Kansas House Bill HB2380

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/25
• Refer: 2/13/25

Caption

Providing a postretirement cost-of-living adjustment to certain KPERS retirants who are 85 years of age or older.

Summary

HB2380 would provide a targeted postretirement cost-of-living adjustment for certain Kansas public retirement system beneficiaries who are at least 85 years old on July 1, 2025. The bill directs that retirement benefit, pension, or annuity payments accruing after June 30, 2025, be increased by $150 per month for eligible retirants. It applies to members and special members of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) and also extends to certain joint annuitants and beneficiaries tied to those members. The measure is narrow in scope and is aimed at older retirees receiving benefits from the state’s major retirement systems, including KPERS, the Kansas Police and Firemen’s Retirement System, the State School Retirement System, and the Retirement System for Judges. The bill states that its provisions are supplemental to existing KPERS law, meaning it would be added to the current retirement statutes rather than replacing them. It would take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Impact

HB2380 would amend and supplement Kansas retirement law by creating a specific statutory benefit increase for a limited class of annuitants and retirants age 85 or older. It would require the retirement system to pay an additional $150 per month to qualifying beneficiaries beginning with payments after June 30, 2025, thereby increasing state retirement obligations for the affected systems and potentially affecting actuarial costs and funding requirements. The bill references multiple state retirement systems, but its eligibility criteria are tied to the defined class of retirants and beneficiaries rather than all retirees.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears generally supportive of retired public employees, especially very elderly beneficiaries who may be facing higher living costs. The caption and committee sponsorship suggest a policy intent to provide relief to a small, clearly defined group of retirees. No committee transcript or recorded vote information is available, so there is no documented opposition or support beyond the bill’s stated purpose.

Contention

The main policy issue likely to generate debate is cost and fairness: the bill provides a flat $150 monthly increase only to retirees age 85 or older, which may be viewed as a targeted benefit for the oldest beneficiaries but not for younger retirees who also face inflation. Another possible point of contention is the fiscal impact on the retirement systems and the state, since any postretirement increase can affect long-term liabilities. Because the bill is narrowly tailored, supporters are likely to emphasize assistance for elderly retirees, while critics may question whether a one-time age threshold is the best way to address cost-of-living pressures.