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- How do I get my money out of the Retirement System (withdraw)?
- How long will it take to get my money when I withdraw?
- Can I draw KPERS retirement benefits even if I quit a long time ago?
Active Membership
- Can I name my children as beneficiaries on KPERS life insurance?
- How will divorce affect my Retirement System benefits?
- Why am I required to contribute to KPERS?
- What is my balance?
- Can I put extra money in the Retirement System?
- How do I get a copy of my last annual statement?
- How much will it cost to buy service credit?
- How do I buy service credit?
- What does it mean to be vested?
- When can I retire?
- When will I have 85 points?
- Do I have to have 85 points to retire?
- When are pre-retirement seminars?
- What do I do when I want to retire?
- How do I get a retirement benefit estimate?
- What exactly are my retirement benefits?
Retired Membership
- Will the Retirement System send something for my taxes?
- I am a retiree. Are my retirement benefits taxable?
- When will I get my first benefit check/payment?
General Retirement System
How do I get my money out of the Retirement System (withdraw)?
You are eligible to apply to withdraw your contributions plus interest 31 days after your last day on your employer’s payroll, if you have not returned to any covered employment with any participating employer. When you withdraw, you forfeit any Retirement System benefits.
To withdraw, complete an Application to Withdraw Contributions (KPERS-13).
How long will it take to get my money when I withdraw?
The withdrawal process usually takes about four weeks.
Can I draw retirement benefits even if I quit a long time ago?
Yes, as long as you were vested (had ten years of service credit) and left your contributions with the Retirement System, you can receive retirement benefits when you become eligible to retire and apply.
More information on when you can retire
Can I name my children as beneficiaries on the Retirement System's life insurance?
Yes, you can name your children or any other living person, your estate, a trust or any combination of these. You can name separate beneficiaries for your retirement benefits and your life insurance proceeds. You may name more than one person as primary or contingent beneficiary.
When you name a minor as primary beneficiary and the amount of the benefit is less than $10,000, the money is paid out under the Kansas Uniform Transfers to Minors Act. If the benefit is $10,000 or over, Kansas law requires a conservatorship be established to receive the benefit on the child's behalf.
You can add or change beneficiaries any time by completing a Designation of Beneficiary form (KPERS-7/99).
More information on naming a beneficiary
How will divorce affect my Retirement System benefits?
If you divorce, any annuity, benefit or accumulated contributions from the Retirement System may be subject to claims by a former spouse.
Contributions are considered marital assets to the extent that they have accumulated during the marriage. A former spouse may not receive payment from the Retirement System under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) until you:
- Withdraw
- Retire
- Die
Why am I required to contribute to KPERS?
The Kansas Legislature created KPERS in 1962 to provide Kansans with careers in public service the opportunity to build a nest egg for retirement that would last a lifetime. Besides retirement benefits, KPERS also provides life insurance, long-term disability benefits and a death benefit for retirees. Because the Retirement Act requires that the State of Kansas participate, membership in the System is mandatory for all state employees. Any governmental entity or instrumentality whose employees are covered by Social Security may also affiliate for KPERS coverage. Over 1,600 employers have affiliated with KPERS in order to ensure their employees eventually enjoy a guaranteed lifetime retirement benefit.
InfoLine staff can provide you with your total contributions as of December 31 of the past year. Check with your employer for the current year's amount. Some employers print year-to-date KPERS contributions on your pay notice. State of Kansas employees can review their contributions at the online Employee Self-Service Center.
Can I put extra money in the Retirement System?
No, you cannot contribute “extra” money to the Retirement System. You can, however, purchase additional service credit for past public service and military service.
More information about purchasing service credit: KPERS, Correctional Officers, KP&F or Judges
How do I get a copy of my last annual statement?
Contact the InfoLine. We can mail you a copy of your last annual statement.
- Call 1-888-275-5737 or 296-6166
How much will it cost to buy service credit?
The cost is based on either your current gross annual salary or your final average salary, whichever is higher.
KPERS and Correctional Officers
If you are under age 42, a year of service costs about 4 percent of your salary.
After age 42, the actuarial cost increases significantly.
Example
$30,000 (salary) x 4% = $1,200
KP&F
If you are under age 37, a year of service costs about 7 percent of your salary.
After age 37, the actuarial cost increases significantly.
Example
$45,000 (salary) x 7% = $3,150
Judges
If you are under age 45, a year of service costs about 6 percent of your salary.
After age 45, the actuarial cost increases significantly.
Example
$85,000 (salary) x 6% = $5,100
- Contact your designated agent or the Retirement System to see if your past service is eligible. Only active members can buy service credit.
- If your service is eligible, your designated agent or the Retirement System will tell you which form to complete.
- Complete the application to purchase service credit and give it to your designated agent.
- Your designated agent completes the rest of the form and sends it to the Retirement System.
- The Retirement System calculates the final cost and sends a letter to you through your designated agent.
- You sign the necessary paperwork, arrange for payment and return both to the Retirement System.
- The Retirement System receives the money or payroll deduction commitment.
- The Retirement System adds service credit to your record after the purchase is completed.
More information on buying service credit: KPERS, Correctional Officers, KP&F or Judges
What does it mean to be vested?
You are a vested member if you have enough years of credited service to guarantee a retirement benefit. The number of years required differs with each retirement system. Service credit from different systems can be combined.
KPERS, unreduced benefits:
- Age 65 with one year of service
- Age 62 with ten years of service
- Any age when your age and years of service equal 85
KPERS, reduced benefits with ten years of service:
- Age 60, 0.2 percent reduction for each month a member is between age 60 and 62
- Age 55, 0.6 percent reduction for each month a member is between age 55 and 60
Correctional Officers Group A, unreduced benefits:
- Age 55 with at least three years, must have held same position for three years immediately prior to retirement
- Any age when combined age and years of credited service equal 85
Correctional Officers Group A, reduced benefits at age 50 with ten years of service. Benefits are reduced by 0.2 percent for each month a member is under age 55. Members must have been employed by Corrections the three years immediately before retirement.
Correctional Officers Group B, unreduced benefits:
- Age 60, must have held same position for three years immediately prior to retirement
- Any age when combined age and years of credited service equal 85
Correctional Officers Group B, reduced benefits at age 55 with ten years of service, even without the 85 points. Benefits are reduced by 0.2 percent for each month a member is under age 60. Members must have been employed by Corrections the three years immediately before retirement.
Correctional Officers Group C, unreduced benefits:
- Age 65, with no minimum service requirement
- Age 62 with 10 years of service credit
- Any age when combined age and years of credited service equal 85
Correctional Officers Group C, reduced benefits at age 55 with ten years of service, even without the 85 points. Benefits are reduced by 0.2 percent for each month between ages 60 and 62, and 0.6 percent for each month between ages 55 and 60.
KP&F Tier I, unreduced benefits:
- Age 55 with 20 years of service
KP&F Tier II, unreduced benefits:
- Age 50 with 25 years of service
- Age 55 with 20 years of service
- Age 60 with 15 years of service
KP&F Tier I Transfer Members, unreduced benefits:
- Age 50 with 25 years of service
KP&F Tier II Transfer Members, unreduced benefits:
- Age 50 with 25 years of service
- Age 55 with 20 years of service
- Age 60 with 15 years of service
KP&F Brazelton Members, unreduced benefits:
Same as regular Tier I and Tier II members, except that monthly benefits will be offset by one-half of your monthly Social Security benefit.
KP&F Special Members, unreduced benefits:
See your local plan provisions.
All KP&F, reduced benefits:
- Age 50 with 20 years of service
- 0.4 percent reduction for each month under 55
Judges, unreduced benefits at:
- Age 65 with one year of service
- Age 62 with ten years of service
- Any age when age and years of service equal 85
- Mandatory retirement at the end of the term in which the member reaches age 70
Judges, reduced benefits with ten years of service:
- Age 60, 0.2 percent reduction for each month a member is between age 60 and 62
- Age 55, 0.6 percent reduction for each month a member is between age 55 and 60
You earn a point for each year of your age and each year of service credit. When these total 85, you have 85 points.
For example,
60 years old + 25 years of service = 85 points
- Add your age and years of service for your current point total
- Subtract your current point total from 85
- Divide number of points needed by 2
- Add your current age
- If you continue to work in a KPERS covered position, you will have 85 points at this age
Do I have to have 85 points to retire?
No, you do not need to have 85 points to retire. Depending on which retirement system you belong to, you can retire with reduced benefits at different ages before you’ve earned 85 points.
When are pre-retirement seminars?
KPERS and KP&F pre-retirement seminars are held each spring in many locations across the state. Watch this web site for specific date and location information.
More information about Pre-retirement seminars
What do I do when I want to retire?
Complete an Application for Retirement (KPERS-15) 60 to 90 days before you want to retire.
- Download and print
- E-mail a request for one
- Call the InfoLine, 1-888-275-5737, 296-6166
- Contact your designated agent
More information on retiring
return to FAQs
How do I get a retirement benefit estimate?
You can calculate your own estimate online. It will be helpful to have your most recent annual statement for reference. You can also download the Benefit Estimate Request form, or get one from your designated agent, and we can do an estimate for you. The Retirement System provides up to two estimates per year if you are within five years of retirement.
What exactly are my retirement benefits?
As a retiree, you are guaranteed a retirement benefit for the rest of your life and a lump-sum death benefit when you die. Please refer to Benefits at a Glance for your retirement plan.
KPERS, Correctional Officers, KP&F or Judges
Will the Retirement System send something for my taxes?
The Retirement System mails retirees Internal Revenue Service 1099-R tax forms on January 31 of each year. Retirees use these forms when preparing their federal income tax returns.
I am a retiree. Are my retirement benefits taxable?
In general, your retirement benefits are not subject to Kansas state income tax, but are subject to federal income tax. Check with your specific state if living somewhere other than Kansas.
When will I get my first benefit payment?
Your monthly benefit payments will be deposited directly at your financial institution on the last working day of each month. You will receive your first payment at the end of the month after your retirement date.
Is my Retirement System money safe?
KPERS retiree benefits are safe and guaranteed by Kansas law. A retiree will receive his or her benefit for life, no matter the economic condition. Members who leave employment and withdraw their contributions before retirement will receive the full amount they have contributed, plus interest.
What is a defined benefit plan?
The Retirement System is a 401(a) defined benefit pension plan. With a defined benefit plan, members’ benefits are guaranteed by law and depend on a formula, not on member contributions or market performance.