A legislative commission is studying how to overhaul KPERS (KAY-pers), the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. Members are searching for ways to fix a huge deficit in the state pension plan. This week, the group looked at how other states are dealing with their own pension problems. Republican Representative Mitch Holmes, of St. John, co-chairs the commission.
While current retiree benefits are safe, KPERS is facing a long-term deficit of more than $8 billion. The commission will make recommendations to the Legislature on how the state can fix the shortfall.