KPERS 1
- Plan type
- Formula (defined benefit)
- Benefit
- 1.75% / 1.85% × final average salary × years
- Full retirement
- Full benefits at age 65 with 1 year of service; age 62 with 10 years; or any age when your age plus years of service equal 85 points. KPERS 1 only.
- Final average salary
- 3 highest years
- COLA
- KPERS retirees don't receive regular COLAs; any increase needs a new law.
KPERS 2
- Plan type
- Formula (defined benefit)
- Benefit
- 1.85% × final average salary × years
- Full retirement
- Full benefits at age 65 with 5 years of credited service, or age 60 with 30 years.
- Final average salary
- 5 highest years
- COLA
- KPERS 2 started with a 2% COLA at 65, but it ended July 1, 2012 in exchange for the 1.85% multiplier. Only KPERS 2 members who retired before July 1, 2012 get it.
KPERS 3
- Plan type
- Cash balance
- Benefit
- Account balances ÷ annuity factor
- Full retirement
- Normal retirement age is 65 with 5 years of credited service, or 60 with 30 years.
- Final average salary
- Not used
- COLA
- No automatic COLA. You can buy a self-funded 1% or 2% yearly increase with a lower starting benefit.
Rehires and people who left
'First employed' also covers a former member who withdrew contributions before the tier's start date and is rehired, and an inactive non-vested member who is rehired: they come back in the newer tier. A non-vested school employee who works the whole school year and moves straight to another KPERS school employer at the start of the next school year keeps the old tier (if contributions are not withdrawn). Membership Guide, p. 11, If You Are Not Vested; 2025 actuarial valuation, p. 151 (KPERS 2 and 3 'began their participation or rehired' in the tier's dates)
A non-vested KPERS 1 or 2 member who leaves, doesn't withdraw, and returns to covered work within five years keeps the past service but returns as a KPERS 3 member. Membership Guide, p. 11, If You Are Not Vested
Your tier decides how your pension is figured: the benefit formula for KPERS 1 and 2, or account balances and an annuity factor for KPERS 3. It also sets your retirement ages and your payment options.
What KPERS says
- Kansas teachers and school employees belong to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), in its State/School group. KPERS has three tiers, and your tier depends on when you were first hired into a KPERS-covered job.Membership Guide, PDF p. 2; KPERS 1 & 2 webinar, slide 9
- Your tier depends on when you were first hired into a KPERS-covered job: KPERS 1 before July 1, 2009 (and active on July 1, 2009); KPERS 2 from July 1, 2009 through December 31, 2014; KPERS 3 on or after January 1, 2015.Membership Guide, PDF p. 2; KPERS 1 & 2 webinar, slide 9
- KPERS's KPERS 1 test is 'hired before July 1, 2009, and active on July 1, 2009'.KPERS 1 & 2 webinar, slide 9; Pre-Retirement Guide, p. 6
- 'First employed' also covers a former member who withdrew contributions before the tier's start date and is rehired, and an inactive non-vested member who is rehired: they come back in the newer tier. A non-vested school employee who works the whole school year and moves straight to another KPERS school employer at the start of the next school year keeps the old tier (if contributions are not withdrawn).Membership Guide, p. 11, If You Are Not Vested; 2025 actuarial valuation, p. 151 (KPERS 2 and 3 'began their participation or rehired' in the tier's dates)
- A non-vested KPERS 1 or 2 member who leaves, doesn't withdraw, and returns to covered work within five years keeps the past service but returns as a KPERS 3 member.Membership Guide, p. 11, If You Are Not Vested
- Five years of service vests you in all three tiers (KPERS 1 needed ten years before July 1, 2009). In KPERS 3 your own contributions are vested from the start; the employer retirement credits are available only at retirement, once vested.Membership Guide, p. 4, Guaranteeing Your Benefit (Vesting); KPERS 2 at a Glance, PDF p. 1
- Every tier pays 6% of salary in member contributions.Membership Guide, p. 3, Contributions; KPERS 2 at a Glance, PDF p. 1
- KPERS 1 and 2: employer contributions aren't credited to your account; they fund the System and stay with KPERS if you withdraw. Your account balance matters only if you withdraw or die before retirement.Membership Guide, p. 3; KPERS 1 & 2 webinar, slides 16-17
- Covered school positions are those not seasonal or temporary that require at least 630 hours a year or at least 3.5 hours a day for at least 180 days (non-school: 1,000 hours).2025 actuarial valuation, p. 151, Employee Membership; Working After Retirement flier, PDF p. 1
Questions
How do I know which KPERS tier I'm in?
3 tiers, by the date you were first hired into a KPERS-covered job. Your tier depends on when you were first hired into a KPERS-covered job: KPERS 1 before July 1, 2009 (and active on July 1, 2009); KPERS 2 from July 1, 2009 through December 31, 2014; KPERS 3 on or after January 1, 2015.
I left and came back. Which tier am I in?
'First employed' also covers a former member who withdrew contributions before the tier's start date and is rehired, and an inactive non-vested member who is rehired: they come back in the newer tier. A non-vested school employee who works the whole school year and moves straight to another KPERS school employer at the start of the next school year keeps the old tier (if contributions are not withdrawn). A non-vested KPERS 1 or 2 member who leaves, doesn't withdraw, and returns to covered work within five years keeps the past service but returns as a KPERS 3 member.
Can I switch tiers?
Not by choice. The tier follows your first hire date and, if you withdrew or left before vesting, your rehire date. KPERS shows your tier in your online account.
Source: KPERS Membership Guide: KPERS 1 & 2, Correctional KPERS 1 & 2, Revised 2/26, pp. 11, 4, 3; PDF p. 2. Also: KPERS 1 & 2 Pre-Retirement Webinar slides, slides 9, 16-17. Also: KPERS Pre-Retirement Planning Guide for KPERS 1 & 2 (1/25), pp. 6, 7. Also: KPERS 3 Pre-Retirement Webinar slides, slide 11. Also: KPERS 3 Benefits at a Glance (rev. 1/25), PDF p. 1. Also: KPERS Actuarial Valuation as of Dec. 31, 2025 (July 16, 2026), pp. 151, 154. Also: KPERS 2 Benefits at a Glance (rev. 5/25), PDF p. 1. Also: KPERS 3 Retirement Benefits (9/25), PDF pp. 1-3. Also: KPERS Working After Retirement flier for school employers, PDF p. 1. Last reviewed .