JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS II

JOHN HANCOCK EXCHANGE-TRADED FUND TRUST

SARBANES-OXLEY CODE OF ETHICS

FOR

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE, PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER & TREASURER

I.Covered Officers/Purpose of the Code

This code of ethics (this "Code") for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust, John Hancock Funds1, and John Hancock Funds II, John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust and, each a registered management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"), which may issue shares in separate and distinct series (each investment company and series thereunder to be hereinafter referred to as a "Fund"), applies to each Fund's Principal Executive Officer ("President"), Principal Financial Officer ("Chief Financial Officer") and Treasurer ("Treasurer") (the "Covered Officers" as set forth in Exhibit A) for the purpose of promoting:

honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Fund files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and in other public communications made by the Fund;

compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations;

the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and

accountability for adherence to the Code.

1John Hancock Funds includes the following trusts: John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund; John Hancock Bond Trust; John Hancock California Tax-Free Income Fund; John Hancock Capital Series; John Hancock Funds III; John Hancock Income Securities Trust; John Hancock Investment Trust; John Hancock Investment Trust II; John Hancock Investors Trust; John Hancock Municipal Securities Trust; John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund ; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II; John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III; John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund; John Hancock Strategic Series; John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund; John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund; John Hancock Hedged Equity and Income Fund; and John Hancock Collateral Trust.

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Each of the Covered Officers should adhere to a high standard of business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest.

II.Covered Officers Should Handle Ethically Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest Overview

A "conflict of interest" occurs when a Covered Officer's private interest interferes with the interests of, or his service to, the Fund. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his position with the Fund. Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between the Covered Officers and the Fund and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Advisers Act"). For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with the Fund because of their status as "affiliated persons" of the Fund. Each of the Covered Officers is an officer or employee of the investment adviser or a service provider ("Service Provider") to the Fund. The Fund's, the investment adviser's and the Service Provider's compliance programs and procedures are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat or replace these programs and procedures, and such conflicts fall outside of the parameters of this Code.

Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between the Fund and the investment adviser and the Service Provider of which the Covered Officers are also officers or employees. As a result, this Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for the Fund, for the investment adviser or for the Service Provider), be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions which will have different effects on the investment adviser, the Service Provider and the Fund. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between the Fund and the investment adviser and the Service Provider and is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Fund. Thus, if such participation is performed in conformity with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, it will be deemed to have been handled ethically. In addition, it is recognized by the Fund's Board of Trustees/Directors (the "Board") that the Covered Officers may also be officers or employees of one or more other investment companies covered by other Codes.

Other conflicts of interest are covered by the Code, even if such conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act. The following list provides examples of conflicts of interest under the Code, but the Covered Officers should keep in mind that these examples are not exhaustive. The overarching principle is that the personal interest of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before the interest of the Fund.

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Each Covered Officer must:

not use his/her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by the Fund whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Fund;

not cause the Fund to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than for the benefit of the Fund; and

not use material non-public knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for the Fund to trade personally or cause others to trade personally in contemplation of the market effect of such transactions.

Additionally, conflicts of interest may arise in other situations, the propriety of which may be discussed, if material, with the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO"). Examples of these include:

serve as a director/trustee on the board of any public or private company;

the receipt of any non-nominal gifts;

the receipt of any entertainment from any company with which the Fund has current or prospective business dealings unless such entertainment is business-related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as to raise any question of impropriety (or other formulation as the Fund already uses in another code of conduct);

any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Fund's service providers, other than its investment adviser, any sub-adviser, principal underwriter, administrator or any affiliated person thereof; and

a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by the Fund for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Covered Officer's employment, such as compensation or equity ownership.

III.Disclosure & Compliance

Each Covered Officer should familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Fund;

Each Covered Officer should not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Fund to others, whether within or outside the Fund, including to the Fund's directors and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self- regulatory organizations;

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Each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within his/her area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Fund and the Fund's adviser or any sub-adviser with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Fund files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Fund; and

It is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote compliance with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

IV. Reporting & Accountability

Each Covered Officer must:

upon adoption of the Code (or thereafter as applicable, upon becoming an Covered Officer), affirm in writing to the Fund's CCO that he/she has received, read, and understands the Code;

annually thereafter affirm to the Fund's CCO that he/she has complied with the requirements of the Code;

not retaliate against any employee or Covered Officer or their affiliated persons for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith;

notify the Fund's CCO promptly if he/she knows of any violation of this Code (Note: failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code); and

report at least annually any change in his/her affiliations from the prior year.

The Fund's CCO is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. However, any approvals or waivers sought by the Principal Executive Officer will be considered by the Fund's Board or the Compliance Committee thereof (the "Committee").

The Fund will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code:

the Fund's CCO will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to him/her;

if, after such investigation, the CCO believes that no violation has occurred, the CCO is not required to take any further action;

any matter that the CCO believes is a violation will be reported to the Board or, if applicable, Compliance Committee;

if the Board or, if applicable, Compliance Committee concurs that a violation has occurred, the Board, either upon its determination of a violation or upon

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recommendation of the Compliance Committee, if applicable, will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures; notification to appropriate personnel of the Service Provider or the investment adviser or its board; or a recommendation to dismiss the Registrant's Executive Officer;

the Board, or if applicable the Compliance Committee, will be responsible for granting waivers, as appropriate; and

any changes to or waivers of this Code will, to the extent required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules.

V.Other Policies & Procedures

This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Fund for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and forms applicable to registered investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Fund, the Fund's adviser, any sub- adviser, principal underwriter or other service providers govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of the Covered Officers who are subject to this Code, they are superseded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code. The Fund's and its investment adviser's codes of ethics under Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act, respectively, are separate requirements applying to the Covered Officers and others and are not part of this Code.

VI. Amendments

Any amendments to this Code, other than amendments to Exhibit A, must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Fund's Board, including a majority of independent directors.

VII. Confidentiality

All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the Fund's Board and its counsel, the investment adviser and the relevant Service Providers.

VIII. Internal Use

The Code is intended solely for the internal use by the Fund and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of the Fund, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion.

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Exhibit A

Persons Covered by this Code of Ethics

(As of December 31, 2020)

John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust

Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott

Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo

Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

John Hancock Funds

Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott

Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo

Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

John Hancock Funds II

Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott

Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo

Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

John Hancock Exchange-Traded Trust

Principal Executive Officer and President – Andrew Arnott

Principal Financial Officer and Chief Financial Officer – Charles Rizzo

Treasurer – Salvatore Schiavone

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CERTIFICATION

I, Andrew Arnott, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (the "registrant");

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

CERTIFICATION

I, Charles A. Rizzo, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (the "registrant");

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of

the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

In connection with the attached Report of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (the "registrant") on Form N-CSR to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), each of the undersigned officers of the registrant does hereby certify that, to the best of such officer's knowledge:

1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.

/s/ Andrew Arnott Andrew Arnott President

Dated: December 8, 2021

/s/ Charles A. Rizzo Charles A. Rizzo  Chief Financial Officer

Dated: December 8, 2021

A signed original of this written statement, required by Section 906, has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

*These certifications are being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and are not being filed as part of this Form N-CSR or as a separate disclosure document.

Proxy Voting Policy

Background

Manulife Asset Management ("MAM" or the "Firm")* represents investment advisors registered in certain countries as appropriate to support the broader Manulife Asset Management discretionary advisory business.

Applicable rules may require an investment advisor to (i) adopt proxy policies reasonably designed to seek to ensure the advisor votes proxies in the best interests of its clients, including addressing material conflicts of interest; (ii) disclose to clients information about its proxy policies; and (iii) maintain certain records relating to proxy voting. These requirements are designed to minimize conflicts of interest and to seek to ensure greater transparency in the voting of proxies.

MAMhasadopteda proxyvotingpolicyandprocedurestoseek toensureproxiesarevotedin thebestinterestsof its clients anditsproxyvotingactivitiesadheretotherequirementsofallapplicablerulesandgeneralfiduciaryprinciples. WhereMAM is granted and accepts responsibility for voting proxies for client accounts, it will take reasonable steps to seek to ensure proxies are received and voted in the best interest of the client with a view to enhance the value of the shares of equity securities held in clientaccounts.

MAM has contracted with Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS) an independent third party service provider, to vote clients'proxies. TheFirmhasadoptedISSproxyvotingrecommendationsandestablishedcorrespondingFirmProxyVoting guidelines. Proxies will be voted in accordance with the voting recommendations contained in the applicable domestic or global ISS Proxy Voting Manual, as in effect from time to time. Except in instances where a MAM's client retains voting authority, MAM will instruct custodians of client accounts to forward all proxy statements and materials received in respect of client accounts to ISS.

MAM has engaged ISS as its proxy voting agent to:

1.research and make voting recommendations or, for matters for which Manulife Asset Management has so delegated, to make the voting determinations;

2.ensure proxies are voted and submitted in a timely manner;

3.handle other administrative functions of proxyvoting;

4.maintain records of proxy statements received in connection with proxy votes and provide copies of such proxy statements promptly upon request;

5.maintainrecords ofvotes cast; and

6.provide recommendations with respect to proxy voting matters in general.

*Refer to Appendix of Affiliated MAM entities that have adopted this policy

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Policy Administration, Oversight and Governance

MAM's Proxy Voting Team is responsible for administering and implementing the Proxy Voting Policy, including the proper oversight of ISS and any other service providers hired by the Firm to assist it in the proxy voting process.

Proxy Voting Team is responsible for administering the proxy voting process, including:

1.Implementing and updating the applicable domestic and global ISS proxy voting guidelines;

2.Coordinating and overseeing the proxy voting process performed by ISS; and

3.Providing periodic reports to the Brokerage Practices Committee (BPC), Operating Committee, the Chief Compliance Officer, Advisory Clients or any other persons/committee as deemed appropriate.

Proper oversight of the vendor will include periodic due diligence of the vendor including its' industry reputation, risk, compliance and technology infrastructure and the vendor's ability to meet the Firm's requirements relative to reporting and other service requirements including; assessing the adequacy and quality of the proxy advisory firm's staffing and personnel;andassessingwhethertheproxyadvisoryfirmhasrobustpoliciesandproceduresthatenableittomakeproxy voting recommendations based on current and accurate information and to identify and address conflicts of interest relating to its voting recommendations.

All proxies received on behalf of Clients are forwarded to ISS. Any MAM employee that receives a client's proxy statement should therefore notify Proxy Voting Team and arrange for immediate delivery to ISS.

In addition to voting proxies, MAM:

1.describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients in the relevant or required disclosure document;

2.provides clients with a copy of the Proxy Voting Policy, upon request;

3.discloses to its clients how they may obtain information on how MAM voted the client's proxies;

4.generally applies its Proxy Voting Policy consistently;

5.documents the reason(s) for voting for all non- routine items; and

6.keep records of such proxy voting through ISS available for inspection by the Client or government agencies.

Oversight and Governance

Oversightof the proxy votingprocessis the responsibilityof the Firm's BrokeragePracticesCommittee("BPC")which reports up to the Firm's Operating Committee). However the Operating Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving amendments to the Proxy Voting Policy. The BPC or its' designee should be provided a periodic evaluation of vendor due diligence and service activity including a summary of vendor proxy voting activity on behalf the Firm's clients. Reporting should include trends relative to non-routine items, conflict of interest situations, voting outside of Proxy guidelines and the rationale and other material matters.

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On a quarterly basis, Proxy Voting Team should provide the BPC with summary of instances where MAM has (i) voted proxies in a manner inconsistent with the recommendation of ISS, and (ii) voted proxies in circumstances in which a material conflict of interest may exist as set forth in the Conflicts section.

Material proxy voting issues identified by the Proxy Voting Team are to be escalated to the Firm's Chief Compliance Officer. As appropriate, the BPC (or their designee) will be informed of material matters and related actions taken by the responsible parties.

The Chief Compliance Officer makes an annual risk- based assessment of the Firm's compliance program, which may include proxy voting activities, and may conduct a review of the Procedures to determine such Procedures are reasonably designed to achieve their purpose. The Chief Compliance Officer makes periodic reports to MAM SIPCthat includes a summary of issues identified in the review of activities as part of the compliance program.

General Principles

Scope

This Policy permits Clients to:

1.delegate to MAM the responsibility and authority to vote proxies on their behalf according to MAM's Proxy Voting Policy and guidelines; or

2.delegate to MAM the responsibility and authority to vote proxies on their behalf according to the particular Client's own proxy voting policies and guidelines, subject to acceptance by the Firm, as mutually agreed upon between the Firm and the Client.

MAM seeks to vote proxies in the best economic interests of all of its Clients for whom the Firm has proxy voting authority and responsibilities. In the ordinary course, this entails voting proxies in a manner which the Firm believes will maximize the economic value of client security holdings.

TheFirmbelievesits ProxyVotingPolicyisreasonablydesignedtoensureproxymattersareconducted in the best interest of Clients, and in accordance with MAM's fiduciaryduties andapplicablerules.

General Standards on Voting

The following are examples of general standards the Firm has established relative to its' proxy voting obligations:

MAM does not engage in the practice of "empty voting" ( a term embracing a variety of factual circumstances that result in a partial or total separation of the right to vote at a shareholders meeting from beneficial ownership of the shares on the meeting date). MAM prohibits investment managers from creating large hedge positions solely to gain the vote while avoiding economic exposure to the market. MAM will not knowingly vote borrowed shares (for example, shares borrowed for short sales and hedging transactions) that the lender of the shares is also voting.

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•MAM reviews various criteria to determine whether the costs associated with voting the proxy exceed the expected benefit to Clients and may conduct a cost-benefit analysis in determining whether it is in the best economic interest to vote client proxies. Given the outcome of the cost-benefit analysis, the Firm may refrain from voting a proxy on behalf of theClients'accounts.

•Exceptas otherwise requiredbylaw, MAM hasageneralpolicyof not disclosing to any issuer or third-party how MAM oritsvotingdelegate voteda Client's proxy.

•MAM endeavors to show sensitivity to local market practices when votingproxies of non-domestic issuers. MAM votes in all markets where it is feasible to doso.

•MAM may refrain from voting a proxy due to logistical considerations that may have a detrimental effect on the Firm's ability to vote such a proxy. These issues may include, but are not limited to:

1.proxy statements and ballots being written in a foreign language;

2.underlying securities have been lent out pursuant to a Client's securities lending program;

3.untimely notice of a shareholder meeting;

4.requirements to vote proxies in person;

5.restrictions on foreigner's ability to exercise votes;

6.restrictions on the sale of securities for a period of time in proximity to the shareholder meeting ("share blocking andre-registration");

7.requirements to provide local agents with power of attorney to facilitate the voting instructions (such proxies are voted on a best-efforts basis);or

8.inability of a Client's custodian to forward and process proxies electronically.

•From time to time, proxy votes will be solicited which involve special circumstances and require additional research and discussion or (ii) are not directly addressed by ISS. These proxies are identified through a number of methods, including, but not limited to, notification from ISS, concerns of clients, concerns raised by the Firm's investment professionals and questions from consultants.

•In such instances of special circumstances or issues not directly addressed by ISS, a sub-committee of the BPC ("Proxy Committee") will be consulted for a determination of the proxy vote. The Proxy Committee comprises of no fewer than three members of the BPC. Although the Firm anticipates such instances will be rare, The Proxy Committee's first determination is whether there is a material conflict of interest between the interests of a Client and those of MAM. If the Proxy Committee determines there is a material conflict, the process detailed under "Conflicts of Interest" below is followed. If there is no material conflict, the Proxy Committeeexamines eachoftheissuer's proposalsindetailinseekingtodeterminewhatvotewouldbeinthe best interests of Clients. At this point, the Proxy Committee will make a voting decision based on maximizing the economic value of all portfolios' holdings for the issuer in question.

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•There may be circumstances under which a portfolio manager or other MAM investment professional ("Manulife Asset ManagementInvestmentProfessional")believesitisinthebest interestofa Clientor Clients tovoteproxies in a manner inconsistent with the recommendation of ISS. In such an event, as feasible, the Manulife Asset ManagementInvestmentProfessionalshallinformthe Proxy Operations group ofhis or her decision to vote such proxy in a manner inconsistent with the recommendation of ISS and the rationale for such decision. Proxy Operations will report to the BPC no less than quarterly any instance where a Manulife Asset Management Investment Professional has decided to vote a proxy on behalf of a Client in such a manner.

Conflicts of Interest

From time to time, proxy voting proposals may raise conflicts between the interests of the Firm's clients and the interests of the Firm and its affiliates or employees. For example, MAM or its affiliates may provide services to a company whose management is soliciting proxies, or to another entity which is a proponent of a particular proxy proposal. Another example could arise when MAM or its affiliates has business or other relationships with participants involved in proxy contests, such as a candidate for a corporate directorship. More specifically, if MAM is aware that one of the following conditions exists with respect to a proxy, MAM shall consider such event a potential material conflict of interest:

1.MAM has a business relationship or potential relationship with theissuer;

2.MAM has a business relationship with the proponent of the proxy proposal; or

3.MAM members,employees or consultants havea personal or other business relationship with the participants in the proxy contest, such as corporate directors or director candidates.

MAM's goal in addressinganysuchpotentialconflict is to ensureproxyvotes arecast in theadvisory clients'best interests and are not affected by MAM's potential conflict. In those instances, there are a number of courses MAM may take. The final decision as to which course to follow shall be made by the BPC or its designee.

In the event of a potential material conflict of interest, the BPC or its designee will either (i) vote such proxy according to the specific recommendation of ISS; (ii) abstain; or (iii) request the Client vote such proxy. All such instances shall be reported to the BPC and the Chief Compliance Officer at least quarterly.

In other cases, where the matter presents a potential material conflict and is not clearly within one of the ISS' enumerated recommendations, or is of such a nature the BPC believes more active involvement is necessary, the BPC shall make a decision as to the voting of the proxy. The basis for the voting decision, including the basis for the determination the decision is in the best interests of the Client, shall be formalized in writing as a part of the minutes of the BPC.

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Recordkeeping

In accordance with applicable law, MAM shall retain the following documents for not less than five years from the end of the year in which the proxies were voted, the first two years in MAM's office:

•the MAM Proxy Voting Policy and any additional procedures created pursuant to that policy;

•a copy of each proxy statement MAM receives regarding securities held by Clients (this requirement will be satisfied by ISS who has agreed in writing to do so or by obtaining a copy of the proxy statement from the EDGARdatabase);

•a record of each vote cast by MAM (this requirement will be satisfied by ISS who has agreed in writing to do so) on behalf of Clients;

•a copy of any document created by MAM that was material in making its voting decision or that memorializes the basis for such decision; and

•a copy of each written request from a client, and response to the client, for information on how MAM clients' proxies were voted.

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Appendix of Affiliated MAM Entities

Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC

Manulife Asset Management (North America) Limited

Manulife Asset Management Limited+

Manulife Asset Management (Europe) Limited

Manulife Asset Management Trust Company LLC

+Investment management business only.

Policy Edition: December 2017; prior versions September2015, January 2015 and August 2014

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recommend to the Board of Trustees changes to the committee structure and charters as it deems appropriate.

6.To retain and terminate any firm(s) to be used to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential Independent Board nominees, subject to the Board's sole authority to approve the firm's fees and other retention terms.

7.To consider and determine the amount of compensation to be paid by the Trusts to the Independent Trustees, including the compensation of the Chair of the Board or any Vice-Chair of the Board and of Committee Chairs, and to address compensation-related matters. The Chair of the Board has been granted the authority to approve special compensation to Independent Trustees in recognition of any significant amount of additional time and service to the Trusts provided by them, subject to ratification of any such special compensation by the Committee at the next regular meeting of the Committee.

8.To coordinate and administer an annual self-evaluation of the Board, which will include, at a minimum, a review of its effectiveness in overseeing the number of Funds in the Fund complex and the effectiveness of its committee structure.

9.To review the Board Governance Procedures and recommend to the Board of Trustees changes to the Procedures as the Committee deems appropriate.

10.To report its activities to the full Board and to make such recommendations with respect to the matters described above and other matters as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate.

Additional Responsibilities

The Committee will also perform other tasks assigned to it from time to time by the Chair of the Board or by the Board, and will report findings and recommendations to the Board, as appropriate.

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ANNEX A

The Committee may take into account a wide variety of factors in considering Trustee candidates, including (but not limited to) the criteria set forth below. The Committee may determine that a candidate who does not satisfy these criteria in one or more respects should nevertheless be considered as a nominee if the Committee finds that the criteria satisfied by the candidate and the candidate's other qualifications demonstrate the appropriate level of fitness to serve.

General Criteria

1.Nominees should have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards, and such other personal characteristics as a capacity for leadership and the ability to work well with others.

2.Nominees should have business, professional, academic, financial, accounting or other experience and qualifications which demonstrate that they will make a valuable contribution as Trustees.

3.Nominees should have a commitment to understand the Funds, and the responsibilities of a trustee/director of an investment company and to regularly attend and participate in meetings of the Board and its committees.

4.Nominees should have the ability to understand the sometimes conflicting interests of the various constituencies of the Funds, including shareholders and the investment adviser, and to act in the interests of all shareholders.

5.Nominees should not have, nor appear to have, a conflict of interest that would impair their ability to represent the interests of all the shareholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of a trustee.

6.Nominees should have experience on corporate or other institutional bodies having oversight responsibilities.

It is the intent of the Committee that at least one Independent Trustee be an "audit committee financial expert" as that term is defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

Application of Criteria to Current Trustees

The re-nomination of current Trustees should not be viewed as automatic, but should be based on continuing qualification under the criteria set forth above based on, among other things, the current Trustee's contribution to the Board and any committee on which he or she serves.

Review of Nominations

1.The Committee believes that it is in the best interests of each Trust and its shareholders to obtain highly-qualified candidates to serve as members of the Board.

2.In nominating candidates who would be Independent Trustees, the Committee believes that no particular qualities or skills nor any specific minimum qualifications or disqualifications are controlling or paramount. The Committee shall take into consideration any such factors as it deems appropriate; however, the appropriate mix of skills, expertise and attributes needed to maintain an effective board are sought in the applicant pool as part of every search the Board undertakes for new trustees, including but not limited to the diversity of thought, as well as of gender, race, ethnic background and geographic origin. These factors may also include (but are not limited to) the person's character, integrity, judgment, skill and experience with investment companies and other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size and subject to similar legal restrictions and oversight; the interplay of the candidate's experience with the experience of other Board members; and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any Committees thereof. Other factors that the Committee may take into consideration include a person's availability and commitment to attend meetings and perform his or her responsibilities; whether or not the person has or had any relationships that might impair or appear to impair his or her independence, such as any business, financial or family relationships with Fund management, the investment adviser and/or any subadviser of the Funds, as applicable, Fund service providers, or their affiliates or with Fund shareholders. The Committee will strive to achieve a group that reflects a diversity of experiences in respect of industries, professions and other experiences, and that is diversified as to thought, gender, race, ethnic background and geographic origin.

3.While the Committee is solely responsible for the selection and recommendation to the Board of Independent Trustee candidates, the Committee may consider nominees recommended by any source, including shareholders, management, legal counsel and Board members, as it deems appropriate. The Committee may retain a professional search firm or a consultant to assist the Committee in a search for a qualified candidate. Any recommendations from shareholders shall be directed to the Secretary of the relevant Trust at such address as is set forth in the Trust's disclosure documents. Recommendations from management may be submitted to the Committee Chair. All recommendations shall include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Board members and as specified

in the relevant Trust's By-Laws, and must be accompanied by a written consent of the proposed candidate to stand for election if nominated for the Board and to serve if elected by shareholders.

4.Any shareholder nomination must be submitted in compliance with all of the pertinent provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in order to be considered by the Committee. In evaluating a nominee recommended by a shareholder, the 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 its designated nominees, the candidate's name will be placed on the Trust's proxy card. If the Board determines not to include such candidate among its 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 Trust's proxy statement.

5.As long as a current Independent Trustee continues, in the opinion of the Committee, to satisfy the criteria listed above, the Committee generally would favor the re-nomination of a current Trustee rather than a new candidate. Consequently, while the Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders to serve as trustees, the Committee may only act upon such recommendations if there is a vacancy on the Board, or the Committee determines that the selection of a new or additional Trustee is in the best interests of the relevant Trust. In the event that a vacancy arises or a change in Board membership is determined to be advisable, the Committee will, in addition to any shareholder recommendations, consider candidates identified by other means as discussed in this Annex A.

6.With respect to candidates for Independent Trustee, a biography of each candidate shall be acquired and shall be reviewed by counsel to the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Trust to determine the candidate's eligibility to serve as an Independent Trustee.

7.The Committee may from time to time establish specific requirements and/or additional factors to be considered for Independent Trustee candidates as it deems necessary or appropriate.

8.After its consideration of relevant factors, the Committee shall present its recommendation(s) to the full Board for its consideration.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on May 3, 2021, and payable on May 28, 2021. No action is required on your part.

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable May 28, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the May 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0975 per share, which will continue

to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on June 1, 2021, and payable on June 30, 2021. No action is required on your part.

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable June 30, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

1The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2020 and will end on October 31, 2021.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the June 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0975 per share, which will continue

to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on July 1, 2021, and payable on July 30, 2021. No action is required on your part.

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable July 30, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

1The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2020, and will end on October 31, 2021.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the July 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0975 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on August 2, 2021, and payable on August 31, 2021. No action is required on your part.

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable August 31, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

1The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2020, and will end on October 31, 2021.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the August 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0975 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on September 1, 2021, and payable on September 30, 2021. No action is required on your part.

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable September 30, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the

1The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2020 and will end on October 31, 2021.

money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the September 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0975 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Effective October 1, 2021, copies of all notices informing shareholders of distributions made by the fund in excess of accumulated net investment income will be posted on John Hancock Investment Management's public website (jhinvestments.com) and on the Legal Notice System (LENS), a service offering of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) accessible by broker-dealer firms. To the extent required, notice may also be provided via press release. John Hancock Investment Management will continue to distribute paper copies of these notices by mail until March 30, 2022, after which date the notices will be delivered exclusively via the methods described above.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on October 1, 2021, and payable on October 29, 2021. No action is required on your part.

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable October 29, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the

1The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2020, and will end on October 31, 2021.

money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the October 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0975 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Effective October 1, 2021, copies of all notices informing shareholders of distributions made by the fund in excess of accumulated net investment income will be posted on John Hancock Investment Management's public website (jhinvestments.com) and on the Legal Notice System (LENS), a service offering of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) accessible by broker-dealer firms. To the extent required, notice may also be provided via press release. John Hancock Investment Management will continue to distribute paper copies of these notices by mail until March 30, 2022, after which date the notices will be delivered exclusively via the methods described above.