"Premiums vary due to age and the type of policy, but most
middle-income consumers can benefit from a long-term care policy,"
said Scott Perry, executive vice president and chief operating officer
of Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Chicago.nga. Visit us at www.

Founded in 1939, Blue Shield of California is one of the state's leading
healthcare companies. For more information on Blue Shield, visit the
company's website at http://www. The
Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation with current income as a secondary
objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in stocks of U.
John Hancock Funds, a premier investment management company, managed more
than $30. 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 .

categories long

In addition, the non-profit Washington-based Women's Institute for
a Secure Retirement (WISER ) reminds consumers that premiums of a
qualified long-term care plan are deductible from federal taxes if
total medical expenses, including the premiums, exceed 7.5% of
adjusted gross income.
HSAs are privately held, interest-bearing accounts that consumers can use
to pay for deductibles and qualified medical expenses.41177

John Hancock Financial Trends Fund is a diversified , closed-end fund.

various term

Federal legislation now being considered, the
"Health Care Tax Deduction Act of 2005" (H. Members who enroll in these plans can
use pre-tax HSA funds to pay for qualified medical expenses such as copays,
deductibles, physician and hospital services, including outpatient surgery . Both
Blue Shield Life and Blue Shield of California are independent licensees of
the Blue Shield Association. Manulife Financial can be
found on the Internet at http://www.

home finance

"
According to the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), a
60-year old buying a policy with a two-year benefit period today would
pay in premiums over a 25-year period about a tenth of what he could
expect to pay for a two-year nursing home stay when he reaches age 85.
"Consumers continue to look for ways to control their health care costs,"
said Lisa Rubino, senior vice president and chief executive of Blue Shield's
Individual, Small Group, and Government Business Unit.28326
Total Distribution $0. Funds under management by
Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$350 billion (US$290 billion)
as of March 31, 2005.

Provides access to categories offering consumer information on various forms of life and health insurance.

care access

The company offers a broad portfolio of health and life
insurance and retirement savings products designed especially for
seniors.).mylifepath.

personal forms

Contact:
Elise Anderson
310-568-2866

11000
Short-Term Capital Gain $0.com.

home categories

John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading
Canadian -based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19
countries and territories worldwide .

health categories

These products are distributed through a national network of
professionally trained company agents . The plans also cover preventive care with a $35 copay
without having to meet the deductible.jhfunds ., a subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation.manulife.

consumer long

218), would make
premiums of qualified plans tax deductible for everyone. Founded in
1862, John Hancock Financial Services and its subsidiaries 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.

life provides

R. Effective July 1 , 2005, Blue Shield Life is introducing
Shield Spectrum PPO Savings Plans 4000/8000, two new high deductible PPO plans
that offer lower-cost premium options and are HSA-compatible. Blue Shield of California
Life + Health Insurance Company (Blue Shield Life) is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Blue Shield of California.

access health

SAN FRANCISCO, As consumers increasingly turn to
health savings accounts (HSA) as a way to help control their health care
costs, Blue Shield of California Life + Health Insurance Company (Blue Shield
Life) is providing individuals and families with greater access to that
investment option. More information is available at
http://www.com
The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of
the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad
range of financial products and services, including whole life, term life,
variable life, and universal life insurance, as well as college savings
products, fixed and variable annuities , long-term care insurance, mutual funds
and various forms of business insurance.

long various

Business Editors

CHICAGO----While many consumers say
cost is a deterrent to buying long-term care insurance , growing
numbers of professionals suggest that the cost of premiums are an
affordable alternative to the increasing cost of long-term care.
"Like other types of insurance, the younger and healthier you are
when you buy, the less expensive the premiums," he said.bankers."
The new plans feature a deductible of $4,000 for individuals and
$8,000 for families. Headquartered in San Francisco, the not-for-profit
corporation serves more than 3.01851
Long-Term Capital Gain $0. and
foreign financial services companies of any size. Additional information about the company can
be found on the website: http://www.

insurance dental

John Hancock Funds is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Financial
Services, Inc.

financial various

Individuals may select the vendor to administer their health savings ' accounts
or use Blue Shield's preferred HSA vendor, Wells Fargo International Trust
Services (a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.6 billion in open-end funds, closed-end funds, private accounts ,
retirement plans and related party assets for individual and institutional
investors as of March 31, 2005.

care consumer

As of 2004,
21 states had adopted state tax incentives for long-term care
insurance premiums.org),
"Baby Boomers" and "seniors" will need to carefully evaluate all their
options and plan for their long-term care needs.

Established in 1879 and headquartered at the world-famous
Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, Bankers Life and Casualty
Company focuses exclusively on the financial security needs of
seniors. BOSTON, John Hancock Financial Trends
Fund (Nasdaq: JHFT) announced today that the fund will pay an income dividend
and capital gain distributions as follows:

Declaration Date: July 25, 2005
Ex Date: August 2, 2005
Record Date: August 4, 2005
Payable Date: August 11, 2005

Source of Distribution Per Share
Dividend Income $0.

life access

Blue Shield of California Life + Health Insurance Company Introduces New High-Deductible Health Plans for Individuals

long forms

Unlike other
financial health care accounts, such as health reimbursement accounts or
flexible spending accounts, members maintain ownership of their HSAs
regardless of changes in employment and unused funds roll over from year to
year.bscalife.2 million Californians and employs
4,300 employees at more than 20 office locations throughout the state.S.

forms life

Bankers Life and Casualty Company: Experts Say Value of Long-Term Care Insurance More Than Justifies Cost for Most People

com or by calling (800 ) 443-8284.com. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the
TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK.

information insurance

"These
premiums are still a bargain when faced with the costs of long-term
care .
As the nation's governors warn that the strain on public
assistance programs, such as Medicaid , is increasing (www.com

Members also may use
pre-tax HSA funds to pay for services traditionally not included in health
plan coverage, such as dental care, eye exams, and acupuncture. "Blue Shield Life's
new products provide access to comprehensive, coverage for low-cost premium
options that are compatible with a tax-deferred savings accounts.