JOHN HANCOCK V.A. DISCOVERY FUND
Supplement to the following Prospectuses:
John Hancock Variable Annuity Account JF dated May 1, 1997
John Hancock Declaration Trust dated May 1, 1997
John Hancock Variable Annuity Account H dated May 1, 1997
John Hancock V.A. Discovery Fund's name and certain investment policies will be
changing effective January 2, 1998.
The Fund's new name will be John Hancock V.A. Growth Fund and its investment
objective and policies will be revised as follows:
John Hancock V.A. Growth Fund's investment objective is to seek long-term
capital appreciation. The Fund invests principally in common stocks (and
in securities convertible into or with rights to purchase common stocks)
of companies which the Fund's management believes offer outstanding growth
potential over both the intermediate and long term.
The Adviser will pursue the strategy of investing in common stocks of
those companies whose five-year average operating earnings and revenue
growth are at least two times that of the economy, as measured by the
Gross Domestic Product. Companies selected will generally have positive
operating earnings growth for five consecutive years, although companies
without a five-year record of positive earnings growth may also be
selected if, in the opinion of the Adviser, they have significant growth
potential.
When management believes that current market or economic conditions
warrant, the Fund temporarily may retain cash or invest in preferred
stock, nonconvertible bonds or other fixed-income securities. Fixed income
securities in the Fund's portfolio will generally be rated at least BBB,
although the Fund can invest up to 5% of net assets in junk bonds rated
from "BB/Ba" to "C". For liquidity and flexibility, the Fund may invest up
to 35% of net assets in cash or investment-grade short-term securities. In
abnormal market conditions, it may invest more than 35% in these
securities as a defensive tactic. The Fund may make short sales of
securities for hedging and speculative purposes.
September 10, 1997
VA00S2 9/97
