State Public Pensions in Kansas
KPERS provides retirement benefits for state and local government employees, teachers, and public safety workers. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member was active or retired and the payment option they elected. KPERS does not pay the death benefit automatically — a beneficiary must contact KPERS to report the death.
Administering agency
Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)
State Public Pensions in Kansas: key facts
- System
- Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), 611 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66603 — covering state and local government employees, teachers, and the Kansas Police and Firemen's (KP&F) and Judges systems.
- Retiree death benefit
- A retiree has a $6,000 lump-sum death benefit, payable to a named person, estate, trust, or funeral establishment. KPERS does not pay it automatically — the beneficiary must contact KPERS for an application form.
- Survivor option
- A retiree who elected a joint-survivor option leaves a continuing monthly benefit — 50%, 75%, or 100% of the retiree's amount — to the named survivor for life. The survivor cannot be changed after retirement.
- Death before retirement
- If an active member dies before retiring, KPERS returns the member's contributions and interest in a lump sum to the beneficiary, along with Basic Life insurance equal to 150% of annual salary and any Optional Life insurance. In certain situations a surviving spouse may instead choose a monthly benefit for life under the surviving spouse benefit option.
- Reporting a death
- Call KPERS toll-free at 888-275-5737 to report a death, or email kpers@kspers.gov. KPERS does not pay the death benefit automatically.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the deceased was a KPERS member or retiree.
- Call KPERS at 888-275-5737 to report the death and request the death-benefit application form.
- Confirm the beneficiary designation on file and ask what survivor or death benefit is payable.
- File the survivor or death-benefit claim with the documents KPERS requires.
Frequently asked questions
Contact the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) toll-free at 888-275-5737 or by email at kpers@kspers.gov. KPERS handles survivor and death-benefit claims and does not pay the death benefit automatically — a beneficiary must contact KPERS to report the death and get the application form.
A KPERS retiree has a $6,000 lump-sum death benefit, payable to a named person, estate, trust, or funeral establishment. If the retiree elected a joint-survivor option, the named survivor also receives a continuing monthly benefit equal to 50%, 75%, or 100% of the retiree's amount for the rest of the survivor's life.
Yes. KPERS returns the member's contributions and interest in a lump sum to the designated beneficiary, who also receives the member's Basic Life insurance — equal to 150% of annual salary — and any Optional Life insurance. In certain situations a surviving spouse can choose a monthly benefit for life instead of the returned contributions. The beneficiary should contact KPERS to confirm what is payable.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Kansas primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)