Retirement

Employees planning to retire from the Wichita Public Schools must contact the Retirement Office to complete the appropriate district paperwork.

Retiree Health Insurance

Employees interested in staying on the district health insurance as a retiree should contact Gina Wiedemann, Benefit Specialist, for details. Call 973-4564 or send an email to gwiedemann@usd259.net.

Social Security Administration

Do you have questions about your Social Security retirement?

Visit www.ssa.gov for instructions on how to apply online for retirement benefits, calculators to determine your benefit and other information about the government retirement system.

Retirement Specialist & KPERS Designated Agent

Nicole Heizelman
Business: (316) 973-4590
Email: nheizelman@usd259.net

KPERS

Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) Pension Plan

Throughout your career, you contribute part of your salary to the Retirement System. Your employer also contributes. KPERS then invests these funds and, when you retire, pays you a guaranteed monthly benefit for the rest of your life. Kansas law requires that all eligible employees must be members.

KPERS Online Access for Members

The KPERS website has valuable information regarding your KPERS membership. Links to all KPERS publications and forms are online for members and retirees.

It is recommended to create an account at www.kpers.org under “Member Login”, then “New User”. You will be able to view your account balances and annual statement, update your personal information, and review your KPERS beneficiaries at any time.

Calculate your retirement! You will also find benefit calculators on the KPERS website. The information needed for the calculator is found on your KPERS annual statement, so be sure to have it available.

KPERS 1

New employees hired before July 1, 2009

As a KPERS 1 member you contribute 6% of your income (5% for 2014 and 4% for 2013 and before).
If you became a member before July 1, 1993, your contributions earn 7.75% interest. On or after July 1, 1993, your contributions earn 4% interest.

KPERS 2

New employees hired July 1, 2009, and after

As a KPERS 2 member, you contribute 6% of your income.
Your contributions earn 4% interest.

KPERS 3

New employees starting January 1, 2015

As a KPERS 3 member, you contribute 6% of your income.
Your contributions earn 4% interest (quarterly). There is also a possibility of additional interest, depending on KPER’s investment returns. See KPERS website regarding retirement credits.

*Kansas law does not allow you to borrow from your contributions.

Bridge

Early Retirement Program (Bridge)

Employees who are eligible for the Early Retirement Program (Bridge) must complete paperwork with the Retirement Specialist at least 6 months prior to their first bridge payment, per BOE Policy 3714. If you are unsure of your deadline please review the calendar below or call 973-4590 for additional information.

Bridge Notification Deadline

Begins:	Sign by:
January 31	July 31
February 28	August 31
March 30	September 30
April 30	October 31
May 31	November 30
June 30	December 31
July 31	January 31
August 31	February 28
September 30	March 31
October 31	April 30
November 30	May 31
December 31	June 30

Voluntary Retirement Plans

Voluntary Retirement Plans for USD 259 Employees

USD 259 employees have the opportunity to set up contributions to their personal investment programs through payroll deductions. There are two options available: the USD 259 endorsed 457 Deferred Compensation program with Empower, and 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity plans. Employees interested in setting up personal accounts must work with an investment counselor to determine an investment program and begin a payroll deduction.

Remember, any tax questions should be discussed with your own tax advisor.

457 (B) Deferred Compensation Plan

457(b) deferred compensation plans are employer-sponsored retirement savings plans, offered by municipalities and governmental entities, which allow employees to defer a portion of their current compensation on a tax-advantaged basis for retirement.

With a 457(b) plan, employees put a portion of their earnings into an employer-sponsored plan on a tax-advantaged basis. Employees may choose between a traditional pre-tax contribution and a Roth contribution.

Roth contributions – Contributions are made on an after-tax basis. Earnings accumulate on a tax deferred basis, and distributions are tax free if made five years after the initial contribution to the plan and the employee is over 59 ½.

Traditional pre-tax contributions – Contributions are made on a pre-tax basis, reducing the employee’s taxable income. Earnings accumulate on a tax deferred basis. All distributions are taxed as ordinary income.

Please contact Debra Anton with Retirement Plan Advisors for assistance with setting up a 457(b) at 316.210.5049 or danton@retirementplanadvisors.com.

Click below for:

403 (B) Tax Sheltered Annuity Plans

The Omni Group is our 403(b) plan administrator. The list of providers can be found on the Omni website www.omni403b.com.

Follow these steps to view our approved providers:

Employers > Your Plan Page > KS > Unified School Dist #259 Sedgwick County > GO

You can also contact Omni at 1-877-544-6664 to work with an investment advisor from one of our approved participating service providers.