VRS - Web Policy

Web Policy

Cookies |
Copyright Notice |
Data Collection |
Disclaimer |
E-mail Security |
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) |
Linking Policy |
Plug-ins |
Privacy Statement |
Security |
Surveys |
System Availability

Cookies

VRS uses electronic "cookies," which are simple text files that contain information related to your use of the VRS Web site and are required to access some VRS online services. VRS does not store any personal information in cookies.

Copyright Notice

This Web site is maintained by the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). The pages, materials and screens featured on this site are copyrighted by VRS. Visitors may download any material from this site for personal, non-commercial use. No materials may be reproduced for profit or used without the permission of VRS. The name, Virginia Retirement System (VRS), and logos featured on this site or in VRS publications are trademarks and may not be used without permission.

For permission to use VRS material, please contact the Director of Public Relations.

Data Collection

When you access the VRS Web site, some information is automatically collected about your visit, including but not limited to the following:

Your Internet domain and IP address
The date and time you visited the site
The pages you visited
The Web address of the site from which you linked to the VRS site

Collection of this information helps us improve the content of the VRS Web site and understand how people use VRS Web pages. By doing this, we can alter and improve the site for use by our customers.

Disclaimer

VRS provides this Web site as a convenient method for members and the public to obtain information about the benefits and services provided by VRS. Every effort is made to ensure that all information appearing here is timely and accurate. However, this material is subject to change and VRS will not be held responsible for any errors or the use of any results obtained from this site.

In the event of any conflict between the information presented on this Web site and the laws governing retirement benefits, the law prevails. The provisions of Title 51.1 of the Code of Virginia contain the laws that govern VRS. The Virginia General Assembly makes changes to these laws periodically. VRS is a defined benefit plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, which also is subject to change

E-mail Security

Do not send confidential or personal information, such as a Social Security number, via e-mail from your computer, through the VRS Web site or through secure areas of the site. VRS will send only non-confidential replies.

You are not required to provide any information requested via this Web site. However, please be aware that some features or services, such as Web forms, may not function without the requested information.

Important E-mail Notice: Do not send confidential or personal information, such as a Social Security number, via e-mail. This communication is not secure. To protect the privacy of our customers, VRS will send only non-confidential replies.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

To request information from VRS covered by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), please call 1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847), ext. 3123. To learn more about FOIA, visit the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council Web site.

Linking Policy

This Web site includes hyperlinks to other Web sites that are neither controlled nor sponsored by the Virginia Retirement System. They are included on the VRS site solely as a reference, research or information tool related to VRS' mission. Inclusion of any hyperlink should not be interpreted as an endorsement by VRS of the site, the site's sponsor, information, product or service.

Plug-ins Required to Use This Site

Some of the content provided on the VRS Web site requires the following plug-ins, or separate browser components, to view properly. These are free plug-ins:

Viewing Downloads: Adobe's Acrobat Reader® is required to view most PDF files on this site.
Viewing Presentations: Adobe® Flash® Player is required to view VRS online presentations.

Privacy Statement

The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) is committed to protecting the privacy of its customers. VRS does not sell customer information to anyone. Information is shared only with those authorized to administer benefits and services for VRS members, retirees and beneficiaries. The records maintained by VRS are protected as provided by the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Personal information, such as name and Social Security number, is collected solely to administer benefits and services, including online services.

Security

VRS employs 128-bit encryption to protect the information on the secure site. This is standard industry technology that creates a secure environment for the transfer of information from your computer to VRS.

You can tell you are on a secure page by looking at the symbol at the bottom of the Web page. There will be a key or lock displayed on secure pages. Only submit data if these signs are present.

If VRS suspects there has been unauthorized access to customer information, we will contact the appropriate legal authorities.

Surveys

From time to time, VRS may request information from customers via surveys. Participation in these surveys is completely voluntary, and responses are kept strictly confidential. If you are contacted to complete a survey, it is your choice whether or not to participate. Survey information is used to monitor or improve VRS customer services and products as well as this Web site.

System Availability

When needed, routine maintenance of the VRS Web site occurs on Thursdays beginning at 6 p.m. Occasionally, maintenance is necessary on other days of the week as well. In each case, VRS will post an announcement on the Web site alerting visitors to system availability.