Plan Resource Center Frequently Asked Questions |
What happens if I forget my password? |
Will I be charged for using the Plan Resource Center? |
What kind of browser do I need to use the Plan Resource Center? |
How do I get the browser I need? |
Is the browser free? |
Are there any other special computer hardware or system requirements for using the Plan Resource Center? |
Sometimes when I click on a link or when I am performing a task, a pop-up window opens ... |
Should I enable JavaScript on my browser? |
Should I enable cookies on my browser? |
What is the Plan Resource Center doing to protect the privacy of my account information? |
What kind of security does the Plan Resource Center offer? |
What is 128-bit encryption, and how does it work? |
Does my browser need to have 128-bit encryption installed? |
What else should I do to protect the privacy of my account information? |
What should I do if I can’t log on to the Plan Resource Center site? |
Why is my text blurry with Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher? |
Q: What happens if I forget my password?
A: Click on "Forgot My Password". You will be prompted for your User ID, Plan Number,Date of Birth,last 4 digit of your SSN,and the answer to your security questions. Click the Continue button. You will be prompted to select a new password. Back to top of pageBack to login page
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Q: Will I be charged for using the Plan Resource Center?
A: No. The Plan Resource Center, including all of the valuable educational content, is free to you as a Plan Sponsor.
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Q: What kind of browser do I need to use the Plan Resource Center?
A: The following browsers are supported:
Windows 7 IE8/ IE9 | Windows 7 Chrome 22.0.1229.92/ Chrome 26.0.1410/ Chrome 27.0.1453.94m/ Chrome 27.0.1453.116m/ Chrome 28.0.1500.72m | Windows 7 Firefox 12/ FF20.0.1/ FF21.0/ FF23.0.1/ FF24.0 | Windows XP IE8/ FF23.0.1/ Chrome 27.0.1453.94m |
MAC OS X 10.7.4 FF20 | MAC OS X 10.7.4 Chrome 16.0.912.77 | MAC OS X 10.7.4 Safari 6.0.1/6.0.4 | Windows 7 Safari 5.1.7 |
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Q: How do I get the browser I need?
A: Click here to go directly to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer download page, or click here for the Firefox download page. Follow the instructions on either site to download and install the browser. Follow the instructionsto download and install the browser.
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A: Yes, Internet Explorer and Firefox are available free for personal use.
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Q: Are there any other special computer hardware or system requirements for using the Plan Resource Center?
A: As long as you have a computer powerful enough for Internet access, you do not need any additional hardware. The site is best viewed at a 1280-by-1024 display resolution or higher, with a color setting of 64k or higher.
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Q: Sometimes when I click on a link or when I am performing a task, a pop-up window opens but it's blank, or a window that I expect to open does not open at all. Why does this happen?
A: Some of the system messages that are generated within our site and links that provide important information are displayed in a separate pop-up window. If you have a pop-up blocker installed on your computer, this information may be blocked. Pop-up blockers typically allow you to control which pop-up windows appear when you are Web browsing. Depending upon the pop-up blocker you have installed, you may have an option that will allow you to display certain types of information. Otherwise, you may have to temporarily disable the pop-up blocker to view the information on our site.
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Q: Should I enable JavaScript on my browser?
A: Yes — otherwise many of the Plan Resource Center features won’t work. JavaScript is a non-invasive programming feature that runs on your browser and does not interact with your computer's operating system.
To enable JavaScripton Internet Explorer:
- From the Tools menu, click Internet Options, the Security tab, and the Custom Level button.
- In the Settings box, click Enable under Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins; then scroll down to the Scripting section and click Enable under both Active scripting and Scripting of Java applets.
- Click OK, then OK again, to exit all menus.
(Note that in Internet Explorer, the term "ActiveX scripting" refers to both Java scripting and Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition.)
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Q:Should I enable cookies on my browser?
A: Yes – otherwise the Plan Resource Center won’t allow you to log in. Refer to your browser's Help menu.
For Internet Explorer Help:
- Click on the Help Menu.
- Select Contents and Index.
- From the Search tab, enter the key words (i.e. cookie) and search.
- Select the topic(s) related to enabling cookies.
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Q: What is the Plan Resource Center doing to protect the privacy of my account information?
A: The Plan Resource Center is designed to be as secure as possible, given current Internet and encryption technology. The Plan Resource Center utilizes very strong encryption, which until recently was available only in the U.S. and is still unavailable in U.S.-embargoed countries. New enhancements and security features will be added on an ongoing basis to ensure that the most current technology is being used to secure your account.
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Q:What kind of security does the Plan Resource Center offer?
A: We use VeriSign’s 128-bit SSL Global Certificate, which enables — for versions 4.xand higher ofInternet Explorer — 128-bit strong encryption sessions even for 40-bit domestic browsers. You can find more information on VeriSign's FAQ page.
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Q:What is 128-bit encryption, and how does it work?
A: Encryption is a sophisticated scrambling method designed to prevent unauthorized eavesdropping on electronic data. Encryption works by processing a piece of information with a mathematical formula (called an algorithm) that converts the information into a meaningless string of letters and numbers. For example, the sentence "This is a secret" when encrypted may look like "as03xx1a79x!dqt.". This encrypted string of information can be sent over the Internet with the likelihood that anyone intercepting the message would not be able to comprehend it. When the string does reach its intended destination, a similar mathematical formula is applied to the string to decrypt it.
128-bit encryption refers to the size of the key used to encrypt the message. A longer key means the encryption is more "random," and someone attempting to decipher the message would have to try more combinations of keys. Each extra bit in a key doubles the complexity of the key.
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Q:Does my browser need to have 128-bit encryption installed?
A: As long as yourInternet Explorer is version 4.0 or above, you don't need 128-bit encryption installed --- the VeriSign 128-bit SSL Global Certificate takes care of the encryption for you!
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Q: What else should I do to protect the privacy of my account information?
A:Youshould never reveal your User ID, Password or Plan number to any unauthorized person. If you’re using a computer to which others have access, you should always log-out and then close your browser after you have finished viewing your account information. If you intend to continue viewing other content on the Web, you can clear your browser cache, cookies and history (i.e., remove all files it’s saved). Refer to your browser's Help menu.
For Internet Explorer Help:
- Click on the Help Menu.
- Select Contents and Index.
- From the Search tab, enter the key words (i.e. cookie, history, etc.) and search.
- Select the related topic(s).
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Q:What should I do if I can’t log on to the Plan Resource Center?
A: Try the checklist items below:
- Can you connect to other Web sites? If not, there may be a problem with your Internet connection. Try to reconnect to your ISP (i.e., the provider you are using for Internet service).
- Check your browser version, which requires the following minimum browser versions to function correctly: Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 7.0; Firefox 9.0, Safari 5.1.7 and Chrome 18.0.
- If you’re using America Online, certain versions of its proprietary (but Microsoft Internet Explorer-based) software can cause problems. Upgrade your America Online software to the most current version available and then try again to log on to the Plan Resource Center site.
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Q:Why is my text blurry with Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher?
A: Because Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher uses ClearType for HTML, whichmay cause sections of the Participant Web site to display incorrectly. Follow these instructions to disable ClearType on Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher:
- Open Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher.
- From the Tools menu, click Internet Options and then the Advanced tab.
- Under Multimedia, click on the check box for Always use ClearType for HTML to remove the check mark.
Click OK.
- Close and restart Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher.
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