(AP) – Kansas anticipates tripling the tax dollars it contributes over the next two decades to pensions for teachers and government workers.

Questions about whether taxpayers can afford such a commitment hang over the debate about the state retirement system’s future.

A commission created this year to consider changes for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System is grappling with the knowledge that whatever it proposes, closing the system’s long-term funding gap is likely to squeeze the state budget for years. The commission is scheduled to meet Wednesday and Thursday to decide what proposals to forward to legislators next year.

Commission members expect to consider proposing a 401(k)-style plan for new public employees.

The law creating the commission committed the state to increasing its contribution to KPERS.