Topeka ? A proposal to change the government employee pension plan for new workers to a 401(k)-type plan was criticized Wednesday as putting more financial risk on employees and lowering their retirement benefits.

But state Rep. John Rubin, R-Shawnee, told the House Pensions and Benefits Committee that House Bill 2519 would help resolve financial problems within the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.

Referring to the $10 billion unfunded actuarial liability in KPERS, Rubin said, “The first thing you do when you’re in a hole is to stop digging.” The unfunded actuarial liability is the difference between promised pension benefits and what KPERS is taking in.

Under KPERS reforms approved in 2012, the unfunded actuarial liability will be paid off in 2033.

Several legislators who voiced support for Rubin’s bill said they didn’t have confidence that the Legislature would continue its part of the reforms by increasing contributions in KPERS.

Rubin’s bill would enroll state hires after Jan. 1, 2016 in a 401(k)-style plan. Current employees could switch to the plan if they wanted.

Rebecca Procter, chairwoman of Keeping the Promise Campaign, said 401(k)- type plans for public employees in Nebraska and West Virginia found that workers retired with much lower benefits.

She said that would impact the entire state because retirees would be spending less in their home communities. “We have a fix that was passed in 2012. Stay the course,” she said.