497

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS II
601 Congress Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210

January 24, 2013

VIA EDGAR TRANSMISSION

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20549

RE: John Hancock Funds II (the “Trust”) on behalf of:
Retirement Choices Portfolios
Retirement Living Portfolios (the “Funds”)
File Nos. 333-126293; 811-21779

Ladies and Gentlemen:

On behalf of the Trust, transmitted for filing, pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act of 1933, are exhibits containing interactive data format risk/return summary information for the Funds (the “XBRL Filing”).

The interactive data files included as exhibits to this filing relate to the prospectuses filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 4, 2013 on behalf of the Funds pursuant to Rule 497(c) (Accession No. 0000950123-13-000084), each of which is incorporated by reference into the XBRL Filing.

If you have any questions or comments, please call me at 617-663-2261.

Sincerely,

/s/ Christopher Sechler  

Christopher Sechler 

Assistant Secretary 

Retirement Living Portfolios Glide Path Chart

Retirement Choices Portfolios Glide Path Chart

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2040 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

124.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2040.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2040, has a target asset allocation of 81.5% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2011; and 81.5%/18.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2011; and 81.5%/18.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text]

rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads

Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 9.88%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.90%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -13.77%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRRSX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.00%

^[2]

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.60%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.95%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

66

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

622

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,205

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,789

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(3.85%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

9.88%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

9.90%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(13.77%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | before tax | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.85%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.02%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.35%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.65%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.50%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.37%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.32%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.05%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2010 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 55% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

55.00%

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2010.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2010, currently has a target asset allocation of 47.5% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund’s holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as “target” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser’s market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., “junk bonds”). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with more distant target dates, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 58% S&P 500 Index/42% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 56%/44% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 54%/46% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 52%/48% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 50%/50% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 47.5%/52.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 58% S&P 500 Index/42% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 56%/44% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 54%/46% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 52%/48% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 50%/50% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 47.5%/52.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.45%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 16.57%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -17.26%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLADX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.96%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.24%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

5.50%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(3.91%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.59%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

162

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,294

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

2,414

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

5,167

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

5.26%

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(30.06%)

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

30.52%

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

11.88%

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(0.54%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

10.45%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

16.57%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(17.26%)

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLAEX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.33%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.63%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.29%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.34%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

136

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

695

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,280

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,868

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLAFX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.21%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.72%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.49%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

152

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

622

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,119

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,488

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLAGX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[4]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.98%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.11%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

5.04%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(3.95%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.09%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

111

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,178

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

2,242

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

4,888

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLAHX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.51%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.36%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.47%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.89%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

91

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

384

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

700

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,594

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.54%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.35%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.93%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.77%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.16%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.74%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.48%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.42%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.18%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.73%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.31%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.12%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

2.01%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.60%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.62%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.27%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.78%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.35%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.51%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.97%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.25%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.50%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.46%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.28%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

3.02%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.30%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

[1] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[2] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2020 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 127% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

127.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2020.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2020, has a target asset allocation of 40% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 47.5% S&P 500 Index/52.5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 44%/56% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 40%/60% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 47.5% S&P 500 Index/52.5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 44%/56% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 40%/60% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 7.27%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 6.73%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -5.65%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRWQX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.36%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.50%

^[2],[3]

Recoupment

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.88%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.46%)

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.42%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

145

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

754

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,389

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,100

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

2.09%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

7.27%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

6.73%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(5.65%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRWRX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.36%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.50%

^[2],[3]

Recoupment

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.63%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.46%)

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.17%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

119

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

678

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,264

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,855

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRWPX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.36%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[5]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.60%

^[2],[3]

Recoupment

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.10%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.26%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.48%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(2.56%)

^[6]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

93

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

849

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,626

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,669

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.09%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.72%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.91%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.51%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.59%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.09%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

1.59%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.12%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

1.36%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.82%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.62%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.31%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[6] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2010 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares		Class R1	Class R2		Class R3	Class R4		Class R5
Management fee		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%		0.50%	0.15%	[1]	none
Other expenses		3.96%	1.33%	[2]	0.76%	3.98%		0.51%
Service plan fee		0.24%	0.25%		0.15%	0.11%		0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[3]	0.74%	0.74%		0.74%	0.74%		0.74%
Total annual fund operating expenses		5.50%	2.63%		2.21%	5.04%		1.36%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(3.91%)	(1.29%)		(0.72%)	(3.95%)		(0.47%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.59%	1.34%		1.49%	1.09%		0.89%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
1 Year	162	136	152	111	91
3 Years	1,294	695	622	1,178	384
5 Years	2,414	1,280	1,119	2,242	700
10 Years	5,167	2,868	2,488	4,888	1,594

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 55% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2010.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2010, currently has a target asset allocation of 47.5% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund’s holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as “target” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser’s market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., “junk bonds”). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with more distant target dates, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 58% S&P 500 Index/42% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 56%/44% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 54%/46% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 52%/48% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 50%/50% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 47.5%/52.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.45%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 16.57%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -17.26%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Living through 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	1 Year	5 Years	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(0.54%)	1.35%	1.93%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(1.62%)	0.27%	0.78%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(0.35%)	0.51%	0.97%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R2 before tax	(1.77%)	0.16%	0.74%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R3 before tax	(0.48%)	1.42%	2.00%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R4 before tax	(0.18%)	1.73%	2.31%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R5 before tax	0.12%	2.01%	2.60%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	(0.25%)	0.40%	Oct. 30, 2006
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	6.50%	6.46%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	5.28%	3.02%	3.30%	Oct. 30, 2006

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2050 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Management fee	[1]	0.20%
Other expenses	[2]	3.06%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][3]	0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses		3.66%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4][5]	(3.01%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		0.65%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example (USD $)	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
1 Year	66
3 Years	841
5 Years	1,636
10 Years	3,718

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 132% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2050.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2050, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

This section normally shows how the fund’s total returns have varied from year to year, along with a broad-based securities market index for reference. Because the fund had not completed a full calendar year of performance as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees, short dividend expense, advisory fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2015 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 133% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

133.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2015.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2015, has a target asset allocation of 18% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distanct target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 28% S&P 500 Index/72% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 23%/77% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 18%/82% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 28% S&P 500 Index/72% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 23%/77% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 18%/82% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 4.78%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 4.94%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -1.24%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRFQX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.44%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.52%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.18%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.89%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.47%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.42%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

145

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

756

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,393

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,109

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

3.81%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

4.78%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

4.94%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(1.24%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRFNX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.44%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.52%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.18%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.64%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.47%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.17%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

119

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

680

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,269

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,864

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRFPX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.44%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[6]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.63%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.10%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.18%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.50%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(2.58%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

94

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

854

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,635

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,686

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.81%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.38%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.86%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.42%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

5.45%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.86%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.31%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.80%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.48%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.39%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.74%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.64%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2015 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 59% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

59.00%

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2015.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2015, currently has a target asset allocation of 58% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund’s holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as “target” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser’s market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., “junk bonds”). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund currently has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity securities risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 70% S&P 500 Index/30% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 67%/33% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 65%/35% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 62%/38% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 60%/40% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 58%/42% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 70% S&P 500 Index/30% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 67%/33% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 65%/35% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 62%/38% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 60%/40% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 58%/42% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.96%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 18.15%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -19.39%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLBDX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.03%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.24%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.58%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.99%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.59%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

162

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

708

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,282

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,841

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

6.32%

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(33.55%)

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

32.78%

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

12.54%

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(1.61%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

10.96%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

18.15%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(19.39%)

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLBKX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.91%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.22%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.88%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.34%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

136

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

610

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,109

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,486

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLBFX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.38%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.14%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.83%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.34%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.49%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

152

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

543

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

959

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,120

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLBGX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[4]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

10.03%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.12%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

11.11%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(10.02%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.09%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

111

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

2,298

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

4,222

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

8,079

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLBHX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.51%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.62%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.89%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

91

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

416

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

765

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,749

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.61%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.76%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.43%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.63%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.24%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.43%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.55%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.82%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.49%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.26%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.10%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.77%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.95%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

1.43%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.10%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.52%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.23%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.35%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.04%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.06%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.58%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.25%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.50%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.46%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.69%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

2.24%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.57%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

[1] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[2] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2015 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 133% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

133.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2015.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2015, has a target asset allocation of 18% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distanct target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as "neutral" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers' market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund's name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 28% S&P 500 Index/72% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 23%/77% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 18%/82% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 28% S&P 500 Index/72% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 23%/77% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 18%/82% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 4.43%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 4.77%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -1.40%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRFSX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.44%

^[1]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.52%

^[2],[3]

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.18%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.14%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.47%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.67%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

68

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

528

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,014

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,356

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

3.15%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

4.43%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

4.77%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(1.40%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | before tax | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.15%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.71%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.65%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.13%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.05%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.83%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.74%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.97%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2045 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 70% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	70.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2045. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2045, currently has a target asset allocation of 95% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund’s holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement. The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as “target” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser’s market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective. Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions. GLIDE PATH CHART The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., “junk bonds”). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries. Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days. Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes. Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison. After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 100% S&P 500 Index/0% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007, and 95%/5% from December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above. October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 100% S&P 500 Index/0% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007, and 95%/5% from December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-888-972-8696
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 12.82%. Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 20.70% Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -23.18%
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]	rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown	After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLJDX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.24%
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[1]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.81%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(1.21%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.60%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	163
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	757
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,377
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	3,050
2007	rr_AnnualReturn2007	8.72%
2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(40.54%)
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	35.55%
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	15.34%
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(5.74%)
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	12.82%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	20.70%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(23.18%)
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R2
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLJEX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.86%	[3]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[1]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.18%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(1.83%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.35%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	137
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	809
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,505
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	3,358
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLJFX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.49%
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.15%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[1]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.96%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(1.46%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.50%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	153
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	778
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,429
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	3,176
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R4
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLJGX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.15%	[4]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.33%
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.11%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[1]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.41%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(2.31%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.10%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	112
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	852
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,615
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	3,623
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLJHX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.36%
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[1]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.23%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(1.33%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.90%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	92
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	569
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,073
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,461
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.74%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.96%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.08%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R2
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(7.08%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(2.43%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(1.56%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.64%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.88%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	none
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R4
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.29%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.60%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.29%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.08%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.31%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.58%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(6.17%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.48%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.73%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(3.73%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.10%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.43%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.25%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.40%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.84%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.50%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	6.46%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.45%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	0.15%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.63%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006

[1] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[2] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2030 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	Class R3	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares		Class R3	Class R5
Management fee	[1]	0.24%	0.24%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	none
Other expenses	[2][3]	1.51%	1.51%
Service plan fee		0.15%	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.36%	0.36%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.76%	2.16%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[3]	none	none
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		2.76%	2.16%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R3	Class R5
1 Year	279	219
3 Years	856	676
5 Years	1,459	1,159
10 Years	3,090	2,493

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 122% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2030.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2030, has a target asset allocation of 71% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 74% S&P 500 Index/26% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 73%/27% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 71%/29% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 0.00%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.02%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -11.80%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R3 before tax	(2.26%)	1.04%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions	(2.77%)	0.40%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions, with sale	(1.47%)	0.52%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R5 before tax	(1.68%)	1.65%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.89%	5.62%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2020 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 127% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	127.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2020. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2020, has a target asset allocation of 40% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. GLIDE PATH CHART The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year. The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer. Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days. Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes. Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison. After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 47.5% S&P 500 Index/52.5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 44%/56% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 40%/60% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above. April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.
Performance One Year or Less [Text]	rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess	Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 47.5% S&P 500 Index/52.5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 44%/56% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 40%/60% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-888-972-8696
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 3.59%. Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 6.37% Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -5.97%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]	rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus	Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]	rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown	After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes.
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.36%	[1]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.50%	[2],[3]
Recoupment	rr_Component3OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.01%	[3]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.15%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.26%	[1],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.78%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	281
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	862
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,469
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	3,108
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	0.74%
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	3.59%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	6.37%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(5.97%)
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.36%	[1]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.50%	[2],[3]
Recoupment	rr_Component3OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.01%	[3]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.26%	[1],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.18%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	221
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	862
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,169
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,513
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	0.74%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.34%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	1.34%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.95%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	0.24%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	1.75%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	0.48%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	1.65%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	4.66%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.84%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.00%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	5.62%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	6.31%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2035 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 128% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

128.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

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Expense example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

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This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption

Expenses ($)

Strategy [Heading]

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Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

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Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2035.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2035, has a target asset allocation of 78% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

.GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

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The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

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Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

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Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

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The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 79%/21% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 78%/22% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

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Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

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S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 79%/21% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 78%/22% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

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1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

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However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

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Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

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Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.58%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.98%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -12.88%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Performance Table Heading

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Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

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After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRYSX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.21%

^[1]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.98%

^[2],[3]

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.39%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.58%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.93%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

66

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

618

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,197

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,770

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(2.35%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

10.58%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

9.98%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(12.88%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | before tax | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.35%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.38%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.86%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.76%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.52%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.82%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.51%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.10%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2040 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

124.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2040.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2040, has a target asset allocation of 81.5% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2011; and 81.5%/18.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2011; and 81.5%/18.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 0.00%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.88%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -13.79%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.00%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.25%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

3.23%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

326

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

999

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,696

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,548

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(3.94%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

9.88%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(13.79%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.00%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.65%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.02%)

^[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.63%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

266

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

822

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,403

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,982

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.94%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.12%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.37%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.48%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.45%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.75%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.56%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.46%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.32%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.36%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2040 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 69% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

69.00%

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expense Example by, Year, Caption [Text]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption

Expenses ($)

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2040.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2040, currently has a target asset allocation of 95% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund's holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. The investment adviser may change the target allocation without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as “target” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser’s market outlook. The portfolio has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., “junk bonds”). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund's shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 100% S&P 500 Index/0% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007, and 95%/5% from December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 100% S&P 500 Index/0% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007, and 95%/5% from December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 12.81%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 20.70%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -23.25%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLIDX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.93%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.23%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.48%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.87%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.61%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

164

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

690

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,242

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,750

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

8.69%

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(40.57%)

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

35.93%

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

15.21%

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(5.64%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

12.81%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

20.70%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(23.25%)

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLEIX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.31%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.63%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.27%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.36%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

138

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

697

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,281

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,869

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLIFX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.61%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.08%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.57%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.51%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

154

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

597

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,066

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,365

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLIGX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[4]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.37%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.10%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

4.44%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(3.33%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.11%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

113

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,061

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

2,017

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

4,447

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLIHX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.81%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.68%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.77%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.91%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

93

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

454

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

840

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,923

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.64%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.93%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.04%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(6.90%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(2.13%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(1.24%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.55%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.86%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.02%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.29%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.58%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.31%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.09%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.29%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.60%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(6.06%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(1.46%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.70%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.67%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(1.08%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.40%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.25%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.50%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.46%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.45%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.15%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.63%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

[1] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[2] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

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John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2015 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares		Class R1	Class R2		Class R3	Class R4		Class R5
Management fee		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%		0.50%	0.15%	[1]	none
Other expenses		1.03%	0.91%	[2]	0.38%	10.03%		0.65%
Service plan fee		0.24%	0.25%		0.14%	0.12%		0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[3]	0.75%	0.75%		0.75%	0.75%		0.75%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.58%	2.22%		1.83%	11.11%		1.51%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(0.99%)	(0.88%)		(0.34%)	(10.02%)		(0.62%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.59%	1.34%		1.49%	1.09%		0.89%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
1 Year	162	136	152	111	91
3 Years	708	610	543	2,298	416
5 Years	1,282	1,109	959	4,222	765
10 Years	2,841	2,486	2,120	8,079	1,749

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 59% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2015.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2015, currently has a target asset allocation of 58% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund’s holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as “target” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser’s market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., “junk bonds”). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund currently has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity securities risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 70% S&P 500 Index/30% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 67%/33% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 65%/35% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 62%/38% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 60%/40% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 58%/42% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.96%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 18.15%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -19.39%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Living through 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	1 Year	5 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(1.61%)	0.76%	1.43%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(2.52%)	(0.23%)	0.35%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(1.04%)	0.06%	0.58%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R2 before tax	(2.63%)	(0.24%)	0.43%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R3 before tax	(1.55%)	0.82%	1.49%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R4 before tax	(1.26%)	1.10%	1.77%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R5 before tax	(0.95%)	1.43%	2.10%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	(0.25%)	0.40%	Oct. 30, 2006
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	6.50%	6.46%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	4.69%	2.24%	2.57%	Oct. 30, 2006

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2025 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares		Class R1	Class R2		Class R3	Class R4		Class R5
Management fee		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%		0.50%	0.15%	[1]	none
Other expenses		0.60%	0.87%	[2]	0.50%	1.24%		0.39%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%		0.15%	0.09%		0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[3]	0.76%	0.76%		0.76%	0.76%		0.76%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.17%	2.19%		1.97%	2.30%		1.26%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(0.57%)	(0.84%)		(0.47%)	(1.20%)		(0.36%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.60%	1.35%		1.50%	1.10%		0.90%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
1 Year	163	137	153	112	92
3 Years	624	604	573	624	364
5 Years	1,112	1,098	1,019	1,163	657
10 Years	2,459	2,458	2,258	2,637	1,491

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 66% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2025.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2025, currently has a target asset allocation of 81% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund's holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as "target" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser's market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., "junk bonds"). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 89% S&P 500 Index/11% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 88%/12% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 86%/14% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 85%/15% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 83%/17% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 81%/19% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 12.22%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 20.31%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -22.17%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	1 Year	5 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(4.32%)	(0.54%)	0.27%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(4.89%)	(1.19%)	(0.49%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(2.81%)	(0.83%)	(0.20%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R2 before tax	(5.21%)	(1.49%)	(0.68%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R3 before tax	(4.16%)	(0.46%)	0.35%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R4 before tax	(3.86%)	(0.16%)	0.65%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R5 before tax	(3.67%)	0.10%	0.91%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	(0.25%)	0.40%	Oct. 30, 2006
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	6.50%	6.46%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.25%	0.67%	1.10%	Oct. 30, 2006

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2030 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 122% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	122.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2030. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2030, has a target asset allocation of 71% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. GLIDE PATH CHART The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as "neutral" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers' market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year. The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund's name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer. Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days. Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison. After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 74% S&P 500 Index/26% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 73%/27% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 71%/29% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above. April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.
Performance One Year or Less [Text]	rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess	Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 74% S&P 500 Index/26% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 73%/27% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 71%/29% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-888-972-8696
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.06%. Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.28% Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -11.58%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]	rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus	Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JRHSX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%	[1]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.51%	[2],[3]
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.36%	[1],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.11%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(1.46%)	[2],[5]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.65%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	66
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	520
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	999
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,325
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(1.32%)
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	10.06%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	9.28%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(11.58%)
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | before tax | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.32%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.02%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.83%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	1.37%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(0.85%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	1.35%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	4.66%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.84%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.00%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	3.89%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	6.26%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2020 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares		Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Management fee	[1]	0.36%	0.36%	0.36%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%	0.15%	[2]
Other expenses	[3][4]	1.50%	1.50%	2.60%
Recoupment	[4]	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][5]	0.26%	0.26%	0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.88%	2.63%	3.48%
Contractual expense reimbursement		(1.46%)	(1.46%)	(2.56%)	[6]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.42%	1.17%	0.92%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
1 Year	145	119	93
3 Years	754	678	849
5 Years	1,389	1,264	1,626
10 Years	3,100	2,855	3,669

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 127% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2020.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2020, has a target asset allocation of 40% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 47.5% S&P 500 Index/52.5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 44%/56% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 40%/60% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 7.27%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 6.73%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -5.65%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	2.09%	3.72%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions	1.59%	3.12%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	1.36%	2.82%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R2 before tax	0.91%	2.51%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R4 before tax	3.59%	5.09%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	5.62%	6.31%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[5] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[6] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2030 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 69% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	69.00%
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2030. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2030, currently has a target asset allocation of 89% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund's holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement. The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as "target" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser's market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective. Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions. GLIDE PATH CHART The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., "junk bonds"). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries. Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days. Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes. Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison. After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 95% S&P 500 Index/5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 94%/6% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 93%/7% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 92%/8% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 91%/9% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 89%/11% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above. October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 95% S&P 500 Index/5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 94%/6% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 93%/7% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 92%/8% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 91%/9% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 89%/11% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-888-972-8696
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 12.53%. Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 20.70% Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -23.23%
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]	rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown	After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLFDX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.63%
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[1]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.20%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.60%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.60%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	163
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	631
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,125
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,487
2007	rr_AnnualReturn2007	8.38%
2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(40.45%)
2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	35.72%
2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	14.91%
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(5.23%)
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	12.53%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	20.70%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(23.23%)
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R2
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLFEX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.90%	[3]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[1]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.22%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.87%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.35%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	137
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	611
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,110
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,486
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLFFX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.57%
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.15%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[1]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.04%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.54%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.50%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	153
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	587
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,048
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,326
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R4
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLFGX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.15%	[4]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.93%
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.12%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[1]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.02%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(1.92%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.10%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	112
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	773
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,458
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	3,289
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLFHX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.47%
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.76%	[1]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.34%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.44%)	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.90%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	92
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	381
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	692
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,574
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.23%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.94%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.11%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R2
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(6.21%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.90%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(1.07%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.18%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.88%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.05%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R4
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(4.89%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.60%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.23%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(4.59%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.30%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.54%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(5.70%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.48%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.77%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(3.40%)
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.10%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.46%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.25%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.40%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.84%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	6.50%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	6.46%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.72%
5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	0.21%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.67%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Oct. 30, 2006

[1] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[2] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2040 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	Class R3	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares		Class R3	Class R5
Management fee	[1]	0.20%	0.20%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	none
Other expenses	[2]	2.00%	2.00%
Service plan fee		0.15%	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][3]	0.40%	0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses		3.25%	2.65%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(0.02%)	(0.02%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		3.23%	2.63%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R3	Class R5
1 Year	326	266
3 Years	999	822
5 Years	1,696	1,403
10 Years	3,548	2,982

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2040.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2040, has a target asset allocation of 81.5% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2011; and 81.5%/18.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 0.00%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.88%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -13.79%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R3 before tax	(3.94%)	(0.12%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions	(4.45%)	(0.75%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions, with sale	(2.56%)	(0.46%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R5 before tax	(3.37%)	0.48%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.32%	5.36%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
Document Creation Date	dei_DocumentCreationDate	Jan. 04, 2013

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2050 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 132% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

132.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2050.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2050, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

This section normally shows how the fund’s total return has varied from year to year, along with a broad-based market index for reference. Because the fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Because the fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.06%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

4.31%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.15%)

^[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

4.16%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

418

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,293

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

2,180

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

4,453

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.06%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.71%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.15%)

^[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

3.56%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

359

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,121

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,903

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,949

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees, short dividend expense, advisory fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2035 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 70% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

70.00%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2035.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2035, currently has a target asset allocation of 95% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund's holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as "target" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser's market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., "junk bonds"). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 98% S&P 500 Index/2% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007, and 95%/5% from December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 98% S&P 500 Index/2% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007, and 95%/5% from December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 12.76%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 20.80%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -23.20%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLHDX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.70%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.27%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.67%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.60%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

163

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

645

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,154

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,553

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

8.77%

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(40.51%)

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

35.78%

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

15.28%

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(5.71%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

12.76%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

20.80%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(23.20%)

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLHEX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.32%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.64%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.29%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.35%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

137

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

698

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,285

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,878

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLHFX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.74%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.21%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.71%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.50%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

153

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

623

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,120

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,489

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLHGX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[4]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.43%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.08%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.48%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.38%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.10%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

112

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

661

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,237

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,804

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLHHX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.98%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.85%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.95%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.90%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

92

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

489

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

912

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,091

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.71%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.91%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.05%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(6.87%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(2.12%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(1.26%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.66%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.86%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.01%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.34%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.53%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.34%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.15%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.28%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.59%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(6.13%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(1.45%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.67%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.71%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(1.07%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.39%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.25%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.50%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.46%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.45%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.16%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.63%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

[1] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[2] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2025 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 66% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

66.00%

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2025.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2025, currently has a target asset allocation of 81% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund's holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as "target" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser's market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., "junk bonds"). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 89% S&P 500 Index/11% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 88%/12% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 86%/14% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 85%/15% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 83%/17% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 81%/19% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 89% S&P 500 Index/11% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 88%/12% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 86%/14% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 85%/15% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 83%/17% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 81%/19% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 12.22%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 20.31%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -22.17%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLEDX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.60%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.17%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.57%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.60%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

163

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

624

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,112

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,459

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

7.58%

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(38.75%)

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

35.04%

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

14.31%

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(4.32%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

12.22%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

20.31%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(22.17%)

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLEEX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.87%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.19%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.84%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.35%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

137

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

604

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,098

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,458

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLEFX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.50%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.97%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.47%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.50%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

153

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

573

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,019

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,258

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLEGX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[4]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.24%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.09%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.30%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.20%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.10%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

112

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

624

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,163

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,637

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLEHX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.39%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.76%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.26%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.36%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.90%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

92

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

364

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

657

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,491

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.32%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.54%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.27%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.21%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(1.49%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.68%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.16%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.46%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.35%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.86%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.16%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.65%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.67%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.10%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.91%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.89%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(1.19%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.49%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.81%)

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.83%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.20%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.25%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.50%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.46%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.25%

5 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.67%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.10%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

[1] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[2] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2015 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 133% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

133.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2015.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2015, has a target asset allocation of 18% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distanct target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 28% S&P 500 Index/72% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 23%/77% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 18%/82% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 28% S&P 500 Index/72% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 23%/77% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 18%/82% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 4.78%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 4.58%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -1.57%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.44%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.52%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.18%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.79%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.78%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

281

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

864

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,473

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,118

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

2.42%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

4.78%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

4.58%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(1.57%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.44%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.52%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.18%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.19%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.01%)

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.18%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

221

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

684

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,174

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,523

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.42%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.98%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.04%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.60%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

1.92%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

1.58%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.20%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

6.74%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.64%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2010 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 148% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

148.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2010.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2010, has a target asset allocation of 8% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% in equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 8% S&P 500 Index/92% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 8% S&P 500 Index/92% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 3.54%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 2.87%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -0.92%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRTQX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.48%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.01%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.14%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.38%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.96%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.42%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

145

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

856

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,591

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,535

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

4.97%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

3.54%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

2.87%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2010

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(0.92%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRTRX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.48%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.01%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.14%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.13%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.96%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.17%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

119

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

781

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,469

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,302

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRTPX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.48%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[6]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.30%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.10%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.14%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

4.17%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(3.25%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.92%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

94

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

989

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,898

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

4,227

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.97%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.81%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.27%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.11%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.27%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.12%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.39%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.14%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.24%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.71%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.47%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.95%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2050 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 132% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

132.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2050.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2050, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

This section normally shows how the fund’s total returns have varied from year to year, along with a broad-based securities market index for reference. Because the fund had not completed a full calendar year of performance as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Because the fund had not completed a full calendar year of performance as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRISX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.06%

^[2]

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.66%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(3.01%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

66

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

841

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,636

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,718

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees, short dividend expense, advisory fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2040 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Management fee	[1]	0.20%
Other expenses	[2]	2.00%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][3]	0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.60%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4][5]	(1.95%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		0.65%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example (USD $)	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
1 Year	66
3 Years	622
5 Years	1,205
10 Years	2,789

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2040.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2040, has a target asset allocation of 81.5% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2011; and 81.5%/18.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 9.88%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.90%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -13.77%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R6 before tax	(3.85%)	(0.02%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions	(4.35%)	(0.65%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions, with sale	(2.50%)	(0.37%)	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.32%	6.05%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2035 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares		Class R1	Class R2		Class R3	Class R4		Class R5
Management fee		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%		0.50%	0.15%	[1]	none
Other expenses		0.70%	1.32%	[2]	0.74%	1.43%		0.98%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%		0.15%	0.08%		0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[3]	0.76%	0.76%		0.76%	0.76%		0.76%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.27%	2.64%		2.21%	2.48%		1.85%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(0.67%)	(1.29%)		(0.71%)	(1.38%)		(0.95%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.60%	1.35%		1.50%	1.10%		0.90%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
1 Year	163	137	153	112	92
3 Years	645	698	623	661	489
5 Years	1,154	1,285	1,120	1,237	912
10 Years	2,553	2,878	2,489	2,804	2,091

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 70% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2035.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2035, currently has a target asset allocation of 95% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund's holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as "target" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser's market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., "junk bonds"). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 98% S&P 500 Index/2% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007, and 95%/5% from December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 12.76%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 20.80%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -23.20%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Living through 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	1 Year	5 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(5.71%)	(0.91%)	(0.05%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(6.13%)	(1.45%)	(0.67%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(3.71%)	(1.07%)	(0.39%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R2 before tax	(6.87%)	(2.12%)	(1.26%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R3 before tax	(5.66%)	(0.86%)	0.01%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R4 before tax	(5.34%)	(0.53%)	0.34%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R5 before tax	(5.15%)	(0.28%)	0.59%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	(0.25%)	0.40%	Oct. 30, 2006
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	6.50%	6.46%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	2.45%	0.16%	0.63%	Oct. 30, 2006

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2030 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares		Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Management fee	[1]	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%	0.15%	[2]
Other expenses	[3][4]	1.51%	1.51%	2.61%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][5]	0.36%	0.36%	0.36%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.86%	2.61%	3.46%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4][6]	(1.46%)	(1.46%)	(2.56%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.40%	1.15%	0.90%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
1 Year	143	117	92
3 Years	748	672	844
5 Years	1,379	1,254	1,617
10 Years	3,080	2,835	3,651

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 122% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2030.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2030, has a target asset allocation of 71% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 74% S&P 500 Index/26% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 73%/27% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 71%/29% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.24%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.38%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -11.50%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(0.95%)	2.40%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(1.47%)	1.75%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(0.62%)	1.67%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R2 before tax	(2.11%)	1.20%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R4 before tax	0.53%	3.79%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.89%	5.62%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[5] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[6] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2030 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares		Class R1	Class R2		Class R3	Class R4		Class R5
Management fee		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%		0.50%	0.15%	[1]	none
Other expenses		0.63%	0.90%	[2]	0.57%	1.93%		0.47%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%		0.15%	0.12%		0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[3]	0.76%	0.76%		0.76%	0.76%		0.76%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.20%	2.22%		2.04%	3.02%		1.34%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(0.60%)	(0.87%)		(0.54%)	(1.92%)		(0.44%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.60%	1.35%		1.50%	1.10%		0.90%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
1 Year	163	137	153	112	92
3 Years	631	611	587	773	381
5 Years	1,125	1,110	1,048	1,458	692
10 Years	2,487	2,486	2,326	3,289	1,574

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 69% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2030.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2030, currently has a target asset allocation of 89% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund's holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as "target" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser's market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., "junk bonds"). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 95% S&P 500 Index/5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 94%/6% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 93%/7% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 92%/8% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 91%/9% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 89%/11% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 12.53%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 20.70%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -23.23%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Living through 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	1 Year	5 Years	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(5.23%)	(0.94%)	(0.11%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(5.70%)	(1.48%)	(0.77%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(3.40%)	(1.10%)	(0.46%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R2 before tax	(6.21%)	(1.90%)	(1.07%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R3 before tax	(5.18%)	(0.88%)	(0.05%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R4 before tax	(4.89%)	(0.60%)	0.23%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R5 before tax	(4.59%)	(0.30%)	0.54%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	(0.25%)	0.40%	Oct. 30, 2006
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	6.50%	6.46%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	2.72%	0.21%	0.67%	Oct. 30, 2006

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2010 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares		Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Management fee	[1]	0.48%	0.48%	0.48%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%	0.15%	[2]
Other expenses	[3]	2.01%	2.01%	3.30%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.14%	0.14%	0.14%
Total annual fund operating expenses		3.38%	3.13%	4.17%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[5][6]	(1.96%)	(1.96%)	(3.25%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.42%	1.17%	0.92%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
1 Year	145	119	94
3 Years	856	781	989
5 Years	1,591	1,469	1,898
10 Years	3,535	3,302	4,227

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 148% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2010.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2010, has a target asset allocation of 8% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% in equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 8% S&P 500 Index/92% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 3.54%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 2.87%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -0.92%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	4.97%	4.81%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions	4.39%	4.14%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	3.24%	3.71%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R2 before tax	3.27%	3.11%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R4 before tax	3.27%	3.12%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.47%	6.95%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2045 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares		Class R1	Class R2		Class R3	Class R4		Class R5
Management fee		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%		0.50%	0.15%	[1]	none
Other expenses		1.24%	1.86%	[2]	1.49%	2.33%		1.36%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%		0.15%	0.11%		0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[3]	0.76%	0.76%		0.76%	0.76%		0.76%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.81%	3.18%		2.96%	3.41%		2.23%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(1.21%)	(1.83%)		(1.46%)	(2.31%)		(1.33%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.60%	1.35%		1.50%	1.10%		0.90%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
1 Year	163	137	153	112	92
3 Years	757	809	778	852	569
5 Years	1,377	1,505	1,429	1,615	1,073
10 Years	3,050	3,358	3,176	3,623	2,461

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 70% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2045.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2045, currently has a target asset allocation of 95% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund’s holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as “target” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser’s market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., “junk bonds”). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 100% S&P 500 Index/0% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007, and 95%/5% from December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 12.82%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 20.70%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -23.18%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Living through 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	1 Year	5 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(5.74%)	(0.96%)	(0.08%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(6.17%)	(1.48%)	(0.73%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(3.73%)	(1.10%)	(0.43%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R2 before tax	(7.08%)	(2.43%)	(1.56%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R3 before tax	(5.64%)	(0.88%)	none	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R4 before tax	(5.29%)	(0.60%)	0.29%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R5 before tax	(5.08%)	(0.31%)	0.58%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	(0.25%)	0.40%	Oct. 30, 2006
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	6.50%	6.46%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	2.45%	0.15%	0.63%	Oct. 30, 2006

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2050 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares		Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Management fee	[1]	0.20%	0.20%	0.20%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%	0.15%	[2]
Other expenses	[3]	3.06%	3.06%	4.55%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.40%	0.40%	0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses		4.41%	4.16%	5.40%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[5][6]	(3.01%)	(3.01%)	(4.50%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.40%	1.15%	0.90%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
1 Year	143	117	92
3 Years	1,062	989	1,231
5 Years	1,992	1,875	2,359
10 Years	4,365	4,155	5,130

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 132% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2050.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2050, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

This section normally shows how the fund’s total returns have varied from year to year, along with a broad-based securities market index for reference. Because the fund had not completed a full calendar year of performance as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees, short dividend expense, advisory fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2025 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	Class R3	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares		Class R3	Class R5
Management fee	[1]	0.29%	0.29%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	none
Other expenses	[2][3]	1.50%	1.50%
Recoupment	[3]	0.01%	0.01%
Service plan fee		0.15%	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.32%	0.32%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.77%	2.17%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R3	Class R5
1 Year	280	220
3 Years	859	679
5 Years	1,464	1,164
10 Years	3,098	2,502

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 123% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2025.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2025, has a target asset allocation of 59% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 65% S&P 500 Index/35% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 62.5%/37.5% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 59%/41% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 0.00%.

Best quarter: Q4 ’11, 6.66%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -9.44%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R3 before tax	(0.98%)	1.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions	(1.49%)	1.02%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions, with sale	(0.63%)	1.05%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R5 before tax	(0.39%)	2.27%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	4.54%	5.88%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2045 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

124.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2045.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2045, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 11.14%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.86%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -13.81%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRVSX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.94%

^[2]

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.54%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(2.89%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.65%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

66

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

816

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,588

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,618

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(4.06%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

11.14%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

9.86%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(13.81%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | before tax | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.06%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.19%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.58%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.82%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R6

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.63%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.52%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.32%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.05%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2050 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

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Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

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To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

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Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

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This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

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Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

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The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 132% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

132.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

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Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

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Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

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This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

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Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

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Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2050.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2050, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

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Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

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There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

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The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

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Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

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An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

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Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

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This section normally shows how the fund’s total returns have varied from year to year, along with a broad-based securities market index for reference. Because the fund had not completed a full calendar year of performance as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Because the fund had not completed a full calendar year of performance as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRIQX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.06%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

4.41%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(3.01%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.40%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

143

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,062

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,992

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

4,365

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRINX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.06%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

4.16%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(3.01%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.15%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

117

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

989

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,875

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

4,155

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRIPX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[6]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

4.55%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.10%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

5.40%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(4.50%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.90%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

92

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,231

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

2,359

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

5,130

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees, short dividend expense, advisory fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2025 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares		Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Management fee	[1]	0.29%	0.29%	0.29%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%	0.15%	[2]
Other expenses	[3][4]	1.50%	1.50%	2.60%
Recoupment	[4]	0.01%	0.01%	0.01%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][5]	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.87%	2.62%	3.47%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[6]	(1.46%)	(1.46%)	(2.56%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.41%	1.16%	0.91%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
1 Year	144	118	93
3 Years	751	675	827
5 Years	1,384	1,259	1,584
10 Years	3,089	2,844	3,579

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 123% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2025.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2025, has a target asset allocation of 59% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 65% S&P 500 Index/35% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 62.5%/37.5% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 59%/41% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 9.22%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 8.48%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -9.44%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	0.34%	3.02%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(0.18%)	2.38%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	0.22%	2.20%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R2 before tax	(0.83%)	1.81%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R4 before tax	1.78%	4.35%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	4.54%	5.88%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[5] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[6] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2040 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares		Class R1	Class R2		Class R3	Class R4		Class R5
Management fee		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		0.50%	0.25%		0.50%	0.15%	[1]	none
Other expenses		0.93%	1.31%	[2]	0.61%	3.37%		0.81%
Service plan fee		0.23%	0.25%		0.15%	0.10%		0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[3]	0.76%	0.76%		0.76%	0.76%		0.76%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.48%	2.63%		2.08%	4.44%		1.68%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(0.87%)	(1.27%)		(0.57%)	(3.33%)		(0.77%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.61%	1.36%		1.51%	1.11%		0.91%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
1 Year	164	138	154	113	93
3 Years	690	697	597	1,061	454
5 Years	1,242	1,281	1,066	2,017	840
10 Years	2,750	2,869	2,365	4,447	1,923

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 69% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2040.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2040, currently has a target asset allocation of 95% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund's holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. The investment adviser may change the target allocation without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as “target” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser’s market outlook. The portfolio has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., “junk bonds”). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 100% S&P 500 Index/0% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007, and 95%/5% from December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 12.81%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 20.70%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -23.25%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Living through 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	1 Year	5 Years	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(5.64%)	(0.93%)	(0.04%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(6.06%)	(1.46%)	(0.70%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(3.67%)	(1.08%)	(0.40%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R2 before tax	(6.90%)	(2.13%)	(1.24%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R3 before tax	(5.55%)	(0.86%)	0.02%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R4 before tax	(5.29%)	(0.58%)	0.31%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R5 before tax	(5.09%)	(0.29%)	0.60%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	(0.25%)	0.40%	Oct. 30, 2006
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	6.50%	6.46%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	2.45%	0.15%	0.63%	Oct. 30, 2006

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2010 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 148% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	148.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2010. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2010, has a target asset allocation of 8% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. GLIDE PATH CHART The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as "neutral" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers' market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year. The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund's name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% in equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer. Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days. Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes. Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison. After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 8% S&P 500 Index/92% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above. April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.
Performance One Year or Less [Text]	rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess	Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 8% S&P 500 Index/92% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-888-972-8696
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 0.00%. Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 2.41% Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -1.38%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]	rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus	Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]	rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown	After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes.
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.48%	[1]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.01%	[2]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.15%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.14%	[1],[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.28%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.02%)	[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	3.26%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	329
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	1,008
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,710
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	3,575
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	3.08%
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	0.00%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	2.41%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2010
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(1.38%)
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.48%	[1]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.01%	[2]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.14%	[1],[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.68%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.02%)	[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	2.66%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	269
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	830
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,418
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	3,011
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	3.08%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.92%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	3.70%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.54%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.51%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.26%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.01%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.11%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	4.66%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.84%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.00%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.47%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	6.95%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the “Expenses” of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. “Expenses” means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund’s business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2020 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 127% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	127.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2020. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2020, has a target asset allocation of 40% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. GLIDE PATH CHART The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year. The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer. Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days. Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison. After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 47.5% S&P 500 Index/52.5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 44%/56% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 40%/60% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above. April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.
Performance One Year or Less [Text]	rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess	Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 47.5% S&P 500 Index/52.5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 44%/56% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 40%/60% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-888-972-8696
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 7.10%. Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 6.66% Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -5.71%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]	rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus	Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JRWSX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.36%	[1]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.50%	[2],[3]
Recoupment	rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.01%	[2]
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.26%	[1],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.13%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(1.46%)	[5]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.67%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	68
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	526
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,010
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,346
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	1.85%
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	7.10%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	6.66%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(5.71%)
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | before tax | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	1.85%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.47%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	1.34%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.88%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	1.20%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.61%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	4.66%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.84%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.00%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	5.62%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	6.78%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2045 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	Class R3	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares		Class R3	Class R5
Management fee	[1]	0.20%	0.20%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	none
Other expenses	[2]	2.94%	2.94%
Service plan fee		0.15%	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][3]	0.40%	0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses		4.19%	3.59%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(0.03%)	(0.03%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		4.16%	3.56%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R3	Class R5
1 Year	418	359
3 Years	1,270	1,097
5 Years	2,135	1,857
10 Years	4,362	3,852

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2045.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2045, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was -0.56%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.62%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -14.00%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R3 before tax	(4.88%)	(1.05%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions	(5.40%)	(1.69%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions, with sale	(3.17%)	(1.25%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R5 before tax	(4.31%)	(0.46%)	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.32%	5.36%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2045 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares		Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Management fee	[1]	0.20%	0.20%	0.20%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%	0.15%	[2]
Other expenses	[3]	2.94%	2.94%	4.43%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.40%	0.40%	0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses		4.29%	4.04%	5.28%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[5][6]	(2.89%)	(2.89%)	(4.38%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.40%	1.15%	0.90%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
1 Year	143	117	92
3 Years	1,038	964	1,208
5 Years	1,946	1,828	2,315
10 Years	4,273	4,060	5,047

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2045.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2045, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 11.14%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 10.38%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -13.39%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(2.23%)	1.73%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(2.76%)	1.08%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(1.45%)	1.10%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R2 before tax	(4.73%)	(0.89%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R4 before tax	(0.56%)	3.31%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.32%	5.36%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2020 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	Class R3	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares		Class R3	Class R5
Management fee	[1]	0.36%	0.36%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	none
Other expenses	[2][3]	1.50%	1.50%
Recoupment	[3]	0.01%	0.01%
Service plan fee		0.15%	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.26%	0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.78%	2.18%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R3	Class R5
1 Year	281	221
3 Years	862	862
5 Years	1,469	1,169
10 Years	3,108	2,513

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 127% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2020.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2020, has a target asset allocation of 40% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 47.5% S&P 500 Index/52.5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 44%/56% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 40%/60% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 3.59%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 6.37%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -5.97%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R3 before tax	0.74%	2.34%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions	0.24%	1.75%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions, with sale	0.48%	1.65%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R5 before tax	1.34%	2.95%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	5.62%	6.31%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

XML

Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2013
Risk/Return:
Document Type	Other
Document Period End Date	Aug. 31, 2012
Registrant Name	John Hancock Funds II
Central Index Key	0001331971
Amendment Flag	false
Document Creation Date	Jan. 04, 2013
Document Effective Date	Jan. 04, 2013
Prospectus Date	Jan. 01, 2013

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2010 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 148% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	148.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2010. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2010, has a target asset allocation of 8% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. GLIDE PATH CHART The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year. The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% in equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer. Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days. Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison. After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 8% S&P 500 Index/92% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above. April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.
Performance One Year or Less [Text]	rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess	Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 8% S&P 500 Index/92% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-888-972-8696
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 2.95%. Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 2.62% Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -1.17%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]	rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus	Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JRTSX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.48%	[1]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.01%	[2]
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.14%	[1],[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.63%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(1.96%)	[4],[5]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.67%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	68
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	630
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,219
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,818
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	3.94%
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	2.95%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	2.62%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2010
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(1.17%)
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | before tax | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	3.94%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.77%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	3.36%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.12%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.56%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.83%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	4.66%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.84%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.00%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.47%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.16%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2020 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Management fee	[1]	0.36%
Other expenses	[2][3]	1.50%
Recoupment	[2]	0.01%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.13%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[5]	(1.46%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		0.67%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example (USD $)	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
1 Year	68
3 Years	526
5 Years	1,010
10 Years	2,346

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 127% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2020.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2020, has a target asset allocation of 40% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 47.5% S&P 500 Index/52.5% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 44%/56% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 40%/60% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 7.10%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 6.66%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -5.71%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R6 before tax	1.85%	3.47%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions	1.34%	2.88%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions, with sale	1.20%	2.61%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	5.62%	6.78%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2030 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Management fee	[1]	0.24%
Other expenses	[2][3]	1.51%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.36%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.11%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[2][5]	(1.46%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		0.65%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example (USD $)	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
1 Year	66
3 Years	520
5 Years	999
10 Years	2,325

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 122% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2030.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2030, has a target asset allocation of 71% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as "neutral" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers' market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund's name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 74% S&P 500 Index/26% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 73%/27% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 71%/29% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.06%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.28%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -11.58%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R6 before tax	(1.32%)	2.02%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions	(1.83%)	1.37%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions, with sale	(0.85%)	1.35%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.89%	6.26%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2050 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. For the period from March 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 67% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	67.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2050. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2050, currently has a target asset allocation of 95% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund's holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement. The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as "target" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser's market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective. Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions. GLIDE PATH CHART The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., "junk bonds"). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries. Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	This section normally shows how the fund’s total return has varied from year to year, along with a broad-based market index for reference. Because the fund had not had a full calendar year of performance as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.
Performance One Year or Less [Text]	rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess	Because the fund had not had a full calendar year of performance as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLKDX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.14%	[1]
Service plan fee	rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.25%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.78%	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.73%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(2.09%)	[3],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.64%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	167
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	948
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R2
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLKEX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.08%	[1]
Service plan fee	rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.25%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.78%	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.42%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(2.03%)	[3],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.39%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	141
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	861
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLKFX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.14%	[1]
Service plan fee	rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.15%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.78%	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.63%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(2.09%)	[3],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.54%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	157
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	918
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R4
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLKGX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.15%	[5]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.14%	[1]
Service plan fee	rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.78%	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.23%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(2.09%)	[3],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.14%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	116
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	819
John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JLKHX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.12%	[1]
Service plan fee	rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.78%	[2]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.01%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(2.07%)	[3],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.94%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	96
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	735

[1] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[2] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses'' of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees, short dividend expense, advisory fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[4] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2015 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	Class R3	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares		Class R3	Class R5
Management fee	[1]	0.44%	0.44%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	none
Other expenses	[2][3]	1.52%	1.52%
Service plan fee		0.15%	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.18%	0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.79%	2.19%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[3]	(0.01%)	(0.01%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		2.78%	2.18%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R3	Class R5
1 Year	281	221
3 Years	864	684
5 Years	1,473	1,174
10 Years	3,118	2,523

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 133% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2015.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2015, has a target asset allocation of 18% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distanct target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 28% S&P 500 Index/72% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 23%/77% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 18%/82% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 4.78%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 4.58%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -1.57%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R3 before tax	2.42%	2.98%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions	1.92%	2.40%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions, with sale	1.58%	2.20%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R5 before tax	3.04%	3.60%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	6.74%	6.64%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2045 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	124.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2045. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2045, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. GLIDE PATH CHART The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year. The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer. Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days. Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes. Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison. After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above. April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-888-972-8696
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 11.14%. Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 10.38% Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -13.39%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]	rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus	Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]	rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown	After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JRVQX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.20%	[1]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.94%	[2]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.40%	[1],[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	4.29%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(2.89%)	[4],[5]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.40%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	143
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	1,038
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,946
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	4,273
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(2.23%)
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	11.14%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	10.38%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(13.39%)
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R2
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JRVRX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.20%	[1]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	2.94%	[2]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.40%	[1],[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	4.04%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(2.89%)	[4],[5]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	1.15%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	117
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	964
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,828
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	4,060
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R4
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JRVPX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.20%	[1]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.15%	[6]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	4.43%	[2]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.40%	[1],[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	5.28%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(4.38%)	[4],[5]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.90%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	92
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	1,208
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	2,315
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	5,047
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.23%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	1.73%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R2
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(4.73%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.89%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R4
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(0.56%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.31%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.76%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	1.08%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.45%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	1.10%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	4.66%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.84%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.00%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	3.32%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	5.36%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2040 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares		Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Management fee	[1]	0.20%	0.20%	0.20%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%	0.15%	[2]
Other expenses	[3]	2.00%	2.00%	3.29%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.40%	0.40%	0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses		3.35%	3.10%	4.14%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[5][6]	(1.95%)	(1.95%)	(3.24%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.40%	1.15%	0.90%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
1 Year	143	117	92
3 Years	848	773	981
5 Years	1,577	1,455	1,884
10 Years	3,508	3,275	4,203

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2040.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2040, has a target asset allocation of 81.5% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2011; and 81.5%/18.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 11.16%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 10.39%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -13.38%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(2.17%)	1.74%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(2.68%)	1.09%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(1.41%)	1.11%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R2 before tax	(3.82%)	0.02%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R4 before tax	(0.53%)	3.30%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.32%	5.36%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2025 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 123% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

123.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2025.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2025, has a target asset allocation of 59% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 65% S&P 500 Index/35% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 62.5%/37.5% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 59%/41% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 65% S&P 500 Index/35% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 62.5%/37.5% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 59%/41% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 0.00%.

Best quarter: Q4 ’11, 6.66%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -9.44%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.50%

^[2],[3]

Recoupment

rr_Component3OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.32%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.77%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

280

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

859

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,464

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,098

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(0.98%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2011

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

6.66%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(9.44%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.50%

^[2],[3]

Recoupment

rr_Component3OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.32%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.17%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

220

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

679

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,164

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,502

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.98%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.39%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.27%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.49%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.02%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.63%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.05%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.54%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.88%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2050 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	Class R3	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares		Class R3	Class R5
Management fee	[1]	0.20%	0.20%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	none
Other expenses	[2]	3.06%	3.06%
Service plan fee		0.15%	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][3]	0.40%	0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses		4.31%	3.71%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(0.15%)	(0.15%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		4.16%	3.56%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R3	Class R5
1 Year	418	359
3 Years	1,293	1,121
5 Years	2,180	1,903
10 Years	4,453	3,949

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 132% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2050.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2050 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2050, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

This section normally shows how the fund’s total return has varied from year to year, along with a broad-based market index for reference. Because the fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees, short dividend expense, advisory fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2045 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Management fee	[1]	0.20%
Other expenses	[2]	2.94%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][3]	0.40%
Total annual fund operating expenses		3.54%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4][5]	(2.89%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		0.65%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example (USD $)	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
1 Year	66
3 Years	816
5 Years	1,588
10 Years	3,618

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2045.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2045, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 11.14%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.86%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -13.81%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R6 before tax	(4.06%)	(0.19%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions	(4.58%)	(0.82%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions, with sale	(2.63%)	(0.52%)	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.32%	6.05%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

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Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

Risk/Return:

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Risk/Return [Heading]

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JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2030 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

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Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

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To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

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Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

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This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

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Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

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Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

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December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

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Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

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The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 122% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

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122.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

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“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

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“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

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Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

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Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

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This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

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Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

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Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2030.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2030, has a target asset allocation of 71% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

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Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

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There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

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The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

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Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

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An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

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Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

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The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 74% S&P 500 Index/26% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 73%/27% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 71%/29% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

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The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

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S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 74% S&P 500 Index/26% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 73%/27% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 71%/29% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

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1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

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www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

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However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

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Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

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Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.24%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.38%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -11.50%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

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Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

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Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

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They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

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Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

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After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

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Trading Symbol

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JRHQX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

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none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

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none

Management fee

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0.24%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

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0.50%

Other expenses

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1.51%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

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0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

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0.36%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

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2.86%

Contractual expense reimbursement

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(1.46%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

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1.40%

1 Year

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143

3 Years

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748

5 Years

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1,379

10 Years

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3,080

2011

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(0.95%)

Year to Date Return, Label

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Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

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Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

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10.24%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

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Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

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Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

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9.38%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

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Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

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Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

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(11.50%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

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Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRHRX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

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none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

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none

Management fee

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0.24%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

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1.51%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

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0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

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0.36%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.61%

Contractual expense reimbursement

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(1.46%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.15%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

117

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

672

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,254

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,835

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

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Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRHPX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.24%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[6]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.61%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.10%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.36%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.46%

Contractual expense reimbursement

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(2.56%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.90%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

92

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

844

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,617

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,651

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

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1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.95%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

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1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.11%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.20%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

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1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.53%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.79%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.47%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.75%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.62%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.67%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.89%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.62%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2035 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Management fee	[1]	0.21%
Other expenses	[2][3]	1.98%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.39%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.58%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[3][5]	(1.93%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		0.65%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example (USD $)	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
1 Year	66
3 Years	618
5 Years	1,197
10 Years	2,770

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 128% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2035.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2035, has a target asset allocation of 78% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

.GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 79%/21% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 78%/22% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.58%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.98%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -12.88%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R6 before tax	(2.35%)	1.38%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions	(2.86%)	0.76%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions, with sale	(1.52%)	0.82%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.51%	6.10%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2010 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Management fee	[1]	0.48%
Other expenses	[2]	2.01%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][3]	0.14%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.63%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4][5]	(1.96%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		0.67%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example (USD $)	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
1 Year	68
3 Years	630
5 Years	1,219
10 Years	2,818

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 148% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2010.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2010, has a target asset allocation of 8% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% in equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 8% S&P 500 Index/92% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 2.95%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 2.62%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -1.17%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R6 before tax	3.94%	3.77%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions	3.36%	3.12%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions, with sale	2.56%	2.83%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.47%	7.16%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2035 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares		Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Management fee	[1]	0.21%	0.21%	0.21%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%	0.15%	[2]
Other expenses	[3][4]	1.98%	1.98%	3.28%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][5]	0.39%	0.39%	0.39%
Total annual fund operating expenses		3.33%	3.08%	4.13%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4][6]	(1.93%)	(1.93%)	(3.23%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.40%	1.15%	0.90%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
1 Year	143	117	92
3 Years	844	769	979
5 Years	1,569	1,447	1,881
10 Years	3,491	3,257	4,195

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 128% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2035.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2035, has a target asset allocation of 78% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 79%/21% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 78%/22% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.94%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 10.15%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -12.74%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(1.74%)	2.01%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(2.26%)	1.38%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(1.13%)	1.35%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R2 before tax	(3.36%)	0.32%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R4 before tax	(0.23%)	3.43%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.51%	5.42%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[5] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[6] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2030 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 122% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

122.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2030.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2030, has a target asset allocation of 71% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 74% S&P 500 Index/26% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 73%/27% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 71%/29% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 74% S&P 500 Index/26% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 73%/27% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 71%/29% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 0.00%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.02%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -11.80%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.24%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.51%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.36%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.76%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.76%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

279

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

856

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,459

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,090

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(2.26%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

0.00%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

9.02%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(11.80%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.24%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.51%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.36%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.16%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

none

^[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

2.16%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

219

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

676

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,159

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,493

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.26%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.04%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.68%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.65%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.77%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.47%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.52%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2030 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.89%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.62%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

XML

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2015 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares		Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
Management fee	[1]	0.44%	0.44%	0.44%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%	0.15%	[2]
Other expenses	[3][4]	1.52%	1.52%	2.63%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%	0.10%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][5]	0.18%	0.18%	0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.89%	2.64%	3.50%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4][6]	(1.47%)	(1.47%)	(2.58%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.42%	1.17%	0.92%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R4
1 Year	145	119	94
3 Years	756	680	854
5 Years	1,393	1,269	1,635
10 Years	3,109	2,864	3,686

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 133% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2015.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2015, has a target asset allocation of 18% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distanct target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 28% S&P 500 Index/72% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 23%/77% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 18%/82% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 4.78%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 4.94%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -1.24%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	3.81%	4.38%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions	3.31%	3.80%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	2.48%	3.39%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R2 before tax	2.86%	3.42%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R4 before tax	5.45%	5.86%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	6.74%	6.64%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[5] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[6] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2025 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 123% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

123.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2025.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2025, has a target asset allocation of 59% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

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Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

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There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

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The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

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Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

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An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

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Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

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The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 65% S&P 500 Index/35% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 62.5%/37.5% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 59%/41% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

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The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

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S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 65% S&P 500 Index/35% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 62.5%/37.5% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 59%/41% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

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1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

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www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

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However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

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Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

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Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 9.22%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 8.48%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -9.44%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

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Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

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They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

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Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

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After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JREQX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.50%

^[2],[3]

Recoupment

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.32%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.87%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.46%)

^[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.41%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

144

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

751

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,384

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,089

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

0.34%

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

9.22%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

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Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

8.48%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

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Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(9.44%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRERX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.50%

^[2],[3]

Recoupment

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.32%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.62%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.46%)

^[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.16%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

118

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

675

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,259

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,844

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JREPX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.29%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[6]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.60%

^[2],[3]

Recoupment

rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.01%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.10%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.32%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.47%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(2.56%)

^[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.91%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

93

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

827

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,584

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,579

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.34%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.02%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.83%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.81%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

1.78%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.35%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.18%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.38%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

0.22%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.20%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

4.54%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.88%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2035 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 128% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	128.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	"Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	"Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2035. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2035, has a target asset allocation of 78% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. GLIDE PATH CHART The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as "neutral" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers' market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year. The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund's name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund's shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund's performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund's ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund's portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds' other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser's investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Equity securities risk The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Active management risk The subadviser's investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund's securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund's share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as "junk bonds") are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer. Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund's shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund's returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days. Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes. Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison. After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund's inception to November 30, 2010; 79%/21% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 78%/22% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above. April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund's returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's performance from year to year.
Performance One Year or Less [Text]	rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess	Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund's inception to November 30, 2010; 79%/21% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 78%/22% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-888-972-8696
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date total return The fund's total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 0.00%. Best quarter: Q3 '10, 9.65% Worst quarter: Q3 '11, -13.14%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]	rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus	Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]	rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown	After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes.
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.21%	[1]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.98%	[2],[3]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.15%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.39%	[1],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	3.23%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	3.22%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	325
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	994
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,687
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	3,530
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(3.51%)
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	0.00%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	9.65%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(13.14%)
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.21%	[1]
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.98%	[2],[3]
Service plan fee	rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.39%	[1],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.63%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(0.01%)	[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	2.62%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	265
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	816
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,394
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,963
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(3.51%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.17%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.93%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	0.78%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(4.01%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.45%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R3
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.28%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	(0.20%)
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	4.66%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.84%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.00%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	3.51%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	5.42%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2015 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Management fee	[1]	0.44%
Other expenses	[2][3]	1.52%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.14%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[3][5]	(1.47%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		0.67%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example (USD $)	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
1 Year	68
3 Years	528
5 Years	1,014
10 Years	2,356

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 133% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2015.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2015, has a target asset allocation of 18% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distanct target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as "neutral" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers' market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund's name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 28% S&P 500 Index/72% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 23%/77% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 18%/82% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 4.43%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 4.77%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -1.40%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2015 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R6 before tax	3.15%	3.71%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions	2.65%	3.13%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions, with sale	2.05%	2.83%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	6.74%	6.97%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	John Hancock Funds II
Prospectus Date	rr_ProspectusDate	Jan. 01, 2013
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return [Heading]	rr_RiskReturnHeading	JOHN HANCOCK RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2025 PORTFOLIO
Objective [Heading]	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block]	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.
Expense [Heading]	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text]	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (%) (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination	December 31, 2013
Portfolio Turnover [Heading]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 123% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	123.00%
Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]	rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates	“Other expenses” have been estimated for the class’s first year of operations.
Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]	rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees	“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”
Expense Example [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Expense example
Expense Example by Year [Heading]	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading	Expenses ($)
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading]	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block]	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2025. The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2025, has a target asset allocation of 59% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches. GLIDE PATH CHART The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as "neutral" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers' market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year. The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund's name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement. In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination. The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.
Risk [Heading]	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block]	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance. Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund. Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus. Risks of investing in the fund of funds Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track. Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk. Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests. Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage. Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund. Risks of investing in the underlying funds Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value. Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result. Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors. Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level. Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide. Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments. Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk. Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them: Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts. Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts. Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps. Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options. Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors. Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover. Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded. Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell. Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks. Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer. Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.
Risk Lose Money [Text]	rr_RiskLoseMoney	The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]	rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus	Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Past performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block]	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days. Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison. After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan. S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 65% S&P 500 Index/35% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 62.5%/37.5% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 59%/41% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above. April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.
Performance One Year or Less [Text]	rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess	Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance
Performance Additional Market Index [Text]	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks. Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues. S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 65% S&P 500 Index/35% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 62.5%/37.5% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 59%/41% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.
Performance Availability Phone [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone	1-888-972-8696
Performance Availability Website Address [Text]	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.
Bar Chart [Heading]	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 9.32%. Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 8.48% Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -9.44%
Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]	rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus	Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.
Performance Table Heading	rr_PerformanceTableHeading	Average annual total returns (%) as of 12-31-11
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	JRESX
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther	none
Management fee	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.29%	[1]
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	1.50%	[2],[3]
Recoupment	rr_Component2OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.01%	[2]
Acquired fund fees and expenses	rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets	0.32%	[1],[4]
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	2.12%
Contractual expense reimbursement	rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets	(1.46%)	[2],[5]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements	rr_NetExpensesOverAssets	0.66%
1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	67
3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	522
5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,004
10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	2,334
2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	0.34%
Year to Date Return, Label	rr_YearToDateReturnLabel	Year-to-date total return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2012
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return	rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn	9.32%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Best quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	8.48%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Worst quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(9.44%)
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | before tax | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	0.34%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.02%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(0.18%)
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.38%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R6
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	0.22%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.20%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.11%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	4.66%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	7.84%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	7.00%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010
John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Risk/Return:	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	4.54%
Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	6.46%
Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2035 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	Class R3	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares		Class R3	Class R5
Management fee	[1]	0.21%	0.21%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	none
Other expenses	[2][3]	1.98%	1.98%
Service plan fee		0.15%	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.39%	0.39%
Total annual fund operating expenses		3.23%	2.63%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[3]	(0.01%)	(0.01%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		3.22%	2.62%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R3	Class R5
1 Year	325	265
3 Years	994	816
5 Years	1,687	1,394
10 Years	3,530	2,963

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 128% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2035.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2035, has a target asset allocation of 78% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as "neutral" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers' market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund's name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund's shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund's performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund's ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund's portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds' other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser's investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company's equity securities is subject to changes in the company's financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser's investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund's securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund's share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund's investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund's investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as "junk bonds") are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund's investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company's securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund's losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund's returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund's performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund's inception to November 30, 2010; 79%/21% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 78%/22% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund's total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 0.00%.

Best quarter: Q3 '10, 9.65%

Worst quarter: Q3 '11, -13.14%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R3 before tax	(3.51%)	0.17%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions	(4.01%)	(0.45%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions, with sale	(2.28%)	(0.20%)	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R5 before tax	(2.93%)	0.78%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.51%	5.42%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2035 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 128% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

128.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesBasedOnEstimates

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2035.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2035, has a target asset allocation of 78% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 79%/21% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 78%/22% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 79%/21% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 78%/22% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 10.94%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 10.15%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -12.74%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRYQX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.21%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.98%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.39%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.33%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.93%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.40%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

143

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

844

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,569

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,491

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(1.74%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

10.94%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

10.15%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(12.74%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRYRX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.21%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.98%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.39%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.08%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.93%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.15%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

117

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

769

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,447

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,257

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRYPX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.21%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[6]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.28%

^[2],[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.10%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.39%

^[1],[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

4.13%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(3.23%)

^[3],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.90%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

92

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

979

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,881

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

4,195

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.74%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

2.01%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.36%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.32%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.23%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.43%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.26%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.38%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.13%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.35%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2035 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.51%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.42%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver agreements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement or waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. Other Expenses include recoupment which was less than 0.01% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis).

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

XML

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2010 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	Class R3	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares		Class R3	Class R5
Management fee	[1]	0.48%	0.48%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	none
Other expenses	[2]	2.01%	2.01%
Service plan fee		0.15%	0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][3]	0.14%	0.14%
Total annual fund operating expenses		3.28%	2.68%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(0.02%)	(0.02%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		3.26%	2.66%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R3	Class R5
1 Year	329	269
3 Years	1,008	830
5 Years	1,710	1,418
10 Years	3,575	3,011

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 148% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2010.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2010, has a target asset allocation of 8% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a more distant target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as "neutral" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers' market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund's name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% in equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in fixed-income securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with target dates that are more distant, fixed-income securities risks are more prevalent than these other target date funds. In addition to fixed-income securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by a fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 8% S&P 500 Index/92% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 0.00%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 2.41%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’10, -1.38%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2010 Portfolio Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R3 before tax	3.08%	2.92%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions	2.51%	2.26%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R3 After tax on distributions, with sale	2.01%	2.11%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R5 before tax	3.70%	3.54%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.47%	6.95%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the “Expenses” of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. “Expenses” means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund’s business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2050 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares		Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4		Class R5
Management fee		0.06%	0.06%	0.06%	0.06%		0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%	0.50%	0.15%	[1]	none
Other expenses	[2]	2.14%	2.08%	2.14%	2.14%		2.12%
Service plan fee		0.25%	0.25%	0.15%	0.10%		0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[3]	0.78%	0.78%	0.78%	0.78%		0.78%
Total annual fund operating expenses		3.73%	3.42%	3.63%	3.23%		3.01%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4][5]	(2.09%)	(2.03%)	(2.09%)	(2.09%)		(2.07%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.64%	1.39%	1.54%	1.14%		0.94%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
1 Year	167	141	157	116	96
3 Years	948	861	918	819	735

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. For the period from March 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 67% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2050.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2050 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2050, currently has a target asset allocation of 95% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund's holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as "target" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser's market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., "junk bonds"). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Past performance

This section normally shows how the fund’s total return has varied from year to year, along with a broad-based market index for reference. Because the fund had not had a full calendar year of performance as of the date of this prospectus, there is no past performance to report.

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses'' of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees, short dividend expense, advisory fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2045 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

124.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2045.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2045, has a target asset allocation of 82% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance One Year or Less [Text]

rr_PerformanceOneYearOrLess

Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R3 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was -0.56%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 9.62%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -14.00%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R3 and Class R5 have not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus. The returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R3 and Class R5 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R3 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.94%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

4.19%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

4.16%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

418

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,270

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

2,135

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

4,362

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(4.88%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

(0.56%)

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

9.62%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(14.00%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.94%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.59%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.03%)

^[4]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

3.56%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

359

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

1,097

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,857

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,852

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.88%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(1.05%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.31%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.46%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(5.40%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(1.69%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.17%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(1.25%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2045 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R3 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.32%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.36%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2020 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none	none	none	none	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares		Class R1	Class R2		Class R3	Class R4		Class R5
Management fee		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%	0.06%		0.06%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees		0.50%	0.25%		0.50%	0.15%	[1]	none
Other expenses		0.60%	0.91%	[2]	0.43%	1.93%		0.33%
Service plan fee		0.23%	0.25%		0.15%	0.10%		0.05%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[3]	0.75%	0.75%		0.75%	0.75%		0.75%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.14%	2.22%		1.89%	2.99%		1.19%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[4]	(0.55%)	(0.88%)		(0.40%)	(1.90%)		(0.30%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		1.59%	1.34%		1.49%	1.09%		0.89%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares (USD $)	Class R1	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4	Class R5
1 Year	162	136	152	111	91
3 Years	617	610	555	766	348
5 Years	1,099	1,109	984	1,445	625
10 Years	2,429	2,485	2,179	3,262	1,417

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 63% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2020.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2020, currently has a target asset allocation of 70% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund’s holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as “target” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser’s market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., “junk bonds”). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 81% S&P 500 Index/19% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 79%/21% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 77%/23% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 74%/26% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 72%/28% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 70%/30% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 11.61%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 19.41%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -20.84%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares	1 Year	5 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R1 before tax	(2.99%)	0.20%	0.93%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions	(3.72%)	(0.61%)	0.04%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R1 After tax on distributions, with sale	(1.94%)	(0.30%)	0.27%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R2 before tax	(4.00%)	(0.80%)	(0.07%)	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R3 before tax	(2.94%)	0.26%	0.99%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R4 before tax	(2.74%)	0.52%	1.25%	Oct. 30, 2006
Class R5 before tax	(2.33%)	0.86%	1.60%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	(0.25%)	0.40%	Oct. 30, 2006
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	6.50%	6.46%	Oct. 30, 2006
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	3.95%	0.35%	1.74%	Oct. 30, 2006

[1] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

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John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R6 Shares

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2025 PORTFOLIO

Investment objective

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Fees and expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less	none

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
Management fee	[1]	0.29%
Other expenses	[2][3]	1.50%
Recoupment	[2]	0.01%
Acquired fund fees and expenses	[1][4]	0.32%
Total annual fund operating expenses		2.12%
Contractual expense reimbursement	[2][5]	(1.46%)
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements		0.66%

Expense example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Expenses ($)

Expense Example (USD $)	John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares Class R6
1 Year	67
3 Years	522
5 Years	1,004
10 Years	2,334

Portfolio turnover

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 123% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2025.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2025, has a target asset allocation of 59% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined "glide path" shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund's asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as "neutral" allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers' market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund's name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund's shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers' allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds' subadvisers.

Principal risks

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Past performance

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/InstitutionalPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 65% S&P 500 Index/35% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2010; 62.5%/37.5% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 59%/41% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Because Class R6 shares of the fund do not have a full calendar year of performance, the returns are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R6 shares.

Calendar year total returns — Class R6 (%)

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 9.32%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 8.48%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -9.44%

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Average Annual Total Returns John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2025 Portfolio Prospectus Class R6 Shares	1 Year	Inception	Inception Date
Class R6 before tax	0.34%	3.02%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions	(0.18%)	2.38%	Apr. 30, 2010
Class R6 After tax on distributions, with sale	0.22%	2.20%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index	2.11%	4.66%	Apr. 30, 2010
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	7.84%	7.00%	Apr. 30, 2010
S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index	4.54%	6.46%	Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. The adviser may recapture operating expenses reimbursed or fees waived under previous expense limitation or waiver arrangements for a period of three years following the beginning of the month in which such reimbursement of waivers occurred, so long as certain requirements are met. "Other Expenses" include 0.01% of recoupment for the current fiscal year.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R6 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.00% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis). "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R6 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT LIVING THROUGH 2020 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 63% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

63.00%

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests substantially all of its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2020.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2020, currently has a target asset allocation of 70% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the chart below. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

The fund is designed for investors who may remain invested in the fund through their retirement years. After the fund reaches its designated retirement year, it will continue to be managed according to an allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time, until approximately twenty years after retirement when the fund is expected to maintain a static allocation of approximately 25% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities.

The subadvisers may from time to time adjust the percentage of assets invested in any specific underlying fund held by the fund. Such adjustments may be made to increase or decrease the fund’s holdings of particular asset classes and investment styles or to reflect fundamental changes in the investment environment. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. The glide path is intended to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches and in the postretirement years since the fund may be a primary source of income for its shareholders after retirement.

The allocations reflected in the glide path are also referred to as “target” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the subadviser’s market outlook. The fund has a target allocation to underlying funds for the broad asset classes of equities and fixed income, but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. Any such deviation from the target allocation is not expected to be greater than plus or minus 10%, although this range may be exceeded in light of market or economic conditions in an effort to protect the fund or achieve its objective.

Any such decisions would be made by taking into account relevant factors such as the current and expected economic environment, various fundamental factors such as the valuations of various asset classes and various technical factors such as market sentiment. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its postretirement stage. The portfolio managers believe that the majority of performance will be driven by the long-term strategic asset allocation mix as opposed to any shorter-term tactical asset allocation decisions.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in a broad range of equity and fixed-income securities and asset classes including, but not limited to, U.S. and foreign securities, including emerging-market securities, commodities, asset-backed securities, small-cap securities and below-investment-grade securities (i.e., “junk bonds”). The underlying funds may also use derivatives, such as swaps, foreign currency forwards, futures and options.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Living Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 57 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging-market risk The risks of investing in foreign securities are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging-market countries may experience higher inflation, interest rates and unemployment as well as greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties than more developed countries.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Liquidity risk Exposure exists when trading volume, lack of a market maker or legal restrictions impair the ability to sell particular securities or close derivative positions at an advantageous price.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 81% S&P 500 Index/19% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 79%/21% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 77%/23% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 74%/26% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 72%/28% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 70%/30% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

October 30, 2006 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class A shares. Class R2 shares were first offered on March 1, 2012. The returns prior to this date are those of Class A shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R2 shares.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 81% S&P 500 Index/19% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2007; 79%/21% from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2008; 77%/23% from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009; 74%/26% from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010; 72%/28% from December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011; and 70%/30% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 11.61%.

Best quarter: Q2 ’09, 19.41%

Worst quarter: Q4 ’08, -20.84%

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLDDX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.60%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.23%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.14%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.55%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.59%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

162

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

617

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,099

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,429

2007

rr_AnnualReturn2007

7.39%

2008

rr_AnnualReturn2008

(36.51%)

2009

rr_AnnualReturn2009

34.70%

2010

rr_AnnualReturn2010

13.35%

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(2.99%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

11.61%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

19.41%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Dec. 31, 2008

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(20.84%)

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLDEX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.91%

^[3]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.22%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.88%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.34%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

"Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

136

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

610

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,109

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,485

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLDFX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.43%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.89%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.40%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.49%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

152

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

555

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

984

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

2,179

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLDGX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[4]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

1.93%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.10%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

2.99%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.90%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.09%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

111

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

766

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,445

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,262

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JLDHX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.06%

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.33%

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.05%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.75%

^[1]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

1.19%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(0.30%)

^[2]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.89%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

91

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

348

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

625

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

1,417

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.99%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.20%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.93%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(4.00%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.80%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

(0.07%)

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R3

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.94%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.26%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.99%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.74%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.52%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.25%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | before tax | Class R5

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.33%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.86%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.60%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.72%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.61%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.04%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.94%)

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.30%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.27%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

(0.25%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.40%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

6.50%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

6.46%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

John Hancock Retirement Living through 2020 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.95%

5 Years

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05

0.35%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.74%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Oct. 30, 2006

[1] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[2] The adviser has agreed to contractually limit certain class-specific expenses to 0.75% for Class R1, 0.50% for Class R2, 0.65% for Class R3, 0.25% for Class R4 and 0.05% for Class R5 shares. These expense limitations are subject to certain exclusions, such as fund level and advisory fees, taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, short dividend expense and acquired fund fees and expenses. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013 unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[3] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the class's first year of operations.

[4] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

John Hancock Funds II

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Jan. 01, 2013

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

JOHN HANCOCK
RETIREMENT CHOICES AT 2040 PORTFOLIO

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

To seek high total return until the fund’s target retirement date. Total return, commonly understood as the combination of income and capital appreciation, includes interest, capital gains, dividends and distributions realized over a given period of time.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and expenses

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (%) (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

December 31, 2013

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund, which operates as a fund of funds and invests in underlying funds, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of underlying funds (or “turns over” its portfolio). An underlying fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the underlying funds and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 124% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate

124.00%

Other Expenses, New Fund, Based on Estimates [Text]

rr_OtherExpensesNewFundBasedOnEstimates

“Other expenses” have been estimated for the classes’ first year of operations.

Expenses Not Correlated to Ratio Due to Acquired Fund Fees [Text]

rr_ExpensesNotCorrelatedToRatioDueToAcquiredFundFees

“Acquired fund fees and expenses” are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund’s investments in underlying investment companies. The “Total annual fund operating expenses” shown may not correlate to the fund’s ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the “Financial highlights” section of this prospectus, which do not include “Acquired fund fees and expenses.”

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Expense example

Expense Example by Year [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleByYearHeading

Expenses ($)

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Please see below a hypothetical example showing the expenses of a $10,000 investment at the end of the various time frames indicated. The example assumes a 5% average annual return. The example assumes fund expenses will not change over the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal investment strategies

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the fund primarily invests its assets in underlying funds using an asset allocation strategy designed for investors expected to retire around the year 2040.

The portfolio managers of the fund allocate assets among the underlying funds according to an asset allocation strategy that becomes increasingly conservative over time. John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio, which is designed for investors planning to retire around the year 2040, has a target asset allocation of 81.5% of its assets in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. The fund will have greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than will a John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolio with a closer target date. Over time, the asset allocation strategy will change according to a predetermined “glide path” shown in the following chart. As the glide path shows, the fund’s asset mix becomes more conservative as time elapses. This reflects the desire to reduce investment risk and volatility as retirement approaches.

GLIDE PATH CHART



The allocations reflected in the glide path are referred to as “neutral” allocations because they do not reflect active decisions made by the portfolio managers to produce an overweight or an underweight position in a particular asset class based on the portfolio managers’ market outlook. Any such decisions would be made from a strategic, long-term perspective. The fund has a target allocation for the broad asset classes of equity and fixed-income securities but may invest outside these target allocations to protect the fund or help it achieve its objective. The target allocation may be changed without shareholder approval if it is believed that such a change would benefit the fund and its shareholders. There is no guarantee that the portfolio managers will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year.

The fund is designed for an investor who anticipates re-evaluating his or her retirement allocation strategies at the target date. In the designated retirement year, as indicated by the fund’s name, under normal market conditions the fund is expected to have an equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities, and maintain a static equity allocation of 8% in underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities. This static allocation will be put into place after December 31 of the designated retirement year. This allocation may be appropriate for those investors who want a static allocation of about 8% equity, however, other investors may wish to re-allocate their investment and may remove all or most of their investment at retirement.

In addition to investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the fund may also invest in U.S. government securities and derivatives, such as credit default swaps and options on equity index futures, interest-rate swaps and foreign currencies. The fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (ETNs).

The Board of Trustees of the fund may, in its discretion, determine to combine the fund with another fund if the target allocation of the fund matches the target allocation of the other fund. In such event, the fund’s shareholders will become shareholders of the other fund. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory requirements, such a combination would be implemented without seeking the approval of shareholders. There is no assurance that the Board of Trustees at any point will determine to implement such a combination.

The fund bears its own expenses and, in addition, indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests. The investment performance of the fund will reflect both its portfolio managers’ allocation decisions with respect to underlying funds and investments and the investment decisions made by the underlying funds’ subadvisers.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal risks

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that the fund will provide adequate income near, at or through retirement. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund. Many factors influence a mutual fund’s performance.

Instability in the financial markets has led many governments, including the United States government, to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state and other governments, and their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the fund.

Because this fund has a greater exposure to underlying funds that invest primarily in equity securities than John Hancock Retirement Choices Portfolios with closer target dates, equity security risks are more prevalent in this fund than in these other target date funds. In addition to equity securities risk, the funds’ other main risk factors are listed below in alphabetical order. Before investing, be sure to read the additional descriptions of these risks beginning on page 56 of the prospectus.

Risks of investing in the fund of funds

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Derivatives risk Use of derivative instruments (such as options, futures and swaps) could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price.

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Exchange-traded funds risk Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is designed to track.

Exchange-traded notes risk Similar to ETFs, owning an ETN generally reflects the risks of owning the assets that comprise the underlying market benchmark or strategy that the ETN is designed to reflect. ETNs also are subject to issuer and fixed-income risk.

Fund of funds risk The fund is subject to the performance of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Investment company securities risk The fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

Lifecycle risk There is no guarantee that the subadviser will correctly predict the market or economic conditions and, as with other mutual fund investments, you could lose money even if the fund is at or close to its designated retirement year or in its post-retirement stage.

Retirement target allocation risk From time to time, one or more of the underlying funds may experience relatively large redemptions or investments due to reallocations or rebalancings of the assets of a portfolio, which could affect the performance of the underlying funds and, therefore, the performance of the fund.

Risks of investing in the underlying funds

Equity securities risk The value of a company’s equity securities is subject to changes in the company’s financial condition, and overall market and economic conditions. The securities of growth companies are subject to greater price fluctuations than other types of stocks because their market prices tend to place greater emphasis on future earnings expectations. The securities of value companies are subject to the risk that the companies may not overcome the adverse business developments or other factors causing their securities to be underpriced or that the market may never come to recognize their fundamental value.

Active management risk The subadviser’s investment strategy may fail to produce the intended result.

Commodity risk The market price of commodity investments may be volatile due to fluctuating demand, supply disruption, speculation and other factors.

Convertible securities risk The market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, as the market price of the underlying common stock declines below the conversion price, the price of the convertible security tends to be increasingly influenced more by the yield of the convertible security.

Credit and counterparty risk The issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of a fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Funds that invest in fixed-income securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that the issuers of the securities will have their credit rating downgraded or will default, potentially reducing a fund’s share price and income level.

Currency risk Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which a fund has taken an active position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar.

Economic and market events risk Events in the financial markets have resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign. In addition, reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets may adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Fixed-income securities risk Fixed-income securities are affected by changes in interest rates and credit quality. A rise in interest rates typically causes bond prices to fall. The longer the average maturity of the bonds held by the fund, the more sensitive the fund is likely to be to interest-rate changes. There is the possibility that the issuer of the security will not repay all or a portion of the principal borrowed and will not make all interest payments.

Foreign securities risk As compared to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information relating to foreign companies. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes. The value of foreign securities is subject to currency fluctuations and adverse political and economic developments. Investments in emerging-market countries are subject to greater levels of foreign investment risk.

Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk Hedging and other strategic transactions may increase the volatility of a fund and, if the transaction is not successful, could result in a significant loss to a fund. The use of derivative instruments could produce disproportionate gains or losses, more than the principal amount invested. Investing in derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments and, in a down market, could become harder to value or sell at a fair price. The following is a list of certain derivatives and other strategic transactions in which the fund intends to invest and the main risks associated with each of them:

Credit default swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk, risk of default of the underlying reference obligation and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving credit default swaps.

Foreign currency forward contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), foreign currency risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving foreign currency forward contracts.

Futures contracts Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving futures contracts.

Interest-rate swaps Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions), interest-rate risk and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving interest-rate swaps.

Options Counterparty risk, liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions) and risk of disproportionate loss are the principal risks of engaging in transactions involving options. Counterparty risk does not apply to exchange-traded options.

Industry or sector investing risk The performance of a fund that focuses on a single industry or sector of the economy depends in large part on the performance of that industry or sector. As a result, the value of an investment may fluctuate more widely than it would in a fund that is diversified across industries or sectors.

Initial public offerings risk IPO shares may have a magnified impact on fund performance and are frequently volatile in price. They can be held for a short period of time causing an increase in portfolio turnover.

Issuer risk An issuer of a security may perform poorly and, therefore, the value of its stocks and bonds may decline. An issuer of securities held by the fund could default or have its credit rating downgraded.

Lower-rated fixed-income securities risk and high-yield securities risk Lower-rated fixed-income securities and high-yield fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) are subject to greater credit quality risk and risk of default than higher-rated fixed-income securities. These securities may be considered speculative and the value of these securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments and can be difficult to resell.

Medium and smaller company risk The prices of medium and smaller company stocks can change more frequently and dramatically than those of large company stocks. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies, the market capitalization of a company is based on its market capitalization at the time the fund purchases the company’s securities. Market capitalizations of companies change over time.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities risk Different types of mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are subject to different combinations of prepayment, extension, interest-rate and/or other market risks.

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Short sales risk Short sales involve costs and risk. The fund must pay the lender interest on the security it borrows, and the fund will lose money if the price of the security increases between the time of the short sale and the date when the fund replaces the borrowed security.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

The fund’s shares will go up and down in price, meaning that you could lose money by investing in the fund.

Risk Nondiversified Status [Text]

rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

Non-diversified risk Overall risk can be reduced by investing in securities from a diversified pool of issuers and is increased by investing in securities of a small number of issuers. Investments in a non-diversified fund may magnify the fund’s losses from adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text]

rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Past performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year. However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results. All figures assume dividend reinvestment. Performance for the fund is updated daily, monthly and quarterly and may be obtained at our Web site: www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance, or by calling 1-888-972-8696 between 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on most business days.

Calendar year total returns Calendar year total returns are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other share classes.

Average annual total returns Performance of broad-based market indexes is included for comparison.

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes. They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2011; and 81.5%/18.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

April 30, 2010 is the inception date for the oldest class of shares, Class 1 shares. Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The following performance information in the bar chart and table below illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year.

Performance Additional Market Index [Text]

rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex

S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that includes 500 widely traded stocks.

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of dollar-denominated and nonconvertible investment-grade debt issues.

S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index This blended benchmark adjusts over time as follows: 82% S&P 500 Index/18% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index for the period from the fund’s inception to November 30, 2011; and 81.5%/18.5% from December 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.

This custom benchmark reflects a combination of two of the most widely used benchmarks to represent the equity and fixed-income markets, respectively. In future years, it will roll down in accordance with the annual roll-down of the glide path described above.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

1-888-972-8696

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

www.jhfunds.com/RetirementPerformance

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

However, past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

rr_BarChartHeading

Calendar year total returns — Class R1 (%)

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Year-to-date total return The fund’s total return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 11.16%.

Best quarter: Q3 ’10, 10.39%

Worst quarter: Q3 ’11, -13.38%

Bar Chart, Returns for Class Not Offered in Prospectus [Text]

rr_BarChartReturnsForClassNotOfferedInProspectus

Class R1 and Class R2 shares were first offered on September 4, 2012 and Class R4 shares were first offered on May 1, 2012. The returns prior to these dates are those of Class 1 shares that have been recalculated to apply the estimated gross fees and expenses of Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, as applicable.

Performance Table Heading

rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns (%)

as of 12-31-11

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

They reflect the highest individual federal marginal income-tax rates in effect as of the date provided and do not reflect any state or local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

Your actual after-tax returns may be different. After-tax returns are not relevant to shares held in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text]

rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown

After-tax returns These are shown only for Class R1 shares and would be different for other classes.

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRRQX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.50%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.00%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.35%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.95%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.40%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

143

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

848

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,577

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,508

2011

rr_AnnualReturn2011

(2.17%)

Year to Date Return, Label

rr_YearToDateReturnLabel

Year-to-date total return

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2012

Bar Chart, Year to Date Return

rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn

11.16%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Best quarter:

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2010

Highest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn

10.39%

Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

Worst quarter:

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate

Sep. 30, 2011

Lowest Quarterly Return

rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn

(13.38%)

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRRRX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

2.00%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.25%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

3.10%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(1.95%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

1.15%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

117

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

773

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,455

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

3,275

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Trading Symbol

dei_TradingSymbol

JRRPX

Maximum front-end sales charge (load) on purchases as a % of purchase price

rr_MaximumCumulativeSalesChargeOverOther

none

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a % of purchase or sale price, whichever is less

rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther

none

Management fee

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.20%

^[1]

Distribution and service (12b-1) fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

0.15%

^[6]

Other expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

3.29%

^[2]

Service plan fee

rr_DistributionOrSimilarNon12b1FeesOverAssets

0.10%

Acquired fund fees and expenses

rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets

0.40%

^[1],[3]

Total annual fund operating expenses

rr_ExpensesOverAssets

4.14%

Contractual expense reimbursement

rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets

(3.24%)

^[4],[5]

Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.90%

1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

92

3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

981

5 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear05

1,884

10 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear10

4,203

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.17%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.74%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R2

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(3.82%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

0.02%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | before tax | Class R4

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(0.53%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

3.30%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(2.68%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.09%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | After tax on distributions, with sale | Class R1

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

(1.41%)

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

1.11%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

2.11%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

4.66%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

7.84%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

7.00%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

John Hancock Retirement Choices at 2040 Portfolio | Prospectus Class R1, R2 and R4 Shares | S&P 500 Index/Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

1 Year

rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01

3.32%

Inception

rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception

5.36%

Inception Date

rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate

Apr. 30, 2010

[1] Fees have been restated based on changes to the underlying investment mix.

[2] "Other expenses" have been estimated for the classes' first year of operations.

[3] "Acquired fund fees and expenses" are based on the indirect net expenses associated with the fund's investments in underlying investment companies. The "Total annual fund operating expenses" shown may not correlate to the fund's ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the "Financial highlights" section of this prospectus, which do not include "Acquired fund fees and expenses."

[4] The adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee or, if necessary, make payment to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the share class exceed 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis), respectively. "Expenses" means all expenses attributable to Class R1, Class R2 and Class R4 shares, excluding all fund level expenses such as: (a) advisory fees, (b) underlying fund expenses (acquired fund fees), (c) taxes, (d) brokerage commissions, (e) interest expense, (f) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business and (g) short dividend expense. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[5] The adviser has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse or pay operating expenses of the fund in an amount equal to the amount by which the "Expenses" of the fund exceed 0.05% of the average annual net assets (on an annualized basis) of the fund. "Expenses" means all the expenses of the fund, excluding certain expenses such as taxes, brokerage commissions, interest expense, litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the fund's business, acquired fund fees and expenses paid indirectly, short dividend expense, management fees, distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees, transfer agency and service fees, blue sky fees and printing and postage. The current expense limitation agreement expires on December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the adviser based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.

[6] The fund's distributor has contractually agreed to waive 0.10% of Rule 12b-1 fees for Class R4 shares. The current waiver agreement will remain in effect through December 31, 2013, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the distributor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time. Excluding this waiver would result in Rule 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.