RSSA Roadmap Terms of Use

Be sure to read the RSSA Roadmap Terms of Use below, as this covers the terms and conditions that apply to your visits to, use of, and navigation of this website and the RSSA Roadmap (Software) (the "Website," or "Site").

The National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, LTD. ("RSSA") may change these Terms of Use from time to time. By continuing to use the Site following such modifications, you agree to be bound by such modifications to the Terms of Use.

General Terms and Conditions

In consideration of use of the Site, you agree to: (a) provide true, accurate, current and complete information about yourself as prompted by the registration page; and (b) to maintain and update this information to keep it true, accurate, current and complete. If any information provided by you is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, RSSA has the right to terminate any account you create and refuse any and all current or future use of the Site. You agree not to resell, rent, copy or transfer content of or access to the Site or to attempt to do so.

You acknowledge and agree that you must: (a) provide for your own access to the World Wide Web and the Site, and pay any internet service provider fees associated with such access, and (b) provide all equipment necessary for you to make such connection to the World Wide Web and to the Site, including a computer and modem or other access device. You also agree to keep your computer, and all operating system and other software updated, including all software and security updates.

By using the Site, including any applets, widgets, web applications or other software and content contained therein, you agree that use of the Site is entirely at your own risk. THE SITE IS PROVIDED "AS IS," WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY FOR INFORMATION, DATA, SERVICES, UNINTERRUPTED ACCESS, OR PRODUCTS PROVIDED THROUGH OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SITE. SPECIFICALLY, RSSA DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (1) ANY WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE AVAILABILITY, ACCURACY, USEFULNESS, OR CONTENT OF THE SITE, ITS INFORMATION, PRODUCTS OR SERVICES AND (2) ANY WARRANTIES OF TITLE, WARRANTY OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THIS DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY APPLIES TO ANY DAMAGES OR INJURY CAUSED BY ANY FAILURE OF PERFORMANCE, ERROR, OMISSION, INTERRUPTION, DELETION, DEFECT, DELAY IN OPERATION OR TRANSMISSION, COMPUTER VIRUS, COMMUNICATION LINE FAILURE, THEFT OR DESTRUCTION OR UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO, ALTERATION OF, OR USE OF RECORD, WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORTUOUS BEHAVIOR, NEGLIGENCE, OR UNDER ANY OTHER CAUSE OF ACTION.

NEITHER RSSA NOR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, AFFILIATES, WEBSITE CO-BRANDING PROVIDERS OR CONTENT OR SERVICE PROVIDERS SHALL BE LIABLE TO YOU OR OTHER THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF USE OF SITE OR ITS CONTENT OR INABILITY TO GAIN ACCESS TO OR USE THE SITE OR OUT OF ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. IN SUCH STATES, THE RESPECTIVE LIABILITY OF RSSA, ITS EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, AFFILIATES, WEBSITE CO-BRANDING PROVIDERS AND CONTENT OR SERVICE PROVIDERS RESPECTIVE LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY SUCH STATE LAW.

RSSA is the owner and/or authorized user/licensee of all trademarks, registered trademarks and/or service marks appearing on this Web Site, and is the copyright owner or licensee of content and/or information on this Website including but not limited to any screens appearing at the Site.

You may not download and/or save a copy of any of the screens or content except as otherwise provided in these Terms of Use. However, you may print a copy of the information on this Site for your personal use or records. If you make unauthorized use of this Site, you may violate copyright and other laws of the United States, other countries, as well as applicable state laws and you may be subject to penalties. RSSA does not grant any license or other authorization to use its trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, copyrights, content or other copyrightable material, patents or other intellectual property, by placing them on this Website.

RSSA reserves the right to change any information on this Website including but not limited to revising and/or deleting products, services, content, offers, pricing, features or other information without prior notice. Clicking on certain links within this Website might take you to other RSSA or affiliated web sites, or to third-party websites for which RSSA assumes no responsibility of any kind. (See "Links from and to this Website" below.) The content presented at this Site may vary depending upon your browser limitations.

Limitation of Liability for Advisor Actions

RSSA is not responsible for, and shall not be held liable for, any advice, recommendations, or actions taken by an RSSA or any advisor using the RSSA Roadmap Software. Any decisions or actions based on the use of the Software are solely the responsibility of the individual advisor or RSSA, and RSSA is not liable for any outcomes resulting from such advice or actions. By using the Software, you agree to hold RSSA harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising out of or related to the advice or conduct of any RSSA or advisor.

Social Security Analysis Disclaimer

The Social Security analysis produced is prepared in accordance with standards established by the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts Ltd. (RSSA). RSSA Roadmap® provides benefit estimates by taking into consideration historical earnings, future assumptions, and conditions provided by the user to determine optimal Social Security benefit claiming dates and strategies. The RSSA Roadmap® report is based on current Social Security law. The user is responsible for representations related to future earnings, retirement dates, life expectancy, and other requested fields. The realization of assumptions, and other significant information, might affect the projected results. Predictive financial modeling is limited to the assumptions provided and differences may be significant. RSSA produces results and reports based on information and assumptions provided at the time the report is created.

RSSA Roadmap® (Roadmap) was developed and is independently owned by RSSA which provides a comprehensive online educational platform and support for financial professionals to obtain education in Social Security. The Roadmap and calculators provide options to consider for planning future financial decisions, but does not provide any other form of advice, which can only be delivered by an authorized professional. Due to legislative changes, timing, economic conditions, underlying code errors, and data omissions, outputs may prove false.

Calculation of Results

The results displayed in the RSSA Roadmap Software, including monthly and annual benefit totals, are based on the year the youngest spouse reaches age 71. Total lifetime benefits presented in the heatmap are shown as the present value of all future benefits, calculated based on estimated life expectancies and incorporating an assumed nominal rate of return and inflation rate. Adjustments to economic settings may occur in July and January of each year, or as needed due to changing circumstances. Longevity comparison results are generated based on the life expectancies provided, but it is important to note that actual life spans cannot be accurately predicted. Additional longevity scenarios are included to help better understand potential lifetime benefits in various cases. Results may vary significantly based on actual lifespans and other factors.

Understanding Your Social Security Filing Decision

Social Security is a crucial component of retirement planning for most American workers, providing essential income replacement for qualified retirees and their families. Deciding when to begin receiving Social Security benefits is a personal decision that can significantly impact your financial future.

When planning your Social Security strategy, consider the following factors:

• Future Earnings: How much you plan to earn in the coming years and how that may affect your benefits.
• Health and Life Expectancy: Consider your current health and potential longevity when deciding when to start benefits.
• Other Assets and Investments: Review your other sources of income, such as pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs, or life insurance, to determine how Social Security fits into your overall financial plan.
• Debt: Take into account any outstanding debts, such as mortgages, equity loans, credit cards, or car loans, which may affect your financial needs in retirement.

Based on your personal circumstances, develop your own plan for when to begin collecting Social Security benefits. If significant changes occur, especially related to health, re-evaluate your options. It is advisable to file your application in advance. Regularly monitor your mySocialSecurity account to ensure your earnings are recorded accurately.

Applying for Social Security Benefits

The simplest way to apply is through the Social Security Administration’s online application. You can also apply by phone or at your local Social Security office.

Before applying, finalize your Social Security claiming strategy. Gather necessary information, such as your Social Security number, marriage history, employer names, bank account details, and other personal information.

When applying online, you will be informed of the required documents, which typically include your original birth certificate, proof of citizenship or lawful alien status, and a copy of your W-2.

After submitting your application, the Social Security Administration will review it and may contact you for additional information. You will receive a decision letter by mail once your application has been processed.

No Government Affiliation

RSSA has no affiliation with the Social Security Administration or any government agency. Only advisors at the Social Security Administration can assist in filing for benefits, confirm eligibility, and provide exact benefit amounts. The Roadmap is not intended to provide legal, tax, benefit, or investment advice, or provide any guidance to avoid penalties imposed under government legislation.

User Conduct On the Site

While using the Site, you may not:

• Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Site; or
• Post or transmit any unlawful, fraudulent, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, profane, threatening, abusive, hateful, offensive, or otherwise objectionable information of any kind, including without limitation any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any local, state, national or foreign law, including without limitation the U.S. export control laws and regulations; or
• Post or transmit any advertisements, solicitations, chain letters, pyramid schemes, investment opportunities or schemes or other unsolicited commercial communication (except as otherwise expressly permitted by RSSA) or engage in spamming or flooding; or
• Post or transmit any information or software which contains a virus, trojan horse, worm or other harmful component; or
• Post, publish, transmit, reproduce, distribute or in any way exploit any information, software or other material obtained through the Site for commercial purposes (other than as expressly permitted by the provider of such information, software or other material); or
• Upload, post, publish, transmit, reproduce, or distribute in any way, information, software or other material obtained through the Site which is protected by copyright, or other proprietary right, or derivative works with respect thereto, without obtaining permission of the copyright owner or rightsholder; or
• Upload, post, publish, reproduce, transmit or distribute in any way any component of the Site itself or derivative works with respect thereto, as the Site is copyrighted as a collective work under U.S. copyright laws.

You are solely responsible for anything you write, submit, receive, share and store or any data you input into the Site (collectively, your "Content"). Content includes, but is not limited to, data, information, materials, text, graphics, images, audio or video that are uploaded, transmitted, posted, generated, stored or otherwise made available through the Site. You have no obligation to provide any content to the Site, and you're free to choose the content that you want to provide. You acknowledge certain functionality in the Site may be dependent on the provision of Content and may not be available without such Content.

Your Content remains yours, which means that you retain any intellectual property rights that you may have in your Content. By sharing your Content on the Site, you hereby grant RSSA a license to use your Content, as described in more detail below.

What's Covered

These licenses to RSSA cover your Content to the extent your Content is protected by intellectual property rights.

Access to Accounts and Client Data

By using the RSSA Roadmap Software, you acknowledge and consent that RSSA employees may access your account, including any client data you have inputted, for the purposes of providing user support, evaluating cases, validating information, conducting educational activities, and ensuring the proper functioning of the Software. This access is strictly controlled and limited to authorized personnel, and is undertaken solely to assist in improving your user experience, addressing any issues you may encounter, enhancing educational initiatives, and maintaining the quality and security of the Software.

Data Usage and Anonymization

RSSA reserves the right to collect and use data provided by users for the purpose of improving services, conducting research, and analyzing trends. All data used for these purposes will be anonymized to ensure that it cannot be traced back to any individual or entity. Anonymization involves the removal or modification of any personally identifiable information (PII), ensuring the data is aggregated and used solely in a non-identifiable form. By using our services, users consent to the collection and anonymization of their data as outlined above, with the understanding that such data will only be used to enhance service offerings, improve user experience, and contribute to industry research and development.

Scope

This license from you to RSSA is:

• worldwide, which means it's valid anywhere in the world;
• non-exclusive, which means you can license your Content to others; and
• royalty-free, which means there are no fees for this license.

Rights

This license allows RSSA to:

• host, copy, reproduce, distribute, communicate, publish, sublicense and use your Content — for example, to save your Content on our systems and make it accessible to you and to anyone, anywhere in the world;
• modify and create derivative works based on your Content, such as reformatting or translating it.

Purpose

This license is for the limited purpose of operating, providing and improving the Site, which means, among other uses, allowing the Site to work as designed and creating new features and functionalities.

Duration

This license is perpetual and irrevocable and lasts for as long as your Content is protected by intellectual property rights.

RSSA may collect, derive or generate de-identified and/or aggregated data regarding your usage of or the performance of the Site, including data derived from your Content. RSSA will own all such data and may use this data without restriction, including, but not limited to, operating, analyzing, improving or marketing RSSA's products and services, including the Site.

As between you and RSSA, RSSA and its licensors retain all rights, title or interest in and to the Site, except for any limited rights specifically granted to you.

Chatbots

We may use Chatbots to optimize your experience. These technologies are evolving and may have limitations.

When you use the Platform, you may use or interact with automated features like chatbots, digital assistants, conversational experiences powered by artificial intelligence, or similar technologies (“Chatbots”). Information generated by Chatbots may not be unique.

While Chatbots are designed to improve your experience, these technologies are evolving and may have limitations such as generating outputs that are inaccurate or inappropriate to your situation.

AI Tools and Features

We may use AI-powered tools and features to enhance your experience with the RSSA Roadmap Software. These technologies, including but not limited to automated assistants, conversational interfaces, and other AI-driven functionalities ("AI Tools"), are designed to provide you with improved support, insights, and interactions. However, as these technologies are evolving, they may have limitations, such as generating outputs that may not be entirely accurate, unique, or appropriate to your specific situation. While we strive to ensure the quality and reliability of AI Tools, you should use them as supplementary resources and not as definitive solutions.

Prohibited Uses by You

We expect you to obey the law and follow certain rules in using the Site.

RSSA does not condone or support any activity that is illegal, violates the rights of others, harms or damages RSSA's reputation or could cause RSSA to be liable to a third party. At minimum, you may not use the Site to:

• Violate any law, regulation, executive order or ordinance, including through actions that give rise to criminal, civil, administrative or regulatory liability and/or fines;
• Post or share Content that is or may be illegal or inappropriate, including material that may be defamatory, obscene, harassing, offensive, fraudulent, objectionable or infringing;
• Transmit any virus, trojan horse or other disruptive or harmful software or data;
• Attempt to hack or break through the security of the Site, or engage in a denial-of- service attack against the Site, or enable others to do so;
• Send any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, such as spam;
• Impersonate or misrepresent your affiliation with RSSA;
• Resell, license or provide free or unauthorized access to the Site or make the Site available on any file-sharing, virtual desktop or application hosting service;
• Attempt to reverse engineer in any way any of the Site;
• Engage in unauthorized access, monitoring, interference with or use of the Site or third party accounts, information (including personal information), computers, systems or networks, including scraping, copying or downloading content that doesn't belong to you;
• Use the Site for general archiving or back-up purposes; or
• Encourage or enable any other individual to do any of the above or otherwise violate this Agreement.

We take copyright seriously at RSSA. We respect the copyrights of others and expect you to do the same. If you repeatedly infringe the copyrights of others, we may terminate your account.

RSSA may terminate your use of the Site based on our reasonable suspicion that your activities, business or products are objectionable or promote, support or engage in any of the prohibited uses described above.

RSSA may (but has no obligation to) monitor the use of the Site or Content and may edit or remove any Content. We may disclose any information necessary to satisfy our legal obligations, protect RSSA or its customers or operate the Site properly.

Community Forums; Feedback

You may be able to communicate with others through our Site, but please be respectful. Suggestions you provide for improving our Site may be used freely by us.

The Site may include a community forum or other social features that enable you to exchange Content and information with other users of the Site and the public. RSSA does not support and is not responsible for the Content in these community forums. Please be respectful when you interact with other users. Do not reveal information that you do not want to make public. Users may post hypertext links to content of third parties for which RSSA is not responsible.

You may provide RSSA with your feedback, suggestions or ideas for the Site. You grant RSSA a perpetual, worldwide, fully transferable, sublicensable, irrevocable, fully paid-up, royalty free license to use your feedback, suggestions and ideas in any way, including in future modifications of the Site, other products or services, advertising or marketing materials.

RSSA has no obligation to monitor the Site. However, you acknowledge and agree that RSSA has the right to monitor the Site and to disclose any information as necessary or appropriate to satisfy any law, regulation or other governmental request, to monitor the security of the Site and to detect unauthorized uses, and to protect itself and its customers. RSSA will not intentionally monitor or disclose any private electronic-mail message submitted via the Site unless required by law. RSSA reserves the right to refuse to post or to remove any information or materials, in whole or in part, that, in its sole discretion, are unacceptable, undesirable, inappropriate or in violation of these Terms of Use.

Unless otherwise indicated for a particular communication, any communications or material of any kind that you e-mail, post or otherwise transmit through this Website, including data, questions, comments or suggestions ("your Communications") will be treated as non- confidential and nonproprietary. In addition, you understand and agree that RSSA is free to use any ideas, suggestions, concepts, know-how or techniques contained in your Communications for any purpose including, but not limited to, developing and marketing products using such information without compensation to you.

Failure to Comply With Terms and Conditions and Termination

You acknowledge and agree that RSSA may terminate your password or account or deny you access to all or part of the Site without prior notice if you engage in any conduct or activities that RSSA in its sole discretion believes violate any of the terms and conditions, violate the rights of RSSA, or is otherwise inappropriate for continued access.

You acknowledge and agree that RSSA may in its sole discretion deny you access through RSSA to any materials stored on the Internet, or to access third party services, merchandise or information on the Internet through RSSA, and RSSA shall have no responsibility to notify any third-party providers of services, merchandise or information nor any responsibility for any consequences resulting from lack of notification.

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold RSSA and its affiliates harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising in any way from your use of the Site or the placement or transmission of any message, information, software or other materials through the Site by you or users of your account or related to any violation of these Terms of Use by you or users of your account.

Links from and to this Website

You acknowledge and agree that RSSA and any of its website co-branding providers have no responsibility for the accuracy or availability of information provided by linked sites. Links to external web sites do not constitute an endorsement by RSSA or its website co-branding providers of the sponsors of such sites or the content, products, advertising or other materials presented on such sites.

Information in the many web pages that are linked to RSSA's Website comes from a variety of sources. Some of this information comes from official RSSA licensees, but much of it comes from unofficial or unaffiliated organizations and individuals, both internal and external to RSSA. RSSA does not author, edit, or monitor these unofficial pages or links. You acknowledge and agree that RSSA and its Website Co-branding Providers shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on such external sites or resources.

Other Information

RSSA is taking reasonable and appropriate measures, including encryption, to ensure that your personal information is disclosed only to those specified by you. However, the Internet is an open system, and we cannot and do not guarantee that the personal information you have entered will not be intercepted by others and decrypted.

If you wish to make purchases through the Site, you may be asked by the merchant or information or service provider from whom you are making the purchase to supply certain information, including credit card or other payment mechanism information. You agree not to hold RSSA liable for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as a result of any such dealings with any merchant or information or service provider through the Site. You agree that all information you provide any merchant or information or service provider through the Site for purposes of making purchases will be accurate, complete and current. The merchants and information and service providers offering merchandise, information and services through the Site set their own prices and may change prices or institute new prices at any time. You agree to pay all charges incurred by users of your account and credit card or other payment mechanism at the prices in effect when such charges are incurred. You also will be responsible for paying any applicable taxes relating to purchases through the Site.

Communication and Notifications

By using the RSSA Roadmap Software, you consent to RSSA contacting you with questions, assistance, and other support related to your use of the Software. Additionally, RSSA may send you emails regarding updates to the Software, changes to Social Security regulations, new products, services, features and tools, discounts, partner offers, and other relevant information. You have the option to opt out of these notifications at any time by providing written notice to RSSA. However, please note that opting out of certain notifications may limit your access to important updates and information that could enhance your use of the Software.

IRS Circular 230 Notice

Nothing in our communications with you (including, but not limited to, any emails, web site content, attachments, enclosures or other accompanying materials) relating to any federal tax transaction or matter are considered to be "covered opinions" as described in Circular 230.

Miscellaneous

The Terms of Use and the relationship between you and RSSA shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

The failure of RSSA to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the Terms of Use shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. If any provision of the Terms of Use is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the parties nevertheless agree that the court should endeavor to give effect to the parties' intentions as reflected in the provision, and the other provisions of the Terms of Use remain in full force and effect.

Disputes

You and RSSA agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy related to the use of the Site and Software will be resolved through binding arbitration or small claims court, instead of in general courts. Either you or RSSA can choose to have a claim resolved in Small Claims Court if it meets the court's requirements. This can be done in your county of residence, or the closest small claims court, including in the District Court of New York, County of Nassau.

Arbitration is a simpler, more informal process than going to court. It uses a neutral arbitrator instead of a judge or jury and may involve less evidence and fewer formalities. The U.S. Federal Arbitration Act governs this process, and by agreeing to arbitration, you and RSSA waive the right to a jury trial or to participate in a class action. Before starting arbitration, you must first send a written notice ("Notice of Claim") to RSSA at the provided address. If RSSA decides to initiate arbitration, it will send a Notice of Claim to your address on file. The notice should describe the nature of the dispute and the specific relief you seek.

You and RSSA agree to try to resolve the dispute informally before starting arbitration or going to small claims court. This involves a good-faith discussion by phone or videoconference to find a mutually beneficial solution. If the dispute is not resolved within 60 days of receiving the Notice of Claim, either party may begin arbitration or file a claim in small claims court. If the dispute qualifies for small claims court, it can be resolved there instead of arbitration. The arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its rules. A single arbitrator, who is either a retired judge or a licensed attorney, will be chosen by the parties. The arbitration will take place in the county of your residence or another agreed-upon location. The arbitrator will issue a written decision explaining their findings. This decision is binding only on the parties involved and cannot be used in other cases. RSSA will not seek to recover legal fees from you unless the arbitrator finds your claim was frivolous or brought for an improper purpose. You are required to pay the initial filing fee for arbitration, but RSSA will reimburse this fee if it exceeds the cost of filing a lawsuit in your county or in Nassau County, New York, unless the arbitrator finds your claim frivolous. You and RSSA agree that any claims must be brought individually and not as part of a class action. If this waiver is found unenforceable, the entire dispute resolution section will be void.

You and RSSA agree that each may bring claims against the other only in your or its individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding. Further, if you have elected arbitration, unless both you and RSSA agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate any other person's Claims with your Claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. If RSSA believes that any Claim you have filed in arbitration or in court is inconsistent with the limitations in this paragraph, then you agree that RSSA may seek an order from a court determining whether your Claim is within the scope of the Class Action Waiver. If this Class Action Waiver is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this Disputes Section shall be null and void. This section shall survive expiration, termination or rescission of these Terms of Use.