CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the references to our firm under the captions "Financial
Highlights" for the John Hancock Bond Fund (one of the portfolios constituting
John Hancock Sovereign Bond Fund) in the John Hancock Retirement Funds
prospectus and "Independent Auditors" in the John Hancock Bond Fund Class A, B,
C, I and R Shares Statement of Additional Information and to the incorporation
by reference in Post-Effective Amendment Number 54 to the Registration Statement
(Form N-1A, No. 2-48925) of our report dated July 5, 2002 on the financial
statements and financial highlights in the Annual Report to the Shareholders for
the year ended May 31, 2002 of John Hancock Bond Fund.




                                                            /s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
July 30, 2003