State Public Pensions in Kansas: when someone dies
A 4-step process for Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) after a death in Kansas.
Administering agency
Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)
Steps to take
- 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)