UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

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November 28, 2011

 

John Hancock Income Securities Trust
John Hancock Investors Trust

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

As a shareholder in one or both of the funds listed above, you are cordially invited to attend the annual shareholder meeting on Friday, January 20, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, to be held at the offices of John Hancock Funds, 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

 

Elect your fund’s Board of Trustees

 

The enclosed proxy statement includes a proposal to elect ten Trustees to serve until their respective successors are elected and qualified or such earlier date as required by the By-Laws of the funds. Each of the nominees currently serves as a John Hancock Fund Trustee, and eight of the ten nominees are independent of John Hancock management, including Steven R. Pruchansky, the Chairman of the Board. The proxy statement includes a brief description of each nominee’s background.

 

Your vote is important!

 

I encourage you to exercise your rights as a shareholder by reviewing the enclosed proxy statement and then voting your shares either through the Internet, by telephone or by mail. If you choose to vote by mail, please complete the enclosed proxy card, sign it and mail it to us immediately in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope. Your prompt response will help avoid the cost of additional mailings at your fund’s expense.

 

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-852-0218, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

 

Thank you in advance for your prompt action on this very important matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Keith F. Hartstein

 

Keith F. Hartstein

President and Chief Executive Officer

JOHN HANCOCK INCOME SECURITIES TRUST
JOHN HANCOCK INVESTORS TRUST
601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on January 20, 2012

 

This is the formal agenda for your fund’s shareholder meeting. It tells you what matters will be voted on and the time and place of the meeting, should you wish to attend in person.

 

To the shareholders of the funds listed above:

 

A shareholder meeting for each fund will be held at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, on Friday, January 20, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, for the following purposes:

 

 

Your Trustees recommend that you vote in favor of the election of each of the ten nominees.

 

Shareholders of record of each fund as of the close of business on November 1, 2011 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the fund’s annual meeting and at any adjournment thereof.

 

Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please complete and return the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying envelope. No postage is necessary if mailed in the United States.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on January 20, 2012.

 

The proxy statement is available at: http://www.proxyvoting.com/jhf2

 

By order of the Board of Trustees,

Thomas M. Kinzler

Secretary

 

November 28, 2011

JOHN HANCOCK INCOME SECURITIES TRUST
JOHN HANCOCK INVESTORS TRUST
601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on January 20, 2012

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

This proxy statement contains the information that a shareholder should know before voting on the proposal described in the notice. Each fund will furnish, without charge, a copy of its Annual Report and/or Semiannual Report to any shareholder upon request by writing to the fund at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 or by calling 1-800-892-9552.

 

This proxy statement is being used in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Trustees at the annual meeting of each of John Hancock Income Securities Trust (“Income Securities”) and John Hancock Investors Trust (“Investors”). The meeting will be held at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts, on Friday, January 20, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Shareholders of each fund are being asked to vote on the proposal to elect Trustees. The proxy statement and proxy card are being mailed to shareholders on or about November 28, 2011.

 

If a shareholder signs the enclosed proxy card and returns it in time to be voted at the meeting, the shareholder’s shares will be voted in accordance with the shareholder’s instructions. Signed proxies with no instructions will be voted FOR the proposal. If a shareholder wishes to revoke his or her proxy, he or she may do so before it is exercised at the meeting by filing a written notice of revocation with the fund at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, by returning a signed proxy with a later date before the meeting or, if attending the meeting and voting in person, by notifying the fund’s secretary (without complying with any formalities) at any time before the proxy is voted.

 

Although the annual meetings of the funds are being held jointly and proxies are being solicited through the use of this joint proxy statement, shareholders of each fund will vote separately as to the proposal.

 

Record Ownership

 

The Trustees of each fund have fixed the close of business on November 1, 2011 as the record date to determine which shareholders are entitled to vote at the meeting. Shareholders of each fund are entitled to one vote per share on all business of the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting relating to their fund. On the record date, the following number of shares of beneficial interest of each fund were outstanding:

 

 

To the best knowledge of Income Securities, Guggenheim Capital LLC, 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606, reported ownership of 5.05% of Income Securities’ shares as of September 30, 2011. This information may be different as of the record date.

 

PROPOSAL

 

ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

 

General

 

Holders of the shares of each fund are entitled to elect ten Trustees at this meeting. James F. Carlin, William H. Cunningham, Deborah C. Jackson, Stanley Martin, Patti McGill Peterson, Hugh McHaffie, John A. Moore, Steven R. Pruchansky, Gregory A. Russo and John G. Vrysen have been designated as subject to election by holders of the shares of each fund. Effective December 31, 2011, Charles L. Ladner, a Trustee of each fund, will retire from each Board. Effective on that date, each fund’s Board of Trustees will consist of ten members.

 

As of the date of this proxy, each nominee for election currently serves as a Trustee of each fund. Using the enclosed proxy card, a shareholder may authorize the proxies to vote his or her shares for the nominees, or the shareholder may withhold from the proxies authority to vote his or her shares for one or more of the nominees. If no contrary instructions are given, the proxies will vote FOR the nominees. Each of the nominees has consented to his or her nomination and has agreed to serve if elected. If, for any reason, any nominee should not be available for election or able to serve as a Trustee, the proxies will exercise their voting power in favor of such substitute nominee, if any, as the funds’ Trustees may designate. The funds have no reason to believe that it will be necessary to designate a substitute nominee.

 

Proposal

 

For each fund, Mses. Jackson and McGill Peterson and Messrs. Carlin, Cunningham, Martin, McHaffie, Moore, Pruchansky, Russo and Vrysen are the current nominees for election by the shareholders.

 

Vote Required for the Proposal

 

The vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the shares of a fund is sufficient to elect each nominee to serve as a Trustee of that fund.

 

Each Board recommends that shareholders of each fund vote “FOR” each of the ten nominees in the Proposal.

Information Concerning Nominees

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the nominees for election to the Boards. The table also shows each nominee’s principal occupation or employment and other directorships during the past five years and the number of John Hancock funds overseen by the current Trustees. Following Charles L. Ladner’s retirement on December 31, 2011, the Board of each fund will consist of ten Trustees, eight of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of the funds (“Independent Trustees”). The address of each nominee is 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

 

 

 

Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the Trustee’s death, retirement, resignation or removal.

 

Additional Information About the Nominees

 

In addition to the description of each nominee’s Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships set forth above, the following provides further information about each nominee’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills. The information in this section should not be understood to mean that any of the nominees is an “expert” within the meaning of the federal securities laws.

 

Although the Board’s Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee has general criteria that guides its choice of candidates to serve on the Board (as discussed below under “Board Committees”), there are no specific required qualifications for Board membership. In considering nominees, although this Committee does not have a formal policy to consider diversity when identifying candidates for the position of Independent Trustee, as a matter of practice, this Committee considers the overall diversity of the Board with respect to backgrounds, professional experience, education, skill, and viewpoint. In addition, as part of its annual self-evaluation, the Board has an opportunity to consider the diversity of its members, including specifically whether the Board’s members have the right mix of characteristics, experiences and skills. The results of the self-evaluation are considered by the Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee in its decision-making process with respect to candidates for the position of Independent Trustee. The Board believes that the different perspectives, viewpoints, professional experience, education, and individual qualities of each nominee represent a diversity of experiences and a variety of complementary skills. Each nominee has experience as a Trustee of each fund, as well as experience as a Trustee of other John Hancock funds. It is the Trustees’ belief that this allows the Board, as a whole, to oversee the business of each fund in a manner consistent with the best interests of the fund’s shareholders. When considering potential nominees to fill vacancies on the Board, and as part of its annual self-evaluation, the Board reviews the mix of skills and other relevant experiences of the Trustees.

 

James F. Carlin — As a senior officer of a scientific testing laboratory, insurance companies and management companies, Mr. Carlin has experience in the management of operating and finance companies. He also has experience as a board member of other entities.

 

William H. Cunningham — Mr. Cunningham has management and operational oversight experience as a former Chancellor and President of a major university. Mr. Cunningham has expertise in corporate governance as a Professor of business ethics. He also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a current and former director of a number of operating companies, including an insurance company.

 

Deborah C. Jackson — Ms. Jackson has management and operational oversight experience as the president of a college and as the former chief executive officer of a major charitable organization. She also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a current and former director of various corporate organizations, including a bank, an insurance company and a regional stock exchange, and nonprofit entities.

 

Stanley Martin — As a certified public accountant and former partner in a major independent certified public accounting firm, Mr. Martin has accounting and executive experience. Mr. Martin also has experience as a former senior officer of a federal government-sponsored entity and of two major banks.

 

Hugh McHaffie — Through his positions as a senior executive of Manulife Financial Corporation’s U.S. Wealth Management division, his prior position as a senior executive of MetLife, and membership in the Society of Actuaries and American Academy of Actuaries, Mr. McHaffie has experience in the development and

management of registered investment companies, variable annuities and retirement products, enabling him to provide management input to the Board.

 

Patti McGill Peterson — Ms. McGill Peterson has planning and management advisory experience as principal of a consulting firm. She also has management and operational oversight experience as a former college and university president. She also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a current and former director of various corporate organizations, including a bank and an insurance company, and nonprofit entities.

 

John A. Moore — Dr. Moore has management and operational oversight experience from his current and former positions as a senior executive of scientific research organizations and as a senior administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He also has oversight and corporate governance experience as a director of a scientific research organization.

 

Steven R. Pruchansky — Mr. Pruchansky has entrepreneurial, executive and financial experience as a chief executive officer of an operating services company and a current and former director of real estate and banking companies. Mr. Pruchansky, an Independent Trustee, serves as the Board’s Chairman.

 

Gregory A. Russo — As a certified public accountant and former partner in a major independent registered public accounting firm, Mr. Russo has accounting and executive experience.

 

John G. Vrysen — Through his positions as Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the adviser, position as a senior executive of Manulife Financial Corporation, the adviser’s parent company, positions with other affiliates of the adviser, and current and former memberships in the Society of Actuaries, Canadian Institute of Actuaries and American Academy of Actuaries, Mr. Vrysen has experience in the development and management of registered investment companies, variable annuities and retirement products, enabling him to provide management input to the Board.

 

Duties of Trustees; Board Meetings and Board Committees

 

Each fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. Under the funds’ Declarations of Trust, the Trustees are responsible for managing the affairs of the funds, including the appointment of advisers and subadvisers. Each Trustee has the experience, skills, attributes or qualifications described above (see “Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships” and “Additional Information About the Nominees” above). The Board appoints officers who assist in managing the day-to-day affairs of the funds. Each Board met six times during the latest fiscal year. No Trustee attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of: (1) the total number of Board meetings; and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees on which he or she served. The funds hold joint meetings of the Trustees and all committees. One Trustee attended the joint 2011 annual meeting of shareholders of the funds that was held on January 21, 2011.

 

The Board has appointed an Independent Trustee as Chairman. The Chairman presides at meetings of the Trustees and may call meetings of the Board and any Board committee whenever he deems it necessary. The Chairman participates in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and the identification of information to be presented to the Board with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairman also acts as a liaison with the funds’ management, officers, attorneys, and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. The Board has also designated a Vice Chairman to serve in the absence of the Chairman. Except for any duties specified pursuant to each Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, or as assigned by the Board, the designation of a Trustee as Chairman or Vice Chairman does not impose on that Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on any other Trustee, generally. The Board has designated a number of standing committees as further described below, each of which has a Chairman. The Board also designates working groups or ad hoc committees as it deems appropriate.

 

The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview, and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees or working groups of Trustees and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The Board considers leadership by an Independent Trustee as Chairman to be integral to promoting

effective independent oversight of the funds’ operations and meaningful representation of the shareholders’ interests, given the amount of assets that these funds represent. The Board also believes that having a super-majority of Independent Trustees is appropriate and in the best interest of the funds’ shareholders. Nevertheless, the Board also believes that having interested persons serve on the Board brings corporate and financial viewpoints that are, in the Board’s view, crucial elements in its decision-making process. In addition, the Board believes that Mr. McHaffie and Mr. Vrysen, each of whom is a senior executive of the adviser, Manulife Financial Corporation (the adviser’s parent company), and of other affiliates of the adviser, provide the Board with the adviser’s perspective in managing and sponsoring the funds. The leadership structure of the Board may be changed, at any time and in the discretion of the Board, including in response to changes in circumstances or the characteristics of each fund.

 

Board Committees

 

Each Board has five standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Compliance Committee; the Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee; the Investment Performance Committee A; and the Contracts/Operations Committee.

 

The current membership of each committee is set forth below. As Chairman of the Board, Mr. Pruchansky is considered an ex officio member of each committee and, therefore, he is able to attend and participate in any committee meeting, as appropriate. As Chairman for the two-year period ended December 31, 2010, Ms. McGill Peterson was an ex officio member of each committee.

 

 

 

 

Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which is comprised of all of the Independent Trustees as defined in the rules of the New York Stock Exchange and Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. Each Audit Committee member is financially literate with at least one having accounting or financial management expertise. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Committee. This Committee recommends to the full Board independent registered public accounting firms for each fund, oversees the work of the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with each fund’s audit, communicates with the independent registered public accounting firm on a regular basis and provides a forum for the independent registered public accounting firm to report and discuss any matters it deems appropriate at any time. Mr. Martin serves as Chairman of this Committee. The Audit Committee held eight meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011. The written charter of the Audit Committee is included as Attachment 1 to this proxy statement.

 

The Audit Committee reports that it has: (1) reviewed and discussed each fund’s audited financial statements with management; (2) discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed pursuant to Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standards, AU Section 380; (3) received written disclosures and a letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding communications concerning independence and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the firm’s independence; and (4) based on these discussions, recommended to the Board that each fund’s financial statements be included in each fund’s annual report for the last fiscal year. The written report of the Audit Committee immediately follows the Audit Committee Charter, which is included as Attachment 1 to this proxy statement.

Compliance Committee. The primary role of this Committee is to oversee the activities of each fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”); the implementation and enforcement of each fund’s compliance policies and procedures; and compliance with each fund’s and the Independent Trustees’ Codes of Ethics. Mr. Russo serves as Chairman of this Committee. This Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011.

 

Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee. This Committee is comprised of all of the Independent Trustees as defined in the rules of the New York Stock Exchange and Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. The purpose of this Committee is to make determinations and recommendations to the Board on issues related to the composition and operation of the Board, corporate governance matters applicable to the Independent Trustees, and issues related to complex-wide matters and practices designed to facilitate uniformity and administration of the Board’s oversight of the funds. This Committee is solely responsible for the selection and recommendation to the Board of Independent Trustee candidates. Mr. Pruchansky serves as Chairman of this Committee. This Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011. Each fund’s Board has adopted a written charter for the Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee. A copy of the Charter is included as Attachment 2 to this proxy statement.

 

In reviewing a potential nominee and in evaluating the renomination of current Independent Trustees, this Committee will generally apply the following criteria: (i) the nominee’s reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards; (ii) the nominee’s business acumen, experience and ability to exercise sound judgments; (iii) a commitment to understand the funds and the responsibilities of a trustee of an investment company; (iv) a commitment to regularly attend and participate in meetings of the Board and its committees; (v) the ability to understand potential conflicts of interest involving management of the funds and to act in the interests of all shareholders; and (vi) the absence of a real or apparent conflict of interest that would impair the nominee’s ability to represent the interests of all the shareholders and to fulfill the responsibilities of an Independent Trustee. This Committee does not necessarily place the same emphasis on each criteria and each nominee may not have each of these qualities.

 

As long as a current Independent Trustee continues, in the opinion of this Committee, to satisfy these criteria, each fund anticipates that the Committee would favor the renomination of a current Independent Trustee rather than a new candidate. Consequently, while this Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders to serve as Independent Trustees, the Committee may act upon such recommendations only if there is a vacancy on the Board or the Committee determines that the selection of a new or additional Independent Trustee is in the best interests of a fund.

 

While the Committee is solely responsible for the selection and recommendation to the Board of Independent Trustee candidates, the Committee may consider nominees recommended by any source, including fund shareholders, management and Committee members, as it deems appropriate. Any such recommendations from shareholders shall be directed to the Secretary of the relevant fund at such address as is set forth in the fund’s disclosure documents. Recommendations from management may be submitted to the Committee Chairman. All recommendations shall include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Board members and as specified in the relevant fund’s By-Laws, and must be accompanied by a written consent of the proposed candidate to stand for election if nominated for the Board and to serve if elected by shareholders. The Committee’s process for identifying and evaluating nominees to serve as Independent Trustees of the funds is set forth in Annex A to the Committee’s Charter.

 

Investment Performance Committee A. This Committee monitors and analyzes the performance of the funds generally, consults with the adviser as necessary if a fund requires special attention, and reviews peer groups and other comparative standards as necessary. Mr. Ladner serves as Chairman of Investment Performance Committee A. As indicated above, Mr. Ladner will retire as a Trustee of each fund on December 31, 2011. This Committee held seven meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011.

 

Contracts/Operations Committee. This Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees and oversees the initiation, operation, and renewal of the various contracts between the funds and other entities. These contracts include advisory and subadvisory agreements, custodial and transfer agency agreements and

arrangements with other service providers. Dr. Moore serves as Chairman of this Committee. This Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011.

 

Annually, the Board evaluates its performance and that of its Committees, including the effectiveness of the Board’s Committee structure.

 

Risk Oversight

 

As registered investment companies, the funds are subject to a variety of risks, including investment risks, financial risks, compliance risks, and operational risks. As part of its overall activities, the Board oversees the management of the funds’ risk management structure by various departments of the adviser, including: Investment Management Services Group (which oversees the funds’ subadvisers and investment management operations) (“IMS”), Fund Administration, Legal, the Product Group (which oversees new product development and marketplace positioning), and Internal Audit, as well as by the funds’ CCO. The responsibility to manage the funds’ risk management structure on a day-to-day basis is subsumed within the adviser’s overall investment management responsibilities. The adviser has its own, independent interest in risk management. The adviser’s risk management program is part of the overall risk management program of Manulife Financial Corporation, the adviser’s parent company.

 

The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the funds or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. The Board discharges risk oversight as part of its overall activities, with the assistance of its Investment Performance, Audit, Compliance, and Contracts/Operations Committees. In addressing issues regarding each fund’s risk management between meetings, appropriate representatives of the adviser communicate with the Chairman of the Board, the relevant Committee Chair or the fund’s CCO, who is directly accountable to the Board. As appropriate, the Chairman of the Board and the Committee Chairs confer among themselves, with the fund’s CCO, the adviser, other service providers, external fund counsel, and counsel to the Independent Trustees, to identify and review risk management issues that may be placed on the full Board’s agenda and/or that of an appropriate Committee for review and discussion with management.

 

The Audit Committee assists the Board in reviewing with the independent auditors, at various times throughout the year, matters relating to financial reporting matters. In addition, this Committee oversees the process of each fund’s valuation of its portfolio securities, with day-to-day responsibility for valuation determinations having been delegated to the funds’ Pricing Committee (comprised of officers of the funds).

 

Investment Performance Committee A assists the Board in overseeing the significant investment policies of each fund. The adviser monitors these policies and may recommend changes to this Committee in response to subadviser requests or other circumstances. On a quarterly basis, this Committee reviews reports from IMS and the Product Group regarding each fund’s investment performance, which include information about investment risks and how they are managed.

 

The Compliance Committee assists the Board in overseeing the activities of the funds’ CCO with respect to the compliance programs of each fund, the adviser, the subadviser, and certain of the funds’ other service providers. This Committee and the Board receive and consider the CCO’s annual written report, which, among other things, summarizes material compliance issues that arose during the previous year and any remedial action taken to address these issues, as well as any material changes to the compliance programs. This Committee and the Board also receive and consider reports from the funds’ CCO throughout the year. As part of its oversight responsibilities, the Board has approved various compliance policies and procedures.

 

Each of the above Board Committees meets at least quarterly. Each Committee presents reports to the Board, which may prompt further discussion of issues concerning the oversight of the funds’ risk management. The Board also may discuss particular risks that are not addressed in the Committee process.

 

The Contracts/Operations Committee assists the Board in overseeing the adviser’s management of each fund’s operational risks, particularly as it regards vendor management and the quality of services provided by various service providers. This Committee periodically reviews reports from Fund Administration on these issues and discusses its findings with the Board. Among other things, in its annual review of each fund’s

advisory and subadvisory agreements, this Committee and the Board receive and review information provided by the adviser and the subadviser relating to their operational capabilities, financial condition and resources.

 

The Board also has a Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee that, among other matters, periodically reviews the Board’s committee structure and the charters of the Board’s committees, and recommends to the Board such changes as it deems appropriate. This Committee also coordinates and administers an annual self-evaluation of the Board that includes a review of its effectiveness in overseeing the number of funds in the fund complex and the effectiveness of its committee structure. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts its risk oversight role.

 

The adviser also has its own, independent interest in risk management. In this regard, the adviser has appointed a Risk and Investment Operations Committee, consisting of senior personnel from each of the adviser’s functional departments. This Committee reports periodically to the Board on risk management matters. The adviser’s risk management program is part of the overall risk management program of John Hancock, the adviser’s parent company. John Hancock’s Chief Risk Officer supports the adviser’s risk management program, and at the Board’s request will report on risk management matters.

 

Executive Officers

 

The following table presents information regarding the current principal officers of the funds who are neither current Trustees nor Nominees. The address of each officer is 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

 

 

 

“John Hancock retail funds” is comprised of the series of John Hancock Funds III and 12 other investment companies, as well as ten closed-end funds (including Income Securities and Investors).

Communications with the Trustees

 

Shareholders may communicate with the Trustees as a group or individually. Any such communication should be sent to the Board or an individual Trustee c/o the Secretary of the funds at the following address: 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. The Secretary may determine not to forward any letter to Trustees that does not relate to the business of a fund.

 

Trustee Share Ownership

 

The following table shows the number of shares beneficially owned by each Independent Trustee nominee, as well as the dollar range of each Trustee’s ownership of the funds and all John Hancock funds overseen by the Trustee.

 

Trustee Holdings⁽¹⁾

 

 

 

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires a fund’s executive officers, Trustees and persons who own more than 10% of a fund’s shares (“10% Shareholders”) to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Executive officers, Trustees and 10% Shareholders are also required by SEC regulations to furnish each fund with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of these reports furnished to the funds and representations that no other reports were required to be filed, each fund believes that, during the past fiscal year, its executive officers, Trustees and 10% Shareholders complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.

 

Remuneration of Trustees and Officers

 

The following table provides information regarding the compensation earned by each Independent Trustee nominee from the funds and the other investment companies in the John Hancock Fund Complex for their services for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2011. The non-Independent Trustees, and each of the officers of

the funds who are interested persons of the adviser, are compensated by the adviser and/or its affiliates and receive no compensation from the funds for their services.

 

 

 

 

Legal Proceedings

 

There have been no legal proceedings that are material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of any Trustee or executive officer of the funds within the past ten years.

 

On August 24, 2010, a shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the Superior Court of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County, by a law firm on behalf of a purported shareholder of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III, a closed-end fund advised by John Hancock Advisers, LLC, against the adviser, the adviser’s parent company, Manulife Financial Corporation, and certain of the current and former interested Trustees, executive officers and portfolio managers of the fund. On August 30, 2010, a substantially similar derivative complaint was filed in the Superior Court of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County, on behalf of a purported shareholder of John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund, a closed-end fund advised by John Hancock Advisers, LLC.

 

A Joint Motion To Dismiss With Prejudice with respect to these two complaints was filed on February 28, 2011 in the Business Litigation Session of the Superior Court of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County. On March 1, 2011, the Court granted the Motion to Dismiss with Prejudice.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Trustees of each fund, including a majority of each fund’s Independent Trustees, have selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), 125 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, to act as independent registered public accounting firm for each fund.

 

Representatives of PwC are not expected to be present at the meeting, but have been given the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and will be available should any matter arise requiring their participation.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by PwC for each fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010 (the “Reporting Periods”), for professional services rendered for: (i) the audit of the fund’s annual financial statements and the review of financial statements included in the fund’s reports to shareholders; (ii) assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the fund’s financial statements; (iii) tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning; and (iv) all other services provided by PwC, other than (i), (ii) and (iii). None of the services described below were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the “de minimis exception” from the pre-approval requirement set forth in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C).

 

 

Each fund’s Audit Committee has adopted procedures that require the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm to the fund, the adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the adviser that provide services to the funds (the “Adviser Affiliates”) and that relate directly to the funds’ operations and financial reporting. In addition, these procedures identify certain types of audit and non-audit services that are anticipated to be provided by PwC during a calendar year and, provided the services are within the scope and value standards set forth in the procedures, such services are deemed to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The scope and value criteria are reviewed annually. Unless a service is pre-approved under the procedures, it must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

In recommending PwC as the funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee has considered the compensation paid to PwC for audit and non-audit services to the adviser and the Adviser Affiliates, and has determined that such compensation is not incompatible with maintaining PwC’s independence.

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate non-audit fees billed by PwC for services rendered to each fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010.

 

 

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by PwC for services rendered to the adviser and the Adviser Affiliates for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010 amounted to $1,671,778 and $3,063,789, respectively.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Voting; Quorum; Adjournment

 

The following votes are required to approve the proposal:

 

 

 

 

Because the proposal described in this proxy statement is considered a routine matter, brokers holding shares in “street name” may vote without instruction under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, on which the funds’ shares are listed.

 

The following table summarizes how the quorum and voting requirements are determined.

 

 

If a quorum is not present, the persons named as proxies may vote their proxies to adjourn the meeting to a later date. If a quorum is present, but there are insufficient votes to approve the proposal, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the meeting to permit further solicitation. Shareholder action may be taken on the proposal prior to such adjournment. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of those shares present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy.

 

Expenses and Methods of Solicitation

 

The costs of the meeting, and the expense of preparing, printing and mailing the proxy materials (other than the cost of the solicitor) will be allocated on a pro rata basis based on each fund’s assets. The cost of the solicitor will be borne equally by each fund. Persons holding shares as nominees will be reimbursed by the relevant fund, upon request, for their reasonable expenses in sending soliciting material to the principals of the accounts. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, Trustees, officers and employees of the funds or of the adviser may solicit proxies in person, by facsimile, by e-mail or by telephone. Mellon Investor Services, LLC has been retained to assist in the solicitation of proxies at a cost of approximately $1,680.00 per fund plus reasonable expenses (including the cost of maintaining an Internet Web site where the proxy materials are posted).

Telephone Voting

 

The funds may arrange to have votes recorded by telephone by officers and employees of the funds or by the personnel of the adviser, the transfer agent or solicitor. The telephone voting procedure is designed to verify a shareholder’s identity, to allow a shareholder to authorize the voting of shares in accordance with the shareholder’s instructions and to confirm that the voting instructions have been properly recorded.

 

 

Alternatively, a shareholder may call the funds’ Voice Response Unit and follow these steps to vote:

 

 

With both methods of telephone voting, to ensure that the shareholder’s instructions have been recorded correctly, the shareholder will receive a confirmation of the voting instructions.

 

If the shareholder decides after voting by telephone to attend the meeting, the shareholder can revoke the proxy at that time and vote the shares at the meeting.

 

Internet Voting

 

Shareholders also have the opportunity to submit their voting instructions via the Internet by utilizing a program provided through a vendor. Voting via the Internet will not affect shareholders’ right to vote in person if they decide to attend the meeting. Shareholders should not mail the proxy card if they are voting via the Internet. To vote via the Internet, shareholders will need the information on their proxy card. The Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate shareholder identities, to allow shareholders to give their voting instructions and to confirm that shareholders’ instructions have been recorded properly. Shareholders voting via the Internet should understand that there may be costs associated with electronic access (which the shareholders must bear), such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies.

 

To vote via the Internet, shareholders should:

 

 

To ensure that voting instructions have been recorded correctly, shareholders will receive a confirmation of their voting instructions immediately after submission.

 

The Funds’ Adviser, Administrator and Subadviser

 

John Hancock Advisers, LLC serves as each fund’s investment adviser and administrator. An affiliate of the adviser, John Hancock Asset Management a division of Manulife Asset Management (US) LLC, 101 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199, serves as each fund’s subadviser.

 

Other Matters

 

The management of the funds knows of no business to be brought before the meeting, except as described in this proxy statement. If, however, any other matters were properly to come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote on such matters in accordance with their best

judgment. If any shareholders desire additional information about the matters proposed for action, the management of the funds will provide further information.

 

The meeting is scheduled as a joint meeting of the respective shareholders of the funds because the shareholders of the funds generally are expected to consider and vote on similar matters. The Boards of Trustees of the funds have determined that the use of this joint proxy statement for the meetings is in the best interest of each fund’s shareholders. In the event that any shareholder present at the meetings objects to the holding of a joint meeting and moves for an adjournment of the annual meeting with respect to his or her fund to a time immediately after the annual meetings so that his or her fund’s meeting may be held separately, the persons named as proxies will vote in favor of that adjournment.

 

The shareholders of each fund will vote separately on the proposal, and voting by shareholders of one fund will have no effect on the outcome of voting by shareholders of the other fund.

 

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

Shareholder proposals, including nominees for Trustee, intended to be presented at a fund’s 2013 annual meeting, in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, must be received by that fund at its offices at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, by no later than the close of business on July 31, 2012, for inclusion in that fund’s proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting (subject to certain exceptions). Written notice of a shareholder proposal submitted outside of the processes of Rule 14a-8 must be delivered to the Secretary of the relevant fund at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 by no later than the close of business on August 30, 2012 and no earlier than July 31, 2012. In order to be included in a fund’s proxy statement and form of proxy, a shareholder proposal must comply with all applicable legal requirements. Timely submission of a proposal does not guarantee that such proposal will be included.

 

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY

 

JOHN HANCOCK INCOME SECURITIES TRUST
JOHN HANCOCK INVESTORS TRUST

 

Dated: November 28, 2011

 

ATTACHMENT 1

 

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

A. Composition. The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) shall be composed exclusively of Trustees who are not “interested persons” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 of any of the Funds, or of any Fund’s investment adviser, subadviser or principal underwriter (the “Independent Trustees”). The Committee shall be composed of at least three Independent Trustees who are designated for membership from time to time by the Board of Trustees. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, no member of the Committee may serve on the audit committee of more than two other public companies (other than another John Hancock Fund). Except as otherwise permitted by the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange, each member of the Committee shall be independent as defined by such rules and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. No member of the Committee may receive, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from a Fund, other than fees paid in his or her capacity as a member or chair of the Board of Trustees or of a committee of the Board of Trustees. Each member of the Committee must be financially literate, as such qualification is interpreted by the Board of Trustees in its business judgment, or must become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the Committee. At least one member of the Committee must have accounting or related financial management expertise, as the Board of Trustees interprets such qualification in its business judgment.

 

At least annually the Audit Committee shall consider whether one or more of its members qualifies to be designated by the Board of Trustees as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee shall report the results of its deliberations to the Board of Trustees for further action as appropriate, including, but not limited to, a determination by the Board of Trustees that the Audit Committee membership includes or does not include one or more “audit committee financial experts” and any related disclosure to be made concerning this matter.

 

B. Overview. The Committee’s purpose is to:

 

 

The Committee shall discharge its responsibilities, and shall access the information provided by the Funds’ management and independent auditors, in accordance with its business judgment. Management is responsible for the preparation of the Funds’ financial statements and the maintenance of appropriate systems for accounting and internal controls over financial reporting. The independent auditors are responsible for planning and carrying out proper audits and reviews in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. In fulfilling their responsibilities hereunder, it is recognized that it is not the duty or responsibility of the Committee or its members to conduct “field work” or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards. Accordingly, the Committee’s oversight role does not provide any expert or special assurance as to the financial statements and other financial information provided by a Fund to its shareholders and others. The authority and responsibilities set forth in this charter recognize that the Committee members are not acting as accountants or auditors and this charter does not reflect or create any duty or obligation of the Committee to plan or conduct any audit, to determine or certify that any Fund’s financial statements are complete, accurate, fairly presented, or in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or applicable law, or to guarantee any independent auditor’s report.

Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely on (i) the integrity of those persons and organizations within and outside the Fund from which it receives information, (ii) the accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the Committee by such persons and organizations absent actual knowledge to the contrary (which shall be promptly reported to the Fund’s Board) and (iii) statements made by the officers and employees of the Fund, the adviser or other third parties as to any information technology, internal audit and other non-audit services provided by the independent auditors to the Fund. In addition, the evaluation of the Fund’s financial statements by the Committee is not of the same scope as, and does involve the extent of detail as, audits performed by the independent auditors, nor does the Committee’s evaluation substitute for the responsibilities of the Fund’s management for preparing, or the independent auditors for auditing, the financial statements.

 

C. Oversight. The independent auditors shall report directly to the Committee, and the Committee shall be responsible for oversight of the work of the independent auditors, including resolution of any disagreements between any Fund’s management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting matters. In connection with its oversight role, the Committee should also review with the independent auditors, from time to time as appropriate: significant risks and uncertainties with respect to the quality, accuracy or fairness of presentation of a Fund’s financial statements; accounting for unusual transactions; adjustments arising from audits that could have a significant impact on the Funds’ financial reporting process; and any recent SEC comments on the Funds’ SEC reports, including, in particular, any accounting or disclosure compliance comments. The Committee should inquire of the independent auditor concerning the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Funds’ accounting determinations and other judgmental areas.

 

D. Specific Responsibilities. The Committee shall have the following duties and powers, to be exercised at such times and in such manner as the Committee shall determine:

 

 

 

 

E. Subcommittees. The Committee may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, form and delegate authority to one or more subcommittees (including a subcommittee consisting of a single member), as it deems appropriate from time to time under the circumstances. Any decision of a subcommittee to preapprove audit or non-audit services shall be presented to the full Committee at its next meeting.

 

F. Additional Responsibilities. The Committee shall perform other tasks assigned to it from time to time by the Board of Trustees, and will report findings and recommendations to the Board of Trustees, as appropriate.

 

G. Funding. Each Fund shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee for payment of:

 

 

H. Governance. One member of the Committee shall be appointed as chair by the Board of Trustees. The chair shall be responsible for leadership of the Committee, including scheduling meetings or reviewing and approving the schedule for them, preparing agendas or reviewing and approving them before meetings, presiding over meetings, and making reports to the Board of Trustees, as appropriate. The designation of a person as an “audit committee financial expert”, within the meaning of the rules under Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on that person than the responsibility and liability imposed on such person as a member of the Committee, nor shall it decrease the duties and obligations of other Committee members or the Board of Trustees.

 

I. Evaluation. At least annually, the Committee shall evaluate its own performance consistent with the requirements of this charter and report the results to the Board of Trustees.

 

J. Miscellaneous. The Committee shall meet as often as it deems appropriate, with or without management, as circumstances require. The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge

its responsibilities, including the authority to retain special counsel and other advisers, experts or consultants, at the Funds’ expense, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties. The Committee shall have direct access to such officers of and service providers to the Funds as it deems desirable.

 

K. Review. The Committee shall review this charter periodically and shall recommend such changes to the Board of Trustees as it deems desirable.

 

Last revised: June 7, 2011

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

JOHN HANCOCK INCOME SECURITIES TRUST
JOHN HANCOCK INVESTORS TRUST

 

The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” or incorporated by reference in future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with the Funds’ management and PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”) the audited financial statements of the Funds contained in the Annual Reports on Form N-CSR for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010. The Audit Committee also has discussed with PwC the matters required to be discussed pursuant to Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standards, AU Section 380, which includes, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of the Funds’ financial statements.

 

The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding PwC’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with PwC its independence from the Funds.

 

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Trustees that the audited financial statements be included in each Fund’s Annual Report on Form N-CSR for filing with the SEC.

 

Submitted by the Audit Committee*

 

Stanley Martin, Chairman
Deborah C. Jackson
Steven R. Pruchansky

 

 

ATTACHMENT 2

 

JOHN HANCOCK FUNDS
NOMINATING, GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE CHARTER

 

A. Composition. The Nominating, Governance and Administration Committee (the “Committee”) shall be composed entirely of Trustees who are “independent” as defined in the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of any of the Funds, or of any Fund’s investment adviser, subadviser or principal underwriter (the “Independent Trustees”) who are designated for membership from time to time by the Board of Trustees. The Chairman of the Board shall be a member of the Committee.

 

B. Overview. The purpose of the Committee is (1) to make determinations and recommendations to the Board on issues related to (a) the composition and operation of the Board, (b) corporate governance matters applicable to the Independent Trustees, and (c) issues related to complex-wide matters and practices designed to facilitate uniformity and administration of the Board’s oversight of the Funds, and (2) to discharge such additional duties, responsibilities and functions as are delegated to it from time to time.

 

C. Specific Responsibilities. The Committee shall have the following duties and powers, to be exercised at such times and in such manner as the Committee shall determine:

 

 

 

D. Additional Responsibilities. The Committee will also perform other tasks assigned to it from time to time by the Chairman of the Board or by the Board of Trustees, and will report findings and recommendations to the Board of Trustees, as appropriate.

 

E. Governance. One member of the Committee shall be appointed as chair. The chair shall be responsible for leadership of the Committee, including scheduling meetings or reviewing and approving the schedule for them, preparing agendas or reviewing and approving them before meetings, and making reports to the Board of Trustees, as appropriate.

 

F. Miscellaneous. The Committee shall meet as often as it deems appropriate, with or without management, as circumstances require. The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority to retain special counsel and other advisers, experts or consultants, at the Funds’ expense, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties. The Committee shall have direct access to such officers of and service providers to the Funds as it deems desirable.

 

G. Evaluation. At least annually, the Committee shall evaluate its performance consistent with the requirements of this charter and report the results to the Board of Trustees.

 

H. Review. The Committee shall review this charter periodically and shall recommend changes to the Board of Trustees, as it deems desirable.

 

Last revised: June 7, 2011

 

ANNEX A

 

General Criteria

 

 

Application of Criteria to Current Trustees

 

The renomination of current Trustees should not be viewed as automatic, but should be based on continuing qualification under the criteria set forth above based on, among other things, the current Trustee’s contribution to the Board and any committee.

 

Review of Nominations

 

 

 

As long as a current Independent Trustee continues, in the opinion of the Committee, to satisfy the criteria listed above, the Committee generally would favor the re-nomination of a current Trustee rather than a new candidate. Consequently, while the Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders to serve as trustees, the Committee may only act upon such recommendations if there is a vacancy on the Board, or the Committee determines that the selection of a new or additional Trustee is in the best interests of the Fund.

Thank
You

 

for mailing
your proxy
card promptly!

 

 

P56PX 11/11

John Hancock Investors Trust

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on
Friday, January 20, 2012.

John Hancock Investors Trust		If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one, otherwise you will not receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy as instructed below on or before January 10, 2012 to facilitate timely delivery. TO REQUEST PAPER COPIES OF PROXY MATERIALS: (please reference your 11-digit control number when requesting materials) By opting out to receive printed materials, your preference for future proxy mailings will be kept on our file. Telephone: 1-888-313-0164 (outside of the U.S. and Canada call 201-680-6688) Email:       shrrelations@bnymellon.com                 (you must reference your 11-digit control number in your email) Internet:    http://www.proxyvoting.com/jhf2

To Shareholders of John Hancock Investors Trust Fund:

The 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of John Hancock Investors Trust will be held at 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, on Friday, January 20, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

          Proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting:

Shareholders of record of John Hancock Investors Trust as of the close of business on November 1, 2011 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the fund’s Annual Meeting and at any adjournment thereof.

TO VOTE YOUR SHARES SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
This is not a proxy card. You cannot use this notice to vote your shares.

						CONTROL NUMBER
				→		↓
		YOU MUST REFERENCE YOUR 11-DIGIT CONTROL NUMBER WHEN YOU REQUEST A PAPER COPY OF THE PROXY MATERIALS OR TO VOTE YOUR PROXY ELECTRONICALLY.

10061

Directions to attend the Annual Meeting where you may vote in person can be found on our website, http://www.jhfunds.com/proxy.

Meeting Location:

John Hancock Investors Trust
601 Congress Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210

The following Proxy Materials are available for you to review online:

•		President’s Letter
•		Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
•		Proxy Statement

To request a paper copy of the Proxy Materials:

(you must reference your 11-digit control number located on the reverse side of this notice)
Telephone:   1-888-313-0164 (outside of the U.S. and Canada call 201-680-6688)
Email:           shrrelations@bnymellon.com (you must reference your 11-digit control number in your email)
Internet:        http://www.proxyvoting.com/jhf2

The Proxy Materials for John Hancock Investors Trust are available to review at:

http://www.proxyvoting.com/jhf2

Have this notice available when you request a PAPER copy of the Proxy Materials,
when you want to view your proxy materials online,
OR WHEN YOU WANT TO VOTE YOUR PROXY ELECTRONICALLY.

10061

John Hancock Investors Trust

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on January 20, 2012

The President’s Letter, Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement are available at:
www.proxypush.com/

Proxy materials may be requested by one of the following methods:

		View Materials Online at www.proxypush.com/ A convenient way to view proxy materials and VOTE!

To view your proxy materials online, go to www.proxypush.com/

Have the 12 digit control number available when you access the website and follow the instructions.

		CUSIP:
		EVENT:
CONTROL NUMBER

Copyright © 2011 Mediant Communications LLC. All Rights Reserved

John Hancock Investors Trust

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 1.

1. Election of Trustees

     1.01 James F. Carlin

     1.02 William H. Cunningham

     1.03 Deborah C. Jackson

     1.04 Stanley Martin

     1.05 Hugh McHaffie

     1.06 Patti McGill Peterson

     1.07 John A. Moore

     1.08 Steven R. Pruchansky

     1.09 Gregory A. Russo

     1.10 John G. Vrysen

NOTE: To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting.

[Excerpt from John Hancock Funds Website]

Proxy Voting

Proxy Voting for John Hancock Shareholders:

The following funds are currently conducting a proxy vote.

Closed-end funds

Shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2011 of the closed-end funds listed below are cordially invited to attend the annual shareholder meeting on Friday, January 20, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time, to be held at the offices of John Hancock Funds, 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Click here for directions.

•

John Hancock Bank and Thrift Opportunity Fund

•

John Hancock Income Securities Trust

•

John Hancock Investors Trust

•

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund

•

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II

•

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III

•

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

•

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

•

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund

Related Resources

Download president’s letter, notice of meeting and proxy statement

[PDF of Proxy Statement] Includes the following funds: John Hancock Bank and Thrift Opportunity Fund, John Hancock Preferred Income Fund, John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II, John Hancock Preferred Income Fund III, John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund, John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund and John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund

[PDF of Proxy Statement] Includes the following funds: John Hancock Income Securities Trust and John Hancock Investors Trust

Vote your proxy

Closed-End Funds

Please refer to your notice, proxy card or ballot for internet voting web site address. Please call 1-800-852-0218 if you have any questions.

SCRIPT FOR REGISTERED SHAREOWNER TELEPHONE
VOTING for BNY MELLON

Shareowner Hears This Script

Speech 1		Welcome to the Telephone voting site. Enter your 11-digit control number located in the shaded box on the Proxy Ballot.
Speech 2		To vote as the [name of fund] Board of Trustees recommends on all proposals Press 1 now.
		To vote on each proposal separately — Press 0 now.
Speech 2A		If the voter chooses the 1st option of speech 2 — the following will be heard.
		You have voted as the Board recommended. If this is correct, press 1. If incorrect, Press 0.
Speech 2B		If the voter chooses the 2nd option of speech 2 — Speech 3 will follow.
Speech 3		Proposal 1:
		To vote FOR all nominees, Press 1
		To WITHHOLD from all nominees, Press 9
		To WITHHOLD from an individual nominee, press 0
Speech 4		Enter the two-digit number that appears next to the nominee you DO NOT wish to vote for.
Speech 4A		Press 1 to withhold from another nominee or Press 0 if you have completed voting on Trustees.
Speech 5		Your votes have been cast as follows:
		Proposal 1: For ALL or Withhold All OR For ALL Except.
		If this is correct, Press 1; if incorrect, Press 0
Closing A		Thank you for voting.
Closing B		Your votes have been canceled. If you would like to re-vote your proxy or if you would like to vote another proxy press 1 now, to end this call, press 0 now.
Closing C		I’m sorry you’re having difficulty. Please try again or mark, sign and date the proxy card and return in the envelope provided.
Vote Another Card		If you have received more than one proxy card you must vote each card separately. If you would like to vote another proxy press 1 now — to end this call press 0 now.