JOHN HANCOCK STRATEGIC SERIES

EX 99(e)(1)

XXXX XXXXXXX STRATEGIC SERIES

000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Boston, MA 02216

Xxxx Xxxxxxx Investment Management Distributors, LLC

000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx

Boston, MA 02216

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Section 14 of the Distribution Agreement dated as of June 30, 2020, as amended (the “Distribution Agreement”), between Xxxx Xxxxxxx Strategic Series (the “Trust”) and Xxxx Xxxxxxx Investment Management Distributors LLC please be advised that the Trust has established a new series of its shares, namely, Xxxx Xxxxxxx Managed Account Shares Non-Investment-Grade Municipal Bond Portfolio (the “Fund”), and please be further advised that the Trust desires to retain Xxxx Xxxxxxx Investment Management Distributors, LLC to serve as distributor and principal underwriter under the Distribution Agreement for the Fund.

Please indicate your acceptance of this responsibility by signing this letter as indicated below.

XXXX XXXXXXX INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT DISTRIBUTORS, LLC						XXXX XXXXXXX STRATEGIC SERIES
By:		/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx				/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
		Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx				Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
		Chief Financial Officer				President
Dated: as of September 22, 2022

CONFIDENTIAL