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.
Steps to take when someone dies
State Public Pensions in Kansas: key facts
What Kansas says5
- Reporting a death
A death is reported to KPERS by calling its toll-free line or by email. KPERS does not pay the death benefit automatically.1
- Death after retirement
A KPERS retiree has a $6,000 lump-sum death benefit.2
KPERS does not pay the $6,000 death benefit automatically. The beneficiary must contact KPERS for an application form.2, 3
A retiree who elected a joint-survivor option leaves a continuing monthly benefit of 50%, 75%, or 100% of the retiree's amount to the named survivor for life. The survivor cannot be changed after retirement.4
- Who receives the benefit
A retiree may name a person, estate, trust, or funeral establishment to receive the $6,000 death benefit.2
- 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. In certain situations a surviving spouse may instead choose a monthly benefit for life under the surviving spouse benefit option.3
- Health coverage and life insurance
When an active member dies, the beneficiary also receives the member's Basic Life insurance, equal to 150% of annual salary, and any Optional Life insurance.3
Retirement systems1
- Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)
State and local government employees, teachers, and the Kansas Police and Firemen's (KP&F) and Judges systems5
Phone: 1-888-275-5737
Email: kpers@kspers.gov
Kansas public pension benefits
Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)
Phone
Office
Website
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Kansas
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Kansas: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Kansas: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 30 daysK.S.A. 59-1201, 59-1202, 59-1203Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsK.S.A. 59-2239, 59-2236, 59-709, 59-1301Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Kansas automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceK.S.A. § 59-610; § 59-105Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Kansas, a surviving spouse takes half of the estateK.S.A. 59-504Verified Sep 10, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesK.S.A. 59-506Verified Sep 10, 2026View source.
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