ModernRetire — Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 05/01/2026 • Last Updated: 03/31/2026
Your privacy is fundamental to how ModernRetire is built. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. This policy applies to all users of modernretire.com (the 'Service').
This Privacy Policy is part of a set of legal documents that govern your use of the Service. Please also review our Terms of Service, Disclaimers, and Security & Cookie Settings.
1. Our Privacy Principles
ModernRetire is designed with a privacy-first architecture. Our core principles are:
- Your financial calculations run entirely in your browser. The calculation engine, including Monte Carlo simulations, historical backtests, stress tests, and all optimization logic, executes client-side. We do not receive, process, or store your calculation results on our servers.
- We collect the minimum information necessary to provide the Service.
- We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.
- We do not connect to your financial accounts, brokerage accounts, bank accounts, or any third-party financial institution.
- We do not serve advertisements or share data with advertising networks.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
Account Information (Premium users only): If you create an account, we collect your email address and name. This information is collected and managed by our authentication provider, Clerk (clerk.com), and is used solely to authenticate your identity and deliver your license.
Payment Information: If you purchase Premium access, payment is processed by Stripe, Inc. (stripe.com). We receive a confirmation of payment and your Stripe customer ID. We do not receive, store, or have access to your credit card number, bank account number, or other payment instrument details.
Plan Data (Premium users only): If you choose to save plans to the cloud, we store your plan configurations (inputs, assumptions, and settings) in an encrypted database. This data is associated with your account and is accessible only to you. Plan Data is stored as structured data (JSON) and contains the financial parameters you entered — not calculation results, projections, or personal identification numbers.
Support Communications: If you contact us at support@modernretire.com, we retain the content of your communications to provide support and improve the Service.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
Analytics Data: We use Vercel Web Analytics, a privacy-focused analytics service that does not use cookies and does not track individual users. We collect aggregate, anonymized data about page views, device types, and general geographic regions (country level). We do not collect IP addresses for analytics purposes.
Technical Data: Our hosting provider (Vercel) may collect standard server logs including IP address, browser type, and request timestamps for security and infrastructure purposes. These logs are retained for a limited period and are not used for user tracking or profiling.
2.3 Information We Do NOT Collect
We want to be explicit about what we do not collect:
- Social Security numbers or government identification numbers
- Bank account numbers, credit card numbers, or financial account credentials
- Brokerage or investment account data (we have no Plaid or account-linking integration)
- Calculation results, projections, or optimization outputs (these exist only in your browser)
- Browsing history outside of modernretire.com
- Location data beyond country-level geographic region
- Biometric data
- Health information
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes only:
- To provide and operate the Service: Account authentication, plan data storage and retrieval (Premium), and license delivery.
- To process payments: Coordinating with Stripe to complete purchases and deliver Premium access.
- To communicate with you: Responding to support requests. We do not send marketing emails. If we ever introduce optional product update notifications, they will be opt-in only.
- To improve the Service: Using anonymized, aggregate analytics data to understand usage patterns and prioritize feature development. This data cannot be traced back to any individual user.
- To ensure security: Detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access to the Service.
4. Free Tier Data Handling
If you use ModernRetire without creating an account (free tier):
- All Plan Data is stored exclusively in your browser's localStorage under the key
rp-v1. - No Plan Data is transmitted to our servers.
- We have no ability to access, view, or recover your locally stored data.
- Clearing your browser data will permanently delete your Plan Data.
- The only data we receive is anonymized analytics (page views, not user-specific).
5. Premium Tier Data Handling
If you create an account and purchase Premium access:
- Your account information (email, name) is stored by Clerk.
- Your Plan Data (inputs, assumptions, settings) is stored in an encrypted PostgreSQL database hosted by Vercel (powered by Neon).
- Plan Data is associated with your authenticated user ID and is accessible only to you.
- You may save up to 10 named plans in the cloud.
- You may export or delete your Plan Data at any time.
- Upon account deletion, all cloud-stored Plan Data is permanently deleted within 30 days.
Even as a Premium user, all calculations continue to run in your browser. The server stores your inputs, not your results.
6. Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services to operate ModernRetire:
| Service | Purpose | Data Shared | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vercel | Hosting, serverless functions, database | Server logs, Plan Data (Premium) | vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy |
| Clerk | Authentication and user management | Email, name (account users only) | clerk.com/legal/privacy |
| Stripe | Payment processing | Payment method (processed by Stripe directly) | stripe.com/privacy |
| Vercel Analytics | Anonymized usage analytics | Aggregate page views (no cookies, no PII) | vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy |
We do not share your information with any other third parties. We do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or any advertising tracking service.
7. Data Retention
Free tier users: We retain no user-specific data. Browser localStorage persists until you clear it.
Premium users: We retain your account information and Plan Data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, all associated data is permanently deleted within 30 days. Payment records are retained as required by tax and accounting regulations (typically 7 years), managed by Stripe.
Support communications: Retained for up to 2 years after the last interaction, then deleted.
Server logs: Retained for up to 30 days by our hosting provider for security purposes.
8. Your Rights and Choices
9.1 Access and Export
Premium users may access and export their Plan Data at any time through the Service. You may also request a copy of all data we hold about you by contacting support@modernretire.com.
9.2 Deletion
You may delete individual plans through the Service. You may delete your entire account and all associated data by contacting support@modernretire.com. Deletion is permanent and irreversible.
9.3 Correction
You may update your account information (email, name) through your account settings at any time.
9.4 Data Portability
Premium users may export their Plan Data as JSON or CSV through the Service.
9.5 California Residents (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the CCPA, including the right to know what personal information we collect, request deletion of personal information, opt out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information), and receive non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights.
9.6 European Economic Area Residents (GDPR)
If you are located in the EEA, you have additional rights under the GDPR, including access, correction, deletion, portability, and the right to withdraw consent at any time. Our legal basis for processing is: performance of a contract, legitimate interest, and consent where applicable.
10. Children's Privacy
ModernRetire is not designed for or directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will delete that information promptly.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice via the Service or by email for account holders. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact us at support@modernretire.com.
*DRAFT — These documents should be reviewed by a qualified attorney before use.*