Empower Retirement IRA
Legal Notices
System Requirements
Web Browsers Supported
Our website is intended to be used by all recent versions of popular web browsers. Other less popular or older versions of web browsers will generally work on this site, but be aware that some features will not be optimized or may not appear as intended. Note: Beta and release candidate software are NOT supported (this includes browsers and operating systems). If you have an issue with a beta version browser or operating system, please contact the manufacturer. For this site to function properly, JavaScript must be enabled.
Browser Encryption
Our Web-based account services utilize industry-standard security technologies.
Security
Providing a secure Internet environment where you can safely access personal account information is very important to us.
Database Security
We have designed various layers of software and hardware to secure our database. Accessing information from this environment requires passing through multiple highly secured firewalls and various filtering mechanisms. This environment protects our database from Internet security risks.
Data Transmissions
Personal and Plan information that is sent from our site over the Internet is encrypted by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. This technology encrypts the information before transmitting, so that only the person requesting it is able to view it.
How do I know it is secure?
If your browser is not able to support SSL, or if you have disabled that feature on your browser, you will not be able to view information from our site.
Access
Our site uses non-persistent Internet Cookies, which are not written to disk. They are used to store a session "key" that allows you to perform multiple operations without having to enter your Username and Personal Identification Number (Pin) each time you select a different function. * You must have non-persistent Internet Cookies enabled on your browser to use our site. For your protection, please do not leave your computer unattended before exiting the session. You may exit the session and clear your cookies by clicking on the Log Out button at any time.
Informed Consent
While these measures may represent diligent website security, there is always a risk, however small, that data may be compromised. Proceeding by entering your Username implies acceptance of this risk.
Privacy
The Great-West Family of Companies
- Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company
- The Great-West Life Assurance Company (US operations)
- Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of New York
- Advised Assets Group, LLC
- GWFS Equities, Inc.
- The Canada Life Assurance Company (US operations)
- Emjay Corporation
- FASCore, LLC
- Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of South Carolina
- Great-West Capital Management, LLC
- Great-West Funds, Inc.
- Great-West Trust Company, LLC
- Westkin Properties Ltd
Securities Investor Protection Corporation
805 15th Street, N.W. Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20005-2215
SIPC Email Address: [email protected]
SIPC Telephone Number: (202)371-8300
Information about SIPC is also available at
www.sipc.org
Revised 02/2014 (standard + CA)
The Great-West Family of Companies protects your privacy. We have strict policies to keep your nonpublic personal information private. We may share it with affiliates and third parties that we do business with, and in other ways permitted by law.
Information We Collect. We collect and store information. It comes from forms that you complete, from business you have conducted with us and other parties we do business with and from consumer and insurance reporting companies. Unaffiliated third parties cannot and do not collect personally identifiable information about your online activities from Company websites or services.
Security of Your Information. We have physical, administrative, and technical safeguards in place to protect your privacy.
Access to Information. The only employees who have access to your records are those who need it for business reasons.
Our Information Sharing Practices. We limit the information we share and the parties we share it with. We share your information to help you do business with us. What we share depends on the types of products or services you request. As we are only permitted to share your information in ways described in this notice, the Great-West Family of Companies do not respond to "do not track" signals or similar digital privacy mechanisms. For example, we may share information in the following ways:
- from business forms that you complete (such as your name, address, SSN, plan or ID number, assets and income from your application)
- about your business with us, or others (such as your policy or contract coverage and benefits and payment history)
- about your relationship with us (such as the products or services you purchased)
- from your employer, benefit plan sponsor, or group product (such as your name, address, SSN, plan or ID number and age)
- from consumer and insurance reporting organizations (such as your credit, financial or health history; please note, these organizations may retain information provided to us and disclose it to others)
- from other third parties (such as health and demographic information)
- from visitors to our websites (such as information you provide online by completing forms, site visit data and "cookies")
Sharing of Health Information. We won't share your health information, unless such sharing is permitted or required by law. For a description of how we share your health information, please contact our Privacy Officer at the address noted below.
Sharing Information with Other Parties. You may permit us to share your information with other parties. Your information may be shared without your consent with our affiliates and other third parties if permitted by law. We do not share your information for any purpose that requires an opt-in or opt-out.
Our affiliates are listed and include, but are not limited to, our broker- dealers and our trust company. Your information may be shared to serve you better or to make it easier for you to do business with us.
We may also share your information with vendors and financial institutions. Vendors perform services for us such as processing transactions. Financial institutions such as banks have marketing agreements with us. We have agreements with these parties requiring them to protect the privacy of your information. They are not allowed to use the information other than as specified or permitted by law.
Other disclosures that may be made without your consent, include the following:
- To detect or prevent fraud & other criminal activity;
- To a medical professional for eligibility or audit purposes;
- In response to a question from a government agency;
- For purposes otherwise permitted or required by law;
- In response to a subpoena or court order;
- To a group policy holder to report claims experience or for an audit;
- In connection with a sale or merger of all or part of our business;
- To a government agency to determine your eligibility for benefits they may have to pay for;
- To a peer review committee to evaluate a medical professional;
- To a certificate holder or policyholder to provide information about the status of a transaction.
Our Treatment of Information about Former Customers. If our relationship ends, we will not share your information with third parties except as the law requires or permits.
Access to Information. You may access your information by submitting a written request that describes the information. We will respond within 30 business days or as required by state law. Our response will explain the nature and substance of the information on record. We will identify, if recorded, the parties we shared your information with over the last 2 years.
Right to Correct, Amend or Delete Information. You may submit a written request to us to correct, amend or delete any information in our records. We will respond to your request within 30 business days or as required by state law.
If we agree to your request, we will notify you in writing. We will provide the corrected information to any person you identify that has received the information in the last 2 years and to any insurance reporting organization we may have provided the information to over the last 7 years. If we refuse your request, we will explain why and you will have the right to file a statement of disagreement.
We reserve the right to revise this policy as needed. If changes are made, we'll send you a revised notice and post the new policy on the www.greatwest.com website.
Privacy Officer Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company 8525 East Orchard Road Greenwood Village, CO 80111
FAQ
For your convenience we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (or FAQs). Click on a FAQ link from the list below to be taken directly to the answer for that question. Additionally in this section, you can click on any of the "Jump to FAQ List" links to return to this list of Frequently Asked Questions.
FAQ Question 1: I can't log in. What is wrong?
FAQ Question 2: I have received my Pin and would like to personalize it. Can I change my Pin online?
FAQ Question 3: Once I insert the first number of my Username or Pin, the browser automatically inserts the rest. How do I keep it from doing that?
FAQ Question 4: What is Rebalance My Investments, and how do I use it?
FAQ Question 5: What is dollar cost averaging, and how do I use it?
FAQ Question 6: I cannot view documents, such as fund overviews and performance history. What do I need to do to view these types of documents?
FAQ Question 7: Is it necessary to log out?
FAQ Question 8: Why do I see two scroll bars? And why is the bottom part of my Web page blank?
FAQ Question 9: Is my Username case sensitive?
FAQ Question 10: Can I Download to Quicken or Microsoft Money?
FAQ Question 2: I have received my Pin and would like to personalize it. Can I change my Pin online?
FAQ Question 3: Once I insert the first number of my Username or Pin, the browser automatically inserts the rest. How do I keep it from doing that?
FAQ Question 4: What is Rebalance My Investments, and how do I use it?
FAQ Question 5: What is dollar cost averaging, and how do I use it?
FAQ Question 6: I cannot view documents, such as fund overviews and performance history. What do I need to do to view these types of documents?
FAQ Question 7: Is it necessary to log out?
FAQ Question 8: Why do I see two scroll bars? And why is the bottom part of my Web page blank?
FAQ Question 9: Is my Username case sensitive?
FAQ Question 10: Can I Download to Quicken or Microsoft Money?
Answer: There are several possible reasons for why you are unable to log in. Please review the scenarios below and if you are still unable to log in, contact your customer service representative.
Scenario 1: I believe I have entered my Username and Pin correctly; however, I'm receiving a message stating, "The system was not able to log you on."
Answer 1: The most likely reason for this is that your Username was not entered correctly. You can verify your Username by clicking on the "Forgot Username or Pin?" link located on the login page.
Scenario 2: I remember my Username but can't remember my Pin.
Answer 2: Click on "Forgot Username or Pin?" then select the tab "Forgot Pin" and follow the steps to log in.
Scenario 3: I forgot my Username and Pin.
Answer 3: Click on "Forgot Username or Pin?" then click on the "Forgot Username and Pin" tab and follow the steps to log in.
Scenario 4: I'm stuck at the login page! Every time I try to log in, it just reloads the same page over again.
Answer 4: A "cookie" issue commonly causes this problem. A "cookie" or "session variable" is a bit of information that a Web server, hosting a website such as this one, stores on a Web client, such as your PC. There are two types of cookies: temporary and permanent. Temporary cookies are deleted every time you shut down your browser or after a certain amount of inactivity (10 minutes for this site). Permanent cookies are retained on your PC's hard drive, typically taking up less space than it takes to store two lines of English text.A permanent cookie is used to store non-private information that helps Web servers customize the way you view a particular website. Information such as where you left the website the last time you visited, the functions you use most often, etc., are stored so that return visits are more familiar for you.
This website only uses temporary cookies for personal account information. We use these to store information about your transactions while on our website so you don't have to authenticate your identity with your Username and Pin every time you want to do something on the site. As with all temporary cookies, this information—which is already encrypted for your protection—is deleted every time you shut down your browser or after every 10 minutes of inactivity, whichever occurs first.
Without the use of cookies, it becomes impossible to offer the range and types of transactions, calculations, education information and advice available on our website. Cookies are passive bits of information, much like a sticky note on your desk. They can never damage your PC or erase any records, etc.
To keep from having to re-enter your Username and Pin, we advise checking the "enable all cookies" option in your browser. This will also allow you to take advantage of the customization and personalization features on our website and any others you regularly visit.
We are keenly aware of our participants' concerns about security, and we constantly monitor our website's security infrastructure and make improvements where possible. Using cookies does not affect our very strong security architecture in any way.
Internet Explorer Users:
1. Under the "Tools" menu, select "Internet Options."
2. Click on the "Privacy" tab. If your settings are set at high or above, you will not be able to access the website. You must reset this to medium-high or lower.
Answer: Yes, you have the ability to change your Pin on our website. You can change the originally assigned Pin to a number of your choosing. After you log in, click on "My Profile," then choose "Personal Account Information." At the bottom of the page, click on the "Edit" button next to "Pin." Enter the new Pin information and then click on "Submit." The change is effective immediately and no written confirmation will be mailed.
Answer: The automatic insertion of your Username and Pin is due to an enabled setting on your browser. It is called "AutoComplete." Here are the instructions to disable this feature in some of the most popular browsers:
For Internet Explorer 5 and higher here are the steps to disable automatic insertion:
Step 1: From Internet Explorer, choose "Tools" and then "Internet Options."Step 2: From the "Internet Options" multi-tabbed dialog box that appears, select the "Content" tab.
Step 3: Click the "AutoComplete" button.
Step 4: Uncheck everything.
Step 5: Click on the "Delete AutoComplete history..." button.
Step 6: Select the items you would like to delete from the browser's history and click "Delete."
Step 7: Click on "OK" to return to your browser.
For Mozilla Firefox here are the steps to disable automatic insertion:
Step 1: From the "Tools" menu, select "Options."Step 2: Select the "Security" category.
Step 3: Uncheck the options under "Passwords."
Step 4: Select the "Privacy" category.
Step 5: In the "History" section, select "Use custom settings for history" from the drop-down menu.
Step 6: Uncheck the box to remember search and form history.
Step 7: Click on "OK" to return to your browser.
For Safari here are the steps to disable automatic insertion:
Step 1: Go to the Safari application menu.Step 2: Select "Options."
Step 3: Click the "AutoFill" icon.
Step 4: Next, click the "Edit . . ." button next to whichever category of saved entries you'd like to change.
Answer: Rebalance My Investments automatically redistributes your existing account balances to selected investment options at the frequency you choose. Rebalancing will begin one frequency period from the time your transaction is submitted. Some investment options may not be available due to plan restrictions.
EXAMPLE: Let's say you have allocated 40% of your assets to fund A, 20% to fund B, and 40% to fund C. Over the course of time and through market fluctuations, the funds may gain or lose value. So if fund A gained more than 40% of the value of your entire portfolio, the Rebalance My Investments feature would reapportion assets so that only 40% is in fund A, 20% in fund B and 40% in fund C, the percentages you originally designated.
Follow these steps to use the Rebalance My Investments feature:
Step 1: Click on "Transactions."Step 2: Select "Rebalance My Investments."
Step 3: Select a frequency period and set up date.
Step 4: Click "Continue."
Step 5: Select the funds to which you want to rebalance (must total 100%). You can also elect to have your future contribution allocations match your selections by checking the box for "Change Future Investments."
Step 6: Click "Continue."
Step 7: Verify the information you inserted is correct.
Step 8: Click "Continue."
Step 9: Click "Submit" and wait for a confirmation number.
Disclaimer: Rebalancing does not ensure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets.
Answer: Dollar cost averaging can help reduce exposure to stock market fluctuations and timing risk by investing equal, fixed amounts of money in particular investments on a regular schedule. This means you end up buying more shares when prices are low and fewer shares when prices are high. In the long run, this slow and steady investment pace could lower your average cost, potentially turning the normal ups and downs of the stock market in your favor.
Follow these steps to successfully use our Dollar Cost Averaging tool:
Step 1: Select "Transactions."Step 2: Select "Dollar Cost Average."
Step 3: Select a frequency period.
Step 4: Click "Continue to the next step."
Step 5: Choose a termination date for the Dollar Cost Average, or select "Do not terminate this Dollar Cost Average. Run it until I cancel it."
Step 6: Choose the investments you would like to transfer money from.
Step 7: Click "Continue to the next step."
Step 8: Enter the dollar amount you would like to transfer out of the selected investment option(s).
Step 9: Click "Continue to the next step."
Step 10: Choose the investment options you would like to transfer into.
Step 11: Click "Continue to the next step."
Step 12: Choose the percentages to go in the selected funds (must total 100%).
Step 13: Click "Continue to the next step."
Step 14: Verify that the information you inserted is correct.
Step 15: Click on "Initiate Dollar Cost Average."
Disclaimer: Dollar cost averaging does not ensure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets. Investors should consider their financial ability to continue a dollar-cost-averaging plan during periods of fluctuating price levels.
Answer: Those types of files are on our website as PDF documents. PDF stands for portable data format. PDF files are visually rich documents that can't be changed. In order to view these documents, you need a free program called Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. If you do not currently have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your system, you can obtain it at www.adobe.com. You may also click here to download it.
Answer: Yes, logging out is necessary to avoid unauthorized use of your account. However, that is not the only measure we have in place to protect your privacy. Anytime your browser is shut down, all account information is cleared away. We also have a time-out feature that clears all account information 10 minutes after the last account activity. Once the website "times out," you must log on again to resume account activity.
Answer: This website uses a combination of two different Java technologies. On certain account pages, an Interactive Frame (I-frame) is used to merge the menus with the account page. For I-frames to function properly, JavaScript must be enabled. Currently, JavaScript is not enabled on your browser. To enable JavaScript, please see the instructions that follow.
Another way to remedy this situation is to change your screen resolution. This site was designed to be viewed using a screen resolution of 1024 by 768. If your resolution is set to another size and you do not have JavaScript enabled, you may experience either multiple scroll bars on some account pages or instances where the content page does not stretch the entire length of the screen. If you wish to modify your screen resolution, follow these steps:
To modify your screen resolution in your browser:
Step 1: Go to your desktop.Step 2: Right click and select "Properties."
Step 3: Select the "Settings" tab.
Step 4: In the lower right-hand corner of the box, move the slider to either the left or right to increase or decrease your current resolution.
Step 5: Click "OK" twice, and then click "Yes."
To Enable JavaScript in your browser:
Internet Explorer
Step 1: In the toolbar of your browser, select "Tools."Step 2: Select "Internet Options."
Step 3: Select the "Security" tab.
Step 4: Click the "Custom level" button.
Step 5: Scroll through the menu options. Toward the bottom you will see "Scripting" menu options. Under the Active Scripting choice, click "Enable." Under the Java Applets choice, click "Enable."
Step 6: Click the "OK" button.
Mozilla Firefox 0.9.X
Step 1: Select "Options" from the Tools menu.Step 2: Click the "Web Features" icon.
Step 3: Check "Enable JavaScript."
Step 4: Click "OK."
Step 5: Click "Reload."
Safari:
Step 1: Select "Preferences" from the Safari menu.Step 2: Click "Security."
Step 3: Check "Enable JavaScript."
Step 4: Close the window.
Step 5: Click "Reload."
Netscape 7.0 or higher
Step 1: In the toolbar of your browser, select "Edit."Step 2: Select "Preferences."
Step 3: Expand the "Advanced" section by clicking the arrow.
Step 4: Click on "Scripts & Plugins."
Step 5: Check the "Enable JavaScript for Navigator" option.
Step 6: Click the "OK" button.
Answer: Your Username is not case sensitive, so it doesn't matter if you type it in using uppercase or lowercase letters.
Answer: If you would like to download your account activity to either Quicken or Microsoft Money, simply choose the "Transaction History" option under the "Account History" tile. On this screen, select either "Quicken QFX" or "Microsoft Money QIF." Then, select your date range and press the "Download" button.
Disclaimer: GWFS Equities, Inc. is not affiliated with Quicken or Microsoft Money.
Business Continuity Plan
Business Continuity Plans
GWFS Equities, Inc., a subsidiary of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company and affiliate of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of New York* ("the Company"), maintains a comprehensive business continuity plan designed to respond reasonably and effectively to events that lead to significant business disruption, such as natural disasters, power outages, or other events of varying scope. This plan defines critical functions and systems, alternate work locations, vital books and records, and staff resources, and provides for the continuation of business operations with minimal impact, depending on the severity and scope of the disruption. The plan is reviewed and tested no less than once annually to ensure that the information in the plan is kept current and that documented recovery and continuity strategies adequately support its business operations. Of utmost importance to the plan is the ability for customers to maintain access to securities accounts and assets in those accounts.
In the event that one of the Call Centers or back office operation facilities becomes unavailable for any reason, calls would be re-routed to one of the firm's alternative call center or operations facilities.
In the event of a significant business disruption to the primary office and/or data center, access to customer accounts will be provided via the Company's Web site and voice response system, operated from an alternative data center. Customer Service will continue to be provided by re-routing telephone calls to a Call Center located in one or more alternative sites located outside of the region.
While no contingency plan can eliminate the risk of business interruption, or prevent temporary delays with account access, the firms continuity plan is intended to mitigate all reasonable risk and resume critical business operations within 24 hours or the next business day, whichever is later.
* Record keeping and administrative services are provided by Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, and in New York, Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of New York, or one of their subsidiaries or affiliates. Securities offered in your account may be offered through another broker/dealer firm other than GWFS Equities, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. Please contact your investment provider for more information if needed.
This disclosure is subject to modification at any time. The most current version of this disclosure can be found on the Web site or can be obtained by requesting a written copy by mail.
Broker Check Notification
Finra Investor Education and BrokerCheck® Notification
Our relationship with you is important to us, so we want to make sure you are aware that important investor information regarding your rights and responsibilities is available through the Finra web site at www.finra.org. From that site, you can also research the professional backgrounds of current and former broker dealer firms and representatives registered with Finra to conduct securities business via the Finra BrokerCheck® tool.
Finra BrokerCheck is a free resource you can use to conduct that research and can help you make an informed decision as to the firms and representatives with whom you choose to engage in a business relationship. This information is obtained through form filings that registered representatives, brokerage firms and regulators complete as part of the securities industry registration and licensing process.
Through BrokerCheck you can:
- Search for both representatives and brokerage firms
- Obtain online delivery of a background report
- View explanatory information to help you better understand the content provided
- See links of additional resources and tools
To get started, go to http://www.finra.org/Investors/ToolsCalculators/BrokerCheck/ and click on the Start Search button. This website also allows you to submit questions you have about BrokerCheck via email.
Alternatively, you can learn more about BrokerCheck by calling Finras BrokerCheck Hotline (800)289-9999. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Time.
Thank you.
Ed. Oct/2011
Market Timing and Excessive Trading Policies
Procedures for Complying with Fund Company Market Timing and Excessive Trading Policies
The prospectuses, policies and/or procedures of certain fund companies require retirement plan providers offering their fund/funds to agree to restrict market timing and/or excessive trading ("prohibited trading") in their funds. The following procedures describe how we will comply with fund company instructions designed to prevent or minimize prohibited trading.
Various fund companies instruct intermediaries to perform standardized trade monitoring while others perform their own periodic monitoring and request trading reports when they suspect that an individual is engaging in prohibited trading. If an individuals trading activity is determined to constitute prohibited trading, as defined by the applicable fund company, the individual will be notified that a trading restriction will be implemented if prohibited trading does not cease. (Some funds may require that trading restrictions be implemented immediately without warning, in which case notice of the restriction will be provided to the individual and plan, if applicable). If the individual continues to engage in prohibited trading, the individual will be restricted from making transfers into the identified fund/funds for a specified time period, as determined by the applicable fund company. Individuals are always permitted to make transfers out of the identified fund/funds to other available investment options. When the fund companys restriction period has been met, the individual will automatically be allowed to resume transfers into the identified fund/funds.
Additionally, if prohibited trading persists, the fund company may reject all trades initiated by the plan, including trades of individuals who have not engaged in prohibited trading.
Note: certain plan sponsors have or may elect to implement plan level restrictions to prevent or minimize individual prohibited trading. To the extent that such procedures are effective, we may not receive requests for information from the fund companies or requests to implement the restrictions described above.
Site Disclosures
Core securities, when offered, are offered through GWFS Equities, Inc. and/or other broker dealers.
GWFS Equities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. Representatives of GWFS Equities, Inc. are not registered investment advisors and cannot offer financial, legal or tax advice. Please consult with your financial planner, attorney and/or tax advisor as needed.
Empower RetirementTM refers to the products and services offered in the retirement markets by Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company (GWL&A), Corporate Headquarters: Greenwood Village, CO; Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of New York, Home Office: White Plains, NY; and their subsidiaries and affiliates. Unless indicated otherwise, the trademarks, logos, service marks, and design elements used are owned by GWL&A.
©2015 Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. All rights reserved.
Access to any website may be limited or unavailable during periods of peak demand, market volatility, systems upgrades/maintenance or other reasons.
Unless otherwise noted: NOT FDIC, NCUA/NCUSIF INSURED | NOT A DEPOSIT | NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK OR CREDIT UNION | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY | FUNDS MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT A CONDITION OF ANY BANKING OR CREDIT UNION ACTIVITY
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.