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.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Kansas

kspers.gov→

Administering agency

Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)

Phone888-275-5737

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

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.

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Kansas

4-step process for Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS).

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

kspers.gov

Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Kansas primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.

Public Pensions

Kansas

kspers.gov→

Administering agency

Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)

Phone888-275-5737

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

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.