ReadyToRetireNow.com
Effective Date: January 15, 2025
Last Updated: November 10, 2025
Look, we get it—nobody enjoys reading privacy policies. But here’s what you actually need to know: we take your privacy seriously. We collect the minimum information needed to run our retirement planning tools and send you helpful content. We never sell your data. We protect it like it’s our own (because sometimes it is—we use our own platform). If you have questions, email us at privacy@readytoretirenow.com and a real human will respond.
Now here’s the legal version that our lawyer insists we include…
1. Information We Collect
We collect information to provide you with accurate retirement planning tools, helpful content, and to improve our services. Here’s exactly what we collect and why:
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
Email Address: When you subscribe to our newsletter or create an account to save calculator results.
Calculator Inputs: When you use our retirement calculators (FERS, Social Security, etc.), we temporarily store your inputs (current age, salary, years of service, etc.) to provide accurate projections. This data is stored locally in your browser and only sent to our servers if you choose to save your calculations for future reference.
Contact Information: When you email us with questions or feedback, we keep your name, email address, and message content to respond and improve our resources.
Comments: If you leave comments on articles, we collect your name (or username), email address, and comment content.
What We DON’T Collect: We don’t collect Social Security numbers, bank account information, credit card details (we don’t sell anything), or your mother’s maiden name. Any sensitive financial data you enter in calculators stays in your browser unless you explicitly save it.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
Usage Data: We collect information about how you use our site—which pages you visit, which calculators you use, how long you stay, and how you navigate. This helps us understand which retirement topics matter most to our readers.
Device & Browser Information: We collect technical information like your IP address, browser type, device type, and operating system to ensure our calculators work properly across different platforms.
Cookies & Similar Technologies: We use cookies (small text files) to remember your preferences, keep you logged in, and understand how people use our site. More details in Section 6.
2. How We Use Your Information
Here’s what we actually do with the information we collect. No surprises, no hidden purposes:
| Purpose | Why It Matters to You | Legal Basis (GDPR) |
|---|---|---|
| Provide Calculator Results | So you can actually get accurate retirement projections | Performance of service |
| Send Newsletter Content | COLA updates, new calculator releases, retirement planning tips | Your consent (you can unsubscribe anytime) |
| Respond to Questions | When you email us asking about FERS or Social Security | Legitimate interest + your request |
| Improve Our Tools | If lots of people abandon the FERS calculator halfway through, we know we need to simplify it | Legitimate interest |
| Prevent Fraud & Abuse | Stop spam bots from flooding our comment sections | Legitimate interest |
| Comply with Laws | If legally required to provide information (rare, but possible) | Legal obligation |
What We DON’T Do: We don’t sell or rent your email address. We don’t share your calculator data with advertisers. We don’t send you spam about products we don’t believe in. When we recommend retirement gifts or financial tools, we clearly mark affiliate relationships.
3. How We Share Your Information
We share your information with a very limited set of trusted partners—and only when necessary:
3.1 Service Providers We Use
Email Service (Mailchimp/ConvertKit): To send you newsletters and retirement planning updates. They’re contractually required to protect your data and can only use it for sending emails on our behalf.
Web Analytics (Google Analytics): To understand which retirement topics interest people most. We’ve configured GA to anonymize IP addresses and we don’t share personal identification information.
Website Hosting (Hostinger/CloudFlare): To keep the site fast and secure. They provide infrastructure but don’t access your personal information.
Comment System (Disqus/native system): If you comment on articles, the comment platform processes your name and comment content.
3.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if legally required to do so—for example, in response to valid subpoenas, court orders, or other legal processes. We’ll notify you if legally permitted to do so.
3.3 Business Transfers
If Ready to Retire Now is acquired by or merged with another company, your information may be transferred to the new owners. We’d notify you via email and update this policy.
3.4 With Your Consent
We might share your information in other circumstances, but only with your explicit consent. For example, if you specifically ask us to forward your question to a retirement expert.
Important: We NEVER sell your personal information. We don’t sell email lists. We don’t provide your calculator data to data brokers. We don’t rent your contact information to third parties. This is non-negotiable.
4. Data Protection & Security
We protect your information using industry-standard security measures. Here’s what that actually means:
Encryption: Our entire site uses HTTPS/SSL encryption. When you enter data in calculators or send us emails, it’s encrypted in transit.
Access Controls: Only specific team members (Sarah, Michael, and our tech lead Marcus) have access to user data, and only when necessary for support or service improvement.
Secure Storage: Personal information is stored on secure servers with restricted access, regular security updates, and automatic backups.
Password Protection: If you create an account, your password is encrypted (hashed and salted) so even we can’t see it.
Regular Audits: We review our security practices quarterly and update them based on current best practices.
But Here’s the Reality: No internet transmission is 100% secure. We do everything reasonably possible to protect your data, but we can’t guarantee absolute security. That’s why we minimize what we collect in the first place.
5. Your Privacy Rights
You have significant control over your information. Here’s how to exercise your rights:
5.1 For All Users (Regardless of Location)
Access Your Data: Email privacy@readytoretirenow.com and we’ll send you a copy of the personal information we have about you (usually just your email and any saved calculator data).
Correct Your Data: If any information we have is incorrect, let us know and we’ll fix it immediately.
Delete Your Data: Request deletion by emailing us. We’ll remove your information within 30 days (unless we’re legally required to retain something).
Unsubscribe: Every email has an unsubscribe link. Click it and you’re immediately removed from our list. Or email us directly.
Export Your Data: Request a downloadable copy of any calculator results you’ve saved.
5.2 Additional Rights for EU Residents (GDPR)
If you’re in the European Union, you have additional rights:
- Right to Object: Object to our processing of your information for legitimate interests
- Right to Restrict: Ask us to temporarily restrict processing your information
- Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
- Right to Withdraw Consent: For processing based on consent, withdraw it anytime
- Right to Lodge Complaints: File a complaint with your local data protection authority
EU Data Protection Officer Contact: dpo@readytoretirenow.com
5.3 Additional Rights for California Residents (CCPA)
If you’re a California resident, you have these rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:
- Right to Know: What personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell (we don’t sell)
- Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
- Right to Opt-Out: We don’t sell data, but you can opt out of data sharing with third parties
- Right to Non-Discrimination: We treat everyone equally regardless of whether they exercise privacy rights
To Exercise CCPA Rights: Email privacy@readytoretirenow.com with “CCPA Request” in the subject line
6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Let’s talk about cookies—and no, not the kind you eat with retirement cake.
What Cookies We Use:
| Cookie Type | Purpose | Duration | Can You Disable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | Keep you logged in, remember calculator preferences, security | Session/1 year | No (site won’t work without them) |
| Analytics | Google Analytics to understand which retirement topics interest readers | 2 years | Yes (we still work fine) |
| Functional | Remember if you prefer detailed or simplified calculator views | 1 year | Yes (but you’ll need to set preferences each visit) |
| Advertising | Google AdSense for display ads that fund free calculators | Varies | Yes (via browser or ad settings) |
How to Control Cookies:
- Most browsers let you refuse cookies or delete existing ones
- Visit aboutads.info/choices to opt out of personalized advertising
- Enable “Do Not Track” in your browser (we honor this signal)
- Use our cookie consent banner to manage preferences
7. Third-Party Services & Links
Our site contains links to other retirement planning resources, government websites (like OPM.gov and SSA.gov), and recommended products. We’re not responsible for their privacy practices.
Third-Party Services We Use:
- Google Analytics: Website analytics (privacy policy)
- Mailchimp/ConvertKit: Email newsletters (privacy policy)
- Google AdSense: Display advertising (ad privacy)
- Amazon Associates: Retirement gift recommendations (affiliate links)
When You Click Our Links: If you click an affiliate link (like retirement gift recommendations) and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect your price or privacy—Amazon and other merchants have their own privacy policies.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our site is designed for adults planning retirement. We don’t knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you’re under 18 and accidentally submitted information, please email privacy@readytoretirenow.com and we’ll delete it immediately.
If you’re a parent and believe your child has provided us with personal information, contact us immediately.
9. International Data Transfers
Our servers are located in the United States. If you access our site from outside the US, your information will be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States.
For EU Users: We rely on Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission for transfers to the US. Your data is protected by the same standards whether processed in the EU or US.
10. Data Retention
We keep your information only as long as necessary:
- Newsletter Subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe (then deleted within 30 days)
- Saved Calculator Data: Until you delete your account or request deletion
- Email Correspondence: Generally 2 years for support purposes
- Analytics Data: Aggregated data retained up to 26 months (per Google Analytics retention settings)
- Legal Requirements: If law requires retention, we’ll keep data only as long as legally mandated
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We’ll update this policy as needed to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we’ll:
- Update the “Last Updated” date at the top
- Email active newsletter subscribers about major changes
- Post a notice on our homepage for 30 days
We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our site after changes means you accept the updated policy.
12. Contact Us About Privacy
Questions about this policy? Concerns about your data? Want to exercise your privacy rights? We’re here to help:
Privacy Inquiries:
Email: privacy@readytoretirenow.com
Response time: Usually within 48 hours, definitely within 30 days (as required by GDPR/CCPA)
EU Data Protection Officer:
Email: dpo@readytoretirenow.com
Mailing Address:
Ready to Retire Now – Privacy Matters
1309 Coffeen Avenue STE 1200
Sheridan Wyoming 82801
United States
Phone: +1 (301) 555-0147
(Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM EST for privacy matters only)
13. Your California Privacy Rights (Shine the Light Law)
California Civil Code Section § 1798.83 permits California residents to request information about disclosure of personal information to third parties for direct marketing purposes. As stated throughout this policy: we don’t share your personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes.
14. Nevada Privacy Rights
Nevada residents have the right to opt out of the sale of certain covered information. We do not sell your covered information as defined under Nevada law. If you’re a Nevada resident and still want to submit an opt-out request, email privacy@readytoretirenow.com.
Translation from Legalese
If you actually read all of that, congratulations—you’re more patient than most! Here’s the ultra-simple version:
- We collect your email if you subscribe and calculator data if you save it
- We use cookies to make the site work and understand what content helps people most
- We never sell your information. Period.
- You can access, correct, or delete your data anytime
- We protect your information with standard security measures
- Questions? Email privacy@readytoretirenow.com
Bottom Line: We respect your privacy because we’d want ours respected too. We’re retirement planning nerds, not data miners.
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