<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001145549-19-005970.txt : 20190311
<SEC-HEADER>0001145549-19-005970.hdr.sgml : 20190311
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20190311132115
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001145549-19-005970
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	N-CEN
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20181231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20190311
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20190311
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20190311

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001496749
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		N-CEN
		SEC ACT:		1940 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-22441
		FILM NUMBER:		19671762

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		601 CONGRESS STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02210
		BUSINESS PHONE:		800-344-1029

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		601 CONGRESS STREET
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02210
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            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-03999"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-04630"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-00560"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-04173"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-08568"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-21777"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-04186"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-22733"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-02485"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-23027"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-01677"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-05979"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-03006"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-04146"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-22056"/>
            <fileNumberInfo fileNumber="811-21416"/>
          </fileNumbers>
        </director>
      </directors>
      <chiefComplianceOfficers>
        <chiefComplianceOfficer>
          <ccoName>Francis V. Knox, Jr.</ccoName>
          <crdNumber>001699647</crdNumber>
          <ccoStreet1>200 Berkeley Street</ccoStreet1>
          <ccoCity>Boston</ccoCity>
          <ccoStateCountry ccoState="US-MA" ccoCountry="US"/>
          <ccoZipCode>02116</ccoZipCode>
          <ccoPhone>XXXXXX</ccoPhone>
          <isCcoChangedSinceLastFiling>N</isCcoChangedSinceLastFiling>
          <ccoEmployers>
            <ccoEmployer ccoEmployerName="N/A" ccoEmployerId="N/A"/>
          </ccoEmployers>
        </chiefComplianceOfficer>
      </chiefComplianceOfficers>
      <securityMatterSeriesInfo isRegistrantSubmittedMatter="Y">
        <seriesInfo seriesName="John Hancock Hedged Equity &amp; Income Fund" seriesId="N/A"/>
      </securityMatterSeriesInfo>
      <isPreviousLegalProceeding>N</isPreviousLegalProceeding>
      <isPreviousProceedingTerminated>N</isPreviousProceedingTerminated>
      <isClaimFiled>N</isClaimFiled>
      <coveredByInsurancePolicy isCoveredByInsurancePolicy="Y" isClaimFiledDuringPeriod="N"/>
      <isFinancialSupportDuringPeriod>N</isFinancialSupportDuringPeriod>
      <releaseNumbers isExemptionFromAct="Y">
        <releaseNumberInfo releaseNumber="IC-17970"/>
        <releaseNumberInfo releaseNumber="IC-18898"/>
        <releaseNumberInfo releaseNumber="IC-20843"/>
        <releaseNumberInfo releaseNumber="IC-21171"/>
        <releaseNumberInfo releaseNumber="IC-27261"/>
        <releaseNumberInfo releaseNumber="IC-28389"/>
      </releaseNumbers>
      <principalUnderwriters>
        <principalUnderwriter>
          <principalUnderwriterName>John Hancock Funds, LLC</principalUnderwriterName>
          <principalUnderwriterFileNumber>8-43582</principalUnderwriterFileNumber>
          <principalUnderwriterCrdNumber>000028262</principalUnderwriterCrdNumber>
          <principalUnderwriterLei>N/A</principalUnderwriterLei>
          <principalUnderWriterStateCountry principalUnderWriterState="US-MA" principalUnderWriterCountry="US"/>
          <isPrincipalUnderwriterAffiliatedWithRegistrant>Y</isPrincipalUnderwriterAffiliatedWithRegistrant>
        </principalUnderwriter>
      </principalUnderwriters>
      <isUnderwriterHiredOrTerminated>N</isUnderwriterHiredOrTerminated>
      <publicAccountants>
        <publicAccountant>
          <publicAccountantName>PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</publicAccountantName>
          <pcaobNumber>00238</pcaobNumber>
          <publicAccountantLei>5493002GVO7EO8RNNS37</publicAccountantLei>
          <publicAccountantStateCountry publicAccountantState="US-MA" publicAccountantCountry="US"/>
        </publicAccountant>
      </publicAccountants>
      <isPublicAccountantChanged>N</isPublicAccountantChanged>
      <isMaterialWeakness>N</isMaterialWeakness>
      <isOpinionOffered>N</isOpinionOffered>
      <isMaterialChange>N</isMaterialChange>
      <isAccountingPrincipleChange>N</isAccountingPrincipleChange>
      <isPaymentErrorInNetAssetValue>N</isPaymentErrorInNetAssetValue>
      <paymentDividendSeries isPaymentDividend="Y">
        <seriesInfo seriesName="John Hancock Hedged Equity &amp; Income Fund" seriesId="N/A"/>
      </paymentDividendSeries>
    </registrantInfo>
    <managementInvestmentQuestionSeriesInfo>
      <managementInvestmentQuestion>
        <mgmtInvFundName>John Hancock Hedged Equity &amp; Income Fund</mgmtInvFundName>
        <mgmtInvLei>TXPTLN9B34V0S0MTR071</mgmtInvLei>
        <isFirstFilingByFund>Y</isFirstFilingByFund>
        <fundType>N/A</fundType>
        <isNonDiversifiedCompany>N</isNonDiversifiedCompany>
        <isForeignSubsidiary>N</isForeignSubsidiary>
        <isFundSecuritiesLending>N</isFundSecuritiesLending>
        <didFundLendSecurities>N</didFundLendSecurities>
        <paymentToAgentManagerType>N/A</paymentToAgentManagerType>
        <avgPortfolioSecuritiesValue>N/A</avgPortfolioSecuritiesValue>
        <netIncomeSecuritiesLending>N/A</netIncomeSecuritiesLending>
        <relyOnRuleTypes>
          <relyOnRuleType>Rule 23c-1 (17 CFR 270.23c-1)</relyOnRuleType>
          <relyOnRuleType>Rule 32a-4 (17 CFR 270.32a-4)</relyOnRuleType>
        </relyOnRuleTypes>
        <isExpenseLimitationInPlace>Y</isExpenseLimitationInPlace>
        <isExpenseReducedOrWaived>Y</isExpenseReducedOrWaived>
        <isFeesWaivedRecoupable>N</isFeesWaivedRecoupable>
        <isExpenseWaivedRecoupable>N</isExpenseWaivedRecoupable>
        <investmentAdvisers>
          <investmentAdviser>
            <investmentAdviserName>John Hancock Advisers, LLC</investmentAdviserName>
            <investmentAdviserFileNo>801-8124</investmentAdviserFileNo>
            <investmentAdviserCrdNo>000105790</investmentAdviserCrdNo>
            <investmentAdviserLei>AOWFNEEIG2OJ03AZXK87</investmentAdviserLei>
            <investmentAdviserStateCountry investmentAdviserState="US-MA" investmentAdviserCountry="US"/>
            <isInvestmentAdviserHired>N</isInvestmentAdviserHired>
          </investmentAdviser>
        </investmentAdvisers>
        <subAdvisers>
          <subAdviser>
            <subAdviserName>Wellington Management Company LLP</subAdviserName>
            <subAdviserFileNo>801-15908</subAdviserFileNo>
            <subAdviserCrdNo>000106595</subAdviserCrdNo>
            <subAdviserLei>549300YHP12TEZNLCX41</subAdviserLei>
            <isSubAdviserAffiliated>N</isSubAdviserAffiliated>
            <subAdviserStateCountry subAdviserState="US-MA" subAdviserCountry="US"/>
            <isSubAdviserHired>N</isSubAdviserHired>
          </subAdviser>
        </subAdvisers>
        <transferAgents>
          <transferAgent>
            <transferAgentName>Computershare Inc</transferAgentName>
            <transferAgentFileNo>84-05925</transferAgentFileNo>
            <transferAgentLei>254900Y7PP3ZED9AUY94</transferAgentLei>
            <transferAgentStateCountry transferAgentState="US-MA" transferAgentCountry="US"/>
            <isTransferAgentAffiliated>N</isTransferAgentAffiliated>
            <isTransferAgentSubAgent>N</isTransferAgentSubAgent>
          </transferAgent>
        </transferAgents>
        <isTransferAgentHiredOrTerminated>N</isTransferAgentHiredOrTerminated>
        <pricingServices>
          <pricingService>
            <pricingServiceName>Refinitiv</pricingServiceName>
            <pricingServiceLei>549300561UZND4C7B569</pricingServiceLei>
            <pricingServiceCountry>CA</pricingServiceCountry>
            <isPricingServiceAffiliated>N</isPricingServiceAffiliated>
          </pricingService>
          <pricingService>
            <pricingServiceName>ICE Data Services</pricingServiceName>
            <pricingServiceLei>5493000NQ9LYLDBCTL34</pricingServiceLei>
            <pricingServiceStateCountry pricingServiceState="US-DE" pricingServiceCountry="US"/>
            <isPricingServiceAffiliated>N</isPricingServiceAffiliated>
          </pricingService>
          <pricingService>
            <pricingServiceName>Pricing Direct</pricingServiceName>
            <pricingServiceLei>549300WIC0TOJ7N7GD54</pricingServiceLei>
            <pricingServiceStateCountry pricingServiceState="US-DE" pricingServiceCountry="US"/>
            <isPricingServiceAffiliated>N</isPricingServiceAffiliated>
          </pricingService>
          <pricingService>
            <pricingServiceName>IHS Markit</pricingServiceName>
            <pricingServiceLei>N/A</pricingServiceLei>
            <pricingServiceCountry>GB</pricingServiceCountry>
            <isPricingServiceAffiliated>N</isPricingServiceAffiliated>
          </pricingService>
          <pricingService>
            <pricingServiceName>Bloomberg LP</pricingServiceName>
            <pricingServiceLei>N/A</pricingServiceLei>
            <pricingServiceStateCountry pricingServiceState="US-DE" pricingServiceCountry="US"/>
            <isPricingServiceAffiliated>N</isPricingServiceAffiliated>
          </pricingService>
          <pricingService>
            <pricingServiceName>State Street Bank and Trust Company</pricingServiceName>
            <pricingServiceLei>571474TGEMMWANRLN572</pricingServiceLei>
            <pricingServiceStateCountry pricingServiceState="US-MA" pricingServiceCountry="US"/>
            <isPricingServiceAffiliated>N</isPricingServiceAffiliated>
          </pricingService>
        </pricingServices>
        <isPricingServiceHiredOrTerminated>N</isPricingServiceHiredOrTerminated>
        <custodians>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>State Street Bank and Trust Company</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>571474TGEMMWANRLN572</custodianLei>
            <custodianStateCountry custodianState="US-MA" custodianCountry="US"/>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>N</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Bank - section 17(f)(1) (15 U.S.C. 80a-17(f)(1))</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>SKANDINAVINSKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>F3JS33DEI6XQ4ZBPTN86</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>SE</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>BNP Paribas Security Services, S.C.A.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>GR</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>FI</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>Deutsche Bank S.A.E.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>ES</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>CESKOSLOVENSKA OBCHODNI BANKA, A.S.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>Q5BP2UEQ48R75BOTCB92</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>CZ</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>BANK HANDLOWY W WARSZAWIE S.A.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>XLEZHWWOI4HFQDGL4793</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>PL</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>DEUTSCHE BANK AG</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>NL</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NETHERLANDS</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>NL</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>549300CWR0W0BCS9Q144</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>CH</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>DEUTSCHE BANK AG</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>25490016G0WR60ANOK04</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>TW</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>State Street Bank and Trust Company, United Kingdom Branch</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>GB</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORP. LTD.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>JP</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>X5AV1MBDXGRPX5UGMX13</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>HK</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>HSBC BANK AUSTRALIA LIMITED</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>DY9DBNI4W8J63Z298033</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>AU</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>Deutsche Bank AG</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>KR</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>FirstRand Bank Ltd.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>ZAYQDKTCATIXF9OQY690</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>ZA</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>The HongKong &amp; Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>NZ</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Limited</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>549300QJEO1B92LSHZ06</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>TH</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>DEUTSCHE BANK AG</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>IN</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>CITIBANK, A.S.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>CWZ8NZDH5SKY12Q4US31</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>TR</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>DEUTSCHE BANK AG</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>AT</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>CITIBANK N.A. - BRAZIL</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>BR</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>BANCO NACIONAL DE MEXICO</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>MX</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>DEUTSCHE BANK MUTUI S.P.A.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>8156006ACD5E92B0C985</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>IT</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>DEUTSCHE BANK PORTUGAL</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>PT</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>DEUTSCHE BANK FRANCE</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>FR</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>N/A</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>DK</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>F3JS33DEI6XQ4ZBPTN86</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>NO</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
          <custodian>
            <custodianName>UniCredit Bank Hungary Zrt.</custodianName>
            <custodianLei>Y28RT6GGYJ696PMW8T44</custodianLei>
            <custodianCountry>HU</custodianCountry>
            <isCustodianAffiliated>N</isCustodianAffiliated>
            <isSubCustodian>Y</isSubCustodian>
            <custodyType>Foreign custodian - rule 17f-5 (17 CFR 270.17f-5)</custodyType>
          </custodian>
        </custodians>
        <isCustodianHiredOrTerminated>N</isCustodianHiredOrTerminated>
        <shareholderServicingAgents>
          <shareholderServicingAgent>
            <shareholderServiceAgentName>Computershare Shareowner Services, LLC</shareholderServiceAgentName>
            <shareholderServiceAgentLei>254900Y7PP3ZED9AUY94</shareholderServiceAgentLei>
            <shareholderServiceAgentStateCountry shareholderServiceAgentState="US-MA" shareholderServiceAgentCountry="US"/>
            <isShareholderServiceAgentAffiliated>N</isShareholderServiceAgentAffiliated>
            <isShareholderServiceAgentSubshare>N</isShareholderServiceAgentSubshare>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>INTERNAL CONTROL RPT
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>internalcontrolrpt_3.htm
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">To<B> </B>the<B> </B>Board of Trustees and Shareholders of John Hancock Hedged Equity&nbsp;&amp; Income Fund </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements of John Hancock Hedged Equity&nbsp;&amp; Income Fund (the &#147;Fund&#148;)<B> </B>as of and
for the year<B> </B>ended December&nbsp;31, 2018, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (&#147;PCAOB&#148;), we considered the Fund&#146;s internal control over financial reporting,
including controls over safeguarding securities, as a basis for designing our auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinion on the financial statements and to comply with the requirements of Form
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">N-CEN,</FONT> but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund&#146;s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Fund&#146;s internal control over financial reporting. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The management of the Fund is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal
control over financial reporting. In fulfilling this responsibility, estimates and judgments by management are required to assess the expected benefits and related costs of controls. A company&#146;s internal control over financial reporting is a
process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company&#146;s
internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1)&nbsp;pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
company; (2)&nbsp;provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company
are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3)&nbsp;provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of a company&#146;s
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may
not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A deficiency in internal control over financial reporting exists when the design or operation of a control does
not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over
financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company&#146;s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Our consideration of the Fund&#146;s internal control over financial reporting was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph and would not
necessarily disclose all deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that might be material weaknesses under standards established by the PCAOB. However, we noted no deficiencies<B> </B>in the Fund&#146;s internal control over
financial reporting and its operation, including controls over safeguarding securities, that we consider to be material weaknesses as defined above as of December&nbsp;31, 2018. </P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This report is intended solely for the information and use of the Board of Trustees of John Hancock Hedged
Equity&nbsp;&amp; Income Fund<B> </B>and the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Boston, Massachusetts </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">February&nbsp;20, 2019 </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>

</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
