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Capital Credits

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  1. Member Services
  2. Capital Credits
What are capital credits? 

A member-owned cooperative does not technically earn profits. Any revenues over and above the cost of doing business are considered margins. 

These margins represent an interest-free loan of operating capital by the membership to the cooperative. This capital allows FreeState to finance operations and — to a certain extent — construction, with the intent that this capital will be repaid to you in later years. 

What’s the difference between allocated and retired capital credits? 

Allocated capital credits appear as an entry on the permanent financial records of the association and reflect your equity or ownership in FreeState. When capital credits are retired for a certain year, a bill credit is issued to you if you had an allocation in that year. Retirements are generally 18-20 years after the year in which the margins were earned. 

How often will I receive an allocation notice? 

You should see an allocation notice printed on your bill annually after the finances for the previous year have been audited. 

What do I have to do to start accumulating capital credits? 

Capital credits are calculated by FreeState for everyone who purchased electricity during a year in which the utility earned margins. Your membership activates your capital credits account. 

How are capital credits calculated? 

The amount of capital credits you earn in a given year is based upon the amount of capital you contribute to the association through payment of your monthly bills. The more electric service you buy, the greater your capital credits account. The sum of your monthly bills for a year is multiplied by a percentage to determine your capital credits. 

What percent of my bill is returned as capital credits? 

The percentage of your total payment that is allocated as capital credits varies from year to year. Capital credits are only allocated for a year in which FreeState earns margins. Since capital credits are a member’s share of the margins, no credits are allocated for a year with no margins.

Can I use the capital credits I have allocated to pay my electric bill? 

No. Your electric bill is due now, whereas you may not be entitled to be paid your capital credits for many years. 

Will I receive a capital credit check every year? 

Not necessarily. The Board of Directors must authorize a retirement before you receive a bill credit. When considering a retirement, the Board analyzes the financial health of the association and will not authorize a retirement if FreeState Electric Co-op cannot afford it. 

What happens to my capital credits when I leave the FreeState Electric service area? 

If you move off the FreeState system, any capital credit retirements will be mailed to you if the board approves a general retirement of a year for which you have a capital credit allocation. It is important to provide the cooperative with a forwarding address. 

I’m sure I had service in the year you retired capital credits. Where is my check?  

If you had an unpaid balance on your account the capital credits will be applied to that balance first. 

If you have moved or changed names please call the cooperative to find out if your capital credits are among those unclaimed. 

It is always a good idea to make the cooperative aware of any address or name changes, even if you have moved off the system. You may still be entitled to a payment. 

What happens to the capital credits of a member who dies?

The capital credits of a deceased member may be refunded without waiting for a general retirement. However, these estate payments are not automatic. A representative of the estate must request the credits. Call FreeState and we will provide you with the necessary paperwork.

Capital credits will be paid at a discounted rate for a living spouse. If both owners of the account are deceased, their heirs may be eligible for a discounted refund of any unpaid capital credits after the account is finalized. If retirement is approved by the Board, a check will be issued to the estate and the account closed.

Questions?

If you have specific questions that are not answered by the information provided, please contact the office at 1-800-794-1989 or email us.

We're happy to help.

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Contact Info

McLouth Office
507 N. Union
PO Box 70
McLouth, KS 66054

Topeka Office
1100 SW Auburn Rd. 
Topeka, KS 66615

Toll-Free:800-794-1989

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About Us

With 14,974 members and 20,551 service points FreeState Electric Cooperative is the largest rural electric cooperative in Eastern Kansas and the fifth largest rural electric cooperative in the state of Kansas. FreeState serves nine Kansas counties and provides distribution infrastructure to Fort Leavenworth. 

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©2023 FreeState Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Board of Trustees
    • Cooperative Leadership
    • Powering Fort Leavenworth
    • Cooperative Transparency
    • About Touchstone Energy
  • Contact Us
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Media Inquiries
    • Submit Feedback
    • New Construction
    • Ask Matt
    • What is my district?
  • Member Services
    • Apply for Service
    • Payment Options
      • Understanding Your Bill
      • Payment Assistance
      • Pay Cash
      • Pay Now!
    • Capital Credits
    • Your Service
      • Security Options
      • Tree-Trimming
      • High Bill Concern
    • Member Programs
      • 101 Ways To Save
      • Attic Report Card
      • Medical Necessity Notification
      • Time of Use
    • Charges and Fees
    • Member Guide
    • Rebates
  • Outage Center
    • Outage Map
    • Preparing For Planned Outages
    • Social Feeds
    • Storm Updates
  • Communications
    • Connect With Us!
    • Energy Solutions Articles
    • Kansas Country Living
    • The Signal
  • Community Development
    • Co-op's Vote
    • CoBank Sharing Success
    • Local Sponsorships
    • Operation Round-Up
    • Youth Programs
    • FreeState Business Directory
  • Safety
    • Agriculture Safety
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Generator Safety
    • Meter Access
    • Power Line Safety
    • Prepare for Winter Outages
    • Safety Checklist
    • Safety Demonstrations
    • Ten Tips To Avoid Scams
  • Co-op FAQ
    • Ask FreeState
  • SmartHub Mobile
    • Using SmartHub
  • Annual Meeting
    • 2023 Candidate Videos
    • 2023 Trustee Candidates
    • Annual Report
    • Voting for Trustees
  • Crew at the Zoo
  • ESC Adjustment
  • Solar/EVs
    • All About EVs
    • Renewable Energy
    • Register Your Ride