ReadyToRetireNow.com
Effective Date: January 15, 2025
Last Updated: November 10, 2025
⚠️ PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY
This disclaimer contains critical information about the limitations of our retirement planning resources. By using ReadyToRetireNow.com, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these disclaimers.
The Short Version: We provide educational retirement planning tools and information. We are NOT your personal financial advisor, tax preparer, or legal counsel. Always verify important retirement decisions with official sources and licensed professionals before taking action.
1. General Information Purpose
All content, calculators, articles, guides, and resources on ReadyToRetireNow.com are provided for general educational and informational purposes only. They are NOT:
- Personalized financial advice tailored to your specific situation
- Professional tax, legal, or accounting guidance
- Investment recommendations or portfolio management services
- Guaranteed predictions of your retirement outcomes
- A substitute for consultation with licensed professionals
What We ARE:
We’re an educational resource that helps you understand retirement planning concepts, systems (like FERS and Social Security), and general strategies. Think of us as that knowledgeable friend who helps you learn—not your hired professional advisor.
What We’re NOT:
We’re not your CFP®, CPA, attorney, or benefits counselor (even though some of our team members hold these credentials). Using our Site does not create a professional advisor-client relationship.
2. No Professional Relationship Created
Despite our team’s professional credentials and expertise:
- No Advisor-Client Relationship: Reading our content or using our calculators does not establish a professional advisory relationship
- Not Personalized Advice: Our content addresses general situations, not your unique circumstances
- No Duty of Care: We have no legal duty to you as an individual user (unlike hired advisors)
- No Ongoing Obligation: We don’t monitor your situation or update you on changes affecting your personal retirement
Example: If Sarah (our CFP®) creates a FERS calculator and you use it, she’s sharing her expertise through an educational tool—not analyzing your personal financial situation as your fiduciary advisor. The relationship is educator-to-student, not advisor-to-client.
3. Retirement Planning Specific Disclaimers
3.1 FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System)
Our FERS calculator and content are based on:
- Current OPM regulations as we understand them
- Standard FERS calculations for most federal employees
- Publicly available information from OPM.gov
Important Limitations:
- Special Categories: Law enforcement, firefighters, air traffic controllers, and other special category employees have different rules that require specialized analysis
- Individual Circumstances: Military service credit, unused sick leave, VERA/VSIP eligibility, and other factors may significantly affect your benefits
- Legislative Changes: Congress can change FERS rules, contribution rates, or COLA formulas at any time
- Agency Variations: Different federal agencies may have specific policies or interpretations
- Official Authority: Your agency’s HR office and OPM are the final authorities on your FERS benefits—not us
FERS Critical Warning:
NEVER retire based solely on our calculator results. Always verify your FERS retirement calculations with:
- Your agency’s HR benefits specialist
- OPM directly (contact information at OPM.gov)
- A licensed financial advisor specializing in federal benefits
One calculation error could cost you thousands of dollars annually. Don’t risk it.
3.2 Social Security Benefits
Our Social Security calculators estimate benefits based on:
- Information you provide (current earnings, projected retirement age)
- Current SSA formulas and bend points
- General assumptions about future earnings and COLAs
Critical Limitations:
- Earnings History: We don’t have access to your actual Social Security earnings record (only SSA does)
- Future Changes: COLA adjustments, benefit formulas, and full retirement age could change through legislation
- WEP/GPO: Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset calculations are complex and require professional analysis
- Spousal Benefits: Coordination with spousal, survivor, and divorced spouse benefits requires individualized evaluation
- Medicare Integration: Medicare premiums deducted from Social Security affect net benefits
For Accurate Social Security Estimates:
Use SSA’s official tools:
- Create a my Social Security account at SSA.gov/myaccount for personalized benefit estimates using your actual earnings record
- Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for benefit calculations
- Visit your local Social Security office for complex situations
- Consult a Social Security specialist for WEP/GPO or claiming strategy advice
3.3 State & Teacher Retirement Systems
State pension system content is:
- Based on publicly available information from state retirement system websites
- Subject to state-specific rules that vary significantly
- General guidance, not tailored to your employment history or state’s current regulations
Always Verify With:
- Your state’s retirement system office (e.g., CalSTRS, TRS Georgia, STRS Ohio)
- Your school district or employer benefits office
- The official retirement system website for your state
3.4 401(k), IRA, and Investment Accounts
Our investment and savings content:
- Discusses general retirement savings strategies and account types
- Does NOT recommend specific investments or securities
- Cannot predict market performance or investment returns
- Does not account for your risk tolerance, time horizon, or financial goals
Investment Disclaimer: We are not registered investment advisors. Content about 401(k)s, IRAs, target-date funds, or investment strategies is educational only. For investment advice, consult a licensed financial advisor or investment professional who can analyze your complete financial picture.
4. Tax Disclaimer
Tax-related content on our Site:
- Reflects general federal tax principles as we understand them
- May not address state or local tax implications
- Cannot account for your unique tax situation
- Becomes outdated as tax laws change annually
We Are NOT:
- Providing tax advice or tax preparation services
- Analyzing your individual tax situation
- Creating a CPA-client or EA-client relationship
- Representing you before the IRS
Tax Planning Warning:
Tax mistakes in retirement can be expensive. Issues like:
- Roth conversion timing and taxation
- Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
- Social Security benefit taxation
- State tax on pensions and retirement income
- Capital gains in taxable accounts
…require professional tax planning. Consult a CPA or Enrolled Agent specializing in retirement taxation.
5. Results Not Guaranteed
Retirement planning involves numerous variables outside our control and prediction:
- Legislative Changes: Congress or state legislatures can modify retirement benefits, tax rules, or Social Security at any time
- Economic Factors: Inflation, market performance, interest rates, and economic conditions affect retirement outcomes
- Personal Circumstances: Health status, longevity, family situations, and life events impact retirement plans
- Market Volatility: Investment returns vary and past performance doesn’t predict future results
- Individual Decisions: Your choices about spending, work, and financial management determine outcomes
Therefore:
- We cannot and do not guarantee any specific retirement outcomes
- Calculator projections are estimates, not promises
- Strategies that work generally may not work for you specifically
- Retirement success depends on factors we cannot control or predict
6. Calculator Accuracy & Limitations
Our retirement calculators strive for accuracy but have inherent limitations:
What Our Calculators CAN Do:
- Provide reasonable estimates based on current rules and the information you input
- Help you understand how retirement systems work
- Show the impact of different retirement timing decisions
- Assist with general retirement planning
What Our Calculators CANNOT Do:
- Access your actual employment records or earnings history
- Account for your complete personal financial situation
- Predict future law changes, market returns, or inflation rates
- Replace personalized analysis by benefits specialists
- Guarantee accuracy for complex or unusual situations
Calculator Best Practices:
- Use Multiple Sources: Compare our calculator results with official government calculators and professional estimates
- Verify Inputs: Ensure you’re entering accurate information (dates, salary, years of service)
- Understand Assumptions: Read what assumptions each calculator makes
- Consider Edge Cases: If your situation is unusual, seek professional help
- Rerun Periodically: Update calculations as circumstances or rules change
7. Content Accuracy & Updates
We strive for accuracy but acknowledge limitations:
- Human Error: Despite careful review, mistakes can occur in calculations, facts, or interpretations
- Changing Rules: Retirement regulations, tax laws, and benefit formulas change regularly—sometimes faster than we can update content
- Interpretation: Complex regulations may be interpreted differently by different authorities
- Simplification: Educational content necessarily simplifies complex topics, which may omit nuances
Our Content Update Process:
- Major articles reviewed quarterly
- Calculators updated when formulas or limits change
- Breaking retirement news addressed within 24-48 hours
- Each article displays “Last Updated” date
- Errors corrected immediately when identified
Report Errors: If you find inaccurate information, please email accuracy@readytoretirenow.com so we can investigate and correct it.
8. External Links Policy
Our Site links to external resources for your convenience, including:
- Official government websites (OPM.gov, SSA.gov, IRS.gov)
- State retirement system sites
- Financial institutions and calculator tools
- Recommended products and services (including affiliate links)
Important Disclaimers About External Links:
- Not Our Responsibility: We don’t control or endorse content on external websites
- Independent Policies: Third-party sites have their own terms, privacy policies, and practices
- Verify Information: Information on external sites may be outdated or inaccurate
- No Guarantee: We don’t guarantee the accuracy, safety, or reliability of linked sites
- Commercial Links: Some links are affiliates where we may earn commissions
Official Sources We Recommend:
- FERS Information: OPM.gov (Office of Personnel Management)
- Social Security: SSA.gov (Social Security Administration)
- Tax Information: IRS.gov (Internal Revenue Service)
- Medicare: Medicare.gov
9. Health & Medical Disclaimer
Retirement planning content occasionally addresses health-related topics (Medicare, healthcare costs, longevity planning). Please understand:
- Not Medical Advice: Health-related content is informational only, not medical advice
- Consult Healthcare Professionals: For medical questions or health planning, consult licensed healthcare providers
- Medicare Information: Medicare rules are complex—verify with Medicare.gov or licensed insurance agents
- Individual Health Varies: Longevity estimates are statistical averages, not predictions for individuals
10. Affiliate & Commercial Relationships
Financial Transparency: We participate in affiliate programs where we earn commissions for purchases made through our links. This includes:
- Amazon Associates (retirement gifts, books)
- Financial tools and software
- Retirement planning services
Our Affiliate Policy:
- We only recommend products we genuinely believe are valuable
- Affiliate relationships don’t influence retirement planning advice
- Calculator accuracy is never compromised for commercial gain
- We clearly disclose affiliate relationships
- You’re never obligated to purchase anything
11. No Guarantee of Website Availability
While we strive for continuous availability, we don’t guarantee:
- Uninterrupted access to calculators or content
- Error-free operation of all tools and features
- Compatibility with all devices or browsers
- Permanent availability of any specific content
- Security from unauthorized access (though we implement protections)
Service Interruptions May Result From:
- Technical maintenance and updates
- Server issues or hosting problems
- Cyber attacks or security incidents
- Natural disasters or force majeure events
12. State-Specific Legal Variations
Retirement rules vary significantly by state, including:
- State pension systems and calculations
- State income tax on retirement income
- State estate and inheritance taxes
- Property tax exemptions for retirees
- State-specific Medicare supplement regulations
Our content may not address your state’s specific rules. Always verify state-specific information with:
- Your state’s retirement system website
- State department of taxation
- Licensed professionals in your state
13. Professional Consultation Strongly Recommended
When to Consult Professionals (Not Just Our Site):
Financial Advisor (CFP®):
- Comprehensive retirement income planning
- Investment strategy and portfolio management
- Coordination of multiple retirement income sources
- Estate planning coordination
CPA or Enrolled Agent:
- Tax planning for retirement income
- Roth conversion analysis
- Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) strategies
- State tax implications of retirement decisions
Benefits Counselor or HR Specialist:
- Verifying FERS, state pension, or employer pension calculations
- Understanding special provisions or categories
- Coordinating health insurance with retirement timing
Social Security Specialist:
- Complex claiming strategies for married couples
- WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) or GPO calculations
- Divorced spouse or survivor benefit optimization
Attorney:
- Estate planning and will creation
- Beneficiary designations and trusts
- Legal aspects of retirement benefits
14. Contact for Questions or Clarifications
If you have questions about how to use our resources responsibly or need clarification on any disclaimers:
General Questions:
Email: hello@readytoretirenow.com
Calculator or Content Accuracy Concerns:
Email: accuracy@readytoretirenow.com
Legal or Disclaimer Questions:
Email: legal@readytoretirenow.com
We’re Here to Help—Within Limits
We genuinely want you to retire successfully. We’ll answer questions about how to use our calculators, where to find official resources, and how to understand retirement concepts. What we can’t do is provide personalized financial, tax, or legal advice for your specific situation.
Think of us as your retirement planning teacher, not your personal retirement advisor. Teachers help you learn—advisors manage your specific situation. Both are valuable, but they serve different roles.
Final Thoughts: Using Our Resources Wisely
We created Ready to Retire Now because retirement planning shouldn’t be this confusing. Our goal is to give you the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions—but informed is the key word.
Use our resources as:
- ✅ Educational tools to understand retirement systems
- ✅ Starting points for your retirement planning research
- ✅ Ways to ask better questions of your HR office or financial advisor
- ✅ Comparison points for professional estimates you receive
- ✅ Learning resources to increase your retirement literacy
Don’t use our resources as:
- ❌ Your only source of retirement planning information
- ❌ A substitute for verification with official agencies
- ❌ Replacement for personalized professional advice
- ❌ The final word on complex retirement decisions
- ❌ Guaranteed predictions of your retirement outcome
The Right Approach: Use our calculators to understand the ballpark of your retirement benefits. Learn from our articles about how systems work. Then verify the important details with official sources and consult professionals for personalized guidance. That’s retirement planning done right.
We’re proud to be part of your retirement planning journey—just not the only part. Use us wisely, verify what matters, and retire with confidence.
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