For decades, state government shifted the burden of providing for state employees’ retirement to future Legislatures.

As a result, KPERS has a shortfall of more than $8 billion.

That’s a huge hole, and the first rule of getting out of any hole is to “stop digging.”

The KPERS Commission produced solid recommendations which will ensure that state government meets its obligation to retirees.

Those who are currently receiving benefits or those who are vested in the current system will be fully protected. 

The state will increase its contributions to KPERS and require more from workers to pay those benefits.

But for all new employees and those not currently vested, we can and should transition to a defined contribution system - like most private sector organizations in America.

The reason is simple---it guarantees that the state stays current in paying its bills and gives people the flexibility to freely move in and out of state employment instead of being trapped by our retirement system.

State employees do important work and they deserve a fair and funded pension system. 

These reforms by the KPERS Commission do just that.