Failed proposal would move corrections security officers into KP&F retirement

The Department of Corrections would join the Kansas Police and Firemen’s Retirement System for its security officers. The provision covers security officers employed by the Department of Corrections after the department enters the system. The department would apply for affiliation under the existing application process. The budget office and governor would include the employer payments in budget requests. The department would pay the system after affiliation, subject to legislative funding. Members would contribute 7.15% of their pay. The bill states that affiliation would begin July 1, 2025, while also stating that affiliation would take effect on July 1 after the department applies.

Eligible members would be allowed to buy participating KP&F service credit for earlier KPERS security-officer service. The option would cover security officers who become KP&F members under the proposal and have not retired. Members could pay through additional contributions or one lump-sum payment. The cost would use the member’s age, pay or final average salary, and the retirement system’s actuarial assumptions and tables. Purchased service would be credited to KP&F and would remain subject to statutory limits. Additional contributions would begin at the start of the quarter after the member elects the purchase and continue until all full quarters are purchased.