HOW CAN I CONTACT THE KPERS OFFICE DIRECTLY? The information line is available from 8am until 4pm Monday through Friday.  The toll fee number from Kansas is 1-888-275-5737.   From outside of Kansas the number is (785) 296-6166.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BE VESTED? It takes 10 years to be vested in the KPERS system.   County employees do not pay into the KPERS System during their first year , unless employees have active prior membership with KPERS .   Employees have the option to purchase (buy back)  their first year of service once they become a KPERS member.

WHAT DOES VESTING MEAN? Vesting means a member has been credited with a minimum amount of service credit, so that should the member leave employment, the member's contributions are protected.    When the member reaches retirement age they will then begin to draw a monthly pension payment from the KPERS plan.

VESTING REQUIREMENTS        
Ten years of credited service.       
Termination of employment at age 60.        
Eligible for monthly benefits at age 65 if member has not withdrawn.     
Reduced benefits at age 55 with 10 years of service.

Full Benefits        85 Points    (age and years of service).     Age 65 with 1 year of service.         Age 62 with 10 years of service.

Reduced Benefits         Age 55 without 85 points.         Age 62 with 8 years of service. If they choose early retirement they are locked into these reduced benefit payments.  The only increase they will see is if KPERS issues a Cost of Living Increase.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY FUNDS WHEN I TERMINATE EMPLOYMENT AND I AM NOT VESTED? KPERS will allow a member who is no longer contributing to leave the funds in the KPERS system for up to five (5) years.   You have the option to withdraw your contributions or rollover the contributions to another type of retirement account.

HOW DO I WITHDRAW MY FUNDS AFTER TERMINATION? KPERS requires that the KPERS-13 (form for withdraw) is dated at least 30 days past your termination date.   The Payroll office will  send all terminated employees a notification letter after the 30 days.    Upon request by the terminated employee after the 30-day waiting period, Payroll will send the withdrawal form that must be signed , notarized,  and directed to the KPERS office.

I HAVE OTHER OUT-STATE PUBLIC SERVICE, CAN THIS BE TRANSFERED TO KPERS? No,  but the years of service may be bought back with KPERS.

HOW DO I GO ABOUT BUYING BACK MY TIME? A KPERS application for Buyback must be completed and forwarded to the KPERS office.   The form can be obtained on the KPERS website at www.kpers.org in the forms section or you may contact Payroll within the Office of Financial Management and we will forward a form to you.  Please contact  Payroll at (913) 715- 0525.

BUYBACKS Only one buyback can be done through Payroll deduction at a time.  If they choose lump sum payment they may do as many as they like.  KPERS' allows lump sum purchases to be made using a rollover from an acceptable type of retirement account such as the County's 457 plan.

Types of Buyback Purchases

Military Time - Up to 6 Years of Military service may be bought back.
Out of State service – No limit on the number of years but they must designate when purchasing the buyback whether they want 1% service credit or 1.75% service credit.   The percentage chosen will determine the cost of the buyback. Forfeited Service - If an employee had prior membership but withdrew the funds upon termination they can purchase those years back.
Year of Service - County employees do not pay into the KPERS system during their first year.   Once a member of the KPERS system you have the availability to buy this year back.

WHO DO I HAVE SET UP AS MY BENEFICIARY? You will receive a yearly statement of account from the KPERS office by June of each year.   This statement will reflect your current beneficiary designation.   If you do not have a copy of your most recent statement you will need to contact the KPERS office directly to obtain your beneficiary information.

HOW DO I MAKE A CHANGE TO MY BENEFICIARIES? KPERS requires the completion of a KPERS 7/99 Beneficiary Change form.  The form can be obtained on the KPERS website at www.kpers.org in the forms section or you may contact Payroll within the Office of Financial Management and we will forward a form to you.  Please contact  Payroll at (913) 715- 0525.

Link to KPERS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS