KPERS Membership and Contributions
Kansas law requires that all eligible employees must become members. Non-school employees work for one year in a KPERS-covered position ("year of service") before becoming a member. School employees become members on their first day of covered employment. Once a member, non-school employees can purchase service credit for their year of service.
Learn More About Purchasing Your "Year of Service"
As an active member, you contribute
4 percent of your gross earnings and your contributions earn interest annually.
If you became a member:
- Before July 1, 1993, your contributions earn 8 percent interest.
- On or after July 1, 1993, your contributions earn 4 percent interest.
You automatically earn service credit for the years you work in a covered position. After ten years of service, you are guaranteed a monthly retirement benefit for the rest of your life. This is called "vesting" your benefit.