(AP) – A Brownback administration official says a voluntary state employee retirement program is expected to save Kansas government about $34.5 million over two years.

Administration Secretary Dennis Taylor says Monday that more than 1,000 eligible state employees decided to participate in the early retirement program. Those employees have annual salaries of $42.7 million. After including the cost of health insurance and other expenses, Taylor says the state will save $8.9 million in the current fiscal year and $25.6 million in fiscal year 2013.

Eligible employees were offered a chance to retire early and receive either a lump-sum payment of $6,500 or up to five years of group health insurance.

Some of the positions being vacated will be replaced, Taylor said, which may affect overall savings to the state.