As a KPERS 2 member you contribute 6% of your income.

Kansas law does not allow you to borrow from your contributions.

Your contributions earn 4% interest.

Interest is credited annually on June 30, based on the balance in your account on December 31 of the year before.

Your contributions are just one part of the funding that pays for your retirement benefit. After about 3 years, most retirees begin receiving more in total benefits than they paid in contributions (if no lump-sum option). Where does the rest come from? Employer contributions and KPERS investment returns.

Your age and the amount of service credit you have determines when you can retire. The minimum age and service requirements differ between membership groups.

*For early retirement, there is a smaller reduction if you have at least 30 years of service.

Correctional members may be eligible to retire earlier than regular KPERS members. To be eligible, you must work in a Group A or B position for at least three years immediately before retirement.

*3 years immediately before retirement must be in correctional-covered position.
**For early retirement, there is a smaller reduction if you have at least 30 years of service.

Related Forms

• Pre-Retirement Planning Guide
• Application for Retirement Benefits KPERS-15 Booklet (PDF, 627KB)
• Direct Deposit Form KPERS-15B (PDF, 215KB)
• Retirement Benefit Estimate Request KPERS-15E (PDF, 143KB)

KPERS 2 Benefit Formula:

Final average salary  x  statutory multiplier  x  years of service  =  annual benefit

Calculate Your Retirement Estimate:

KPERS 2 Online Benefit Calculator (must enter your data)

KPERS 2 Personalized Benefit Calculator (inside your member account, data pre-populated for you)

Final Average Salary

Your final average salary is an average of your 5 highest years of salary, excluding additional compensation, such as payments for unused sick and annual leave. If your salary increases substantially from year to year, a 7.5% cap may be used. Generally, the cap applies when your salary changes and your position does not.

*Statutory Multiplier

1.85% for participating service
1% or 0.75% for prior years of service (time worked for an employer before affiliation with KPERS)

As a retiree, you will receive a monthly retirement benefit for the rest of your life. In addition, we have retirement payment options that add financial flexibility and allow you to provide for loved ones after your death.

Maximum Monthly Benefit Options

This option is the maximum monthly benefit you can receive. There is no continued monthly benefit after your death.

Joint-Survivor Option

You can provide a continuing monthly benefit for someone after your death. Survivor benefits are equal to 50%, 75% or 100% of your benefit and are paid for the rest of your survivor's life. To provide this continuing benefit, your monthly benefit is reduced. Your benefit decreases as your joint annuitant's benefit increases.

Life-Certain Option

If you die within a guaranteed period of time from retirement, your beneficiary will receive the same monthly benefit for the rest of that guaranteed period. Your monthly payments are reduced based on whether you chose the five-, ten-, or 15-year life-certain option. You can change beneficiaries at any time.

Partial Lump-Sum Option

You can take part of your retirement benefit in an up-front lump sum at retirement. This lump sum is then combined with one of the other retirement options to provide reduced, regular monthly payments for the rest of your life. You can choose a PLSO amount of 10%, 20% or 30% of the actuarial present value of your benefit. A PLSO payment is taxable income unless directly rolled over into an eligible retirement account.

For Detailed Information

• Retirement Options KPERS 2 (PDF, 160KB)

As a member of KPERS and KPERS Correctional you have basic life insurance, death benefits, disability benefits and possibly optional group life insurance.

You have basic group life insurance equal to 150% of your annual salary. The cost of this benefit is paid by your employer. You can name different beneficiaries for your life insurance and retirement benefits. See Naming Your Beneficiary for details. Life insurance ends when you leave employment. However, you can continue coverage on your own.

Insurance Certificate

Optional group life insurance is coverage beyond your basic life insurance. You pay the cost of this coverage through payroll deduction. Many employers offer optional group life insurance, including the State of Kansas. Check with your employer.

Coverage amounts range from $5,000 to $400,000 in $5,000 increments. New employees are eligible for $250,000 of guaranteed coverage (without proof of good health) within 31 days of their hire date. You must provide proof of good health for amounts over $250,000.

Insurance Certificate

Guaranteed Coverage (No Health Questions):

*Within 31 days of marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or employment status change (member or spouse).

Anytime Coverage (Some Health Questions):

Other Optional Insurance Details

Disability benefits are based on 60% of your annual salary. You must be disabled for 180 days and no longer receive employer compensation. Your employer provides this benefit. You will continue to build your retirement benefit and have basic life insurance coverage. You can also continue any optional life insurance coverage.

To be considered disabled:

• First 24 months: You must be unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your regular occupation.
• After 24 months: You must be unable to perform the material and substantial duties of any occupation

If you were disabled before January 1, 2006, you are covered under a different plan. Please contact us for help.

To Apply:

To apply for KPERS disability benefits, contact your designated agent.

Helpful Documents

• How to Apply
• 1-Page Benefit Summary
  
• LTD Plan Description

The Retirement System returns your contributions and interest if you die. In certain situations, your spouse may be able to choose a monthly benefit instead of receiving your contributions. Please see Surviving Spouse Benefit Option for details.

Accelerated Death Benefit

If you are diagnosed as terminally ill with 24 months or fewer to live, you may be eligible to receive up to 100% of your life insurance instead of your beneficiary receiving the insurance amount.

Job-Related Death (KPERS only)

If you die from an on-the-job accident, your spouse receives a monthly benefit based on 50% of your final average salary, less Workers' Compensation. The minimum benefit is $100 per month. He or she also receives a $50,000 lump-sum payment. This is in addition to your life insurance and returned contributions plus interest. Children and dependent parents may be eligible for a benefit if there is no living spouse.

For more information about your benefits:
Benefits at a Glance (KPERS 2, Correctional 2)
Membership Guide (KPERS 2 & Correctional 2)
Retirement Options (KPERS 2)

Active members can name separate beneficiaries for:
1. KPERS retirement benefits (return of contributions and interest, or surviving spouse benefit).
2. Group life insurance benefits (basic and optional).

You can add or change beneficiaries at any time by completing a Designation of Beneficiary form (K-7/99).

For full details on beneficiaries see Naming a Beneficiary.

You need to claim your KPERS contributions on your Kansas income Tax Return. This applies to all active members of all Retirement System plans. Read more tax information.

You may be able to increase your benefit and possibly retire earlier by purchasing service credit. The types of service credit you can purchase depends on the Retirement System. See the Service Purchase page or check your membership guide for full details.

Don't wait. Service Purchase costs are based on salary and age. Now is probably the most inexpensive time for you to buy.