Privacy

Thank you for visiting the BERS website. This website is designed to make it easy for in-service and retired members, employers, and others to obtain information about BERS. In addition, members can access their BERS account information and conduct transactions.

BERS recognizes the importance of maintaining your privacy. Therefore, we take comprehensive and proactive steps to ensure that your personal information is secure.

Purpose of this Policy

This policy describes BERS’ privacy practices regarding information collected from users of this website.

Personal Information

For the purposes of this policy, “personal information” means any information concerning a natural person which can be used to specifically identify that natural person. Personal information includes your name, email address, mailing address, telephone number, and BERS member number.

Collection and Use of Personal Information

BERS does not collect personal information about users of the BERS website, except in limited circumstances where such collection is necessary in order to access online services or to complete a transaction. BERS collects personal information about users only when users provide such information voluntarily while accessing the Member Self-Service (MSS) portal, the secure portion of the BERS website.

Personal information collected by BERS about a user may be disclosed by BERS only for the purpose of providing information to the user, pertaining to the user, which was requested by the user.

In this event, BERS may utilize a user’s personal information to respond to the user’s messages, phone or in-person inquiries, process the user’s request, provide the user with access to information, transmit to the user the information requested or related information, or enable the user to complete an authorized transaction.

Corrections of Personal Information

If you find that any information about you that BERS possesses is incorrect, you may request a correction by completing the relevant application form and submitting it, signed and notarized, to BERS. If you require a name change, please contact BERS using this link.

Information Collected for Statistical Purposes

The following information is collected about the users of the BERS website for statistical purposes only:

• Domain name;
• IP address;
• The type of browser, device, and operating system used to access the BERS website;
• The URL of the website from which the user was linked directly to the BERS website;
• The pages visited within the BERS website;
• Any files downloaded from the BERS website; and
• The links made to other websites from the BERS website.

This data is grouped together, making it impossible to track any individual user. The statistics are used for the purpose of identifying system performance or problem areas in order to improve future enhancements to the website. This information is not collected for commercial marketing purposes.

Sharing of Information

Generally, BERS does not share a user’s personal information with any third parties without the user’s consent. However, BERS may share such information when required by law or as described in this policy. BERS also shares certain information with other New York City or State agencies (including, but not limited to the Office of the New York City Comptroller, the New York City Office of the Actuary, and the New York City Office of Payroll Administration) as necessary to administer benefits. Certain information is also shared with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as required by law.
In the case of suspected access to BERS systems by unauthorized users or other unauthorized third parties, information in BERS computer logs may be used to determine those responsible. In such situations, BERS may share the information collected with law enforcement or other authorized entities.

Website Security

This site has security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under our control. BERS uses Secure Connection (TLS 1.2 128-bit SSL) encryption to protect the transmission of information submitted by users when accessing the MSS portal.

Third Party Links

The BERS website contains links to, and may be linked from, websites of local, state, and federal government agencies, and other websites. The existence and/or provision of those links neither constitutes nor implies endorsement of the destination or departure website or of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, accessibility, or privacy policy of said destination or departure websites. Nor does any link between this website and a third-party website imply sponsorship of such website, or the creator of such website.
Some content on portions of this website may be stored on servers run by third parties. Each agency providing content for this website is bound by our privacy policy. Any agency using a third-party host, ISP, ASP/JSP, or other combination of third-party transport, storage, content, or application provision services shall be responsible for such third party's compliance with BERS privacy policy.

Intellectual Property

The content of the BERS website is copyrighted and may contain some third-party images/graphics that are used with permission. Therefore, you should presume the need to obtain permission from the copyright holder before reproducing or otherwise using images/graphics from this website. BERS may change this policy from time to time, and reserves the right to do so without notice.

Governing Law/Jurisdiction

This website is created and controlled by BERS in the State of New York. As such, the laws of the State of New York will govern this Privacy Statement, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of laws. You hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consent and agree that the Federal and State Courts located in New York County in the State of New York shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all actions and disputes in connection with this Privacy Statement or arising out of or relating to the use of this site. In all cases, the provisions of the governing laws, rules, and regulations prevail.

Amendments and Consent to This Policy

As our website evolves, our Privacy Statement will also undergo changes. BERS reserves the right, at our discretion, to make changes to this statement at any time. We encourage you to check our Privacy Statement periodically or when you notice new features on the website. All amended terms are effective immediately upon posting. By using this site, you signify your agreement to this Privacy Statement and consent to the collection and use of your information by BERS as described herein.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this privacy policy should not be construed as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail-proof the security or accuracy of information provided through this website. BERS reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to change, modify, add, or delete portions of this policy. BERS suggests that you consult with an attorney and/or a tax advisor should you have any specific legal or tax questions concerning specific information provided through this website.

Effective Date

This privacy statement is effective as of September 24, 2021. We reserve the right to change this statement. If we change it, we will post the current privacy statement on this page. Any changes to this statement will be effective as of the day they are posted.