Expenses. Within the John Hancock group of funds complex, expenses that are directly attributable to an individual fund are allocated to such fund. Expenses that are not readily attributable to a specific fund are allocated among all funds in an equitable manner, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the fund's relative net assets. Expense estimates are accrued in the period to which they relate and adjustments are made when actual amounts are known.
Class allocations. Income, common expenses and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are determined at the portfolio level and allocated daily to each class of shares based on the net assets of the class. Class-specific expenses, such as distribution and service fees, if any, and transfer agent fees, for all classes, are calculated daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class. Through April 30, 2015, class-specific expenses, such as state registration fees and printing and postage, for all classes were calculated daily at the class level based on the net assets of each class and the specific expense rates applicable to each class.
Federal income taxes. The portfolios intend to continue to qualify as regulated investment companies by complying with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that is distributed to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
As of December 31, 2014, the portfolios had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, derecognition or disclosure. The portfolios' federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years.
The costs of investments owned on June 30, 2015, including short-term investments, for federal income tax purposes, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Portfolio | | | Aggregate cost | | | Unrealized appreciation | | | Unrealized (depreciation) | | | Net unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) | |
| Lifestyle Aggressive Portfolio | | | $3,585,891,566 | | | $1,056,476,723 | | | ($20,196,256 | ) | | $1,036,280,467 | |
| Lifestyle Growth Portfolio | | | 11,790,506,508 | | | 2,736,000,937 | | | (98,570,286 | ) | | 2,637,430,651 | |
| Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio | | | 13,028,415,811 | | | 2,203,168,332 | | | (157,936,559 | ) | | 2,045,231,773 | |
| Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio | | | 4,191,784,996 | | | 471,434,457 | | | (73,119,106 | ) | | 398,315,351 | |
| Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio | | | 3,407,683,473 | | | 169,874,868 | | | (65,265,939 | ) | | 104,608,929 | |
Distribution of income and gains. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-date. The Lifestyle Aggressive and Lifestyle Growth portfolios generally declare and pay income dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at least annually. The Lifestyle Balanced, Lifestyle Moderate and Lifestyle Conservative portfolios generally declare and pay income dividends quarterly and capital gain distributions, if any, at least annually.
Distributions paid by the portfolios with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner, at the same time and in the same amount, except for the effect of class level expenses that may be applied differently to each class.
Such distributions, on a tax basis, are determined in conformity with income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Short-term gains from underlying funds are treated as ordinary income for tax purposes.
Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book-tax differences. These adjustments have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary book-tax differences, if any, will reverse in a subsequent period. Book-tax differences are primarily attributable to wash sale loss deferrals.
Note 3 — Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust's organizational documents, its Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust, including the portfolios. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.
Note 4 — Fees and transactions with affiliates
John Hancock Advisers, LLC (the Advisor) serves as investment advisor for the portfolios. John Hancock Funds, LLC (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Advisor, serves as principal underwriter of the portfolios. The Advisor and the Distributor are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of MFC.
Management fee. The portfolios have an investment management agreement with the Advisor under which the portfolios pay a daily management fee to the Advisor equivalent, on an annual basis, as detailed below. Aggregate net assets include the net assets of the portfolios and the net assets of similar funds of John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust (JHVIT) and net assets of similar funds of the Trust. The Advisor has subadvisory agreements with John Hancock Asset Management, a division of Manulife Asset management (North America) Limited and John Hancock Asset Management, a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC, which are indirect owned subsidiaries of MFC and affiliates of the Advisor.
Under the advisory agreement, the portfolios pay a daily management fee to the Advisor as outlined below:
| | |
| First $7.5 billion of aggregate net assets | Excess over $7.5 billion of aggregate net assets |
Affiliated fund assets | 0.050% | 0.040% |
Other assets | 0.500% | 0.490% |