Summary of Benefits

The following information will apply if an employee is laid off

Unemployment Benefits: Following a one-week waiting period, if you are able and available to work, you may be eligible for weekly unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks. To avoid any delay of benefit payments, it is extremely important that you file your claim for unemployment benefits as soon as possible following your last day at work. For additional information concerning unemployment benefits, you should call your local Job Service Center.
Accumulated Leave: On your final paycheck, you will be paid for the maximum allowed accumulated vacation leave and compensatory time credit in addition to your earned biweekly or hourly pay. You will not be paid for any accumulated sick leave or for any holidays occurring after the effective date of your layoff. You will need to contact your human resource office as soon as possible if you wish to change your exemptions or withholding for income tax purposes on your final paycheck.
LIFELINE-Employee Assistance Program: A counselor is available 24-hours a day for help in dealing with personal or family problems related to your layoff. This service will be available to you and your immediate family through the last day of the month in which you work. The toll-free number for LIFELINE is 1-800-284-7575.
Health Plan: If you are currently enrolled in the State's health plan, your coverage will end the last day of the month in which you work. Following your last day at work, you will be sent a letter to your home address offering you 18 months of health insurance coverage under COBRA. You will be responsible for paying the full cost of the coverage, which will include both the share you paid as an active state employee, and the share the State of Kansas paid as the employer. Your human resource office also has information on COBRA rates.
KPERS – Retirement: If you are currently contributing to KPERS through payroll deduction, your final deduction will be made from your last paycheck.

If you are vested in KPERS (10 years or more of credited service), you have the option of leaving your contributions with KPERS. Your contributions will continue to accrue interest and you will be eligible for retirement benefits upon reaching retirement age. You may also choose to make application for withdrawal of accumulated contributions. It will take approximately six weeks from the time all documentation is received in the retirement system office to process the withdrawal. Amounts withdrawn may be subject to federal income taxes.

If you are not vested in KPERS (less than 10 years of credited service), you may choose to make application for withdrawal of accumulated contributions (see above). If your contributions are not withdrawn, your KPERS membership will be protected for 5 years. Interest will continue to be credited and should you be employed in a covered position within that 5-year period, your participation in KPERS would be immediate. If you do not return to covered employment and do not withdraw your contributions, your contributions will revert to the employer’s reserve at the end of the 5-year protection of membership. However, a special application can be made to the board of trustees to withdraw your contributions. Please contact your human resource office for details.
Group Life Insurance: If you are employed in a benefits eligible position, you are covered by group term life insurance through KPERS through the last day of the month in which you work. Coverage equals 150% of your current annual rate of compensation.
You do have the option of converting the group life insurance into an individual policy at your cost. A completed conversion form must be submitted as soon as possible after your last day at work. The first month’s premium payment, along with an application, must be received within 31 days of your last workday. Rates will be at a higher rate, however you will not be required to show proof of good health. Your human resource office will have the required forms.
Optional Group Life Insurance: If you are currently enrolled in optional group life insurance, your coverage will end the last day of the month in which you work. You may convert to an individual term life insurance policy, at your cost. You will need to complete a conversion information form and send it to KPERS. An application and the first month’s premium must be received within 31 days from your last day at work. Your human resource office will have the required forms.
Deferred Compensation: If you are currently participating in deferred compensation, your final deduction will be made from your last paycheck. You may also choose to end your participation prior to your final paycheck. You will need to contact your ING Financial Advisor representative to make this change. The telephone number for ING Financial Advisors is 1-800-232-0024 outside Topeka or (785) 296-7095 in Topeka.

Following your last day at work, you will be eligible to withdraw funds contributed to deferred compensation. Distribution will be taxable (20% federal; 5% State of Kansas) as ordinary income. You will need to contact your ING Financial Advisors representative to obtain the needed forms to withdraw your contributions. You also have the option of leaving your contributions in your account. You will not be able to make any additional contributions to the account, but the account will continue to accumulate interest on a tax-deferred basis until retirement. In addition to accruing interest, you will have the opportunity to transfer your contributions over to a new employer on a tax-deferred basis, if your new employer qualifies to sponsor deferred compensation plans.

All participating employees are strongly encouraged to contact their ING Financial Advisors representative in the event of being laid off.
KanElect Flexible Spending Accounts: If you are currently enrolled in either of the two flexible spending accounts (FSA), your participation will end effective the end of the month in which you worked your last day.; For Health Care FSA you will have until March 31st following the end of the plan year to file claims which were incurred up to the end of the month in which you were laid off. Coverage may be extended on an after-tax basis if you elect continuation of health care coverage under COBRA.; For Dependent Care you will have until March 31st following the end of the plan year to file claims which were incurred up to the end of the plan year as long as IRS guidelines are met.
Savings Bonds: If you currently have a payroll deduction for savings bonds, your final deduction will be made from your last paycheck. You will need to contact your human resource office if you choose to end your participation prior to your final paycheck. Savings Bonds will be issued as usual, however, if following your layoff there are not enough funds to issue your last bond, any excess amount will be refunded to you.
Organization Dues: If you currently have payroll deductions for organization dues, the final deduction will be made from your last paycheck. You will need to contact your human resource office if you choose to end your participation prior to your final paycheck.
United Way: If you currently have payroll deductions for United Way, the final deductions will be made from your last paycheck. You will need to contact your human resource office if you choose to end your participation prior to your final paycheck.
Learning Quest: If you currently have payroll deductions for Learning Quest and have met the required $500 minimum contribution amount, then contributions will stop automatically after your final paycheck. If you have not reached the required minimum contribution amount of $500, or if you wish to continue contributing to your Learning Quest account, then you will need to convert the account to an automatic monthly investment of $25 or more. This monthly investment will be deducted from your personal savings or checking account. For required paperwork or additional information, contact Learning Quest at 1-800-579-2203.

This notification is intended to comply with federal and state laws and regulations concerning benefits. Items explained herein are subject to change and shall be interpreted in accordance with controlling laws.