To set the record straight.
There is a saying “been there done that.”
In a recent editorial in The Iola Register about double dipping, I would like to refer to Kansas and teachers who double dip. Until May of 2009 teachers who exercised their ability to retire and continue to teach if they taught in the same district a $20,000 cap was placed on their salary. Although they had to continue to contribute to the Kansas Public Retirement System their retirement amount would never increase. If they went to another district the $20,000 was not a factor, but the addition to add to their retirement was not possible.
In May of 2009, for a three-year window, the state changed their policy of the cap if a teacher or administrator returned to their original district. However, an additional 8 percent amount paid to KPERS was added.
For most, early retirement in Kansas for school employees is when your chronological age plus your years of experience equals 85 points. In May of 2009 with 97 points, I decided to take this option. Before my retirement I contributed 4 percent to KPERS matched by the school district of which was reimbursed to the district by the state. Upon retirement my salary was reduced by 20.48 percent as the school district is not reimbursed for those who do double dip, yet as explained to me the school district is responsible for the contribution of each employee.
The 20.48 percent I am contributing does not go to increase my benefit at a later date. This amount is used to help keep KPERS solvent.
In May of 2009, I determined the amount I would receive for my 38 years of experience for the rest of my life knowing it would never increase. In fact, due to our socialistic government at the time the amount I agreed to has been reduced by $134 a month due to increased federal income taxes. In addition to a reduction in salary I forfeited my tenure, relinquished my accumulated sick leave, had to be unemployed for 60 days and gambled on being rehired.
If I had not retired my monthly retirement benefit would have increased by $75 per month for each year I taught, due the contributions I would have been making to KPERS. For example, if I had taught five more years before drawing KPERS my monthly benefit would have increased $375 per month for the rest of my life. In essence I have not caused the district or state any additional money as they no longer are responsible for my contribution to KPERS.
It was a hard decision to make. It is not all gravy like some would like to believe.
Been there done that.
Sincerely,
Charles Kerr
Agricultural Instructor
Iola High School
