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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 24F-2
ANNUAL NOTICE OF SECURITIES SOLD
PURSUANT TO RULE 24F-2
Read instructions at end of Form before preparing Form.
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1. Name and address of issuer:
JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT U
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2. The name of each series or class of securities for
which this Form is filed (If the Form is being filed for
all series and classes of securities of the issuer, check
the box but do not list series or classes): [ X ]
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3. Investment Company Act File Number: 811-2143
Securities Act File Number: 2-38827; 33-34813
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4(a). Last day of fiscal year for which this Form is filed:
DECEMBER 31, 1998
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4(b). [ ] Check box if this Form is being filed late (i.e., more
than 90 calendar days after the end of the issuer's
fiscal year). (See Instruction A.2)
Note: If the Form is being filed late, interest must be
paid on the registration fee due.
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4(c). [ ] Check box if this is the last time the issuer will be
filing this Form.
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5. Calculation of registration fee:
(i) Aggregate sale price of securities sold
during the fiscal year pursuant to
section 24(f): $435,232,393
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(ii) Aggregate price of securities redeemed
or repurchased during the fiscal year:
$412,129,810
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(iii) Aggregate price of securities redeemed or
repurchased during any PRIOR fiscal year
ending no earlier than October 11, 1995
that were not previously used to reduce
registration fees payable to the
Commission:
$ 0
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(iv) Total available redemption credits [add
Items 5(ii) and 5(iii)]: -$412,129,810
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(v) Net sales -if Item 5(i) is greater than
Item 5(iv) [subtract Item 5(iv) from
Item 5(i)]: $23,102,583
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(vi) Redemption credits available for use in
future years - if Item 5(i) is less than
Item 5(iv) [subtract Item 5(iv) from
Item 5(i)]: $ ( 0)
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(vii) Multiplier for determining registration
fee (See Instruction C.9) X .000278
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(viii)Registration fee due [multiply Item 5(v)
by Item 5(vii)] (enter "0" if no fee is
due): =$ 6,422.52
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6. Prepaid Shares
If the response to Item 5(i) was determined by deducting an
amount of securities that were registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to rule 24e-2 as in effect
before October 11, 1997, then report the amount of securities
(number of shares or other units) deducted here: 0. If
there is a number of shares or other units that were registered
pursuant to rule 24e-2 remaining unsold at the end of the fiscal
year for which this form is filed that are available for use by
the issuer in future fiscal years, then state that number
here: 0.
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7. Interest due - if this Form is being filed more than 90 days
after the end of the issuer's fiscal year (see Instruction D):
+$ 0
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8. Total of the amount of the registration fee due plus any
interest due [ line 5(viii) plus line 7]: =$ 6,422.52
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9. Date the registration fee and any interest payment was sent to
to the Commission's lockbox depository: March 22, 1999
SEC Account No. designated to receive the payment: 0000045299
Method of Delivery:
[X] Wire Transfer
[ ] Mail or other means
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SIGNATURES
This report has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of the issuer and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ RAYMOND F. SKIBA
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Raymond F. Skiba
Director
Date March 18, 1999
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[JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LETTERHEAD]
March 18, 1999
John Hancock Variable Annuity Account U
John Hancock Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02117
Dear Sirs:
I refer to the 24f-2 Notice dated March 18, 1999 with
respect to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 relating to
shares of John Hancock Variable Annuity Account U (the "Account").
The Registration Statement registered an indefinite number of
shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Rule 24f-2 Notice makes
definite the amount of securities of the Fund which were so
registered under the Registration Statement.
I have examined and relied upon copies of the Registration
Statement and the Rule 24f-2 Notice and have examined and relied
upon originals, or copies certified to my satisfaction, of such
corporate records, documents, certificates and other instruments
as in my judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable me to
render the opinion set forth below.
Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the shares
of the Fund, the registration of which the Rule 24f-2 Notice makes
definite in amount, were duly authorized and legally issued, and
are fully-paid and non-assessable.
I hereby consent to the use of this opinion in connection with
the filing of the Rule 24f-2 Notice on Form 24F-2.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Ronald J. Bocage
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Ronald J. Bocage
Vice President and Counsel
