<PAGE>

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ______________________

                                    FORM 10-Q

                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2000         Commission File No. 33-62895
   ------------------------------------------------------------------

               John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company
               --------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      Massachusetts                              04-2664016
      -------------                              ----------
    (State or other jurisdiction        (I.R.S. Employer incorporation
         of organization)                    or Identification No.)

   200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts             02117
   -------------------------------------------             -----
 (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)

 Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (617)572-9196
                                                        -------------
                                      None
                                      ----
     (Former name, former address, and former fiscal year if changed
              since last report.)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required to file such reports), and (2) been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days.

                                Yes X    No
                                    -       -


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class                                   Shares Outstanding at March 31, 2000
-----                                   ------------------------------------
Common stock, $50 par value               50,000


<PAGE>

                  JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                  --------------------------------------------
                                   FORM 10-Q

                      FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2000

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                                               Page
Item 1. Unaudited Financial Statements

   Statements of Financial Position as of March 31,
   2000 and December 31, 1999 ............................      1

   Statements of Operations and Unassigned Deficit
   for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 ....      2

   Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months
   Ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 .........................      3

   Statements of Stockholder's Equity for the
   Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 ............      4

   Condensed Notes to Financial Statements ...............      5

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis .............      6

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
        About Market Risk.................................     11

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K .................     13

<PAGE>

                                    PART I.

                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. Unaudited Financial Statements

                     JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                           STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION


                                                           (Unaudited)
                                                      March 31     December 31
                                                        2000           1999
                                                     ---------     -----------
                                                           (In millions)

    Bonds ......................................      $1,276.6        $1,216.3
    Preferred stocks ...........................          35.6            35.9
    Common stocks ..............................           1.7             3.2
    Investment in affiliates ...................          81.3            80.7
    Mortgage loans on real estate ..............         429.0           433.1
    Real estate ................................          24.8            25.0
    Policy loans ...............................         181.8           172.1
    Cash Items:
      Cash in banks ............................          (3.3)           27.2
      Temporary cash investments ...............         309.4           222.9
                                                     -------------------------
                                                         306.1           250.1

    Premiums due and deferred ..................          23.1            29.9
    Investment income due and accrued ..........          35.7            33.2
    Other general account assets ...............          52.3            65.3
    Assets held in separate accounts ...........       8,597.7         8,268.2
                                                     -------------------------
                                 TOTAL ASSETS        $11,045.7       $10,613.0
                                                     =========================

OBLIGATIONS AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

Obligations
    Policy reserves ............................      $1,945.6        $1,866.6
    Federal income and other taxes payable .....          73.6            67.3
    Other general account obligations ..........         232.1           219.0
    Transfers from separate account, net .......        (225.7)         (221.6)
    Asset valuation reserve ....................          18.8            23.1
    Obligations related to separate accounts ...       8,590.9         8,261.6
                                                     -------------------------
                            TOTAL OBLIGATIONS         10,635.3        10,216.0

STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
    Common Stock, $50 par value; authorized
      50,000 shares; issued and outstanding
      50,000 shares ............................           2.5             2.5
    Paid-in capital ............................         572.4           572.4
    Unassigned deficit .........................        (164.5)         (177.9)
                                                     -------------------------
                   TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY ..         410.4           397.0
                                                     -------------------------
   TOTAL OBLIGATIONS AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY ..     $11,045.7       $10,613.0
                                                     =========================


See condensed notes to the financial statements (unaudited).

                                       1
<PAGE>

              JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

              STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND UNASSIGNED DEFICIT

                                                             (Unaudited)
                                                          Three months ended
                                                               March 31,
                                                          ------------------
                                                           2000        1999
                                                          ------      ------
                                                            (In millions)

INCOME
    Premiums ..........................................   $231.3      $223.6
    Net investment income .............................     39.6        32.5
    Other, net ........................................    132.4       145.3
                                                         -------------------
                                                           403.3       401.4

BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
    Payments to policyholders and beneficiaries .......     89.2        80.3
    Additions to reserves to provide for future
      payments to policyholders and beneficiaries .....     216.3      238.2
    Expenses of providing service to
      policyholders and obtaining new
      insurance .......................................      73.5       75.7
    State and miscellaneous taxes .....................       7.6        2.8
                                                         -------------------
                                                            386.6      397.0
                                                         -------------------

                      GAIN FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE
                     FEDERAL INCOME TAXES AND NET
                  REALIZED CAPITAL GAINS (LOSSES) .....      16.7        4.4

Federal income taxes ..................................       4.7        1.0
                                                         -------------------
                  GAIN FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE NET
                  REALIZED CAPITAL GAINS (LOSSES) .....      12.0        3.4

Net realized capital gains (losses) ...................       0.4       (1.5)
                                                         -------------------
                                       NET INCOME .....      12.4        1.9

Unassigned deficit at beginning of period .............    (177.9)     (49.2)
Net unrealized capital gains (losses) and
   other adjustments ..................................       1.1        0.3
Other reserves and adjustments ........................    (  0.1)    (  4.2)
                                                         -------------------

              UNASSIGNED DEFICIT AT END OF PERIOD .....  $ (164.5)   $ (51.2)
                                                         ===================


See condensed notes to the financial statements (unaudited).

                                       2
<PAGE>


                  JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                              (Unaudited)
                                                          Three months ended
                                                               March  31
                                                          -------------------
                                                           2000        1999
                                                          -------     -------
                                                            (In millions)

Cash flows from operating activities:
   Insurance premiums ...............................     $ 241.4     $ 225.3
   Net investment income ............................        37.2        29.9
   Benefits to policyholders and beneficiaries ......      ( 79.6)     ( 70.8)
   Dividends paid to policyholders ..................      (  6.4)     (  6.1)
   Insurance expenses and taxes .....................       (91.9)     (107.8)
   Net transfers to separate accounts ...............      (141.4)     (182.0)
   Other, net .......................................       134.4       175.7
                                                          -------------------
                 NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATIONS ..        93.7        64.2
                                                          -------------------

Cash flows used in investing activities:
   Bond purchases ...................................      (157.5)      (71.3)
   Bond sales .......................................        73.5         8.7
   Bond maturities and scheduled redemptions ........        18.9        18.8
   Bond prepayments .................................         2.6         3.2
   Stock purchases ..................................      (  0.4)     (  0.2)
   Proceeds from stock sales ........................         1.2         1.5
   Real estate purchases ............................      (  0.1)     (  0.9)
   Real estate sales ................................         0.0        10.4
   Other invested assets purchases ..................        (0.1)        0.0
   Proceeds from the sale of other invested assets ..         0.0         0.0
   Mortgage loans issued ............................      (  4.3)    (  23.4)
   Mortgage loan repayments .........................         8.4         5.2
   Other, net .......................................        20.1        (2.8)
                                                          -------------------
             NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES ..       (37.7)      (50.8)
                                                          -------------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Net increase (decrease) in short-term
     note payable ...................................        (0.0)      (32.3)
                                                          -------------------
       NET CASH PROVIDED FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES ..        (0.0)      (32.3)
                                                          -------------------


         INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND TEMPORARY
                                  CASH INVESTMENTS ..        56.0       (18.9)

Cash and temporary cash investments at
   beginning of year ................................       250.1        19.9
                                                          -------------------

               CASH AND TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
                              AT THE END OF PERIOD ..     $ 306.1     $   1.0
                                                          ===================


See condensed notes to the financial statements (unaudited).

                                       3
<PAGE>

                  JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                       STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Paid-in       Unassiged
                                                       Common Stock     Capital        Deficit          Total
                                                       --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           (In millions)
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>              <C>             <C>
For the three months ended March 31, 1999
(unaudited)
Balance at January 1, 1999 .......................       $  2.5          $377.5          $(49.2)        $330.8
1999 Transactions:
    Capital contribution .........................
    Net gain .....................................                                          1.9            1.9
    Net unrealized capital gains and other
      adjustments ................................                                          0.3            0.3
    Other reserves and adjustments ...............                                       (  4.2)      (    4.2)
                                                       -------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 1999 ........................       $  2.5          $377.5          $(51.2)        $328.8
                                                       =======================================================

For the three months ended March 31, 2000 (unaudited)
Balance at January 1, 2000 .......................       $  2.5          $572.4         $(177.9)        $397.0
2000 Transactions:
    Capital contribution .........................
    Net gain .....................................                                         12.4           12.4
    Net unrealized capital gains and other
      adjustments ................................                                          1.1            1.1
    Other reserves and adjustments ...............                                       (  0.1)        (  0.1)
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March 31, 2000 ........................       $  2.5          $572.4         $(164.5)        $410.4
                                                     =========================================================
</TABLE>

See condensed notes to the financial statements (unaudited).

                                       4
<PAGE>

NOTE 1--BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared on
the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Division of Insurance and in conformity with the practices of the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which practices differ from
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Pursuant to Financial
Accounting Standard Board Interpretation 40, "Applicability of General Accepted
Accounting Principles to Mutual Life Insurance and Other Enterprises" (FIN 40),
as amended which was effective for 1996 financial statements, financial
statements based on statutory accounting practices can no longer be described as
prepared in conformity with GAAP.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2000 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended
December 31, 2000.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                       MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Financial condition

         During the past three months, JHVLICO's total assets grew primarily due
to the growth in the total assets of the JHVLICO's separate accounts due to
increased sales of variable life and variable annuity products as well as market
appreciation on separate account assets as a result of strong market
performance. Likewise, its total obligations grew. Total stockholder's equity
also grew during this period. The following chart shows a percentage growth in
total assets, total obligations and total stockholder's equity for the
three-month period ended March 31, 2000:

                                                  March 31,  December 31,
                                                    2000        1999
                                                    ----        ----
                                                       (in millions)   % change
------------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ------
Total assets  -  JHVLICO                         $11,045.7   $10,613.0   4.1%
------------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ------
Total assets  -  JHVLICO separate accounts       $ 8,597.7   $ 8,268.2   4.0%
------------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ------
Total obligations - JHVLICO                      $10,635.3   $10,216.0   4.1%
------------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ------
Total obligations - JHVLICO separate accounts    $ 8,590.9   $ 8,261.6   4.0%
------------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ------
Total stockholder's equity                       $   410.4   $   397.0   3.4%
------------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ------

Separate account assets and liabilities consist primarily of the fund balances
associated with JHVLICO's variable life and annuity business. The asset holdings
include fixed income, equity growth, total return real estate, global, and
international mutual funds with liabilities representing amounts due to
policyholders.


Investments

         JHVLICO's bond portfolio remains highly diversified. It maintains the
diversity of its bond portfolio by

(1) investing in a wide variety of geographic  regions and industry groups,  and
(2) limiting the size of individual investment relative to the total portfolio.

JHVLICO invests new money predominantly in long-term investment grade corporate
bonds. As a result, 86.3% of JHVLICO's general account bonds were investment
grade bonds, and 10.1% were medium grade bonds as of March 31, 2000. The
corresponding percentages as of December 31, 1999, were 86.0% and 9.8%,
respectively. For medium grade bonds, JHVLICO invests mostly in private
placements that provide long-term financing for medium size companies. These
bonds typically are protected by individually negotiated financial covenants
and/or collateral. As of March 31, 2000, the remaining 3.6% of JHVLICO's total
general account bonds consisted of lower grade bonds and bonds in default. Bonds
in default represent 0.7% of JHVLICO's general account bonds.

                                       6
<PAGE>

         Management believes JHVLICO's commercial mortgage lending practices
continue to be strong. JHVLICO generally makes mortgage loans against properties
with proven track records and high occupancy levels. Typically, JHVLICO does not
make construction or condominium loans nor lend more than 75% of the property's
value at the time of the loan. JHVLICO uses a computer based mortgage risk
analysis system in managing the credit risk related to its mortgage loans.

         JHVLICO has outstanding commitments to purchase long-term bonds and
issue real estate mortgages totaling $48.2 million and $35.5 million,
respectively, at March 31, 2000. The corresponding amounts at December 31, 1999
were $15.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively. JHVLICO monitors the
creditworthiness of borrowers under long-term bond commitments and requires
collateral as deemed necessary. If funded, loans related to real estate
mortgages would be fully collateralized by the related properties. The majority
of the commitments at March 31, 2000 expire in 2000.


Reserves and obligations

         JHVLICO's obligations consist primarily of aggregate reserves for life
and annuity policies and contracts. As of March 31, 2000, JHVLICO's general
account reserves totaled $1,945.6 million and its separate account obligations
totaled $8,590.9 million. As of December 31, 1999, the corresponding amounts
were $1,866.6 million and $8,261.6 million, respectively. JHVLICO computes these
liabilities in accordance with commonly accepted actuarial standards. Its
actuarial assumptions are in accordance with, or more conservative than, those
called for in state regulations. Total reserves meet the requirements of
Massachusetts insurance laws.

         Every year, JHVLICO performs reserve adequacy testing, usually during
the fourth quarter. Intensive asset adequacy testing was performed in 1999 for
the vast majority of reserves. During 2000 and 1999, JHVLICO made no refinements
to reserves.

         JHVLICO's investment reserves include the asset valuation reserve
("AVR"), and interest maintenance reserve ("IMR") required by the NAIC and state
insurance regulatory authorities. The AVR stabilizes statutory surplus from
non-interest related fluctuations in the market value of bonds, stocks, mortgage
loans, real estate and other invested assets. The AVR generally captures
realized and unrealized capital gains or losses on such assets, other than those
resulting from interest rate changes.

         Each year, the amount of an insurer's AVR will fluctuate as the
non-interest related capital gains and/or losses are absorbed by the reserve. To
adjust for such changes over time, an annual contribution must be made to the
AVR equal to 20% of the difference between the AVR reserve objective (as
determined annually according to the type and quality of an insurer's assets)
and the actual AVR.

                                       7
<PAGE>

         JHVLICO includes the AVR in its obligations. Its AVR was $18.8 million
at March 31, 2000, and $23.1 million as of December 31, 1999. During 1998,
JHVLICO made a voluntary contribution of $0.7 million to the AVR. Such
contributions may result in a slower rate of growth of, or a reduction to,
stockholder's equity. During 2000 and 1999, there have been no voluntary
contributions to the AVR. Changes in the AVR are accounted for as direct
increases or decreases in stockholder's equity. The impact of the AVR on
JHVLICO's stockholder's equity position will depend, in part, on JHVLICO's
investment portfolio.

         The IMR captures realized capital gains and losses (net of taxes) on
fixed income investments (primarily bonds and mortgage loans) resulting from
changes in interest rate levels. JHVLICO does not reflect these amounts in its
stockholder equity account but amortizes them into net investment income over
the estimated remaining lives of the investments disposed. At March 31, 2000 and
December 31, 1999, JHVLICO's IMR balance was $6.8 million and $7.4 million,
respectively. The impact of the IMR on JHVLICO's stockholder's equity depends
upon the amount of future interest related capital gains and losses on fixed
income investments.


Results of operations

         For the quarter ending March 31, 2000, net gain from operations, before
net realized capital losses, totaled $12.0 million, an $8.6 million increase
over the same period during 1999. The increase in the net gain is due
principally to continued growth in the annuity line of business within JHVLICO.
This line of business had a growth in net gain of $8.5 million principally due
to higher separate account fees. An overall reduction to the Company's expenses
of providing service to policyholders further increased the operating gain.

         For the quarter ending March 31, 2000, total revenues increase by 0.5%
(or $1.9 million) to $403.3 million as compared to the same period during 1999.
For the quarter ending March 31, 2000, premium, net of premium ceded to
reinsurers, increased by 3.4% (or $7.7 million) to $231.3 million as compared to
the same period during 1999. For the quarter ending March 31, 2000, net
investment income increased by 21.8% (or $7.1 million) to $39.6 million as
compared to the same period during 1999. This increase is primarily due to a
$4.2 million increase in gross income on short-term bonds as compared to the
same period during 1999. This increase can be attributed to an increased liquid
asset base. Other income decreased by $12.9 million as compared to the same
period during 1999 primarily as a result of decreased commission and expense
allowances, and reserve adjustments on reinsurance ceded.

         For the quarter ending March 31, 2000, total benefits and expenses
decreased by 2.6% (or $10.4 million) to $386.6 million as compared to the same
period during 1999. For the quarter ending March 31, 2000, benefit payments and
additions to reserves decreased by 4.1% (or $13.0 million) to $305.5 million as
compared to the same period during 1999. For the quarter ending March 31, 2000,

                                       8
<PAGE>

insurance expenses decreased by 2.9% (or $2.2 million) to $73.5 million as
compared to the same period during 1999. This consists of an $4.6 million
increase in commission expenses resulting from the sale of new and renewal
business, and a $6.8 million decrease in expense due to lower systems expense
(less Y2K and demutualization systems expense in 2000).


Liquidity and capital resources

         JHVLICO's liquidity resources for the period ending March 31, 2000 and
December 31, 1999 were as follows:

                                                      March 31,   December  31,
                                                       2000            1999
          Type of investment                              (in millions)
          ------------------------------------------- --------    -----------
          Cash and short-term investments             $306.1         $250.1
           ------------------------------------------- --------    -----------
          Public bonds                                $621.4         $454.1
           ------------------------------------------- --------    -----------
          Investment grade private placement bonds    $528.9         $609.4
          ------------------------------------------- --------    -----------

In addition, JHVLICO's separate accounts assets are highly liquid and available
to meet most outflow needs for variable life insurance.

         JHVLICO's management believes the liquidity resources above of $1,456.4
million as of March 31, 2000, strongly position JHVLICO to meet all its
obligations to policyholders and others. Funds provided by normal operations
generally satisfy JHVLICO's financing needs. There were no outstanding
borrowings as of March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999.

         Total surplus, also known as stockholder's equity, plus the AVR,
amounted to $429.2 million as of March 31, 2000, and $420.1 million as of
December 31, 1999. The current statutory accounting treatment of taxes for
deferred acquisition costs ("DAC taxes") currently results in a reduction to
JHVLICO's surplus. This reduction will persist during periods of growth in new
business. DAC taxes result from federal income tax law that approximates
acquisition expenses, and then spreads the corresponding tax deduction over a
period of years. As a result, the DAC tax is collected immediately and
subsequently returned through tax deductions in later years.

         Since it began operations, JHVLICO has received a total of $576.7
million in capital contributions from John Hancock Life Insurance Company ("John
Hancock"), its parent company, of which $572.4 million is credited to paid-in
capital and $2.5 million was credited to capital stock as of March 31, 2000. In
1993, JHVLICO returned $1.8 million of capital to John Hancock. To support
JHVLICO's operations, for the indefinite future, John Hancock will continue to
make capital contributions, if necessary, to ensure that JHVLICO maintains a
stockholder's equity of at least $1.0 million. JHVLICO's stockholder's equity,
net of unassigned deficit, amounted to $410.4 million at March 31, 2000, and
$397.0 million at December 31, 1999.

                                       9
<PAGE>

         During 1997, John Hancock entered into a court-approved settlement
relating to a class action lawsuit involving certain individual life insurance
policies sold from 1979 through 1996. In entering into the settlement, John
Hancock specifically denied any wrongdoing. During 1999, JHVLICO recorded a
$194.9 million reserve, through a direct charge to its unassigned deficit,
representing JHVLICO's share of the settlement and John Hancock contributed
$194.9 million of capital to JHVLICO. The reserve held at March 31, 2000
amounted to $127.0 million and is based on a number of factors, including the
estimated number of claims, the expected type of relief to be sought by class
members (general relief or alternative dispute resolution), the estimated cost
per claim and the estimated costs to administer the claims.

         Given the uncertainties associated with estimating the reserve, it is
reasonably possible that the final cost of the settlement could differ
materially from the amounts presently provided for by JHVLICO. John Hancock and
JHVLICO will continue to update their estimate of the final cost of the
settlement as claims are processed and more specific information is developed,
particularly as the actual cost of the claims subject to alternative dispute
resolution becomes available. However, based on information available at this
time, and the uncertainties associated with the final claim processing and
alternative dispute resolution, the range of any additional costs related to the
settlement cannot be reasonably estimated. If JHVLICO's share of the settlement
increases, John Hancock will contribute additional capital to JHVLICO so that
JHVLICO's total stockholder's equity would not be impacted.

         In December, 1992, the NAIC approved risk-based capital ("RBC")
standards for life insurance companies. It also approved a model act (the "RBC
Model Act") to apply such standards at the state level. The RBC Model Act
requires life insurers to submit an annual RBC report comparing JHVLICO's total
adjusted capital (statutory surplus plus AVR, voluntary investment reserves, and
one-half the apportioned dividend liability) with its risk-based capital as
calculated by an RBC formula. The formula takes into account the risk
characteristics of the Company's investments and products. Insurance regulators
use the formula as an early warning tool to identify possible weakly capitalized
companies for purposes of initiating further regulatory action, not as a means
to rank insurers. As of March 31, 2000, JHVLICO's total adjusted capital as
defined by the NAIC was well in excess of the RBC standards.

                                       10
<PAGE>

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Information About Market Risk.

         JHVLICO maintains a disciplined, comprehensive approach to managing
capital market risks inherent in its business operations. The Company's
principal capital market exposures are credit and interest rate risk, although
we have certain exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Credit
risk pertains to the uncertainty associated with the ability of an obligor or
counterparty to continue to make timely and complete payments of contractual
principal and/or interest. Interest rate risk pertains to the market value
fluctuations that occur within fixed maturity securities or liabilities as
market interest rates move. Foreign currency risk pertains to price
fluctuations, associated with the Company's ownership of non-US dollar
denominated investments, driven by dynamic foreign exchange levels.

         The active management of capital market risks is central to JHVLICO's
operations. Consistent with Company policy, JHVLICO may use the following
approaches to manage its exposure to market risk within defined tolerance
ranges: (1) rebalance its existing asset or liability portfolios; (2) change the
character of future investments purchased; or (3) use derivative instruments to
modify the market risk characteristics of existing, or future, assets and
liabilities.


Interest Rate Risk

         Interest rate risk is the risk that JHVLICO will incur economic losses
due to adverse changes in interest rates. This risk arises from certain of
JHVLICO's primary activities, as JHVLICO invests funds in interest-sensitive
assets to support the issuance of certain interest-sensitive liabilities.

         JHVLICO seeks to earn returns that enhance its ability to offer
competitive rates and prices to its customers while contributing to stable
profits and long-term capital growth. Accordingly, JHVLICO's investment
objectives and decisions are a function of the underlying risks and product
offerings of each primary business operation. In addition, JHVLICO diversifies
its product portfolio offerings to include products that contain features that
protect against fluctuations in interest rates. Those features include
adjustable crediting rates, policy surrender charges, and market value
adjustments on early liquidations.

         JHVLICO seeks to reduce the effect of call or prepayment risk in its
fixed maturity portfolios by limiting its exposure to investments that are not
call protected or by requiring incremental yield to compensate for the risk of
the option being exercised. Examples of investments that JHVLICO limits because
of option risk are residential mortgage-backed securities.

         JHVLICO manages the interest rate risk in its assets relative to the
interest rate risk inherent in its liabilities. One of the measures JHVLICO uses
to quantify this exposure is duration, with other measures used for limiting
exposure to non-parallel interest rate risk. JHVLICO's objective is to manage
the duration gap between its assets and liabilities to within a 10% relative
band of its liability duration. In practice, the mismatch has been managed
within a tolerance of +/- .05 years

                                       11
<PAGE>

         In addition to the duration management procedures described in the
preceding paragraphs, a JHVLICO subsidiary, Investors Partner Life Insurance
Company, maintains an actively managed public bond portfolio that uses interest
rate futures contracts to help manage its duration relative to that of its
benchmark. Its investment policy permits a duration tolerance of +/- .25 years
around the composite Lehman Brothers benchmark duration. In practice, the
portfolio's duration mismatch is managed to within +/- .05 years

         JHVLICO also uses various derivative financial instruments to manage
its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, including interest rate swaps,
interest rate futures, and interest rate caps. Interest rate swaps are used
primarily to more closely align the interest rate characteristics of assets and
liabilities. JHVLICO also uses interest rate futures to periodically rebalance
its duration-managed accounts. JHVLICO uses interest rate caps to hedge embedded
caps on floating-rate assets and to manage the risk associated with a sudden
rise in interest rates.

         As of March 31, 2000, there have been no material changes to the
interest rate exposures as reported in the Company's 1999 Form 10-K Annual
Report.


Credit Risk

         The Company manages the credit risk inherent in its fixed maturity
securities by applying strict credit and underwriting standards, with specific
limits regarding the proportion of permissible below investment grade holdings.
We also diversify our fixed maturity securities with respect to investment
quality, issuer, industry, geographical, and property-type concentrations. Where
possible, consideration of external measures of creditworthiness, such as
ratings assigned by nationally recognized rating agencies, supplement our
internal credit analysis.

         JHVLICO's exposure to derivatives credit risk is the risk of loss from
a counterparty failing to perform the terms of the contract. JHVLICO continually
monitors its position and the credit ratings of the counterparties to these
derivative instruments. To limit exposure associated with counterparty
nonperformance on interest rate swaps and interest rate caps, JHVLICO enters
into master netting agreements with its counterparties. In addition, where
deemed appropriate, JHVLICO enters into bi-lateral collateral agreements with
certain of its counterparties. JHVLICO believes the risk of incurring losses due
to nonperformance by its counterparties is remote. Futures contracts trade on
organized exchanges and, therefore, have effectively no credit risk.


Foreign Currency Risk

         Foreign currency risk is the risk that JHVLICO will incur economic
losses due to adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. JHVLICO holds
certain fixed income securities that are denominated in foreign currencies.
Company policy requires that we use derivatives to hedge the foreign currency
risk of these instruments (both interest payments and the final maturity
payment). As of March 31, 2000, there has been no material change in the
composition of the Company's foreign currency risk exposure. For further
discussion of foreign currency risk exposure, please refer to the Company's 1999
Form 10-K Annual Report.


Effects of Inflation

         JHVLICO does not believe that inflation has had a material effect on
the results of its operations except insofar as inflation may affect interest
rates.

                                       12
<PAGE>


                                    PART II.

                               OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  Exhibits

     27.  Financial Data Schedule

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

     None.






                                       13
<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                         John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company
                         (Registrant)


Date: May 15, 2000       /s/ Thomas J. Lee
                         -----------------
                         Thomas J. Lee
                         Vice President


Date: May 15, 2000       /s/ Patrick F. Smith
                         --------------------
                         Patrick F. Smith
                         Controller