John Hancock retirement unit to open up its retirement plan products to Edward Jones

John Hancock Retirement Plan Services today kicked off a relationship with Edward D. Jones & Co. LP, providing the firm’s financial advisers with access to its retirement plan products. Edward Jones advisers now have access to John Hancock’s 401(k) platform, its defined-contribution plans and its guaranteed-income-for-life optional rider for 401(k) plans. That rider allows participants to place their 401(k) dollars in up to four John Hancock lifestyle funds to establish a guaranteed-benefit base from which clients can take 5% in annual distributions. Edward Jones’ more than 12,000 advisers will also have access to the JH Signature group annuity product line, which provides a variety of fixed-income investment options, asset allocation portfolios and other options.