As a KP&F member you contribute 7.15% of your income. Kansas law does not allow you to borrow from your contributions.

If you became a member:

• Before July 1, 1993, your contributions earn 7.75% interest.
• On or after July 1, 1993, 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.

Same as regular Tier I and Tier II members, except that your monthly benefit will be offset by Social Security.

See your local plan provisions.

If you have service credit with KPERS or the Judges retirement system, you may be able to combine service in other plans to become eligible for retirement. For example, if you have KPERS service credit, it may count towards your KP&F service requirement for retirement eligibility.

Only KP&F service will be used to calculate your KP&F retirement benefit. A separate retirement benefit will be calculated for your KPERS service.

Purchased military service cannot be used to reach retirement eligibility. Other guidelines apply. Contact the Retirement System to make sure you meet the requirements to retire.

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)

KP&F Benefit Formula:

Final average salary  x  statutory multiplier  x  years of service  =  annual benefit at normal retirement age

Calculate your retirement estimate:

KP&F Online Benefit Calculator (must enter your data)

KP&F Personalized Benefit Calculator (inside your member account, data pre-populated for you)

Final Average Salary

Your Final Average Salary (FAS) is an average of the three highest salaries of your last five years of service and may include additional compensation depending on your start date. You can see your current FAS by reviewing your MAS or logging on to your Account Access. For full details of this calculation see the Membership Guide.

*Statutory Multiplier

2.5% for participating service

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%, 30%, 40% or 50% 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 KP&F (PDF, 154KB)

As an active KP&F member you have death benefits, disability benefits and possibly optional group life insurance.

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

Tier I and Tier II members are covered by different disability benefits. You are not eligible for disability benefits if you are injured while working for any employer other than your KP&F employer.

Tier I

Under Tier I, you will remain on disability for the rest of your life unless you return to work for a KP&F participating employer or you are no longer disabled.

Service-Connected Disability Benefits

You receive an annual disability benefit, in ongoing monthly payments, based on the higher of:

• 50% of your final average salary
• Final average salary x 2.5% x years of service

If you have eligible children, each receives an annual benefit of up to 10% of your final average salary (subject to maximum) in ongoing monthly payments. Children are eligible up to age 18, or 23, if a full-time student. The maximum family benefit, including children’s benefits, is 75% of your final average salary. If you do not have eligible children, the maximum benefit is 90% of your final average salary.

Non Service-Connected Disability Benefits

You receive an annual benefit of your final average salary x 2.5% x years of service, in on-going monthly payments. The minimum benefit is 25% of your final average salary and the maximum benefit is 90%. You must wait 180 days from the last day you are actively at work to apply for benefits.

Tier II

Disability Benefits

Your disability benefits are the same, whether your disability is service-connected or non service-connected. You receive an annual benefit of 50% of your final average salary, in ongoing monthly payments. There is no waiting period. You will continue receiving service credit until you are no longer disabled or until you are eligible to retire. If you are already eligible to retire, you may not apply for disability.

If you are disabled and off payroll for five or more years, your final average salary may be recalculated to benefit you when determining your retirement benefits.

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

If you return to work for any KP&F participating employer, your disability benefits will automatically stop. There is no earnings limit for non-public safety employment.

Benefits are automatically paid to your spouse and/or eligible children. Children are eligible up to age 18, or age 23 if a full-time student. If you do not have a surviving spouse or eligible children, your beneficiary receives a one-time lump-sum benefit.

Service-Connected Death

Your spouse receives a lifetime monthly benefit based on the greater of:

Your children, if eligible, also receive an annual benefit of 10% of your final average salary. The maximum total benefit is 90% of your final average salary. If you do not have a surviving spouse or eligible children, your beneficiary receives a lump sum equal to your current annual salary.

Non Service-Connected Death

Your spouse receives a lump-sum payment of 100% of your final average salary, plus an annual benefit of your final average salary x 2.5% x years of service in on-going monthly payments for the rest of his or her life. The maximum annual benefit is 50% of your final average salary. If you do not have a surviving spouse, your eligible children share the benefit. If you do not have a surviving spouse or eligible children, your beneficiary receives a lump sum equal to your current annual salary.

For more information about your benefits:
Benefits at a Glance
Membership Guide

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.