Retirement

RETIREMENT OFFICE
Contact: Leilani Hook - Retirement Specialist 973-4590

RETIREMENT PLANNING

Retirement planning assistance is available through the Retirement Office in the Employee Benefits department.  Information regarding KPERS retirement options, or information about the WPS Early Retirement program (the "Bridge") may be obtained through personal meetings, or you may request a retirement estimate. Employees planning to retire must contact the Retirement office to ensure all steps for a successful retirement have been taken.
Retirement Office Procedures

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Feb 2010

KPERS SPRING 2010 RETIREMENT SEMINARS

Are you thinking about retiring in the next 5 years? Are you interested in learning more about your KPERS retirement benefits? Plan now to attend one of the KPERS Spring Retirement Seminars that will begin in March, in many locations around the state. Attendance is open to anyone, althought they do request pre-registration. Go to this website for the seminar dates and times and to pre-register. If you won't be able to attend a seminar the website also has the Pre-Retirement Planning Guide that you can download at home.

For more questions contact KPERS at their toll-free number, 1-888-275-5737.

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January 2010

KPERS MEMBERS NOW HAVE ONLINE ACCOUNT ACCESS

KPERS members can now view their KPERS membership account information online!
Enter www.kpers.org/mykpers in your web browser, or click on the link, to open the KPERS member portal. New users should click on the "Enroll Now" button to create a login ID and password. Once these are set up you will be able to view your account balances, update your personal information, and review your KPERS beneficiaries.

Note: If you need to make a change to your KPERS beneficiaries you still must do this via their K-7/99 Beneficiary form. There is a link to the form on the beneficiary page.

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                           Benefit Calculator for the "BRIDGE" -
                    the WPS Voluntary Early Retirement Benefit

We are very pleased to provide an online calculator to help eligible employees estimate your early retirement benefit from Wichita Public Schools!   Estimate Your "Bridge" benefit!

Eligibility for the program is briefly outlined, with a link to the district policy regarding this benefit. For your convenience, this page also includes links to the Social Security Administration and the KPERS websites. Both of these agencies have all kinds of information regarding retirement, including calculators to help you estimate your retirement benefits.
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KPERS:
Toll-Free:    1-888-275-5737
Fax:           1-785-296-6638

All district employees who work in KPERS-covered positions are members of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS). Active members contribute 4% of gross earnings to the KPERS system, building years of service toward a future retirement.

The KPERS website has valuable information regarding your KPERS membership. Links to all KPERS publications and forms are online for members and retirees. You can review your benefits as a member of KPERS, and retirement benefits you are accruing. KPERS also has a Retirement Estimate Calculator available online. For the best possible estimate results have your latest KPERS Annual Statement available to enter years of service and salary information.

The Retirement office is available to help you understand your KPERS membership and how you are saving toward a lifetime retirement with KPERS. Call for information, or to schedule an appointment.
KPERS Membership Information
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Investment Savings through Payroll Deduction:

WPS employees have the opportunity to save for the future thru pre-tax payroll contributions into personal investment accounts. There are two options available: the district-sponsored 457 plan and 403(b) plans. Employees interested in setting up personal accounts must work with an investment counselor to determine a savings program and begin the payroll deduction. More infomation regarding personal investments is here.

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Social Security Administration:
The Social Security Administration has a great website to help answer your questions regarding your retirement. You will find calculators to determine what your benefit will be, information on how to apply for benefits and other information about the government retirement system. See "Related Links".
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American Savings Education Council
The American Savings Education Council website has information about saving for the future. A useful calculator helps you estimate how much you need to save to meet your retirement goals as well as a number of savings tips and useful brochures. See "Related Links".