Privacy Policy

Federal Retirement Central ("we," "us," or "our") operates the website located at federalretirementcentral.com (the "Site"). We are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your personal data. This policy applies to all visitors, users, and others who access the Site.

By using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Site, we automatically collect certain information through cookies and similar tracking technologies, including:

• Log Data: Your IP address, browser type and version, pages visited, time and date of your visit, time spent on pages, referring URL, and other diagnostic data.
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information.
• Usage Data: Information about how you use the Site, including which calculator tools you access and how you interact with content.
• Cookies: Small data files stored on your device. See Section 5 for full details.

1.2 Information You Provide Voluntarily

We do not require you to create an account or submit personal information to use our calculators. If you contact us via email or a contact form, we collect your name, email address, and the content of your message.

1.3 Calculator Inputs

Data you enter into our retirement calculators (such as salary, years of service, or retirement dates) is processed locally in your browser and is not transmitted to or stored on our servers.

2. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics (provided by Google LLC) to understand how visitors use the Site. Google Analytics collects information such as how often users visit the Site, what pages they visit, and what other sites they used prior to coming to this Site. We use the information we get from Google Analytics only to improve the Site.

Google Analytics collects only the IP address assigned to you on the date you visit this Site, rather than your name or other identifying information. We do not combine the information collected through the use of Google Analytics with personally identifiable information. Although Google Analytics plants a permanent cookie on your web browser to identify you as a unique user the next time you visit this Site, the cookie cannot be used by anyone but Google. Google's ability to use and share information collected by Google Analytics about your visits to this Site is restricted by the Google Analytics Terms of Use and the Google Privacy Policy.

You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

3. Google AdSense & Advertising

We display advertisements on the Site through Google AdSense and potentially other advertising networks. These third-party vendors use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visit to our Site and/or other sites on the Internet.

You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google's Ads Settings. You may also opt out of third-party vendor's use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting www.aboutads.info/choices.

4. Affiliate Links & Disclosure

Federal Retirement Central participates in affiliate marketing programs. This means we may earn a commission if you click on certain links and make a purchase or sign up for a service. Affiliate relationships do not influence our editorial content or recommendations. We only link to products and services we believe may be useful to our readers.

When you click an affiliate link, the affiliated company may place a cookie on your browser to track the referral. Each affiliate partner has its own privacy policy governing its use of cookie and tracking data.

5. Cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We use the following types of cookies:

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some features on the Site.

6. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information to:

• Operate and maintain the Site
• Analyze site traffic and user behavior to improve content
• Deliver relevant advertisements
• Respond to your inquiries and communications
• Detect and prevent fraudulent or abusive use of the Site
• Comply with legal obligations

7. Data Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors (such as Google) who assist us in operating the Site. These parties are bound by confidentiality obligations.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, subpoena, court order, or government regulation.
• Business Transfer: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets.
• With Your Consent: For any other purpose with your explicit consent.

8. Your Rights Under GDPR (EU/EEA Visitors)

If you are located in the European Union or European Economic Area, you have the following rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data.
• Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): Request deletion of your personal data.
• Right to Restrict Processing: Request that we limit how we use your data.
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@federalretirementcentral.com. We will respond within 30 days.

9. Your Rights Under CCPA (California Residents)

If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants you the following rights:

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information we have collected, subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to Opt-Out: We do not sell personal information. If this changes, you will have the right to opt-out.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.

To submit a verifiable consumer request, email us at privacy@federalretirementcentral.com.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy or as required by law. Analytics data is retained for 26 months by default in Google Analytics. Email correspondence is retained for up to 3 years unless you request deletion.

11. Children's Privacy

The Site is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, please contact us immediately and we will delete it promptly.

12. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security and encourage you to use caution when submitting personal information online.

13. Third-Party Links

The Site may contain links to third-party websites, including government sites (OPM, MyPay, TSP.gov), financial institutions, and affiliate partners. We have no control over the content or privacy practices of those sites and are not responsible for their privacy policies. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party site you visit.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the Site after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us: