TRS Privacy Statement

Information Collection and Use

TRS does not collect personal information about persons who visit this website except in limited circumstances where such information is required to complete a transaction or communication or to access online services. For example, TRS may collect personal information when a visitor provides personal information in an electronic mail message to TRS, fills out a MyTRS form or request such as online registration for benefit presentations, or accesses online services that may require you to provide personally identifying information. Such services include the RE Portal for reporting officials and MyTRS for TRS members and annuitants, including TRS email subscription service for online subscriptions. In this event, TRS may use some or all of the information to respond to your message, direct your inquiry to an agent of TRS who is in a better position to answer your question, process your request, provide you access to information you are authorized to receive, transmit to you the information you request or to which you subscribe, transmit to you related information, or enable you to complete an authorized transaction. We may also use the information to analyze trends.

Sharing Information TRS Collects

Generally, TRS does not share your personal information with third-parties, unless we have asked for and obtained your consent. However, TRS may share your information when required by law or as described in this statement. TRS sometimes needs to coordinate efforts with other parties, such as the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, other Texas public retirement systems, your current or past employers, health plan administrators (whether for TRS-Care, TRS-ActiveCare, or another health plan you may participate in), or the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

TRS has a responsibility to protect our computer resources. If we believe an attempt is being made through the Internet to break into or otherwise abuse our computer systems or business information, we will use the information in our computer log and other means available to determine those responsible. As part of these efforts, TRS may share the information we gather with law enforcement or other authorized entities.

At the current time, TRS does not sell or otherwise disclose your personal information for marketing purposes.

MyTRS, RE Portal, and Other Restricted Access Pages

When you access or use MyTRS, the RE Portal, or any other parts of this website with restricted access, you represent that you are an authorized user and you agree to the terms and conditions published on this website.

Health Information Privacy

For information about how TRS may use and share your health information and your health privacy rights, please review the Notice of Privacy Practices (TRS 626) (pdf) .

Cookies

Some of the online services hosted by TRS use cookies. A cookie is a small text file that a website stores on a visitor's personal computer to track specific information about that visitor's interaction with the website. The services hosted by TRS use only session cookies. A session cookie is temporary and only exists during a single session in which a visitor visits TRS. Session cookies are used to keep track of a particular online transaction. TRS session cookies are destroyed after successful completion of a transaction, after a few minutes of inactivity, or when the browser is closed.

Log Files

TRS does collect generic information for analysis and statistical purposes. Specifically, TRS uses log analysis tools to create summary statistics, which are used for purposes such as assessing what information is of most interest to users, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas. The following information is collected for this analysis:

• User Client hostname – The hostname of the Internet provider of the user/client requesting access or the IP address if the Domain Name System (DNS) is disabled;
• HTTP header, "user-agent" – The user-agent information includes the type of browser, its version, and the operating system on which it runs;
• HTTP header, "referrer" – The referrer specifies the page from which the user accessed the current page;
• System date – The date and time of the user request;
• Full request – The exact request the user made;
• Status – The status code the server returned to the user;
• Content length – The content length, in bytes, of the document sent to the user;
• Method – The request method used;
• Universal Resource Identifier (URI) – The location of a resource on the server;
• Query string of the URI – Anything after the question mark in a URI;
• Protocol – The transport protocol and version used.

Security

TRS uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) for secure transmissions, such as when you use MyTRS to access your personal information or to provide information to TRS – for example, signing up for a benefit presentation, requesting a retirement estimate, or reviewing your account balance. SSL applies encryption between two computers, such as between your computer and the TRS Web-enabled service. TRS utilizes 128-bit encryption. A Web browser will automatically activate the appropriate security features when initiating a transaction. On most browsers, an unbroken key or locked padlock icon at the bottom of the browser screen indicates that a secure connection is established. In some cases, depending on your browser settings, you are also notified via a pop-up window when entering or leaving a secure website.

Please note that email communications to TRS, including email through the Comments link under "Contact Us," are not encrypted; therefore, you should not send sensitive personal identifying information to TRS through email.

Links

Some TRS programs, such as TRS-Care and TRS-ActiveCare, are administered by companies under contract with TRS. The TRS website may contain links to the websites of such companies for the convenience of participants in the programs. However, those linked websites are subject to the separate privacy policies of the companies that maintain them. Links from the TRS website to the websites of such companies do not constitute or imply TRS endorsement of the companies' products or services that are not authorized or included as part of TRS programs, nor do such links from the TRS website constitute or imply endorsement of material or information on those websites that is not part of the TRS programs.

Additionally, as a convenience, the TRS website offers links to certain other websites created and maintained by various public and private entities. TRS has no control over these linked sites and is not responsible for material found on any linked site or for the privacy practices of any linked site. This privacy statement applies solely to information maintained by the TRS website. TRS does not endorse any of the products, vendors, consultants, or third-party documentation referenced in or accessed through this website. Any mention of vendors, products, or services is for informational purposes only. A link between such another website and the TRS website does not mean the other site is endorsed by TRS or that TRS vouches for the information presented on it.

Texas Public Information Act

File a public information request with TRS via the TRS Public Access Link.

Please note that information collected, assembled, or maintained by TRS, including information provided to TRS electronically, may be subject to public disclosure pursuant to a request under the Texas Public Information Act ("the Act"), unless a specific exception applies.

The Act, found at chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, gives the public the right to request access to TRS information that is public under the Act. Although the Act makes certain TRS information available to the public, some exceptions exist. For example, information contained in TRS records concerning an individual member, retiree, annuitant, beneficiary, or alternate payee is generally confidential under the Act in conjunction with §825.507 of the Texas Government Code (there are limited exceptions to this general rule of confidentiality). Information TRS receives through its website or through email may be subject to public disclosure, unless an exception applies.

If you would like more information about the Act in general, visit the Office of the Attorney General website.

Limitation of Liability

Please review the Legal Disclaimer for information on limitation of TRS liability. TRS is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or problems that occur if access to any part of this website is not available to authorized users when they need it. If you do not agree to the terms of use of this website, please do not use it.

Members' Right to Know

1. With few exceptions, individuals are entitled to request to be informed about the information that TRS collects about them.
2. Individuals are entitled to receive and review that information upon request.
3. Individuals are entitled, as provided in the law, to have TRS correct information about them in TRS records that is incorrect.

Privacy Questions/Website Comments

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or general comments about this website, please email us. Please do not send member-specific questions with confidential information to this address.

Changes to this Statement

To maintain privacy protection as technology and usage practices evolve, TRS reserves the right to update this Privacy Statement as needed. Your use is subject to the most current version of the Privacy Statement. You should check this statement from time to time.