JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT U
SUPPLEMENT DATED DECEMBER 4, 1998
TO
PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1998
The following information is added to the disclosure appearing under "Withdrawal
Charge" on page 17 of the prospectus:
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company has agreed to participate in an
exchange offer program pursuant to which certain pension plans are eligible to
exchange their Contracts for shares of certain mutual funds distributed by John
Hancock Funds, Inc. Under the terms of the exchange offer, any remaining
Withdrawal Charges applicable to any Contract exchanged would be waived at the
time of the exchange transaction. Only Contracts purchased on behalf of the
following types of pension plans are eligible to be exchanged: (1) pension plans
qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (401(k)
plans) and (2) target-benefit pension plans where plan assets are not allocated
specifically as being for the account of individual plan participants. The
exchange offer program is currently expected to remain open until May 1, 1999,
unless terminated earlier or extended for an additional period.
S8139 - SUPP 12/98
