Some KPERS members have reported receiving emails from individuals or entities claiming to offer a “free pension review” or “retirement benefit calculation.”
These emails may ask for you to click a link or open an attachment and then schedule a video meeting. During the call, a “bad actor” will ask for personal details (including your full name, your spouse’s name, your date of birth, where you work or other info). As a reminder, please do not share your personal information with any individual until you have verified their services and qualifications.
What you need to know
KPERS’ systems and data were not compromised. Members and employers can be confident in their ability to conduct business with the KPERS Retirement System.
KPERS will only contact you from email addresses ending in “@kspers.gov.” The KPERS 457 retirement plan advisors have email addresses that end in “@empower.com.”
KPERS will not:
- Email you out of the blue to schedule a retirement plan review. KPERS does not have member email addresses unless you have provided one in your online account.
- Ask you to join a video call without you first requesting a meeting from KPERS, nor will they ask you to join a video call with someone outside of KPERS to discuss your benefits.
- Ask for your personal details including date of birth, salary or spouse’s information without you first engaging with KPERS staff. This could be through you personally contacting their InfoLine, emailing Benefits and Member Services or submitting a retirement or withdrawal application that needs more info.
Keep in mind, KPERS does host quarterly pre-retirement webinars and biannual in-person seminars across the state. You will receive information about these events through WSU Today or from Total Rewards.
If you have received an email that you believe is phishing or fraudulent, or if you have already shared your information and are concerned, contact the KPERS InfoLine at 1-888-275-5737. KPERS staff are here to help, and there’s never any harm in checking with them first at kpers@kspers.gov or 1-888-275-5737.
Be alert for potential scams
- If you believe an email is phishing or fraudulent, report those emails as phishing to ITS.
- Do not click links or open attachments in emails that appear to be phishing or fraudulent.
- Do not give out your personal information (or your spouse’s information) to someone with whom you did not personally engage or initiate a conversation.
- Check the email address and URLs in all correspondence. Scammers often mimic a legitimate site or email address by using a slight variation in spelling.
- If an unsolicited text message or email asks you to update, check or verify your account information, do not follow the link provided in the message itself or call the phone numbers provided in the message. Go to the company’s website to log in to your account or call the phone number listed on the official website to verify if something needs your attention.
- Do not open any attachments unless you are expecting the file, document or invoice and have verified the sender’s email address.
- Be suspicious of any message that urges immediate action.