<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November&nbsp;3, 2005
</DIV>
<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt">Registration No.
333-______________
</DIV>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 2pt">
</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B></DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORPORATION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Canada</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>None</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization )
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>200 Bloor Street East, North Tower 11<BR>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 1E5</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF JOHN HANCOCK<BR>
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN OF THE JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL NETWORK</B><BR>
(Full title of the Plans)

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Scott A. Lively, Esq.<BR>
John Hancock Life Insurance Company<BR>
601 Congress Street<BR>
Boston, Massachusetts, 02210-2805<BR>
(617)&nbsp;663-3000</B>

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">copies of communications to:

</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Richard A. Lococo, Esq.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Manulife Financial Corporation</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Alan H. Paley, Esq.</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>200 Bloor Street East, North Tower 11</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Debevoise &#038; Plimpton</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Toronto, Ontario, Canada</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>919 Third Avenue</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>M4W 1E5</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>New York, New York 10022</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(416)&nbsp;926-3000</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(212)&nbsp;909-6000</B></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><DIV style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities:<BR>
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="54%"></TD>
    <TD width="2%"></TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="5%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="2%"></TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="5%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="2%"></TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="5%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="2%"></TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="5%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">Title of</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Proposed</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Proposed</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">Securities</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Maximum</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Maximum</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">to be</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Offering Price</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Aggregate</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Amount of</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left">Registered</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Amount to be Registered</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Per Share</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Offering Price</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Registration Fee</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Deferred
Compensation
Obligations</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$75,000,000(1)</TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(2</TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">)</TD>
<TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(2</TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">)</TD>
<TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$8,827.50</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Deferred Compensation Obligations are unsecured obligations of Manulife Financial
Corporation to pay deferred compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the
Deferred Compensation Plan for Certain Employees of John Hancock and the Deferred Compensation
Plan of the John Hancock Financial Network (collectively, the &#147;Plans&#148;).</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The participants&#146; deferral elections in accordance with the terms of the Plans will determine
the amount of compensation deferred.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents previously filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (&#147;Commission&#148;) are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">(1)&nbsp;The Corporation&#146;s Annual Report on Form 40-F, file number 1-14942, filed
with the Commission on March&nbsp;29, 2005, as amended by the Corporation&#146;s Annual Report
on Form 40-F/A as filed with the Commission on April&nbsp;21, 2005 and June&nbsp;27, 2005;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">(2)&nbsp;The Corporation&#146;s Reports of Foreign Issuer on Form 6-K filed with the
Commission on April&nbsp;21, 2005 and August&nbsp;15, 2005;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">(3)&nbsp;All other reports filed by the Corporation with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since December
31, 2004; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 5%">(4)&nbsp;The description of the outstanding common shares contained in the
Corporation&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, file number 1-14942, filed with the
Commission on August&nbsp;20, 1999.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Corporation pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, to the extent designated therein,
certain reports on Form 6-K subsequently furnished by the Corporation, in each case prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been
sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing or
furnishing such documents.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under The Deferred Compensation Plan for Certain Employees of John Hancock and The Deferred
Compensation Plan of the John Hancock Financial Network (collectively, the &#147;Plans&#148;), the
Corporation will provide eligible employees of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. and certain
subsidiaries and eligible agents of John Hancock Financial Network and certain other subsidiaries
of Manulife Financial Corporation subsidiaries the opportunity to defer a specified percentage of
their annual salary, sales incentives, incentive bonus and restricted stock unit payments.
Deferred amounts will be credited to an account maintained on the books and records of the
Corporation in the name of the participant and will be considered to be invested in one or more
notional investments.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The participant&#146;s deferral election in accordance with the terms of the Plan will determine
the amount of compensation to be deferred. At the time of the deferral request, the participant
will specify the date on which the payment of the deferral amount will be made or commenced and the
notional
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">investments used to value the amount. Participants&#146; account balances will be adjusted from
time to time to reflect any additional deferrals made under the Plan, positive or negative returns
based on the notional investments chosen by the participants, and any applicable administrative
charges. The plan does not guarantee a minimum rate of return.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The obligation of the Corporation to pay deferred amounts in accordance with the Plan (the
&#147;Deferred Compensation Obligations&#148;) will be unsecured obligations and will rank equally with other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Corporation from time to time outstanding.
Nothing in the Plan will be construed to give a participant or any other person rights to any
specific assets of the Corporation, its subsidiaries or its affiliates.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any rights that a participant or beneficiary may have under the Plan are not assignable and
non-transferable. Any attempt to assign or transfer any such rights shall be null and void and of
no force or effect.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Except in the case of (i)&nbsp;death or disability (as defined in the Plan), (ii)&nbsp;to comply with a
domestic relations order (as defined in Section&nbsp;414(p)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code), (iii)
the cashout of certain <I>de minimis </I>amounts upon certain separations from service, and (iv)&nbsp;certain
distributions in the event of an unforeseeable emergency (as defined in the Plan), the Deferred
Compensation Obligations are not subject to redemption, in whole or in part, prior to the
individual distribution dates specified by the participants. However, the Corporation may amend or
terminate the Plan at any time, with respect to any or all participants, including in any manner
that adversely affects participants&#146; rights. Upon termination, each participant&#146;s deferral account
will be distributed in accordance with the participant&#146;s deferral elections and the terms of the
Plan.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Deferred Compensation Obligations are not convertible into any other security of the
Corporation. The Deferred Compensation Obligations will not have the benefit of a negative pledge
or any other affirmative or negative covenant on the part of the Corporation. No trustee has been
appointed having the authority to take action with respect to the Deferred Compensation
Obligations, and each participant will be responsible for acting independently with respect to,
among other things, the giving of notices, responding to any requests for consents, waivers or
amendments pertaining to the Deferred Compensation Obligations, enforcing covenants and taking
action upon a default.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mr.&nbsp;Richard Lococo, who provided the opinion set forth in Exhibit&nbsp;5 hereto, is Senior Vice
President and Deputy General Counsel of the Corporation.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada), a company may not, by contract, resolution or
by-law, limit the liability of its directors for breeches of their fiduciary duties. However, the
company may indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or a person who acts or
acted at the company&#146;s request as a director or officer of an entity of which the company is or was
a shareholder or
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">creditor, and his or her heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and
expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred
by him or her in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he
or she is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the company or
the entity, if:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">(1)&nbsp;that person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the
company; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">(2)&nbsp;in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a
monetary penalty, that person has reasonable grounds for believing that his or her impugned
conduct was lawful.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;These individuals are entitled to indemnity from the company if the person was substantially
successful on the merits of his or her defense of the action or proceeding and fulfilled the
conditions set out in (1)&nbsp;and (2)&nbsp;above. A company may, with the approval of a court, also
indemnify that person regarding an action by or on behalf of the company or entity to procure a
judgment in its favor, to which the person is made a party by reason of being or having been a
director or officer of the company or entity, if he or she fulfills the conditions set out in (1)
and (2)&nbsp;above.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The by-laws of Manulife Financial Corporation (&#147;MFC&#148;) provide that the board of directors of
MFC shall make provisions, by resolution, for the indemnification of directors, officers, employees
and such other persons as the directors shall decide on such terms and conditions as they
establish. MFC&#146;s administrative resolutions provide that MFC shall indemnify a director, officer or
employee, a former director, officer or employee, or a person who acts or acted at MFC&#146;s request as
a director, officer, employee or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise against any liability and costs arising out of any action or suit against them
from the execution of their duties, subject to the limitations described in the administrative
resolutions.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;MFC&#146;s administrative resolutions provide that MFC will have no obligation to indemnify any
person for:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>any acts committed with actual dishonest, fraudulent, criminal or malicious intent;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>any act of gross negligence or willful neglect;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>any claims relating to liabilities of other persons assumed by any person entitled to indemnification;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>any claims relating to enterprises owned, operated, managed or controlled by any person entitled to indemnification;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>any claims relating to pension plans sponsored by any person entitled to indemnification;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>bodily injury, sickness or disease of any person;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">


<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>injury to or destruction of any tangible property; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>any actions which were in breach of compliance with MFC policy.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;MFC maintains a directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance policy with a policy limit of
U.S. $150,000,000. The policy is renewed annually. The policy provides protection to directors and
officers against liability incurred by them in their capacities as directors and officers of MFC
and its subsidiaries. The policy also provides protection to MFC for claims made against directors
and officers for which MFC has granted directors and officers indemnity, as required or permitted
under applicable statutory or by-law provisions.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description of Exhibit</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Richard A. Lococo (filed herewith).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consents of Ernst &#038; Young LLP (filed herewith).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Richard Lococo (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">24.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Powers of Attorney (filed herewith).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">(i)&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">(ii)&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered
would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, if, in the aggregate,
the changes in volume and price represent no
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
&#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective registration statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">(iii)&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the registration
statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (and, where applicable each filing of any employee benefit plan&#146;s
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">6
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">SIGNATURES
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>The Registrant</U>. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Toronto, Province of
Ontario, Canada, on the 3rd day of November, 2005.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORPORATION<BR>
(Registrant)<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Richard A. Lococo
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Name:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">Richard A. Lococo&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">Senior Vice President and<BR>
Deputy General Counsel&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">7
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on
November&nbsp;3<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">rd</SUP>, 2005.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="65%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signatures</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Capacity</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Dominic D&#146;Alessandro
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Dominic D&#146;Alessandro</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Peter H. Rubenovitch
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Peter H. Rubenovitch</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Arthur R. Sawchuk</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Chairman</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John M. Cassaday</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Lino J. Celeste</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Gail C.A. Cook-Bennett</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Thomas P. d&#146;Aquino</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Richard B. DeWolfe</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert E. Dineen, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">8
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="65%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signatures</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Capacity</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Pierre Y. Ducros</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Allister P. Graham</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Thomas E. Kierans</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Lorna R. Marsden</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Hugh W. Sloan, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Gordon G. Thiessen</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">*
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael H. Wilson</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="left" nowrap valign="top">*By: /s/ Richard A. Lococo
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Name: Richard A. Lococo<BR>
Attorney-in-Fact</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">9
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly
authorized representative of Manulife Financial Corporation in the United States, has signed this
Registration Statement, on November&nbsp;3, 2005.
</DIV>


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Jonathan Chiel
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Name:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">Jonathan Chiel&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">Executive Vice President and General
Counsel&#151;John Hancock&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">10
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><U>Index to Exhibits</U>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description of Exhibit</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Richard Lococo (filed herewith).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consents of Ernst &#038; Young LLP (filed herewith).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Richard Lococo (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">24.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Powers of Attorney (filed herewith).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">11
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "t18481sv8.htm", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 48137}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORP", "cik": "0001086888", "assigned-sic": "6311", "irs-number": "000000000", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-129430", "film-number": "051177168"}, "business-address": {"street1": "200 BLOOR ST EAST", "street2": "NORTH TOWER 11", "city": "TORONTO ONTARIO CANA", "state": "A6", "zip": "00000", "phone": "4169263500"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "200 BLOOR ST EAST", "street2": "NORTH TOWER 11", "city": "TORONTO ONTARIO CANA"}}
sv8
As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 3, 2005
Registration No.
333-______________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Canada
None
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization )
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
200 Bloor Street East, North Tower 11
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 1E5
(Address of Principal Executive Offices including Zip Code)
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF JOHN HANCOCK
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN OF THE JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL NETWORK
(Full title of the Plans)
Scott A. Lively, Esq.
John Hancock Life Insurance Company
601 Congress Street
Boston, Massachusetts, 02210-2805
(617) 663-3000
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
copies of communications to:
Richard A. Lococo, Esq.
Manulife Financial Corporation
Alan H. Paley, Esq.
200 Bloor Street East, North Tower 11
Debevoise & Plimpton
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
919 Third Avenue
M4W 1E5
New York, New York 10022
(416) 926-3000
(212) 909-6000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
Proposed
Proposed
Securities
Maximum
Maximum
to be
Offering Price
Aggregate
Amount of
Registered
Amount to be Registered
Per Share
Offering Price
Registration Fee
Deferred
Compensation
Obligations
$75,000,000(1)
(2
)
(2
)
$8,827.50
(1)
The Deferred Compensation Obligations are unsecured obligations of Manulife Financial
Corporation to pay deferred compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the
Deferred Compensation Plan for Certain Employees of John Hancock and the Deferred Compensation
Plan of the John Hancock Financial Network (collectively, the "Plans").
(2)
The participants' deferral elections in accordance with the terms of the Plans will determine
the amount of compensation deferred.
PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents previously filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("Commission") are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
(1) The Corporation's Annual Report on Form 40-F, file number 1-14942, filed
with the Commission on March 29, 2005, as amended by the Corporation's Annual Report
on Form 40-F/A as filed with the Commission on April 21, 2005 and June 27, 2005;
(2) The Corporation's Reports of Foreign Issuer on Form 6-K filed with the
Commission on April 21, 2005 and August 15, 2005;
(3) All other reports filed by the Corporation with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 since December
31, 2004; and
(4) The description of the outstanding common shares contained in the
Corporation's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, file number 1-14942, filed with the
Commission on August 20, 1999.
In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Corporation pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, to the extent designated therein,
certain reports on Form 6-K subsequently furnished by the Corporation, in each case prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been
sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing or
furnishing such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Under The Deferred Compensation Plan for Certain Employees of John Hancock and The Deferred
Compensation Plan of the John Hancock Financial Network (collectively, the "Plans"), the
Corporation will provide eligible employees of John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. and certain
subsidiaries and eligible agents of John Hancock Financial Network and certain other subsidiaries
of Manulife Financial Corporation subsidiaries the opportunity to defer a specified percentage of
their annual salary, sales incentives, incentive bonus and restricted stock unit payments.
Deferred amounts will be credited to an account maintained on the books and records of the
Corporation in the name of the participant and will be considered to be invested in one or more
notional investments.
The participant's deferral election in accordance with the terms of the Plan will determine
the amount of compensation to be deferred. At the time of the deferral request, the participant
will specify the date on which the payment of the deferral amount will be made or commenced and the
notional
2
investments used to value the amount. Participants' account balances will be adjusted from
time to time to reflect any additional deferrals made under the Plan, positive or negative returns
based on the notional investments chosen by the participants, and any applicable administrative
charges. The plan does not guarantee a minimum rate of return.
The obligation of the Corporation to pay deferred amounts in accordance with the Plan (the
"Deferred Compensation Obligations") will be unsecured obligations and will rank equally with other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Corporation from time to time outstanding.
Nothing in the Plan will be construed to give a participant or any other person rights to any
specific assets of the Corporation, its subsidiaries or its affiliates.
Any rights that a participant or beneficiary may have under the Plan are not assignable and
non-transferable. Any attempt to assign or transfer any such rights shall be null and void and of
no force or effect.
Except in the case of (i) death or disability (as defined in the Plan), (ii) to comply with a
domestic relations order (as defined in Section 414(p)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code), (iii)
the cashout of certain
de minimis
amounts upon certain separations from service, and (iv) certain
distributions in the event of an unforeseeable emergency (as defined in the Plan), the Deferred
Compensation Obligations are not subject to redemption, in whole or in part, prior to the
individual distribution dates specified by the participants. However, the Corporation may amend or
terminate the Plan at any time, with respect to any or all participants, including in any manner
that adversely affects participants' rights. Upon termination, each participant's deferral account
will be distributed in accordance with the participant's deferral elections and the terms of the
Plan.
The Deferred Compensation Obligations are not convertible into any other security of the
Corporation. The Deferred Compensation Obligations will not have the benefit of a negative pledge
or any other affirmative or negative covenant on the part of the Corporation. No trustee has been
appointed having the authority to take action with respect to the Deferred Compensation
Obligations, and each participant will be responsible for acting independently with respect to,
among other things, the giving of notices, responding to any requests for consents, waivers or
amendments pertaining to the Deferred Compensation Obligations, enforcing covenants and taking
action upon a default.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Mr. Richard Lococo, who provided the opinion set forth in Exhibit 5 hereto, is Senior Vice
President and Deputy General Counsel of the Corporation.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada), a company may not, by contract, resolution or
by-law, limit the liability of its directors for breeches of their fiduciary duties. However, the
company may indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or a person who acts or
acted at the company's request as a director or officer of an entity of which the company is or was
a shareholder or
3
creditor, and his or her heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges and
expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred
by him or her in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he
or she is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the company or
the entity, if:
(1) that person acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the
company; and
(2) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a
monetary penalty, that person has reasonable grounds for believing that his or her impugned
conduct was lawful.
These individuals are entitled to indemnity from the company if the person was substantially
successful on the merits of his or her defense of the action or proceeding and fulfilled the
conditions set out in (1) and (2) above. A company may, with the approval of a court, also
indemnify that person regarding an action by or on behalf of the company or entity to procure a
judgment in its favor, to which the person is made a party by reason of being or having been a
director or officer of the company or entity, if he or she fulfills the conditions set out in (1)
and (2) above.
The by-laws of Manulife Financial Corporation ("MFC") provide that the board of directors of
MFC shall make provisions, by resolution, for the indemnification of directors, officers, employees
and such other persons as the directors shall decide on such terms and conditions as they
establish. MFC's administrative resolutions provide that MFC shall indemnify a director, officer or
employee, a former director, officer or employee, or a person who acts or acted at MFC's request as
a director, officer, employee or trustee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise against any liability and costs arising out of any action or suit against them
from the execution of their duties, subject to the limitations described in the administrative
resolutions.
MFC's administrative resolutions provide that MFC will have no obligation to indemnify any
person for:
•
any acts committed with actual dishonest, fraudulent, criminal or malicious intent;
•
any act of gross negligence or willful neglect;
•
any claims relating to liabilities of other persons assumed by any person entitled to indemnification;
•
any claims relating to enterprises owned, operated, managed or controlled by any person entitled to indemnification;
•
any claims relating to pension plans sponsored by any person entitled to indemnification;
•
bodily injury, sickness or disease of any person;
4
•
injury to or destruction of any tangible property; and
•
any actions which were in breach of compliance with MFC policy.
MFC maintains a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy with a policy limit of
U.S. $150,000,000. The policy is renewed annually. The policy provides protection to directors and
officers against liability incurred by them in their capacities as directors and officers of MFC
and its subsidiaries. The policy also provides protection to MFC for claims made against directors
and officers for which MFC has granted directors and officers indemnity, as required or permitted
under applicable statutory or by-law provisions.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
5.1
Opinion of Richard A. Lococo (filed herewith).
23.1
Consents of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith).
23.2
Consent of Richard Lococo (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Powers of Attorney (filed herewith).
Item 9. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
1. (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered
would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, if, in the aggregate,
the changes in volume and price represent no
5
more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the registration
statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
2. That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (and, where applicable each filing of any employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
6
SIGNATURES
The Registrant
. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Toronto, Province of
Ontario, Canada, on the 3rd day of November, 2005.
MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Richard A. Lococo
Name:
Richard A. Lococo
Title:
Senior Vice President and
Deputy General Counsel
7
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on
November 3
rd
, 2005.
Signatures
Capacity
/s/ Dominic D'Alessandro
Dominic D'Alessandro
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Peter H. Rubenovitch
Peter H. Rubenovitch
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
*
Arthur R. Sawchuk
Chairman
*
John M. Cassaday
Director
*
Lino J. Celeste
Director
*
Gail C.A. Cook-Bennett
Director
*
Thomas P. d'Aquino
Director
*
Richard B. DeWolfe
Director
*
Robert E. Dineen, Jr.
Director
8
Signatures
Capacity
*
Pierre Y. Ducros
Director
*
Allister P. Graham
Director
*
Thomas E. Kierans
Director
*
Lorna R. Marsden
Director
*
Hugh W. Sloan, Jr.
Director
*
Gordon G. Thiessen
Director
*
Michael H. Wilson
Director
*By: /s/ Richard A. Lococo
Name: Richard A. Lococo
Attorney-in-Fact
9
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly
authorized representative of Manulife Financial Corporation in the United States, has signed this
Registration Statement, on November 3, 2005.
JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
By:
/s/ Jonathan Chiel
Name:
Jonathan Chiel
Title:
Executive Vice President and General
Counsel—John Hancock
10
Index to Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
5.1
Opinion of Richard Lococo (filed herewith).
23.1
Consents of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith).
23.2
Consent of Richard Lococo (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1
Powers of Attorney (filed herewith).
11