Updated 2026-03-20
John Hancock vs Employee Fiduciary 401(k) Comparison
Compare John Hancock (#10, 7.7/10) and Employee Fiduciary (#24, 6.2/10) side by side across fees, ratings, features, and investment options.
Overall Comparison
| Feature | John Hancock | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7.7/10 | 6.2/10 |
| Rank | #10 | #24 |
| AUM | $600 billion | $6 billion |
| Participants | 3 million | 80,000 |
| Plan Sponsors | 48,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Founded | 1862 | 2004 |
Ratings Comparison
| Category | John Hancock | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | 3.5/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Investment Options | 3.7/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.0/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Mobile App | 3.6/5 | 2.5/5 |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Type | John Hancock | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Fees | $1,000 - $4,000/year | $1,500/year + $30/participant |
| Expense Ratios | 0.30% - 1.3% | 0.03% - 0.15% |
| Trading Fees | Plan dependent | $0 |
| Advisory Fees | 0.40% - 0.90% | Included as 3(38) fiduciary |
John Hancock Strengths
- Unique wellness program integration
- Vitality rewards for healthy behavior
- Strong financial wellness education
- complete planning tools
Employee Fiduciary Strengths
- Full 3(38) investment fiduciary services included
- Among the lowest all-in costs
- Consistently rated best by independent reviewers
- Low-cost Vanguard fund lineup
Rollover, Loans & Withdrawals
| Feature | John Hancock | Employee Fiduciary |
|---|---|---|
| Rollover Platform | myplan.johnhancock.com | Employee Fiduciary Portal |
| Loans Available | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal Methods | Online via myplan.johnhancock.com, Phone (800-395-1113) | Phone (877-401-5100), Online portal |
| Distribution Options | Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Installment payments, Rollover to IRA | Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Rollover to IRA, Required Minimum Distributions |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose John Hancock if you want:
- Wellness-focused employers
- Mid-sized companies
- Insurance bundle seekers
Choose Employee Fiduciary if you want:
- Cost-conscious small businesses
- Employers wanting fiduciary protection
- Index fund believers
- Plan sponsors seeking simplicity
Our Verdict: John Hancock vs Employee Fiduciary
John Hancock wins this comparison with a score of 7.7/10 vs 6.2/10. John Hancock excels with unique wellness program integration, making it the stronger choice for most investors in this matchup. However, the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, employer plan availability, and investment preferences.
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John Hancock vs Employee Fiduciary: Complete 401(k) Comparison for 2026
Choosing between John Hancock and Employee Fiduciary for your 401(k) is an important decision that affects your retirement savings. John Hancock offers wellness focus while Employee Fiduciary is known for 3(38) fiduciary. In terms of fees, John Hancock charges 0.30% - 1.3% expense ratios compared to Employee Fiduciary's 0.03% - 0.15%. John Hancock manages $600 billion in assets and serves 3 million participants, while Employee Fiduciary has $6 billion AUM and 80,000 participants.
Key Differences: John Hancock vs Employee Fiduciary
When comparing John Hancock and Employee Fiduciary, consider their core strengths: John Hancock excels with unique wellness program integration, while Employee Fiduciary stands out for full 3(38) investment fiduciary services included. Both providers offer a wide range of investment options including target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. John Hancock's customer service rating is 4.0/5 compared to Employee Fiduciary's 4.2/5. For mobile experience, John Hancock scores 3.6/5 while Employee Fiduciary scores 2.5/5.
Which Provider is Right for You?
Choose John Hancock if you prioritize wellness-focused employers. Choose Employee Fiduciary if you're looking for cost-conscious small businesses. Your decision should also consider your employer's plan availability, fee sensitivity, desired investment options, and customer service expectations. For detailed reviews, visit our individual John Hancock and Employee Fiduciary provider pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
John Hancock scores higher in our 2026 rankings with 7.7/10. John Hancock is best for wellness-focused employers, while Employee Fiduciary is best for cost-conscious small businesses. The right choice depends on your employer's plan and your priorities.
John Hancock charges expense ratios of 0.30% - 1.3% with admin fees of $1,000 - $4,000/year. Employee Fiduciary charges 0.03% - 0.15% expense ratios with admin fees of $1,500/year + $30/participant. John Hancock's fees rating is 3.5/5 compared to Employee Fiduciary's 4.8/5.
Yes, you can roll over between John Hancock and Employee Fiduciary. John Hancock uses myplan.johnhancock.com for rollovers, while Employee Fiduciary uses Employee Fiduciary Portal. A direct rollover avoids mandatory tax withholding. Contact your new provider to initiate the transfer.
John Hancock offers 401(k) loans. Employee Fiduciary offers 401(k) loans. Both providers typically allow loans up to 50% of your vested balance or $50,000, whichever is less.
John Hancock scores 3.7/5 for investment options, while Employee Fiduciary scores 3.2/5. Both offer target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. John Hancock's investment options include Mutual Funds, Target Date Funds, Stable Value. Employee Fiduciary offers Vanguard Index Funds, Target Date Funds, Bond Funds.
For small businesses, consider plan minimums and per-participant costs. John Hancock is best for wellness-focused employers, mid-sized companies, insurance bundle seekers. Employee Fiduciary is best for cost-conscious small businesses, employers wanting fiduciary protection, index fund believers, plan sponsors seeking simplicity. Compare admin fees: John Hancock charges $1,000 - $4,000/year vs Employee Fiduciary's $1,500/year + $30/participant.
Pavlo Pyskunov
Managing Director & Investment Fund Director
Pavlo Pyskunov analyzes employer-sponsored retirement plans using IRS publications and DOL Form 5500 filings, helping workers maximize their 401(k) savings through data-driven guidance.
Last updated: 2026-03-20