MTRS ONLINE AGREEMENT

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Before the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (hereinafter "MTRS," "We," or "Us") will provide services found at http://www.mass.gov/mtrs/ (the "Web site") or by other electronic means, including, but not limited to, e-mail or other messaging service (collectively, "Electronic Access"), you must read and accept the terms of "The MTRS ONLINE AGREEMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS" (hereinafter "Agreement"). If you choose not to accept these terms, you will not be granted access to use the Web site. The Web site is provided by MTRS as a convenience to its members and beneficiaries; however this Agreement creates no obligation on the part of MTRS to provide access to the Web site.

 

This Agreement specifically governs the Electronic Access to your MTRS information and contains your rights and responsibilities, and the terms and conditions under which this service is provided. Please read this Agreement carefully and retain it for your records. Once you have been granted access, you will have access to a single account structure (which may consist of a Member account, a Survivor account, or both). You understand that only one set of credentials per account structure will be issued, that those credentials should only be used by you, and that you are solely responsible for the privacy and protection of those credentials. You acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and agree to be bound by all terms and conditions contained herein, and all applicable terms and conditions contained in any other agreements with you governing your relationship with MTRS. You further agree that any actions taken by others using your credentials are considered to be actions taken by you.

 

The terms and conditions of this Agreement are in addition to the terms and conditions of any and all other agreements, including all such disclosures made pursuant to such agreements you have with MTRS. To the extent that this Agreement and another agreement contain conflicting provisions relating to Electronic Access, the provisions in this Agreement will control, but all other contractual obligations of the parties remain subject to the terms and conditions of any other agreement.

 

1. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DISCLOSURES

1.1 SERVICES COVERED.

This Agreement governs Electronic Access to the Web site and to any additional online or other electronic service(s), including, but not limited to, online statements, notifications, email or other information MTRS currently makes or in the future may make available via Electronic Access and which you currently or in the future may access or otherwise use.

 

1.2 ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE.

By selecting "I Accept" at the end of this document you are signing this Agreement electronically and you agree that doing so is the legal equivalent of you manually signing this Agreement and that you will be legally bound by its terms and conditions. You further agree that your use of a key pad, mouse or other device to select the "I Accept" button constitutes your signature, acceptance, and agreement as if actually signed by you in writing. You also agree that no certification authority or other third party verification is necessary to validate your Electronic Signature and that the lack of such certification or third-party verification will not in any way affect the enforceability of your Electronic Signature or any resulting contract between you and MTRS. You also represent that you are authorized to enter into this Agreement and that you will be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

 

1.3 CONSENT TO ELECTRONIC DELIVERY.

You specifically agree to receive and/or obtain certain "Member Communications" via Electronic Access. The term "Member Communications" includes, but is not limited to, any and all current and future notices and/or disclosures that various federal and/or state laws or regulations require that we provide to you, as well as such other documents, data, records, and any other communications regarding your accounts or relationship with MTRS that MTRS elects to provide via Electronic Access. You accept as reasonable and proper notice, for the purpose of any and all laws, rules, and regulations, Member Communications via Electronic Access and agree that such electronic form fully satisfies any requirement that such communications be provided to you in writing or in a form that you may keep.

 

You acknowledge that, for your records, you are able to use Electronic Access to retain a record by printing and/or downloading and saving the following: (i) this Agreement; (ii) all Member Communications; and (iii) any other agreements, documents, or records that you sign using your Electronic Signature.

 

1.4 CONTACT INFORMATION, NOTIFICATION AND UPDATES

Although MTRS will endeavor to notify members, either electronically or by other means, of important events, it is your responsibility to use the Web site regularly, to read your email and regular mail, to read our Advisors, notices, and other publications that we may send you or make available to you, to check for updates, and to keep MTRS informed of any changes in your mailing address and your e-mail address to ensure that you continue to receive communications. Regardless of whether MTRS is able to deliver an e-mail notification to you, you agree that the information will be deemed transmitted and received as soon as MTRS makes the information available to you through the Web site.

 

 

2. YOUR ACCESS AND CREDENTIALS

 

2.1 ISSUANCE OF CREDENTIALS

As part of the process to create your credentials, you are required to select a username and password, and to select and answer a number of challenge questions. You are responsible for the proper safekeeping of your information.

 

2.2 CONFIDENTIALITY OF YOUR PASSWORD:

The password you select must comply with MTRS security standards. Your password is confidential and should NOT be disclosed to others or recorded on documentation or records located on or around your personal computer. You are responsible for the proper safekeeping of your password. You agree not to disclose or otherwise make your password available to anyone, even close family members. Anyone authorized to use your password, shall continue to have authority until you specifically revoke such authority by changing the password.

 

If you fail to maintain security of your password, we reserve the right to terminate the Web sites to you under this Agreement. Users of the Web site should utilize such other security precautions as may be appropriate under any particular set of circumstances to ensure proper security over system access and access to information. The Web site provides the capability for you to change your password.

 

2.3 YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS:

You are responsible for all activity using the Web site. If you permit other persons to use the Web site with your credentials, you are responsible for any activity they authorize from your access. Notify MTRS immediately if you believe that your password has been lost or stolen or that someone has used it or may use it to access the Web site without your permission.

 

3. WEBSITE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS; DISCLAIMER

3.1 SYSTEM UNAVAILABILITY:

Access to the Web site may be unavailable at times for the following reasons: (1) Scheduled Maintenance - there will be necessary periods when systems require maintenance or upgrades; (2) Unscheduled Maintenance - the Web site may be unavailable when unforeseen maintenance is necessary; (3) System Outages - major unforeseen events, such as, but not limited to, earthquakes, fires, floods, computer failures, interruptions in telephone service, or electrical outages, may cause system unavailability; (4) Internet Service Provider - failure by or unavailability of an Internet Service Provider. We will make all reasonable efforts to ensure the availability of the Web site; however, we are in no way liable for system unavailability or any consequential damages that may result.

 

3.2 CHANGES IN TERMS AND CONDITIONS; TIME PERIOD

We may change or amend any part of this Agreement at any time. We may require you to accept the Agreement, with or without changes, annually.

 

3.3 OTHER LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY:

You are solely responsible for the selection, installation, maintenance and operation of your personal computer, internet access and software. We expressly disclaim any and all liability as it relates to the improper use of your personal computer, internet access and the transmission of data except as provided by statute. We are not responsible for any errors or failures due to any malfunction of your personal computer, internet service or the software, or unsuitability of your personal computer or software, or any virus, or any problems that may be associated with the use of your computer and/or the internet.

 

3.4 TERMINATION OF ACCESS:

You may terminate your access to the Web site at any time by simply discontinuing the use of the service. We, at our sole discretion, may terminate your access to the Web site at any time.

 

3.5 LICENSE PERMISSION AND USE RESTRICTIONS.

The Web site is intended for use by members of MTRS ("you") as an information resource for MTRS ("we"). You are granted a nonexclusive, revocable license to copy or print one unaltered permanent copy of site materials for your personal use - noncommercial use only. No permission is given to print (other than the nonexclusive, revocable license for one copy of site materials for personal use), copy, reproduce, distribute, publicly display, perform, publish, transmit, upload, download, store, license, create derivative works from, alter, or modify materials, transfer, or sell anything obtained from the Web site. You agree that you will not use (or allow others to use) the Web site or any information contained on it for any wrongful, unauthorized, or unlawful purposes. You also agree to indemnify and hold us and our affiliates harmless from and against any loss, damage, or expense incurred because of any such use.

 

3.6 DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES:

Information available on the Web site is produced by us or is acquired from third-party sources believed by us to be accurate and reliable. The information and materials contained as part of this Web site are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without any warranties whatsoever about the nature or content (either when posted or as a result of the passage of time) of any material at this Web site, and without any representations or guarantees. All express and implied warranties are expressly excluded and disclaimed, including, but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement. MTRS does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of this information and materials, and it expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in this information and materials. In addition, MTRS makes no representations, warranties or guarantees that this Web site will be secure, accessible continuously, and without interruption or error free. To the extent that you might otherwise believe that any warranties, guarantees, or representations have been made to you, you hereby agree that such statements, whether made orally or in writing, are to be construed as merely non-binding expressions of policy rather than affirmative representations, obligations, guarantees, or warranties. In the event of any conflict between this section and other terms and provisions of this agreement, this section shall be construed to take precedence.

 

3.7 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:

In order to provide you with this service, MTRS is unable to accept liability for any conduct, acts, or omissions at this Web site or any losses you may incur. In no event shall MTRS be liable for any damages (including without limitation any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages), losses or expenses that arise in connection with the Web site, the use of the Web site, or the inability of anyone to use the Web site, or for any claims by any third parties. MTRS shall also not be liable for any damages, losses, or expenses that arise in connection with any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, defect, delay in operation or transmission, or computer or system failure. MTRS shall not be liable for such damages, losses, or expenses even though it or its representatives are advised of the possibility of such damages, losses or expenses.

 

3.8 VIOLATIONS/INDEMNIFICATION:

Your access privileges are conditioned on your adherence to the terms discussed here. You agree that MTRS may, in its sole discretion, deny you access to the Web site. You further agree, at your own expense, to defend and indemnify MTRS and hold MTRS harmless against all claims arising in any manner whatsoever which may be asserted against MTRS, and all losses arising on any manner whatsoever and incurred as a result of any violations of this agreement by you. MTRS reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification by you, and such assumption will not relieve you of your indemnity obligations. If asked to do so, you agree that you will not attempt to access this Web site.

 

3.9 HYPERLINKS:

MTRS provides hyperlinks to external sites as a convenience to you and has no control over the content posted at these Web sites, nor does MTRS make any representation as to the content of these Web sites. Hyperlinks to other internet resources are to be used by you at your own risk. The content, accuracy, opinions expressed and other links provided by these resources may not be investigated, verified, or monitored by MTRS, and such links are not endorsed by MTRS unless otherwise specifically stated. If you believe that MTRS has provided a hyperlink to a site that contains infringing or illegal content or which makes available cracker tools or other circumvention devices, we ask you to notify MTRS so that we may evaluate whether (in MTRS sole discretion) to disable it.

 

3.10 SERVICES:

The services that are offered are offered as a convenience through the Web site, and can be amended in whole or in part or terminated at any time. Users of the Web site shall have no right to expect the continuation of any part of the Web site or any services that are offered through the Web site.

 

3.11 REQUIRED INFORMATION:

All information submitted to you via this Web site may be used by us in any manner that complies with applicable laws and regulations, and the policies of MTRS. You should be aware that to successfully retire and secure all your rights, coordination with other parties, such as your employer, the Group Insurance Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or your health plan may be necessary, and that MTRS is authorized to collect and use the information requested within this Web site by Massachusetts General Laws chapter 32. Your information collected will only be used for the purposes allowed by M.G.L. c. 32, the MTRS's regulations at 807 CMR 1.00 et seq., regulations of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission at 840 CMR 1.00 et seq., and other applicable laws and regulations.

 

Failure to provide any requested and mandatory information will affect your ability to access and update your MTRS information or access specific MTRS web based service offerings. You have the right to review the file maintained on you by MTRS upon proper identification. To do so you may contact the Director of Member Services at 617-679-6877.

 

 

3.12 LIMITED LICENSE:

Original material which MTRS posts on this Web site is protected by intellectual property laws. You are hereby granted a non-exclusive license to use this Web site. You are also granted a limited license to print a copy of content posted at this Web site, but only for your personal use. Except as expressly provided herein all rights are reserved. Among other things, except to the extent required for the limited purpose of reviewing material on the Web site, electronic reproduction, adaptation, distribution, performance, or display is prohibited. Commercial use of any of the content of this Web site is strictly prohibited. You may not display this Web site in frames (or any of the content via links) without MTRS express written permission.

 

3.13 COPYRIGHT:

MTRS owns the copyright to the pages and the screens displaying the pages that appear on the Web site.

 

3.14 TRADEMARKS AND SERVICEMARKS:

MTRS owns any trademark and service mark rights in marks contained in the Web site pages.

 

3.15 UNSOLICITED E-MAIL, SPAMMING AND SPOOFING:

You may not use this Web site to transmit unsolicited e-mail. You may not send unsolicited email to this Web site or to anyone whose email address includes the domain name used on this Web site. You may not use MTRS domain name as a pseudonymous return e-mail address for any communications which you transmit from another location or through another service. You may not pretend to be someone else or spoof another's identity when using this Web site.

 

3.16 NO WAIVER:

No waiver of any of the foregoing terms and conditions shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized officer of MTRS, and no waiver shall be deemed to imply or constitute a continuing waiver or a waiver of any other term or condition.

 

3.17 JURISDICTION AND GOVERNING LAW:

You will be deemed to have agreed to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USA, for resolution of any dispute you have relating to the services offered herein, or to this agreement. The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (except its conflict of laws rules) will be applied to any dispute, regardless of where it is heard, and these terms and conditions and the interpretation thereof are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

3.18 CONSTRUCTION:

If any portion of this agreement is ruled invalid or otherwise unenforceable, it shall be deemed amended in order to achieve as closely as possible the same effect as originally drafted. Any invalid or unenforceable portion shall be construed as narrowly as possible in order to give effect to as much of the agreement as possible. The headings used in this Agreement are intended solely for convenience of reference and are not intended to explain, modify, or place any construction or limitation upon any of the provisions of the Agreement.

 

 

 

It is recommended that you print this document for future reference.