Privacy and cookies policy

Last updated: 18 May 2026

This policy explains how RetirementExpert.co.uk ("we", "us") uses cookies and similar technologies, and how we process personal information. It applies to visitors from the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area. RetirementExpert.co.uk is operated as a sole-trader publication; the data controller is the site owner, contactable at the email below.

Summary

• We use a few strictly necessary cookies to make the site work.
• With your consent we use Google Analytics 4 to understand which guides people find useful.
• With your consent we use Google AdSense to show ads. Google and its partners may use cookies to show personalised ads.
• We use Google Consent Mode v2 - analytics and advertising cookies are denied by default until you accept them in the banner.
• You can withdraw or change your consent at any time (see "How to change your choice" below).

1. What information we collect

Information you give us directly. If you email us (e.g. to suggest a correction or ask a question) we keep your email address and message only for as long as needed to respond.

Information collected automatically. When you visit the site, our hosting provider (Cloudflare) and our analytics provider (Google) may collect:

• IP address (truncated by Google Analytics before storage)
• Browser type and version, device type, operating system
• The pages you view, the time and duration of your visit, and the referring page
• Country and approximate region (city-level), derived from IP

2. Cookies and similar technologies

Cookies are small files stored by your browser. We use three categories:

Category	Purpose	Set without consent?
Strictly necessary	Remember your cookie preferences (re_consent_v1 in localStorage).	Yes - legal basis: legitimate interest.
Analytics	Google Analytics 4 (_ga, _ga_*). Helps us see which guides are popular.	No - only if you consent.
Advertising	Google AdSense and its partners. Used to show relevant ads and measure ad performance.	No - only if you consent.

3. Google Analytics

With your consent we use Google Analytics 4 (measurement ID G-9QPZCRLFHW). Data is processed by Google Ireland Limited as a joint controller. Google Analytics processes:

• Page paths and titles, time on page, scroll depth
• Truncated IP address (Google does not store the full IP)
• Device, browser and approximate location (city-level)

We do not use Google Signals or cross-device tracking, and we have not enabled Google Analytics user-ID tracking. Data is retained for 14 months. You can opt out at any time using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or by revoking consent on this site (see below).

4. Google AdSense and advertising

With your consent we use Google AdSense to show third-party ads on this site. Google and its ad partners may use cookies, web beacons and similar technologies to:

• Show ads based on your previous visits to this site and other sites
• Measure ad performance and prevent fraud
• Provide aggregated reporting to advertisers

For full details of how Google uses data when you use its partners' sites or apps, see policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites. You can opt out of personalised advertising at Google Ads Settings and at YourAdChoices.com (US) or YourOnlineChoices.com (EU/UK). Even if you opt out of personalised ads, you will still see ads - they just won't be tailored to you.

5. How to change your choice

Your consent is stored in your browser's localStorage under re_consent_v1. To change your choice:

• Clear the site's localStorage / cookies in your browser, then reload the page - the consent banner will re-appear.
• Or email us at [email protected] and we will reset your preferences manually.

6. Legal basis

We rely on the following legal bases under UK GDPR and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR):

• Strictly necessary cookies: legitimate interest (you need them to use the site).
• Analytics and advertising cookies: your explicit consent, given in the banner.
• Email correspondence: legitimate interest (responding to your enquiry).

7. Data sharing

We do not sell personal information. The third parties that may process your data on our behalf are:

• Cloudflare (hosting, CDN, basic security logs)
• Google Ireland Limited (Analytics, AdSense)

Google may transfer data outside the UK/EEA under standard contractual clauses approved by the UK Information Commissioner's Office.

8. Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Ask us to correct or delete it
• Object to or restrict processing
• Withdraw consent at any time (without affecting prior lawful processing)
• Complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe we have not handled your data properly

9. Children

The site is aimed at UK adults, primarily those planning for or already in retirement. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 16.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be flagged on this page with a new "last updated" date. Continued use of the site after a change indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact

For any data-protection question, email [email protected].