July 27, 2026  |  kspers.gov  |  kpers@kspers.gov

School Employers Only

What You Need to Know When Hiring KPERS Retirees

August can be a busy time for hiring new employees, including KPERS retirees who might be returning to work in non-covered positions. The same laws that allow KPERS retirees to work at a KPERS employer also include unique rules, restrictions, rates, limits and exemptions. Here are a few things you should know.

• Waiting-period rules apply. It’s 180 days for retirees under age 62 and 60 days for retirees age 62 and older.

• No prearrangements to return to work before retirement or during the waiting period after retirement (penalties apply).

• No earnings limits for employees who are working after
  retirement in KPERS-covered or non-covered positions.

• Employees do not make contributions.

• Employers contribute the regular/statutory rate on earnings up to $40,000 and 30% on earnings above $40,000 for employees in KPERS-covered positions.

Keep in mind, these rules do not apply if the retiree is working ONLY as a referee/official/judge for a high school interscholastic or extracurricular event (athletics/speech/music/debate/etc.).

Exempt Positions - Do Not Enroll

• Do not enroll exempt positions (prearrangement and waiting-period rules still apply).

• Exempt positions include:

  • Substitute teachers without contracts. Prearrangement and waiting-period rules still apply.

  • Referees, extra-curricular judges or ticket-takers without contracts. Prearrangement and waiting-period rules DO
    NOT apply if they are working ONLY in these positions.
    If the retiree holds additional positions within the school
    district, regular rules apply.

Resource for Members and Employers

• Employers: Working After Retirement Page | Employer Flyer

• Members: Working After Retirement Page | Member Flyer

Questions?

kpers@kspers.gov

1-888-275-5737