Updated 2026-03-30

John Hancock vs Prudential 401(k) Comparison

Compare John Hancock (#10, 7.7/10) and Prudential Financial (#12, 7.4/10) side by side across fees, ratings, features, and investment options.

Overall Comparison

FeatureJohn HancockPrudential
Overall Score7.7/107.4/10
Rank#10#12
AUM$600 billion$1.4 trillion
Participants3 million5 million
Plan Sponsors48,000+25,000+
Founded18621875

Ratings Comparison

CategoryJohn HancockPrudential
Fees & Costs3.5/53.5/5
Investment Options3.7/53.7/5
Customer Service4.0/53.9/5
Mobile App3.6/53.6/5

Fee Comparison

Fee TypeJohn HancockPrudential
Admin Fees$1,000 - $4,000/year$1,000 - $4,000/year
Expense Ratios0.30% - 1.3%0.20% - 1.1%
Trading FeesPlan dependentPlan dependent
Advisory Fees0.40% - 0.90%0.40% - 0.90%

John Hancock Strengths

Prudential Strengths

Rollover, Loans & Withdrawals

FeatureJohn HancockPrudential
Rollover Platformmyplan.johnhancock.comPrudential via Empower
Loans AvailableYesYes
Withdrawal MethodsOnline via myplan.johnhancock.com, Phone (800-395-1113)Online via Empower platform, Phone (877-778-2100)
Distribution OptionsLump sum, Partial withdrawal, Installment payments, Rollover to IRALump sum, Partial withdrawal, Installment payments, Guaranteed lifetime income (IncomeFlex), Rollover to IRA

Which Should You Choose?

Choose John Hancock if you want:

  • Wellness-focused employers
  • Mid-sized companies
  • Insurance bundle seekers

Choose Prudential if you want:

  • Guaranteed income seekers
  • Large employers
  • Insurance-focused planning

Our Verdict: John Hancock vs Prudential

John Hancock wins this comparison with a score of 7.7/10 vs 7.4/10. 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.

Full John Hancock Review Full Prudential Review

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John Hancock vs Prudential: Complete 401(k) Comparison for 2026

Choosing between John Hancock and Prudential Financial for your 401(k) is an important decision that affects your retirement savings. John Hancock offers wellness focus while Prudential is known for guaranteed income. In terms of fees, John Hancock charges 0.30% - 1.3% expense ratios compared to Prudential's 0.20% - 1.1%. John Hancock manages $600 billion in assets and serves 3 million participants, while Prudential has $1.4 trillion AUM and 5 million participants.

Key Differences: John Hancock vs Prudential

When comparing John Hancock and Prudential, consider their core strengths: John Hancock excels with unique wellness program integration, while Prudential stands out for strong guaranteed income options. 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 Prudential's 3.9/5. For mobile experience, John Hancock scores 3.6/5 while Prudential scores 3.6/5.

Which Provider is Right for You?

Choose John Hancock if you prioritize wellness-focused employers. Choose Prudential if you're looking for guaranteed income seekers. 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 Prudential 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 Prudential is best for guaranteed income seekers. 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. Prudential charges 0.20% - 1.1% expense ratios with admin fees of $1,000 - $4,000/year. John Hancock's fees rating is 3.5/5 compared to Prudential's 3.5/5.

Yes, you can roll over between John Hancock and Prudential. John Hancock uses myplan.johnhancock.com for rollovers, while Prudential uses Prudential via Empower. A direct rollover avoids mandatory tax withholding. Contact your new provider to initiate the transfer.

John Hancock offers 401(k) loans. Prudential 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 Prudential scores 3.7/5. Both offer target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. John Hancock's investment options include Mutual Funds, Target Date Funds, Stable Value. Prudential offers Mutual Funds, Target Date Funds, Guaranteed Income.

For small businesses, consider plan minimums and per-participant costs. John Hancock is best for wellness-focused employers, mid-sized companies, insurance bundle seekers. Prudential is best for guaranteed income seekers, large employers, insurance-focused planning. Compare admin fees: John Hancock charges $1,000 - $4,000/year vs Prudential's $1,000 - $4,000/year.

Pavlo Pyskunov

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: 2026-03-30