KPERS Calculator Definitions

Joint Annuitant

Someone you choose to receive a continuing monthly benefit after your death. This is an optional benefit.

Date You Plan to Retire

Your retirement date must be the first day of a month. Benefit payments begin at the end of the month after your retirement date.

Years of Service

Participating Service (Years @ 1.75% Multiplier)

• Participating service credit -- service performed as an active member in a KPERS-covered position
• Purchased service credit -- most service credit purchased after July 1996

Credited Prior Service (Years @ 1% Multiplier)

• School service before 1971 that has not been withdrawn. This service was transferred to KPERS
  on January 1, 1971, and was added to member’s record as credited prior service at 1 percent
  of a member’s final average salary.
• Non-school service credit member had with an employer immediately before the employer affiliated
  with KPERS. This service is calculated at 1 percent of a member’s final average salary at retirement.
• In-state or out-of-state non-federal public service purchased after July 1, 1996, and calculated
  at 1 percent of a member’s final average salary at retirement.

Non-Credited Prior Service (Years @ 0.75% Multiplier)

• Service with schools only. School service before January 1, 1971, that was forfeited when the member
  left the school and withdrew his or her contributions. This service can be granted when the member has
  9.5 years (38 quarters) of participating service credit. The service is calculated at 0.75 percent of a member’s final average salary at retirement.

Final Average Salary

If your membership date is on or after July 1, 1993, your final average salary is:

• An average of your three highest years of salary, excluding additional compensation, such as sick and annual leave.

If your membership date is before July 1, 1993, or you were in your "year of service" waiting for membership on July 1, 1993, your final average salary is either:

• An average of your four highest years of salary, including additional compensation, such as sick and annual leave; or
• An average of your three highest years of salary, excluding additional compensation, such as sick and annual leave.

KPERS will use the highest salary average.

Note: For your current final average salary, see your last annual statement or contact the Retirement System.

Years @ 1 Percent Using Salary at Time of Purchase

Before July 1, 1996, if a member purchased "out-of-state" non-federal public service, the service was purchased
using the member’s current annual rate of salary at that time. The benefit for the purchased service is calculated
using the annual rate of salary at time of purchase rather than the member’s final average salary at retirement.