<PAGE> 1
SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS
THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
DATED MAY 1, 1998
The contracts described in the Prospectus are issued by The Manufacturers Life
Insurance Company of North America (the "Company"). The Company's financial
ratings are as follows:
A++ A.M. Best
Superior in financial strength; 1st category of 15
AAA Duff & Phelps
Highest in claims paying ability; 1st category of 18
AA+ Standard & Poor's
Excellent in claims paying ability; 2nd category of 21
Aa2 Moody's
Excellent in financial strength; 3rd category of 21
These ratings, which are current as of September 21, 1998 and are subject to
change, are assigned to The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North
America as a measure of the Company's ability to honor the death benefit and
life annuitization guarantees but not specifically to its products, the
performance (return) of these products, the value of any investment in these
products upon withdrawal or to individual securities held in any portfolio.
SUPPLEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 1998
MRPG.SUPP998