose of affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities or currencies which it does not own. The Fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option period, the value of the underlying securities or currency decreased below the exercise price sufficiently to cover the premium and transaction costs; otherwise the Fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of put options may be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.
The Fund’s options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded. These limitations govern the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held or written in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the

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number of options which the Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Adviser. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and it may impose certain other sanctions.
Risks Associated with Options Transactions . There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on a domestic or foreign options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option or at any particular time. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying securities or currencies or dispose of assets held in a segregated account until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it would have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of underlying securities or currencies.
Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options). If trading were discontinued, the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist. However, outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The Fund’s ability to terminate over-the-counter options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. The Adviser will determine the liquidity of each over-the-counter option in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Trustees.
The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The successful use of options depends in part on the Adviser’s ability to predict future price fluctuations and, for hedging transactions, the degree of correlation between the options and securities or currency markets.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts . To seek to increase total return or hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates, the Fund may purchase and sell various kinds of futures contracts, and purchase and write call and put options on these futures contracts. The Fund may also enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to any of these contracts and options. The futures contracts may be based on various securities (such as U.S. Government securities), securities indices, foreign currencies and any other financial instruments and indices. All futures contracts entered into by the Fund are traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed, regulated or approved by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).
Futures Contracts . A futures contract may generally be described as an agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments or currencies for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a profit or a loss. While futures contracts on securities or currency will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Fund may instead make, or take, delivery of the underlying securities or currency whenever it appears economically advantageous to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures contracts are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the settlement date.

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Hedging and Other Strategies . Hedging is an attempt to establish with more certainty than would otherwise be possible the effective price or rate of return on portfolio securities or securities that the Fund proposes to acquire or the exchange rate of currencies in which portfolio securities are quoted or denominated. When securities prices are falling, the Fund can seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities through the sale of futures contracts. When securities prices are rising, the Fund, through the purchase of futures contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases. The Fund may seek to offset anticipated changes in the value of a currency in which its portfolio securities, or securities that it intends to purchase, are quoted or denominated by purchasing and selling futures contracts on such currencies.
The Fund may, for example, take a “short” position in the futures market by selling futures contracts in an attempt to hedge against an anticipated decline in market prices or foreign currency rates that would adversely affect the dollar value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Such futures contracts may include contracts for the future delivery of securities held by the Fund or securities with characteristics similar to those of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Similarly, the Fund may sell futures contracts on any currencies in which its portfolio securities are quoted or denominated or in one currency to hedge against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a different currency if there is an established historical pattern of correlation between the two currencies.
If, in the opinion of the Adviser, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price trends for the Fund’s portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, the Fund may also enter into such futures contracts as part of its hedging strategy. Although under some circumstances prices of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may be more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, the Adviser will attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on historical patterns and compensate for any differential by having the Fund enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting the Fund’s portfolio securities.
When a short hedging position is successful, any depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any unanticipated appreciation in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures position.
On other occasions, the Fund may take a “long” position by purchasing futures contracts. This would be done, for example, when the Fund anticipates the subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash, but expects the prices or currency exchange rates then available in the applicable market to be less favorable than prices that are currently available. The Fund may also purchase futures contracts as a substitute for transactions in securities or foreign currency, to alter the investment characteristics of or currency exposure associated with portfolio securities or to gain or increase its exposure to a particular securities market or currency.
Options on Futures Contracts . The Fund may purchase and write options on futures for the same purposes as its transactions in futures contracts. The purchase of put and call options on futures contracts will give the Fund the right (but not the obligation) for a specified price to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on a futures contract, the Fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if prices move in a favorable direction but limits its risk of loss in the event of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction costs.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset a decline in the value of the Fund’s assets. By writing a call option, the Fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium (upon exercise of the option) to sell a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value higher than the exercise price. Conversely, the writing of a put option on a futures contract generates a premium which may partially offset an increase in the price of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. However, the Fund becomes obligated (upon exercise of the option) to purchase a futures contract if the option is exercised, which may have a value lower than the exercise price. The loss incurred by the Fund in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.
The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option of the same series. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. The

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Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.
Other Considerations . The Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions either for bona fide hedging purposes or to seek to increase total return as permitted by the CFTC. To the extent that the Fund is using futures and related options for hedging purposes, futures contracts will be sold to protect against a decline in the price of securities (or the currency in which they are quoted or denominated) that the Fund owns or futures contracts will be purchased to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of securities (or the currency in which they are quoted or denominated) it intends to purchase. The Fund will determine that the price fluctuations in the futures contracts and options on futures used for hedging purposes are substantially related to price fluctuations in securities held by the Fund or securities or instruments which it expects to purchase. As evidence of its hedging intent, the Fund expects that on 75% or more of the occasions on which it takes a long futures or option position (involving the purchase of futures contracts), the Fund will have purchased, or will be in the process of purchasing, equivalent amounts of related securities (or assets denominated in the related currency) in the cash market at the time when the futures or option position is closed out. However, in particular cases, when it is economically advantageous for the Fund to do so, a long futures position may be terminated or an option may expire without the corresponding purchase of securities or other assets.
To the extent that the Fund engages in nonhedging transactions in futures contracts and options on futures, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish these nonhedging positions will not exceed 5% of the NAV of the Fund’s portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which such options were in-the-money at the time of purchase.
Transactions in futures contracts and options on futures involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in the case of contracts and options obligating the Fund to purchase securities or currencies, require the Fund to establish a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid securities in an amount equal to the underlying value of such contracts and options.
While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce certain risks, these transactions themselves entail certain other risks. For example, unanticipated changes in interest rates, securities prices or currency exchange rates may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into any futures contracts or options transactions.
Perfect correlation between the Fund’s futures positions and portfolio positions will be impossible to achieve. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Fund may be exposed to risk of loss. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or protect against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies because the value of such securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of independent factors not related to currency fluctuations.
Some futures contracts or options on futures may become illiquid under adverse market conditions. In addition, during periods of market volatility, a commodity exchange may suspend or limit trading in a futures contract or related option, which may make the instrument temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. Commodity exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or related option can vary from the previous day’s settlement price. Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This may prevent the Fund from closing out positions and limiting its losses.
Forward Commitment and When-Issued Securities . The Fund may purchase securities on a when- issued or forward commitment basis. “When-issued” refers to securities whose terms are available and for which a market exists, but which have not been issued. The Fund will engage in when-issued transactions with respect to securities purchased for its portfolio in order to obtain what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of the transaction. For when-issued transactions, no payment is made until delivery is due, often a month or more after the purchase. In a forward commitment transaction, the Fund contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time.

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When the Fund engages in forward commitment and when issued transactions, it relies on the seller to consummate the transaction. The failure of the issuer or seller to consummate the transaction may result in the Fund’s losing the opportunity to obtain a price and yield considered to be advantageous. The purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis also involves a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date.
On the date the Fund enters into an agreement to purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, the Fund will segregate in a separate account cash or liquid securities equal in value to the Fund’s commitment. These assets will be valued daily at market, and additional cash or securities will be segregated in a separate account to the extent that the total value of the assets in the account declines below the amount of the when-issued commitments. Alternatively, the Fund may enter into offsetting contracts for the forward sale of other securities that it owns.
Borrowing . The Fund may borrow money in an amount that does not exceed 33% of its total assets. Borrowing by the Fund involves leverage, which may exaggerate any increase or decrease in the Fund’s investment performance and in that respect may be considered a speculative practice. The interest that the Fund must pay on any borrowed money, additional fees to maintain a line of credit or any minimum average balances required to be maintained are additional costs which will reduce or eliminate any potential investment income and may offset any capital gains. Unless the appreciation and income, if any, on the asset acquired with borrowed funds exceed the cost of borrowing, the use of leverage will diminish the investment performance of the Fund.
Short Sales . The Fund may engage in short sales in order to profit from an anticipated decline in the value of a security. The Fund may also engage in short sales to attempt to limit its exposure to a possible market decline in the value of its portfolio securities through short sales of securities which the Adviser believes possess volatility characteristics similar to those being hedged. To effect such a transaction, the Fund must borrow the security sold short to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. Until the security is replaced, the Fund is required to pay to the lender any accrued interest or dividends and may be required to pay a premium. The Fund may only make short sales “against the box,” meaning that the Fund, by virtue of its ownership of other securities, has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold and, if the right is conditional, the sale is made upon the same conditions.
The Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. On the other hand, the Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security increases between those dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of any premium or interest or dividends the Fund may be required to pay in connection with a short sale. The successful use of short selling as a hedging device may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.
Under applicable guidelines of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), if the Fund engages in short sales, it must put in a segregated account (not with the broker) an amount of cash or liquid securities equal to the difference between (a) the market value of the securities sold short (b) any cash or U.S. Government securities required to be deposited as collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds from the short sale). In addition, until the Fund replaces the borrowed security, it must daily maintain the segregated account at such a level that the amount deposited in it plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current market value of the securities sold short.
Short selling may produce higher than normal portfolio turnover which may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund.
Government Securities . Certain U.S. Government securities, including U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and certificates issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Certain other U.S. Government securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies

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or government sponsored enterprises, are not supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, but may be supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. These securities include obligations issued by instrumentalities such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Student Loan Marketing Association (“Sallie Mae”). No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to these federal agencies, authorities, instrumentalities and government sponsored enterprises in the future. Any governmental guarantees on portfolio securities do not apply to these securities’ market value or current yield, or to the Fund’s shares.
Mortgage Securities
Prepayment of Mortgages. Mortgage securities differ from conventional bonds in that principal is paid over the life of the securities rather than at maturity. As a result, the Fund which invests in mortgage securities receives monthly scheduled payments of principal and interest, and may receive unscheduled principal payments representing prepayments on the underlying mortgages. When the Fund reinvests the payments and any unscheduled prepayments of principal it receives, it may receive a rate of interest which is higher or lower than the rate on the existing mortgage securities. For this reason, mortgage securities may be less effective than other types of debt securities as a means of locking in long term interest rates.
In addition, because the underlying mortgage loans and assets may be prepaid at any time, if the Fund purchases mortgage securities at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than expected will reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower than expected will increase yield to maturity. Conversely, if the Fund purchases these securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase yield to maturity, while slower than expected payments will reduce yield to maturity.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities. Adjustable rate mortgage securities are similar to the fixed rate mortgage securities discussed above, except that, unlike fixed rate mortgage securities, adjustable rate mortgage securities are collateralized by or represent interests in mortgage loans with variable rates of interest. These variable rates of interest reset periodically to align themselves with market rates. Most adjustable rate mortgage securities provide for an initial mortgage rate that is in effect for a fixed period, typically ranging from three to twelve months. Thereafter, the mortgage interest rate will reset periodically in accordance with movements in a specified published interest rate index. The amount of interest due to an adjustable rate mortgage holder is determined in accordance with movements in a specified published interest rate index by adding a pre-determined increment or “margin” to the specified interest rate index. Many adjustable rate mortgage securities reset their interest rates based on changes in:
  one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury Bill rates;
 
  three-month or six-month Treasury Bill rates;
 
  11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds;
 
  National Median Cost of Funds; or
 
  one-month, three-month, six-month or one-year London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other market rates.
During periods of increasing rates, the Fund will not benefit from such increase to the extent that interest rates rise to the point where they cause the current coupon of adjustable rate mortgages held as investments to exceed any maximum allowable annual or lifetime reset limits or “cap rates” for a particular mortgage. In this event, the value of the mortgage securities held by the Fund would likely decrease. During periods of declining interest rates, income to the Fund derived from adjustable rate mortgages which remain in a mortgage pool may decrease in contrast to the income on fixed rate mortgages, which will remain constant. Adjustable rate mortgages also have less potential for appreciation in value as interest rates decline than do fixed rate investments. Also, the Fund’s NAV could vary to the extent that current yields on adjustable rate mortgage securities held as investments are different than market yields during interim periods between coupon reset dates.
Privately-Issued Mortgage Securities. Privately-issued mortgage securities provide for the monthly principal and interest payments made by individual borrowers to pass through to investors on a corporate basis, and in privately issued collateralized mortgage obligations, as further described below. Privately-issued mortgage securities are

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issued by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including:
  mortgage bankers;
 
  commercial banks;
 
  investment banks;
 
  savings and loan associations; and
 
  special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.
Since privately-issued mortgage certificates are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit status of the Ginnie Mae or Freddie Mac, such securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement. For a description of the types of credit enhancements that may accompany privately-issued mortgage securities, see “Types of Credit Support” below. The Fund will not limit its investments in mortgage-backed securities to those with credit enhancements.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”). CMOs generally are bonds or certificates issued in multiple classes that are collateralized by or represent an interest in mortgages. CMOs may be issued by single-purpose, stand-alone finance subsidiaries or trusts of financial institutions, government agencies, investment banks or other similar institutions. Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a “tranche,” may be issued with a specific fixed coupon rate (which may be zero) or a floating coupon rate. Each class of CMOs also has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the underlying mortgages may cause the CMOs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrued on CMOs on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis.
The principal of and interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. The general goal sought to be achieved in allocating cash flows on the underlying mortgages to the various classes of a series of CMOs is to create tranches on which the expected cash flows have a higher degree of predictability than the underlying mortgages. In creating such tranches, other tranches may be subordinated to the interests of these tranches and receive payments only after the obligations of the more senior tranches have been satisfied. As a general matter, the more predictable the cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated yield will be on that tranche at the time of issuance. As part of the process of creating more predictable cash flows on most of the tranches in a series of CMOs, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the cash flows on the underlying mortgages. The yields on these tranches are relatively higher than on tranches with more predictable cash flows. Because of the uncertainty of the cash flows on these tranches, and the sensitivity of these transactions to changes in prepayment rates on the underlying mortgages, the market prices of and yields on these tranches tend to be highly volatile. The market prices of and yields on tranches with longer terms to maturity also tend to be more volatile than tranches with shorter terms to maturity due to these same factors. To the extent the mortgages underlying a series of a CMO are so called “subprime mortgages” (mortgages granted to borrowers whose credit history is not sufficient to obtain a conventional mortgage), the risk of default is higher which increases the risk that one or more tranches of a CMO will not receive its predicted cash flows.
CMOs purchased by the Fund may be:
(1) collateralized by pools of mortgages in which each mortgage is guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government;
(2) collateralized by pools of mortgages in which payment of principal and interest is guaranteed by the issuer and the guarantee is collateralized by U.S. Government securities; or
(3) securities for which the proceeds of the issuance are invested in mortgage securities and payment of the principal and interest is supported by the credit of an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government.
Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (“STRIPS”). The Fund may invest in separately traded interest components of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The interest components of selected securities are traded independently under the STRIPS program. Under the STRIPS program, the interest components are individually numbered and separately issued by the U.S. Treasury at the

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request of depository financial institutions, which then trade the component parts independently.
Stripped Mortgage Securities. Stripped mortgage securities are derivative multi-class mortgage securities. Stripped mortgage securities may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, or by private issuers, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. Stripped mortgage securities have greater volatility than other types of mortgage securities in which the Fund invests. Although stripped mortgage securities are purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers, the market for such securities has not yet been fully developed. Accordingly, stripped mortgage securities may be illiquid and, together with any other illiquid investments, will not exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets. See “Additional Investment Policies — Illiquid Securities.”
Stripped mortgage securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of stripped mortgage security will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal only or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates and the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. A rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on an investing fund’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, such fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities even if the securities are rated highly.
As interest rates rise and fall, the value of IOs tends to move in the same direction as interest rates. The value of the other mortgage securities described in the Prospectus and this SAI, like other debt instruments, will tend to move in the opposite direction to interest rates. Accordingly, investing in IOs, in conjunction with the other mortgage securities described in the Prospectus and this SAI, is expected to contribute to the Fund’s relatively stable NAV.
Under the Code, POs may generate taxable income from the current accrual of original issue discount, without a corresponding distribution of cash to the Fund.
Types of Credit Support. Mortgage securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. To lessen the impact of an obligor’s failure to make payments on underlying assets, mortgage securities may contain elements of credit support. A discussion of credit support is described under “Asset-Backed Securities.”
Asset-Backed Securities
The securitization techniques used to develop mortgage securities are also being applied to a broad range of other assets. Through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations, automobile and credit card receivables are being securitized in pass-through structures similar to mortgage pass-through structures or in a pay-through structure similar to the CMO structure.
Generally, the issuers of asset-backed bonds, notes or pass-through certificates are special purpose entities and do not have any significant assets other than the receivables securing such obligations. In general, the collateral supporting asset-backed securities is of a shorter maturity than mortgage loans. As a result, investment in these securities should be subject to less volatility than mortgage securities. Instruments backed by pools of receivables are similar to mortgage-backed securities in that they are subject to unscheduled prepayments of principal prior to maturity. When the obligations are prepaid, the Fund must reinvest the prepaid amounts in securities with the prevailing interest rates at the time. Therefore, the Fund’s ability to maintain an investment, including high-yielding asset-backed securities, will be affected adversely to the extent that prepayments of principal must be reinvested in securities which have lower yields than the prepaid obligations. Moreover, prepayments of securities purchased at a premium could result in a realized loss. Unless otherwise stated in the Prospectus, the Fund will only invest in asset-backed securities rated, at the time of purchase, AA or better by S&P or Fitch or Aa or better by Moody’s.

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As with mortgage securities, asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligation of a number of different parties and use similar credit enhancement techniques. For a description of the types of credit enhancement that may accompany asset-backed securities, see “Types of Credit Support” below. The Fund will not limit its investments in asset-backed securities to those with credit enhancements. Although asset-backed securities are not generally traded on a national securities exchange, such securities are widely traded by brokers and dealers, and will not be considered illiquid securities for the purposes of the investment restriction on illiquid securities under “Additional Investment Policies.”
Types of Credit Support. To lessen the impact of an obligor’s failure to make payments on underlying assets, mortgage securities and asset-backed securities may contain elements of credit support. Such credit support falls into two categories:
  liquidity protection; and
 
  default protection.
Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the pass-through of payments due on the underlying pool of assets occurs in a timely fashion. Default protection provides protection against losses resulting from ultimate default and enhances the likelihood of ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The Fund will not pay any additional fees for such credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.
Some examples of credit support include:
  “senior-subordinated securities” (multiple class securities with one or more classes subordinate to other classes as to the payment of principal thereof and interest thereon, with the result that defaults on the underlying assets are borne first by the holders of the subordinated class);
 
  creation of “reserve funds” (where cash or investments, sometimes funded from a portion of the payments on the underlying assets, are held in reserve against future losses); and
 
  “over-collateralization” (where the scheduled payments on, or the principal amount of, the underlying assets exceed those required to make payment on the securities and pay any servicing or other fees).
The ratings of mortgage securities and asset-backed securities for which third-party credit enhancement provides liquidity protection or default protection are generally dependent upon the continued creditworthiness of the provider of the credit enhancement. The ratings of these securities could be reduced in the event of deterioration in the creditworthiness of the credit enhancement provider even in cases where the delinquency and loss experienced on the underlying pool of assets is better than expected.
The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information concerning the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquency or loss greater than anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in mortgage securities or asset-backed securities.
Collateralized Debt Obligations. The Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities. CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CBO is a trust which is backed by a diversified pool of high risk, below investment grade fixed income securities. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans.
For both CBOs and CLOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or

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loans in the CBO trust or CLO trust, as applicable, and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche from a CBO trust or CLO trust typically has higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CBO or CLO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CBO or CLO securities as a class. In the case of both the equity tranche and the CBO or CLO tranches, the market prices of and yields on tranches with longer terms to maturity tend to be more volatile than tranches with shorter terms to maturity due to the greater volatility and uncertainty of cash flows.
The risks of an investment in a CDO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class of the CDO in which the Fund invests. Normally, CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however, an active dealer market may exist for CDOs allowing a CDO to qualify for Rule 144A transactions. In addition to the normal risks associated with fixed income securities discussed elsewhere in this SAI and the Prospectus (e.g., interest rate risk and default risk), CDOs carry additional risks including, but are not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the Fund may invest in CDOs that are subordinate to other classes and, therefore, receive payments only after the obligations of the more senior class have been satisfied; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.
Structured or Hybrid Notes. The Fund may invest in “structured” or “hybrid” notes. The distinguishing feature of a structured or hybrid note is that the amount of interest and/or principal payable on the note is based on the performance of a benchmark asset or market other than fixed income securities or interest rates. Examples of these benchmarks include stock prices, currency exchange rates and physical commodity prices. Investing in a structured note allows the Fund to gain exposure to the benchmark market while fixing the maximum loss that the Fund may experience in the event that market does not perform as expected. Depending on the terms of the note, the Fund may forego all or part of the interest and principal that would be payable on a comparable conventional note; the Fund’s loss cannot exceed this foregone interest and/or principal. An investment in structured or hybrid notes involves risks similar to those associated with a direct investment in the benchmark asset.
Participation Interests . Participation interests, which may take the form of interests in, or assignments of certain loans, are acquired from banks that have made these loans or are members of a lending syndicate. The Fund’s investments in participation interests may be subject to its 15% limitation on investments in illiquid securities.
Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. As one way of managing its exposure to different types of investments, the Fund may enter into interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and other types of swap agreements such as caps, collars and floors. In a typical interest rate swap, one party agrees to make regular payments equal to a floating interest rate times a “notional principal amount,” in return for payments equal to a fixed rate times the same amount, for a specified period of time. If a swap agreement provides for payment in different currencies, the parties might agree to exchange the notional principal amount as well. Swaps may also depend on other prices or rates, such as the value of an index or mortgage prepayment rates.
In a typical cap or floor agreement, one party agrees to make payments only under specified circumstances, usually in return for payment of a fee by the other party. For example, the buyer of an interest rate cap obtains the right to receive payments to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds an agreed-upon level, while the seller of an interest rate floor is obligated to make payments to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below an agreed-upon level. An interest rate collar combines elements of buying a cap and selling a floor.
Swap agreements will tend to shift the Fund’s investment exposure from one type of investment to another. For example, if the Fund agreed to exchange payments in dollars for payments in a foreign currency, the swap agreement would tend to decrease the Fund’s exposure to U.S. interest rates and increase its exposure to foreign currency and interest rates. Caps and floors have an effect similar to buying or writing options. Depending on how

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they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund’s investments and its share price and yield.
Swap agreements are sophisticated hedging instruments that typically involve a small investment of cash relative to the magnitude of risks assumed. As a result, swaps can be highly volatile and may have a considerable impact on the Fund’s performance. Swap agreements are subject to risks related to the counterpart’s ability to perform, and may decline in value if the counterpart’s credit worthiness deteriorates. The Fund may also suffer losses if it is unable to terminate outstanding swap agreements or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions. The Fund will maintain in a segregated account with its custodian, cash or liquid, high grade debt securities equal to the net amount, if any, of the excess of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlement with respect to swap, cap, collar or floor transactions.
Credit Default Swap Agreements. The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements. The “buyer” in a credit default contract is obligated to pay the “seller” a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default on an underlying reference obligation has occurred. If an event of default occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation. The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no event of default occurs, the Fund loses its investment and recovers nothing. However, if an event of default occurs, the buyer receives full notional value for a reference obligation that may have little or no value. As a seller, the Fund receives a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the contract, which can run between six months and ten years but are typically structured between three and five years, provided that there is no default event. If an event of default occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the reference obligation. Credit default swaps involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly. In addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks. The Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties who are rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization at the time of entering into such transaction or whose creditworthiness is believed by the Adviser to be equivalent to such rating. A buyer also will lose its investment and recover nothing should an event of default occur. If an event of default were to occur, the value of the reference obligation received by the seller, coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund.
If the Fund enters into a credit default swap, the Fund may be required to report the swap as a “listed transaction” for tax shelter reporting purposes on the Fund’s federal income tax return. If the IRS were to determine that the credit default swap is a tax shelter, the Fund could be subject to penalties under the Code.
Pay-In-Kind, Delayed and Zero Coupon Bonds. The Fund may invest in pay-in-kind, delayed and zero coupon bonds. These are securities issued at a discount from their face value because interest payments are typically postponed until maturity. The amount of the discount rate varies depending on factors including the time remaining until maturity, prevailing interest rates, the security’s liquidity and the issuer’s credit quality. These securities also may take the form of debt securities that have been stripped of their interest payments. A portion of the discount with respect to stripped tax-exempt securities or their coupons may be taxable. The market prices in pay-in-kind, delayed and zero coupon bonds generally are more volatile than the market prices of interest- bearing securities and are likely to respond to a grater degree to changes in interest rates than interest-bearing securities having similar maturities and credit quality. The Fund’s investments in pay-in-kind, delayed and zero coupon bonds may require the Fund to sell certain of its portfolio securities to generate sufficient cash to satisfy certain income distribution requirements. See “Tax Status.”
Brady Bonds. The Fund may invest in so-called “Brady Bonds” and other sovereign debt securities of countries that have restructured or are in the process of restructuring sovereign debt pursuant to the Brady Plan. Brady Bonds are debt securities described as part of a restructuring plan created by U.S. Treasury Secretary Nicholas F. Brady in 1989 as a mechanism for debtor nations to restructure their outstanding external indebtedness (generally, commercial bank debt). In restructuring its external debt under the Brady Plan framework, a debtor nation negotiates with its existing bank lenders as well as multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (the “IMF”). The Brady Plan facilitates the exchange of commercial bank debt for

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newly issued (known as Brady Bonds). The World Bank and IMF provide funds pursuant to loan agreements or other arrangements which enable the debtor nation to collateralize the new Brady Bonds or to repurchase outstanding bank debt at a discount. Under these arrangements IMF debtor nations are required to implement of certain domestic monetary and fiscal reforms. These reforms have included the liberalization of trade and foreign investment, the privatization of state-owned enterprises and the setting of targets for public spending and borrowing. These policies and programs promote the debtor country’s ability to service its external obligations and promote its economic growth and development. The Brady Plan only sets forth general guiding principles for economic reform and debt reduction, emphasizing that solutions must be negotiated on a case-by-case basis between debtor nations and their creditors. The Adviser believes that economic reforms undertaken by countries in connection with the issuance of Brady Bonds make the debt of countries which have issued or have announced plans to issue Brady Bonds an attractive opportunity for investment.
Brady Bonds may involve a high degree of risk, may be in default or present the risk of default. Agreements implemented under the Brady Plan to date are designed to achieve debt and debt-service reduction through specific options negotiated by a debtor nation with its creditors. As a result, the financial packages offered by each country differ. The types of options have included the exchange of outstanding commercial bank debt for bonds issued at 100% of face value of such debt, bonds issued at a discount of face value of such debt, bonds bearing an interest rate which increases over time and bonds issued in exchange for the advancement of new money by existing lenders. Certain Brady Bonds have been collateralized as to principal due at maturity by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds with a maturity equal to the final maturity of such Brady Bonds, although the collateral is not available to investors until the final maturity of the Brady Bonds. Collateral purchases are financed by the IMF, the World Bank and the debtor nations’ reserves. In addition, the first two or three interest payments on certain types of Brady Bonds may be collateralized by cash or securities agreed upon by creditors. Although Brady Bonds may be collateralized by U.S. Government securities, repayment of principal and interest is not guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
Lending of Securities. The Fund may lend its securities so long as such loans do not represent more than 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets. As collateral for the loaned securities, the borrower gives the lending portfolio collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of the loaned securities (105% for foreign equity and corporate securities). The collateral will consist of cash (including U.S. dollar and foreign currency). The borrower must also agree to increase the collateral if the value of the loaned securities increases. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks that collateral could be inadequate in the event of the borrower failing financially, which could result in actual financial loss, and risks that recovery of loaned securities could be delayed, which could result in interference with portfolio management decisions or exercise of ownership rights. The collateral is managed by an affiliate of the Adviser. The Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including the risk that the Fund may lose money on the investment or may fail to earn sufficient income to meet its obligations to the borrower. In addition, the Fund In the section “Additional Services and Programs”, the following subsection is amended and restated: may lose its right to vote its shares of the loaned securities at a shareholders meeting if the subadviser fails to timely recall the security or the borrower fails to return the recalled security in advance of the record date for the meeting.
The Fund has entered into an agreement with The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, doing business as Goldman Sachs Agency Lending (“Goldman Sachs”), as its securities lending agent (the “Securities Lending Agreement”). Under the Securities Lending Agreement, Goldman Sachs will generally bear the risk that a borrower may default on its obligation to return loaned securities.
Securities lending involves counterparty risk, including the risk that the loaned securities may not be returned or returned in a timely manner and/or a loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower or the lending agent defaults or fails financially. This risk is increased when the Fund’s loans are concentrated with a single or limited number of borrowers. There are no limits on the number of borrowers to which the Fund may lend securities and the Fund may lend securities to only one or a small group of borrowers. In addition, under the Securities Lending Agreement, loans may be made to affiliates of Goldman Sachs as identified in the Securities Lending Agreement.
Rights and Warrants . The Fund may purchase warrants and rights which are securities permitting, but not obligating, their holder to purchase the underlying securities at a predetermined price subject to the Fund’s

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Investment Restrictions. Generally, warrants and stock purchase rights do not carry with them the right to receive dividends or exercise voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, an investment in warrants and rights may be considered to entail greater investment risk than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of warrants and rights does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and they cease to have value if they are not exercised on or prior to their expiration date. Investment in warrants and rights increases the potential profit or loss to be realized from the investment of a given amount of the Fund’s assets as compared with investing the same amount in the underlying stock.
Time Deposits . The SEC considers time deposits with periods of greater than seven days to be illiquid, subject to the restriction that illiquid securities are limited to no more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets.
Short Term Trading and Portfolio Turnover . Short-term trading means the purchase and subsequent sale of a security after it has been held for a relatively brief period of time. The Fund may engage in short term trading in response to stock market conditions, changes in interest rates or other economic trends and developments or to take advantage of yield disparities between fixed income securities in order to realize capital gains or improve income. Short term trading may have the effect of increasing portfolio turnover rate. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or greater) involves correspondingly greater brokerage expenses. The Fund’s portfolio rate is set forth in the table under the caption “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectus.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following investment restrictions will not be changed without approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities which, as used in the Prospectus and this SAI, means approval by the lesser of (1) the holders of 67% or more of the Fund’s shares represented at a meeting if more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy at that meeting or (2) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.
(1)   The Fund may not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
(2)   The Fund may not borrow money, except from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary emergency purposes in amounts not to exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed) taken at market value. The Fund will not use leverage to attempt to increase income. The Fund will not purchase securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the Fund’s total assets.
(3)   The Fund may not engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities.
(4)   The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities.
(5)   The Fund may not make loans except as permitted under the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
(6)   The Fund may invest in commodities or commodity contracts or in puts, calls, or combinations of both, except interest rate futures contracts, options on securities, securities indices, currency and other financial instruments and options on such futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, forward commitments, securities index put or call warrants and repurchase agreements entered into in accordance with the Fund’s investment policies.

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(7)   The Fund may not concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as that term is used in the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
(8)   The Fund has elected to be treated as a diversified investment company, as that term is used in the 1940 Act, as amended, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.
Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage restriction on investment or utilization of assets as set forth above is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later change in percentage resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s assets will not be considered a violation of the restriction.
Non-fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following investment restrictions are designated as non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.
The Fund may not:
(a)   Participate on a joint or joint-and-several basis in any securities trading account. The “bunching” of orders for the sale or purchase of marketable portfolio securities with other accounts under the management of the Adviser to save commissions or to average prices among them is not deemed to result in a joint securities trading account.
 
(b)   Purchase securities on margin (except that it may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions in securities and forward foreign currency exchange contracts and may make margin payments in connection with transactions in futures contracts and options on futures) or make short sales of securities unless by virtue of its ownership of other securities, the Fund has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold and, if the right is conditional, the sale is made upon the same conditions.
 
(c)   Invest for the purpose of exercising control over or management of any company.
 
(d)   Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
In addition, the Fund complies with the following nonfundamental limitation on its investments:
The Fund may not exercise any conversion, exchange or purchase rights associated with corporate debt securities in the portfolio if, at the time, the value of all equity interests would exceed 10% of the Fund’s total assets taken at market value.
Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage restriction on investment or utilization of assets as set forth above is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later change in percentage resulting from changes in the values or the total costs of the Fund’s assets will not be considered a violation of the restriction.
If allowed by the Fund’s other investment policies and restrictions, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in Russian equity securities and up to 10% of its total assets in Russian fixed income securities. All Russian securities must be: (1) denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros, sterling, or yen; (2) traded on a major exchange; and (3) held physically outside of Russia.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The annual rate of portfolio turnover may vary from year to year as well as within a year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses, which must be borne directly by the Fund. Portfolio turnover is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of Fund portfolio securities during the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.

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(Excluded from the computation are all securities, including options, with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less). The portfolio turnover rates for the Fund for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007, May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2009 were as follows:
                         
Fund   2009   2008   2007
Strategic Income Fund
    43 %     52 %     118 %
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS.
The Board and the boards of other John Hancock Funds (“JHF”) have adopted a Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings to protect the interests of the shareholders of the Trust and to address potential conflicts of interest that could arise between the interests of shareholders and the interests of the Adviser, or the interests of the Fund’s sub-advisers, principal underwriter or affiliated persons of the Fund’s Adviser or principal underwriter. The Trust’s general policy with respect to the release of portfolio holdings to nonaffiliated persons is to do so only in limited circumstances and only to provide nonpublic information regarding portfolio holdings to any person, including affiliated persons, on a “need to know” basis and, when released, to release such information only as consistent with applicable legal requirements and the fiduciary duties owed to shareholders. The Trust applies its policy uniformly to all parties, including individual and institutional investors, intermediaries, affiliated persons of the Fund, and to all third party service providers and rating agencies.
Portfolio holdings information that is not publicly available will be released only pursuant to the exceptions described in the Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. Material nonpublic holdings information may be provided to nonaffiliated persons as part of the investment activities of the Fund to: entities which, by explicit agreement, are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed; rating organizations, such as Moody’s, S&P, Morningstar and Lipper; or other entities for the purpose of compiling reports and preparing data; proxy voting services for the purpose of voting proxies; entities providing computer software; courts (including bankruptcy courts) or regulators with jurisdiction over the Trust, and its affiliates; and, institutional traders to assist in research and trade execution. Exceptions to the portfolio holdings release policy can only be approved by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) or his duly authorized delegate after considering: (a) the purpose of providing such information; (b) the procedures that will be used to ensure that such information remains confidential and is not traded upon; and (c) whether such disclosure is in the best interest of the shareholders.
At this time, the entities receiving information described in the preceding paragraph are: Vestek (holdings, monthly with 30 day lag); Morningstar (holdings, monthly with 32 day lag); Lipper (holdings, monthly with 32 day lag); Fact Set (holdings, daily); PricewaterhouseCoopers (prices, annual audits); Confluence (holdings, daily); ISS (holdings, daily); Elkins McSherry (purchases and sales, quarterly); NASDQ (NAVs, daily); Charles River (holdings and securities details, daily); and DST (NAVs, daily).
The CCO is also required to pre-approve the disclosure of nonpublic information regarding portfolio holdings to any affiliated persons of the Trust. The CCO will use the same three considerations stated above before approving disclosure of nonpublic information to affiliated persons.
The CCO shall report to the Board whenever additional disclosures of portfolio holdings are approved. The CCO’s report shall be at the Board meeting following such approval. When the CCO believes that the disclosure of nonpublic information to a nonaffiliated person is a potential conflict of interest between the interest of the shareholders and the interest of affiliated persons of the Trust, the CCO shall refer the conflict to the Board. The Board shall then only permit such disclosure of the nonpublic information if, in its reasonable business judgment, its concludes that such disclosure will be in the best interests of the Trust’s shareholders.
The receipt of compensation by the Fund, the Adviser, a sub-adviser or an affiliate as consideration for disclosing nonpublic portfolio holdings information is not deemed a legitimate business purpose and is strictly forbidden.

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THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGEMENT
The business of the Fund is managed by the Trustees of the Trust, including certain Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Fund or the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), who elect officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fund and who execute policies formulated by the Board. Several of the officers and Trustees of the Trust are also officers or Directors of the Adviser, or officers and Directors of the Fund’s principal distributor, John Hancock Funds, LLC (“John Hancock Funds” or the “Distributor”).

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Interested Trustees
            Number of
            Funds in John
            Hancock Fund
            Complex
Name   Position with   Principal Occupation(s) and Other   Overseen by
(Birth Year)   the Trust   Directorships During the Past 5 Years   Trustee
James R. Boyle (1)
(1959)
  Trustee
(since 2006)
  Executive Vice President, MFC (since 1999); Director and President, John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company (since 2007); Director and Executive Vice President, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (“JHLICO”) (since 2004); Chairman and Director, the Adviser, The Berkeley Financial Group, LLC (“The Berkeley Group”) (holding company) and the Distributor (since 2005); Chairman and Director, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (“JHIMS”) (since 2006); Senior Vice President, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A) (until 2004). (2)     262  
 
               
John G. Vrysen (1)
(1955)
  Trustee
(since 2009)
  Senior Vice President, MFC (since 2006); Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, the Adviser, The Berkeley Group, JHA, and the Distributor (since 2007); Chief Operating Officer, John Hancock Funds (“JHF”) John Hancock Funds III (“JHF III”) (2007 to 2009), John Hancock Funds II (“JHF II”, and John Hancock Trust (“JHT”) (since 2007); Director, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (“Signature Services”) (since 2005); Chief Financial Officer, the Adviser, The Berkeley Group, MFC Global (U.S.), JHA, the Distributor, JHF, JHF II, JHF III and JHT (2005-2007); Vice President, MFC (until 2006).     47  
 
(1)   The Trustee is an Interested Trustee due to his position with the Adviser and certain of its affiliates.
 
(2)   Prior to January 1, 2005, John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (“JHLICO (U.S.A.)”) was named The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.).
                 
Independent Trustees
            Number of
            Funds in John
            Hancock Fund
    Position(s)       Complex
Name   with the   Principal Occupation(s) and Other   Overseen by
(Birth Year)   Trust   Directorships During the Past 5 Years   Trustee
James F. Carlin
(1940)
  Trustee
(since 2006)
  Director and Treasurer, Alpha Analytical Laboratories (chemical analysis) (since 1985); Part Owner and Treasurer, Lawrence Carlin Insurance Agency, Inc. (since 1995); Part Owner and Vice President, Mone Lawrence Carlin Insurance Agency, Inc. (until 2005); Chairman and CEO, Carlin Consolidated, Inc. (management/investments) (since 1987); Trustee, Massachusetts Health and Education Tax Exempt Trust (1993 to 2003).     47  

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Independent Trustees
            Number of
            Funds in John
            Hancock Fund
    Position(s)       Complex
Name   with the   Principal Occupation(s) and Other   Overseen by
(Birth Year)   Trust   Directorships During the Past 5 Years   Trustee
William H. Cunningham
(1944)
  Trustee
(since 2006)
  Professor, University of Texas, Austin, Texas (since 1971); former Chancellor, University of Texas System and former President of the University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Chairman and CEO, IBT Technologies (until 2001); Director of the following: Hicks Acquisition Company 1, Inc. (since 2007); Hire.com (until 2004), STC Broadcasting, Inc. and Sunrise Television Corp. (until 2001), Symtx, Inc. (electronic manufacturing) (since 2001), Adorno/Rogers Technology, Inc. (until 2004), Pinnacle Foods Corporation (until 2003), rateGenius (until 2003), Lincoln National Corporation (insurance) (since 2006), Jefferson-Pilot Corporation (diversified life insurance company) (until 2006), New Century Equity Holdings (formerly Billing Concepts) (until 2001), eCertain (until 2001), ClassMap.com (until 2001), Agile Ventures (until 2001), AskRed.com (until 2001), Southwest Airlines (since 2000), Introgen (manufacturer of biopharmaceuticals) (since 2000) and Viasystems Group, Inc. (electronic manufacturer) (until 2003); Advisory Director, Interactive Bridge, Inc. (college fundraising) (until 2001); Advisory Director, Q Investments (until 2003); Advisory Director, JP Morgan Chase Bank (formerly Texas Commerce Bank – Austin), LIN Television (until 2008), WilTel Communications (until 2003) and Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. (diversified automotive parts supply company) (since 2003).     47  
 
               
Deborah Jackson
(1952)
  Trustee
(since 2008)
  Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (since 2002); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Corporation (since 2001); Board of Directors of Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation (since 2001); Board of Directors of American Student Association Corp. (since 1996); Board of Directors of Boston Stock Exchange (2002 to 2008); Board of Directors of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (since 2007).     47  
 
               
Charles L. Ladner
(1938)
  Trustee
(since 2006)
  Chairman and Trustee, Dunwoody Village, Inc. (retirement services) (since 2008); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, UGI Corporation (public utility holding company) (retired 1998); Vice President and Director for AmeriGas, Inc. (retired 1998); Director of AmeriGas Partners, L.P.(gas distribution) (until 1997); Director, EnergyNorth, Inc. (until 1995); Director, Parks and History Association (until 2005).     47  
 
               
Stanley Martin
(1947)
  Trustee
(since 2008)
  Senior Vice President/Audit Executive, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (2004 to 2006); Executive Vice President/Consultant, HSBC Bank USA (2000 to 2003); Chief Financial Officer/Executive Vice President, Republic New York Corporation & Republic National Bank of New York (1998 to 2000); Partner, KPMG LLP (1971 to 1998).     47  

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Independent Trustees
            Number of
            Funds in John
            Hancock Fund
    Position(s)       Complex
Name   with the   Principal Occupation(s) and Other   Overseen by
(Birth Year)   Trust   Directorships During the Past 5 Years   Trustee
Patti McGill Peterson
(1943)
  Trustee (since 2006)
Chairperson (since 2008)
  Principal, PMP Globalinc (consulting) (since 2007); Senior Associate, Institute for Higher Education Policy (since 2007); Executive Director, CIES (international education agency) (until 2007); Vice President, Institute of International Education (until 2007); Senior Fellow, Cornell University Institute of Public Affairs, Cornell University (1997-1998); Former President Wells College, St. Lawrence University and the Association of Colleges and Universities of the State of New York. Director of the following: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (until 2003); Security Mutual Life (insurance) (until 1997); ONBANK (until 1993). Trustee of the following: Board of Visitors, The University of Wisconsin, Madison (since 2007); Ford Foundation, International Fellowships Program (until 2007); UNCF, International Development Partnerships (until 2005); Roth Endowment (since 2002); Council for International Educational Exchange (since 2003).     47  
 
               
John A. Moore
(1939)
  Trustee
(since 2006)
  President and Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Evaluating Health Risks, (nonprofit institution) (until 2001); Senior Scientist, Sciences International (health research) (until 2003); Former Assistant Administrator & Deputy Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Principal, Hollyhouse (consulting) (since 2000); Director, CIIT Center for Health Science Research (nonprofit research) (until 2007).     47  
 
               
Steven R. Pruchansky
(1944)
  Trustee (since 2006)
Vice Chairman (since 2008)
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (since 2000); Director and President, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida, Inc. (until 2000); Member, Board of Advisors, First American Bank (since 2008); Managing Director, Jon James, LLC (real estate) (since 2000); Director, First Signature Bank & Trust Company (until 1991); Director, Mast Realty Trust (until 1994); President, Maxwell Building Corp. (until 1991).     47  
 
               
Gregory A. Russo
(1949)
  Trustee
(since 2008)
  Vice Chairman, Risk & Regulatory Matters, KPMG, LLC (“KPMG”) (2002 to 2006); Vice Chairman, Industrial Markets, KPMG (1998 to 2002).KPMG (1998 to 2002).     47  
Correspondence intended for any of the Trustees may be sent to the attention of the individual Trustee or to the Board at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. All communications addressed to the Board or individual Trustee will be logged and sent to the Board or individual Trustee.

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Principal Officers who are not Trustees
    Position(s)            
Name, (Year of Birth),   Held with   Officer   Principal Occupation(s) and other Directorships During Past
Address   Fund   since   5 Years
Keith F. Hartstein
(1956)
  President and Chief Executive Officer     2005     Senior Vice President, MFC (since 2004); Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, the Adviser, The Berkeley Group, the Distributor (since 2005); Director, MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005); Chairman and Director, Signature Services (since 2005); Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, JHIMS (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer, JHF and JHF III, Director, Chairman and President, NM Capital Management, Inc. (since 2005); Member and former Chairman, Investment Company Institute Sales Force Marketing Committee (since 2003); Director, President and Chief
 
              Executive Officer, JHF II and JHT (2005 to July 2009), President and Chief Executive Officer, MFC Global (U.S.) (2005 to 2006); Executive Vice President, the Distributor (until 2005).
 
               
Andrew G. Arnott (1)
(1971)
  Chief Operating Officer     2009     Officer of the following: Senior Vice President (since 2009), Manulife Financial Corporation; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (since 2009), Senior Vice President (2007-2009), Vice President (2005 to 2007), the Adviser; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (since 2009), Senior Vice President (2008 to 2009), Vice President (2006 to 2008), JHIMS; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (since 2009), The Berkeley Group; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (since 2009), Senior Vice President (2006-2009), Vice President (2005-2006), 2 nd Vice President (2004-2005), the Distributor; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (since 2009), Vice President (2007 to 2009), JHF; Vice President (since 2007), JHF II and JHT; Product Management and Development, Senior Vice President (2005 to 2009), the Distributor; Marketing and Product Management, Vice President and Director (1998 to 2005), the Distributor.
 
               
Thomas M. Kinzler
(1955)
  Secretary and Chief Legal Officer     2006     Vice President and Counsel, JHLICO (U.S.A.) (since 2006); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, JHF, JHF II, JHF III and JHT (since 2006); Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (1999 to 2006); Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel, MML Series Investment Fund (2000 to 2006); Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel, MassMutual Institutional Funds (2000 to 2004); Secretary and Chief Legal Counsel, MassMutual Select Funds and MassMutual Premier Funds (2004 to 2006).
 
               
Francis V. Knox, Jr.
(1947)
  Chief Compliance Officer     2005     Vice President and CCO, JHIMS, the Adviser and MFC Global (U.S.) (since 2005); Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, JHF, JHF II, JHF III and JHT (since 2005); Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, Fidelity Group of Funds (until 2004).
 
               
Michael J. Leary (1)
(1965)
  Treasurer     2007     Vice President, JHLICO (U.S.A.) and Treasurer for JHF, JHF II, JHF III and JHT (since 2009); Assistant Treasurer for JHF, JHF II, JHF III and JHT (2007 to 2009), Vice President and Director of Fund Administration, JP Morgan (2004 to 2007).

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Principal Officers who are not Trustees
    Position(s)          
Name, (Year of Birth),   Held with   Officer   Principal Occupation(s) and other Directorships During Past
Address   Fund   since   5 Years
Charles A. Rizzo
(1957)
  Chief Financial Officer     2007     Chief Financial Officer, JHF, JHF II, JHF III and JHT (since 2007); Assistant Treasurer, Goldman Sachs Mutual Fund Complex (registered investment companies) (2005 to 2007); Vice President, Goldman Sachs (2005 to 2007); Managing Director and Treasurer of Scudder Funds, Deutsche Asset Management (2003 to 2005).
 
(1)   Mr. Leary was appointed by the Board of Trustees on May 7, 2009. Mr. Arnott was elected by the Board of Trustees on September 1, 2009.
Duties of Trustees; Board Meetings and Board Committees
The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. Under the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are responsible for managing the affairs of the Trust, including the appointment of advisers and subadvisers. The Trustees may appoint officers who assist in managing its day-to-day affairs. The Board met seven times during the Trust’s last fiscal year.
As of January 2009, the Board had five standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Compliance Committee; the Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee; Investment Committee A; and the Contracts/Operations Committee.
The current membership of each committee is set forth below. As Chairperson of the Board, Ms. McGill Peterson is considered an ex officio member of each committee and, therefore, is able to attend and participate in any committee meeting, as appropriate.
                 
        Nominating,        
        Governance and   Investment    
Audit   Compliance   Administration   Performance A   Contracts/Operations
    Mr. Carlin   All Independent   Ms. Jackson   Mr. Cunningham*
Ms. Jackson
  Mr. Russo   Trustees   Mr. Ladner   Mr. Ladner
Mr. Martin
          Mr. Martin   Dr. Moore
Mr. Pruchansky*
          Mr. Pruchansky    
 
*   Effective September 1, 2009, Mr. Pruchansky replaced Mr. Cunningham on the Audit Committee and Mr. Cunningham replaced Mr. Pruchansky on the Contracts/Operations Committee.
Prior to January 2009, the Board had four standing committees: the Audit and Compliance Committee; the Governance Committee; the Investment Performance Committee; and the Contracts/Operations Committee. During the period from April 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008, the Audit and Compliance Committee met six times; the Governance Committee met three times; the Investment Performance Committee met three times; and the Contracts/Operations Committee met three times. During the period from January 1, 2009 through May 31, 2009, the Audit Committee met twice; the Compliance Committee met once; the Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee met once; Investment Committee A met once; and the Contracts/Operations Committee met twice.
Audit Committee. All of the members of this Committee are independent, and each member is financially literate with at least one having accounting or financial management expertise. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Committee. This Committee recommends to the full Board independent registered public accounting firms for the Fund, oversees the work of the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the Fund’s audit, communicates with the independent registered public accounting firm on a regular basis and provides a forum

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for the independent registered public accounting firm to report and discuss any matters it deems appropriate at any time.
Compliance Committee. The primary role of this Committee is to oversee the activities of the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; the implementation and enforcement of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures; and compliance with the Trust’s and the Independent Trustees’ Codes of Ethics.
Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee. This Committee is comprised of all of the Independent Trustees. This Committee reviews the activities of the other standing committees and makes the final selection and nomination of candidates to serve as Independent Trustees. The Interested Trustees and the officers of the Trust are nominated and selected by the Board.
In reviewing a potential nominee and in evaluating the renomination of current Independent Trustees, this Committee will generally apply the following criteria: (i) the nominee’s reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards; (ii) the nominee’s business acumen, experience and ability to exercise sound judgments; (iii) a commitment to understand the Fund and the responsibilities of a trustee of an investment company; (iv) a commitment to regularly attend and participate in meetings of the Board and its committees; (v) the ability to understand potential conflicts of interest involving management of the Fund and to act in the interests of all shareholders; and (vi) the absence of a real or apparent conflict of interest that would impair the nominee’s ability to represent the interests of all the shareholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of an Independent Trustee. This Committee does not necessarily place the same emphasis on each criteria and each nominee may not have each of these qualities.
It is the intent of this Committee that at least one Independent Trustee be an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
As long as an existing Independent Trustee continues, in the opinion of this Committee, to satisfy these criteria, the Trust anticipates that the Committee would favor the renomination of an existing Independent Trustee rather than a new candidate. Consequently, while the Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders to serve as Independent Trustees, this Committee may only act upon such recommendations if there is a vacancy on the Board or a committee determines that the selection of a new or additional Independent Trustee is in the best interests of the Fund. In the event that a vacancy arises or a change in Board membership is determined to be advisable, this Committee will, in addition to any shareholder recommendations, consider candidates identified by other means, including candidates proposed by members of this Committee. This Committee may retain a consultant to assist it in a search for a qualified candidate, and did so in 2008. The Committee has adopted Procedures for the Selection of Independent Trustees.
Any shareholder recommendation for Independent Trustee must be submitted in compliance with all of the pertinent provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be considered by this Committee. In evaluating a nominee recommended by a shareholder, this Committee, in addition to the criteria discussed above, may consider the objectives of the shareholder in submitting that nomination and whether such objectives are consistent with the interests of all shareholders. If the Board determines to include a shareholder’s candidate among the slate of nominees, the candidate’s name will be placed on the Fund’s proxy card. If this Committee or the Board determines not to include such candidate among the Board’s designated nominees and the shareholder has satisfied the requirements of Rule 14a-8, the shareholder’s candidate will be treated as a nominee of the shareholder who originally nominated the candidate. In that case, the candidate will not be named on the proxy card distributed with the Fund’s Proxy Statement.
Shareholders may communicate with the members of the Board as a group or individually. Any such communication should be sent to the Board or an individual Trustee c/o The Secretary of the Trust at the following address: 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2805. The Secretary may determine not to forward any letter to the members of the Board that does not relate to the business of the Fund.

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Investment Performance Committees A. The Committee monitors and analyzes the performance of the Fund generally, consults with the Adviser as necessary if the Fund requires special attention, and reviews peer groups and other comparative standards as necessary.
Contracts/Operations Committee. This Committee oversees the initiation, operation, and renewal of the various contracts between the Fund and other entities. These contracts include advisory and subadvisory agreements, custodial and transfer agency agreements and arrangements with other service providers.
Compensation of Trustees
The Trust pays fees only to its Independent Trustees. Trustees are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses. The following table shows the compensation paid to each Independent Trustee for his or her service as a Trustee for the 12 months ended December 31, 2008.
Independent Trustee Compensation
                 
Independent Trustee   Trust     John Hancock Fund Complex *
Carlin
  $ 21,460     $ 268,834  
Cunningham
  $ 12,005     $ 160,500  
Jackson
  $ 4,565     $ 42,750  
Ladner
  $ 12,005     $ 165,500  
Martin
  $ 6,668     $ 59,960  
McGill Peterson
  $ 12,005     $ 160,500  
Moore
  $ 15,650     $ 215,000  
Pruchansky
  $ 16,290     $ 206,500  
Russo
  $ 37,545     $ 59,960  
 
*   The John Hancock Funds Complex consists of 40 series. The Trust does not have a pension or retirement plan for any of its Trustees or officers. The Trust participates in the John Hancock Deferred Compensation Plan for Independent Trustees (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, an Independent Trustee may elect to have his or her deferred fees invested in shares of one or more funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex and the amount paid to the Independent Trustees under the Plan will be determined based upon the performance of such investments. Deferral of Trustees’ fees does not obligate the Trust to retain the services of any Trustee or obligate the Trust to pay any particular level of compensation to the Trustee. Under these circumstances, the Trustee is not the legal owner of the underlying shares, but does participate in any positive or negative return on those shares to the same extent as all other shareholders. As of December 31, 2008, the value of the aggregate accrued deferred compensation amount from all funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex for Mr. Cunningham was $155,441; Mr. Ladner was $71,250; Ms. McGill Peterson was $112,504; Dr. Moore was $209,776; and Mr. Pruchansky was $255,930 under the Plan.
Trustee Ownership of Shares of the Fund
The table below sets forth the dollar range of the value of the shares of the Fund, and the dollar range of the aggregate value of the shares of all funds in the John Hancock Fund Complex overseen or to be overseen by a Trustee, owned beneficially by each Trustee as of December 31, 2008. The current value of the funds that the participating Independent Trustees have selected under the Plan is included in this table. For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership is defined to mean a direct or indirect pecuniary interest. Exact dollar amounts of securities held are not listed in the table. Rather, the ranges are identified according to the following key:
A-$0
B -$1 up to and including $10,000
C -$10,001 up to and including $50,000

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D -$50,001 up to and including $100,000
E -$100,001 or more
                         
Fund/Trustee   Boyle   Carlin   Cunningham   Jackson   Ladner   Martin
Strategic Income
  A   B   A   A   B   A
John Hancock Fund Complex
  E   E   E   B   E   C
                     
    McGill                
Fund/Trustee   Peterson   Moore   Pruchansky   Russo   Vrysen
Strategic Income
  D   B   B   A   B
John Hancock Fund Complex
  E   E   E   C   E
All of the officers listed are officers or employees of the Adviser or affiliated companies. Some of the Trustees and officers may also be officers and/or directors and/or Trustees of one or more of the other funds for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser.
As of August 28, 2009, the officers and Trustees of the Trust as a group beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As of that date, to the knowledge of the Fund, the following shareholders owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the indicated classes of shares of the Fund:
                     
            Percentage    
            of Share   Record or
Share           Class   Beneficial
Class   Shareholder Name   Address   Ownership   Ownership
A
  JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (USA) RPS SEG FUNDS & ACCOUNTING ET-7   601 CONGRESS ST
BOSTON MA
02210-2804
    7.28 %   Record
 
                   
A
  CHARLES SCHWAB & CO
INC
MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT
  101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA
94104-4151
    8.17 %   Record
 
                   
B
  CITIGROUP GLOBAL
MARKETS INC
  333 WEST 34TH STREET
NEW YORK NY
10001-2402
    6.03 %   Record
 
                   
B
  MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE
BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS ATTN:
FUND ADMINISTRATION
  4800 DEER LAKE DR
JACKSONVILLE FL
32246-6484
    14.27 %   Record
 
                   
C
  CITIGROUP GLOBAL
MARKETS INC ATTN
CINDY TEMPESTA 7TH
FLOOR
  333 WEST 34TH STREET
NEW YORK NY
10001-2402
    8.15 %   Record

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Table of Contents

                     
            Percentage    
            of Share   Record or
Share           Class   Beneficial
Class   Shareholder Name   Address   Ownership   Ownership
C
  MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE
BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS ATTN:
FUND ADMINISTRATION
  4800 DEER LAKE DR
JACKSONVILLE FL
32246-6484
    23.14 %   Record
 
                   
I
  PERSHING LLC   PO BOX 2052
JERSEY CITY NJ
07303-2052
    6.87 %   Record
 
                   
I
  PERSHING LLC
  PO BOX 2052
JERSEY CITY NJ
07303-2052
    10.76 %   Record
 
                   
I
  MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE
BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS ATTN:
FUND ADMINISTRATION
  4800 DEER LAKE DR
JACKSONVILLE FL
32246-6484
    40.61 %   Record
 
                   
R1
  MG TRUST COMPANY
CUST FBO DELTA
EMPLOYEES 401K
PROFIT SHARING
  700 17 TH ST STE 300
DENVER CO
80202-3531
    5.24 %   Beneficial
 
                   
R1
  MG TRUST COMPANY
CUST EUGENIO
CASTILLO MD
  700 17 TH ST STE 30
DENVER CO
80202-3531
    6.45 %   Beneficial
 
                   
R1
  WILMINGTON TRUST
COMPANY TTEE FBO
C/O MUTUAL FUNDS
RICHARDS SPEARS
KIBBE & ORBE ASSOC
401 K RET PLAN
  PO BOX 8880
WILMINGTON DE
19899-8880
    8.68 %   Beneficial
 
                   
R1
  MG TRUST COMPANY
CUST FIRST TOOL
CORPORATION
  700 17TH ST STE 300
DENVER CO
80202-3531
    11.79 %   Beneficial
 
                   
R1
  MLPF&S FOR THE SOLE
BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS ATTN:
FUND ADMINISTRATION
  4800 DEER LAKE DR
JACKSONVILLE FL
32246-6484
    19.60 %   Record

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            Percentage    
            of Share   Record or
Share           Class   Beneficial
Class   Shareholder Name   Address   Ownership   Ownership
R3
  JOHN HANCOCK LIFE
INSURANCE CO
ATTN: KELLY A CONWAY
  601 CONGRESS ST
BOSTON MA
02210-2804
    100 %   Record
 
                   
R4
  JOHN HANCOCK LIFE
INSURANCE CO
ATTN: KELLY A CONWAY
  601 CONGRESS ST
BOSTON MA
02210-2804
    100 %   Record
 
                   
R5
  JOHN HANCOCK LIFE
INSURANCE CO
ATTN: KELLY A CONWAY
  601 CONGRESS ST
BOSTON MA
02210-2804
    100 %   Record
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The Adviser, located at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2805, a premier investment management company, managed approximately $18.4 billion in open-end funds, closed-end funds, private accounts and retirement plans and related party assets for individual and institutional investors as of June 30, 2009. Additional information about the Adviser can be found on the website: www.jhfunds.com.
The Sub-Adviser, MFC Global (U.S.), located at 101 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199, was organized in 1979 and as of June 30, 2009 had approximately $23.5 billion in assets under management. The Sub-Adviser is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. (an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MFC).
The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Fund and is responsible for the supervision of MFC Global (U.S.)’s services to the Fund.
Advisory Agreement. The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability corporation whose principal offices are located at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. The ultimate parent of the Adviser is Manulife Financial Corporation (“MFC”) based in Toronto, Canada. MFC is the holding company of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (the “Life Company”) and its subsidiaries, collectively known as Manulife Financial. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
The Fund has entered into an investment management contract (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides investment advisory services to the Fund. On May 5, 2009, the Fund’s shareholders approved a new form of Advisory Agreement that streamlines and standardizes the advisory agreements across the John Hancock Fund Complex. The new form of Advisory Agreement became effective July 1, 2009.
As compensation for its advisory services under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser receives a fee from the Fund. The amount of the advisory fee is determined by applying the daily equivalent of an annual fee rate to the net assets of the Fund. On May 5, 2009, the shareholders also approved provisions that effectively change the frequency with which advisory fees are paid by the funds from monthly payment to daily payment. Because the Fund’s advisory

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fees have historically been accrued on a daily basis, there is no difference between the amounts that the Fund would have paid if daily payment of advisory fees were in effect in prior periods instead of monthly payment.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser selects, contracts with, and compensates subadvisers to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund. The Adviser monitors each subadviser’s management of the Fund’s investment operations in accordance with the investment objectives and related policies of the Fund, and reviews the performance of such Subadvisers and reports periodically on such performance to the Board.
The Fund bears all the costs of its organization and operation, including but not limited to expenses of preparing, printing and mailing all shareholders’ reports, notices, Prospectuses, proxy statements and reports to regulatory agencies; expenses relating to the issuance, registration and qualification of shares; government fees; interest charges; expenses of furnishing to shareholders their account statements; taxes; expenses of redeeming shares; brokerage and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio securities transactions; expenses pursuant to the Fund’s plan of distribution; fees and expenses of custodians including those for keeping books and accounts maintaining a committed line of credit and calculating the NAV of shares; fees and expenses of transfer agents and dividend disbursing agents; legal, accounting, financial, management, tax and auditing fees and expenses of the Fund; the compensation and expenses of Trustees who are not otherwise affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or any of their affiliates; expenses of Trustees’ and shareholders’ meetings; trade association memberships (as explicitly approved by the Trustees); insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses.
Securities held by the Fund may also be held by other funds or investment advisory clients for which the Adviser or their respective affiliates provide investment advice. Because of different investment objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought for one or more funds or clients when one or more other funds or clients are selling the same security. If opportunities for purchase or sale of securities by the Adviser for the Fund or for other funds or clients for which the Adviser renders investment advice arise for consideration at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds or clients in a manner deemed equitable to all of them. To the extent that transactions on behalf of more than one client of the Adviser or their respective affiliates may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund may use the name “John Hancock” or any name derived from or similar to it only for so long as the Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof remains in effect. If the Agreement is no longer in effect, the Fund (to the extent that it lawfully can) will cease to use such name or any other name indicating that it is advised by or otherwise connected with the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser or the Life Company may grant the nonexclusive right to use the name “John Hancock” or any similar name to any other corporation or entity, including but not limited to any investment company of which the Life Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof or any successor to the business of any subsidiary or affiliate thereof shall be the investment adviser.
From time to time, the Adviser may reduce its fee or make other arrangements to limit the Fund’s expenses to a specified percentage of average daily net assets. The Adviser retains the right to re-impose a fee and recover any other payments to the extent that, at the end of any fiscal year, the Fund’s actual expenses at year end fall below this limit.
The following table shows the advisory fees that the Fund incurred and paid to the Adviser for (i) the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007; (ii) the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008; and (iii) the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009.
                         
Fund   Year ended May 31, 2007   Year Ended May 31, 2008   Year Ended May 31, 2009
Strategic Income Fund
  $ 4,930,093     $ 4,414,875     $ 3,929,904  

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Securities held by the Fund may also be held by other funds or investment advisory clients for which the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their respective affiliates provides investment advice. Because of different investment objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought for one or more funds or clients when one of more other funds or clients are selling the same security. If opportunities for purchase or sale of securities by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser for the Fund or for other funds or clients for which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser renders investment advice arise for consideration at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be made insofar as feasible for the respective funds or clients in a manner deemed equitable to all of them. To the extent that transactions on behalf of more than one client of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or their respective affiliates may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which their respective Agreements relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of the obligations and duties under the Agreement.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund may use the name “John Hancock” or any name derived from or similar to it only for so long as the Advisory Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof remains in effect. If the Advisory Agreement is no longer in effect, the Fund (to the extent that it lawfully can) will cease to use such a name or any other name indicating that it is advised by or otherwise connected with the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser or the John Hancock Life Insurance Company (the “Life Company”) may grant the nonexclusive right to use the name “John Hancock” or any similar name to any other corporation or entity, including but not limited to any investment company of which the Life Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof or any successor to the business of any subsidiary or affiliate thereof shall be the investment adviser.
The continuation of the Advisory Agreement, the Distribution Agreement (discussed below), and the Sub-Advisory Agreement was approved by all Trustees. The Advisory Agreement, Sub-Advisory Agreement and the Distribution Agreement will continue in effect from year to year, provided that its continuance is approved annually both (i) by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or by the Trustees, and (ii) by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or “interested persons” of any such parties. Each of these Agreements may be terminated on 60 days’ written notice by either party or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and will terminate automatically if assigned. The Sub-Advisory Agreement terminates automatically upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement.
Personnel of the Adviser and its affiliates may trade securities for their personal accounts. The Fund also may hold, or may be buying or selling, the same securities. To prevent the Fund from being disadvantaged, the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, principal underwriter and the Fund have adopted a code of ethics which restricts the trading activity of those personnel.
Accounting and Legal Services Agreement . The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, is a party to an Accounting and Legal Services Agreement with the Adviser and its affiliates. The following table shows the fees that the Fund incurred and paid to the Adviser for certain tax, accounting and legal services for: (i) the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007; (ii) the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008; and (iii) the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009.
Accounting and Legal Service Fees
                 
Year ended May 31, 2007   Year Ended May 31, 2008   Year Ended May 31, 2009
$179,541
  $ 132,653     $ 161,425  
Service Agreement. Effective as of July 1, 2009, the Board approved a new Service Agreement with JHA to replace the prior Accounting and Legal Services Agreement, under which the Fund received Non-Advisory Services. These Non-Advisory Services include, but are not limited to, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, financial reporting and performance, compliance, service provider oversight, portfolio and cash management, SEC filings,

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graphic design, and other services that are not investment advisory in nature. JHA will be reimbursed for its costs in providing Non-Advisory Services to the Fund under the Service Agreement.
JHA is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Service Agreement relates, except losses resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence by JHA in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by John Hancock of its obligations under the Agreement.
The Service Agreement has an initial term of two years, and may continue thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Trust, on behalf the Fund, or JHA may terminate the Agreement at any time without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The Agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties, without obtaining shareholder approval.
Advisers and Sub-Advisers — Other Business Relationships . A description of business relationships among the Adviser, the Sub-Advisers, John Hancock Investment Management Services, Inc. (JHIMS) 1, other John Hancock Funds’ sub-advisers and Manulife Financial’s affiliates is below:
Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. (“EPOCH”) Agreement for the JHF III Global Shareholder Yield Fund . JHIMS and EPOCH have entered into an agreement regarding the Global Shareholder Yield Fund, a JHF III fund, under which EPOCH has agreed not to serve as investment adviser (including sub-adviser) to another investment company managed in a style similar to the Global Shareholder Yield Fund for a certain period of time. In the event EPOCH should advise such an investment company, the agreement would entitle JHIMS to certain liquidated damages due to the fact that JHIMS and the distributor to the Global Shareholder Yield Fund will make unreimbursed expenditures in the organization and ongoing promotion of the fund.
Business Arrangement between JHIMS and Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC (“GMO”) . As a part of the overall business arrangement between JHIMS and GMO under which JHIMS has obtained exclusive rights to certain GMO investment management services for up to five years, JHIMS has agreed that under certain circumstances it (and not JHF II 2 , JHF III 3 or JHT 4 or a particular fund) will pay to GMO a specified amount (up to $25 million if the GMO sub-advisory agreement is terminated within a five year period from the date of its effectiveness. JHIMS has also agreed that, subject to its fiduciary duties as an investment adviser to each fund and its shareholders, it will not recommend to the Board of Trustees to terminate the applicable GMO sub-advisory agreement or to reduce any of the fees payable thereunder to GMO for a five year period from the date of its effectiveness. Neither JHF III, JHT nor JHF II is a party to any of these arrangements, and they are not binding upon JHF III, JHT, JHF II, the funds subadvised by GMO or the Board of Trustees of JHF III/JHT/JHF II. However, these arrangements present certain conflicts of interest because JHIMS has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the GMO agreement for as long as the termination provisions described above remain in effect.
Independence Investment LLC (“Independence”) Business Arrangement . On May 31, 2006 a subsidiary of Manulife entered into an agreement with the parent of Convergent Capital Management (“Convergent”) pursuant to which substantially all of the assets of Independence, a subsidiary of Manulife, were transferred to a newly formed subsidiary (“New Independence”) of Convergent (the “Transaction”). Prior to the closing of the Transaction, Independence was the sub-adviser to the Growth and Income Trust and Small Cap Trust, each a series of John Hancock Trust, and the Small Cap Fund, a series of JHF II (collectively, the “Funds”) and at the closing of the Transaction New Independence became the sub-adviser to the Funds.
The Transaction was structured as a sale of assets. At closing Convergent paid Manulife approximately $25 million (subject to adjustment). In addition, Convergent will also make contingent payments to Manulife on certain anniversary dates of the closing if the revenue received by New Independence from the management of proprietary accounts of Manulife and its affiliates or accounts for which Manulife or its affiliates act as investment adviser meet certain revenue targets. Consequently, while the contingent payments are not dependent upon the approval or continuation of the sub-advisory agreements with respect to any of the Funds, the revenues earned by New Independence as a result of its sub-advisory relationship with respect to the Funds would count towards the revenue

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target necessary to earn the contingent payments. The maximum amount of contingent payments is $10 million. Nothing in the agreement between Manulife and Convergent imposes any limitations upon the rights of JHIMS to recommend termination of the New Independence Sub-advisory Agreements.
In July 2009, Lee Munder Capital Group, LLC, succeeded to the operations of Independence as a result of a transaction in which the operations of two investment adviser subsidiaries of Convergent were combined.
Pzena Investment Management, LLC (“Pzena”) Agreement for the JHF III Classic Value Mega Cap Fund . JHIMS and Pzena have entered into an agreement regarding the Classic Value Mega Cap Fund, a JHF III fund, under which Pzena has agreed not to serve as investment adviser (including sub-adviser) to another investment company managed in a style similar to the Class Value Mega Cap Fund for a certain period of time. In the event Pzena should advise such an investment company, the agreement would entitle JHIMS to certain liquidated damages due to the fact that JHIMS and the distributor to the Classic Value Mega Cap Fund will make unreimbursed expenditures in the organization and ongoing promotion of the fund.
Business Arrangement between JHIMS and Rainier Investment Management, Inc. (“Rainier”) As part of the business arrangement between JHIMS and Rainier, JHIMS has agreed that, under certain circumstances, it (and neither the Rainier Growth Fund (the “Fund”) nor JHF III) will pay to Rainier specified amounts if total assets of John Hancock investment products subadvised by Rainier do not equal or exceed certain thresholds for a period of up to three years. Such amounts may total up to $7.5 million per year for each of the three years. As a further part of this arrangement, JHIMS has agreed that, under certain circumstances, it (and not the Fund or JHF III) will pay to Rainier a specified amount if the Rainier subadvisory agreement for the Fund is terminated within a three-year period. Such amount may total up to $22.5 million. JHIMS has also agreed that, subject to its fiduciary duties as an investment adviser to the Fund and its shareholders, it will not support or recommend to the Board any termination of the Rainier subadvisory agreement with respect to the Fund for a three-year period. Neither JHF III nor either of the Fund or the Rainier fund is a party to any of these arrangements, and they are not binding upon either of these funds or its respective board of trustees. These arrangements present certain conflicts of interest, however, because JHIMS has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the Rainier subadvisory agreement for as long as these arrangements remain in effect. In approving the Fund’s advisory and subadvisory agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, was aware of and considered these potential conflicts of interest, including any financial obligations of JHIMS to Rainier.
Business Arrangement between JHIMS and Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (“Robeco”). As part of the business arrangement between JHIMS and Robeco, JHIMS has agreed, that in addition to the assets transferred to the Disciplined Value Fund (the “Fund”) from the predecessor Robeco-managed at the closing of the reorganization, December 19, 2008, that the Fund will have at least $200,000,000 in total assets under management within twelve (12) months after the closing. As a further part of this arrangement, JHIMS has agreed that, under certain circumstances, it (and neither the Fund nor JHF III) will pay to Robeco a specified amount if the Robeco subadvisory agreement for the Fund is terminated within a three-year period. Such amount may total up to $1.2 million. Neither JHF III nor either of the Fund or the predecessor Robeco fund is a party to any of these arrangements, and they are not binding upon either of these funds or its respective board of trustees. These arrangements present certain conflicts of interest, however, because the Adviser has a financial incentive to support the continuation of the Robeco subadvisory agreement for as long as these arrangements remain in effect. In approving the Fund’s advisory and subadvisory agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, was aware of and considered these potential conflicts of interest, including any financial obligations of JHIMS to Robeco.
Advisory and Sub-Advisory Relationships with Other Funds . JHIMS is also the investment adviser for all of the series of JHF II, JHF III and JHT.
The following John Hancock Funds’ (JHF 5 ) subadvisers are also subadvisers to JHF II and JHT:
1. Sustainable Growth Advisers, LP is the subadviser to the U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund.

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2. Pzena is the subadviser to the Classic Value Fund/Trust.
3. MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.A.) Limited (“MFC Global (U.S.A.)”) is the subadviser to the American Diversified Growth & Income Portfolio/Trust, American Fundamental Holdings Portfolio/Trust, American Global Diversification Portfolio/Trust, Asset Allocation Fund, Core High Yield Fund, Global Agribusiness Fund, Global Infrastructure Fund, Global Timber Fund, Index 500 Fund, 500 Index Trust, 500 Index Trust B, Money Market Fund/Trust, Money Market Trust B, Mid Cap Index Fund/Trust, Pacific Rim Trust, Optimized All Cap Fund/Trust, Optimized Value Fund/Trust, Small Cap Index Fund/Trust, Total Stock Market Index Fund/Trust, Absolute Return Portfolio/Trust, Lifestyle Portfolios/Trusts, Lifecycle Portfolios/Trust, Index Allocation Trust, Franklin Templeton Founding Allocation Trust, Retirement Distribution Portfolio and Retirement Rising Distribution Portfolio.
4. MFC Global (U.S.), LLC is the subadviser to the Active Bond Fund/Trust, Emerging Growth Fund/Trust, High Income Fund/Trust, Leveraged Companies Fund, Short Term Government Income Fund and Strategic Income Fund/Trust.
5. GMO is the subadviser to the Growth Trust, Growth Opportunities Fund/Trust, International Core Trust, International Growth Fund/Trust, Intrinsic Value Trust, Managed Trust, Small Cap Opportunities Fund, U.S. Multi Sector Fund/Trust, U.S. Core Trust and Value Opportunities Fund/Trust,
6. Independence is the subadviser to the Small Cap Fund/Trust.
7. Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (“Deutsche”) is the subadviser consultant to All Cap Core Fund/Trust, Lifestyle Portfolios/Trust, Lifecycle Portfolios, Global Real Estate Fund/Trust, Real Estate Securities Fund/Trust and Strategic Income Trust.
John Hancock Freedom 529 . The John Hancock Freedom 529 is a national multi-managed Section 529 education savings plan. Several of the portfolios offered by John Hancock Freedom 529 are managed by JHA and Pzena is the sub-adviser.
John Hancock Private Client Group . MFC Global (U.S.) provides investment advisory services to the John Hancock Private Client Group which services separately managed accounts sponsored by broker dealers.
Management of John Hancock/Manulife Assets . Several of the affiliated sub-advisers such as MFC Global (U.S.A.) and MFC Global (U.S.) provide investment advisory services to John Hancock/Manulife for “on balance sheet assets.”
Affiliates of Sub-advisers That Distribute John Hancock Products . Affiliates of the following John Hancock Funds sub-advisers also distribute other John Hancock products:
1. Deutsche (Alex Brown and Scudder)
2. Independence (City National)
3. John Hancock Financial Network (affiliate of JHIMS, MFC Global (U.S.) and MFC Global (U.S.A.))
  1   John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLP (JHIMS), a registered investment adviser.
 
  2   John Hancock Funds II (JHF II), a Massachusetts business trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an open-end investment management company registered under the 1940 Act;
 
  3   John Hancock Funds III (JHF III), a Massachusetts business trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an open-end investment management company registered under the 1940 Act;

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  4   John Hancock Trust (JHT), a Massachusetts business trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an open-end investment management company registered under the 1940 Act; and
 
  5   John Hancock Funds (JHF), consists of fourteen Massachusetts business trusts organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and are open-end investment management companies registered under the 1940 Act; includes nine closed-end investment companies.
Proxy Voting . The Trust’s proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Trust’s Procedures”) delegate to the Sub-adviser the responsibility to vote all proxies relating to securities held by that portfolio in accordance with the Sub-adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures. A Sub-adviser has a duty to vote such proxies in the best interests of the portfolio and its shareholders. Complete descriptions of the Trust’s Procedures and the proxy voting procedures of the Sub-adviser are set forth in Appendix C to this SAI.
It is possible that conflicts of interest could arise for a Sub-adviser when voting proxies. Such conflicts could arise, for example, when the Sub-adviser or its affiliate has a client or other business relationship with the issuer of the security being voted or with a third party that has an interest in the vote. A conflict of interest could also arise when the Trust, its investment adviser or principal underwriter or any of their affiliates has an interest in the vote.
In the event a Sub-adviser becomes aware of a material conflict of interest, the Trust’s Procedures generally require the Sub-adviser to follow any conflicts procedures that may be included in the Sub-advisers proxy voting procedures. Although conflicts procedures will vary among sub-advisers, they generally include one or more of the following:
(a) voting pursuant to the recommendation of a third party voting service;
(b) voting pursuant to pre-determined voting guidelines; or
(c) referring voting to a special compliance or oversight committee.
The specific conflicts procedures of the Sub-adviser are set forth in its proxy voting procedures included in Appendix C. While these conflicts procedures may reduce, they will not necessarily eliminate, any influence on proxy voting of conflicts of interest.
Although the Sub-adviser has a duty to vote all proxies on behalf of the portfolios it sub-advises, it is possible that the sub-adviser may not be able to vote proxies under certain circumstances. For example, it may be impracticable to translate in a timely manner voting materials that are written in a foreign language or to travel to a foreign country when voting in person rather than by proxy is required. In addition, if the voting of proxies for shares of a security prohibits the sub-adviser from trading the shares in the marketplace for a period of time, the Sub-adviser may determine that it is not in the best interests of the portfolio to vote the proxies. A sub-adviser may also choose not to recall securities that have been lent in order to vote proxies for shares of the security since the portfolio would lose security lending income if the securities were recalled.
Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 th is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 344-1029 (attention: Secretary) and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Other Accounts the Portfolio Managers are Managing . The table below indicates for each portfolio manager, information about the accounts over which the portfolio manager has day-to-day investment responsibility. All information on the number of accounts and total assets in the table is as of May 31, 2009. For purposes of the table, “Other Pooled Investment Vehicles” may include investment partnerships and group trusts, and “Other Accounts” may include separate accounts for institutions or individuals, insurance company general or separate accounts, pension funds and other similar institutional accounts.

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Portfolio Manager    
Name   Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
Barry H. Evans, CFA
  Other Registered Investment Companies: Five (5) funds with total assets of approximately $1.7 billion.
 
   
 
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: None
 
   
 
  Other Accounts: Eighty-three (83) accounts with total assets of approximately $2.2 billion.
 
   
John F. Iles
  Other Registered Investment Companies: Two (2) funds with total assets of approximately $767 million.
 
   
 
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: None.
 
   
 
  Other Accounts: Ten (10) accounts with total assets of approximately $2.6 billion.
 
   
Daniel S. Janis, III
  Other Registered Investment Companies: None
 
   
 
  Other Pooled Investment Vehicles: None
 
   
 
  Other Accounts: Seven (7) accounts with total assets of approximately $1.7 billion.
The Adviser does not receive a fee based upon the investment performance of any of the accounts included under “Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers” in the table above.
When a portfolio manager is responsible for the management of more than one account, the potential arises for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The principal types of potential conflicts of interest that may arise are discussed below. For the reasons outlined below, the Fund does not believe that any material conflicts are likely to arise out of a portfolio manager’s responsibility for the management of the Fund as well as one or more other accounts. The Adviser has adopted procedures that are intended to monitor compliance with the policies referred to in the following paragraphs. Generally, the risks of such conflicts of interests are increased to the extent that a portfolio manager has a financial incentive to favor one account over another. The Adviser has structured its compensation arrangements in a manner that is intended to limit such potential for conflicts of interests. See “Compensation of Portfolio Managers” below.
    A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in allocating new investment opportunities that have limited supply, such as initial public offerings and private placements. If, for example, an initial public offering that was expected to appreciate in value significantly shortly after the offering was allocated to a single account, that account may be expected to have better investment performance than other accounts that did not receive an allocation on the initial public offering. The Adviser has policies that require a portfolio manager to allocate such investment opportunities in an equitable manner and generally to allocate such investments proportionately among all accounts with similar investment objectives.
 
    A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in the order in which trades for the accounts are placed. If a portfolio manager determines to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that may influence the market price of the security, accounts that purchased or sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts that made subsequent transactions. The less liquid the market for the security or the greater the percentage that the proposed aggregate purchases or sales represent of average daily trading volume, the greater the potential for accounts that make subsequent purchases or sales to receive a less favorable price. When a portfolio manager intends to trade the same

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      security for more than one account, the policies of the Adviser generally require that such trades be “bunched,” which means that the trades for the individual accounts are aggregated and each account receives the same price. There are some types of accounts as to which bunching may not be possible for contractual reasons (such as directed brokerage arrangements). Circumstances may also arise where the trader believes that bunching the orders may not result in the best possible price. Where those accounts or circumstances are involved, the Adviser will place the order in a manner intended to result in as favorable a price as possible for such client.
 
    A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager’s compensation is tied to the performance of that account rather than all accounts managed by the portfolio manager. If, for example, the portfolio manager receives a bonus based upon the performance of certain accounts relative to a benchmark while other accounts are disregarded for this purpose, the portfolio manager will have a financial incentive to seek to have the accounts that determine the portfolio manager’s bonus achieve the best possible performance to the possible detriment of other accounts. Similarly, if the Adviser receives a performance-based advisory fee, the portfolio manager may favor that account, whether or not the performance of that account directly determines the portfolio manager’s compensation. The investment performance on specific accounts is not a factor in determining the portfolio manager’s compensation. See “Compensation of Portfolio Managers” below. The Adviser does not receive a performance-based fee with respect to any of the accounts managed by the portfolio managers.
 
    A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager has a beneficial interest in the account, in order to benefit a large client or to compensate a client that had poor returns. For example, if the portfolio manager held an interest in an investment partnership that was one of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager, the portfolio manager would have an economic incentive to favor the account in which the portfolio manager held an interest. The Adviser imposes certain trading restrictions and reporting requirements for accounts in which a portfolio manager or certain family members have a personal interest in order to confirm that such accounts are not favored over other accounts.
 
    If the different accounts have materially and potentially conflicting investment objectives or strategies, a conflict of interest may arise. In making portfolio manager assignments, the Adviser seeks to avoid such potentially conflicting situations. However, where a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts with differing investment objectives and policies, it is possible that the portfolio manager will conclude that it is in the best interest of one account to sell a portfolio security while another account continues to hold or increase the holding in such security.
Compensation of Portfolio Managers . The Sub-Adviser has adopted a system of compensation for portfolio managers and others involved in the investment process that is applied systematically among investment professionals. At the Sub-Adviser, the structure of compensation of investment professionals is currently comprised of the following basic components: base salary, and an annual investment bonus plan, as well as customary benefits that are offered generally to all full-time employees of the Sub-Adviser. A limited number of senior investment professionals, who serve as officers of both the Sub-Adviser and its parent company, may also receive options or restricted stock grants of common shares of Manulife Financial. The following describes each component of the compensation package for the individuals identified as a portfolio manager for the fund.
    Base salary. Base compensation is fixed and normally reevaluated on an annual basis. The Sub-Adviser seeks to set compensation at market rates, taking into account the experience and responsibilities of the investment professional.
 
    Investment Bonus Plan . Only investment professionals are eligible to participate in the Investment Bonus Plan. Under the plan, investment professionals are eligible for an annual bonus. The plan is intended to provide a competitive level of annual bonus compensation that is tied to the investment professional achieving superior investment performance and aligns the financial incentives of the Sub-Adviser and the investment professional. Any bonus under the plan is completely discretionary, with a maximum annual bonus that may be well in excess of base salary. Payout of a portion of this bonus may be deferred for up

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      to five years. While the amount of any bonus is discretionary, the following factors are generally used in determining bonuses under the plan:
    Investment Performance : The investment performance of all accounts managed by the investment professional over one-, three- and five- year periods are considered. The pre-tax performance of each account is measured relative to an appropriate peer group benchmark (for example a Morningstar large cap growth peer group if the fund invests primarily in large cap stocks with a growth strategy). With respect to fixed income accounts, relative yields are also used to measure performance.
 
    The Profitability of the Sub-Adviser : The profitability of the Sub-Adviser and its parent company are also considered in determining bonus awards, with greater emphasis placed upon the profitability of the Sub-Adviser.
 
    Non-Investment Performance : The more intangible contributions of an investment professional to the Sub-Adviser’s business, including the investment professional’s support of sales activities, new fund/strategy idea generation, professional growth and development, and management, where applicable, are evaluating in determining the amount of any bonus award.
    Options and Stock Grants . A limited number of senior investment professionals may receive options to purchase shares of Manulife Financial stock. Generally, such option would permit the investment professional to purchase a set amount of stock at the market price on the date of grant. The option can be exercised for a set period (normally a number of years or until termination of employment) and the investment professional would exercise the option if the market value of Manulife Financial stock increases. Some investment professionals may receive restricted stock grants, where the investment professional is entitle to receive the stock at no or nominal cost, provided that the stock is forgone if the investment professional’s employment is terminated prior to a vesting date.
The Sub-Adviser also permits investment professionals to participate on a voluntary basis in a deferred compensation plan, under which the investment professional may elect on an annual basis to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation until retirement. Participation in the plan is voluntary. No component of the compensation arrangements for the investment professionals involves mandatory deferral arrangements.
While the profitability of the Sub-Adviser and the investment performance of the accounts that the investment professionals maintain are factors in determining an investment professional’s overall compensation, the investment professional’s compensation is not linked directly to the NAV of any fund.
Share Ownership by Portfolio Managers . The following table indicates as of May 31, 2009 the value, within the indicated range, of shares beneficially owned by the portfolio managers in the Fund. For purposes of this table, the following letters represent the range indicated below:
A     -     $0
B     -     $1 – $10,000
C     -     $10,001 – $50,000
D     -     $50,001 – $100,000
E     -     $100,001 – $500,000
F     -     $500,001 – $1,000,000
G     -     More than $1 million
     
Portfolio Manager   Range of Beneficial Ownership
Barry Evans
  D
John F. Iles
  D
Daniel S. Janis, III
  E

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DISTRIBUTION CONTRACTS
The Fund has a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds. Under the agreement John Hancock Funds is obligated to use its best efforts to sell shares of each class of the Fund. Shares of the Fund are also sold by selected broker-dealers, banks and registered investment advisors (“Selling Firms”) that have entered into selling agreements with John Hancock Funds. These Selling Firms are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. John Hancock Funds accepts orders for the purchase of the shares of the Fund that are continually offered at NAV next determined, plus any applicable sales charge, if any. In connection with the sale of Fund shares, John Hancock Funds and Selling Firms receive compensation from a sales charge imposed, in the case of Class A shares, at the time of sale. In the case of Class B, Class C, Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares, the Selling Firm receives compensation immediately but John Hancock Funds is compensated on a deferred basis.
Affiliated Underwriting Transactions by the Sub-Adviser . The Fund has approved procedures in conformity with Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby the Fund may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of the sub-advisers participates.  These procedures prohibit the Fund from directly or indirectly benefiting a sub-adviser affiliate in connection with such underwritings.  In addition, for underwritings where a sub-adviser affiliate participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities that the Fund could purchase.
Set forth below is a table reflecting the total underwriting commissions (sales charges) for sales of the Fund’s share classes for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009. No sales charges are imposed on Class I, Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares.
                             
        Total Underwriting   Total Underwriting   Total Underwriting
        Commissions year ended   Commissions year ended   Commissions year ended
Fund   Share Class   May 31, 2007   May 31, 2008   May 31, 2009
Strategic Income Fund
  Class A   $ 796,179     $ 756,192     $ 1,423,233  
 
  Class B   $ 623,696     $ 307,565     $ 203,857  
 
  Class C   $ 25,568     $ 13,208     $ 41,664  
The Board has adopted distribution plans with respect to Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares of the Fund (the “12b-1 Plans”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the 12b-1 Plans, the Fund pays distribution and service fees at an aggregate annual rate of up to 0.30% for Class A shares, 1.00% for Class B and Class C shares, 0.50% for Class R1 and Class R3 shares, 0.25% for Class R4 shares, and 0.00% for Class R5 shares, of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares of that class. However, the service fee will not exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to each class of shares.
There are two types of Distribution Plans: “reimbursement” and “compensation” plans. While a reimbursement plan provides for reimbursement of certain distribution and shareholder service expenses of a fund, a compensation plan provides for direct payment of distribution and shareholder service fees to the distributor.
Under a reimbursement plan, if the aggregate payments received by John Hancock Funds, LLC, the Fund’s distributor, in any fiscal year exceed the expenditures made by the Distributor in that year pursuant to that plan, the Distributor reimburses the Fund for the amount of the excess. If, however, the expenditures made by the Distributor on the Fund’s behalf during any fiscal year exceed the payments received under a class’ reimbursement plan, the Distributor is entitled to carry over such unreimbursed expenses with interest to be paid in subsequent fiscal years from available 12b-1 amounts. (Unreimbursed expenses for Class A shares are not carried over.) The Fund does not treat unreimbursed expenses under the Class C and Class R1 12b-1 Plans as a liability of the Fund, because the Trustees could have terminated either of these Plans at any time with no additional liability to the shareholders or the Fund for these expenses. The Class R3 and Class R4 12b-Plans were established as compensation plans.

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For the period ended May 31, 2009, an aggregate of $45,101,251 in Distribution Expenses or 28.76% of the average net assets of the Class B shares of the Fund was not reimbursed or recovered by John Hancock Funds through the receipt of deferred sales charges or 12b-1 fees in prior periods. For the period ended May 31, 2009, an aggregate of $4,412,415 in Distribution Expenses or 2.25% of the average net assets of the Class C shares of the Fund was not reimbursed or recovered by John Hancock Funds through the receipt of deferred sales charges or 12b-1 fees. For the period ended May 31, 2009, an aggregate of $85,430 in Distribution Expenses or 1.70% of the average net assets of the Class R1 shares of the Fund was not reimbursed or recovered by John Hancock Funds through the receipt of deferred sales charges or 12b-1 fees.
On May 5, 2009, the Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C shareholders approved proposals to change the 12b-1 Plans from “reimbursement” to “compensation” plans. While the amendments did not change the maximum amount that may be paid under these 12b-1 Plans to the Distributor in connection with the distribution of these shares of the Fund, the Distributor is no longer obligated to reimburse the Fund to the extent that such payments exceed distribution-related expenses incurred by the Distributor with respect to the Fund for a particular fiscal year. Under the compensation 12b-1 Plans for Class A, Class B and Class C shares, the Distributor will retain the entire amount of the payments made to it, even if such amount exceeds the Distributor’s actual distribution-related expenses for the applicable fiscal year. The Class R1 12b-1 Plan will continue, however, to operate as a reimbursement plan.
Under the 12b-1 Plans, the Fund makes payments to the Distributor from assets attributable to particular share classes to compensate the Distributor and other selling dealers, various banks, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, for providing certain services to the holders of these share classes. Such services may include the following:
  formulation and implementation of marketing and promotional activities;
 
  preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature;
 
  preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses and Fund reports to other than existing shareholders;
 
  obtaining such information with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Distributor deems advisable;
 
  making payments to dealers and others engaged in the sale of shares or who engage in shareholder support services; and
 
  providing training, marketing and support with respect to the sale of shares.
The Distributor may remit on a continuous basis all of the payments it receives to its registered representatives and other financial intermediaries as a trail fee in recognition of their services and assistance.
The Distributor makes payments to dealers on accounts for which such dealer is designated dealer of record. Payments are based on the average net asset value of the accounts. At least quarterly, the Distributor provides to the Board, and the Board reviews, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
Continuance of the 12b-1 Plans must be approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, annually. The 12b-1 Plans may be amended by a vote of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, except that the plans may not be amended to materially increase the amount spent for distribution without approval of the shareholders of the affected class. Agreements entered into pursuant to the 12b-1 Plans terminate automatically in the event of an assignment and may be terminated upon a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a Majority of the Outstanding Voting Securities of the affected class.

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Class I shares of the Fund are not subject to any distribution plan. Expenses associated with the obligation of the Distributor to use its best efforts to sell Class I shares will be paid by the Adviser or by the Distributor and will not be paid from the fees paid under Plans for any other class of shares of the Fund.
The Fund has also adopted a separate Service Plan for Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares (“the Service Plan”). The Service Plan authorizes the Fund to pay securities dealers, plan administrators or other service organizations who agree to provide certain services to retirement plans or plan participants holding shares of the Fund the following annual service fees, in each case based upon the average daily net assets attributable to the class of shares held by such plan participants: Class R1: 0.25%; Class R3: 0.15%; Class R4: 0.10%; and Class R5: 0.05%. These services may include (a) acting, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder and nominee for all plan participants; (b) maintaining account records for each plan participant that beneficially owns Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares; (c) processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares on behalf of plan participants, and handling the transmission of funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds; (d) addressing plan participant questions regarding their accounts and the Fund; and (e) other services related to servicing such retirement plans.
The Plans and all amendments were approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans by votes cast in person at meetings called for the purpose of voting on such Plans.
Pursuant to the Plans, at least quarterly, John Hancock Funds provides the Fund with a written report of the amounts expended under the Plans and the purpose for which these expenditures were made. The Trustees review these reports on a quarterly basis to determine their continued appropriateness.
The Plans provide that they will continue in effect only so long as its continuance is approved at least annually by a majority of both the Trustees and the Independent Trustees. The Plans provide that they may be terminated without penalty: (a) by a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees; (b) by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares of the applicable class in each case upon 60 days’ written notice to John Hancock Funds; and (c) automatically in the event of assignment. The Plans further provide that they may not be amended to increase the maximum amount of the fees for the services described therein without the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of the class of the Fund which has voting rights with respect to the Plan. Each Plan provides that no material amendment to the Plans will be effective unless it is approved by a majority vote of the Trustees and the Independent Trustees of the Fund. The holders of Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Plan applicable to their respective class of shares. In adopting the Plans, the Trustees concluded that, in their judgment, there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the holders of the applicable class of shares of the Fund.
Expenses associated with the obligation of John Hancock Funds to use its best efforts to sell Class R5 shares will be paid by the Adviser or by John Hancock Funds and will not be paid by the Fund.
Amounts paid to John Hancock Funds by any class of shares of the Fund will not be used to pay the expenses incurred with respect to any other class of shares of the Fund; provided, however, that expenses attributable to the Fund as a whole will be allocated, to the extent permitted by law, according to a formula based upon gross sales dollars and/or average daily net assets of each such class, as may be approved from time to time by vote of a majority of the Trustees. From time to time, the Fund may participate in joint distribution activities with other Funds and the costs of those activities will be borne by the Fund in proportion to its relative NAV.
During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009, the Fund paid John Hancock Funds the following amounts of expenses in connection with its services to the Fund.

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Expense Items
                                         
            Printing and                   Interest
            Mailing of                   Carrying or
            Prospectus to   Compensation   Expenses of John   Other Finance
    Advertising   New Shareholders   to Selling Firms   Hancock Funds   Charges
Class A
  $ 112,171     $ 10,701     $ 870,039     $ 1,044,665     $ -0-  
Class B
  $ 29,397     $ 6,677     $ 854,406     $ 583,792     $ -0-  
Class C
  $ 62,827     $ 4,558     $ 1,149,020     $ 526,275     $ -0-  
Class R1
  $ 1,651     $ 176     $ 17,424     $ 15,580     $ -0-  
Class R3
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 3     $ -0-  
Class R4
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 2     $ -0-  
SALES COMPENSATION
As part of their business strategies, the Fund, along with the Distributor, pays compensation to Selling Firms that sell the Fund’s shares. These firms typically pass along a portion of this compensation to your broker or financial representative.
The two primary sources of Selling Firm compensation payments for each class of the Fund’s shares are: (1) the 12b-1 fees that are paid out of the Fund’s assets; and (2) sales charges paid by investors. The sales charges and 12b-1 fees are detailed in the prospectus and under the “Distribution Contracts”, “Initial Sales Charges on Class A Shares” and “Deferred Sales Charge on Class B and Class C Shares” in this SAI. The portions of these expenses that are paid to Selling Firms are shown in the “First Year Broker or Other Selling Firm Compensation” chart. For Class I shares, John Hancock Funds may make a one-time payment at the time of initial purchase out of its own resources to a Selling Firm which sells shares of the Fund. This payment may not exceed 0.15% of the amount invested.
Initial compensation Whenever you make an investment in Class A, Class B or Class C shares of the Fund, the Selling Firm receives a reallowance/payment/commission as described in the “First Year Broker or Other Selling Firm Compensation” chart. The Selling Firm also receives the first year’s 12b-1 service fee at this time.
Annual compensation. For Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Fund, beginning in the second year after an investment is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual 12b-1 service fee of 0.25% of its average daily net (aged) assets. In addition, beginning in the second year after an investment is made in Class C shares of the Fund, the Distributor will pay the Selling Firm a distribution fee in an amount not to exceed 0.75% of the average daily net (aged) assets. In certain cases, for Class A shares, 12b-1 fees are paid in the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible assets. These service and distribution fees are paid monthly in arrears.
For Class R1 and Class R3 shares of the Fund, beginning with the first year an investment is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual 12b-1 service fee of 0.25% of its average daily net assets. In addition, the Distributor will pay the Selling Firm a distribution fee in an amount not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net assets. For Class R4 shares of the Fund, beginning with the first year that an investment is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual 12b-1 distribution fee of 0.25% of its average daily net assets. These service and distribution fees are paid monthly in arrears.
Rollover Program Compensation. The broker-dealer of record for a pension, profit-sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) or described in Section 457(b) of the Code, as amended (the “Code”) which is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, is eligible to receive ongoing compensation (“Rollover Compensation”) when a plan participant terminates from the qualified plan and rolls over assets into a John Hancock sponsored custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial ROTH IRA invested in shares of John Hancock funds. The Rollover Compensation is paid to the broker-dealer at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net eligible assets held in John Hancock funds (0.15% for the John Hancock Money Market Fund) under the rollover program.

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Rollover Compensation is made in the first year and continues thereafter, quarterly in arrears. The Rollover Compensation is not related to the reallowance and/or Rule 12b-1 fees that a broker-dealer may earn as broker-dealer of record in connection with sales of John Hancock funds.
Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries. Shares of the funds are primarily sold through financial intermediaries (firms), such as broker/dealers, banks, registered investment advisers, independent financial planners, and retirement plan administrators. The Distributor may make, either from 12b-1 distribution fees or out of its own resources, additional payments to firms. These payments are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing.” Many firms that sell shares of the Funds receive one or more types of these cash payments. The categories of payments that John Hancock Funds provides to firms are described below. These categories are not mutually exclusive and John Hancock Funds may make additional types of revenue sharing payments in the future. The same firms may receive payments under more than one or all categories. These payments assist in John Hancock Funds’ efforts to promote the sale of the funds’ shares. John Hancock Funds agrees with the firm on the methods for calculating any additional compensation, which may include the level of sales or assets attributable to the firm. Not all firms receive additional compensation and the amount of compensation varies. These payments could be significant to a firm. John Hancock Funds determines which firms to support and the extent of the payments it is willing to make. John Hancock Funds generally chooses to compensate firms that have a strong capability to distribute shares of the funds and that are willing to cooperate with the distributor’s promotional efforts. John Hancock Funds does not make an independent assessment of the cost of providing such services.
As of July 1, 2009, , the following member firms of the Financial Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) have arrangements in effect with John Hancock Funds pursuant to which the firm is entitled to a revenue sharing payment.
 
1st Global Capital Corp
AIG Network
Ameriprise Financial Services Inc
AXA Advisors, LLC
Banc of America Investments Inc
Cambridge Investment Research
Centaurus Financial Inc
Charles Schwab
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
Commonwealth Financial Network
Crown Capital Securities LP
Cuso Financial Services LP
DA Davidson & Co Inc
E Trade Securities Inc
Ferris Baker Watts Inc
Fidelity
First Allied Securities Inc
First Tennessee Brokerage Inc
Geneos Wealth Management
Girard Securities Inc
H D Vest Financial Services Inc
Harbour Investments Inc
ING Advisors
ING -Financial Network Investment Corp
ING Financial Partners, Inc
ING-Multi-Financial Securities Corporation
ING -PrimeVest Financial Services
Intersecurities Inc

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Investacorp Inc
Investment Professionals Inc
Investors Capital Corp
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
JJB Hilliard WL Lyons, Inc
Lincoln Financial (Advisors & Securities)
LPL Network
LPL Financial Corporation
LPL -Associated Securities Corp
LPL -Mutual Service Corporation
LPL- Waterstone Financial Group
LPL -Uvest Financial Services Group
Merrill Lynch
MML Investor Services Inc
Morgan Stanley & Company, Inc.
National Planning Holding
NPH -Invest Financial Corp
NPH -Investment Centers of America
NPH -National Planning Corporation
NPH -SII Investments Inc
NFP Securities Inc
Oppenheimer & Co Inc
Raymond James & Associates Inc
Raymond James Financial Services Inc
RBC Capital Markets Corporation
Robert W Baird & Co
Securities America Inc
Signator Investors Inc
Stifel Nicolaus & Co Incorporated
The Huntington Investment Co
The Investment Center, Inc.
Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc
UBS Financial Services Inc
Wachovia Securities LLC
Wells Fargo Investments LLC
The John Hancock funds also have arrangements with intermediaries that are not members of FINRA. Other firms, who are not members of FINRA, also may receive revenue sharing payments.
Securities of Regular Broker Dealers. The table below presents information regarding the securities of the Fund’s regular broker dealers (or the parent of the regular broker-dealers) that were held by the Fund as of the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009:
         
Regular Broker Dealer   Holdings ($000s)
Citigroup, Inc.
    9,067  
Lehman Brothers, Inc.
    1,560  
Bank of America Corp.
    9,571  
Sales and Asset Based Payments. John Hancock Funds makes revenue sharing payments as incentives to certain firms to promote and sell shares of the funds. John Hancock Funds hopes to benefit from revenue sharing by increasing the funds’ net assets, which, as well as benefiting the funds, would result in additional management and

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other fees for John Hancock Advisers and its affiliates. In consideration for revenue sharing, a firm may feature certain funds in its sales system or give John Hancock Funds additional access to members of its sales force or management. In addition, a firm may agree to participate in the marketing efforts of John Hancock Funds by allowing it to participate in conferences, seminars or other programs attended by the intermediary’s sales force. Although an intermediary may seek revenue sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients that have invested in the funds, the intermediary may earn a profit on these payments. Revenue sharing payments may provide a firm with an incentive to favor the funds.
The revenue sharing payments John Hancock Funds makes may be calculated on sales of shares of funds (“Sales-Based Payments”). Such payments also may be calculated on the average daily net assets of the applicable funds attributable to that particular financial intermediary (“Asset-Based Payments”). Sales-Based Payments primarily create incentives to make new sales of shares of the funds and Asset-Based Payments primarily create incentives to retain previously sold shares of the funds in investor accounts. John Hancock Funds may pay a firm either or both Sales-Based Payments and Asset-Based Payments.
Administrative and Processing Support Payments. John Hancock Funds also may make payments to certain firms that sell shares of the funds for certain administrative services, including record keeping and sub-accounting shareholder accounts, to the extent that the funds do not pay for these costs directly. John Hancock Funds also may make payments to certain firms that sell shares of the funds in connection with client account maintenance support, statement preparation and transaction processing. The types of payments that John Hancock Funds may make under this category include, among others, payment of ticket charges per purchase or exchange order placed by a financial intermediary, payment of networking fees in connection with certain mutual fund trading systems, or one-time payments for ancillary services such as setting up funds on a firm’s mutual fund trading system.
Other Cash Payments. From time to time, John Hancock Funds may provide, either from 12b-1 distribution fees or out of its own resources, additional compensation to firms that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the funds. Such compensation provided by John Hancock Funds may include financial assistance to firms that enable John Hancock Funds to participate in and/or present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, client entertainment, client and investor events, and other firm-sponsored events, and travel expenses, including lodging incurred by registered representatives and other employees in connection with client prospecting, retention and due diligence trips. Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by federal or state laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. John Hancock Funds makes payments for entertainment events they deem appropriate, subject to John Hancock Funds’ guidelines and applicable law. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event or the relationship.
John Hancock Funds and its affiliates may have other relationships with firms relating to the provisions of services to the funds, such as providing omnibus account services, transaction processing services, or effecting portfolio transactions for funds. If a firm provides these services, the investment adviser or the funds may compensate the firm for these services. In addition, a firm may have other compensated or uncompensated relationships with the investment adviser or its affiliates that are not related to the funds.

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First Year Broker or Other Selling Firm Compensation
                                 
    Investor pays            
    sales charge   Selling Firm   Selling Firm    
    (% of offering   receives   receives 12b-1   Total Selling Firm
    price) (1)   commission (2)   service fee (3)   compensation (4)(5)
Class A investments
                               
Up to $99,999
    4.50 %     3.76 %     0.25 %     4.00 %
$100,000 - $249,999
    3.75 %     3.01 %     0.25 %     3.25 %
$250,000 - $499,999
    2.75 %     2.06 %     0.25 %     2.30 %
$500,000 - $999,999
    2.00 %     1.51 %     0.25 %     1.75 %
 
                               
Investments of Class A shares of $1 million or more
 
                               
First $1M - $4,999,999
          0.75 %     0.25 %     1.00 %
Next $1 - $5M above that
          0.25 %     0.25 %     0.50 %
Next $1 or more above that
          0.00 %     0.25 %     0.25 %
 
                               
Investments of Class A shares by certain Retirement Plans (6)
 
                               
First $1 - $4,999,999
          0.75 %     0.25 %     1.00 %
Next $1 - $5M above that
          0.25 %     0.25 %     0.50 %
Next $1 or more above that
          0.00 %     0.25 %     0.25 %
 
                               
Class B investments
 
                               
All amounts
          3.75 %     0.25 %     4.00 %
 
                               
Class C investments
 
                               
All amounts
          0.75 %     0.25 %     1.00 %
 
                               
Class I investments
 
                               
All amounts
          0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00% (7)
 
                               
Class R1 investments(8)
 
                               
All amounts
          0.00 %     0.50 %     0.50 %
 
                               
Class R3 investments(8)
 
                               
All amounts
          0.00 %     0.50 %     0.50 %
 
                               
Class R4 investments(8)
 
                               
All amounts
          0.00 %     0.25 %     0.25 %
 
                               
Class R5 investments
 
                               
All amounts
          0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
 
(1)   See “Initial Sales Charge on Class A Shares” for discussion on how to qualify for a reduced sales charge.

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    John Hancock Funds may take recent redemptions into account in determining if an investment qualifies as a new investment.
 
(2)   For Class A investments under $1 million, a portion of the Selling Firm’s commission is paid out of the sales charge.
 
(3)   For Class A, B and C shares, the Selling Firm receives 12b-1 fees in the first year as a percentage of the amount invested and after the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible assets. Monthly payments are made in arrears. In certain circumstances, 12b-1 fees are paid in the first year as a percentage of average daily net eligible assets. This compensation applies to the following: Selling Firms with a fee-based/WRAP program agreement with John Hancock Funds, LLC, certain retirement platforms with over 100 eligible employees at the inception of the Fund account or $1 million in plan assets, and Selling Firms that roll over assets from a terminated participant’s qualified plan, which is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial ROTH IRA investing in John Hancock funds. Monthly payments are made in arrears.
 
(4)   Selling Firm commission and 12b-1 service fee percentages are calculated from different amounts, and therefore may not equal the total Selling Firm compensation percentages if combined using simple addition.
 
(5)   Underwriter retains the balance.
 
(6)   Commissions (up to 1.00%) are paid to dealers who initiate and are responsible for certain Class A share purchases not subject to sales charges. These purchases consist of $1 million or more, purchases by employer sponsored defined contribution retirement plans investing $1 million or more, or with 100 or more eligible employees at the time of purchase.
 
(7)   John Hancock Funds may make a one-time payment at time of initial purchase out of its own resources to a Selling Firm that sells Class I shares of the Fund. This payment may be up to 0.15% of the amount invested.
 
(8)   For purchases of Class R1, Class R3 and Class R4, beginning with the first year an investment is made, the Selling Firm receives an annual 12b-1 service fee paid monthly in arrears. See “Distribution Contracts” for description of Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 Service Plan charges and payments.
Contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) revenues collected by John Hancock Funds may be used to pay Selling Firm commissions when there is no initial sales charge.
NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV for each class of the Fund is determined each business day at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) by dividing a class’s net assets by the number of its shares outstanding. On any day an international market is closed and the NYSE is open, any foreign securities will be valued at the prior day’s close with the current day’s exchange rate. Trading of foreign securities may take place on Saturdays and U.S. business holidays on which the Fund’s NAV is not calculated. Consequently, the Fund’s portfolio securities may trade and the NAV of the Fund’s redeemable securities may be significantly affected on days when a shareholder has no access to the Fund.
Portfolio securities are valued by various methods which are generally described below. As noted in the prospectus, portfolio securities may also be fair valued by a Fund’s Pricing Committee in certain instances.
      Equity Securities Traded on Stock Exchanges
Most equity securities that are traded on stock exchanges (including securities traded in both the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market and on an exchange) are valued at the last sales prices as of the close of the exchange in the principal market on which the security trades, or, lacking any sales, at the closing bid prices. Certain exceptions exist. For example, securities traded on the London Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are valued at the official closing price.

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      Securities Traded on the OTC Market
Securities traded only in the over-the-counter OTC market are generally valued at the last bid prices quoted by brokers that make markets in the securities at the close of regular trading on the NYSE.
      Debt Securities and Convertible Securities
Debt securities for which market quotations are readily available may be valued at market value determined by the security’s most recent bid price (sales price if the principal market is an exchange) in the principal market in which it is normally traded, as furnished by recognized dealers in such securities. Debt securities (other than certain short term debt securities that are valued at amortized cost) and convertible securities may also be valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service. A number of pricing services are available and a Fund may use various pricing services or discontinue the use of any pricing service.
      Short Term Debt Instruments
Certain short term debt instruments will be valued on an amortized cost basis. Under this method of valuation, the instrument is initially valued at cost. For securities purchased at a discount or premium, a Fund assumes a constant proportionate amortization in value until maturity, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. While the amortized cost method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price that would be received upon sale of the instrument.
      Open-End Investment Companies
Shares of other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAVs of those investment companies.
      Securities Denominated in Foreign Currencies
The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies is converted into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate at the close of the NYSE.
      Options and Futures Contracts
Exchange-traded options are valued at sale prices, if available, and at the mean of the bid and ask prices if a sale price is unavailable.
Futures contracts are valued at the most recent settlement price.
      Limited Partnerships and Pooled Investment Vehicles
The value of a Fund’s interest in entities such as limited partnerships and other pooled investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, will be determined by fair valuation. In general, the fair value of a Fund’s interest in a hedge fund will represent the amount that the Fund could reasonably expect to receive from the hedge fund or from a third party if the Fund’s interest was redeemed or sold at the time of valuation, based on information available at the time the valuation is made that the Fund reasonably believes to be reliable. In determining fair value for investments in a hedge fund, a Fund ordinarily may rely upon the fair value information provided to it by the administrator for and/or manager of the hedge fund, computed in compliance with the hedge fund’s valuation policies and procedures, in addition to any other relevant information available at the time of valuation. In certain instances, a Fund’s Pricing Committee may determine that a reported valuation does not reflect fair value, based on additional information available or other factors, and may accordingly determine in good faith the fair value of the assets, which may differ from the reported valuation.
      Non-Negotiable Security

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A non-negotiable security not treated as an illiquid security because it may be redeemed with the issuer, subject to a penalty for early redemption, shall be assigned a value that takes into account the reduced amount that would be received if it were liquidated at the time of valuation.
For purposes of calculating the NAV of a Fund’s shares, investment transactions are accounted for on a “trade date plus one basis” (i.e. the business day following the trade date). However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on the trade date.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES
Shares of the Fund are offered at a price equal to their NAV plus a sales charge which, at the option of the purchaser, may be imposed either at the time of purchase (the “initial sales charge”) or on a contingent deferred basis (the “contingent deferred sales charge or CDSC”). The fund no longer issues share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded. The Board reserves the right to change or waive the Fund’s minimum investment requirements and to reject any order to purchase shares (including purchase by exchange) when in the judgment of the Adviser such rejection is in the Fund’s best interest.
The sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A shares of the Fund are described in the Prospectus. Methods of obtaining reduced sales charges referred to generally in the Prospectus are described in detail below. In calculating the sales charge applicable to current purchases of Class A shares of the Fund, the investor is entitled to accumulate current purchases with the current offering price of the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class I2, Class T, Class ADV or all R share classes of the John Hancock mutual funds owned by the investor (see “Combination” and “Accumulation Privileges” below).
In order to receive the reduced sales charge, the investor must notify his/her financial advisor and/or the financial advisor must notify Signature Services, Inc. at the time of purchase of the Class A shares, about any other John Hancock mutual funds owned by the investor, the investor’s spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same household (see “Combination and Accumulation Privilege” below). This includes investments held in an individual retirement account, including those held at a broker or financial adviser other than the one handling your current purchase. Additionally, individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may also be aggregated if the investments are for a single trust estate or for a group retirement plan. Assets held within a group retirement plan may not be combined with any assets held by those same participants outside of the plan.
John Hancock will credit the combined value, at the current offering price, of all eligible accounts to determine whether you qualify for a reduced sales charge on your current purchase. Signature Services will automatically link certain accounts registered in the same client name, with the same taxpayer identification number, for the purpose of qualifying you for lower initial sales charge rates. You must notify Signature Services and your broker dealer (financial adviser) at the time of purchase of any eligible accounts held by your spouse or children under 21, living in the same household in order to insure these assets are linked to your accounts.
Without Sales Charge . Class A shares may be offered without a front-end sales charge or CDSC to various individuals and institutions as follows:
A Trustee or officer of the Trust; a Director or officer of the Adviser and its affiliates, sub-adviser or Selling Firms; employees or sales representatives of any of the foregoing; retired officers, employees or Directors of any of the foregoing; a member of the immediate family (spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, parent, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, niece, nephew and same sex domestic partner; “Immediate Family”) of any of the foregoing; or any fund, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the individuals described above.

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  A broker, dealer, financial planner, consultant or registered investment advisor that has entered into a signed agreement with John Hancock funds providing specifically for the use of Fund shares in certain eligible retirement platforms, fee-based investment products or services made available to their clients.
  Individuals transferring assets held in a SIMPLE IRA, SEP, or SARSEP invested in John Hancock Funds directly to an IRA.
 
  Individuals converting assets held in an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP, or SARSEP invested in John Hancock Funds directly to a ROTH IRA.
 
  Individuals recharacterizing assets from an IRA, ROTH IRA, SEP, SARSEP or SIMPLE IRA invested in John Hancock Funds back to the original account type from which it was converted.
 
  Terminating participants rolling over assets held in a pension, profit-sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) or described in Section 457(b) of the Code which is funded by certain John Hancock group annuity contracts, directly to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial ROTH IRA investing in John Hancock funds, including subsequent investments.
 
  Participants rolling over (directly or within 60 days after distribution) from a terminating pension, profit sharing or other plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or described in Section 457(b) of the Code (the assets of which, immediately prior to its termination, were held in certain John Hancock group annuity contracts but are now transferred from such contracts and held either: (i) in trust by a distribution processing organization; or (ii) in a custodial IRA or custodial Roth IRA sponsored by an authorized third party trust company and made available through John Hancock), to a John Hancock custodial IRA or John Hancock custodial Roth IRA that invests in John Hancock funds, including subsequent investments.
 
  Individuals rolling over assets held in a John Hancock custodial 403(b) account into a John Hancock custodial IRA account.
NOTE: Rollover investments to Class A shares from assets withdrawn from SIMPLE 401(k), TSA, 457, 403(b), 401(k), Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and any other qualified plans as described in Code sections 401(a), 403(b), 457 and not specified above as waiver eligible, will be subject to applicable sales charges.
  A member of a class action lawsuit against insurance companies who is investing settlement proceeds.
 
  Certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch or the Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. servicing programs offered in Class A shares, including transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further information.
 
  Retirement plans investing through the PruSolutions sm program.
 
  Participants in certain 529 Plans that have a signed agreement with John Hancock Funds. No CDSC will be due for redemptions on plan purchases made at NAV with no finder’s fee. However, if a plan had a finder’s fee or commission, and the entire plan redeemed within 12 months of the first investment in the plan, a CDSC would be due.
 
  Participant directed retirement plans with at least 100 eligible employees at the inception of the Fund account. Each of these employees may purchase Class A shares with no initial sales charge, if the plan sponsor notifies Signature Services of the number of employees at the time the account is established. However, all shares are redeemed within 12 months of the inception of the plan, a CDSC will be imposed at the following rate:

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Amount Invested   CDSC Rate
First $1 to $4,999,999
    1.00 %
Next $1 to $5M above that
    0.50 %
Next $1 or more above that
    0.25 %
Class A shares may also be purchased without an initial sales charge in connection with certain liquidation, merger or acquisition transactions involving other investment companies or personal holding companies.
In Kind Re-registrations. A shareholder who withdraws funds via a tax reportable transaction, from one John Hancock fund account, that has previously paid a sales charge, and reregisters those assets directly to another John Hancock Fund account, without the assets ever leaving John Hancock Funds, may do so without paying a sales charge. The beneficial owner must remain the same, i.e., in kind.
Note: Rollover investments to Class A shares from assets withdrawn from SIMPLE 401(k), TSA, 457, 403(b), 401(k), Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and any other qualified plans as described in Code sections 401(a), 403(b), 457 are not eligible for this provision, and will be subject to applicable sales charges.
Reducing Your Class A Sales Charges
Combination and Accumulation Privileges. In calculating the sales charge applicable to purchases of Class A shares made at one time, the purchases will be combined to reduce sales charges if made by (a) an individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same household, purchasing securities for his or their own account, (b) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing for a single trust, estate or group retirement plan and (c) groups which qualify for the Group Investment Program (see below). Individual qualified and non-qualified investments can be combined to take advantage of this privilege, however, assets held within a group retirement plan may not be combined with any assets held by those same participants outside of the plan.
Class A investors may also reduce their Class A sales charge by taking into account not only the amount being invested but also the current offering price of all the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class I2, Class T, Class ADV and all R share classes of all John Hancock funds already held by such person. However, Class A shares of John Hancock money market funds will only be eligible for the accumulation privilege if the investor has previously paid a sales charge on the amount of those shares. To receive a reduced sales charge, the investor must tell his/her financial advisor or Signature Services at the time of the purchase about any other John Hancock mutual funds held by that investor his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21 living in the same household. Further information about combined purchases, including certain restrictions on combined group purchases, is available from Signature Services or a Selling Firm’s representative.
Group Investment Program . Under the Combination and Accumulation Privileges, all members of a group may combine their individual purchases of Class A shares to potentially qualify for breakpoints in the sales charge schedule. This feature is provided to any group which (1) has been in existence for more than six months, (2) has a legitimate purpose other than the purchase of mutual fund shares at a discount for its members, (3) utilizes salary deduction or similar group methods of payment, and (4) agrees to allow sales materials of the fund in its mailings to members at a reduced or no cost to John Hancock Funds.
Letter of Intention . Reduced Class A sales charges under the Combination and Accumulation Privilege are also applicable to investments made pursuant to a Letter of Intention (the “LOI”), which should be read carefully prior to its execution by an investor. The Fund offers two options regarding the specified period for making investments under the LOI. All investors have the option of making their investments over a specified period of thirteen (13) months. Individuals who are using the Fund as a funding medium for their retirement plan account, however, may opt to make the necessary investments called for by the LOI over a forty-eight (48) month period. These retirement plans include traditional, Roth IRAs and Coverdell ESAs, SEP, SARSEP, 401(k), 403(b) (including TSAs), SIMPLE IRA, SIMPLE 401(k), Money Purchase Pension, Profit Sharing and Section 457 plans. An individual’s non-qualified and qualified retirement plan investments can be combined to satisfy an LOI (either 13 or 48 months).

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Since some retirement plans are held in an omnibus account, an investor wishing to count retirement plan holdings towards a Class A purchase must notify Signature Services and his/her financial adviser of these holdings. Such an investment (including accumulations, combinations and reinvested dividends) must aggregate $100,000 or more during the specified period from the date of the LOI or from a date within ninety (90) days prior thereto, upon written request to Signature Services. Purchases made within 90 days prior to the signing of an LOI will be counted towards fulfillment of the LOI, however, the original sales charge will not be recalculated for these previous purchase. The sales charge applicable to all amounts invested after an LOI is signed is computed as if the aggregate amount intended to be invested had been invested immediately. If such aggregate amount is not actually invested, the difference in the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge payable had the LOI not been in effect is due from the investor. However, for the purchases actually made within the specified period (either 13 or 48 months) the sales charge applicable will not be higher than that which would have applied (including accumulations and combinations) had the LOI been for the amount actually invested.
The LOI authorizes Signature Services to hold in escrow sufficient Class A shares (approximately 5% of the aggregate) to make up any difference in sales charges on the amount intended to be invested and the amount actually invested, until such investment is completed within the specified period, at which time the escrowed Class A shares will be released. If the total investment specified in the LOI is not completed, the Class A shares held in escrow may be redeemed and the proceeds used as required to pay such sales charge as may be due. By signing the LOI, the investor authorizes Signature Services to act as his attorney-in-fact to redeem any escrowed Class A shares and adjust the sales charge, if necessary. A LOI does not constitute a binding commitment by an investor to purchase, or by the Fund to sell, any additional Class A shares and may be terminated at any time.
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ON CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES
Investments in Class B and Class C shares are purchased at NAV per share without the imposition of an initial sales charge so that the Fund will receive the full amount of the purchase payment.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge . Class B and Class C shares that are redeemed within six years or one year of purchase, respectively, will be subject to a CDSC at the rates set forth in the Prospectus as a percentage of the dollar amount subject to the CDSC. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the current market value or the original purchase cost of the Class B or Class C shares being redeemed. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in account value above the initial purchase prices, including all shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.
Class B shares are not available to retirement that had more than 100 eligible employees at the inception of the Fund account. You must notify Signature Services of the number of eligible employees at the time your account is established.
The amount of the CDSC, if any, will vary depending on the number of years from the time of payment for the purchase of Class B shares until the time of redemption of such shares. Solely for the purpose of determining the number of years from the time of any payment for the purchase of both Class B and Class C shares, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the first day of the month.
In determining whether a CDSC applies to a redemption, the calculation will be determined in a manner that results in the lowest possible rate being charged. It will be assumed that your redemption comes first from shares you have held beyond the six year CDSC redemption period for Class B or one year CDSC redemption period for Class C, or those you acquired through dividend and capital gain reinvestment, and next from the shares you have held the longest during the six year period for Class B shares. For this purpose, the amount of any increase in a share’s value above its initial purchase price is not subject to a CDSC. Thus, when a share that has appreciated in value is redeemed during the CDSC period, a CDSC is assessed only on its initial purchase price.
When requesting a redemption for a specific dollar amount please indicate if you require the proceeds to equal the dollar amount requested. If not indicated, only the specified dollar amount will be redeemed from your account and the proceeds will be less any applicable CDSC.

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Example:
You have purchased 100 Class B shares at $10 per share. The second year after your purchase, your investment’s NAV per share has increased by $2 to $12, and you have gained 10 additional shares through dividend reinvestment. If you redeem 50 shares at this time your CDSC will be calculated as follows:
         
Proceeds of 50 shares redeemed at $12 per shares (50 x 12)
  $ 600.00  
*Minus Appreciation ($12 - $10) x 100 shares
    (200.00 )
Minus proceeds of 10 shares not subject to CDSC (dividend reinvestment)
    (120.00 )
 
     
Amount subject to CDSC
  $ 280.00  
 
*   The appreciation is based on all 100 shares in the account not just the shares being redeemed.
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to John Hancock Funds and are used in whole or in part by John Hancock Funds to defray its expenses related to providing distribution related services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B and Class C shares, such as the payment of compensation to selected Selling Firms for selling Class B and Class C shares. The combination of the CDSC and the distribution and service fees facilitates the ability of the Fund to sell the Class B and Class C shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of the purchase.
Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. The CDSC will be waived on redemptions of Class B shares and Class C shares and Class A shares that are subject to CDSC, unless indicated otherwise, in the circumstances defined below:
For all account types:
*   Redemptions made pursuant to the Fund’s right to liquidate your account if you own shares worth less than the stated minimum in the section “Opening an account” in the prospectus.
 
*   Redemptions made under certain liquidation, merger or acquisition transactions involving other investment companies or personal holding companies.
 
*   Redemptions due to death or disability. (Does not apply to trust accounts unless trust is being dissolved.)
 
*   Redemptions made under the Reinstatement Privilege, as described in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” of the Prospectus.
 
*   Redemptions of Class B and Class C shares made under a periodic withdrawal plan, or redemptions for fees charged by planners or advisors for advisory services, as long as your annual redemptions do not exceed 12% of your account value, including reinvested dividends, at the time you established your periodic withdrawal plan and 12% of the value of subsequent investments (less redemptions) in that account at the time you notify Investor Services. (Please note, this waiver does not apply to periodic withdrawal plan redemptions of Class A shares that are subject to a CDSC.)
 
*   Certain retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. servicing programs offered in Class A, Class B, and Class C shares, including transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further information.
 
*   Redemptions by Class A shares by retirement plans that invested through the PruSolutions sm program.
 
*   Redemptions of Class A shares made after one year from the inception date of a retirement plan at John Hancock.

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For Retirement Accounts (such as traditional, Roth and Coverdell ESAs, SIMPLE IRA, SIMPLE 401(k), Rollover IRA, TSA, 457, 403(b), 401(k), Money Purchase Pension Plan, Profit-Sharing Plan and other plans as described in the Code unless otherwise noted.
*   Redemptions made to effect mandatory or life expectancy distributions under the Code. ( Waiver based on required, minimum distribution calculations for John Hancock Mutual Fund IRA assets only.)
 
*   Returns of excess contributions made to these plans.
*   Rollovers, contract exchanges or transfers of John Hancock custodial 403(b) (7) account assets required by John Hancock funds as a result of its decision to discontinue maintaining and administering 403(b) (7) accounts.
*   Redemptions made to effect current distributions, as outlined in the chart on the following page, to participants or beneficiaries from employer sponsored retirement plans under section 401(a) (such as Money Purchase Pension Plans and Profit-Sharing/401(k) Plans), 403(b), 457 and 408 (SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs) of the Code.
Please see matrix for some examples.

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    401 (a) Plan                
    (401 (k), MPP,                
    PSP) 457 & 408                
Type of   (SEPs & Simple           IRA, IRA   Non-
Distribution   IRAs)   403 (b)   457   Rollover   retirement
Death or Disability
  Waived   Waived   Waived   Waived   Waived
 
                   
Over 70 1 / 2
  Waived   Waived   Waived   Waived for required minimum distributions* or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   12% of account value annually in periodic payments
 
                   
Between 59 1 / 2 and 70 1 / 2
  Waived   Waived   Waived   Waived for Life Expectancy or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   12% of account value annually in periodic payments
 
                   
Under 59 1 / 2 (Class B and Class C only)
  Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   Waived for annuity payments (72t) or 12% of account value annually in periodic payments.   12% of account value annually in periodic payments
 
                   
Loans
  Waived   Waived   N/A   N/A   N/A
 
                   
Termination of Plan
  Not Waived   Waived   Not Waived   Not Waived   N/A
 
                   
Hardships
  Waived   Waived   Waived   N/A   N/A
 
                   
Qualified Domestic
Relations Orders
  Waived   Waived   Waived   N/A   N/A
 
                   
Termination of Employment Before Normal Retirement Age
  Waived   Waived   Waived   N/A   N/A
 
                   
Return of Excess
  Waived   Waived   Waived   Waived   N/A
 
*   Required minimum distributions based on John Hancock Mutual Fund IRA assets only.
If you qualify for a CDSC waiver under one of these situations, you must notify Signature Services at the time you make your redemption. The waiver will be granted once Signature Services has confirmed that you are entitled to the waiver.

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ELIGIBLE INVESTORS FOR CLASS R1, CLASS R3, CLASS R4 AND CLASS R5 SHARES
Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares are available only to retirement plans, traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs where the shares are held on the books of the Fund through investment only omnibus accounts (either at the plan level or at the level of the financial service firm) that trade through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC).
SPECIAL REDEMPTIONS
Although it would not normally do so, the Fund has the right to pay the redemption price of shares of the Fund in whole or in part in readily marketable portfolio securities as prescribed by the Trustees. When the shareholder sells portfolio securities received in this fashion, the shareholder will incur a brokerage charge. Any such securities would be valued for the purposes of making such payment at the same value as used in determining NAV. The Fund has, however, elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940Act. Under that rule, the Fund must redeem its shares for cash except to the extent that the redemption payments to any shareholder during any 90-day period would exceed the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s NAV at the beginning of such period.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
Exchange Privilege . The Fund permits exchanges of shares of any class for shares of the same class in any other John Hancock fund offering that same class. The registration for both accounts involved must be identical. Identical registration is determined by having the same beneficial owner on both accounts involved in the exchange.
Investors may exchange Class I, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares for the same class of shares of other John Hancock funds or Class A shares of John Hancock Money Market Fund. If an investor exchanges Class I, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares for Class A shares of Money Market Fund, any future exchanges out of the Money Market Fund Class A must be to the same class of shares from which they were originally exchanged.
Under certain circumstances, an investor who purchases Class I Shares in the Fund pursuant to a fee-based, wrap or other investment platform program of certain firms as determined by the Fund may be afforded an opportunity to make a conversion of Class A Shares owned by the investor in the same Fund to Class I Shares of that Fund. Conversion of Class A Shares to Class I Shares of the same Fund in these particular circumstances does not cause the investor to realize taxable gain or loss. See “Tax Status” for information regarding taxation upon the redemption or exchange of shares of the Fund.
Exchanges between funds are based on their respective NAVs. No sales charge is imposed, except on exchanges of Class A shares from Money Market Fund to another John Hancock fund, if a sales charge has not previously been paid on those shares. However, the shares acquired in an exchange will be subject to the CDSC schedule of the shares acquired if and when such shares are redeemed. For purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon redemption of shares acquired in an exchange, the holding period of the original shares is added to the holding period of the shares acquired in an exchange.
If a retirement plan exchanges the plan’s Class A account in its entirety from the Fund to a non-John Hancock investment, the one-year CDSC applies.
The Fund reserves the right to require that previously exchanged shares (and reinvested dividends) be in the Fund for 90 days before a shareholder is permitted a new exchange.
An exchange of shares is treated as a redemption of shares of one fund and the purchase of shares of another for federal income tax purposes. An exchange may result in a taxable gain or loss. See “Tax Status.”
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. The Fund permits the establishment of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan. Payments under this plan represent proceeds arising from the redemption of Fund shares which may result in realization of gain or loss for purposes of federal, state and local income taxes. The maintenance of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan

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concurrently with purchases of additional shares of the Fund could be disadvantageous to a shareholder because of the initial sales charge payable on purchases of Class A shares and the CDSC imposed on redemptions of Class B and Class C shares and because redemptions are taxable events. Therefore, a shareholder should not purchase shares at the same time that a Systematic Withdrawal Plan is in effect. The Fund reserves the right to modify or discontinue the Systematic Withdrawal Plan of any shareholder on 30 days’ prior written notice to such shareholder, or to discontinue the availability of such plan in the future. The shareholder may terminate the plan at any time by giving proper notice to Signature Services.
Monthly Automatic Accumulation Program (MAAP) . The program is explained in the Class A, Class B and Class C Prospectus. The program, as it relates to automatic investment checks, is subject to the following conditions:
The investments will be drawn on or about the day of the month indicated.
The privilege of making investments through the MAAP may be revoked by Signature Services without prior notice if any investment is not honored by your bank. The bank shall be under no obligation to notify the shareholder as to the non-payment of any checks.
The program may be discontinued by the shareholder either by calling Signature Services or upon written notice to Signature Services which is received at least five (5) business days prior to the order date of any investment.
Reinstatement or Reinvestment Privilege . If Signature Services and your financial adviser are notified prior to reinvestment, a shareholder who has redeemed shares of the Fund may, within 120 days after the date of redemption, reinvest without payment of a sales charge any part of the redemption proceeds in shares back into the same share class of the same John Hancock Fund and account from which it was removed, subject to the minimum investment limit in that fund. The proceeds from the redemption of Class A shares may be reinvested at NAV without paying a sales charge in Class A shares of the Fund. If a CDSC was paid upon a redemption, a shareholder may reinvest the proceeds from this redemption at NAV in additional shares of the same class and fund and account from which the redemption was made. The shareholder’s account will be credited with the amount of any CDSC charged upon the prior redemption and the new shares will continue to be subject to the CDSC. The holding period of the shares acquired through reinvestment will, for purposes of computing the CDSC payable upon a subsequent redemption, include the holding period of the redeemed shares.
The Fund may refuse any reinvestment request and may change or cancel its reinvestment policies at any time.
A redemption or exchange of shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes, even if the reinvestment privilege is exercised, and any gain or loss realized by a shareholder on the redemption or other disposition of shares will be treated for tax purposes as described under the caption “Tax Status.”
Retirement plans participating in Merrill Lynch’s or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc.’s servicing programs. Class A shares are available at NAV for Merrill Lynch or The Princeton Retirement Group, Inc. retirement plans, including transferee recording arrangements, Merrill Lynch Connect Arrangements and third party administrator recordkeeping arrangements. See your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or Princeton Retirement Group representative for further information.
For participating retirement plans investing in Class B share, shares will convert to Class A shares after eight years, or sooner if the plan attains assets of $5 million (by means of a CDSC-free redemption/purchase at NAV).
Section 403(b)(7) custodial accounts. Section 403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code permits public school employers and employers of certain types of tax-exempt organizations to establish for their eligible employees custodial accounts for the purpose of providing for retirement income for such employees. Effective September 25, 2007, Treasury regulations impose certain conditions on exchanges between one custodial account intended to qualify under Section 403(b)(7) (the “exchanged account”) and another contract or custodial account intended to qualify under Section 403(b) (the “replacing account”) under the same employer plan (a “Section 403(b) Plan”). Specifically, the replacing account agreement must include distribution restrictions that are no less stringent than

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those imposed under the exchanged account agreement, and the employer must enter in an agreement with the custodian (or other issuer) of the replacing account under which the employer and the custodian (or other issuer) of the replacing account will from time to time in the future provide each other with certain information.
Due to these Regulations:
  1)   The funds do not accept requests to establish new John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts intended to qualify as a Section 403(b) Plan; and
 
  2)   The funds do not accept requests for exchanges or transfers into your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) accounts (i.e., where yours is the replacing account); and
 
  3)   The funds require certain signed disclosure documentation in the event:
    You established a John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account with a fund prior to September 24, 2007; and
 
    You direct the fund on or after September 25, 2007 to exchange or transfer some or all of your John Hancock custodial 403(b)(7) account assets to another 403(b) contract or account (i.e., where the exchanged account is with the fund).
  4)   Effective January 1, 2009, the funds will no longer accept salary deferrals into 403(b)(7) accounts.
In the event that the fund does not receive the required documentation, and you nonetheless direct the fund to proceed with the transfer, the transfer may be treated as a taxable transaction.
PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS THROUGH THIRD PARTIES
Shares of the Fund may be purchased or redeemed through certain Selling Firms. Selling Firms may charge the investor additional fees for their services. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized Selling Firm, or if applicable, a Selling Firm’s authorized designee, receives the order. Orders may be processed at the NAV next calculated after the Selling Firm receives the order. The Selling Firm must segregate any orders it receives after the close of regular trading on the NYSE and transmit those orders to the Fund for execution at NAV next determined. Some Selling Firms that maintain network/omnibus/nominee accounts with the Fund for their clients charge an annual fee on the average net assets held in such accounts for accounting, servicing, and distribution services they provide with respect to the underlying Fund shares. This fee is paid by the Adviser, the Fund and/or the Distributor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND’S SHARES
The Board is responsible for the management and supervision of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of the Fund without par value. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees have the authority to create and classify shares of beneficial interest in separate series, without further action by shareholders. As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees have authorized shares of the Fund and one other series. The Declaration of Trust also authorizes the Trustees to classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund, or any new series of the Fund, into one or more classes. The Trustees have authorized the issuance of eight classes of shares of the Fund, designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I. Class R1, Class R3, Class R4, and Class R5 shares.
The shares of each class of the Fund represent an equal proportionate interest in the aggregate net assets attributed to that class of the Fund. Holders of each class of shares each have certain exclusive voting rights on matters relating to their respective distribution plans. The different classes of the Fund may bear different expenses relating to the

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cost of holding shareholder meetings necessitated by the exclusive voting rights of any class of shares. The Fund no longer issues share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.
Dividends paid by the Fund, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time and on the same day and will be in the same amount, except for differences resulting from the facts that: (i) the distribution and service fees relating to each class of shares  will be borne exclusively by that class; (ii) Class B and Class C shares will pay higher distribution and service fees than Class A, Class R1, Class R3, Class R4 or Class R5 shares, Class R1 and Class R3 shares will pay higher distribution and service fees than Class A, Class R4 or Class R5 shares, and Class R4 shares will pay higher distribution and service fees than Class R5 shares; (iii) each class of shares will bear any other class expenses properly allocable to such class of shares, subject to the conditions the IRS imposes with respect to the multiple-class structures. Similarly, the NAV per share may vary depending on which class of shares is purchased. No interest will be paid on uncashed dividend or redemption checks.
In the event of liquidation, shareholders of each class of the Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to these shareholders. Shares entitle their holders to one vote per share, are freely transferable and have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. When issued, shares are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below.
Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act or the Declaration of Trust, the Fund has no intention of holding annual meetings of shareholders. Fund shareholders may remove a Trustee by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Trust’s outstanding shares, and the Trustees shall promptly call a meeting for such purpose when requested to do so in writing by the record holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. Shareholders may, under certain circumstances, communicate with other shareholders in connection with requesting a special meeting of shareholders. However, at any time that less than a majority of the Trustees holding office were elected by the shareholders, the Trustees will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for acts or obligations of the trust. However, the Fund’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts, obligations and affairs of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification out of the Fund’s assets for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable by reason of being or having been a shareholder. The Declaration of Trust also provides that no series of the Trust shall be liable for the liabilities of any other series. Liability is therefore limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations, and the possibility of this occurrence is remote.
The Fund reserves the right to reject any application which conflicts with the Fund’s internal policies or the policies of any regulatory authority. John Hancock Funds does not accept starter, credit card or third party checks. All checks returned by the post office as undeliverable will be reinvested at NAV in the fund or funds from which a redemption was made or dividend paid. Information provided on the account application may be used by the Fund to verify the accuracy of the information or for background or financial history purposes. A joint account will be administered as a joint tenancy with right of survivorship, unless the joint owners notify Signature Services of a different intent. A shareholder’s account is governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For telephone transactions the transfer agent will take measures to verify the identity of the caller, such as asking for name, account number, Social Security or other taxpayer ID number and other relevant information. If appropriate measures are taken, the transfer agent is not responsible for any losses that may occur to any account due to an unauthorized telephone call. Also for your protection, telephone redemptions are not permitted on accounts whose names or addresses have changed within the past 30 days. Proceeds from telephone transactions can only be mailed to the address of record.
Shares of the Fund may generally be sold only to U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, and U.S. Domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates.
The Trust’s Declaration of Trust also provides that the Board may approve the merger of the Fund with an affiliated mutual fund without shareholder approval, in accordance with the 1940 Act. This provision will permit mergers of affiliated funds without shareholder approval in certain circumstances to reduce the incurring the expense of

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soliciting proxies when a combination does not raise significant issues for shareholders. For example, this provision would permit the combination of two small funds having the same portfolio managers, the same investment objectives and the same fee structure in order to achieve economies of scale and thereby reduce fund expenses borne by shareholders. Such a merger will still require each fund’s board (including a majority of the independent trustees) to determine that the merger is in the best interests of the combining funds and will not dilute the interest of existing shareholders. The Trustees will evaluate any and all information reasonably necessary to make their determination and consider and give appropriate weight to all pertinent factors in fulfilling the overall duty of care owed to shareholders.
Shareholders of an acquired fund will still be required to approve a combination that would result in a change in a fundamental investment policy, a material change to the terms of an advisory agreement, the institution of or an increase in Rule 12b-1 fees or when the board of the surviving fund does not have a majority of independent trustees who were elected by its shareholders. Under Massachusetts law, shareholder approval is not required for fund mergers, consolidation or sales of assets. Shareholder approval nevertheless will be obtained for combinations of affiliated funds when required by the 1940 Act. Shareholder approval will also be obtained for combinations with unaffiliated funds when deemed appropriate by the Trustees.
SAMPLE CALCULATION OF MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
Class A shares of the Fund are sold with a maximum initial sales charge of 4.50%. Classes B and C shares are sold at NAV without any initial sales charges and with a 5.00% and 1.00% CDSC, respectively, on shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Classes I and R1 shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without any initial sales charges or CDSCs. The following tables show the maximum offering price per share of each class of the Fund, using the Fund’s relevant NAV as of May 31, 2009.
                         
    NAV and redemption      
    Price Per Class A   Maximum sales charge   Maximum offering
Fund   Share   (4.50% of offering price)   price to public 1
Strategic Income Fund
  $ 5.61     $ 0.26     $ 5.87  
NAV, Offering Price and Redemption Price per Share
                                                         
Fund   Class B 2   Class C 2   Class I   Class R1   Class R3   Class R4   Class R5
Strategic Income Fund
  $ 5.61     $ 5.61     $ 5.59     $ 5.61     $ 5.59     $ 5.59     $ 5.59  
 
1   NAV ÷ 95.5%.
 
2   Redemption price is equal to net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
TAX STATUS
The Fund is treated as a separate entity for accounting and tax purposes, has qualified as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code, and intends to continue to qualify for each taxable year. As such and by complying with the applicable provisions of the Code regarding the sources of its income, the timing of its distributions and the diversification of its assets, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income (including net realized capital gains) which is distributed to shareholders in accordance with the timing requirements of the Code.
The Fund will be subject to a 4% non-deductible federal excise tax on certain amounts not distributed (or not treated as having been distributed) on a timely basis in accordance with annual minimum distribution requirements. The

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Fund intends under normal circumstances to seek to avoid or minimize liability for such tax by satisfying such distribution requirements.
Distributions from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (“E&P”) will be taxable under the Code for investors who are subject to tax. If these distributions are paid from the Fund’s “investment company taxable income,” they will be taxable as ordinary income; and if they are paid from the Fund’s “net capital gain,” they will be taxable as capital gain. (Net capital gain is the excess (if any) of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, and investment company taxable income is all taxable income and capital gains, other than those gains and losses included in computing net capital gain, after reduction by deductible expenses.) Some distributions may be paid in January but may be taxable to shareholders as if they had been received on December 31 of the previous year. The tax treatment described above will apply without regard to whether distributions are received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
Distributions, if any, in excess of E&P will constitute a return of capital under the Code, which will first reduce an investor’s federal tax basis in Fund shares and then, to the extent such basis is exceeded, will generally give rise to capital gains. Shareholders who have chosen automatic reinvestment of their distributions will have a federal tax basis in each share received pursuant to such a reinvestment equal to the amount of cash they would have received had they elected to receive the distribution in cash, divided by the number of shares received in the reinvestment.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain foreign currency options, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Transactions in foreign currencies that are not directly related to the Fund’s investment in stock or securities, including speculative currency positions could under future Treasury regulations produce income not among the types of “qualifying income” from which the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year. If the net foreign exchange loss for a year treated as ordinary loss under Section 988 were to exceed the Fund’s investment company taxable income computed without regard to such loss, the resulting overall ordinary loss for such year would not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years. Under such circumstances, distributions paid by the Fund could be deemed return of capital.
The Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries with respect to its investments in foreign securities. Some tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Investors may be entitled to claim U.S. foreign tax credits or deductions with respect to foreign income taxes or certain other foreign taxes (“qualified foreign taxes”), paid by the Fund, subject to certain holding period requirements and limitations contained in the Code, if the Fund so elects. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may file an election with the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to which shareholders of the Fund will be required to (i) include in ordinary gross income (in addition to taxable dividends and distributions actually received) their pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund even though not actually received by them, and (ii) treat such respective pro rata portions as qualified foreign income taxes paid by them.
If the Fund makes this election, shareholders may then deduct such pro rata portions of qualified foreign taxes in computing their taxable incomes, or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits, subject to applicable limitations, against their U.S. federal income taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions for federal income tax purposes will not, however, be able to deduct their pro rata portion of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund, although such shareholders will be required to include their share of such taxes in gross income. Shareholders who claim a foreign income tax credit for such foreign taxes may be required to treat a portion of dividends received from the Fund as a separate category of income for purposes of computing the limitations on the foreign tax credit. Tax-exempt shareholders will ordinarily not benefit from this election. Each year (if any) that the Fund files the election described above, its shareholders will be notified of the amount of (i) each shareholder’s pro rata share of qualified foreign income taxes paid by the Fund and (ii) the portion of Fund dividends which represents income from each foreign country. If the Fund does not satisfy the 50% requirement described above or otherwise does not make the election, the Fund will deduct the foreign taxes it pays in determining the amount it has available for distribution to

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shareholders, and shareholders will not include these foreign taxes in their income, nor will they be entitled to any tax deductions or credits with respect to such taxes.
The amount of the Fund’s net realized capital gains, if any, in any given year will vary depending upon the Adviser’s current investment strategy and whether the Adviser believes it to be in the best interest of the Fund to dispose of portfolio securities and/or engage in options, futures or forward transactions that will generate capital gains or engage in certain other derivatives transactions. At the time of an investor’s purchase of Fund shares, a portion of the purchase price is often attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation in the Fund’s portfolio or undistributed taxable income of the Fund. Consequently, subsequent distributions on those shares from such appreciation or income may be taxable to such investor even if the net asset value of the investor’s shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor’s cost for such shares, and the distributions in reality represent a return of a portion of the purchase price.
Upon a redemption or other disposition of shares of the Fund (including by exercise of the exchange privilege) in a transaction that is treated as a sale for tax purposes, a shareholder may realize a taxable gain or loss depending upon the amount of the proceeds and the investor’s basis in his shares. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands. A sales charge paid in purchasing shares of the Fund cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on the redemption or exchange of such shares within 90 days after their purchase to the extent Class A shares of the Fund or another John Hancock fund are subsequently acquired without payment of a sales charge pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. This disregarded charge will result in an increase in the shareholder’s tax basis in the shares subsequently acquired. Also, any loss realized on a redemption or exchange may be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to automatic dividend reinvestments. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding their particular circumstances to determine whether a disposition of Fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as is assumed in the foregoing discussion.
Although its present intention is to distribute, at least annually, all net capital gain, if any, the Fund reserves the right to retain and reinvest all or any portion of the excess, as computed for federal income tax purposes, of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss in any year. The Fund will not in any event distribute net capital gain realized in any year to the extent that a capital loss is carried forward from prior years against such gain. To the extent such excess was retained and not exhausted by the carryforward of prior years’ capital losses, it would be subject to federal income tax in the hands of the Fund. Upon proper designation of this amount by the Fund, each shareholder would be treated for federal income tax purposes as if the Fund had distributed to him on the last day of its taxable year his pro rata share of such excess, and he had paid his pro rata share of the taxes paid by the Fund and reinvested the remainder in the Fund. Accordingly, each shareholder would (a) include his pro rata share of such excess as capital gain in his return for his taxable year in which the last day of the Fund’s taxable year falls, (b) be entitled either to a tax credit on his return for, or to a refund of, his pro rata share of the taxes paid by the Fund, and (c) be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis for his shares in the Fund by the difference between his pro rata share of such excess and his pro rata share of such taxes.
For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is permitted to carry forward a net realized capital loss in any year to offset net capital gains, if any, during the eight years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent net capital gains are offset by such losses, they would not result in federal income tax liability to the Fund and as noted above, would not be distributed as such to shareholders. The Fund has $136,699,859 of capital loss carryforwards available, to the extent provided by regulations, to offset future net realized capital gains. These carryforwards expire at various times and amounts from 2010 to 2016.

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Only a small portion, if any, of the distributions from the Fund may qualify for the dividends- received deduction for corporations, subject to the limitations applicable under the Code. The qualifying portion is limited to properly designated distributions attributed to dividend income (if any) the Fund receives from certain stock in U.S. domestic corporations and the deduction is subject to holding period requirements and debt-financing limitations under the Code.
If the Fund should have dividend income that qualifies for the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income, the maximum amount allowable will be designated by the Fund. This amount will be reflected on Form 1099-DIV for the current calendar year.
Investment in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default presents special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income, and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund if it acquires such obligations in order to reduce the risk of distributing insufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and to seek to avoid becoming subject to federal income or excise tax.
Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions and certain prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more information.
The Fund is required to accrue income on any debt securities that have more than a de minimus amount of original issue discount (or debt securities acquired at a market discount, if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently) prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. The mark to market or constructive sale rules applicable to certain options, futures, forwards, short sales or other transactions may also require the Fund to recognize income or gain without a concurrent receipt of cash. Additionally, some countries restrict repatriation which may make it difficult or impossible for the Fund to obtain cash corresponding to its earnings or assets in those countries. However, the Fund must distribute to shareholders for each taxable year substantially all of its net income and net capital gains, including such income or gain, to qualify as a regulated investment company and avoid liability for any federal income or excise tax. Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or borrow cash, to satisfy these distribution requirements.
A state income (and possibly local income and/or intangible property) tax exemption is generally available to the extent (if any) the Fund’s distributions are derived from interest on (or, in the case of intangible property taxes, the value of its assets is attributable to) certain U.S. Government obligations, provided in some states that certain thresholds for holdings of such obligations and/or reporting requirements are satisfied. The Fund will not seek to satisfy any threshold or reporting requirements that may apply in particular taxing jurisdictions, although the Fund may in its sole discretion provide relevant information to shareholders.
The Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) all taxable distributions to shareholders, as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt recipients, i.e., corporations and certain other investors distributions to which are exempt from the information reporting provisions of the Code. Under the backup withholding provisions of Code Section 3406 and applicable Treasury regulations, all such reportable distributions and proceeds may be subject to backup withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number and certain certifications required by the IRS or if the IRS or a broker notifies the Fund that the number furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report interest or dividend income. The Fund may refuse to accept an application that does not contain any required taxpayer identification number or certification that the number provided is correct. If the backup withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. Investors should consult their tax advisers about the applicability of the backup withholding provisions.

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The Fund may be required to account for its transactions in forward rolls or swaps, caps, floors and collars in a manner that, under certain circumstances, may limit the extent of its participation in such transactions. Additionally, the Fund may be required to recognize gain, but not loss, if a swap or other transaction is treated as a constructive sale of an appreciated financial position in the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund may have to sell portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or borrow cash, to satisfy these distribution requirements.
Certain options, futures and forward foreign currency contracts undertaken by the Fund may cause the Fund to recognize gains or losses from marking to market even though its positions have not been sold or terminated and affect the character as long-term or short-term (or, in the case of foreign currency contracts, as ordinary income or loss) and timing of some gains and losses realized by the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may be required to recognize gain, but not loss, if an option, short sale or other transaction is treated as a constructive sale of an appreciated financial position in the Fund’s portfolio. Also, certain of the Fund’s losses on its transactions involving options, futures or forward contracts and/or offsetting or successor portfolio positions may be deferred rather than being taken into account currently in calculating the Fund’s taxable income or gains. Certain of such transactions may also cause the Fund to dispose of investments sooner than would otherwise have occurred. These transactions may therefore affect the amount, timing and character of the Fund’s distributions to shareholders. The Fund will take into account the special tax rules (including consideration of available elections) applicable to options, futures and forward contracts in order to seek to minimize any potential adverse tax consequences.
The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as applicable to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens or residents and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates) subject to tax under such law. The discussion does not address special tax rules applicable to certain types of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies, and financial institutions. Dividends, capital gain distributions, and ownership of or gains realized on the redemption (including an exchange) of Fund shares may also be subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers as to the federal, state or local tax consequences of ownership of shares of, and receipt of distributions from, the Fund in their particular circumstances.
Non-U.S. investors not engaged in a U.S. trade or business with which their Fund investment is effectively connected will be subject to U.S. federal income tax treatment that is different from that described above. These investors may be subject to nonresident alien withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable tax treaty) on amounts treated as ordinary dividends from the Fund and, unless an effective IRS Form W-8, W-8BEN or other authorized withholding certificate is on file, to backup withholding on certain other payments from the Fund. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors regarding such treatment and the application of foreign taxes to an investment in the Fund.
The Fund is not subject to Massachusetts corporate excise or franchise taxes. The Fund anticipates that, provided the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company under the Code, it will also not be required to pay any Massachusetts income tax.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION
Decisions concerning the purchase and sale of portfolio securities and the allocation of brokerage commissions are made by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser’s investment and/or trading personnel. Orders for purchases and sales of securities are placed in a manner, which, in the opinion of such personnel, will offer the best price and market for the execution of each such transaction. The Fund’s trading practices and investments are reviewed periodically by the Sub-Adviser’s Senior Investment Policy Committee and its Brokerage Practices Committee which consists of officers of the Sub-Adviser and quarterly by the officers of the Adviser and the Independent Trustees.
Purchases from underwriters of portfolio securities may include a commission or commissions paid by the issuer and transactions with dealers serving as market maker reflect a “spread.” Investments in debt securities are generally traded on a “net” basis through dealers acting for their own account as principals and not as brokers; no brokerage commissions are payable on these transactions. In the U.S. Government securities market, securities are generally traded on a net basis with dealers acting as principal for their own account without a stated commission,

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although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. On occasion, certain money market instruments and agency securities may be purchased directly from the issuer, in which case no commissions or premiums are paid. Investments in equity securities are generally traded on exchanges or on over-the-counter markets at fixed commission rates or on a net basis. In other countries, both debt and equity securities are traded on exchanges at fixed commission rates. Commissions on foreign transactions are generally higher than the negotiated commission rates available in the U.S. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign stock exchanges and broker-dealers than in the U.S.
The Fund’s primary policy is to execute all purchases and sales of portfolio instruments at the most favorable prices consistent with best execution, considering all of the costs of the transaction including brokerage commissions. The policy governs the selection of brokers and dealers and the market in which a transaction is executed. Consistent with best execution, the Fund’s trades may be executed by dealers that also sell shares of John Hancock funds. However, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser do not consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute the Fund’s portfolio transactions. To the extent consistent with the foregoing, the Fund will be governed in the selection of brokers and dealers, and the negotiation of brokerage commission rates and dealer spreads, by the reliability and quality of the services and may include, to a lesser extent, the availability and value of research information and statistical assistance furnished to the Adviser and Sub-Adviser of the Fund. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser have implemented policies and procedures (approved by the Fund’s board of Trustees) reasonably designed to ensure that the Fund’s selection of the broker-dealer is not influenced by considerations about the sales of Fund shares.
Where research is available for cash payments, the Adviser pays for such research from its own resources, and not with brokerage commissions. In other cases, as permitted by Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, the Fund may pay to a broker that provides brokerage and research services to the Fund an amount of disclosed commission in excess of the commission which another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. This practice is subject to a good faith determination by the Trustees that such price is reasonable in light of the services provided and to such policies as the Trustees may adopt from time to time. “Commissions” as interpreted by the SEC, include fees paid to brokers for trades conducted on an agency basis, and certain mark-ups, mark-downs, commission equivalents and other fees received by dealers in riskless principal transactions placed in the over-the-counter market.
The term “brokerage and research services” includes research services received from broker-dealers which supplement the Adviser or Sub-Adviser’s own research (and the research of its affiliates), and may include the following types of information: statistical and background information on the U.S. and foreign economies, industry groups and individual companies; forecasts and interpretations with respect to the U.S. and foreign economies, securities, markets, specific industry groups and individual companies; information on federal, state, local and foreign political developments; portfolio management strategies; performance information on securities, indexes and investment accounts; and information concerning prices and ratings of securities. Broker-dealers may communicate such information electronically, orally, in written form or on computer software. Research services may also include the providing of electronic communication of trade information and, the providing of specialized consultations with the Adviser or Sub-Adviser’s personnel with respect to computerized systems and data furnished as a component of other research services, the arranging of meetings with management of companies, and the providing of access to consultants who supply research information.
The outside research assistance is useful to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser since the broker-dealers used by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser tends to follow a broader universe of securities and other matters than the Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s staff can follow. In addition, the research provides the Adviser or Sub-Adviser with a diverse perspective on financial markets. Research services provided to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser by broker-dealers are available for the benefit of all accounts managed or advised by the Adviser or by its affiliates or by the Sub-Adviser or by its affiliates. Some broker-dealers may indicate that the provision of research services is dependent upon the generation of certain specified levels of commissions and underwriting concessions by the Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s clients, including the Fund. However, the Fund is not under any obligation to deal with any broker-dealer in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities.

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The Adviser and Sub-Adviser believe that the research services are beneficial in supplementing the Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s research and analysis and that they improve the quality of the Adviser’s investment advice. It is not possible to place a dollar value on information and services to be received from brokers and dealers, since it is only supplementary to the research efforts of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. The advisory fee paid by the Fund is not reduced because the Adviser receives such services. The receipt of research information is not expected to reduce significantly the expenses of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. However, to the extent that the Adviser or Sub-Adviser would have purchased research services had they not been provided by broker-dealers, or would have developed comparable information through its own staff, the expenses to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser could be considered to have been reduced accordingly. The research information and statistical assistance furnished by brokers and dealers may benefit the Life Company or other advisory clients of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, and conversely, brokerage commissions and spreads paid by other advisory clients of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may result in research information and statistical assistance beneficial to the Fund. The Fund will make no commitment to allocate portfolio transactions upon any prescribed basis.
Broker-dealers may be willing to furnish statistical, research and other factual information or service to the Adviser for no consideration other than brokerage or underwriting commissions. Securities may be bought or sold from time to time through such broker-dealers on behalf of the Fund or the Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s other clients.
In effecting portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund and the Adviser’s other clients, the Adviser may from time to time instruct the broker-dealer that executes the transaction to allocate, or “step-out” a portion of the transaction to another broker-dealer. The broker-dealer to which the Adviser “stepped-out” would then settle and complete the designated portion of the transaction. Each broker-dealer would receive a commission or brokerage fee with respect to that portion of the transaction that it settles and completes.
While the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser will be primarily responsible for the allocation of the Fund’s brokerage business, the policies and practices of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser in this regard must be consistent with the foregoing and at all times be subject to review by the Trustees.
For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Fund paid negotiated brokerage commissions of $101,202, $63,633 and $61,386, respectively.
Pursuant to procedures determined by the Trustees and consistent with the above policy of obtaining best net results, the Fund may execute portfolio transactions with or through brokers affiliated with the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser (“Affiliated Brokers”). Affiliated Brokers may act as broker for the Fund on exchange transactions, subject, however, to the general policy of the Fund set forth above and the procedures adopted by the Trustees pursuant to the 1940 Act. Commissions paid to an Affiliated Broker must be at least as favorable as those which the Trustees believe to be contemporaneously charged by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold. A transaction would not be placed with an Affiliated Broker if the Fund would have to pay a commission rate less favorable than the Affiliated Broker’s contemporaneous charges for comparable transactions for its other most favored, but unaffiliated, customers except for accounts for which the Affiliated Broker acts as clearing broker for another brokerage firm, and any customers of the Affiliated Broker not comparable to the Fund as determined by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the Affiliated Broker. Because the Adviser or Sub-Adviser that is affiliated with the Affiliated Broker has, as an investment adviser to the Fund, the obligation to provide investment management services, which includes elements of research and related investment skills such research and related skills will not be used by the Affiliated Broker as a basis for negotiating commissions at a rate higher than that determined in accordance with the above criteria.
The Adviser’s indirect parent, the Life Company, is the indirect sole shareholder of Signator Investors, Inc., a broker-dealer (“Signator” or an “Affiliated Broker”). The Adviser’s indirect parent, Manulife Financial, is the parent of another broker-dealer, John Hancock Distributors LLC (“JH Distributors” or “Affiliated Broker”).
Other investment advisory clients advised by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may also invest in the same securities as the Fund. When these clients buy or sell the same securities at substantially the same time, the Adviser or Sub-

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Adviser may average the transactions as to price and allocate the amount of available investments in a manner which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser believes to be equitable to each client, including the Fund. Because of this, client accounts in a particular style may sometimes not sell or acquire securities as quickly or at the same prices as they might if each were managed and traded individually.
For purchases of equity securities, when a complete order is not filled, a partial allocation will be made to each participating account pro rata based on the order size. For high demand issues (for example, initial public offerings), shares will be allocated pro rata by account size as well as on the basis of account objective, account size (a small account’s allocation may be increased to provide it with a meaningful position), and the account’s other holdings. In addition, an account’s allocation may be increased if that account’s portfolio manager was responsible for generating the investment idea or the portfolio manager intends to buy more shares in the secondary market. For fixed income accounts, generally securities will be allocated when appropriate among accounts based on account size, except if the accounts have different objectives or if an account is too small to get a meaningful allocation. For new issues, when a complete order is not filled, a partial allocation will be made to each account pro rata based on the order size. However, if a partial allocation is too small to be meaningful, it may be reallocated based on such factors as account objectives, strategies, duration benchmarks and credit and sector exposure. For example, value funds will likely not participate in initial public offerings as frequently as growth funds. In some instances, this investment procedure may adversely affect the price paid or received by the Fund or the size of the position obtainable for it. On the other hand, to the extent permitted by law, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may aggregate securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other clients managed by it in order to obtain best execution.
TRANSFER AGENT SERVICES
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., P. O. Box 9510, Portsmouth, NH 03802-9510, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Life Company, is the transfer and dividend paying agent for the Fund.
The Fund pays Signature Services monthly a fee which is based on an annual rate of $17.50 for each shareholder account. The Fund also pays Signature Services monthly a fee that is based on an annual rate of 0.015% of average daily net assets attributable to the Fund. The Fund also pays certain out-of-pocket expenses. Expenses are aggregated and allocated to each class on the basis of their relative NAVs.
Prior to June 1, 2008, the annual fee per shareholder account equaled $16.00 for Class A, $18.50 for Class B, $17.50 for Class C, $15.00 for Class I, and $16.00 for Class R1. The annual asset-based fee amounted to 0.015% for Class A, Class B and Class C, 0.04% for Class I, and 0.05% for Class R1.
Prior to June 1, 2007, the annual asset-based fee for Class I shares amounted to 0.05%.
For shares held of record in omnibus or other group accounts where administration and other shareholder services are provided by the Selling Firm or group administrator, the Selling Firm or administrator will charge a service fee to the Fund. For such shareholders, Signature Services does not charge its account fee.
CUSTODY OF PORTFOLIO
Portfolio securities of the Fund are held pursuant to a custodian agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund and State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), Lafayette Corporate Center, Two Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 92111. Under the custodian agreement, State Street performs custody, foreign custody manager and fund accounting services.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund is PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, 125 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP audits and renders an opinion on the Fund’s annual financial statements and reviews the Fund’s annual federal income tax return.

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LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS
On June 25, 2007, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”) and John Hancock Funds, LLC (the “Distributor”) and two of their affiliates (collectively, the “John Hancock Affiliates”) reached a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that resolved an investigation of certain practices relating to the John Hancock Affiliates’ variable annuity and mutual fund operations involving directed brokerage and revenue sharing. Under the terms of the settlement, each John Hancock Affiliate was censured and agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty to the United States Treasury. In addition, the Adviser and the Distributor agreed to pay disgorgement of $2,087,477 and prejudgment interest of $359,460 to entities, including certain John Hancock Funds, that participated in the Adviser’s directed brokerage program during the period from 2000 to October 2003. Collectively, all John Hancock Affiliates agreed to pay a total disgorgement of $16,926,420 and prejudgment interest of $2,361,460 to the entities advised or distributed by John Hancock Affiliates. The Adviser discontinued the use of directed brokerage in recognition of the sale of fund shares in October 2003.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference from the Fund’s most recent Annual Report to Shareholders filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR pursuant to Rule 30b2-1 under the 1940 Act.
CODES OF ETHICS
The Trust, Adviser, Distributor and Subadviser have adopted Codes of Ethics that comply with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. Each Code of Ethics permits personnel subject to the Code of Ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund.

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APPENDIX A- Description of Investment Risk
MORE ABOUT RISK
The Fund’s risk profile is largely defined by the fund’s principal securities and investment practices. You may find the most concise description of the fund’s risk profile in the prospectus.
The Fund is permitted to utilize — within limits established by the trustees — certain other securities and investment practices that have higher risks and opportunities associated with them. To the extent that the fund utilizes these securities or practices, its overall performance may be affected, either positively or negatively. On the following pages are brief definitions of certain associated risks with them, with examples of related securities and investment practices included in brackets. See the “Investment Objectives and Policies” and “Investment Restrictions” sections of this SAI for a description of this Fund’s investment policies. The Fund follows certain policies that may reduce these risks.
As with any mutual fund, there is no guarantee that the fund will earn income or show a positive total return over any period of time — days, months or years.
TYPES OF INVESTMENT RISK
Correlation risk The risk that changes in the value of a hedging instrument will not match those of the asset being hedged (hedging is the use of one investment to offset the effects of another investment). Incomplete correlation can result in unanticipated risks. (e.g., currency contracts, futures and related options, options on securities and indices, swaps, caps, floors and collars).
Credit risk The risk that the issuer of a security, or the counterparty to a contract, will default or otherwise become unable to honor a financial obligation. (e.g., non- investment-grade debt securities, borrowing; reverse repurchase agreements, covered mortgage dollar roll transactions, repurchase agreements, securities lending, Brady bonds, foreign debt securities, in-kind, delayed and zero coupon debt securities, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, participation interest, options on securities, structured securities and swaps, caps floors and collars).
Currency risk The risk that fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies may negatively affect an investment. Adverse changes in exchange rates may erode or reverse any gains produced by foreign currency-denominated investments, and may widen any losses .(e.g., foreign debt securities, currency contracts, swaps, caps, floors and collars).
Extension risk The risk that an unexpected rise in interest rates will extend the life of a mortgage-backed security beyond the expected prepayment time, typically reducing the security’s value .(e.g. mortgage-backed securities and structured securities).
Interest rate risk The risk of market losses attributable to changes in interest rates. With fixed-rate securities, a rise in interest rates typically causes a fall in values, while a fall in rates typically causes a rise in values. (e.g., non-investment-grade debt securities, covered mortgage dollar roll transactions, Brady bonds, foreign debt securities, in-kind, delayed and zero coupon debt securities, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, participation interest, swaps, caps, floors and collars).
Leverage risk Associated with securities or practices (such as borrowing) that multiply small index or market movements into large changes in value. (e.g. borrowing; reverse repurchase agreements, covered mortgage dollar roll transactions, when-issued securities and forward commitments, currency contracts, financial futures and options; securities and index options, structured securities, swaps, caps, floors and collars).

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  Hedged When a derivative (a security whose value is based on another security or index) is used as a hedge against an opposite position that the fund also holds, any loss generated by the derivative should be substantially offset by gains on the hedged investment, and vice versa. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains.
  Speculative To the extent that a derivative is not used as a hedge, the fund is directly exposed to the risks of that derivative. Gains or losses from speculative positions in a derivative may be substantially greater than the derivative’s original cost.
Liquidity risk The risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the seller would like. The seller may have to lower the price, sell other securities instead, or forego an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on fund management or performance. (e.g. non-investment-grade debt securities, restricted and illiquid securities, mortgage-backed securities, participation interest, currency contracts, futures and related options; securities and index options, structured securities, swaps, caps, floors and collars).
Management risk The risk that a strategy used by athe Fund’s management may fail to produce the intended result. Common to all mutual funds.
Market risk The risk that the market value of a security may move up and down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market risk may affect a single issuer, an industry, a sector of the bond market or the market as a whole. Common to all stocks and bonds and the mutual funds that invest in them . (e.g. covered mortgage dollar roll transactions, short-term trading, when-issued securities and forward commitments, Brady bonds, foreign debt securities, in-kind, delayed and zero coupon debt securities, restricted and illiquid securities, rights and warrants, financial futures and options; and securities and index options, structured securities).
Natural event risk The risk of losses attributable to natural disasters, crop failures and similar events.
Opportunity risk The risk of missing out on an investment opportunity because the assets necessary to take advantage of it are tied up in less advantageous investments.( e.g. covered mortgage dollar roll transactions, when-issued securities and forward commitments, currency contracts, financial futures and options; securities and securities and index options).
Political risk The risk of losses attributable to government or political actions, from changes in tax or trade statutes to governmental collapse and war. (e.g. Brady bonds and foreign debt securities).
Prepayment risk The risk that unanticipated prepayments may occur during periods of falling interest rates, reducing the value of mortgage-backed securities. (e.g., mortgage backed securities).
Valuation risk The risk that the Fund has valued certain of its securities at a higher price than it can sell them for. (e.g., non-investment-grade debt securities, participation interest, structured securities, swaps, caps, floors and collars).

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APPENDIX B
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
The ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of various debt instruments they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized that ratings are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, debt instruments with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while debt instruments of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.
MOODY’S
Aaa: Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa: Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A: Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa: Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba: Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements are subject to substantial credit risk.
B: Obligations rated B are considered speculative elements and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa: Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca: Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C: Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
S&P
AAA: An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA: An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A: An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB: An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, CC and C: Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’ ‘CC’ and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations

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will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC: An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC: An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: The ‘C’ rating may be used to over a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.
D: An obligation rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
NR: This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
FITCH
Investment Grade
AAA: Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB: Good credit quality. ‘B’ ratings indicate that there is currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

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Speculative Grade
BB: Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
B: Highly speculative.
  For issuers and performing obligations, ‘B’ ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
  For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for extremely high recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R1’ (outstanding).
CCC
  For issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.
  For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for average to superior levels of recovery. Differences in credit quality may be denoted by plus/minus distinctions. Such obligations typically would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R2’ (superior), or ‘R3’ (good) or ‘R4’ (average).
CC
  For issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable.
  For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with Recovery Raging of ‘R4’ (average) or ‘R5’ (below average).
C
  For issuers and performing obligations, default is imminent.
  For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for below-average to poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R6’ (poor).
RD
Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations.
D
Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations. Default generally is defined as one of the following:
-   failure of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of any financial obligation;
 
-   the bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or winding-up or cessation of business of an obligor; or
 
-   the distressed or other coercive exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation.
Default ratings are not assigned prospectively; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period.
Issuers will be rated ‘D’ upon a default. Defaulted and distressed obligations typically are rated along the continuum of ‘C’ to ‘B’ rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to meet pay interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligation’s documentation

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during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation may be rated in the ‘B’ or CCC-C categories.
Default is determined by reference to the terms of the obligations’ documentation. Fitch will assign default ratings where it has reasonably determined that payment has not been made on a material obligation in accordance with the requirements of the obligation’s documentation, or where it believes that default ratings consistent with Fitch’s published definition of default are the most appropriate ratings to assign.
CORPORATE AND TAX-EXEMPT COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Moody’s
Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:
P-1
 
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
 
P-2
 
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
 
P-3
 
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
 
NP
 
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
 
S&P
 
Commercial Paper
 
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from ‘A’ for the highest-quality obligations to ‘D’ for the lowest. These categories are as follows:
 
A-1
 
This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
 
A-2
 
Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated ‘A-1’.
 
A-3
 
Issues carrying this designation have an adequate capacity for timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
 
B

Issues rated ‘B’ are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.
 
C

This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.

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D

Debt rated ‘D’ is in payment default. The ‘D’ rating category is used when interest payments of principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes such payments will be made during such grace period.
 
Dual Ratings
 
S&P assigns ‘dual’ rating to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure.
The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The long-term debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the commercial paper rating symbols for the put option (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’). With short-term demand debt, not rating symbols are used with the commercial paper rating symbols (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).
Other Considerations - The ratings of S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch represent their respective opinions of the quality of the municipal securities they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal securities with the same maturity, coupon and ratings may have different yields and municipal securities of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.
TAX-EXEMPT NOTE RATINGS
Moody’s
Short-Term Debt Ratings
There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.
MIG 1
This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MG 2
This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
MG 3
This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG
This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Dept instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
S&P
Short-Term Issue
An S&P U.S. municipal note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment:

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    Amortization schedule – the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as note; and
 
    Source of payment – the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
SP-1
Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2
Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3
Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

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APPENDIX C
PROXY VOTING POLICIES OF THE ADVISER, THE JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS AND THE SUB-ADVISER
JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC
&
JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
General
John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC and John Hancock Advisers, LLC (collectively the “Adviser”) is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), and serves as the investment adviser to a number of management investment companies (including series thereof) (each a “Fund”) registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Adviser generally retains one or more sub-advisers to manage the assets of the Funds, including voting proxies with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities. From time to time, however, the Adviser may elect to manage directly the assets of a Fund, including voting proxies with respect to its portfolio securities, or a Fund’s board of trustees or directors may otherwise delegate to the Adviser authority to vote such proxies. Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act requires that a registered investment adviser adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that it votes proxies with respect to a client’s securities in the best interest of the client. Pursuant thereto, the Adviser has adopted and implemented these proxy voting policies and procedures (the “Procedures”).
Fiduciary Duty
The Adviser has a fiduciary duty to vote proxies on behalf of a Fund in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
Voting of Proxies
The Adviser will vote proxies with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities when authorized to do so by the Fund and subject to the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures and any further direction or delegation of authority by the Fund’s board of trustees or directors. The decision on how to vote a proxy will be made by the person(s) to whom the Adviser has from time to time delegated such responsibility (the “Designated Person”). The Designated Person may include the Fund’s portfolio manager(s) and a Proxy Voting Committee, as described below.
When voting proxies with respect to a Fund’s portfolio securities, the following standards will apply:
•      The Designated Person will vote based on what it believes to be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders and in accordance with the Fund’s investment guidelines.
•      Each voting decision will be made independently. The Designated Person may enlist the services of reputable professionals (who may include persons employed by or otherwise associated with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons) or independent proxy evaluation services such as Institutional Shareholder Services, to assist with the analysis of voting issues and/or to carry out the actual voting process. However, the ultimate decision as to how to vote a proxy will remain the responsibility of the Designated Person.
•      The Adviser believes that a good management team of a company will generally act in the best interests of the company. Therefore, the Designated Person will take into consideration as a key factor in voting proxies with respect to securities of a company that are held by the Fund the quality of the company’s management and, in general, will vote as

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recommended by such management except in situations where the Designated Person believes such recommended vote is not in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
•     As a general principle, voting with respect to the same portfolio securities held by more than one Fund should be consistent among those Funds having substantially the same mandates.
•     The Adviser will provide the Fund, from time to time in accordance with the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures and any applicable laws and regulations, a record of the Adviser’s voting of proxies with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities.
Material Conflicts of Interest
In carrying out its proxy voting responsibilities, the Adviser will monitor and resolve potential material conflicts (“Material Conflicts”) between the interests of (a) a Fund and (b) the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons. Affiliates of the Adviser include Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries. Material Conflicts may arise, for example, if a proxy vote relates to matters involving any of these companies or other issuers in which the Adviser or any of its affiliates has a substantial equity or other interest.
If the Adviser or a Designated Person becomes aware that a proxy voting issue may present a potential Material Conflict, the issue will be referred to the Adviser’s Legal and Compliance Department. If the Legal and Compliance Department determines that a potential Material Conflict does exist, a Proxy Voting Committee will be appointed to consider and resolve the issue. The Proxy Voting Committee may make any determination that it considers reasonable and may, if it chooses, request the advice of an independent, third-party proxy service on how to vote the proxy.
Voting Proxies of Underlying Funds of a Fund of Funds
The Adviser or the Designated Person will vote proxies with respect to the shares of a Fund that are held by another Fund that operates as a fund of funds (a “Fund of Funds”) in the manner provided in the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Fund of Funds (including such policies and procedures relating to material conflicts of interest) or as otherwise directed by the board of trustees or directors of the Fund of Funds.
Proxy Voting Committee(s)
The Adviser will from time to time, and on such temporary or longer term basis as it deems appropriate, establish one or more Proxy Voting Committees. A Proxy Voting Committee shall include the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and may include legal counsel. The terms of reference and the procedures under which a Proxy Voting Committee will operate will be reviewed from time to time by the Legal and Compliance Department. Records of the deliberations and proxy voting recommendations of a Proxy Voting Committee will be maintained in accordance with applicable law, if any, and these Procedures.
Records Retention
The Adviser will retain (or arrange for the retention by a third party of) such records relating to proxy voting pursuant to these Procedures as may be required from time to time by applicable law and regulations, including the following:
  i.   these Procedures and all amendments hereto;
 
  ii.   all proxy statements received regarding Fund portfolio securities;
 
  iii.   records of all votes cast on behalf of a Fund;
 
  iv.   records of all Fund requests for proxy voting information;

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  v.   any documents prepared by the Designated Person or a Proxy Voting Committee that were material to or memorialized the basis for a voting decision;
 
  vi.   all records relating to communications with the Funds regarding Conflicts; and
 
  vii.   all minutes of meetings of Proxy Voting Committees.
Reporting to Fund Boards
The Adviser will provide the board of trustees or directors of a Fund (the “Board”) with a copy of these Procedures, accompanied by a certification that represents that the Procedures have been adopted in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. Thereafter, the Adviser will provide the Board with notice and a copy of any amendments or revisions to the Procedures and will report quarterly to the Board all material changes to the Procedures.
The CCO’s annual written compliance report to the Board will contain a summary of material changes to the Procedures during the period covered by the report.
If the Adviser votes any proxies in a manner inconsistent with either these Procedures or a Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures, the Adviser will provide the CCO with a report detailing such exceptions.
In the case of proxies voted by a sub-adviser to a Fund (a “Sub-adviser”) pursuant to the Fund’s proxy voting procedures, the Adviser will request the Sub-adviser to certify to the Adviser that the Sub-adviser has voted the Fund’s proxies as required by the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures and that such proxy votes were executed in a manner consistent with these Procedures and to provide the Adviser will a report detailing any instances where the Sub-adviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent with the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures. The Adviser will then report to the Board on a quarterly basis regarding the Sub-adviser certification and report to the Board any instance where the Sub-adviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent with the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures.
Adopted: December 2007

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JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY:
General
The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of each registered investment company in the John Hancock family of funds listed on Schedule A (collectively, the “Trust”), including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), adopts these proxy voting policies and procedures.
Each fund of the Trust or any other registered investment company (or series thereof) (each, a “fund”) is required to disclose its proxy voting policies and procedures in its registration statement and, pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act, file annually with the Securities and Exchange Commission and make available to shareholders its actual proxy voting record. In this regard, the Trust Policy is set forth below.
Delegation of Proxy Voting Responsibilities
It is the policy of the Trust to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by a fund to the fund’s investment adviser (“adviser”) or, if the fund’s adviser has delegated portfolio management responsibilities to one or more investment sub-adviser(s), to the fund’s sub-adviser(s), subject to the Board’s continued oversight. The sub-adviser for each fund shall vote all proxies relating to securities held by each fund and in that connection, and subject to any further policies and procedures contained herein, shall use proxy voting policies and procedures adopted by each sub-adviser in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).
Except as noted below under Material Conflicts of Interest, the Trust Policy with respect to a fund shall incorporate that adopted by the fund’s sub-adviser with respect to voting proxies held by its clients (the “Sub-adviser Policy”). Each Sub-adviser Policy, as it may be amended from time to time, is hereby incorporated by reference into the Trust Policy. Each sub-adviser to a fund is directed to comply with these policies and procedures in voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by a fund, subject to oversight by the fund’s adviser and by the Board. Each adviser to a fund retains the responsibility, and is directed, to oversee each sub-adviser’s compliance with these policies and procedures, and to adopt and implement such additional policies and procedures as it deems necessary or appropriate to discharge its oversight responsibility. Additionally, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) shall conduct such monitoring and supervisory activities as the CCO or the Board deems necessary or appropriate in order to appropriately discharge the CCO’s role in overseeing the sub-advisers’ compliance with these policies and procedures.
The delegation by the Board of the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the funds is entirely voluntary and may be revoked by the Board, in whole or in part, at any time.
Voting Proxies of Underlying Funds of a Fund of Funds
A.  Where the Fund of Funds is not the Sole Shareholder of the Underlying Fund
With respect to voting proxies relating to the shares of an underlying fund (an “Underlying Fund”) held by a fund of the Trust operating as a fund of funds (a “Fund of Funds”) in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act where the Underlying Fund has shareholders other than the Fund of Funds which are not other Fund of Funds, the Fund of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such Underlying Fund shares.

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B. Where the Fund of Funds is the Sole Shareholder of the Underlying Fund
In the event that one or more Funds of Funds are the sole shareholders of an Underlying Fund, the adviser to the Fund of Funds or the Trust will vote proxies relating to the shares of the Underlying Fund as set forth below unless the Board elects to have the Fund of Funds seek voting instructions from the shareholders of the Funds of Funds in which case the Fund of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the instructions timely received from such shareholders.
1. Where Both the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds are Voting on Substantially Identical Proposals
In the event that the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds are voting on substantially identical proposals (the “Substantially Identical Proposal”), then the adviser or the Fund of Funds will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the vote of the shareholders of the Fund of Funds on the Substantially Identical Proposal.
2. Where the Underlying Fund is Voting on a Proposal that is Not Being Voted on By the Fund of Funds
a. Where there is No Material Conflict of Interest Between the Interests of the Shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the Adviser Relating to the Proposal
In the event that the Fund of Funds is voting on a proposal of the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds is not also voting on a substantially identical proposal and there is no material conflict of interest between the interests of the shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the adviser relating to the Proposal, then the adviser will vote proxies relating to the shares of the Underlying Fund pursuant to its Proxy Voting Procedures.
b. Where there is a Material Conflict of Interest Between the Interests of the Shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the Adviser Relating to the Proposal
In the event that the Fund of Funds is voting on a proposal of the Underlying Fund and the Fund of Funds is not also voting on a substantially identical proposal and there is a material conflict of interest between the interests of the shareholders of the Underlying Fund and the adviser relating to the Proposal, then the Fund of Funds will seek voting instructions from the shareholders of the Fund of Funds on the proposal and will vote proxies relating to shares of the Underlying Fund in the same proportion as the instructions timely received from such shareholders. A material conflict is generally defined as a proposal involving a matter in which the adviser or one of its affiliates has a material economic interest.
Material Conflicts of Interest
If: (1) a sub-adviser to a fund becomes aware that a vote presents a material conflict between the interests of: (a) shareholders of the fund; and (b) the fund’s adviser, sub-adviser, principal underwriter, or any of their affiliated persons, and (2) the sub-adviser does not propose to vote on the particular issue in the manner prescribed by its Sub-adviser Policy or the material conflict of interest procedures set forth in its Sub-adviser Policy are otherwise triggered, then the sub-adviser will follow the material conflict of interest procedures set forth in its Sub-adviser Policy when voting such proxies.
If a Sub-adviser Policy provides that in the case of a material conflict of interest between fund shareholders and another party, the sub-adviser will ask the Board to provide voting instructions, the sub-adviser shall vote the proxies, in its discretion, as recommended by an independent third party, in the manner prescribed by its Sub-adviser Policy or abstain from voting the proxies.

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Securities Lending Program
Certain of the funds participate in a securities lending program with the Trust through an agent lender. When a fund’s securities are out on loan, they are transferred into the borrower’s name and are voted by the borrower, in its discretion. Where a sub-adviser determines, however, that a proxy vote (or other shareholder action) is materially important to the client’s account, the sub-adviser should request that the agent recall the security prior to the record date to allow the sub-adviser to vote the securities.
Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in the Trust’s SAI (“SAI”)
The Trust shall include in its SAI a summary of the Trust Policy and of the Sub-adviser Policy included therein. (In lieu of including a summary of these policies and procedures, the Trust may include each full Trust Policy and Sub-adviser Policy in the SAI.)
Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports
The Trust shall disclose in its annual and semi-annual shareholder reports that a description of the Trust Policy, including the Sub-adviser Policy, and the Trust’s proxy voting record for the most recent 12 months ended June 30 are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website, and without charge, upon request, by calling a specified toll-free telephone number. The Trust will send these documents within three business days of receipt of a request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.
Filing of Proxy Voting Record on Form N-PX
The Trust will annually file its complete proxy voting record with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Form N-PX shall be filed for the twelve months ended June 30 no later than August 31 of that year.
PROCEDURES:
Review of Sub-advisers’ Proxy Voting
The Trust has delegated proxy voting authority with respect to fund portfolio securities in accordance with the Trust Policy, as set forth above.
Consistent with this delegation, each sub-adviser is responsible for the following:
  1)   Implementing written policies and procedures, in compliance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act, reasonably designed to ensure that the sub-adviser votes portfolio securities in the best interest of shareholders of the Trust.
 
  2)   Providing the adviser with a copy and description of the Sub-adviser Policy prior to being approved by the Board as a sub-adviser, accompanied by a certification that represents that the Sub-adviser Policy has been adopted in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. Thereafter, providing the adviser with notice of any amendment or revision to that Sub-adviser Policy or with a description thereof. The adviser is required to report all material changes to a Sub-adviser Policy quarterly to the Board. The CCO’s annual written compliance report to the Board will contain a summary of the material changes to each Sub-adviser Policy during the period covered by the report.
 
  3)   Providing the adviser with a quarterly certification indicating that the sub-adviser did vote proxies of the funds and that the proxy votes were executed in a manner consistent with the Sub-adviser Policy. If the sub-adviser voted any proxies in a manner inconsistent with the Sub-adviser Policy, the sub-adviser will provide the adviser with a report detailing the exceptions.

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Adviser Responsibilities
The Trust has retained a proxy voting service to coordinate, collect, and maintain all proxy-related information, and to prepare and file the Trust’s reports on Form N-PX with the SEC.
The adviser, in accordance with its general oversight responsibilities, will periodically review the voting records maintained by the proxy voting service in accordance with the following procedures:
  1)   Receive a file with the proxy voting information directly from each sub-adviser on a quarterly basis.
 
  2)   Select a sample of proxy votes from the files submitted by the sub-advisers and compare them against the proxy voting service files for accuracy of the votes.
 
  3)   Deliver instructions to shareholders on how to access proxy voting information via the Trust’s semi-annual and annual shareholder reports.
Proxy Voting Service Responsibilities
Aggregation of Votes:
The proxy voting service’s proxy disclosure system will collect fund-specific and/or account-level voting records, including votes cast by multiple sub-advisers or third party voting services.
Reporting:
The proxy voting service’s proxy disclosure system will provide the following reporting features:
  1)   multiple report export options;
 
  2)   report customization by fund-account, portfolio manager, security, etc.; and
 
  3)   account details available for vote auditing.
Form N-PX Preparation and Filing:
The adviser will be responsible for oversight and completion of the filing of the Trust’s reports on Form N-PX with the SEC. The proxy voting service will prepare the EDGAR version of Form N-PX and will submit it to the adviser for review and approval prior to filing with the SEC. The proxy voting service will file Form N-PX for each twelve-month period ending on June 30. The filing must be submitted to the SEC on or before August 31 of each year.

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Schedule A
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
         
JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS:   Adopted:   Amended:
John Hancock Trust
  September 28, 2007   March 26, 2008
John Hancock Funds II
  September 28, 2007   March 26, 2008
John Hancock Funds III
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Bond Trust
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Capital Series
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Current Interest
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Equity Trust
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investment Trust
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investment Trust II
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investment Trust III
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Series Trust
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Strategic Series
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock World Fund
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Bank & Thrift Opportunity Fund
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Income Securities Trust
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Investors Trust
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund
  September 11, 2007   June 10, 2008

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MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (“MFC Global (U.S.)”)
Proxy Voting Summary
We believe in placing our clients’ interests first. Once we invest, we monitor all our clients’ holdings, to ensure that they maintain their potential to produce results for investors.
As part of our active investment management strategy, we keep a close eye on each company we invest in. Routinely, companies issue proxies by which they ask investors like us to vote for or against a change, such as a new management team, a new business procedure or an acquisition. We base our decisions on how to vote these proxies with the goal of maximizing the value of our clients’ investments.
MFC Global (U.S.) manages open-end funds, closed-end funds and portfolios for institutions and high-net-worth investors. Occasionally, we utilize the expertise of an outside asset manager by means of a sub-advisory agreement. In all cases, MFC Global (U.S.) makes the final decision as to how to vote our clients’ proxies. There is one exception, however, and that pertains to our international accounts. The investment management team for international investments votes the proxies for the accounts they manage. Unless voting is specifically retained by the named fiduciary of the client, MFC Global (U.S.) will vote proxies for ERISA clients.
In order to ensure a consistent, balanced approach across all our investment teams, we have established a proxy oversight group comprised of associates from our investment, operations and legal teams. The group has developed a set of policies and procedures that detail the standards for how MFC Global (U.S.) votes proxies. MFC Global (U.S.)’s other clients have granted us the authority to vote proxies in our advisory contracts or comparable documents.
MFC Global (U.S.) has hired a third party proxy voting service which has been instructed to vote all proxies in accordance with our established guidelines except as otherwise instructed.
In evaluating proxy issues, our proxy oversight group may consider information from many sources, including the portfolio manager, management of a company presenting a proposal, shareholder groups, and independent proxy research services. Proxies for securities on loan through securities lending programs will generally not be voted, however a decision may be made to recall a security for voting purposes if the issue is material.
Below are the guidelines we adhere to when voting proxies. Please keep in mind that these are purely guidelines. Our actual votes will be driven by the particular circumstances of each proxy. From time to time votes may ultimately be cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote. Decisions on these matters (case-by-case, abstention, recall) will normally be made by a portfolio manager under the supervision of the chief investment officer and the proxy oversight group. We may abstain from voting a proxy if we conclude that the effect on our clients’ economic interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant.

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Proxy Voting Guidelines
Board of Directors
We believe good corporate governance evolves from an independent board.
We support the election of uncontested director nominees, but will withhold our vote for any nominee attending less than 75% of the board and committee meetings during the previous fiscal year. Contested elections will be considered on a case by case basis by the proxy oversight group, taking into account the nominee’s qualifications. We will support management’s ability to set the size of the board of directors and to fill vacancies without shareholder approval but will not support a board that has fewer than 3 directors or allows for the removal of a director without cause.
We will support declassification of a board and block efforts to adopt a classified board structure. This structure typically divides the board into classes with each class serving a staggered term.
In addition, we support proposals for board indemnification and limitation of director liability, as long as they are consistent with corporate law and shareholders’ interests. We believe that this is necessary to attract qualified board members.
Selection of Auditors
We believe an independent audit committee can best determine an auditor’s qualifications.
We will vote for management proposals to ratify the board’s selection of auditors, and for proposals to increase the independence of audit committees.
Capitalization
We will vote for a proposal to increase or decrease authorized common or preferred stock and the issuance of common stock, but will vote against a proposal to issue or convert preferred or multiple classes of stock if the board has unlimited rights to set the terms and conditions of the shares, or if the shares have voting rights inferior or superior to those of other shareholders.
In addition, we will support a management proposal to: create or restore preemptive rights; approve a stock repurchase program; approve a stock split or reverse stock split; and, approve the issuance or exercise of stock warrants
Acquisitions, Mergers and Corporate Restructuring
Proposals to merge with or acquire another company will be voted on a case-by-case basis, as will proposals for recapitalization, restructuring, leveraged buyout, sale of assets, bankruptcy or liquidation. We will vote against a reincorporation proposal if it would reduce shareholder rights. We will vote against a management proposal to ratify or adopt a poison pill or to establish a supermajority voting provision to approve a merger or other business combination. We would however support a management proposal to opt out of a state takeover statutory provision, to spin-off certain operations or divisions and to establish a fair price provision.
Corporate Structure and Shareholder Rights
In general, we support proposals that foster good corporate governance procedures and that provide shareholders with voting power equal to their equity interest in the company.
To preserve shareholder rights, we will vote against a management proposal to restrict shareholders’ right to: call a special meeting and to eliminate a shareholders’ right to act by written consent. In addition, we will not support a

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management proposal to adopt a supermajority vote requirement to change certain by-law or charter provisions or a non-technical amendment to by-laws or a charter that reduces shareholder rights.
Equity-based compensation
Equity-based compensation is designed to attract, retain and motivate talented executives and independent directors, but should not be so significant as to materially dilute shareholders’ interests.
We will vote against the adoption or amendment of a stock option plan if:
    the compensation committee is not fully independent;
 
    plan dilution is more than 10% of outstanding common stock;
 
    company allows or has allowed the re-pricing or replacement of underwater options in the past three fiscal years (or the exchange of underwater options) without shareholder approval;
 
    the option is not premium priced or indexed, or does not vest based on future performance.
With respect to the adoption or amendment of employee stock purchase plans or a stock award plan, we will vote against management if:
    the plan allows stock to be purchased at less than 85% of fair market value;
 
    this plan dilutes outstanding common equity greater than 10%;
 
    all stock purchase plans, including the proposed plan, exceed 15% of outstanding common equity;
 
    the potential dilution from all company plans is more than 85%.
With respect to director stock incentive/option plans, we will vote against management if:
    the minimum vesting period for options or time lapsing restricted stock is les than one year;
 
    the potential dilution for all company plans is more than 85%.
Other Business
For routine business matters which are the subject of many proxy related questions, we will vote with management proposals to:
    change the company name;
 
    approve other business;
 
    adjourn meetings;
 
    make technical amendments to the by-laws or charters;
 
    approve financial statements;
 
    approve an employment agreement or contract.
Shareholder Proposals
Shareholders are permitted per SEC regulations to submit proposals for inclusion in a company’s proxy statement. We will generally vote against shareholder proposals and in accordance with the recommendation of management except as follows where we will vote for proposals:
    calling for shareholder ratification of auditors;
 
    calling for auditors to attend annual meetings;
 
    seeking to increase board independence;
 
    requiring minimum stock ownership by directors;

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    seeking to create a nominating committee or to increase the independence of the nominating committee;
 
    seeking to increase the independence of the audit committee.
Corporate and social policy issues
We believe that “ordinary business matters” are primarily the responsibility of management and should be approved solely by the corporation’s board of directors.
Proposals in this category, initiated primarily by shareholders, typically request that the company disclose or amend certain business practices. We generally vote against business practice proposals and abstain on social policy issues, though we may make exceptions in certain instances where we believe a proposal has substantial economic implications.

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MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (“MFC Global (U.S.)”)
Proxy Voting Procedures
The role of the proxy voting service
MFC Global (U.S.) has hired a proxy voting service to assist with the voting of client proxies. The proxy service coordinates with client custodians to ensure that proxies are received for securities held in client accounts and acted on in a timely manner. The proxy service votes all proxies received in accordance with the proxy voting guidelines established and adopted by MFC Global (U.S.). When it is unclear how to apply a particular proxy voting guideline or when a particular proposal is not covered by the guidelines, the proxy voting service will contact the proxy oversight group coordinator for a resolution.
The role of the proxy oversight group and coordinator
The coordinator will interact directly with the proxy voting service to resolve any issues the proxy voting service brings to the attention of MFC Global (U.S.). When a question arises regarding how a proxy should be voted the coordinator contacts the firm’s investment professionals and the proxy oversight group for a resolution. In addition the coordinator ensures that the proxy voting service receives responses in a timely manner. Also, the coordinator is responsible for identifying whether, when a voting issue arises, there is a potential conflict of interest situation and then escalating the issue to the firm’s Executive Committee. For securities out on loan as part of a securities lending program, if a decision is made to vote a proxy, the coordinator will manage the return/recall of the securities so the proxy can be voted.
The role of mutual fund trustees
The boards of trustees of our mutual fund clients have reviewed and adopted the proxy voting guidelines of the funds’ investment adviser. The trustees will periodically review the proxy voting guidelines and suggest changes they deem advisable.
Conflicts of interest
Conflicts of interest are resolved in the best interest of clients.
With respect to potential conflicts of interest, proxies will be voted in accordance with MFC Global (U.S.)’s predetermined policies. If application of the predetermined policy is unclear or does not address a particular proposal, a special internal review by the MFC Global (U.S.) Executive Committee will determine the vote. After voting, a report will be made to the client (in the case of an investment company, to the fund’s board of trustees), if requested. An example of a conflict of interest created with respect to a proxy solicitation is when MFC Global (U.S.) must vote the proxies of companies that they provide investment advice to or are currently seeking to provide investment advice to, such as to pension plans.

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JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
     
Item 23.
  Exhibits.
 
   
99.(a)
  Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a) to post-effective amendment no. 42 filed on September 14, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000405.
 
   
99.(a).1
  Amendment dated June 24, 2005 to Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005, regarding change of address of principal place of business. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).1 to post-effective amendment no. 43 filed on September 27, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000829.
 
   
99.(a).2
  Amendment of Section 5.11 and Abolition of John Hancock High Income Fund dated December 6, 2005 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).2 to post-effective amendment no. 43 filed on September 27, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000829.
 
   
99.(a).3
  Amendment of Section 5.11 and Establishment of Class R3, Class R4 and Class R5 shares dated May 7, 2009 to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).2 to post-effective amendment no. 46 filed on May 15, 2009, accession number 0000950135-09-004067.
 
   
99.(a).4
  Amendment dated April 17, 2009 to Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005 regarding amendment and restatement of Section 8.4. – FILED HEREWITH .
 
   
99.(b)
  By Laws. Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(b) to post-effective amendment no. 42 filed on September 14, 2005, accession number 0001010521-05-000405.
 
   
99.(b).1
  Amendment dated March 11, 2008 to Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(b).1 to post-effective amendment no. 45 filed on September 25, 2008, accession number 0001010521-08-000420.
 
   
99.(b).2
  Amendment dated June 9, 2009 to Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005. – FILED HEREWITH .
 
   
99.(c)
  Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders, see exhibit 99(a) and 99(b).
 
   
99.(d)
  Investment Advisory Contracts. Advisory Agreement dated July 1, 2009 between John Hancock Advisers, LLC and the Registrant on behalf of John Hancock Strategic Income Fund – FILED HEREWITH .
 
   
99.(d).1
  Sub-Advisory Agreement dated December 31, 2005 between Registrant, John Hancock Advisers, LLC and MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC (formerly, Sovereign

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  Asset Management LLC) on behalf of John Hancock Strategic Income Fund. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(d).2 to post-effective amendment no. 43 filed on September 27, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000829.
 
   
99.(e)
  Underwriting Contracts. Distribution Agreement dated August 1, 1991 between Registrant and John Hancock Broker Distribution Services, Inc. (renamed John Hancock Funds, LLC). – previously filed as exhibit 99.B6 to post-effective amendment no. 21 filed on June 29, 1995, accession number 0000950146-95-000353.
 
   
99.(e).1
  Form of Soliciting Dealer Agreement between John Hancock Broker Distribution Services, Inc. and Selected Dealers. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(e).1 to post-effective amendment no. 41 filed on September 29, 2004, accession number 0001010521-04-000224.
 
   
99.(e).2
  Form of Financial Institution Sales and Service Agreement between John Hancock Funds, Inc. and the John Hancock funds. – previously filed as exhibit 99.B6.3 to post-effective amendment no. 21 filed on June 29, 1995, accession number 0000950146-95-000353.
 
   
99.(f)
  Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. Not Applicable.
 
   
99.(g)
  Custodian Agreement. Master Custodian Agreement dated September 10, 2008 between John Hancock Mutual Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(g) to post-effective amendment no. 45 filed on September 25, 2008, accession number 0001010521-08-000420.
 
   
99.(h)
  Other Material Contracts. Class A Service Agreement dated January 24, 2000 between Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and John Hancock Strategic Income Fund, John Hancock Funds, Inc. and John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(h).2 to post-effective amendment no. 32 filed on September 25, 2000, accession number 0001010521-00-000425.
 
   
99.(h).1
  Master Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2007 between John Hancock Mutual Funds advised by John Hancock Advisers, LLC and John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(h) to post-effective amendment no. 44 filed on September 25, 2007, accession number 0001010521-07-000662.
 
   
99.(h).2
  Amendment dated June 1, 2008, to the Master Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2007. – previously filed as exhibit 99. (h).1 to post-effective amendment no. 45 filed on September 25, 2008, accession number 0001010521-08-000420.
 
   
99.(h).3
  Service Agreement dated July 1, 2009 between John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC and John Hancock Mutual Funds. – FILED HEREWITH .
 
   
99.(i)
  Not applicable.
 
   
99.(j)
  Consent of Independent Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP – FILED HEREWITH.
 
   
99.(k)
  Not Applicable.
 
   
99. (l)
  Not Applicable.

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99.(m)
  Class A, B and C Distribution Plans dated July 1, 2009 between Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC on behalf of John Hancock Strategic Income Fund. – FILED HEREWITH .
 
   
99.(m).1
  Rule 12b-1 Plan. Class R Distribution Plan dated August 1, 2003 between John Hancock Strategic Income Fund and John Hancock Funds, LLC. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).4 to post-effective amendment no. 38 filed on August 5, 2003, accession number 0001010521-03-000258.
 
   
99.(m).2
  Class R Service Plan dated August 1, 2003 between John Hancock High Income Fund and John Hancock Funds, LLC. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(m).5 to post-effective amendment no. 38 filed on August 5, 2003, accession number 0001010521-03-000258.
 
   
99.(m).3
  Class R3, R4 and R5 Distribution Plans dated May 1, 2009 between Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC on behalf of John Hancock Strategic Income Fund. – FILED HEREWITH .
 
   
99.(m).4
  Class R3, R4 and R5 Service Plans dated May 1, 2009 between Registrant and John Hancock Funds, LLC on behalf of John Hancock Strategic Income Fund for Class R shares. – FILED HEREWITH .
 
   
99.(n).
  Rule 18f-3 Plan. Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 dated May 7, 2009 for John Hancock Mutual Funds advised by John Hancock Advisers, LLC. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(a).2 to post-effective amendment no. 46 filed on May 15, 2009, accession number 0000950135-09-004067.
 
   
99.(p)
  Code of Ethics. Code of Ethics dated January 1, 2008 for John Hancock Advisers, LLC, John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, John Hancock Funds, LLC, John Hancock Distributors, LLC, and each open-end and closed-end fund advised by a John Hancock adviser. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(p) to post-effective amendment no. 45 filed on September 25, 2008, accession number 0001010521-08-000420.
 
   
99.(p).1
  Code of Ethics dated December 6, 2005 for the Independent Directors/Trustees of the John Hancock Funds. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(p).1 to post-effective amendment no. 43 filed on September 27, 2006, accession number 0001010521-06-000829.
 
   
99.(p).2
  Code of Ethics dated March 1, 2008 for MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC. – previously filed as exhibit 99.(P).2 to post-effective amendment no. 45 filed on September 25, 2008, accession number 0001010521-08-000420.
 
   
99.(q)
  Power of Attorney dated May 7, 2009. – FILED HEREWITH .
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.
No person is directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with Registrant.
Item 25. Indemnification.
Indemnification provisions relating to the Registrant’s Trustees, officers, employees and agents are set forth in Article IV of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust included as Exhibit (a) herein.

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Under Section 12 of the Distribution Agreement, John Hancock Funds, LLC (“John Hancock Funds”) has agreed to indemnify the Registrant and its Trustees, officers and controlling persons against claims arising out of certain acts and statements of John Hancock Funds.
Section 9(a) of the By-Laws of John Hancock Life Insurance Company (“the Insurance Company”) provides, in effect, that the Insurance Company will, subject to limitations of law, indemnify each present and former director, officer and employee of the Insurance Company who serves as a Trustee or officer of the Registrant at the direction or request of the Insurance Company against litigation expenses and liabilities incurred while acting as such, except that such indemnification does not cover any expense or liability incurred or imposed in connection with any matter as to which such person shall be finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Insurance Company. In addition, no such person will be indemnified by the Insurance Company in respect of any final adjudication unless such settlement shall have been approved as in the best interests of the Insurance Company either by vote of the Board of Directors at a meeting composed of directors who have no interest in the outcome of such vote, or by vote of the policyholders. The Insurance Company may pay expenses incurred in defending an action or claim in advance of its final disposition, but only upon receipt of an undertaking by the person indemnified to repay such payment if he should be determined not to be entitled to indemnification.
Article V of the Limited Liability Company Agreement of John Hancock Advisers, LLC (“the Adviser”) provide as follows:
“Section 5.06. Indemnity and Exculpation.”
(a) No Indemnitee, and no shareholder, director, officer, member, manager, partner, agent, representative, employee or Affiliate of an Indemnitee, shall have any liability to the Company or to any Member for any loss suffered by the Company (or the Corporation) which arises out of any action or inaction by such Indemnitee with respect to the Company (or the Corporation) if such Indemnitee so acted or omitted to act (i) in the good faith (A) belief that such course of conduct was in, or was not opposed to, the best interests of the Company (or the Corporation), or (B) reliance on the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) such course of conduct did not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
(b) The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was, or has agreed to become, a Director or Officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Company (or previously at the request of the Corporation), as a director, officer, manager or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan) (all such persons being referred to hereafter as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of an Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom.
(c) As a condition precedent to his right to be indemnified, the Indemnitee must notify the Company in writing as soon as practicable of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation involving him for which indemnity hereunder will or could be sought. With respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Company is so notified, the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own

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expense and/or to assume the defense thereof at its own expense, with legal counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee.
(d) In the event that the Company does not assume the defense of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Company receives notice under this Section 5.06, the Company shall pay in advance of the final disposition of such matter any expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, proceeding or investigation or any appeal therefrom; provided, however, that the payment of such expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of such matter shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay all amounts so advanced in the event that it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized in this Section 5.06, which undertaking shall be accepted without reference to the financial ability of the Indemnitee to make such repayment; and further provided that no such advancement of expenses shall be made if it is determined that (i) the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company, or (ii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
(e) The Company shall not indemnify an Indemnitee seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee unless the initiation thereof was approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Company shall not indemnify an Indemnitee to the extent such Indemnitee is reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance, and in the event the Company makes any indemnification payments to an Indemnitee and such Indemnitee is subsequently reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance, such Indemnitee shall promptly refund such indemnification payments to the Company to the extent of such insurance reimbursement.
(f) All determinations hereunder as to the entitlement of an Indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of expenses shall be made in each instance by (a) a majority vote of the Directors consisting of persons who are not at that time parties to the action, suit or proceeding in question (“Disinterested Directors”), whether or not a quorum, (b) a majority vote of a quorum of the outstanding Common Shares, which quorum shall consist of Members who are not at that time parties to the action, suit or proceeding in question, (c) independent legal counsel (who may, to the extent permitted by law, be regular legal counsel to the Company), or (d) a court of competent jurisdiction.
(g) The indemnification rights provided in this Section 5.06 (i) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any law, agreement or vote of Members or Disinterested Directors or otherwise, and (ii) shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the Indemnitees. The Company may, to the extent authorized from time to time by its Board of Directors, grant indemnification rights to other employees or agents of the Company or other persons serving the Company and such rights may be equivalent to, or greater or less than, those set forth in this Section 5.06. Any indemnification to be provided hereunder may be provided although the person to be indemnified is no longer a Director or Officer.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers.
For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and Directors of the Adviser, reference is made to Form ADV (801-8124) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which is incorporated herein by reference.

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Item 27. Principal Underwriters.
(a) John Hancock Funds, LLC acts as principal underwriter for the Registrant and also serves as principal underwriter or distributor of shares for John Hancock Bond Trust, John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund, John Hancock Capital Series, John Hancock Current Interest, John Hancock Equity Trust, John Hancock Funds III, John Hancock Investment Trust, John Hancock Investment Trust II, John Hancock Investment Trust III, John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust, John Hancock Series Trust, John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund, John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series Fund, John Hancock World Fund, and John Hancock Funds II.
(b) The following table presents certain information with respect to each director and officer of John Hancock Funds, LLC:
         
 
      POSITIONS AND
NAME AND PRINCIPAL
  POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH   OFFICES WITH
BUSINESS ADDRESS
  UNDERWRITER   REGISTRANT
James R. Boyle
  Director, Chairman   Trustee
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
Keith F. Hartstein
  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer   President and Chief
601 Congress Street
      Executive Officer
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
John G. Vrysen
  Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer   Trustee
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
Michael Mahoney
  Chief Compliance Officer   None
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
Peter Levitt
  Treasurer   None
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
John J. Danello
  Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel   Vice President, Law
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
Thomas M. Kinzler
  Secretary   Secretary and Chief
601 Congress Street
      Legal Officer
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
Declan O’Beirne
  Chief Financial Officer   None
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
Andrew G. Arnott
  Senior Vice President   Chief Operating Officer
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
Jeff Duckworth
  Senior Vice President   None
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       

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      POSITIONS AND
NAME AND PRINCIPAL
  POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH   OFFICES WITH
BUSINESS ADDRESS
  UNDERWRITER   REGISTRANT
Carey Hoch
  Senior Vice President   None
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
Howard Cronson
  Vice President and Assistant Treasurer   None
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
 
       
Krishna Ramdial
  Vice President, Treasury   None
601 Congress Street
       
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
       
(c) None.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records.
All applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Rules promulgated thereunder are in the possession and custody of the Registrant’s custodian State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 and its transfer agent, John Hancock Signature Services, Inc., 1 John Hancock Way, Suite 1000, Boston, Massachusetts 02217, with the exception of certain corporate documents and portfolio trading documents which are in the possession and custody of John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”), 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02210. Registrant is informed that all applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by registered investment advisers are in the custody and possession of the Adviser and each of the respective Subadvisers to the Funds of the Registrant.
By MFC Global Investment Management (U.S.), LLC, the subadviser to the John Hancock Strategic Income Fund, at its offices at 101 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199-7603.
Item 29. Management Services.
Not Applicable.
Item 30. Undertakings.
Not Applicable.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 25 th day of September, 2009.
         
JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
 
 
  By:   /s/ Keith F. Hartstein    
    Keith F. Hartstein   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
         
Signature   Title   Date
 
       
/s/ Keith F. Hartstein
 
Keith F. Hartstein
  President and Chief Executive Officer   September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ Charles A. Rizzo
 
Charles A. Rizzo
  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)   September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ James R. Boyle*
 
James R. Boyle
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ James F. Carlin*
 
James F. Carlin
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ William H. Cunningham*
 
William H. Cunningham
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ Deborah C. Jackson*
 
Deborah C. Jackson
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ Charles L. Ladner*
 
Charles L. Ladner
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ Stanley Martin*
 
Stanley Martin
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ John A. Moore*
 
John A. Moore
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ Patti McGill Peterson*
 
Patti McGill Peterson
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ Steven R. Pruchansky*
 
Steven R. Pruchansky
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ Gregory A. Russo*
 
Gregory A. Russo
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
 
       
/s/ John G. Vrysen*
 
John G. Vrysen
  Trustee    September 25, 2009
         
*By:
  Power of Attorney    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Nicholas J. Kolokithas
 
Nicholas J. Kolokithas
   
 
  Attorney-in-Fact    
 
  Pursuant to Power of Attorney    
 
  Filed Herewith    

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Exhibit Index
     
99.(a).4
  Amendment dated April 17, 2009 to Declaration of Trust dated March 8, 2005.
 
   
99.(b).2
  Amendment dated June 9, 2009 to Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 8, 2005.
 
   
99.(d)
  Advisory Agreement dated July 1, 2009.
 
   
99.(h).3
  Service Agreement dated July 1, 2009.
 
   
99 (j)
  Consent of Independent Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
   
99.(m)
  Class A, B, C Distribution Plans dated July 1, 2009.
 
   
99.(m).3
  Class R3, R4, R5 Distribution Plans dated May 1, 2009.
 
   
99.(m).4
  Class R3, R4, R5 Service Plans dated May 1, 2009.
 
   
99.(q)
  Power of Attorney dated May 7, 2009.

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JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
AMENDMENT TO DECLARATION OF TRUST
April 17, 2009
     AMENDMENT, made April 17, 2009 to the Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust made March 8, 2005 (the “Declaration”) of John Hancock Strategic Series, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”).
     The undersigned officer of the Trust hereby certifies that, in accordance with Section 8.3 of the Declaration, the following amendment and restatement of Section 8.4 of the Declaration was duly adopted on April 16, 2009 by the holders of a majority of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this AMENDMENT shall have the same meanings as set forth in the Declaration.
      Section 8.4 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets . The Trust or any Series may merge or consolidate into any other corporation, association, trust or other organization or may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of the Trust Property or Trust Property allocated or belonging to such Series, including its good will, upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration: (a) when and as authorized at any meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the Shares of the Trust or such Series outstanding and entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy at a meeting of Shareholders, or by an instrument or instruments in writing without a meeting, consented to by the holders of two-thirds of the Shares of the Trust or such Series; provided, however, that, if such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or exchange is recommended by the Trustees, the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the Outstanding Shares of the Trust or such Series entitled to vote shall be sufficient authorization; or (b) if deemed appropriate by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the independent Trustees, without action or approval of the Shareholders, to the extent consistent with applicable laws and regulations; and any such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or exchange shall be deemed for all purposes to have been accomplished under and pursuant to Massachusetts law.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officer of the Trust has executed this instrument to be effective on the date set forth above.
         
     
  /s/ Keith F. Hartstein    
  Keith F. Hartstein   
  Chief Executive Officer   
 

 

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
AMENDMENT DATED JUNE 9, 2009
TO THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
DATED MARCH 8, 2005
    That the By-Laws be, and they hereby are, amended as follows:
 
1.   Section 6.8 is amended to read as follows in its entirety:
 
    POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE TREASURER. The Treasurer shall deliver all funds of the Trust or any Series or Class thereof which may come into his hands to such Custodian as the Trustees may employ. He shall render a statement of condition of the finances of the Trust or any Series or Class thereof to the Trustees as often as they shall require the same and he shall in general perform all the duties incident to the office of a Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees. The Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties, if required so to do by the Trustees, in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Trustees shall require.
 
2.   A new Section 6.13 is added as follows:
 
    DESIGNATION OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER(S) AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER(S). The Trustees shall designate by resolution one or more officers of the Trust as the principal accounting officer(s) and the principal financial officer(s) for purposes of signing registration statements of the Trust in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
ADVISORY AGREEMENT
     Advisory Agreement dated July 1, 2009, between John Hancock Strategic Series, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), and John Hancock Advisers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“JHA” or the “Adviser”). In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF ADVISER
     The Trust hereby appoints JHA, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust and the terms of this Agreement, as the investment adviser for each of the funds of the Trust specified in Appendix A to this Agreement as it shall be amended by the Adviser and the Trust from time to time (the “Funds”). The Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services and to assume the obligations set forth in this Agreement commencing on its effective date. The Adviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust in an y way or otherwise be deemed an agent unless expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust and the Adviser.
2. DUTIES OF THE ADVISER
a.   Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees of the Trust and the terms of this Agreement, the Adviser will at its own expense, except as noted below, select and contract with investment subadvisers (“Subadvisers”) to manage the investments and determine the composition of the assets of the Funds; provided, that any contract with a Subadviser (a “Subadvisory Agreement”) shall be in compliance with and approved as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), except for such exemptions therefrom as may be granted to the Trust or the Adviser. Subject always to the direction and control of the Trustees of the Trust, the Adviser will monitor each Subadviser’s management of the Fund’s investment operations in accordance with the investment objectives and related investment policies, as set forth in the Trust’s registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, of any Fund or Funds under the management of such Subadviser, and review and report to the Trustees of the Trust on the performance of such Subadviser.
 
b.   The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust the following:
  i.   Office and Other Facilities . — The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust office space in the offices of the Adviser or in such other place as may be agreed upon by the parties hereto from time to time, and all necessary office facilities and equipment.
 
  ii.   Trustees and Officers . — The Adviser agrees to permit individuals who are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser to serve (if duly elected or

 


 

       appointed)   as Trustees or President of the Trust without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust.
  iii.   Investment Personnel . — The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust any personnel necessary for the oversight and/or conduct of the investment operations of the Trust. For the elimination of doubt, however, the Adviser shall not be obligated to furnish to the Trust pursuant to this Agreement personnel for the performance of functions: (a) related to and to be performed under any other separate contract from time-to-time in effect between the Trust and the Adviser or another party for legal, accounting, administrative and other any other non-investment related services; (b) related to and to be performed under the Trust contract for custodial, bookkeeping, transfer and dividend disbursing agency services by the bank or other financial institution selected to perform such services; or (c) related to the investment subadvisory services to be provided by any Subadviser pursuant to a Subadvisory Agreement.
 
  iv.   Reports to Trust . — The Adviser shall furnish to, or place at the disposal of, the Trust such information, reports, valuations, analyses and opinions as the Trust may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably request or as the Adviser may deem helpful to the Trust, provided that the expenses associated with any such materials furnished by the Adviser at the request of the Trust shall be borne by the Trust.
c.   In addition to negotiating and contracting with Subadvisers as set forth in section (2)(a) of this Agreement and providing facilities, personnel and services as set forth in section (2)(b), the Adviser will pay the compensation of the President and Trustees of the Trust who are also directors, officers or employees of the Adviser or its affiliates.
 
d.   With respect to any one or more of the Funds named in Appendix A, the Adviser may elect to manage the investments and determine the composition of the assets of the Funds, subject to the approval of the Trustees of the Trust. In the event of such election, the Adviser, subject always to the direction and control of the Trustees of the Trust, will manage the investments and determine the composition of the assets of the Funds in accordance with the Trust’s registration statement, as amended. In fulfilling its obligations to manage the investments and reinvestments of the assets of the Funds, the Adviser:
  i.   will obtain and evaluate pertinent economic, statistical, financial and other information affecting the economy generally and individual companies or industries the securities of which are included in the Funds or are under consideration for inclusion in the Funds;
 
  ii.   will formulate and implement a continuous investment program for each Fund consistent with the investment objectives and related investment policies for each such Fund as described in the Trust’s registration statement, as amended;

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  iii.   will take whatever steps are necessary to implement these investment programs by the purchase and sale of securities including the placing of orders for such purchases and sales;
 
  iv.   will regularly report to the Trustees of the Trust with respect to the implementation of these investment programs;
 
  v.   will provide assistance to the Trust’s Custodian regarding the fair value of securities held by the Funds for which market quotations are not readily available;
 
  vi.   will furnish, at its expense: (i) all necessary investment and management facilities, including salaries of personnel required for it to execute its duties faithfully; and (ii) administrative facilities, including bookkeeping, clerical personnel and equipment necessary for the efficient conduct of the investment affairs of the Funds (excluding any such services that are the subject of a separate agreement as may from time to time be in effect between the Trust and the Adviser or another party);
 
  vii.   will select brokers and dealers to effect all transactions subject to the following conditions: the Adviser will place all necessary orders with brokers, dealers, or issuers, and will negotiate brokerage commissions if applicable; the Adviser is directed at all times to seek to execute brokerage transactions for the Funds in accordance with such policies or practices as may be established by the Trustees and described in the Trust’s registration statement as amended; the Adviser may pay a broker-dealer which provides research and brokerage services a higher spread or commission for a particular transaction than otherwise might have been charged by another broker-dealer, if the Adviser determines that the higher spread or commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services that such broker-dealer provides, viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to accounts managed by the Adviser; and the Adviser may use for the benefit of its other clients, or make available to companies affiliated with the Adviser for the benefit of such companies or their clients, any such brokerage and research services that the Adviser obtains from brokers or dealers;
 
  viii.   to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, on occasions when the Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of the Adviser, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Adviser in the manner the Adviser considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to its other clients;
 
  ix.   will maintain all accounts, books and records with respect to the Funds as are required of an investment adviser of a registered investment company pursuant to the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) and the rules thereunder; and

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  x.   will vote all proxies received in connection with securities held by the Funds.
3. EXPENSES ASSUMED BY THE TRUST
     The Trust will pay all expenses of its organization, operations and business not specifically assumed or agreed to be paid by the Adviser, as provided in this Agreement, or by a Subadviser, as provided in a Subadvisory Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in addition to certain expenses described in section 2 above, the Trust shall pay or arrange for the payment of the following:
a.   Edgarization, Printing and Mailing . — Costs of edgarization, printing and mailing (i) all registration statements (including all amendments thereto) and prospectuses/statements of additional information (including all supplements thereto), all annual, semiannual and periodic reports to shareholders of the Trust, regulatory authorities or others, (ii) all notices and proxy solicitation materials furnished to shareholders of the Trust or regulatory authorities and (iii) all tax returns;
 
b.   Compensation of Officers and Trustees . — Compensation of the officers and Trustees of the Trust (other than persons serving as President or Trustee of the Trust who are also directors, officers or employees of the Adviser or its affiliates);
 
c.   Registration and Filing Fees . — Registration, filing, blue-sky and other fees in connection with requirements of regulatory authorities, including, without limitation, all fees and expenses of registering and maintaining the registration of the Trust under the 1940 Act and the registration of the Trust’s shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
 
d.   Custodial Services . — The charges and expenses of the custodian appointed by the Trust for custodial services;
 
e.   Accounting Fees . — The charges and expenses of the independent accountants retained by the Trust;
 
f.   Legal, Accounting and Administrative Services . — The charges and expenses of the Adviser or any other party pursuant to any separate contract with the Trust from time to time in effect with respect to the provision of legal services (including registering and qualifying the Trust’s shares with regulatory authorities), as well as accounting, administrative and any other non-investment related services;
 
g.   Transfer, Bookkeeping and Dividend Disbursing Agents . — The charges and expenses of any transfer, bookkeeping and dividend disbursing agents appointed by the Trust;
 
h.   Commissions . — Broker’s commissions and issue and transfer taxes chargeable to the Trust in connection with securities transactions to which the Trust is a party;

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i.   Taxes . — Taxes and corporate fees payable by the Trust to federal, state or other governmental agencies and the expenses incurred in the preparation of all tax returns;
 
j.   Stock Certificates . — The cost of stock certificates, if any, representing shares of the Trust;
 
k.   Membership Dues . — Association membership dues, as explicitly approved by the Trustees;
 
l.   Insurance Premiums . — Insurance premiums for fidelity, errors and omissions, directors and officers and other coverage;
 
m.   Shareholders and Trustees Meetings . — Expenses of shareholders and Trustees meetings;
 
n.   Pricing . — Pricing of the Trust Funds and shares, including the cost of any equipment or services used for obtaining price quotations and valuing Trust portfolio investments;
 
o.   Interest . — Interest on borrowings;
 
p.   Communication Equipment . — All charges for equipment or services used for communication between the Adviser or the Trust and the custodian, transfer agent or any other agent selected by the Trust; and
 
q.   Nonrecurring and Extraordinary Expense . — Such nonrecurring expenses as may arise, including the costs of actions, suits, or proceedings to which the Trust is, or is threatened to be made, a party and the expenses the Trust may incur as a result of its legal obligation to provide indemnification to its Trustees, officers, agents and shareholders.
4. COMPENSATION OF ADVISER
     Subject to the provisions of section 2(d) of this Agreement, the Adviser shall be entitled to a fee with respect to each Fund, accrued and paid daily, at such annual percentage rates, as specified in Appendix A to this Agreement, of the average daily net asset value of the Fund.
5. NON-EXCLUSIVITY
     The services of the Adviser to the Trust are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render investment advisory or other services to others (including other investment companies) and to engage in other activities. It is understood and agreed that the directors, officers and employees of the Adviser are not prohibited from engaging in any other business activity or from rendering services to any other person, or from serving as partners, officers, directors, trustees or employees of any other firm or corporation, including other investment companies.

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6. SUPPLEMENTAL ARRANGEMENTS
     The Adviser may enter into arrangements with other persons affiliated with the Adviser to better enable it to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement for the provision of certain personnel and facilities to the Adviser.
7. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
     It is understood that Trustees, officers, agents and shareholders of the Trust are or may be interested in the Adviser as directors, officers, stockholders, or otherwise; that directors, officers, agents and stockholders of the Adviser are or may be interested in the Trust as Trustees, officers, shareholders or otherwise; that the Adviser may be interested in the Trust; and that the existence of any such dual interest shall not affect the validity hereof or of any transactions hereunder except as otherwise provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust or the organizational documents of the Adviser or by specific provision of applicable law.
8. REGULATION
     The Adviser shall submit to all regulatory and administrative bodies having jurisdiction over the services provided pursuant to this Agreement any information, reports or other material which any such body by reason of this Agreement may request or require pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.
9. DURATION AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
     This Agreement shall become effective on the later of (i) its execution and (ii) the date of the meeting of the shareholders of the Trust, at which meeting this Agreement is approved by the vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds. The Agreement will continue in effect for a period more than two years from the date of its execution only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually either by the Trustees of the Trust or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust provided that in either event such continuance shall also be approved by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The required shareholder approval of the Agreement or of any continuance of the Agreement shall be effective with respect to any Fund if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Fund votes to approve the Agreement or its continuance, notwithstanding that the Agreement or its continuance may not have been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of (a) any other Fund affected by the Agreement or (b) all the Funds of the Trust.
     Following the effectiveness of the Agreement with respect to any Fund, if the Agreement terminates with respect to such Fund because the shareholders of such Fund fail to provide any requisite approval under the 1940 Act for the continued effectiveness of the Agreement, the Adviser will continue to act as investment adviser with respect to such Fund pending the required approval of the Agreement or its continuance or of a new contract with the Adviser or a different adviser or other definitive action; provided, that the compensation received by the Adviser in respect of such

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Fund during such period will be no more than its actual costs incurred in furnishing investment advisory and management services to such Fund or the amount it would have received under the Agreement in respect of such Fund, whichever is less; provided further, for the elimination of doubt, the failure of shareholders of any Fund to approve a proposed amendment to the Agreement is not a termination of the Agreement with respect to such Fund and, in such event, the Agreement shall continue with respect to such Fund as previously in force and effect.
     This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Trustees of the Trust, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or with respect to any Fund by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, on sixty days’ written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on sixty days’ written notice to the Trust. This Agreement will automatically terminate, without payment of any penalty, in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).
10. PROVISION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY ADVISER .
     The Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in writing of the occurrence of any of the following:
a.   the Adviser fails to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or under the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Adviser is required to be registered as an investment adviser in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement;
 
b.   the Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, public board or body, involving the affairs of the Trust; and
 
c.   the chief executive officer or managing member of the Adviser or the portfolio manager of any Fund changes.
11. AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT
     This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each of the Funds affected by the amendment and by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The required shareholder approval shall be effective with respect to any Fund if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Fund vote to approve the amendment, notwithstanding that the amendment may not have been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of (a) any other Fund affected by the amendment or (b) all the Funds of the Trust.
12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
     This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties.

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13. HEADINGS
     The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof.
14. NOTICES
     All notices required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered or mailed to the last known business address of the Trust or Adviser in person or by registered mail or a private mail or delivery service providing the sender with notice of receipt. Notice shall be deemed given on the date delivered or mailed in accordance with this section.
15. SEVERABILITY
     Should any portion of this Agreement for any reason be held to be void in law or in equity, the Agreement shall be construed, insofar as is possible, as if such portion had never been contained herein.
16. GOVERNING LAW
     The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of the provisions in this Agreement, conflict with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
17. NAME OF THE TRUST AND FUNDS
     The Trust, on behalf of itself and with respect to any Fund, may use the name “John Hancock” or any name or names derived from or similar to the names “John Hancock Advisers, LLC,” “John Hancock Life Insurance Company” or “John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.” only for so long as this Agreement remains in effect as to the Trust or the particular Fund. At such time as this Agreement shall no longer be in effect as to the Trust or a particular Fund, the Trust or the particular Fund, as the case may be, will (to the extent it lawfully can) cease to use such a name or any other name indicating that the Trust or the particular Fund is advised by or otherwise connected with the Adviser. The Trust acknowledges that it has adopted the name John Hancock Strategic Series through permission of John Hancock Life Insurance Company, a Massachusetts insurance company, and agrees that John Hancock Life Insurance Company reserves to itself and any successor to its business the right to grant the non-exclusive right to use the name “John Hancock” or any similar name or names to any other corporation or entity, including but not limited to any investment company of which John Hancock Life Insurance Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof shall be the investment adviser.

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18. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY UNDER THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
     The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust establishing the Trust, dated March 8, 2005, a copy of which, together with all amendments thereto (the “Declaration”), is on file in the office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be subject to any personal liability in connection with Trust property or the affairs of the Trust and that all persons should shall look solely to the Trust property or to the property of one or more specific Funds for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust.
19. LIABILITY OF THE ADVISER
     In the absence of (a) willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in performance of its obligations and duties hereunder, (b) reckless disregard by the Adviser of its obligations and duties hereunder, or (c) a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act), the Adviser shall not be subject to any liability whatsoever to the Trust, or to any shareholder for any error of judgment, mistake of law or any other act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder including, without limitation, for any losses that may be sustained in connection with the purchase, holding, redemption or sale of any security on behalf of a Fund.
20. INDEMNIFICATION
a.   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Trust shall, on behalf of each Fund, indemnify the Adviser, its affiliates and the officers, directors, employees and agents of the Adviser and its affiliates (each an “indemnitee”) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit relating to the particular Fund and not resulting from the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the indemnitee in the performance of the obligations and duties of the indenmitee’s office. The federal and state securities laws impose liabilities under certain circumstances on persons who act in good faith, and therefore nothing in this Agreement will waive or limit any rights that the Trust or a Fund may have under those laws. An indemnitee will not confess any claim or settle or make any compromise in any instance in which the Trust will be asked to provide indemnification, except with the Trust’s prior written consent. Any amounts payable by the Trust under this section shall be satisfied only against the assets of the particular Fund(s) involved in the claim, demand, action or suit and not against the assets of any other Fund(s) of the Trust.
 
b.   Any indemnification or advancement of expenses made in accordance with this section shall not prevent the recovery from any indemnitee of any amount if the indemnitee subsequently is determined in a final judicial decision on the merits in any action, suit, investigation or proceeding involving the liability or expense that gave rise to the indemnification to be liable to a Fund or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross

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    negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the indemnitee’s office.
 
c.   The rights of indemnification provided in this section shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any person may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law. Nothing contained in this section shall affect the power of a Fund to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of the Adviser or any indemnitee.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed under seal by their duly authorized officers as of the date first mentioned above.
         
  JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
 
 
  By:   /s/ Keith F. Hartstein    
    Name:   Keith F. Hartstein   
    Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, LLC
             
By:   /s/ Jeffrey H. Long    
         
 
  Name:   Jeffrey H. Long    
 
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer    

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APPENDIX A
Fund and Annual Percentage Rates of Average Daily Net Assets
                                         
    First   Next   Next   Next   Excess Over
    $100 Million   $150 Million   $250 Million   $150 Million   $650 Million
    of Average   of Average   of Average   of Average   of Average
    Daily   Daily   Daily   Daily   Daily
Fund   Net Assets   Net Assets   Net Assets   Net Assets   Net Assets
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
    0.600 %     0.450 %     0.400 %     0.350 %     0.300 %
Dated: July 1, 2009

A-1

SERVICE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of this 1 st day of July, 2009, by and between the trusts listed in Appendix A (the “Trusts”), on behalf of themselves and each of their funds (the “Funds”), John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (“JHIMS”) and John Hancock Advisers, LLC (“JHA”) (JHIMS and JHA are collectively referred to as “John Hancock”).
WHEREAS , each Trust desires to retain John Hancock to provide certain services to the Trust and the Funds as described below; and John Hancock is willing to provide such services in the manner and on the terms hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE , each Trust and John Hancock hereby agree as follows:
1.  Services . Subject to the general supervision of the Boards of Trustees of the Trusts (the “Boards of Trustees”), John Hancock will provide (a) to the Trusts and each of the Funds the services set forth below, and (b) to each of the Funds (if any) that is identified in Appendix B as a feeder fund (“Feeder Fund”) that invests substantially all of its assets in a corresponding master fund (“Master Fund”) having substantially similar investment objectives and policies, such additional services and functions set forth below, as are reasonably necessary for the operation of the Trusts and each Fund (“Services”). The Services, to the extent not required to be performed by John Hancock pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with respect to a Fund, include, but are not limited to:
A.   Legal services as follows:
  (1)   Maintenance of each Fund’s registration statement and federal and state registration;
 
  (2)   Preparation of certain notices and proxy materials furnished to shareholders of the Funds;
 
  (3)   Preparation of periodic reports of each Fund to regulatory authorities, including Form N-SAR and Rule 24f-2 legal opinions;
 
  (4)   Preparation of materials in connection with meetings of the Board of Trustees;
 
  (5)   Preparation of written contracts, distributions plans, compliance procedures, corporate and trust documents and other legal documents;
 
  (6)   Research advice and consultation about certain legal, regulatory and compliance issues;
 
  (7)   Supervision, coordination and evaluation of certain services provided by outside counsel; and
 
  (8)   Responses to subpoenas and appropriate information requests for shareholder records.

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B.   Tax Services as follows:
  (1)   Arranging for, or participating in, the preparation of all required tax returns for the Funds;
 
  (2)   Review of required Fund distributions for excise, fiscal year-end and calendar year-end;
 
  (3)   Preparation of Fund tax returns;
 
  (4)   Review of “complex” securities purchased by the Funds;
 
  (5)   Preparation of tax information that is included in a Fund’s Form 1099-DIV;
 
  (6)   Preparation of financial statement tax adjustments and disclosures for the Funds;
 
  (7)   Monitoring regulatory compliance with applicable IRS rules and regulations;
 
  (8)   Preparation of tax provisions for excise, fiscal year-end and calendar year-end;
 
  (9)   Analysis and consultation regarding certain tax matters; and
 
  (10)   Review of final distributions relating to Fund mergers.
C.   Accounting Services as follows:
  (1)   Preparation of expense budgets for the Funds;
 
  (2)   Review of each Fund’s net asset value on a daily basis;
 
  (3)   Review of security lending income of the Funds;
 
  (4)   Review of commission recapture income of the Funds;
 
  (5)   Calculation of expense information included in Fund registration statements;
 
  (6)   Monitoring of Fund expense caps and waivers;
 
  (7)   Review of Fund expenses and authorization for disbursement;
 
  (8)   Assessment and review of internal controls for the Funds;
 
  (9)   Review of “complex” securities and country openings by the Funds;
 
  (10)   Preparation of financial statements and other documents for specific Fund transactions such as mergers;
 
  (11)   Review and preparation of materials for Board of Trustee meetings;
 
  (12)   Preparation of Fund dividend distributions;
 
  (13)   Analysis and disposition of pricing errors; and
 
  (14)   Coordination and preparation of Board materials;
 
  (15)   Development of Accounting Policies;
 
  (16)   Review of contractual covenants and coordination of de-leveraging events; associated with Closed End Fund lines of credit;
 
  (17)   Support and coordination around internal and external audits;
 
  (18)   Review of financing breakeven analysis for Closed End Funds;
 
  (19)   Review of cash and securities regulations and aged exception items;
 
  (20)   Review monthly custodian Operations Report and conduct monthly onsite risk reviews;
 
  (21)   Review Fund prospectuses;
 
  (22)   Completion and review of 12b-1 expense cap calculations;
 
  (23)   Oversight of Blue Sky filings; and
 
  (24)   Preparation of 24F-2 filings.

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D.   Valuation as follows:
  (1)   Development and maintenance of pricing policies and procedures for the Funds;
 
  (2)   Daily review of Fund market risk including development of reports to identify market risk;
 
  (3)   Monitoring for Fund securities where trading has been suspended or markets are closed;
 
  (4)   Development and maintenance of controls relating to valuation of Fund securities;
 
  (5)   Preparation of reports relating to the fair valuation of securities for Board of Trustee meetings;
 
  (6)   Conducting Pricing Committee meetings as needed and assist in the determination of fair valuation of securities;
 
  (7)   Review of pricing vendors, including onsite visits;
 
  (8)   Prepare materials for monthly Pricing Committee meetings;
 
  (9)   Monitor for significant events;
 
  (10)   Analyze fair value prices to market open;
 
  (11)   Periodically evaluate trigger levels; and
 
  (12)   Document fair value decisions.
E.   Financial Reporting and Performance as follows:
  (1)   the preparation of financial data or reports required by the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory authorities including the preparation of semi-annual and annual reports for the Funds;
 
  (2)   Preparation of Form N-CSR, Form N-Q, Form N-SAR and 24f-2 notices for the Funds;
 
  (3)   Coordination of external audits for the Funds;
 
  (4)   Review of the investment performance of the Funds, including performance attribution, and preparation of reports relating to such performance;
 
  (5)   Maintain the Funds’ GAAP reporting policies;
 
  (6)   Assist the Funds’ Audit Committees in annual fee proposals and monitor auditor independence;
 
  (7)   Administer and review the pre-approval process for the Funds’ auditors regarding non-audit securities engagements;
 
  (8)   Coordinate Closed End Funds annual financial statements and Audit Committee approval; and
 
  (9)   Review all data feeds and analyze and resolve all exceptions.
F.   Compliance as follows:
  (1)   Monitoring of compliance by each Fund with applicable regulatory requirements, including the 1940 Act; the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (relating to the

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      privacy of customer information); the Bank Secrecy Act (relating to money-laundering); and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations under each thereof;
 
  (2)   Review and processing of Fund litigation claims and settlements;
 
  (3)   Testing of policies and procedures relating to tax services, accounting services, valuation, financial reporting and performance services for the Funds;
 
  (4)   Maintenance of Fund Administration policies and procedures;
 
  (5)   Review and coordination of sub-adviser proxy voting
 
  (6)   Develop ad-hoc reporting on compliance related matters;
 
  (7)   Review and preparation of Board of Trustees materials; and
 
  (8)   Review of sub-adviser compliance materials.
G.   Service Provider Oversight (Vendor Management) as follows:
  (1)   Assistance in the selection of service providers;
 
  (2)   Negotiation of existing service provider agreements including appropriate amendments thereto;
 
  (3)   Monitoring the performance of and the quality of services provided by service providers under such agreements including the review of vendor reports, performance measurement reporting and periodic due diligence reviews;
 
  (4)   Monitoring a service providers’ compliance with applicable regulatory requirements; preparing compliance, risk, and financial reporting dashboards for service providers;
 
  (5)   Reporting periodically to the Board of Trustees on the service providers and the services provided to the Trust and the Funds,
 
  (6)   Responding to requests from regulators regarding the service providers;
 
  (7)   Establish a philosophy and framework for effective management and oversight of Fund service providers;
 
  (8)   Development and review of Service Level Agreements; and
 
  (9)   Prepare materials and coordinate key vendor quarterly executive meeting.
H.   Portfolio and Cash Management Services
  (1)   Coordinate and execute transactions relating to the Funds such as Fund mergers, subadviser changes, Fund rebalancing and Fund asset transfers (collectively, “Fund Events”);
 
  (2)   Review matters relating to Fund mergers. Fund launches and Fund liquidations;
 
  (3)   Administer the Fund Commission Recapture Program;
 
  (4)   Review bank overdraft changes;
 
  (5)   Administer transition management program;
 
  (6)   Analyze merger related costs;
 
  (7)   Administer the cash management of the Funds;
 
  (8)   Administer the Fund Line of Credit;
 
  (9)   Monitor collateral relating to Fund investments or accounts supporting bank lines of credit;

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  (10)   Prepare N-14 pro-forma merger related information; and
 
  (11)   Coordinate operational activities associated with Fund of Funds rebalancing.
I.   Project Management Office Services
  (1)   Conduct monthly Fund Administration project prioritization meetings with senior management;
 
  (2)   Develop the master project list, prioritization schedule and Project Management Office staffing model;
 
  (3)   Adhere to Manulife’s corporate Information Technology project prioritization procedures (i.e. Project Gating and Steering Committee participation);
 
  (4)   Facilitate project meetings and the development of business requirements, project plans and summary dashboard reporting documents; execute select projects; and
 
  (5)   Coordinate activities with internal and external Information Technology representatives.
J.   Additional services to Feeder Funds as follows:
  (1)   Provision of information and reports to the Board of Trustees (i) to enable it to make all necessary decisions regarding whether to invest the assets of a Feeder Fund in shares of a particular Master Fund and (ii) as may be requested by the Board of Trustees from time to time;
 
  (2)   Coordination with the board of directors, officers and service providers of each Master Fund for purposes of obtaining all information, reports, certifications, signatures and other materials reasonably necessary for preparing and filing of its corresponding Feeder Fund’s registration statement, shareholder reports and other reports that may be filed pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations;
 
  (3)   Effecting daily trades into or from each Master Fund, settling all such transactions and performing trading and settlement reconciliations;
 
  (4)   facilitation of distributing Master Fund proxy solicitation materials to corresponding Feeder Fund shareholders and/or coordinating with officers and service providers of each Master Fund the incorporation of its proxy information into its corresponding Feeder Fund proxy solicitation materials; and
 
  (5)   Coordination with officers and service providers of each Master Fund for purposes of enabling its corresponding Feeder Fund to compile and maintain such books and records as may be legally required or reasonably necessary or prudent for such Feeder Fund to compile and maintain.
K.   EDGAR conversion and filing services (“Edgar Services”) as follows:
  (1)   At the request of a Fund, John Hancock shall perform EDGAR Services for the Fund relating to documents filed by the Fund through EDGAR.

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L.   Graphic Design Services as follows:
  (1)   At the request of a Fund, John Hancock shall perform graphic design services relating to fund documents.
    In connection with its provision of the Services, John Hancock will
  (1)   Provide such staff and personnel as are reasonably necessary to perform the Services for the Trusts and the Funds. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such staff and personnel shall be deemed to include officers of John Hancock and its affiliates, and persons employed or otherwise retained by John Hancock, to provide or assist in providing the Services to the Trusts and the Funds;
 
  (2)   Maintain all books and records relating to the Services; and
 
  (3)   Provide the Trusts and the Funds with all office facilities to perform the Services.
    The Services do not include services performed and personnel provided pursuant to contracts with the Trust or the Funds by third-party custodians, transfer agents and other service providers.
2.  Compensation . In consideration for the Services provided to the Trusts and the Funds by John Hancock and its affiliates pursuant to this Agreement, each Fund will pay John Hancock such fee or other compensation as may be approved by the Board of Trustees from time to time and set forth in Appendix C hereto as the same may be amended from time to time. Any Services provided by a person or entity other than John Hancock and its affiliates, including, without limitation, services provided by attorneys not affiliated with John Hancock, are not covered under this Agreement and are an expense of the Funds.
3.  No Partnership or Joint Venture . Each Trust, on behalf of itself and each of its Funds, and John Hancock are not partners of or joint ventures with each other, and nothing herein shall be construed so as to make any of the Trusts, on behalf of itself or any of its Funds, and John Hancock partners or joint ventures or impose any liability as such on the Trust, any Fund or John Hancock.
4.  Limitation of Liability . John Hancock shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Funds in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except losses resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence by John Hancock in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by John Hancock of its obligations under this Agreement. Any person, even though also employed by John Hancock, who may be or become an employee of and paid by any of the Trusts shall be deemed, when acting within the scope of his or her employment by the Trust, to be acting in such employment solely for the Trusts and not as John Hancock’s employee or agent.

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5.  Duration and Termination of Agreement . This Agreement shall remain in effect until the second anniversary of the date on which it was executed, and from year to year thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any of the Trusts or John Hancock. The Agreement may, on 60 days’ written notice, be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by any of the Trusts on behalf of itself or any of its Funds (by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust) or by John Hancock.
6.  Amendment . No provision of this Agreement may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
7.  Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to the choice of law provisions thereof.
8.  Miscellaneous . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions of this Agreement or otherwise affect their construction or effect. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. A copy of the Declaration of Trust of each Trust which is organized as a Massachusetts business trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and provides that no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be subject to any personal liability in connection with Trust property or the affairs of the Trust, but that only the assets belonging to the Trust, or to the particular Fund with respect to which an obligation or claim arose, shall be liable.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date first written above.
JOHN HANCOCK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC
             
By:   /s/ Jeffrey H. Long    
         
 
  Name:   Jeffrey H. Long    
 
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
JOHN HANCOCK ADVISERS, LLC
             
By:   /s/ Jeffrey H. Long    
         
 
  Name:   Jeffrey H. Long    
 
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer    
By all the Trusts listed in Appendix A
             
By:   /s/ Keith F. Hartstein    
         
 
  Name:   Keith F. Hartstein    
 
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer    

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Appendix A
John Hancock Bond Trust
John Hancock Government Income Fund
John Hancock High Yield Fund
John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund
John Hancock Current Interest
John Hancock Money Market Fund
John Hancock Income Securities Trust
John Hancock Investment Trust
John Hancock Balanced Fund
John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund
John Hancock Small Cap Intrinsic Value Fund
John Hancock Sovereign Investors Fund
John Hancock Investment Trust II
John Hancock Financial Industries Fund
John Hancock Regional Bank Fund
John Hancock Small Cap Equity Fund
John Hancock Funds III
John Hancock Classic Value Mega Cap Fund
John Hancock Core High Yield Fund
John Hancock Disciplined Value Fund
John Hancock Global Shareholder Yield Fund
John Hancock Growth Opportunities Fund
John Hancock International Allocation Portfolio
John Hancock International Core Fund
John Hancock International Growth Fund
John Hancock Leveraged Companies Fund
John Hancock Rainier Growth Fund
John Hancock Small Cap Opportunities Fund
John Hancock U.S. Core Fund
John Hancock Value Opportunities Fund
John Hancock Investors Trust
John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust
John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
John Hancock Tax-Free Bond Fund
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III

A-1


 

John Hancock Series Trust
John Hancock Mid Cap Equity Fund
John Hancock Sovereign Bond
John Hancock Bond Fund
John Hancock Strategic Series
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund
John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series Fund
John Hancock Massachusetts Tax-Free Income Fund
John Hancock New York Tax-Free Income Fund
John Hancock World Fund
John Hancock Health Sciences Fund

A-2


 

Appendix B
The Feeder Funds are as follows:
None

B-1


 

Appendix C
Compensation
Each Fund listed in Appendix A shall reimburse John Hancock for its expenses associated with providing all such Services described in this Agreement, including (a) direct compensation and related personnel expenses, (b) direct expenses of office space, office equipment, utilities and miscellaneous office expenses (“Office Support”), (c) direct expenses of computer hardware and software (and the development thereof) used to support John Hancock in providing such Services and IT support relating to such computer hardware and software, (d) other reasonable direct expenses incurred by John Hancock in providing Services to the Funds including, without limitation, expenses related to services provided by third parties such as Charles River, GainsKeeper and Confluence, Bloomberg to John Hancock that are related to John Hancock’s provision of Services to the Funds and (e) overhead expenses (including Manulife Financial Corporation (“Manulife”) corporate overhead) related to Office Support and personnel who provide services to each Fund (the “Reimbursement”), provided that overhead expenses related to Office Support shall not exceed levels that are allocated ordinarily to other Manulife business units. John Hancock shall determine, subject to Board approval, the expenses to be reimbursed by each Fund; provided, however, that such expenses shall not exceed levels that are fair and reasonable in light of the usual and customary charges made by others for services of the same nature and quality. The Reimbursement shall be calculated and paid monthly in arrears.

C-1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our reports dated July 23, 2009, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appear in the May 31, 2009 Annual Reports to Shareholders of John Hancock Government Income Fund, John Hancock High Yield Fund, John Hancock Bond Fund, John Hancock Investment Grade Bond Fund, and John Strategic Income Fund, which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Financial Highlights” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
September 22, 2009

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
CLASS A SHARES
DISTRIBUTION PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
July 1, 2009
     WHEREAS, John Hancock Strategic Series (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and offers for public sale shares of beneficial interest in several series (each series a “Fund”);
     WHEREAS, the shares of beneficial interest of each Fund are divided into one or more classes, one of which is designated Class A;
     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Class A shares, and the Board of Trustees has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of said plan will benefit Class A and its shareholders; and
     WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds, LLC (“John Hancock”) pursuant to which John Hancock has agreed to serve as Distributor of the Class A shares of each Fund of the Trust;
     NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust, with respect to the Class A shares, hereby adopts this Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (“Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions:
     1. This Plan applies to the Fund(s) listed on Schedule A.
     2. A. The Class A shares of each Fund shall pay to John Hancock, as compensation for distribution of Class A shares and/or for providing services to Class A shareholders, a fee at the rate specified for that Fund on Schedule A, such fee to be calculated and accrued and paid daily or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine.
          B. The distribution and service fees payable hereunder are payable without regard to the aggregate amount that may be paid over the years, provided that , so long as the limitations set forth in Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules (“Rule 2830”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.) remain in effect and apply to recipients of payments made under this Plan, the amounts paid hereunder shall not exceed those limitations, including permissible interest. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan may be excluded in determining whether expenditures under the Plan exceed the appropriate percentage of new gross assets specified in Rule 2830. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan will not exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.

 


 

     3. A. As Distributor of the Trust’s shares, John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Class A shares of the Funds, including, but not limited to, (i) compensation to selling firms and others (including affiliates of John Hancock) that engage in or support the sale of Class A shares of the Funds; and (ii) marketing, promotional and overhead expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class A shares of the Funds. John Hancock may use service fees to compensate selling firms and others for providing personal and account maintenance services to shareholders.
          B. John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on the administration and servicing of Class A shareholder accounts, including, but not limited to, responding to inquiries from shareholders or their representatives requesting information regarding matters such as shareholder account or transaction status, net asset value of shares, performance, services, plans and options, investment policies, portfolio holdings, and distributions and taxation thereof; and dealing with complaints and correspondence of shareholders; including compensation to organizations and employees who service Class A shareholder accounts, and expenses of such organizations, including overhead and telephone and other communications expenses.
     4. Amounts paid to the John Hancock by Class A shares of the Fund will not be used to pay the expenses incurred with respect to any other class of shares of the Fund; provided, however, that expenses attributable to the Fund as a whole will be allocated, to the extent permitted by law, according to a formula based upon gross sales dollars and/or average daily net assets of each such class, as may be approved from time to time by a vote of a majority of the Trustees. From time to time, a Fund may participate in joint distribution activities with other Funds and the costs of those activities will be borne by each Fund in proportion to the relative net asset value of each such participating Fund.
     5. Each Fund pays, and will continue to pay, a management fee to John Hancock Advisers, LLC (“JHA”) pursuant to a management agreement between the Fund and JHA. It is recognized that JHA may use its management fee revenue, as well as its past profits or its other resources from any other source, to make payments with respect to any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class A shares, including the activities referred to in Paragraph 3 above. To the extent that the payment of management fees by the Fund to JHA should be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class A shares within the meaning of Rule 12b-1, then such payment shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
     6. This Plan shall take effect on July 1, 2009 and shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund for successive periods of one year from its execution for so long as such continuance is specifically approved with respect to such Fund at least annually together with any related agreements, by votes of a majority of both (a) the Board of Trustees of the Trust and (b) those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the “Rule 12b-1 Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting or meetings called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements; and only if the Trustees who approve

2


 

the implementation or continuation of the Plan have reached the conclusion required by Rule 12b-1(e) under the 1940 Act.
     7. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by a Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
     8. This Plan may be terminated without penalty with respect to a Fund at any time (a) by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Class A shares, or (b) upon 60 days’ written notice to John Hancock. John Hancock may terminate the Plan without penalty with respect to any Fund upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund.
     9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees to be paid by any Fund hereunder unless such amendment is approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class A shares of that Fund, and no material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless such amendment is approved in the manner provided in Paragraph 6 hereof for annual approval.
     10. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, shall be committed to the discretion of Trustees who are themselves not interested persons.
     11. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements for a period of not less than six years from the date of expiration of the Plan or agreement, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place; and shall preserve copies of each report made pursuant to Paragraph 5 hereof for a period of not less than six years from the date of such report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

3


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this Plan, as amended, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 as of the day and year set forth below.
         
  JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
 
 
  By:   /s/ Keith F. Hartstein    
    Keith F. Hartstein   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
Agreed and assented to:
JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC
         
     
  By:   /s/ Jeffrey H. Long    
    Jeffrey H. Long   
    Chief Financial Officer   
 
DATE: July 1, 2009

4


 

SCHEDULE A
     Class A shares of the following series of John Hancock Strategic Series are subject to this Plan Pursuant to 12b-1, at the annual fee rates specified:
         
Series   Fee*
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
    0.30 %
 
*   Expressed as a Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets of Class A shares
Dated as of: July 1, 2009

A-1


 

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
CLASS B SHARES
DISTRIBUTION PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
July 1, 2009
     WHEREAS, John Hancock Strategic Series (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and offers for public sale shares of beneficial interest in several series (each series a “Fund”);
     WHEREAS, the shares of beneficial interest of each Fund are divided into one or more classes, one of which is designated Class B;
     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Class B shares, and the Board of Trustees has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of said plan will benefit Class B and its shareholders; and
     WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds, LLC (“John Hancock”) pursuant to which John Hancock has agreed to serve as Distributor of the Class B shares of each Fund of the Trust;
     NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust, with respect to the Class B shares, hereby adopts this Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (“Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions:
     1. This Plan applies to the Fund(s) listed on Schedule A.
     2. A. The Class B shares of each Fund shall pay to John Hancock, as compensation for distribution of Class B shares and/or for providing services to Class B shareholders, a fee at the rate specified for that Fund on Schedule A, such fee to be calculated and accrued and paid daily or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine.
          B. The distribution and service fees payable hereunder are payable without regard to the aggregate amount that may be paid over the years, provided that , so long as the limitations set forth in Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules (“Rule 2830”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.) remain in effect and apply to recipients of payments made under this Plan, the amounts paid hereunder shall not exceed those limitations, including permissible interest. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan may be excluded in determining whether expenditures under the Plan exceed the appropriate percentage of new gross assets specified in Rule 2830. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan will not exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class B shares.

 


 

     3. A. As Distributor of the Trust’s shares, John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Class B shares of the Funds, including, but not limited to, (i) compensation to selling firms and others (including affiliates of John Hancock) that engage in or support the sale of Class B shares of the Funds; and (ii) marketing, promotional and overhead expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class B shares of the Funds. John Hancock may use service fees to compensate selling firms and others for providing personal and account maintenance services to shareholders.
          B. John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on the administration and servicing of Class B shareholder accounts, including, but not limited to, responding to inquiries from shareholders or their representatives requesting information regarding matters such as shareholder account or transaction status, net asset value of shares, performance, services, plans and options, investment policies, portfolio holdings, and distributions and taxation thereof; and dealing with complaints and correspondence of shareholders; including compensation to organizations and employees who service Class B shareholder accounts, and expenses of such organizations, including overhead and telephone and other communications expenses.
     4. Amounts paid to the John Hancock by Class B shares of the Fund will not be used to pay the expenses incurred with respect to any other class of shares of the Fund; provided, however, that expenses attributable to the Fund as a whole will be allocated, to the extent permitted by law, according to a formula based upon gross sales dollars and/or average daily net assets of each such class, as may be approved from time to time by a vote of a majority of the Trustees. From time to time, a Fund may participate in joint distribution activities with other Funds and the costs of those activities will be borne by each Fund in proportion to the relative net asset value of each such participating Fund.
     5. Each Fund pays, and will continue to pay, a management fee to John Hancock Advisers, LLC (“JHA”) pursuant to a management agreement between the Fund and JHA. It is recognized that JHA may use its management fee revenue, as well as its past profits or its other resources from any other source, to make payments with respect to any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class B shares, including the activities referred to in Paragraph 3 above. To the extent that the payment of management fees by the Fund to JHA should be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class B shares within the meaning of Rule 12b-1, then such payment shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
     6. This Plan shall take effect on July 1, 2009 and shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund for successive periods of one year from its execution for so long as such continuance is specifically approved with respect to such Fund at least annually together with any related agreements, by votes of a majority of both (a) the Board of Trustees of the Trust and (b) those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the “Rule 12b-1 Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting or meetings called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements; and only if the Trustees who approve

2


 

the implementation or continuation of the Plan have reached the conclusion required by Rule 12b-1(e) under the 1940 Act.
     7. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by a Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
     8. This Plan may be terminated without penalty with respect to a Fund at any time (a) by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Class B shares, or (b) upon 60 days’ written notice to John Hancock. John Hancock may terminate the Plan without penalty with respect to any Fund upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund.
     9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees to be paid by any Fund hereunder unless such amendment is approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class B shares of that Fund, and no material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless such amendment is approved in the manner provided in Paragraph 6 hereof for annual approval.
     10. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, shall be committed to the discretion of Trustees who are themselves not interested persons.
     11. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements for a period of not less than six years from the date of expiration of the Plan or agreement, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place; and shall preserve copies of each report made pursuant to Paragraph 5 hereof for a period of not less than six years from the date of such report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

3


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this Plan, as amended, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 as of the day and year set forth below.
         
  JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
 
 
  By:   /s/ Keith F. Hartstein    
    Keith F. Hartstein   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
         
  Agreed and assented to:

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ Jeffrey H. Long    
    Jeffrey H. Long   
    Chief Financial Officer   
 
DATE: July 1, 2009

4


 

SCHEDULE A
     Class B shares of the following series of John Hancock Strategic Series are subject to this Plan Pursuant to 12b-1, at the annual fee rates specified:
         
Series   Fee*
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
    1.00 %
 
*   Expressed as a Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets of Class B shares
Dated as of: July 1, 2009

A-1


 

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
CLASS C SHARES
DISTRIBUTION PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
July 1, 2009
     WHEREAS, John Hancock Strategic Series (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and offers for public sale shares of beneficial interest in several series (each series a “Fund”);
     WHEREAS, the shares of beneficial interest of each Fund are divided into one or more classes, one of which is designated Class C;
     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Class C shares, and the Board of Trustees has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of said plan will benefit Class C and its shareholders; and
     WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds, LLC (“John Hancock”) pursuant to which John Hancock has agreed to serve as Distributor of the Class C shares of each Fund of the Trust;
     NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust, with respect to the Class C shares, hereby adopts this Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (“Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions:
     1. This Plan applies to the Fund(s) listed on Schedule A.
     2. A. The Class C shares of each Fund shall pay to John Hancock, as compensation for distribution of Class C shares and/or for providing services to Class C shareholders, a fee at the rate specified for that Fund on Schedule A, such fee to be calculated and accrued and paid daily or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine.
          B. The distribution and service fees payable hereunder are payable without regard to the aggregate amount that may be paid over the years, provided that , so long as the limitations set forth in Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules (“Rule 2830”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.) remain in effect and apply to recipients of payments made under this Plan, the amounts paid hereunder shall not exceed those limitations, including permissible interest. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan may be excluded in determining whether expenditures under the Plan exceed the appropriate percentage of new gross assets specified in Rule 2830. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan will not exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares.

 


 

     3. A. As Distributor of the Trust’s shares, John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Class C shares of the Funds, including, but not limited to, (i) compensation to selling firms and others (including affiliates of John Hancock) that engage in or support the sale of Class C shares of the Funds; and (ii) marketing, promotional and overhead expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class C shares of the Funds. John Hancock may use service fees to compensate selling firms and others for providing personal and account maintenance services to shareholders.
          B. John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on the administration and servicing of Class C shareholder accounts, including, but not limited to, responding to inquiries from shareholders or their representatives requesting information regarding matters such as shareholder account or transaction status, net asset value of shares, performance, services, plans and options, investment policies, portfolio holdings, and distributions and taxation thereof; and dealing with complaints and correspondence of shareholders; including compensation to organizations and employees who service Class C shareholder accounts, and expenses of such organizations, including overhead and telephone and other communications expenses.
     4. Amounts paid to the John Hancock by Class C shares of the Fund will not be used to pay the expenses incurred with respect to any other class of shares of the Fund; provided, however, that expenses attributable to the Fund as a whole will be allocated, to the extent permitted by law, according to a formula based upon gross sales dollars and/or average daily net assets of each such class, as may be approved from time to time by a vote of a majority of the Trustees. From time to time, a Fund may participate in joint distribution activities with other Funds and the costs of those activities will be borne by each Fund in proportion to the relative net asset value of each such participating Fund.
     5. Each Fund pays, and will continue to pay, a management fee to John Hancock Advisers, LLC (“JHA”) pursuant to a management agreement between the Fund and JHA. It is recognized that JHA may use its management fee revenue, as well as its past profits or its other resources from any other source, to make payments with respect to any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class C shares, including the activities referred to in Paragraph 3 above. To the extent that the payment of management fees by the Fund to JHA should be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class C shares within the meaning of Rule 12b-1, then such payment shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
     6. This Plan shall take effect on July 1, 2009 and shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund for successive periods of one year from its execution for so long as such continuance is specifically approved with respect to such Fund at least annually together with any related agreements, by votes of a majority of both (a) the Board of Trustees of the Trust and (b) those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the “Rule 12b-1 Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting or meetings called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements; and only if the Trustees who approve

2


 

the implementation or continuation of the Plan have reached the conclusion required by Rule 12b-1(e) under the 1940 Act.
     7. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by a Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
     8. This Plan may be terminated without penalty with respect to a Fund at any time (a) by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Class C shares, or (b) upon 60 days’ written notice to John Hancock. John Hancock may terminate the Plan without penalty with respect to any Fund upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund.
     9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees to be paid by any Fund hereunder unless such amendment is approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class C shares of that Fund, and no material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless such amendment is approved in the manner provided in Paragraph 6 hereof for annual approval.
     10. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, shall be committed to the discretion of Trustees who are themselves not interested persons.
     11. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements for a period of not less than six years from the date of expiration of the Plan or agreement, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place; and shall preserve copies of each report made pursuant to Paragraph 5 hereof for a period of not less than six years from the date of such report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

3


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this Plan, as amended, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 as of the day and year set forth below.
         
  JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
 
 
  By:   /s/ Keith F. Hartstein    
    Keith F. Hartstein   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
         
  Agreed and assented to:

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ Jeffrey H. Long    
    Jeffrey H. Long   
    Chief Financial Officer   
 
DATE: July 1, 2009

4


 

SCHEDULE A
     Class C shares of the following series of John Hancock Strategic Series are subject to this Plan Pursuant to 12b-1, at the annual fee rates specified:
         
Series   Fee*
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
    1.00 %
 
*   Expressed as a Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets of Class C shares
Dated as of: July 1, 2009

A-1

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
CLASS R3 SHARES
DISTRIBUTION PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
May 1, 2009
     WHEREAS, John Hancock Strategic Series (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and offers for public sale shares of beneficial interest in several series (each series a “Fund”);
     WHEREAS, the shares of beneficial interest of each Fund are divided into one or more classes, one of which is designated Class R3;
     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Class R3 shares, and the Board of Trustees has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of said plan will benefit the Class R3 and its shareholders; and
     WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds, LLC (“John Hancock”) pursuant to which John Hancock has agreed to serve as Distributor of the Class R3 shares of each Fund of the Trust;
     NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust, with respect to the Class R3 shares, hereby adopts this Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (“Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions:
     1. This Plan applies to the Fund(s) listed on Schedule A.
     2. A. The Class R3 shares of each Fund shall pay to John Hancock, as compensation for distribution of Class R3 shares and/or for providing services to Class R3 shareholders, a fee at the rate specified for that Fund on Schedule A, such fee to be calculated and accrued and paid daily or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine.
          B. The distribution and service fees payable hereunder are payable without regard to the aggregate amount that may be paid over the years, provided that , so long as the limitations set forth in Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules (“Rule 2830”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.) remain in effect and apply to recipients of payments made under this Plan, the amounts paid hereunder shall not exceed those limitations, including permissible interest. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan may be excluded in determining whether expenditures under the Plan exceed the appropriate percentage of new gross assets specified in Rule 2830. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan will not exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R3 shares.

 


 

     3. A. As Distributor of the Trust’s shares, John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Class R3 shares of the Funds, including, but not limited to, (i) compensation to selling firms and others (including affiliates of John Hancock) that engage in or support the sale of Class R3 shares of the Funds; and (ii) marketing, promotional and overhead expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class R3 shares of the Funds. John Hancock may use service fees to compensate selling firms and others for providing personal and account maintenance services to shareholders.
          B. John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on the administration and servicing of Class R3 shareholder accounts, including, but not limited to, responding to inquiries from shareholders or their representatives requesting information regarding matters such as shareholder account or transaction status, net asset value of shares, performance, services, plans and options, investment policies, portfolio holdings, and distributions and taxation thereof; and dealing with complaints and correspondence of shareholders; including compensation to organizations and employees who service Class R3 shareholder accounts, and expenses of such organizations, including overhead and telephone and other communications expenses.
     4. Amounts paid to the John Hancock by Class R3 shares of the Fund will not be used to pay the expenses incurred with respect to any other class of shares of the Fund; provided, however, that expenses attributable to the Fund as a whole will be allocated, to the extent permitted by law, according to a formula based upon gross sales dollars and/or average daily net assets of each such class, as may be approved from time to time by a vote of a majority of the Trustees. From time to time, a Fund may participate in joint distribution activities with other Funds and the costs of those activities will be borne by each Fund in proportion to the relative net asset value of each such participating Fund.
     5. Each Fund pays, and will continue to pay, a management fee to John Hancock Advisers, LLC (“JHA”) pursuant to a management agreement between the Fund and JHA. It is recognized that JHA may use its management fee revenue, as well as its past profits or its other resources from any other source, to make payments with respect to any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class R3 shares, including the activities referred to in Paragraph 3 above. To the extent that the payment of management fees by the Fund to JHA should be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class R3 share within the meaning of Rule 12b-1, then such payment shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
     6. This Plan shall take effect on May 1, 2009 and shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund for successive periods of one year from its execution for so long as such continuance is specifically approved with respect to such Fund at least annually together with any related agreements, by votes of a majority of both (a) the Board of Trustees of the Trust and (b) those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the “Rule 12b-1 Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting or meetings called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements; and only if the Trustees who approve

2


 

the implementation or continuation of the Plan have reached the conclusion required by Rule 12b-1(e) under the 1940 Act.
     7. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by a Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
     8. This Plan may be terminated without penalty with respect to a Fund at any time (a) by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Class R3 shares, or (b) upon 60 days’ written notice to John Hancock. John Hancock may terminate the Plan without penalty with respect to any Fund upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund.
     9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees to be paid by any Fund hereunder unless such amendment is approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class R3 shares of that Fund, and no material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless such amendment is approved in the manner provided in Paragraph 6 hereof for annual approval.
     10. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, shall be committed to the discretion of Trustees who are themselves not interested persons.
     11. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements for a period of not less than six years from the date of expiration of the Plan or agreement, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place; and shall preserve copies of each report made pursuant to Paragraph 5 hereof for a period of not less than six years from the date of such report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

3


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 as of the day and year set forth below.
         
  JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael J. Leary  
    Michael J. Leary   
    Treasurer   
 
         
Agreed and assented to:

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC
   
 
       
By:
  /s/ Keith F. Hartstein    
 
  Keith F. Hartstein    
 
  President and Chief Executive Officer    
DATE: May 1, 2009

4


 

SCHEDULE A
     Class R3 shares of the following series of John Hancock Strategic Series are subject to this Plan Pursuant to 12b-1, at the annual fee rates specified:
         
Series   Fee*
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
    0.50 %
 
*   Expressed as a Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets of Class R3 shares
Dated as of: May 1, 2009

A-1


 

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
CLASS R4 SHARES
DISTRIBUTION PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
May 1, 2009
     WHEREAS, John Hancock Strategic Series (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and offers for public sale shares of beneficial interest in several series (each series a “Fund”);
     WHEREAS, the shares of beneficial interest of each Fund are divided into one or more classes, one of which is designated Class R4;
     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Class R4 shares, and the Board of Trustees has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of said plan will benefit the Class R4 and its shareholders; and
     WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds, LLC (“John Hancock”) pursuant to which John Hancock has agreed to serve as Distributor of the Class R4 shares of each Fund of the Trust;
     NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust, with respect to the Class R4 shares, hereby adopts this Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (“Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions:
     1. This Plan applies to the Fund(s) listed on Schedule A.
     2. A. The Class R4 shares of each Fund shall pay to John Hancock, as compensation for distribution of Class R4 shares and/or for providing services to Class R4 shareholders, a fee at the rate specified for that Fund on Schedule A, such fee to be calculated and accrued and paid daily or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine.
          B. The distribution and service fees payable hereunder are payable without regard to the aggregate amount that may be paid over the years, provided that , so long as the limitations set forth in Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules (“Rule 2830”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.) remain in effect and apply to recipients of payments made under this Plan, the amounts paid hereunder shall not exceed those limitations, including permissible interest. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan may be excluded in determining whether expenditures under the Plan exceed the appropriate percentage of new gross assets specified in Rule 2830. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan will not exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R4 shares.

 


 

     3. A. As Distributor of the Trust’s shares, John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Class R4 shares of the Funds, including, but not limited to, (i) compensation to selling firms and others (including affiliates of John Hancock) that engage in or support the sale of Class R4 shares of the Funds; and (ii) marketing, promotional and overhead expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class R4 shares of the Funds. John Hancock may use service fees to compensate selling firms and others for providing personal and account maintenance services to shareholders.
          B. John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on the administration and servicing of Class R4 shareholder accounts, including, but not limited to, responding to inquiries from shareholders or their representatives requesting information regarding matters such as shareholder account or transaction status, net asset value of shares, performance, services, plans and options, investment policies, portfolio holdings, and distributions and taxation thereof; and dealing with complaints and correspondence of shareholders; including compensation to organizations and employees who service Class R4 shareholder accounts, and expenses of such organizations, including overhead and telephone and other communications expenses.
     4. Amounts paid to the John Hancock by Class R4 shares of the Fund will not be used to pay the expenses incurred with respect to any other class of shares of the Fund; provided, however, that expenses attributable to the Fund as a whole will be allocated, to the extent permitted by law, according to a formula based upon gross sales dollars and/or average daily net assets of each such class, as may be approved from time to time by a vote of a majority of the Trustees. From time to time, a Fund may participate in joint distribution activities with other Funds and the costs of those activities will be borne by each Fund in proportion to the relative net asset value of each such participating Fund.
     5. Each Fund pays, and will continue to pay, a management fee to John Hancock Advisers, LLC (“JHA”) pursuant to a management agreement between the Fund and JHA. It is recognized that JHA may use its management fee revenue, as well as its past profits or its other resources from any other source, to make payments with respect to any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class R4 shares, including the activities referred to in Paragraph 3 above. To the extent that the payment of management fees by the Fund to JHA should be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class R4 share within the meaning of Rule 12b-1, then such payment shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
     6. This Plan shall take effect on May 1, 2009 and shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund for successive periods of one year from its execution for so long as such continuance is specifically approved with respect to such Fund at least annually together with any related agreements, by votes of a majority of both (a) the Board of Trustees of the Trust and (b) those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the “Rule 12b-1 Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting or meetings called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements; and only if the Trustees who approve

2


 

the implementation or continuation of the Plan have reached the conclusion required by Rule 12b-1(e) under the 1940 Act.
     7. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by a Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
     8. This Plan may be terminated without penalty with respect to a Fund at any time (a) by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Class R4 shares, or (b) upon 60 days’ written notice to John Hancock. John Hancock may terminate the Plan without penalty with respect to any Fund upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund.
     9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees to be paid by any Fund hereunder unless such amendment is approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class R4 shares of that Fund, and no material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless such amendment is approved in the manner provided in Paragraph 6 hereof for annual approval.
     10. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, shall be committed to the discretion of Trustees who are themselves not interested persons.
     11. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements for a period of not less than six years from the date of expiration of the Plan or agreement, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place; and shall preserve copies of each report made pursuant to Paragraph 5 hereof for a period of not less than six years from the date of such report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

3


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 as of the day and year set forth below.
         
  JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael J. Leary  
    Michael J. Leary   
    Treasurer   
 
         
Agreed and assented to:

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC
   
 
       
By:
  /s/ Keith F. Hartstein    
 
  Keith F. Hartstein    
 
  President and Chief Executive Officer    
DATE: May 1, 2009

4


 

SCHEDULE A
     Class R4 shares of the following series of John Hancock Strategic Series are subject to this Plan Pursuant to 12b-1, at the annual fee rates specified:
         
Series   Fee*
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
    0.25 %
 
*   Expressed as a Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets of Class R4 shares
Dated as of: May 1, 2009

A-1


 

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
CLASS R5 SHARES
DISTRIBUTION PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1
May 1, 2009
     WHEREAS, John Hancock Strategic Series (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), and offers for public sale shares of beneficial interest in several series (each series a “Fund”);
     WHEREAS, the shares of beneficial interest of each Fund are divided into one or more classes, one of which is designated Class R5;
     WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Class R5 shares, and the Board of Trustees has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of said plan will benefit the Class R5 and its shareholders; and
     WHEREAS, the Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement with John Hancock Funds, LLC (“John Hancock”) pursuant to which John Hancock has agreed to serve as Distributor of the Class R5 shares of each Fund of the Trust;
     NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust, with respect to the Class R5 shares, hereby adopts this Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (“Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions:
     1. This Plan applies to the Fund(s) listed on Schedule A.
     2. A. The Class R5 shares of each Fund shall pay to John Hancock, as compensation for distribution of Class R5 shares and/or for providing services to Class R5 shareholders, a fee at the rate specified for that Fund on Schedule A, such fee to be calculated and accrued and paid daily or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine.
          B. The distribution and service fees payable hereunder are payable without regard to the aggregate amount that may be paid over the years, provided that , so long as the limitations set forth in Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules (“Rule 2830”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.) remain in effect and apply to recipients of payments made under this Plan, the amounts paid hereunder shall not exceed those limitations, including permissible interest. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan may be excluded in determining whether expenditures under the Plan exceed the appropriate percentage of new gross assets specified in Rule 2830. Amounts expended in support of the activities described in Paragraph 3.B. of this Plan will not exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R5 shares.

 


 

     3. A. As Distributor of the Trust’s shares, John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Class R5 shares of the Funds, including, but not limited to, (i) compensation to selling firms and others (including affiliates of John Hancock) that engage in or support the sale of Class R5 shares of the Funds; and (ii) marketing, promotional and overhead expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class R5 shares of the Funds. John Hancock may use service fees to compensate selling firms and others for providing personal and account maintenance services to shareholders.
          B. John Hancock may spend such amounts as it deems appropriate on the administration and servicing of Class R5 shareholder accounts, including, but not limited to, responding to inquiries from shareholders or their representatives requesting information regarding matters such as shareholder account or transaction status, net asset value of shares, performance, services, plans and options, investment policies, portfolio holdings, and distributions and taxation thereof; and dealing with complaints and correspondence of shareholders; including compensation to organizations and employees who service Class R5 shareholder accounts, and expenses of such organizations, including overhead and telephone and other communications expenses.
     4. Amounts paid to the John Hancock by Class R5 shares of the Fund will not be used to pay the expenses incurred with respect to any other class of shares of the Fund; provided, however, that expenses attributable to the Fund as a whole will be allocated, to the extent permitted by law, according to a formula based upon gross sales dollars and/or average daily net assets of each such class, as may be approved from time to time by a vote of a majority of the Trustees. From time to time, a Fund may participate in joint distribution activities with other Funds and the costs of those activities will be borne by each Fund in proportion to the relative net asset value of each such participating Fund.
     5. Each Fund pays, and will continue to pay, a management fee to John Hancock Advisers, LLC (“JHA”) pursuant to a management agreement between the Fund and JHA. It is recognized that JHA may use its management fee revenue, as well as its past profits or its other resources from any other source, to make payments with respect to any expenses incurred in connection with the distribution of Class R5 shares, including the activities referred to in Paragraph 3 above. To the extent that the payment of management fees by the Fund to JHA should be deemed to be indirect financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class R5 share within the meaning of Rule 12b-1, then such payment shall be deemed to be authorized by this Plan.
     6. This Plan shall take effect on May 1, 2009 and shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund for successive periods of one year from its execution for so long as such continuance is specifically approved with respect to such Fund at least annually together with any related agreements, by votes of a majority of both (a) the Board of Trustees of the Trust and (b) those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the “Rule 12b-1 Trustees”), cast in person at a meeting or meetings called for the purpose of voting on this Plan and such related agreements; and only if the Trustees who approve

2


 

the implementation or continuation of the Plan have reached the conclusion required by Rule 12b-1(e) under the 1940 Act.
     7. Any person authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by a Fund pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall provide to the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
     8. This Plan may be terminated without penalty with respect to a Fund at any time (a) by the vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding Class R5 shares, or (b) upon 60 days’ written notice to John Hancock. John Hancock may terminate the Plan without penalty with respect to any Fund upon 60 days’ written notice to the Fund.
     9. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees to be paid by any Fund hereunder unless such amendment is approved by a vote of a majority of the outstanding securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class R5 shares of that Fund, and no material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless such amendment is approved in the manner provided in Paragraph 6 hereof for annual approval.
     10. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, shall be committed to the discretion of Trustees who are themselves not interested persons.
     11. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements for a period of not less than six years from the date of expiration of the Plan or agreement, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place; and shall preserve copies of each report made pursuant to Paragraph 5 hereof for a period of not less than six years from the date of such report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

3


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 as of the day and year set forth below.
         
  JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael J. Leary   
    Michael J. Leary   
    Treasurer   
 
         
Agreed and assented to:

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC
   
 
       
By:
  /s/ Keith F. Hartstein    
 
  Keith F. Hartstein    
 
  President and Chief Executive Officer    
DATE: May 1, 2009

4


 

SCHEDULE A
     Class R5 shares of the following series of John Hancock Strategic Series are subject to this Plan Pursuant to 12b-1, at the annual fee rates specified:
         
Series   Fee*
John Hancock Strategic Income Fund
    0.00 %
 
*   Expressed as a Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets of Class R5 shares
Dated as of: May 1, 2009

A-1

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
CLASS R3 SHARES
Service Plan
May 1, 2009
      Article I. This Plan
     This Service Plan (the “Plan”) sets forth the terms and conditions on which John Hancock Strategic Series (the “Trust”) on behalf of each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”, collectively the “Funds”), on behalf of its Class R3 shares, as applicable, will, after the effective date hereof, pay certain amounts to brokers, plan administrators or other intermediaries (“Service Organizations”) for providing certain account administration services to participants in retirement plans that are beneficial owners of such Class R3 shares. Such compensation may be made directly to such Service Organizations or may be paid to John Hancock Funds, LLC (“JH Funds”) to cover payments that JH Funds has made to Service Organizations on behalf of the Funds. This Plan is not intended to compensate Service Organizations for distribution activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Class R3 shares of the Fund; however, this Plan is being adopted and operated in accordance with Rule 12b-1, as from time to time amended (the “Rule”), under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), in the event that the Plan shall be deemed to constitute the financing of distribution by the Fund of its Class R3 shares.
      Article II. Services and Payments
     Pursuant to the Plan, the Funds may enter into agreements with JH Funds or Service Organizations which administer or provide services to retirement plans that purchase Class R3 shares of the Funds (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements, the Service Organizations may provide, or JH Funds may compensate a Service Organization for providing, one or more of the following services: (a) acting, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder of record and nominee for all plan participants, (b) establishing and maintaining account records for each plan participant that beneficially owns Class R3 shares of a Fund, (c) providing facilities to answer processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Class R3 shares on behalf of plan participants, and handle the transmission of funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds and (d) addressing plan participant questions regarding their accounts and the Funds. In the event that the Service Agreement with a Service Organization does not provide for the provision of one or more of the services listed above, including sub-transfer agent or omnibus account services, the Funds may compensate such Service Organization or one of its affiliates for providing such excluded services pursuant to a separate arrangement between the Funds and the Service Organization.
     The amount of compensation payable to the Service Organization during any one year for services under a Service Agreement adopted under the Plan with respect to Class R3 Shares will not exceed 0.15% of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R3 Shares attributable to such Service Organization. Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee

 


 

Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a Service Organization’s receipt of compensation paid by a Fund in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in Class R3 shares. Service Organizations are urged to consult legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Class R3 shares.
      Article III. Expenses Borne by the Fund
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Trust, each Fund and its investment adviser, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”), shall bear the respective expenses to be borne by them under the Investment Management Contract dated October 8, 2002 , as from time to time continued and amended (the “Advisory Agreement”), and under the Fund’s current prospectus as it is from time to time in effect.
      Article IV. Approval by Trustees, etc.
     This Plan and any related Service Agreements shall not take effect until approved by votes, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such Service Agreements, of a majority (or whatever greater percentage may, from time to time, be required by Section 12(b) of the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder) of (a) all of the Trustees of the Fund and (b) those Trustees of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as such term may be from time to time defined under the Act, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or Service Agreements related to it (the “Independent Trustees”).
      Article V. Continuance
     This Plan and any related Service Agreements shall continue in effect for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in advance in the manner provided for the approval of this Plan in Article IV.
      Article VI. Information
     JH Funds shall furnish the Funds and the Board of Trustees quarterly, or at such other intervals as the Funds shall specify, a written report of payments pursuant to this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made and such other information as the Trustees may request.
      Article VII. Termination
     This Plan may be terminated (a) at any time by vote of a majority of the Trustees, a majority of the Independent Trustees, or a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting Class R3 shares, or (b) by JH Funds on 60 days’ notice in writing to the Fund.
      Article VIII. Agreements
     Each agreement with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in

2


 

writing, and each agreement related to this Plan shall provide:
     (a) That, with respect to a Fund, such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s then outstanding voting Class R3 shares.
     (b) That such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
      Article IX. Amendments
     This Plan may not be amended to increase the maximum amount of the fees payable by the Fund hereunder without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting Class R3 shares of the Fund. No material amendment to the Plan shall, in any event, be effective unless it is approved in the same manner as is provided for approval of this Plan.
      Article X. Limitation of Liability
     The name “John Hancock Strategic Series” is the designation of the Trustees under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated March 8, 2005 as amended and restated from time to time. The Declaration of Trust has been filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The obligations of the Trust and the Funds are not personally binding upon, nor shall resort be had to the private property of, any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the Funds, but only the Funds’ property shall be bound. No series of the Trust shall be responsible for the obligations of any other series of the Trust.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

3


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund has executed this Service Plan effective as of the 1 st day of May 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts.
         
  JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
On behalf of each series of the Trust, as applicable,
 
 
         By:   /s/ Michael J. Leary  
    Michael J. Leary   
    Treasurer   
 
JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC
         
     
  By:   /s/ Keith F. Hartstein  
    Keith F. Hartstein   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 

4


 

JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
CLASS R4 SHARES
Service Plan
May 1, 2009
      Article I. This Plan
     This Service Plan (the “Plan”) sets forth the terms and conditions on which John Hancock Strategic Series (the “Trust”) on behalf of each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”, collectively the “Funds”), on behalf of its Class R4 shares, as applicable, will, after the effective date hereof, pay certain amounts to brokers, plan administrators or other intermediaries (“Service Organizations”) for providing certain account administration services to participants in retirement plans that are beneficial owners of such Class R4 shares. Such compensation may be made directly to such Service Organizations or may be paid to John Hancock Funds, LLC (“JH Funds”) to cover payments that JH Funds has made to Service Organizations on behalf of the Funds. This Plan is not intended to compensate Service Organizations for distribution activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Class R4 shares of the Fund; however, this Plan is being adopted and operated in accordance with Rule 12b-1, as from time to time amended (the “Rule”), under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), in the event that the Plan shall be deemed to constitute the financing of distribution by the Fund of its Class R4 shares.
      Article II. Services and Payments
     Pursuant to the Plan, the Funds may enter into agreements with JH Funds or Service Organizations which administer or provide services to retirement plans that purchase Class R4 shares of the Funds (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements, the Service Organizations may provide, or JH Funds may compensate a Service Organization for providing, one or more of the following services: (a) acting, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder of record and nominee for all plan participants, (b) establishing and maintaining account records for each plan participant that beneficially owns Class R4 shares of a Fund, (c) providing facilities to answer processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Class R4 shares on behalf of plan participants, and handle the transmission of funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds and (d) addressing plan participant questions regarding their accounts and the Funds. In the event that the Service Agreement with a Service Organization does not provide for the provision of one or more of the services listed above, including sub-transfer agent or omnibus account services, the Funds may compensate such Service Organization or one of its affiliates for providing such excluded services pursuant to a separate arrangement between the Funds and the Service Organization.
     The amount of compensation payable to the Service Organization during any one year for services under a Service Agreement adopted under the Plan with respect to Class R4 Shares will not exceed 0.10% of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R4 Shares attributable to such Service Organization. Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee

 


 

Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a Service Organization’s receipt of compensation paid by a Fund in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in Class R4 shares. Service Organizations are urged to consult legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Class R4 shares.
      Article III. Expenses Borne by the Fund
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Trust, each Fund and its investment adviser, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”), shall bear the respective expenses to be borne by them under the Investment Management Contract dated October 8, 2002, as from time to time continued and amended (the “Advisory Agreement”), and under the Fund’s current prospectus as it is from time to time in effect.
      Article IV. Approval by Trustees, etc.
     This Plan and any related Service Agreements shall not take effect until approved by votes, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such Service Agreements, of a majority (or whatever greater percentage may, from time to time, be required by Section 12(b) of the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder) of (a) all of the Trustees of the Fund and (b) those Trustees of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as such term may be from time to time defined under the Act, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or Service Agreements related to it (the “Independent Trustees”).
      Article V. Continuance
     This Plan and any related Service Agreements shall continue in effect for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in advance in the manner provided for the approval of this Plan in Article IV.
      Article VI. Information
     JH Funds shall furnish the Funds and the Board of Trustees quarterly, or at such other intervals as the Funds shall specify, a written report of payments pursuant to this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made and such other information as the Trustees may request.
      Article VII. Termination
     This Plan may be terminated (a) at any time by vote of a majority of the Trustees, a majority of the Independent Trustees, or a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting Class R4 shares, or (b) by JH Funds on 60 days’ notice in writing to the Fund.
      Article VIII. Agreements
     Each agreement with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in

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writing, and each agreement related to this Plan shall provide:
     (a) That, with respect to a Fund, such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s then outstanding voting Class R4 shares.
     (b) That such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
      Article IX. Amendments
     This Plan may not be amended to increase the maximum amount of the fees payable by the Fund hereunder without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting Class R4 shares of the Fund. No material amendment to the Plan shall, in any event, be effective unless it is approved in the same manner as is provided for approval of this Plan.
      Article X. Limitation of Liability
     The name “John Hancock Strategic Series” is the designation of the Trustees under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated March 8, 2005 as amended and restated from time to time. The Declaration of Trust has been filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The obligations of the Trust and the Funds are not personally binding upon, nor shall resort be had to the private property of, any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the Funds, but only the Funds’ property shall be bound. No series of the Trust shall be responsible for the obligations of any other series of the Trust.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund has executed this Service Plan effective as of the 1 st day of May 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts.
         
  JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
On behalf of each series of the Trust, as applicable,
 
 
         By:   /s/ Michael J. Leary  
    Michael J. Leary   
    Treasurer   
 
JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC
         
     
  By:   /s/ Keith F. Hartstein  
    Keith F. Hartstein   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 

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JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
CLASS R5 SHARES
Service Plan
May 1, 2009
      Article I. This Plan
     This Service Plan (the “Plan”) sets forth the terms and conditions on which John Hancock Strategic Series (the “Trust”) on behalf of each series of the Trust (each a “Fund”, collectively the “Funds”), on behalf of its Class R5 shares, as applicable, will, after the effective date hereof, pay certain amounts to brokers, plan administrators or other intermediaries (“Service Organizations”) for providing certain account administration services to participants in retirement plans that are beneficial owners of such Class R5 shares. Such compensation may be made directly to such Service Organizations or may be paid to John Hancock Funds, LLC (“JH Funds”) to cover payments that JH Funds has made to Service Organizations on behalf of the Funds. This Plan is not intended to compensate Service Organizations for distribution activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of Class R5 shares of the Fund; however, this Plan is being adopted and operated in accordance with Rule 12b-1, as from time to time amended (the “Rule”), under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), in the event that the Plan shall be deemed to constitute the financing of distribution by the Fund of its Class R5 shares.
      Article II. Services and Payments
     Pursuant to the Plan, the Funds may enter into agreements with JH Funds or Service Organizations which administer or provide services to retirement plans that purchase Class R5 shares of the Funds (“Service Agreements”). Under such Service Agreements, the Service Organizations may provide, or JH Funds may compensate a Service Organization for providing, one or more of the following services: (a) acting, directly or through an agent, as the shareholder of record and nominee for all plan participants, (b) establishing and maintaining account records for each plan participant that beneficially owns Class R5 shares of a Fund, (c) providing facilities to answer processing orders to purchase, redeem and exchange Class R5 shares on behalf of plan participants, and handle the transmission of funds representing the purchase price or redemption proceeds and (d) addressing plan participant questions regarding their accounts and the Funds. In the event that the Service Agreement with a Service Organization does not provide for the provision of one or more of the services listed above, including sub-transfer agent or omnibus account services, the Funds may compensate such Service Organization or one of its affiliates for providing such excluded services pursuant to a separate arrangement between the Funds and the Service Organization.
     The amount of compensation payable to the Service Organization during any one year for services under a Service Agreement adopted under the Plan with respect to Class R5 Shares will not exceed 0.05% of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R5 Shares attributable to such Service Organization. Conflict of interest restrictions (including the Employee

 


 

Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may apply to a Service Organization’s receipt of compensation paid by a Fund in connection with the investment of fiduciary funds in Class R5 shares. Service Organizations are urged to consult legal advisers before investing fiduciary assets in Class R5 shares.
      Article III. Expenses Borne by the Fund
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Trust, each Fund and its investment adviser, John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”), shall bear the respective expenses to be borne by them under the Investment Management Contract dated October 8, 2002, as from time to time continued and amended (the “Advisory Agreement”), and under the Fund’s current prospectus as it is from time to time in effect.
      Article IV. Approval by Trustees, etc.
     This Plan and any related Service Agreements shall not take effect until approved by votes, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan or such Service Agreements, of a majority (or whatever greater percentage may, from time to time, be required by Section 12(b) of the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder) of (a) all of the Trustees of the Fund and (b) those Trustees of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as such term may be from time to time defined under the Act, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or Service Agreements related to it (the “Independent Trustees”).
      Article V. Continuance
     This Plan and any related Service Agreements shall continue in effect for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in advance in the manner provided for the approval of this Plan in Article IV.
      Article VI. Information
     JH Funds shall furnish the Funds and the Board of Trustees quarterly, or at such other intervals as the Funds shall specify, a written report of payments pursuant to this Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made and such other information as the Trustees may request.
      Article VII. Termination
     This Plan may be terminated (a) at any time by vote of a majority of the Trustees, a majority of the Independent Trustees, or a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting Class R5 shares, or (b) by JH Funds on 60 days’ notice in writing to the Fund.
      Article VIII. Agreements
     Each agreement with any person relating to implementation of this Plan shall be in

2


 

writing, and each agreement related to this Plan shall provide:
     (a) That, with respect to a Fund, such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s then outstanding voting Class R5 shares.
     (b) That such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
      Article IX. Amendments
     This Plan may not be amended to increase the maximum amount of the fees payable by the Fund hereunder without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting Class R5 shares of the Fund. No material amendment to the Plan shall, in any event, be effective unless it is approved in the same manner as is provided for approval of this Plan.
      Article X. Limitation of Liability
     The name “John Hancock Strategic Series” is the designation of the Trustees under the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated March 8, 2005 as amended and restated from time to time. The Declaration of Trust has been filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The obligations of the Trust and the Funds are not personally binding upon, nor shall resort be had to the private property of, any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the Funds, but only the Funds’ property shall be bound. No series of the Trust shall be responsible for the obligations of any other series of the Trust.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund has executed this Service Plan effective as of the 1 st day of May 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts.
         
  JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES
On behalf of each series of the Trust, as applicable,
 
 
  By:   /s/ Michael J. Leary  
    Michael J. Leary   
    Treasurer   
 
JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS, LLC
         
     
  By:   /s/ Keith F. Hartstein  
    Keith F. Hartstein   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 

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Open-end Funds
John Hancock Bond Trust
John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund
John Hancock Capital Series
John Hancock Current Interest
John Hancock Equity Trust
John Hancock Funds III
John Hancock Investment Trust
John Hancock Investment Trust II
John Hancock Investment Trust III
John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust
John Hancock Series Trust
John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund
John Hancock Strategic Series
John Hancock Tax-Exempt Series Trust
John Hancock World Fund
Closed-end Funds
John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund
John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund
Power of Attorney
     The undersigned Trustees of each of the above listed Trusts, each a Massachusetts business trust, does hereby severally constitute and appoint THOMAS M. KINZLER, BETSY ANNE SEEL, DAVID D. BARR, KINGA KAPUSCINSKI AND NICHOLAS J. KOLOKITHAS, and each acting singly, to be my true, sufficient and lawful attorneys, with full power to each of them, and each acting singly, to sign for me, in my name and in the capacity indicated below, any Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be filed by the Trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and any and all amendments to said Registration Statements, with respect to the offering of shares and any and all other documents and papers relating thereto, and generally to do all such things in my name and on my behalf in the capacity indicated to enable the Trust to comply with the 1940 Act and the 1933 Act, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming my signature as it may be signed by said attorneys or each of them to any such Registration Statements and any and all amendments thereto.
(THE REMAINDER OF THIS SPACE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

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N-1A Power of Attorney
     IN WITNESS HEREOF, I have hereunder set my hand on this instrument as of the 7 th day of May 2009.
             
/s/ James R. Boyle
 
James R. Boyle
      /s/ PattiMcGill Peterson
 
Patti McGill Peterson
   
 
           
/s/ James F. Carlin
      /s/ John A. Moore    
 
           
James F. Carlin
      John A. Moore    
 
           
/s/ William H. Cunningham
      /s/ Steven R. Pruchansky    
 
           
William H. Cunningham
      Steven R. Pruchansky    
 
           
/s/ Deborah C. Jackson
      /s/ Gregory A. Russo    
 
           
Deborah C. Jackson
      Gregory A. Russo    
 
           
/s/ Charles L. Ladner
      /s/ John G. Vrysen    
 
           
Charles L. Ladner
      John G. Vrysen    
 
           
/s/ Stanley Martin
           
Stanley Martin
           

2