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John Hancock vs Prudential
Both public-company insurers sell term and universal life; John Hancock builds in Vitality wellness and hybrid LifeCare, Prudential offers online no-exam term.
Verdict
John Hancock and Prudential both sell term and universal-life-type coverage through advisors, and both have changed hands through history: John Hancock demutualized in 2000 and has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife since 2004, while Prudential demutualized in 2001 and trades as NYSE: PRU. Prudential ranked #4 by 2024 individual life premiums ($7.99 billion) and John Hancock #9 ($4.95 billion), according to NAIC data.
Their identities differ. John Hancock is known for Vitality, a wellness program available with every policy that rewards activity and checkups with premium savings in exchange for sharing health data, for LifeCare (a hybrid indexed universal life with long-term care benefits and no exam) and for Aspire for people with diabetes. Prudential's identity is a wide term menu (10 to 30 years, one-year renewable, up to $65 million) plus SimplyTerm, bought online with no exam for $25,000 to $1 million.
Ratings are close. John Hancock's profile lists AM Best A+ (Superior, January 2026), S&P AA-, Moody's Aa3 (raised from A1 in September 2025) and Fitch AA. Prudential lists AM Best A+ (Superior, August 2026), S&P AA-, Moody's Aa3 and Fitch AA- (on Fitch Rating Watch Negative since May 2026). In the J.D. Power 2026 individual life study Prudential ranked 5th of 23 (672 points) and John Hancock 16th (632). Both have reinsured older blocks to other companies, and both remain responsible to policyholders.
Choose John Hancock if
- You want a policy with a built-in wellness program and are willing to share activity data for premium savings.
- You want a hybrid life and long-term care policy with an instant-decision application (LifeCare).
- You have diabetes and want the Aspire program.
- You want an indexed or variable universal life that can attach critical illness or long-term care riders.
Choose Prudential if
- You want to buy a smaller term policy online without an exam.
- You need very large term coverage or a one-year renewable term for a short need.
- You do not want to share health data with a wellness program.
- You want a company with a better J.D. Power 2026 result.
Key differences
| John Hancock | Prudential | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Subsidiary of Manulife | Public company (NYSE: PRU) |
| 2024 individual life premiums | $4.95 billion (#9) | $7.99 billion (#4) |
| Wellness program | Vitality with every policy | None listed |
| Hybrid life and LTC | LifeCare | Not listed |
| Online buying | Quote request routed to a professional | SimplyTerm term online |
| Fitch | AA | AA- |
| J.D. Power 2026 | 16th of 23 (632) | 5th of 23 (672) |
Before you decide
Ask each for the same face amount and term, and ask how conversion works. If Vitality savings are part of the pitch, ask what you must do to keep earning them and what data is shared. See how to compare life insurance quotes fairly, wearables and wellness programs in life insurance and AM Best, S&P, Moody's and Fitch ratings explained.
Side by side
| John Hancock | Prudential | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Shareholder-owned life insurers | Shareholder-owned life insurers |
| Customer service | 800-387-2747 | 800-778-2255 |
| Website | johnhancock.com | prudential.com |
| NAIC group | John Hancock group (Manulife) | Prudential of America group |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts | Newark, New Jersey |
| Founded | 1862 | 1875 |
| Ownership | Wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation (Toronto), a publicly traded company, since 2004 | Public company (demutualized in 2001) |
| Parent company | Manulife Financial Corporation | — |
| Stock ticker | MFC (parent; NYSE and TSX) | NYSE: PRU |
| Where it sells life insurance | All states and Washington, D.C.; New York residents are served by John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York | — |
| New York company | John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York | Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey |
| How it sells | Licensed financial professionals; quote requests on the website are routed to an insurance professional | Prudential Advisors, independent brokers, banks and general agencies, plus online term (SimplyTerm) |
| U.S. individual life rank (2024) | 9 | 4 |
| Individual life premiums (2024) | $4.95 billion | $7.99 billion |
| U.S. market share (2024) | 3.17% | 5.11% |
| AM Best financial strength | A+ (Superior) | A+ (Superior) |
| S&P | AA- (Very Strong) | AA- (Very Strong) |
| Moody's | Aa3 (Excellent) | Aa3 (Excellent) |
| Fitch | AA | AA- (Very Strong) |
| J.D. Power | Ranked 16th of 23 brands (632 points; study average 649) in the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study | Ranked 5th of 23 brands (672 points; study average 649) in the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study |
| Term lengths | Examples on John Hancock's site are 10, 15, 20 and 30 years; a three-option term suite with expanded conversion choices was announced in September 2026 | 10, 15, 20 or 30 years (EssentialTerm and Term Essential); 1-year renewable (PruTerm One); 5 to 20 years online (SimplyTerm) |
| No-exam options | LifeCare hybrid policies need no paramedical exam or lab tests, and many applicants get an instant underwriting decision | SimplyTerm is sold online with no medical exam or lab work for $25,000 to $1 million; applicants under 60 may not need an exam for EssentialTerm |
| Best suited to | Health-conscious buyers working with an advisor who want universal life with premium savings tied to the Vitality wellness program. | Buyers who want a large term policy, indexed or variable universal life, or quick online term coverage from a long-established public insurer. |
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Facts come from each insurer's profile, where every figure carries its source and review date. Premiums are personal: compare quotes for the same coverage, not just companies.
Last reviewed October 24, 2026