Activation
Q. What is an Activation Number, and how do I get my Activation Number?
A. We distribute two versions of the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator in one installation file: Personal PLUS, and Professional. After purchasing either the PLUS or Professional version of the program, we provide a code (activation number) to our customers that makes accessible the features ordered (PLUS or Professional).
Follow this procedure to get your activation number:
Activation Procedure
Please follow this procedure to get your activation number:
2008 (Version 8) Benefits Calculator, click here
2007 Benefits Calculator, click here
2006 Benefits Calculator, click here
Q. What is the purpose of your activation system?
A. (1) We distribute two versions (Personal PLUS, and Professional) of the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator in one installation program. After purchasing either the Personal PLUS or Professional version of the program, we provide a code to our customers that activates the features ordered (PLUS or Professional). This greatly decreases our marketing and distribution costs, and results in a lowered product cost to our customers.
(2) Software piracy is unfortunately pervasive in this country and around the world. See the Microsoft study concerning software piracy. Since the activation code will work on only one computer, the activation system keeps the non-paying customer from gaining access to the PLUS and Professional features of the software.
(3) Microsoft states, "Pirated software hurts everyone—from software developers to retail store owners, and ultimately to all software users. The illegal duplication and distribution of software has a significant impact on the economy, costing the United States billions of dollars a year in job losses, retail dollar losses, and governmental tax losses—money that would have gone back into local communities. In addition, companies facing loss of revenue due to piracy must pull resources from the development of new technology, and devote it to protecting both their software, and its legitimate users. In the end, software piracy is unfair to everyone."
Q. What is an Activation Number, and how do I get my Activation Number?
A. We distribute two versions of the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator in one installation file: Personal PLUS, and Professional. After purchasing either the PLUS or Professional version of the program, we provide a code (activation number) to our customers that makes accessible the features ordered (PLUS or Professional).
Follow this procedure to get your activation number:
Activation Procedure
Please follow this procedure to get your activation number:
2008 (Version 8) Benefits Calculator, click here
2007 Benefits Calculator, click here
2006 Benefits Calculator, click here
Q. What is the purpose of your activation system?
A. (1) We distribute two versions (Personal PLUS, and Professional) of the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator in one installation program. After purchasing either the Personal PLUS or Professional version of the program, we provide a code to our customers that activates the features ordered (PLUS or Professional). This greatly decreases our marketing and distribution costs, and results in a lowered product cost to our customers.
(2) Software piracy is unfortunately pervasive in this country and around the world. See the Microsoft study concerning software piracy. Since the activation code will work on only one computer, the activation system keeps the non-paying customer from gaining access to the PLUS and Professional features of the software.
(3) Microsoft states, "Pirated software hurts everyone—from software developers to retail store owners, and ultimately to all software users. The illegal duplication and distribution of software has a significant impact on the economy, costing the United States billions of dollars a year in job losses, retail dollar losses, and governmental tax losses—money that would have gone back into local communities. In addition, companies facing loss of revenue due to piracy must pull resources from the development of new technology, and devote it to protecting both their software, and its legitimate users. In the end, software piracy is unfair to everyone."
Moving the Program to a Different Computer
Q. I want to move the program to a different computer. What do I do?
A. The software license is for a single computer. Please, see the License message under the Legal menu in the Benefits Calculator program. If you would like to move the program from one computer to another, click here to contact us and request the instructions by email. The procedure is free and takes only a few minutes.
Program Updates
Q. How do I get free program updates for the version I purchased?
A. When the Benefits Calculator first starts, you will see this pop-up form - Check For Program Update. Click on YES button in-order-to check for a free updates
Q. I want to move the program to a different computer. What do I do?
A. The software license is for a single computer. Please, see the License message under the Legal menu in the Benefits Calculator program. If you would like to move the program from one computer to another, click here to contact us and request the instructions by email. The procedure is free and takes only a few minutes.
Program Updates
Q. How do I get free program updates for the version I purchased?
A. When the Benefits Calculator first starts, you will see this pop-up form - Check For Program Update. Click on YES button in-order-to check for a free updates
CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator
and Federal Retirement Planner Software
and Federal Retirement Planner Software
Federal Employees - Postal Employees - Air Traffic Controllers - Firefighters - Law Enforcement
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Frequently Asked Questions
Menu:
Program Installation
Program Activation
Moving the Program to a Different Computer
Getting Free Program Updates
Moving Client Folders from Previous Years to the New Program
Macintosh Compatibility
For more technical support, click here.
Program Installation
Program Activation
Moving the Program to a Different Computer
Getting Free Program Updates
Moving Client Folders from Previous Years to the New Program
Macintosh Compatibility
For more technical support, click here.
Installation
CD - Automatic (Disk runs automatically when inserted into CD drive):
1. Click on the Install button, and
2. Follow the installation directions presented on the screen (it is best to accept the defaults presented).
CD - Manual (Disk does not run automatically when inserted into CD drive):
1. Click on Window's START button,
2. Click on RUN,
3. Click on BROWSE,
4. At top, click on DOWN ARROW at right of Look in: box,
5. Click on CD drive that displays BENCAL,
6. Click on INSTALL.EXE,
7. Click on OPEN,
8. Click on OK, and
9. Follow the installation directions presented on the screen (it is best to accept the defaults presented).
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Q. I purchased a single copy of the Benefits Calculator. May I Install the program on more than one computer?
A. No. The program is licensed to a single user for use on a single computer. Install the program only on the computer that will be used to run the program
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Q. How do I move the program to a different computer?
A. You are entitled to do this at no cost. Click here for details.
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Q. Does the program run on a network?
A. No. The program will only run on a stand-alone computer (e.g., desktop, laptop, notebook, etc.)
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Q. Both my wife and I are federal employees. I understand that it is possible to have individual activated accounts with one copy of Personal Plus. I would like to upgrade to a single copy of the 2007 Personal Plus but I also need the ability to save data for both of us.
A. The CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner can be configured on a single computer so that you and your wife can create your own separate accounts and each have full access to all the Personal PLUS features. Instructions on how to do this will be provided by email or fax when requested.
1. Click on the Install button, and
2. Follow the installation directions presented on the screen (it is best to accept the defaults presented).
CD - Manual (Disk does not run automatically when inserted into CD drive):
1. Click on Window's START button,
2. Click on RUN,
3. Click on BROWSE,
4. At top, click on DOWN ARROW at right of Look in: box,
5. Click on CD drive that displays BENCAL,
6. Click on INSTALL.EXE,
7. Click on OPEN,
8. Click on OK, and
9. Follow the installation directions presented on the screen (it is best to accept the defaults presented).
============================
Q. I purchased a single copy of the Benefits Calculator. May I Install the program on more than one computer?
A. No. The program is licensed to a single user for use on a single computer. Install the program only on the computer that will be used to run the program
============================
Q. How do I move the program to a different computer?
A. You are entitled to do this at no cost. Click here for details.
============================
Q. Does the program run on a network?
A. No. The program will only run on a stand-alone computer (e.g., desktop, laptop, notebook, etc.)
============================
Q. Both my wife and I are federal employees. I understand that it is possible to have individual activated accounts with one copy of Personal Plus. I would like to upgrade to a single copy of the 2007 Personal Plus but I also need the ability to save data for both of us.
A. The CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator and Retirement Planner can be configured on a single computer so that you and your wife can create your own separate accounts and each have full access to all the Personal PLUS features. Instructions on how to do this will be provided by email or fax when requested.
Moving Client Folders From Earlier Programs to the new Version 8 program
Q. How do I move all my client folders (professional version) from an older version of the program to the new Version 8 program (for example the 2006 client files)?
A. In the Professional version of the Benefits Calculator, do the following:
1. Click on Professional,
2. Click on Import Old Client Files
Q. How do I move all my client folders (professional version) from an older version of the program to the new Version 8 program (for example the 2006 client files)?
A. In the Professional version of the Benefits Calculator, do the following:
1. Click on Professional,
2. Click on Import Old Client Files
3. A pop-up message will appear,
4. Click on the year 2005 (or 2006, etc.) that you want to import client files, and
5. Click on the Import button. The number to the right of the Year is the number of client files to import. For example, there are 95 client files in the 2005 program to import to the 2007 program.
Macintosh Compatibility
Q. Does the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator Run on a Macintosh computer?
A. Although we have not tested it, we have several customers that have successfully run the Benefits Calculator on a Macintosh. The following information was provided by one of our customers that has run the Benefits Calculator on a MAC.
"The CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator will run on a Macintosh using emulation software. I currently use Connectix Virtual PC 4.3.1 with Windows 98SE Operating System. The key is any Macintosh that will run the emulation program can run CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator. The emulation program will run on all current G3 and G4 Mac's. So a person should first check with Connectix web site, http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/virtualpc.aspx?pid=virtualpc, for system requirements for the emulation program. I currently use the Virtual PC software and can recommend it, however I have had success, in the past, with a slightly slower Insignia SoftWindows98 emulation program."
Regards Scotty
Additional Information on Macintosh:
http://fedretiresoftware.com/DownloadFiles/WindowsProgramsRunOnApple.pdf
5. Click on the Import button. The number to the right of the Year is the number of client files to import. For example, there are 95 client files in the 2005 program to import to the 2007 program.
Macintosh Compatibility
Q. Does the CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator Run on a Macintosh computer?
A. Although we have not tested it, we have several customers that have successfully run the Benefits Calculator on a Macintosh. The following information was provided by one of our customers that has run the Benefits Calculator on a MAC.
"The CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator will run on a Macintosh using emulation software. I currently use Connectix Virtual PC 4.3.1 with Windows 98SE Operating System. The key is any Macintosh that will run the emulation program can run CSRS and FERS Benefits Calculator. The emulation program will run on all current G3 and G4 Mac's. So a person should first check with Connectix web site, http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/virtualpc.aspx?pid=virtualpc, for system requirements for the emulation program. I currently use the Virtual PC software and can recommend it, however I have had success, in the past, with a slightly slower Insignia SoftWindows98 emulation program."
Regards Scotty
Additional Information on Macintosh:
http://fedretiresoftware.com/DownloadFiles/WindowsProgramsRunOnApple.pdf
