SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ______)
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
| ☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| ☐ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| ☒ | Definitive Additional Materials |
| ☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS III
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
| ☒ | No fee required. |
| ☐ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
| | (1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
| | (2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
| | (3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
(Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
| | (4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
| | (5) | Total fee paid: |
| | ☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
| | ☐ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
| | (1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
| | (2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
| | (3) | Filing Party: |
| | (4) | Date Filed: |
Draft - Solicitation Script
John Hancock Funds
Meeting Date: September 9, 2022
Toll Free Number: 855-643-7451
Inbound Greeting:
Thank you for calling the Broadridge Proxy Services Center for the John Hancock Funds. My name is <Agent Name>. How may I assist you today?
General Outbound Greeting:
Good day, may I please speak with Mr./Ms. <full name as it appears on registration>?
Hello Mr./Ms. <Shareholder’s Last Name>. My name is <agent name> and I am a proxy voting specialist calling on behalf of John Hancock Funds to confirm you have received the proxy materials for the special meeting of shareholders scheduled for September 9, 2022. Have you received proxy materials?
Near Meeting Date Outbound Greeting:
Good day, may I please speak with Mr./Ms. <full name as it appears on registration>?
Hello Mr./Ms. <Shareholder’s Last Name>. My name is <agent name> and I am a proxy voting specialist calling on behalf of John Hancock Funds to confirm you have received the proxy materials for the special meeting of shareholders scheduled in just a few days on September 9, 2022. Have you received proxy materials?
Adjournment Outbound Greeting:
Good day, may I please speak with Mr./Ms. <full name as it appears on registration>?
Hi Mr. /Ms. <Shareholder’s Last Name>, my name is <Agent Name> and I am a proxy voting specialist calling on behalf of your current investment with John Hancock Funds. Due to the lack of shareholder participation, the special Meeting of Shareholders has been adjourned to <date/time>. Have you received proxy materials?
Voting:
The board of the Fund(s) you are invested in has recommended a vote IN FAVOR of the proposals. Would you like to vote along with the recommendations of the board for all of your accounts?
Thank you, I am recording your <for, against, abstain> vote. For confirmation purposes, please state your full name.
And according to our records, you currently reside in <read street address, city, and state > is that correct? For confirmation purposes, please state your zip code.
Thank you. You will receive a confirmation of your voting instructions within 5 days. If you have any questions, please contact us at this toll-free number 855-643-7451.
Mr./Ms. <Shareholder’s Last Name>, your vote is important, and your time is appreciated. Thank you and have a good <day, evening, night>.
If Unsure of voting or does not want to vote along with the recommendation of the Board:
Would you like me to review the proposals with you? <After review, ask them if they would like to vote now over the phone>.
If not received/Requesting material to be re-mailed:
I can resend the proxy materials to you, or I can review the proposals with you and record your vote immediately by phone. <Pause for response>
After review, ask them if they would like to vote now over the phone:
The board of the Fund(s) you are invested in recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposals. Would you like to vote along with the recommendations of the Board for all your accounts?
If they don’t want proposals reviewed:
Do you have an email address this can be sent to? <If yes, enter the email address in the notes and read it back phonetically to the shareholder.>
Thank you. You should receive the proxy materials shortly and the materials will inform you of the methods available to cast your vote, one of which is to call us back at 855-643-7451.
If Not Interested:
I am sorry for the inconvenience. Please be aware that as a shareholder, your vote is very important. Please fill out and return your proxy card at your earliest convenience. If you would rather not do that, you can always vote via the other methods outlined in the proxy materials. Thank you again for your time today and have a wonderful day/evening.
Registered holder wants a new proxy card/or their control number <send complete contact information name, address, control #, & shares to Broadridge>:
Your control number can be found on your proxy card. I can arrange to have a new proxy card sent to you. However, I can record your voting instructions right now so that it will be represented at the upcoming meeting. The board of the Fund(s) you are invested in is recommending you vote FOR the proposals. Would you like to vote along with the recommendations of the Board for all your accounts?
Beneficial holder wants a new VIF/or their control number:
Your control number can be found on your Vote Instruction Form. You can contact your broker/financial advisor and they can arrange to have a new voting instruction form sent to you. However, I can record your voting instructions right now so that it will be represented at the upcoming meeting. The board of the Fund(s) you are invested in is recommending you vote FOR the proposals. Would you like to vote along with the recommendations of the Board for all your accounts?
ANSWERING MACHINE MESSAGE:
Hello, my name is <Agent Name> and I am a proxy voting specialist calling on behalf of John Hancock Funds. You should have received proxy material electronically or in the mail concerning the special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on September 9, 2022.
Your vote is very important. Please sign, date and promptly mail your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Internet and telephone voting are also available. To vote over the Internet please follow the instructions provided in the proxy materials. If you have any questions, would like to vote over the telephone or need new proxy materials, call toll-free at 855-643-7451 and a proxy voting specialist will assist you. Specialists are available Monday through Friday, 9AM to 10PM Eastern Time. Voting takes just a few moments and will benefit all shareholders. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
AUTOMATED ANSWERING MACHINE MESSAGE:
Hello, this is the Broadridge Proxy Services Center calling with an important message on behalf of John Hancock Funds. You should have received proxy material electronically or in the mail concerning the special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on September 9, 2022.
Your vote is very important. Please sign, date and promptly mail your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Internet and telephone voting are also available. To vote over the Internet please follow the instructions provided in the proxy materials. If you have any questions, would like to vote over the telephone or need new proxy materials, call toll-free at 855-643-7451 and a proxy voting specialist will assist you. Specialists are available Monday through Friday, 9AM to 10PM Eastern Time. Voting takes just a few moments and will benefit all shareholders. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
INBOUND - CLOSED RECORDING:
Thank you for calling the Broadridge Proxy Services Center. Our offices are now closed. Please call us back during our normal business hours which are, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 10PM Eastern Time. Thank you.
INBOUND - CALL IN QUEUE MESSAGE:
Thank you for calling the Broadridge Proxy Services Center. Our proxy specialists are currently assisting other shareholders. Your call is important to us. Please continue to hold and your call will be answered in the order in which it was received.
END OF CAMPAIGN MESSAGE:
Thank you for calling the Broadridge Proxy Services Center. The Shareholder meeting has been held and as a result, this toll-free number is no longer in service for proxy related calls. If you have questions about your investment, please contact your Financial Advisor or the fund company directly. Thank you and have a nice day.
Your vote is critical!
Dear Valued John Hancock Shareholder:
As a valued shareholder of the John Hancock Group of Funds family, we need your vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for September 9th. Your vote is critical to helping us reach quorum for the Special Meeting of Shareholders.
The Board of Trustees of the John Hancock Group of Funds unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the proposal(s).
Your vote is extremely important! To avoid further communications, we urge you to take the time to vote your shares today using one of the below voting options:
 | • | Call a proxy voting specialist today at 1-855-643-7451.
Representatives are available weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET.
You can also call the toll-free touchtone phone number located on your proxy card, enter the control number and follow the prompts. |
| | | |
 | • | Vote by Internet at www.proxyvote.com and enter the control number on your proxy card and follow the prompts. |
| | | |
 | • | Vote by mail by completing, signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the pre-paid envelope provided in this package. |
We appreciate you taking immediate action to vote your shares today!
 | 7/22 Retail Funds |
