SCHEDULE 14A

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF
THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Filed by the Registrant ☒                  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

601 Congress200 Berkeley Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02210-280502116

March 3, 2017

August [ ], 2021

Dear Variable Annuity and Variable Life Contract Owners:

Shareholders of the Money MarketBlue Chip Growth Trust (the “Fund”), a series of John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”), are being asked to approve a new subadvisory agreement between John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (the “Advisor”) and John Hancock Asset Management a divisionan update of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC (“JHAM”) with respect to the Fund.Fund’s diversification status. In order for shareholders of the Fund to consider and vote on the proposal,proposals, a special meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) will be held at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, on April 11, 2017September 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. WeIn light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Meeting will be a virtual meeting held via telephone only.

The Fund is sensitive to the health and travel concerns that shareholders may have and the protocols that federal, state, and local governments may impose at the time of the Meeting. Due to the difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the date, time, location or means of conducting the Meeting may change. In the event of such a change, the Fund will announce alternative arrangements for the Meeting as soon as possible. If there are any such changes to the Meeting, the Fund may not deliver additional soliciting materials to shareholders or otherwise amend the Fund’s proxy materials. Instead, the Fund plans to announce these changes, if any, by: (i) issuing a press release at [www.[___].com] and encourage you to readcheck this website before the Meeting; and (ii) filing the announcement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are urging all shareholders to take advantage of voting by mail, the internet, or telephone, as provided on the attached materialsproxy card.

Attending the Meeting via Telephone

To participate in their entirety.the Meeting, contract owners eligible to give voting instructions and shareholders of the Fund must call the Broadridge Service Center at 1-855-200-8053 no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 27, 2021, and provide your full name and address. You will then be provided with the conference call dial-in information to attend the Meeting.

Telephonic access to the Meeting is limited to variable insurance and annuity contract owners who are authorized to give voting instructions to shareholders and to representatives of the insurance company separate accounts that own shares of the Fund.

Approve greater flexibility in the Fund’s investment management

We are asking shareholders to approve an update of the Fund’s diversification status. We believe, based on our review of the Fund’s investment process, that the Fund and its shareholders may benefit if the Fund is operated as a “non-diversified” fund. Based on our experience and investment analysis, we believe that generally the ability for the Fund to invest more significantly in fewer securities may enhance the probability of improved performance over the long term. As a result, we have noted that the Fund has, over the past few years, generally trended toward investing a larger percentage of the fund’s assets in the securities of fewer companies. We recommended this change to the Fund’s Trustees, and they agreed that a change in diversification status was in the best interests of shareholders.

The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has concluded that the proposed change to the diversification status is appropriate and will benefit the Fund and its shareholders. If approved by the new subadvisory agreementFund’s shareholders, the change to the Fund’s diversification status will become effective when the Fund’s SAI is revised or supplemented to reflect the change. Assuming that the proposed change is approved at the Meeting, the Fund expects to file a revision or supplement to its SAI on or about September 29, 2021. If the proposed change is not approved by the Fund’s shareholders, the current fundamental investment restriction regarding diversification will remain in effect and the appointment of JHAMfund will continue to be managed as the Fund’s new subadvisor at an in-person meeting held on December 6-8, 2016. If shareholders approve the proposal, JHAM will replace John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (North America) Limited (“MAM (North America)”) as the Fund’s subadvisor. The appointment of JHAM and the new subadvisory agreement are more fully described in the enclosed Proxy Statement for your consideration.diversified fund.

Shareholders of the Fund are being asked to vote on and approve the new subadvisory agreement betweenupdate to the Advisor and JHAM.Fund’s diversification status.

Although you are not a shareholder of the Trust, your purchase payments and the earnings on such purchase payments under your variable annuity or variable life contracts issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (“John Hancock (U.S.A.)”) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (“John Hancock New York”) are invested in subaccounts of separate accounts established by these companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Registered Separate Accounts”), and each subaccount invests in shares of one or more series of the Trust. You have the right to instruct these insurance companies, as appropriate, how the shares of the Trust attributable to your contract are voted. The number of votes for which you may give instructions is determined as of February 12, 2017,August 4, 2021, the record date for the Meeting (the “Record Date”).

* * *

Enclosed you will find a Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders, a Proxy Statement for the Trust and a Voting Instructions Form with respect to your

contract values invested in the applicable Fund as of the Record Date. The number of shares that represents your voting interest (determined as explained above) appears in the Voting Instructions Form. The Proxy Statement provides background information and describes in detail the proposal to be voted on at the Meeting.

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has unanimously voted in favor of the proposal and recommends that you give voting instructions for their approval.vote FOR the Proposal.

In order for shares to be voted at the Meeting based on your instructions, we urge you to read the Proxy Statement and then complete and mail your Voting Instructions Form in the attached postage-paid envelope, allowing sufficient time for its receipt by April 10, 2017.the close of business on September 27, 2021.

If you have any questions regarding the Meeting, please call one of the following numbers:

Sincerely,

JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

601 Congress200 Berkeley Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02210-280502116

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

OF MONEY MARKETBLUE CHIP GROWTH TRUST

To the Shareholders of Money MarketBlue Chip Growth Trust:

Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Money MarketBlue Chip Growth Trust (the “Fund”), a series of John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”), will be held at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, onApril 11, 2017 September 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Meeting will be a virtual meeting held via telephone only.

The Fund is sensitive to the health and travel concerns that shareholders may have and the protocols that federal, state, and local governments may impose at the time of the Meeting. Due to the difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the date, time, location or means of conducting the Meeting may change. In the event of such a change, the Fund will announce alternative arrangements for the Meeting as soon as possible. If there are any such changes to the Meeting, the Fund may not deliver additional soliciting materials to shareholders or otherwise amend the Fund’s proxy materials. Instead, the Fund plans to announce these changes, if any, by: (i) issuing a press release at [www.[___].com] and encourage you to check this website before the Meeting; and (ii) filing the announcement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are urging all shareholders to take advantage of voting by mail, the internet, or telephone, as provided on the attached proxy card.

Attending the Meeting via Telephone

To participate in the Meeting, contract owners eligible to give voting instructions and shareholders of the Fund must call the Broadridge Service Center at 1-855-200-8053 no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. on September 27, 2021, and provide your full name and address. You will then be provided with the conference call dial-in information to attend the Meeting.

Telephonic access to the Meeting is limited to variable insurance and annuity contract owners who are authorized to give voting instructions to shareholders and to representatives of the insurance company separate accounts that own shares of the Fund.

A Proxy Statement, which provides information about the Meeting is included with this notice. The Meeting will be held for the following purpose:purposes:

Proposal         To change the classification of the Fund from “diversified” to “non-diversified.”

Any other business that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment of the Meeting.

The Board of Trustees of the Trust recommends that shareholders vote FOR the Proposal.

Each shareholder of record at the close of business on February 12, 2017August 4, 2021 is entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.Meeting and at any adjournment thereof.

Whether or not you expect to attend the Meeting, please complete and return the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying envelope. No postage is necessary if mailed in the United States. If shareholders do not return their proxies in sufficient numbers, it may result in the need for additional shareholder solicitation efforts.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for

the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on September 28, 2021:
The Proxy Statement is available at: [ ].

Sincerely,

Boston, Massachusetts

JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST

601 Congress200 Berkeley Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02210-280502116

PROXY STATEMENT

SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

MONEY MARKETBLUE CHIP GROWTH TRUST

TO BE HELD ON April 11, 2017SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

INTRODUCTION

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”) of John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”) of proxies to be used at a special meeting of shareholders of Money MarketBlue Chip Growth Trust (the “Fund”) to be held at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, onApril 11, 2017September 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time (the(the “Meeting”) for purposes of voting on the proposal summarized below. Pursuant to the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”), the Board has designated February 12, 2017August 4, 2021 as the record date for determining shareholders eligible to vote at the Meeting (the “Record Date”). All shareholders of record of the Fund at the close of business on February 12, 2017August 4, 2021 are entitled to one vote for each share (and fractional votes for fractional shares) of beneficial interest held. This Proxy Statement is first being sent to shareholders on or about March 3, 2017.[ ], 2021.

The Trust. The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust that is an open-end investment company, commonly known as a mutual fund, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As of December 31, 2016,2020, the Trust offered 6252 separate series. The Trust does not sell its shares directly to the public but generally only to affiliated insurance companies and their separate accounts as the underlying investment media for variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts (“variable contracts”), certain entities affiliated with the insurance companies, as permitted by applicable law, and other series of the Trust that operate as funds of funds. Shares of the Trust also may be sold to unaffiliated insurance companies and their separate accounts and certain qualified pension and retirement plans.

Investment Management. John Hancock Variable Trust Advisers LLC, formerly John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC (the “Advisor”), located at 601 Congress200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210,02116, serves as investment advisor to the Trust and each series of the Trust that has a subadvisor pursuant to an Amended and Restated Advisory Agreement with the Trust (the “Advisory Agreement”), dated September 26, 2008.June 30, 2020. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is responsible for, among other things,

administering the business and affairs of each series and selecting, contracting with, compensating and monitoring the investment subadvisors that manage the assets of the series pursuant to subadvisory agreements.

The Distributor.John Hancock Distributors, LLC, located at 601 Congress200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210,02116, serves as the distributor to the Trust.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSALPROPOSALS

SHAREHOLDERS AND VOTING INFORMATION

Shareholders of the Trust

The Trust does not sell its shares directly to the public but generally only to insurance companies and their separate accounts as the underlying investment media for contracts issued by such companies, and certain entities affiliated with the insurance companies and those series of the Trust that operate as funds of funds and invest in other Trust funds (the “Funds of Funds”).funds. Shares of the Trust are sold principally to John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (“John Hancock (U.S.A.)”) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York (“John Hancock New York”). Each of John Hancock (U.S.A.), John Hancock New York and John Hancock Distributors, LLC, (“JH Distributors”), is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (“Manulife”), a Canadian stock life insurance company. The ultimate parent entity of each such insurance company and of JH Distributors is Manulife Financial Corporation (“MFC”), the holding company of Manulife and its subsidiaries, collectively known as Manulife Financial. The principal offices of Manulife Financial are located at 200 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 1E5.

As of the Record Date, the shares of the Fund attributable to contracts were legally owned by John Hancock (U.S.A.) and John Hancock New York.

John Hancock (U.S.A.) and John Hancock New York hold(collectively, the “Insurance Companies”). Each of the Insurance Companies holds shares principallyof the Trust directly and/or attributable to contracts in their separate accounts. They may also hold shares directly. John Hancock (U.S.A.Such separate accounts include separate accounts registered under the 1940 Act (“Registered Separate Accounts”) and John Hancock New Yorkas well as unregistered separate accounts. An Insurance Company may legally own in the aggregate more than 25% of the shares of a series of the Trust. For purposes of the 1940 Act, any person who owns “beneficially” more than 25% of the outstanding shares of a fund is presumed to “control” the fund. Shares are generally deemed to be beneficially owned by a person who has the power to vote or dispose of the shares. John Hancock (U.S.A.) and John Hancock New York haveAn Insurance Company has no power to exercise any discretion in voting or disposing of any of the shares that theyit legally own,owns, except that theyit may have the power to dispose of shares that they holdit holds directly. Consequently, John Hancock (U.S.A.) or John Hancock New Yorkan Insurance Company would be presumed to control a series of the Trust only if it holds directly for its own account, and has the power to dispose of, more than 25% of the shares of such series.

John Hancock (U.S.A.) is a stock life insurance company originally organized under the laws of Pennsylvania, redomesticatedexisting under the laws of Michigan and having its principal address at 200 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 1E5. John Hancock New York is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws of New York and having its principal address at 100 Summit Lake Drive, Second Floor, Valhalla, New York 10595. Each of John Hancock U.S.A.

3Voting Procedures

and John Hancock New York holds shares of the Trust directly and/or attributable to contracts in their separate accounts. Such separate accounts include separate accounts registered under the 1940 Act as well as unregistered separate accounts.

John Hancock (U.S.A.) and John Hancock New York (the “Insurance Companies”) have the right to vote upon matters that may be voted upon at a special shareholders’ meeting. The Insurance Companies will vote all shares of the Fund issued to them held in separate accounts that are registered under the 1940 Act (“Registered Separate Accounts”) in proportion to the timely instructions received from owners of contracts (“contract owners”) participating in these Registered Separate Accounts. The Insurance Companies, in connection with their solicitation of voting instructions, are furnishing this Proxy Statement to the owners of contracts participating in Registered Separate Accounts holding shares of the Fund to be voted at the Meeting.

The number of votes eligible to be cast at the Meeting with respect to the Fund, the percentage ownership of the outstanding shares of the Fund by each of John Hancock (U.S.A.) and John Hancock New Yorkthe Insurance Companies and other share ownership information, as of the Record Date, are set forth in Appendix A (“Outstanding Shares and Share Ownership”) to this Proxy Statement.

The Trust will furnish, without charge, a copy of the Trust’s most recent annual report and semi-annual report to any shareholder or owner of contracts (“contract ownerowner”) upon request. To obtain a report, please contact the Trust by calling 800-344-1029 or by writing to the Trust at 601 Congress200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210,02116, Attn.: Treasurer.

Voting Procedures

Proxies may be revoked at any time prior to the voting of the shares represented thereby by: (i) mailing written instructions addressed to the Secretary of the Trust at 601 Congress200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210; or02116; (ii) signing and returning a new proxy, in each case if received by the Trust byApril 10, 2017; the close of business on September 27, 2021; or (iii) attending the Meeting via telephone and voting shares. All valid proxies will be voted in accordance with specifications thereon, or in the absence of specifications, for approval of thea Proposal. Instructions from contract owners may be revoked by: (i) mailing written instructions addressed to the Secretary of Trust at 601 Congress200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210;02116; or (ii) signing and returning a new voting instructions form, in each case if received by the Trust by the close of business onApril 10, 2017. September 27, 2021.

Quorum; Definition of a Majority of Outstanding Voting Securities.Shareholders of record at the close of business on February 12, 2017,

August 4,

2021, the Record Date, will be entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment of the Meeting. The holders of 30% of the outstanding shares of the Fund at the close of business on that date present in personat the Meeting or by proxy will constitute a quorum for the Meeting. A Majority of the Outstanding Voting Securities (defined below) of the Fund is required to approve thea Proposal. As used in this Proxy Statement, the vote of a “Majority of the Outstanding Voting Securities” means the affirmative vote of the lesser of:

(1) 67% or more of the voting securities of the Fund, present at the Meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present at the Meeting or by proxy; or

(2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share of Series I, Series II and Series NAV shares held and fractional votes for fractional shares held. No shares have cumulative voting rights.

In the event the necessary quorum to transact business or the vote required to approve the Proposalsa Proposal is not obtained at the Meeting, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting with respect to one or more Proposals in accordance with applicable law to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any adjournment of the Meeting generally will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (i.e., more than 50%) of the shares of the Fund cast at the Meeting, and any adjournment with respect to thea Proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the Proposal cast at the Meeting. The persons named as proxies will vote for or against any adjournment in their discretion. Because shares held by contract owners participating in Registered Separate Accounts for which voting instructions are not timely received will nevertheless be voted in proportion to the timely instructions received from contract owners participating in such Registered Separate Accounts, all shares in Registered Separate Accounts will be voted at the Meeting. Because Registered Separate Accounts hold over 30% of the Fund’s shares, the presence of a quorum is assured.

Abstentions.Abstentions are counted as shares eligible to vote at the Meeting in determining whether a quorum is present but do not count as votes cast with respect to thea Proposal. Under the 1940 Act, the affirmative vote necessary to approve a matter under consideration may be determined with reference to a percentage of votes present at the Meeting, which would have the effect of treating abstentions as if they were votes against thea Proposal.

Cost of Preparation and Distribution of Proxy Materials.The cost of the preparation and distribution of these proxy materials will be borne entirely by the Fund. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by officers and employees of the Trust, the Advisor and its agents or affiliates, personally or by telephone.

Portfolio Voting.Shares of the Fund will be voted in the aggregate and not by class of shares with respect to the Proposal.

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Solicitation of Proxies and Voting Instructions

The Trust is soliciting proxies from the shareholders of the Fund, including the Insurance Companies, which have the right to vote upon matters that may be voted upon at a special shareholders’ meeting. The Insurance Companies will furnish this Proxy Statement/ProspectusStatement to the owners of variable contracts participating in Registered Separate Accounts that hold shares of the Fund to be voted at the Meeting, and will solicit voting instructions from those contract owners.

Each Insurance Company will vote shares of the Fund held in its Registered Separate Accounts: (i) for which timely voting instructions are received from contract owners, in accordance with such instructions or if no instruction is made, “for” the proposal;Proposal; and (ii) for which no voting instructions are timely received, in the same proportion as the instructions received from contract owners participating in all its Registered Separate Accounts. The Insurance Companies will vote shares of the Fund held by them directly (i.e.,not through a separate account) in the same proportion as the voting instructions timely received by the Insurance Companies from contract owners participating in all their Registered Separate Accounts. Similarly, in accordance with their proxy voting procedures, the Funds of Funds also will vote shares of the Fund in the same proportion as the voting instructions timely received by the Insurance Companies from contract owners participating in all their Registered Separate Accounts. The effect of proportional voting as described above is that a small number of contract owners can determine the outcome of the voting. The Insurance Companies will vote shares

Proposal ─ Approval of change to the fund’s diversification status

Introduction

As a diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the Fund currently has a fundamental policy substantively the same as the following: that it may not with respect to 75% of its total assets invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at current value) in the securities of any one issuer, or invest in more than 10% of the Fund held by them through separate accounts that are not registered under the 1940 Act in accordance with instructions provided by an independent fiduciary selectedoutstanding voting securities of any one issuer, except obligations issued or guaranteed by the Insurance Companies.

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PROPOSAL 1

APPROVAL OF NEW SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ADVISOR AND JOHN HANCOCK ASSET MANAGEMENT A DIVISION OF MANULIFE ASSET MANAGEMENT (US) LLC (“JHAM”)

AtU.S. Government, its in-person meeting on December 6-8, 2016,agencies or instrumentalities and except securities of other investment companies. As a fundamental policy, any change to such policy requires shareholder approval. If the Board, including allchange in the Independent Trustees,Fund’s diversification status is approved entering into a new subadvisory agreement forby shareholders, the Fund betweenwill operate as a non-diversified fund. The risk of operating as a non-diversified fund is that a fund could have more concentrated ownership of certain issuers than if it was a diversified fund. Concentrated ownership of issuers may make the Advisor and JHAM (the “JHAM Subadvisory Agreement”). Fund more susceptible to economic, business, political or other factors affecting the issuers in which it invests. Accordingly, a non-diversified fund may involve more risk than a diversified fund. By changing the Fund’s status to be non-diversified, portfolio management will have more flexibility in managing the Fund’s investments as described herein.

Shareholders of the Fund are being asked to approve the JHAM Subadvisory Agreement.change to the Fund’s diversification status. The Advisor has recommended to the Board that this fundamental investment restriction be changed.

The Board approvedAdvisor believes, based on a review of the appointment of JHAM as the new subadvisor toFund’s investment process, that the Fund and its shareholders may benefit if the JHAM Subadvisory Agreement, subject to shareholder approval. If shareholders approveFund is operated as a “non-diversified” fund. Based on its experience and investment analysis, the proposal, JHAM will replace John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (North America) Limited (“MAM (North America)”) asAdvisor believes that generally the subadvisorability for the Fund effective May 1, 2017, or ifto invest more significantly in fewer securities may enhance the Meeting is adjourned with respect to Proposal 1,probability of improved performance over the next business day following shareholder approval, or on such later date as the officers of the Trust may determine.

The Board of Trustees is recommending that shareholders vote in favor of the proposal because JHAM currently manageslong term. As a similar fund, the John Hancock Money Market Fund, and has extensive experience and demonstrated skills as a manager with respect to money market funds and may be expected to provide a high quality of investment management services and personnel to the Fund; because the Board is generally satisfied with JHAM’s management of the John Hancock Money Market Fund; and because the subadvisory fee paid to JHAM to manageresult, the Fund would behas, over the same as the subadvisory fee currently paid to MAM (North America) to manage the Fund.

The current subadvisory agreement provides forpast few years, generally trended toward investing a subadvisory fee paid by the Adviser, not the Fund, to MAM (North America) at an annuallarger percentage of the Fund’s Aggregate Net Assets*assets in accordance with the schedule below. If the proposal is approved, the subadvisory fee paid to JHAM will be the same.securities of fewer companies.

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If the Proposal is approved, the subadvisory fee paid to JHAM will be the same as the subadvisory fee paid to MAM (North America).

The following table sets forth for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016: (1) the aggregate amount of subadvisory fees paid by the Advisor to MAM (North America); (2) thepro forma aggregate amount of subadvisory feesBoard has concluded that the Advisor would have paid to JHAM if the JHAM Subadvisory Agreement had been in effect; and (3) the difference between the amounts of subadvisory fees under (1) as compared to (2) stated as a percentage of the amount under (1).

shareholders. The JHAM Subadvisory Agreement provides that JHAM will not be liable to the Advisor or the Trust for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Advisor or Trust in connection with the matters to which the proposed subadvisory agreement relates except for losses resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of, or from the reckless disregard of, JHAM’s duties as subadvisor or the duties of any of its directors.

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The JHAM Subadvisory Agreement provides that it may be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities ofBoard unanimously recommends that shareholders of the Fund on sixty days’ written notice to the Advisor and JHAM, or by the Advisor or JHAM on sixty days’ written notice to the Trust and the other party. The JHAM Subadvisory Agreement will automatically terminate upon its “assignment,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act or in the event the Advisory Agreement terminates for any reason.approve the proposed change.

If approved by the Fund’s shareholders, the JHAM Subadvisory Agreementchange to the Fund’s diversification status will become effective onwhen the date of its execution and will remain in effect for an initial two-year term. Thereafter,Fund’s SAI is revised or supplemented to reflect the JHAM Subadvisory Agreement will continue in effect if continuancechange. Assuming that the proposed change is approved at least annually bythe Meeting, the Fund expects to file a vote ofrevision or supplement to its SAI on or about September 29, 2021.

If the Fund’s shareholders or by the Board, provided that, in either case, continuanceproposed change is approved by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, the vote of whom must be cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance.

The description of the JHAM Subadvisory Agreement in this section is qualified in its entirety by the form of JHAM Subadvisory Agreement attached to this Proxy Statement in Appendix B.

Comparison Between the MAM (North America) Subadvisory Agreement and the JHAM Subadvisory Agreement

The current subadvisory agreement with MAM (North America) (the “MAM (North America) Subadvisory Agreement”) and the JHAM Subadvisory Agreement are substantially similar. Under both agreements, the subadvisors have substantially the same duties. The principal differences are described below. The current subadvisory agreement with MAM (North America) was last submitted to a vote of the Fund’s shareholders for approval and wasnot approved by the Fund’s shareholders, on December 19, 2001the current fundamental investment restriction regarding diversification will remain in effect and was effective on January 1, 2002.

Fees.    The fee rates provided for in the JHAM Subadvisory Agreement are the same as those provided in the MAM (North America) subadvisory agreement and are set forth above. The Advisor, and not the Fund pays the subadvisory feeswill continue to be managed as a diversified fund.

Change to the subadvisor.Fund’s Diversification Status

Proxy Voting.The JHAM Subadvisory Agreement provides thatfollowing table sets forth the subadvisor shall vote all proxies it receives in connection with securities held by the Fund. The MAM (North America) Subadvisory Agreement is silent on this practice.

Supplemental Arrangements.    The JHAM Subadvisory Agreement provides that JHAM may enter into arrangements with affiliated persons to better enable it

10

to fulfill its obligations under the JHAM Subadvisory Agreement for the provision of certain personnel and facilities. The MAM (North America) Subadvisory Agreement does not prohibit MAM (North America) from engaging with affiliated persons but is silent on this practice.

Consultation with Subadvisors to Other Trust Portfolios.    The JHAM Subadvisory AgreementFund’s current fundamental investment restriction regarding diversification and the MAM (North America) Subadvisory Agreement prohibit JHAM and MAM (North America), respectively, from consulting with the following entities concerning transactions for a portfolio in securities or other assets: (1) other subadvisors to the Fund; (2) other subadvisors to a Trust portfolio; and (3) other subadvisors to portfolios under common control with the Fund.

Evaluation by the Board of Trustees

At an in-person Board meeting on December 6-8, 2016, the Advisor recommended to the Board that the Fund’s subadvisor, MAM (North America), be replaced with JHAM. Both MAM (North America) and JHAM are affiliates of the Advisor and MFC is the indirect controlling parent company of both MAM (North America) and JHAM. The Board, including all the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, the Advisor, JHAM, MAM (North America), or JH Distributors (the “Independent Trustees”), approved the appointment of JHAM as the new subadvisor to the Fund and the new JHAM Subadvisory Agreement at its in-person meeting on December 6-8, 2016.

In considering the approval of the proposed subadvisory agreement with JHAM, the Board took into account its consideration of the factors it considered with the annual evaluation of the advisory and subadvisory agreements conducted at an in-person meetings held on May 24-25, 2016, as well as information presented at other meetings during the year. Throughout the process, the Trustees were afforded the opportunity to ask questions of and request additional information from management. The Board also considered other factors it deemed relevant in its evaluation of the proposed subadvisory agreement, including the potential benefits that the Fund, and its shareholders and contract owners, may realize through having a new subadvisor. The Board also considered conditions and trends prevailing generally in the economy, the securities markets and the industry. The Board also considered the affiliation of the Advisor with JHAM, noting any potential conflicts of interest. The Board did not treat any single factor as determinative, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to different factors. Throughout the evaluation process, the Board was assisted by counsel for the Trust and the Independent Trustees were also separately assisted by independent legal counsel. The factors considered by the Board with respect to the Fund were:

restriction.

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In making its determination and with reference toassets in the factors that it considered, the Board reviewed:

The Board’s decision to approve the proposed subadvisory agreement with JHAM was based on a smaller number of determinations, includingissuers, may invest more of its assets in the following:securities of a single issuer, and may be affected more than a diversified fund by changes in the financial condition of any one issuer or by the financial markets’ assessment of any such issuers.

Required Vote

Approval of the JHAM Subadvisory AgreementProposal will require the affirmative vote of a Majority of the Outstanding Voting Securities of the Fund. If the required shareholder approval is not obtained, the current MAM (North America) Subadvisory Agreement will remain in effect and there will be no change in subadvisor pending the approval of a new subadvisory agreement or other definitive action.

12In this Proxy Statement, the term “Majority of the Outstanding Voting Securities” of the Fund means the affirmative vote of the lesser of:

(1)       67% or more of the voting securities of the Fund, present at the Meeting, if the holders

of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present at the Meeting or by proxy; or

(2)       more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

Shareholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with the Proposal in this Proxy Statement.

THE BOARD, INCLUDING ALL THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES RECOMMENDSOF THE TRUST WHO ARE NOT “INTERESTED PERSONS” (AS DEFINED IN THE 1940 ACT) OF THE TRUST (THE “INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES”), AND THE ADVISOR RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUND VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL 1.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board does not know of any matters to be presented at the Meeting other than those mentioned in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the shares represented by proxies will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the person or persons voting the proxies.

The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and, therefore, it cannot be determined when the next meeting of shareholders will be held. Shareholder proposals to be presented at any future meeting of shareholders of the Trust must be received by the Trust a reasonable time before the Trust’s solicitation of proxies for that meeting in order for such proposals to be considered for inclusion in the proxy materials related to that meeting.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

March 3, 2017

[   ], 2021

Boston, Massachusetts

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

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APPENDIXAppendix A

OUTSTANDING SHARES AND SHARE OWNERSHIP - Outstanding Shares and Share Ownership

Principal Holders.The following sets forth the principal holders of the shares of the Fund.Blue Chip Growth Trust. Principal holders are those who own of record or are known by the Trust to own beneficially 5% or more of a series of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

As of the Record Date, the number of votes eligible to be cast at the Meeting with respect to the Series I, Series II and Series NAV shares of the Fund, as applicable, and the percentage ownership thereof by each of John Hancock (U.S.A.), and John Hancock New York and the Fund of Funds are set forth below:

The Insurance Companies will vote shares of the Fund held by them through separate accounts that are not registered under the 1940 Act in accordance with instructions provided by an independent fiduciary selected by the Insurance Companies. As of the Record Date, 93.94% of Series I shares were held in these separate accounts.

[As of the Record Date, Trustees and officers of the Trust, in the aggregate, beneficially owned or had the right to provide voting instructions for less than 1% of the outstanding shares of any class of the Fund.]

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APPENDIX B

SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

Sovereign Asset Management LLC*

AGREEMENT made this 28th day of April, 2006, between John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”), and Sovereign Asset Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Subadviser”)* In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

The Subadviser undertakes to act as investment subadviser to, and, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of John Hancock Trust (the “Trust”) (formerly, Manufacturers Investment Trust) and the terms of this Agreement, to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Portfolios specified in Appendix A to this Agreement as it shall be amended by the Adviser and the Subadviser from time to time (the “Portfolios”). The Subadviser will be an independent contractor and will have no authority to act for or represent the Trust or Adviser in any way except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or another writing by the Trust and Adviser.

[* Note: JHAM was previously known as Sovereign Asset Managment, LLC.]

P.O. BOX 9112

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The Adviser will pay the Subadviser with respect to each Portfolio the compensation specified in Appendix A to this Agreement.

Neither the Subadviser nor any of its directors, officers or employees shall be liable to the Adviser or the Trust for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Adviser or Trust in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates except for losses resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of, or from the reckless disregard of, the duties of the Subadviser or any of its directors.

The Subadviser may enter into arrangements with other persons affiliated with the Subadviser to better enable it to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement for the provision of certain personnel and facilities to the Subadviser.

The Subadviser agrees to treat Trust portfolio holdings as confidential information in accordance with the Trust’s “Policy Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings,” as such policy may be amended from time to time, and to prohibit its employees from trading on any such confidential information.

It is understood that trustees, officers, agents and shareholders of the Trust are or may be interested in the Subadviser as trustees, officers, partners or otherwise; that employees, agents and partners of the Subadviser are or may be interested in the Trust as trustees, officers, shareholders or otherwise; that the Subadviser may be interested in the Trust; and that the existence of any such dual interest shall not affect the validity hereof or of any transactions hereunder except as otherwise provided in the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Subadviser, respectively, or by specific provision of applicable law.

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The Subadviser shall submit to all regulatory and administrative bodies having jurisdiction over the services provided pursuant to this Agreement any information, reports or other material which any such body by reason of this Agreement may request or require pursuant to applicable laws and regulations.

This Agreement shall become effective with respect to each Portfolio on the later of (i) its execution and (ii) the date of the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, at which meeting this Agreement is approved as described below. The Agreement will continue in effect for a period more than two years from the date of its execution only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually either by the Trustees of the Trust or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each of the Portfolios, provided that in either event such continuance shall also be approved by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Any required shareholder approval of the Agreement or of any continuance of the Agreement shall be effective with respect to any Portfolio if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the series (as defined in Rule 18f-2(h) under the Investment Company Act) of shares of that Portfolio votes to approve the Agreement or its continuance, notwithstanding that the Agreement or its continuance may not have been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of (a) any other Portfolio affected by the Agreement or (b) all the portfolios of the Trust.

If any required shareholder approval of this Agreement or any continuance of the Agreement is not obtained, the Subadviser will continue to act as investment subadviser with respect to such Portfolio pending the required approval of the Agreement or its continuance or of a new contract with the Subadviser or a different adviser or subadviser or other definitive action; provided, that the compensation received by the Subadviser in respect of such Portfolio during such period is in compliance with Rule 15a-4 under the Investment Company Act.

This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Trustees of the Trust, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or with respect to any Portfolio by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio, on sixty days’ written notice to the Adviser and the Subadviser, or by the Adviser or Subadviser on sixty days’ written notice to the Trust and the other party. This Agreement will automatically terminate, without the payment of any penalty, in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Investment Company Act) or in the event the Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust terminates for any reason.

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The Subadviser will promptly notify the Adviser in writing of the occurrence of any of the following events:

The Adviser understands, and has advised the Trust’s Board of Trustees, that the Subadviser now acts, or may in the future act, as an investment adviser to fiduciary and other managed accounts and as investment adviser or subadviser to other investment companies. Further, the Adviser understands, and has advised the Trust’s Board of Trustees that the Subadviser and its affiliates may give advice and take action for its accounts, including investment companies, which differs from advice given on the timing or nature of action taken for the Portfolio. The Subadviser is not obligated to initiate transactions for a Portfolio in any security which the Subadviser, its partners, affiliates or employees may purchase or sell for their own accounts or other clients.

As required by Rule 17a-10 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Subadviser is prohibited from consulting with the entities listed below concerning transactions for a Portfolio in securities or other assets:FARMINGDALE, NY 11735

JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (U.S.A.)

This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of

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voting on such approval. Any required shareholder approval shall be effective with respect to any Portfolio if a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Portfolio vote to approve the amendment, notwithstanding that the amendment may not have been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of (a) any other Portfolio affected by the amendment or (b) all the portfolios of the Trust.

This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement of the parties.

The headings in the sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof.

All notices required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered or mailed to the last known business address of the Trust or applicable party in person or by registered mail or a private mail or delivery service providing the sender with notice of receipt. Notice shall be deemed given on the date delivered or mailed in accordance with this paragraph.

Should any portion of this Agreement for any reason be held to be void in law or in equity, the Agreement shall be construed, insofar as is possible, as if such portion had never been contained herein.

The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent that the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of the provisions in this Agreement, conflict with applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

The Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated September 28, 1988, a copy of which, together with all amendments thereto (the “Declaration”), is on file in the office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name “Manufacturers Investment Trust” and subsequently, “John Hancock Trust”, refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as

B-6BLUE CHIP GROWTH TRUST

individuals or personally; and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property, for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim, in connection with the affairs of the Trust or any portfolio thereof, but only the assets belonging to the Trust, or to the particular Portfolio with respect to which such obligation or claim arose, shall be liable.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed under seal by their duly authorized officers as of the date first mentioned above.

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APPENDIX A TO THE SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT

The Subadviser shall serve as investment subadviser for the Portfolios of the Trust listed below. The Adviser will pay the Subadviser, as full compensation for all services provided under this Agreement with respect to the Portfolio, the fee computed separately for such Portfolio at an annual rate as follows (the “Subadviser Fee”):

The Subadviser Fee for a Portfolio shall be based on the applicable annual fee rate for the Portfolio which for each day shall be equal to (i) the sum of the amounts determined by applying the annual percentage rates in the table to the applicable portions of Aggregate Net Assets divided by (ii) Aggregate Net Assets (the “Applicable Annual Fee Rate”). The Subadviser Fee for the Portfolio shall be accrued for each calendar day, and the sum of the daily fee accruals shall be paid monthly to the Subadviser within 30 calendar days of the end of each month. The daily fee accruals will be computed by multiplying the fraction of one over the number of calendar days in the year by the Applicable Annual Fee Rate, and multiplying this product by the net assets of the Portfolio. The Adviser shall provide Subadviser with such information as Subadviser may reasonably request supporting the calculation of the fees paid to it hereunder. Fees shall be paid either by wire transfer or check, as directed by Subadviser.

If, with respect to any Portfolio, this Agreement becomes effective or terminates, or if the manner of determining the Applicable Annual Fee Rate

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changes, before the end of any month, the fee (if any) for the period from the effective date to the end of such month or from the beginning of such month to the date of termination or from the beginning of such month to the date such change, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to the full month in which such effectiveness or termination or change occurs.

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APPENDIX C

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT JHAM

As described under Proposal 1, JHAM is proposed to replace MAM (North America) as subadvisor with respect to the Fund effective as of May 1, 2017, or if the Meeting is adjourned with respect to Proposal 1, the next business day following shareholder approval, or on such later date as the officers of the Trust may determine. This Appendix supplements the information contained in the Proxy Statement about JHAM.

Management and Control of JHAM

JHAM, a Delaware limited liability company located at 197 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02116, was founded in 1979 and is a wholly owned subsidiary ofundersigned hereby instructs John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) located at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.and John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) is a subsidiary of MFC based in Toronto, Canada located at 200 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario M4W 1E5.

The names and principal occupations of JHAM’s principal executive officers and directors are set forth below. The address for each officer and directorNew York to vote all shares of John Hancock Asset Management is 197 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.Variable Insurance Trust attributable to his or her variable annuity or variable life contract at the Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, September 28, 2021, and any adjournments thereof, as indicated below and in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting.

Voting pursuant to these instructions will be as specified. If no specification is made as to an item on a properly executed Voting Instructions Form, voting will be for such item. This voting instructions form is provided for the shares of the above referenced fund attributable to your contract values as of August 4, 2021. Please sign, date, and return the voting instructions form in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 TO BE VOTED AT THE MEETING TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2021.

THESE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ARE SOLICITED BY JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (U.S.A.) AND JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST.

PLEASE SIGN AND DATE ON THE REVERSE SIDE.

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Other Funds Managed by JHAM

JHAM currently act as the subadvisor to the John Hancock Money Market Fund, which has an investment objective and investment policies similar to those of the Fund. The table below states the size of the John Hancock Money Market Fund as of December 31, 2016. The subadvisory fee schedule for the John Hancock Money Market Fund is the same as the fee schedule for the Fund.

Net Assets of the John Hancock Money Market Fund as of December 31, 2016

$529,102,633

Payments to Affiliates

The Advisor serves as the advisor to the Trust and to the Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the Trust paid an aggregate advisory fee of $297,180,199 to the Advisor, with the Advisor retaining $198,327,157 after the payments to the subadvisors. The Fund paid the Advisor under the Advisory Agreement an advisory fee of $5,679,815 with the Advisor retaining $5,102,920 after payment of the subadvisory fee to MAM (North America).

MAM (North America) serves as the subadvisor to certain funds of the Trust in addition to the Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the Advisor paid an aggregate advisory fee of $3,545,460 to MAM (North America).

JHAM serves as the subadvisor to certain funds of the Trust. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the Advisor paid an aggregate advisory fee of $32,005,132 to JHAM.

John Hancock Distributors LLC.     John Hancock Distributors LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MFC, is the Trust’s distributor and principal underwriter. It is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA). For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the Trust paid aggregate Rule 12b-1 fees of $104,594,515, and the Fund paid Rule 12b-1 fees to John Hancock Distributors of $1,448,413.

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JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST P.O. BOX 9112 FARMINGDALE, NY 11735				To vote by Internet
				1)			Read the Proxy Statement and have the voting instruction form below at hand.PLEASE SIGN IN BOX BELOW:
				2)		Go to websitewww.proxyvote.com
				3)		Follow the instructions provided on the website.
				To vote by Telephone
				1)		Read the Proxy Statement and have the voting instruction form below at hand.
				2)		Call1-800-690-6903
				3)		Follow the instructions.
				To vote by Mail
				1)		Read the Proxy Statement.
				2)		Check the appropriate box on the voting instruction form below.
				3)		Sign and date the voting instruction form.
				4)		Return the voting instruction form in the envelope provided.