I received the following e-mail from the Kansas Organization of State Employees. As the subject matter concerns employees who work in protective service or at correctional facilities, I want to share this information with you.

Ronald D. McVeigh, KCA Executive Committee Member-at-Large

KPERS or KP&F

"The Legislature is taking the interim to hear public comment from employees who work in protective service or at correctional facilities and their desire to contribute to KP&F or the current KPERS plan.

The Joint Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Benefits will be meeting next week to discuss enrolling Correctional Officers and other employees into the Kansas Police and Fire Retirement System (KP&F) rather than the current KPERS plan. The committee wants to hear from any employee who works with inmates or would like to be considered for KP&F enrollment.

Under the current KPERS plan, the employee contribution is 4% with 10 years of vesting. Under KP&F, the employee contribution is 7% with 15 years of vesting. However, KP&F benefits include extensive family benefits and a substantial on-service death benefit.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!!

If you are a Correctional Officer, work in protective services, or work with inmates in any capacity, let us know your thoughts on KP&F vs. KPERS. Please send us an e-mail with your opinion on what move the Legislature should take. We will be using your opinions to formulate a position and present to the Committee, so it is important to let us know what you think. Send us an email: info@koseunion.org. Be sure to use your personal email to contact KOSE.

• Click here to read KPERS Benefits At A Glance
• Click here to read the current KPERS plan for Correctional Officers Benefits At A Glance
• Click here to read the KP&F Benefits At A Glance
• Click here to view the Power Point presentation by Glenn Deck of KPERS
• Click here to see a chart comparing each plan's benefits."