KP&F Membership and Contributions
Kansas law requires that all eligible employees must become members, except elected sheriffs. As an active member, you contribute 7 percent of your gross earnings and your contributions earn interest annually. Your contribution rate will drop to 2 percent after you have 32 years of service credit.
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. When you have earned enough service credit, you are guaranteed a monthly retirement benefit for the rest of your life. This is called "vesting" your benefit.
Tier I
You are a Tier I member if you were employed before July 1, 1989, and did not choose Tier II coverage. Tier I members are vested with 20 years of service credit.
Tier II
All new KP&F members are Tier II members. Tier II members are vested with 15 years of service credit.
Transfer and Brazelton Members
Transfer members are KP&F members who formerly participated in a local retirement plan and chose to participate
in KP&F after their employer joined KP&F.
Brazelton members participated in a class-action lawsuit in 1980. Because of this, their contribution rate
is 0.008 percent, and their retirement benefits are offset by Social Security.