XML 9 R5.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.21.1
Label Element Value
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Document Type dei_DocumentType 497
Document Period End Date dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate Dec. 31, 2020
Entity Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust
Entity Central Index Key dei_EntityCentralIndexKey 0000756913
Entity Inv Company Type dei_EntityInvCompanyType N-1A
Amendment Flag dei_AmendmentFlag false
Document Creation Date dei_DocumentCreationDate Mar. 25, 2021
Document Effective Date dei_DocumentEffectiveDate Mar. 25, 2021
(Emerging Markets Value Trust)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the fund. The fees and expenses do not reflect fees and expenses of any variable insurance contract that may use the fund as its underlying investment option and would be higher if they did.
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 July 31, 2022
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Expense example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The examples assume that $10,000 is invested in the fund for the periods indicated and then all shares are redeemed at the end of those periods. The examples also assume that the investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The expense example does not reflect fees and expenses of any variable insurance contract that may use the fund as its underlying investment option and would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
(Emerging Markets Value Trust) | Series I  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.86% [1]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.05%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.08%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [2]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.07%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 109
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 342
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 595
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,316
(Emerging Markets Value Trust) | Series II  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.86% [1]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.28%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [2]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.27%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 129
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 405
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 701
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,544
(Emerging Markets Value Trust) | NAV  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.86% [1]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.17%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.03%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [2]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.02%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 104
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 327
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 568
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,259
(International Small Company Trust)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the fund. The fees and expenses do not reflect fees and expenses of any variable insurance contract that may use the fund as its underlying investment option and would be higher if they did.
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 July 31, 2022
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Expense example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The examples assume that $10,000 is invested in the fund for the periods indicated and then all shares are redeemed at the end of those periods. The examples also assume that the investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The expense example does not reflect fees and expenses of any variable insurance contract that may use the fund as its underlying investment option and would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
(International Small Company Trust) | Series I  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.85% [3]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.05%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.10%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.09%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 111
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 349
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 605
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,339
(International Small Company Trust) | Series II  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.85% [3]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.30%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.29%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 131
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 411
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 712
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,567
(International Small Company Trust) | NAV  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.85% [3]
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.20%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.05%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.01%) [4]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.04%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 106
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 333
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 578
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,282
(Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Period Ended 12/31/2020
(Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio) | Morningstar U.S. Moderate Target Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.26% [5]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.25% [5]
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.47% [5]
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011 [5]
(Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio) | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.80%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio) | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.40%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.22%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.39%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio) | Combined Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.01%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.00%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.48%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio) | Series I  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.69%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.62%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.89%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 01, 2013
(Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio) | Series II  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.47%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.41%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.73%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Balanced Portfolio) | NAV  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.68%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.67%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.92%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 01, 2013
(Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Period Ended 12/31/2020
(Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio) | Morningstar U.S. Conservative Target Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.26% [6]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.37% [6]
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.30% [6]
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011 [6]
(Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio) | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.80%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio) | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.40%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.22%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.39%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio) | Combined Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.89%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.32%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.33%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio) | Series I  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.75%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.39%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.08%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 01, 2013
(Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio) | Series II  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.53%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.18%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.93%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Conservative Portfolio) | NAV  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.80%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.43%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.12%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 01, 2013
(Lifestyle Growth Portfolio)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Period Ended 12/31/2020
(Lifestyle Growth Portfolio) | Morningstar U.S. Moderately Aggressive Target Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.78% [7]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.63% [7]
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 9.39% [7]
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011 [7]
(Lifestyle Growth Portfolio) | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.40%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.22%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.39%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Growth Portfolio) | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.80%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Growth Portfolio) | Combined Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.77%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.69%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.83%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Growth Portfolio) | Series I  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.58%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.03%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.03%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 01, 2013
(Lifestyle Growth Portfolio) | Series II  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.37%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.81%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 7.87%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Growth Portfolio) | NAV  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.63%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.07%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 8.07%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 01, 2013
(Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Period Ended 12/31/2020
(Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio) | Morningstar U.S. Moderately Conservative Target Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.51% [8]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.07% [8]
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.73% [8]
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011 [8]
(Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio) | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.80%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio) | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.40%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.22%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 13.39%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio) | Combined Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.03%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.12%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.78%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio) | Series I  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.09%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.86%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.38%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 01, 2013
(Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio) | Series II  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.87%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.66%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.22%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2011
(Lifestyle Moderate Portfolio) | NAV  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.22%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.93%
Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.43%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 01, 2013
(Managed Volatility Balanced Portfolio)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Period Ended 12/31/2020
(Managed Volatility Balanced Portfolio) | Morningstar U.S. Moderate Target Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.26% [9]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.25% [9]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.82% [9]
(Managed Volatility Balanced Portfolio) | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.84%
(Managed Volatility Balanced Portfolio) | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.40%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.22%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.88%
(Managed Volatility Balanced Portfolio) | Combined Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.01%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.00%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.80%
(Managed Volatility Balanced Portfolio) | Series I  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.81%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.43%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.86%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 08, 1997
(Managed Volatility Balanced Portfolio) | Series II  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.55%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.22%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.65%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 28, 2002
(Managed Volatility Balanced Portfolio) | NAV  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.77%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.48%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.91%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2005
(Managed Volatility Conservative Portfolio)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Period Ended 12/31/2020
(Managed Volatility Conservative Portfolio) | Morningstar U.S. Conservative Target Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.26% [10]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.37% [10]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.42% [10]
(Managed Volatility Conservative Portfolio) | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.84%
(Managed Volatility Conservative Portfolio) | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.40%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.22%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.88%
(Managed Volatility Conservative Portfolio) | Combined Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 9.89%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.32%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.47%
(Managed Volatility Conservative Portfolio) | Series I  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.39%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.27%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.79%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 08, 1997
(Managed Volatility Conservative Portfolio) | Series II  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.13%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.05%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.58%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 28, 2002
(Managed Volatility Conservative Portfolio) | NAV  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.43%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.31%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.84%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2005
(Managed Volatility Growth Portfolio)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Period Ended 12/31/2020
(Managed Volatility Growth Portfolio) | Morningstar U.S. Moderately Aggressive Target Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 15.78% [11]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.63% [11]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.84% [11]
(Managed Volatility Growth Portfolio) | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.40%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.22%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.88%
(Managed Volatility Growth Portfolio) | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.84%
(Managed Volatility Growth Portfolio) | Combined Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 14.77%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.69%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.26%
(Managed Volatility Growth Portfolio) | Series I  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.42%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.18%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.82%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 08, 1997
(Managed Volatility Growth Portfolio) | Series II  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.60%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 5.98%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.60%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 28, 2002
(Managed Volatility Growth Portfolio) | NAV  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.37%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.24%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.87%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2005
(Managed Volatility Moderate Portfolio)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns for Period Ended 12/31/2020
(Managed Volatility Moderate Portfolio) | Morningstar U.S. Moderately Conservative Target Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.51% [12]
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.07% [12]
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.96% [12]
(Managed Volatility Moderate Portfolio) | Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 7.51%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 4.44%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 3.84%
(Managed Volatility Moderate Portfolio) | S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.40%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.22%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.88%
(Managed Volatility Moderate Portfolio) | Combined Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 12.03%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.12%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.04%
(Managed Volatility Moderate Portfolio) | Series I  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.31%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.40%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.88%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 08, 1997
(Managed Volatility Moderate Portfolio) | Series II  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.05%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.19%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.66%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jan. 28, 2002
(Managed Volatility Moderate Portfolio) | NAV  
Prospectus [Line Items] rr_ProspectusLineItems  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.27%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 6.45%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.92%
Date of Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Apr. 29, 2005
[1] “Management fee” has been restated to reflect the contractual management fee schedule effective March 1, 2021.
[2] The advisor contractually agrees to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for the fund and certain other John Hancock funds according to an asset level breakpoint schedule that is based on the aggregate net assets of all the funds participating in the waiver or reimbursement. This waiver is allocated proportionally among the participating funds. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s reimbursement amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This agreement expires on July 31, 2022, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
[3]  “Management fee” has been restated to reflect the contractual management fee schedule effective March 1, 2021.
[4] The advisor contractually agrees to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for the fund and certain other John Hancock funds according to an asset level breakpoint schedule that is based on the aggregate net assets of all the funds participating in the waiver or reimbursement. This waiver is allocated proportionally among the participating funds. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s reimbursement amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This agreement expires on July 31, 2022, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
[5] Prior to April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark was the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Effective April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark index is the Morningstar U.S. Moderate Target Allocation Index. The Morningstar U.S. Moderate Target Allocation Index better reflects the universe of investment opportunities based on the fund’s investment strategy.
[6] Prior to April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark was the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Effective April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark index is the Morningstar U.S. Conservative Target Allocation Index. The Morningstar U.S. Conservative Target Allocation Index better reflects the universe of investment opportunities based on the fund’s investment strategy.
[7] Prior to April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark was the S&P 500 Index. Effective April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark index is the Morningstar U.S. Moderately Aggressive Target Allocation Index. The Morningstar U.S. Moderately Aggressive Target Allocation Index better reflects the universe of investment opportunities based on the fund’s investment strategy.
[8] Prior to April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark was the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Effective April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark index is the Morningstar U.S. Moderately Conservative Target Allocation Index. The Morningstar U.S. Moderately Conservative Target Allocation Index better reflects the universe of investment opportunities based on the fund’s investment strategy.
[9] Prior to April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark was the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Effective April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark index is the Morningstar U.S. Moderate Target Allocation Index. The Morningstar U.S. Moderate Target Allocation Index better reflects the universe of investment opportunities based on the fund’s investment strategy.
[10] Prior to April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark was the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Effective April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark index is the Morningstar U.S. Conservative Target Allocation Index. The Morningstar U.S. Conservative Target Allocation Index better reflects the universe of investment opportunities based on the fund’s investment strategy.
[11] Prior to April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark was the S&P 500 Index. Effective April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark index is the Morningstar U.S. Moderately Aggressive Target Allocation Index. The Morningstar U.S. Moderately Aggressive Target Allocation Index better reflects the universe of investment opportunities based on the fund’s investment strategy.
[12] Prior to April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark was the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Effective April 26, 2021, the fund’s primary benchmark index is the Morningstar U.S. Moderately Conservative Target Allocation Index. The Morningstar U.S. Moderately Conservative Target Allocation Index better reflects the universe of investment opportunities based on the fund’s investment strategy.