This bill amends the Kansas public employees retirement system by redefining the classification of teachers for retirement purposes and transferring them from the Kansas public employees retirement system act of 2015 to the act of 2009. Specifically, it establishes that any teacher first employed by a participating employer on or after July 1, 2025, will be a member of the 2009 system. Additionally, all active and inactive teacher members currently enrolled in the 2015 act will have their memberships transferred to the 2009 act on January 1, 2026. The bill ensures that all contributions and service credits prior to this transfer will be honored under the 2009 act, and teachers will retain their rights and benefits.

The bill also includes amendments to K.S.A. 74-49,301, which will now exclude non-vested teachers from certain provisions, and it repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 74-49,301. The new definition of "teacher" encompasses any professional employee required to hold a teaching certificate in school districts, as well as instructors in technical colleges or community colleges. The bill aims to streamline the retirement process for teachers and ensure that their benefits are preserved during the transition between the two retirement systems.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 74-49, 74-4901