View:
               
                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                  FORM 11-K


     [X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)

        For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997

                               OR

         [  ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

         For the transition period from                to

                  Commission file number 1-707

              A.   Full title of the Plan:


                   Kansas City Power & Light Company
                   Cash or Deferred Arrangement
                   (Employee Savings Plus Plan)
                   (hereinafter referred to as "Plan")

              B.   Name of issuer of the securities held
                   pursuant to the Plan and the address
                   of its principal executive office:


                   Kansas City Power & Light Company
                   1201 Walnut
                   Kansas City, Missouri 64106-2124
                                
                                


                        TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                 Page
                                                                 ____

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     Report of Independent Accountants.............................  1

     Statements of Financial Condition, With Fund Information

       December 31, 1997...........................................  2

       December 31, 1996...........................................  4

     Statements of Income and Changes in Plan Equity, With Fund
      Information for the Year Ended

       December 31, 1997...........................................  6

       December 31, 1996...........................................  8

       December 31, 1995........................................... 10

     Notes to Financial Statements................................. 12

     Signatures.................................................... 21

     Consent of Independent Accountants............................ 22

                                (i)




                REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

To the Administrative Committee,
  Kansas City Power & Light Company
  Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan

We   have   audited  the  accompanying  statements  of  financial
condition of Kansas City Power & Light Company  Cash or  Deferred
Arrangement  Employee Savings Plus Plan as of December  31,  1997
and  1996,  and the related statements of income and  changes  in
Plan  equity  for  each of the three years in  the  period  ended
December   31,   1997.   These  financial  statements   are   the
responsibility  of the Plan's management.  Our responsibility  is
to  express an opinion on these financial statements based on our
audits.

We  conducted  our  audits in accordance with generally  accepted
auditing  standards.  Those standards require that  we  plan  and
perform  the  audit to obtain reasonable assurance about  whether
the  financial statements are free of material misstatement.   An
audit  includes  examining, on a test basis, evidence  supporting
the  amounts  and  disclosures in the financial  statements.   An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used  and
significant  estimates made by management, as well as  evaluating
the  overall  financial statement presentation.  We believe  that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In  our  opinion,  the  financial statements  referred  to  above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition
of  the Plan as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the income and
changes in Plan equity for each of the three years in the  period
ended  December  31, 1997, in conformity with generally  accepted
accounting principles.

Our  audits were performed for the purpose of forming an  opinion
on  the  basic financial statements taken as a whole.   The  fund
information  in  the  statement of financial  condition  and  the
statement  of income and changes in Plan equity is presented  for
purposes  of  additional  analysis rather  than  to  present  the
financial condition and the income and changes in Plan equity  of
each  fund.  The  fund  information has  been  subjected  to  the
auditing  procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial
statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all  material
respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a
whole.

/s/Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

Kansas City, Missouri
June 17, 1998

                                1




                                   Kansas City Power & Light Company
                        Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan
                        Statement of Financial Condition, With Fund Information
                                           December 31, 1997

                                                                        Fidelity Investment Funds
                                                                        -------------------------

                                                                                 Asset       OTC
ASSETS                                     MIP         Puritan      Magellan     Manager     Portfolio   Overseas
- ------                                     ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  __________
                                                                                       
Investments, at market:
 Short term money market                   -           $2,242       $2,242       $-          $-          $-
  Kansas City Power & Light Co. Stock
  2,897,546.2360 shares (cost $65,323,576) -           -            -            -           -           -

 Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio (MIP)
  8,164,153 shares(cost $8,164,153)        8,164,153   -            -            -           -           -

 Fidelity Puritan Fund
  843,587.3407 shares (cost $13,687,603)   -           16,348,723   -            -           -           -
  
 Fidelity Magellan Fund
  375,422.0287 shares (cost $27,627,240)   -           -            35,766,457   -           -           -

 Fidelity Asset Manager Fund
  69,101.3070 shares (cost $1,149,625)     -           -            -            1,268,009   -           -

 Fidelity OTC Portfolio Fund
  89,621.1677 shares (cost $2,962,920)     -           -            -            -           2,997,828   -

 Fidelity Overseas Fund
  63,012.0582 shares (cost $1,950,196)     -           -            -            -           -           2,050,412
 Loans to participants                     -           -            -            -           -           -
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
  Total investments                        8,164,153   16,350,965   35,768,699   1,268,009   2,997,828   2,050,412
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  

Receivables:
 Investment income                         -           -            -            -           -           -
 Money market interest                     311         112          19           8           8           6
 Commission reimbursement                  -           -            -            -           -           -
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Total receivables                        311         112          19           8           8           6
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

TOTAL ASSETS                               $8,164,464  $16,351,077  $35,768,718  $1,268,017  $2,997,836  $2,050,418
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
LIABILITIES AND PLAN EQUITY
- ----------------------------
Liabilities:
 Benefits payable to participants          $14,844     $149,493     $490,765     $-          $-          $9,807
Plan Equity                                8,149,620   16,201,584   35,277,953   1,268,017   $2,997,836  $2,040,611
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PLAN EQUITY          $8,164,464  $16,351,077  $35,768,718  $1,268,017  $2,997,836  $2,050,418
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                           ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.


                                                2

Kansas City Power & Light Company Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan Statement of Financial Condition, With Fund Information December 31, 1997 KCPL Loans to Total of ASSETS Stock Fund Participants All Funds - ------ ---------- ------------ ----------- Investments at Market: Short term money market $- - $4,484 Kansas City Power & Light Co. Stock 2,897,546.2360(cost $65,323,576) 85,658,711 - 85,658,711 Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio (MIP) 8,164,153 shares (cost $8,164,153) - - 8,164,153 Fidelity Puritan Fund 843,587.3407 shares (cost $13,687,603) - - 16,348,723 Fidelity Magellan Fund 375,422.0287 shares (cost $27,627,240) - - 35,766,457 Fidelity Asset Manager Fund 69,101.3070 shares (cost $1,149,625) - - 1,268,009 Fidelity OTC Portfolio Fund 89,621.1677 shares (cost $2,962,920) - - 2,997,828 Fidelity Overseas Fund 63,012.0582 shares (cost $1,950,196) - - 2,050,412 Loans to participants - 5,938,460 5,938,460 ---------- --------- ----------- Total investments 85,658,711 5,938,460 158,197,237 ---------- --------- ----------- Receivables: Investment income - - - Money market interest 506 - 970 Commission reimbursement 47 - 47 ---------- --------- ----------- Total receivables 553 - 1,017 ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL ASSETS $85,659,264 $5,938,460 $158,198,254 ---------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- LIABILITIES AND PLAN EQUITY - ---------------------------- Liabilities: Benefits payable to participants $1,581,604 $- $2,246,513 Plan Equity 84,077,660 5,938,460 155,951,741 ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PLAN EQUITY $85,659,264 $5,938,460 $158,198,254 ---------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
3 Kansas City Power & Light Company Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan Statement of Financial Condition, With Fund Information December 31, 1996 Fidelity Investment Funds Asset OTC ASSETS MIP Puritan Magellan Manager Portfolio Overseas - ------ --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Investments, at market: Short term money market $- $- $159,103 $- $- $- Kansas City Power & Light Co. Stock 2,679,331.3966 shares (cost $57,271,426) - - - - - - Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio (MIP) 7,492,939 shares (cost $7,492,939) 7,492,939 - - - - - Fidelity Puritan Fund 726,829.5399 shares (cost $11,183,328) - 12,530,541 - - - - Fidelity Magellan Fund 341,712.9438 shares (cost $23,746,811) - - 27,559,149 - - - Fidelity Asset Manager Fund 45,883.8316 shares (cost $705,044) - - - 755,707 - - Fidelity OTC Portfolio Fund 55,985.2874 shares (cost $1,717,316) - - - - 1,831,279 - Fidelity Overseas Fund 48,895.7508 shares (cost $1,427,865) - - - - - 1,507,945 Loans to participants - - - - - - --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Total investments 7,492,939 12,530,541 27,718,252 755,707 1,831,279 1,507,945 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Reivables: Investment income 37,621 - - - - - Money market interest 26 50 100 6 33 10 Commission reimbursement - - - - - - --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Total receivables 37,647 50 100 6 33 10 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL ASSETS $7,530,586 $12,530,591 $27,718,352 $755,713 $1,831,312 $1,507,955 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- LIABILITIES AND PLAN EQUITY - --------------------------- Liabilities: Benefits payable to participants $284,742 $246,498 $421,322 $- $1,519 - Plan Equity 7,245,844 12,284,093 27,297,030 755,713 1,829,793 1,507,955 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PLAN EQUITY $7,530,586 $12,530,591 $27,718,352 $755,713 $1.831,312 $1,507,955 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
4 Kansas City Power & Light Company Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan Statement of Financial Condition, With Fund Information December 31, 1996 KCPL Loans to Total of ASSETS Stock Fund Participants All Funds - ------ ---------- --------- ----------- Investments at Market: Short term money market $- $237,500 $396,603 Kansas City Power & Light Co. Stock 2,679,331.3966 (cost $57,271,426) 76,360,945 - 76,360,945 Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio (MIP) 7,492,939 (cost $7,492,939) - - 7,492,939 Fidelity Puritan Fund 726,829.5399 shares (cost $11,183,328) - - 12,530,541 Fidelity Magellan Fund 341,712.9438 shares (cost $23,746,811) - - 27,559,149 Fidelity Asset Manager Fund 45,883.8316 shares (cost $705,044) - - 755,707 Fidelity OTC Portfolio Fund 55,985.2874 shares (cost $1,717,316) - - 1,831,279 Fidelity Overseas Fund 48,895.7508 shares (cost $1,427,865) - - 1,507,945 Loans to participants - 5,606,288 5,606,288 ---------- --------- ----------- Total investments 76,360,945 5,843,788 134,041,396 ---------- --------- ----------- Receivables: Investment income - - 37,621 Money market interest 614 - 839 Commission reimbursement 391 - 391 ---------- --------- ----------- Total receivables 1,005 - 38,851 ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL ASSETS $76,361,950 $5,843,788 $134,080,247 ---------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- LIABILITIES AND PLAN EQUITY - --------------------------- Liabilities: Benefits payable to participants $1,560,754 $41,141 $2,555,976 Plan Equity 74,801,196 5,802,647 131,524,271 ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PLAN EQUITY $76,361,950 $5,843,788 $134,080,247 ---------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
5 Kansas City Power & Light Company Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan Statement of Income and Changes in Plan Equity, With Fund Information for the Year Ended December 31, 1997 Fidelity Investment Funds Asset OTC MIP Puritan Magellan Manager Portfolio Overseas ADDITIONS --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Investment income: Net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of investments $- $1,573,140 $5,046,647 $91,409 $(1,016) 50,573 Dividends - 1,286,699 2,288,869 103,455 203,481 99,448 Interest: Investments 427,430 - - - - - Money market 2,466 1,499 1,924 116 431 200 Loans - - - - - - Other - 91 2,525 358 27 4 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Net investment income 429,896 2,861,429 7,339,965 195,338 202,923 150,225 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Contributions: Employee 730,252 1,267,863 2,293,002 158,129 523,531 371,858 Employer - - - - - - Rollover 4,790 7,185 36,825 20,780 24,636 5,642 Reimbursed commissions - - - - - - Forfeiture credits - - - - - - --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Total contributions 735,042 1,275,048 2,329,827 178,909 548,167 377,500 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL ADDITIONS 1,164,938 4,136,477 9,669,792 374,247 751,090 527,725 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- DEDUCTIONS Distributions to participants (626,786) (585,038) (979,935) (17,283) (42,734) (23,972) Forfeited benefits - - - - - - - --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL DEDUCTIONS (626,786 (585,038) (979,935) (17,283) (42,734) (23,972) --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TRANSFERS Due to participant elections 320,547 280,395 (711,871) 129,475 383,719 6,054 Due to participant loans 45,077 85,657 2,937 25,865 75,968 22,849 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL TRANSFERS 365,624 366,052 (708,934) 155,340 459,687 28,903 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- NET CHANGE IN PLAN EQUITY 903,776 3,917,491 7,980,923 512,304 1,168,043 532,656 PLAN EQUITY, beginning of year 7,245,844 12,284,093 27,297,030 755,713 1,829,793 1,507,955 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- PLAN EQUITY, end of year $8,149,620 $16,201,584 $35,277,953 $1,268,017 $2,997,836 $2,040,611 ---------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
6 Kansas City Power & Light Company Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan Statement of Income and Changes in Plan Equity, With Fund Information for the Year Ended December 31, 1997 KCPL Loans to Total of Stock Fund Participants All Funds ADDITIONS ---------- --------- ----------- Investment income: Net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of investments $2,545,025 $- $9,305,778 Dividends 4,492,971 - 8,474,923 Interest: Investments - - 427,421 Money market 3,843 - 10,479 Loans - 590,128 590,128 Other (11) - 2,994 ---------- --------- ----------- Net investment income 7,041,828 590,128 18,811,723 ---------- --------- ----------- Contributions: Employee 2,853,496 - 8,198,131 Employer 2,725,984 - 2,725,984 Rollover 16,923 - 116,781 Reimbursed commissions 45,530 - 45,530 Forfeiture credits 3,434 - 3,434 ---------- --------- ----------- Total contributions 5,645,367 - 11,089,860 ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL ADDITIONS 12,687,195 590,128 29,901,592 ---------- --------- ----------- DEDUCTIONS Distributions to participants (3,037,910) (155,750) (5,469,408) Forfeited benefits (4,714) - (4,714) ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL DEDUCTIONS (3,042,624) (155,750) (5,474,122) ---------- --------- ----------- TRANSFERS Due to participant elections (408,319) - - Due to participant loans 40,212 (298,565) - ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL TRANSFERS (368,107) (298,565) - ---------- --------- ----------- NET CHANGE IN PLAN EQUITY 9,276,464 135,813 24,427,470 PLAN EQUITY, beginning of year 74,801,196 5,802,647 131,524,271 ---------- --------- ----------- PLAN EQUITY, end of year $84,077,660 $5,938,460 $155.951,741 ---------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
7 Kansas City Power & Light Company Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan Statement of Income and Changes in Plan Equity, With Fund Information for the Year Ended December 31, 1996 Fidelity Investment Funds Asset OTC MIP Puritan Magellan Manager Portfolio Overseas ADDITIONS --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Investment income: Net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of investments $- $199,817 $(1,219,051) $20,769 $69,080 $63,352 Dividends - 1,406,226 4,103,553 56,890 184,733 90,771 Interest: Investments 407,767 - - - - - Money market 360 668 1,326 63 310 144 Loans - - - - - - Other - (120) 186 (1) 37 (4) --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Net investment income 408,127 1,606,591 2,886,014 77,721 254,160 154,263 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Contributions: Employee 653,474 1,044,750 2,188,816 104,159 42,728 213,324 Employer - 265 2,180 - - - Rollover 1,686 27,038 74,862 6,963 24,591 739 Reimbursed commissions - - - - - - Forfeiture credits - - - - - - --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Total contributions 655,160 1,072,053 2,265,858 111,122 267,319 214,063 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL ADDITIONS 1,063,287 2,678,644 5,151,872 188,843 521,479 368,326 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- DEDUCTIONS Distributions to participants (427,468) (586,695) (1,056,057) (326) (2,175) (106) Forfeited benefits - - - - - - --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL DEDUCTIONS (427,468) (586,695) (1,056,057) (326) (2,175) (106) --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TRANSFERS Due to participant elections (73,157) (91,188) (1,377,381) 939 628,499 169,778 Due to participant loans 25,781 (74,621) (80,379) 1,782 19,219 (3,744) --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL TRANSFERS (47,376) (165,809) (1,457,760) 2,721 647,718 166,034 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- NET CHANGE IN PLAN EQUITY 588,443 1,926,140 2,638,055 191,238 1,167,022 534,254 PLAN EQUITY, beginning of year 6,657,401 10,357,953 24,658,975 564,475 662,771 973,701 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- PLAN EQUITY, end of year $7,245,844 $12,284,093 $27,297,030 $755,713 $1,829,793 $1,507,955 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
8 Kansas City Power & Light Company Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan Statement of Income and Changes in Plan Equity, With Fund Information for the Year Ended December 31, 1996 KCPL Loans to Total of Stock Fund Participants All Funds ADDITIONS ---------- --------- ----------- Investment income: Net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of investments $5,291,582 $- $4,425,549 Dividends 4,033,672 - 9,875,845 Interest: Investments - - 407,767 Money market 2,152 - 5,023 Loans - 533,818 533,818 Other 418 - 516 ---------- --------- ----------- Net investment income 9,327,824 533,818 15,248,518 ---------- --------- ----------- Contributions: Employee 2,617,686 - 7,064,937 Employer 2,607,428 - 2,609,873 Rollovers 13,009 - 148,888 Reimbursed commissions 44,193 - 44,193 Forfeiture credits 3,284 - 3,284 ---------- --------- ----------- Total contributions 5,285,600 - 9,871,175 ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL ADDITIONS 14,613,424 533,818 25,119,693 ---------- --------- ----------- DEDUCTIONS Distributions to participants (2,517,196) (95,647) (4,685,670) Forfeited benefits (3,269) - (3,269) ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL DEDUCTIONS (2,520,465) (95,647) (4,688,939) ---------- --------- ----------- TRANSFERS Due to participant elections 742,510 - - Due to participant loans (123,762) 235,724 - ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL TRANSFERS 618,748 235,724 - ---------- --------- ----------- NET CHANGE IN PLAN EQUITY 12,711,707 673,895 20,430,754 PLAN EQUITY, beginning of year 62,089,489 5,128,752 111,093,517 ---------- --------- ----------- PLAN EQUITY, end of year $74,801,196 $5,802,647 $131,524,271 ---------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
9 Kansas City Power & Light Company Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan Statement of Income and Changes in Plan Equity, With Fund Information for the Year Ended December 31, 1995 Fidelity Investment Funds Asset OTC MIP Puritan Magellan Manager Portfolio Overseas ADDITIONS --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Investment income: Net appreciation in the fair value of investments $- $1,250,219 $5,356,260 $64,495 $88,298 $52,833 Dividends - 547,145 1,447,394 14,860 34,872 21,681 Interest: Investments 369,126 - - - - - Money market 8 388 725 57 104 99 Loans - - - - - - Other - 2 (60) 2 - - --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Net investment income (loss) 369,134 1,797,754 6,804,319 79,414 123,274 74,613 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Contributions: Employee 655,886 993,120 2,158,252 101,883 133,448 226,330 Employer - - - - - - Rollover - 8,796 11,945 2,124 - 1,345 7,139 Reimbursed commissions - - - - - - Forfeiture credits - - - - - - --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- Total contributions 655,886 1,001,916 2,170,197 104,007 134,793 233,469 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- -------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL ADDITIONS 1,025,020 2,799,670 8,974,516 183,421 258,067 308,082 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- DEDUCTIONS Distributions to participants (594,334) (345,139) (800,329) (19,377) (17,637) (11,194) Forfeited benefits - - - - - - --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL DEDUCTIONS (594,334) (345,139) (800,329) (19,377) (17,637) (11,194) --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TRANSFERS Due to participant elections 782,883 27,745 (1,834,727) 26,100 157,510 37,459 Due to participant loans (52,414) (20,156) (169,554) 8,179 16,653 18,573 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- TOTAL TRANSFERS 730,469) 7,589 (2,004,281) 34,279 174,163 56,032 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- NET CHANGE IN PLAN EQUITY 1,161,155 2,462,120 6,169,906 198,323 414,593 352,920 PLAN EQUITY, beginning of year 5,496,246 7,895,833 18,489,069 366,152 248,178 620,781 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- PLAN EQUITY, end of year $6,657,401 $10,357,953 $24,658,975 $564,475 $662,771 $973,701 --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- ------- --------- --------- The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
10 Kansas City Power & Light Company Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan Statement of Income and Changes in Plan Equity, With Fund Information for the Year Ended December 31, 1995 KCPL Loans to Total of Stock Fund Participants All Funds ADDITIONS ---------- --------- ----------- Investment income: Net appreciation in the fair value of investments $6,292,588 $- $13,104,693 Dividends 3,502,951 - 5,568,903 Interest: Investments - - 369,126 Money market 2,056 - 3,437 Loans - - 436,646 Other (85) - (141) ---------- --------- ----------- Net investment income 9,797,510 436,646 19,482,664 ---------- --------- ----------- Contributions: Employee 2,392,233 - 6,661,152 Employer 2,524,326 - 2,524,326 Rollover 13,023 - 44,372 Reimbursed commissions 46,713 - 46,713 Forfeiture credits 4,118 - 4,118 ---------- --------- ----------- Total contributions 4,980,413 - 9,280,681 ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL ADDITIONS 14,777,923 436,646 28,763,345 ---------- --------- ----------- DEDUCTIONS Distributions to participants (2,406,800) (145,975) (4,340,785) Forfeited benefits (4,118) - (4,118) ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL DEDUCTIONS (2,410,918) (145,975) (4,344,903) ---------- --------- ----------- TRANSFERS Due to participant elections 803,030 - - Due to participant loans (230,542) 429,261 - ---------- --------- ----------- TOTAL TRANSFERS 572,488 429,261 - ---------- --------- ----------- NET CHANGE IN PLAN EQUITY 12,939,493 719,932 24,418,442 PLAN EQUITY, beginning of year 49,149,996 4,408,820 86,675,075 ---------- --------- ----------- PLAN EQUITY, end of year $62,089,489 $5,128,752 $111,093,517 ---------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
11 KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLUS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN The following description of the Kansas City Power & Light Company's Cash or Deferred Arrangement, alternatively known as Employee Savings Plus Plan (the Plan) provides only general information regarding the Plan. Participants should refer to the Plan Agreement for more complete information. The Plan is designed to encourage and assist employees of Kansas City Power & Light Company and Subsidiary (Company) to adopt a regular savings and investment program for long term needs, especially retirement. The Company is the Plan Administrator and UMB Bank, n.a. (UMB) is the Trustee. The Administrative Committee is the fiduciary of the Plan and has the responsibility of establishing the rules under which the Plan is run. 1. Eligibility and Employee Contributions - Employees are immediately eligible to make elective contributions to the Plan. If the employee begins employment during the first 15 days of a month, they can begin participating in the Plan the first day of the following month. If an employee's first day of employment is after the 15th of the month, they are eligible to participate in the Plan the first day of the next following month. Participants can contribute any whole percentage of their base pay from 2% to 12% (prior to April 1, 1997, the maximum percentage was 10%) to the Plan, except that contributions may not exceed the maximum allowable under the law. The maximum individual contribution allowed for 1997 and 1996 was $9,500; and for 1995 was $9,240. Other special limitations may reduce the participant elective and Company matching maximum contribution amounts for highly compensated employees. 2. Company Matching Contributions - The Company contributes an amount equal to 50% of the employee's elective contribution, not to exceed 3% of base pay as defined in the Plan. Company contributions may be made in cash, Company stock, or a combination thereof. Company contributions will at all times be invested in the common stock of the Company. The Company will begin matching employee contributions when the employee completes one year of service. 3. Rollovers - Participants may elect to transfer funds from another qualified retirement plan to the Plan, with permission from the Administrative Committee. 4. Vesting and Forfeitures 12 KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLUS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS a) Elective Contribution and Rollover Accounts - Participants are at all times 100% vested in their elective contribution and rollover accounts. b) Company Match Account - Participants who retire after age 55, die, or become totally and permanently disabled while an employee of the Company are considered 100% vested in the Company Match Account, regardless of their length of service with the Company. Vesting of the Company Match Account for participants who leave the Company for a reason other than death, disability, or retirement is based upon Years of Service for Vesting. A year of service for Plan purposes is defined as any year in which an employee completes at least 1,000 hours of service with the Company. Generally, all years of service with the Company are taken into account in computing Years of Service for Vesting. Participants who accrue two years of service prior to termination of employment are 20% vested. Participants are credited with 20% additional vesting each year thereafter, with full vesting after six years of service. The portion of Company Match Accounts that is not vested is forfeited by terminating participants. Forfeitures are used to reduce future Company matching contributions. The 1997, 1996 and 1995 forfeited benefits were $4,714, $3,269, and $4,118, respectively. The Company used forfeiture credits of $3,434, $3,284, and $4,118 for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, to reduce the matching contributions. 5. Investment of Accounts a) Investment of Elective Contribution and Rollover Accounts - Participants may direct (in 5% increments) the investment of their elective contribution and rollover accounts in one or more of the following seven investment funds: i) KCPL Stock Fund - a fund designed to invest solely in the Company's common stock. ii) Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio (MIP) - a collective investment trust that seeks to preserve capital and provide a competitive level of income over time. iii) Fidelity Puritan Fund - a growth and income fund that seeks income consistent with preservation of capital by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of common stocks, 13 KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLUS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS preferred stocks, and bonds, including lower-quality, high-yield debt securities. iv) Fidelity Magellan Fund - a growth fund that seeks long term capital appreciation by investing in stocks of companies with potentially above average growth potential and a corresponding higher level of risk. v) Fidelity Asset Manager Fund - an asset allocation fund that seeks high total return with reduced risk over the long term by investing in domestic and foreign equities, bonds and short term instruments. vi) Fidelity OTC Portfolio Fund - a growth fund that seeks long term capital appreciation by investing in securities traded on the over-the-counter securities market. vii) Fidelity Overseas Fund - an international growth fund that seeks long term capital growth by investing in foreign securities that includes common stock, securities convertible into common stock and debt instruments. b) Investment of Company Match Account - This account will at all times be invested in the common stock of the Company. As of December 31, 1997, 1,826 employees were participating in the Plan, 1,044 of whom were investing their elective contributions in more than one of the available options of the Plan. There were 78 employees contributing only to Fidelity MIP, 35 employees contributing only to the Fidelity Puritan Fund, 152 employees contributing only to the Fidelity Magellan Fund, 5 employees contributing only to the Fidelity Asset Manager Fund, 46 employees contributing only to the Fidelity OTC Portfolio Fund, 19 employees contributing only to the Fidelity Overseas Fund, and 447 employees contributing only to the KCPL Stock Fund. Participants also have the opportunity to change how their past savings in their elective and rollover accounts are invested. Participants can make such changes on a daily basis. Participants making such elections will have their fund shares sold, and the proceeds transferred and fund shares purchased per their request. The non-participant directed portion of the KCPL Stock Fund consisted of 1,278,593.0940 shares valued at $37,798,408 and 1,164,914.9967 shares valued at $33,200,077 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 14 KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLUS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 6. Allocation of Investment Income - The Trustee allocates investment income based on the shares held by participants in their individual accounts. Individual accounts are valued on each business day by the Trustee to reflect the current market value of the investments. If contributions or participant transfers received by the Trustee cannot be immediately invested in the investment funds, the moneys are held in an interest bearing UMB Money Market Fund. Some distributions may also be invested in the money market fund prior to payment to the participant. Any interest earned is allocated back to the investment accounts based on the amounts originally transferred. The money market interest receivable represents interest earned in the money market accounts for December 1997 and 1996. 7. Termination Payments - Participants who leave the Company as a result of termination, retirement, or permanent disability may receive the entire amount of their account in one lump- sum payment, rollover their account to another trustee, or elect to defer distribution until age 62 or retirement, whichever is later. Upon death, distributions will be made to beneficiaries in a lump sum or in installment payments over a period of no more than three years. Payment will commence no later than 60 days after the December 31 coinciding with or next following the date of the participant's death. Benefits Payable to Participants represents an accrual for those participants who had terminated service during the year and had not received their distribution by December 31. This amount, however, does not include an accrual for those terminated employees that elected to defer their distribution until age 62, except for those that will reach age 62 during 1997 and 1996. The deferred to age 62 totals for participants not required to receive distributions in the next calendar year are $9,868,502 and $8,015,135 for December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 8. Loans to Participants - The Plan allows participants to borrow against their vested account balance to obtain either an installment or residential loan. Other than by obtaining a loan, the Plan does not provide for in-service withdrawals from elective accounts, rollover accounts, or Company Match accounts. Distributions are made only upon retirement, disability, termination of employment, or death. 15 KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLUS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS An installment loan may be used for any purpose, whereas a residential loan must be used for the purchase of the participant's primary residence. The maximum loan terms for installment and residential loans are 5 and 15 years, respectively. A participant may have no more than one of each type of loan outstanding at the same time. For all loans issued through October 1989, if the participant's account balance was $20,000 or less, then a maximum of 80% of the vested account balance, not to exceed $10,000, could be borrowed. If the account balance was more than $20,000, then 50% of the vested account balance, not to exceed $50,000 could be borrowed. The interest rate for these loans was based on the Fidelity GIC Group Trust interest rate of 8.31%. For loans issued after November 1, 1989, the maximum amount that a participant can borrow is 50% of their vested account balance, not to exceed $50,000. The interest rate for these loans is UMB's prime rate plus 2%. The minimum amount a participant can borrow is $1,000. Principal and interest on all loans is repaid to the participant's individual accounts based on their current contribution allocation election. All loans are repaid by payroll deduction except when paid in full in advance or the unpaid principal is deducted from a total distribution which results from a death, disability, retirement, or termination. Loans to Participants represents the total of the outstanding loans issued from the investment funds. The 1997 Loans to Participants total of $5,938,460 was comprised of $1,063,545 of residential and $4,874,915 of installment loans. The 1996 Loans to Participants total of $5,606,288 was comprised of $804,508 of residential and $4,801,780 of installment loans. 9. Commissions and Administrative Expenses - Total 1997, 1996 and 1995 commissions were $45,530, $44,193, and $46,713, respectively, of which the Company owed the Plan $47 at December 31, 1997, and $391 at December 31, 1996. Commissions paid by the Plan for purchases and sales of Company common stock are reimbursed by the Company. Administrative expenses are also paid by the Company. During the year ended December 31, 1997, a net of $14,174 in costs for the administration of the Plan were billed to the Company by the Trustee after deducting plan expense reimbursements from Fidelity Investments. The net 16 KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLUS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS administrative costs paid by the Company for 1996 and 1995 were $26,030 and $53,085, respectively. 10. Voluntary Early Retirement Program - On March 8, 1994, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to offer a Voluntary Early Retirement Program. Of the 411 eligible employees, 312 employees with a Plan account elected to participate in the program and retired from the Company on June 30, 1994. Retiring employees who participated in the Plan could elect any of the termination payment options described in Note 7. 11. Related Party and Party-In-Interest Transactions - The Trustee is authorized under contract provisions and ERISA regulations, to invest in funds under its control and in securities of the Company. In 1997 there were 463,521 shares purchased and 246,392 shares sold in the KCPL Stock Fund under the Trustee's control totaling $13,341,965 and $6,612,130 respectively. In 1996 there were 473,425 shares purchased and 152,278 shares sold totaling $12,826,028 and $4,063,353, respectively. Temporary cash balances are invested on a daily basis in short-term investment funds under the Trustee's control. Although those temporary cash balances are not material to the Plan's financial statements, there were 567 purchases and 549 sales in the UMB Money Market Fund totaling $22,918,041 and $22,851,172, respectively in 1997. In 1996 there were 540 purchases and 474 sales totaling $16,855,503 and $16,808,414, respectively. 12. AMENDED AND RESTATED PLAN OF MERGER WITH WESTERN RESOURCES - Western Resources, Inc. (Western Resources) delivered an unsolicited exchange offer and an amended offer to KCPL's Board of Directors during the second quarter of 1996. After careful consideration, KCPL's Board of Directors rejected both offers. In July 1996 Western Resources commenced an exchange offer for KCPL Common Stock. In late 1996 KCPL began discussing a possible merger with Western Resources leading to a February 7, 1997, agreement. In December 1997 KCPL canceled its previously scheduled special meeting of shareholders to vote on the transaction because Western Resources advised KCPL that its investment bankers, Salomon Smith Barney, had indicated that it was unlikely that Salomon would be in a position to issue a fairness opinion for the merger transaction on the basis of the February 7, 1997, agreement. 17 KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLUS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS On March 18, 1998, KCPL and Western Resources entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (Amended Agreement). This Amended Agreement provides for the combination of the regulated electric utilities of KCPL and Western Resources into Westar Energy, a new company, using purchase accounting. Westar Energy will be owned approximately 80.1% by Western Resources and approximately 19.9% by KCPL shareholders. At closing, KCPL shareholders will receive for every share of KCPL Common Stock one share of Westar energy Common Stock and a fraction of a share of Western Resources Common Stock worth not less than $21.50 and not more than $26.50 pursuant to a collar adjustment mechanism. The estimated trading value per share of Westar Energy Common Stock to be issued to KCPL shareholders in connection with the Amended Agreement is estimated to be in the range of $10 to $11 per share based on current market conditions. Since Westar Energy will be a newly formed entity with no trading history, there can be no assurance that Westar Energy will trade at such levels. The transaction is subject to several closing conditions, including approval by each Company's shareholders, approval by a number of regulatory and governmental agencies, confirmation from Kansas tax authorities that no sales or use tax is payable in connection with the proposed transactions and dissenting KCPL common shares constitute less than 5.5% of outstanding shares. If the merger has not been closed by December 31, 1999, either party may terminate the Amended Agreement as long as they did not contribute to the delay. If Western Resources Index Price is less than or equal to $29.78 five trading days prior to closing, either party can terminate this Amended Agreement. The Amended Agreement allows the KCPL Board discretion to make changes (including increases) in the KCPL Common Stock dividend consistent with past practice exercising good business judgment. It also requires KCPL to redeem all outstanding shares of cumulative preferred stock prior to consummation of the proposed transactions. If the Amended Agreement is terminated under certain other circumstances and KCPL, within two and one-half years following termination, agrees to consummate a business combination with a third party that made a proposal to combine prior to termination, a payment of $50 million will be due Western Resources. Under certain circumstances, if KCPL determines not to consummate its merger into Westar Energy due to its inability to receive a favorable tax opinion from its legal counsel, it must pay Western Resources $5 million. Western Resources will pay KCPL $5 million to $35 million if 18 KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLUS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS the Amended Agreement is terminated and all closing conditions are satisfied other than conditions relating to Western Resources receiving a favorable tax opinion from its legal counsel, favorable statutory approvals or an exemption from the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. The effect of the merger on the Plan is not known at this time. 13. Summary of Other Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Accounting - The Plan's financial statements are maintained on the accrual basis. Plan records are maintained on a calendar year basis. The Trustee uses an average dollar costing methodology to cost investments and values investments at quoted market prices on the last business day of the Plan year. In accordance with the policy of stating investments at fair market value, the Plan presents in the statement of changes in net assets available for Plan benefits the net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of its investments which consists of the realized gains and losses and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on those investments. Tax Status - The Plan has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a "qualified" plan under the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan is exempt from Federal taxes on its income, and the participants in the Plan are not subject to taxes on either the income or the Company's contributions until such time as distributions are received. The Plan has been amended since receiving the last tax determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service. However, the Administrative Committee believes the Plan is currently designed and operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code. The Administrative Committee believes the Plan is qualified and tax-exempt, as described above, as of December 31, 1997 and 1996. Amendment and Termination - Although the Company intends to continue the Plan indefinitely, it reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan or cease Company contributions to it. If the Plan is terminated, participants will receive the amounts credited to their accounts and will automatically be fully vested in the Company Match Account regardless of the participant's years of service for vesting. Management's Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements 19 KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENT EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLUS PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS and the reported amounts of additions to and deductions from the Plan during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 14. Risks and Uncertainties - The Plan provides for various investment options in any combination of stocks, bonds, fixed income securities, mutual funds, and other investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term would materially affect participants' account balances and the amounts reported in the statement of net assets available for Plan benefits and the statement of changes in net assets available for Plan benefits. 20 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Administrative Committee of the Employee Savings Plus Plan has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLUS PLAN ( ( (By: /s/B. M. Tate ( B. M. Tate, Chairman ( ( ( /s/F. L. Branca ( F. L. Branca, Member ( ( ( /s/J. S. Latz ( J. S. Latz, Member June 26, 1998 21 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of Kansas City Power & Light Company on Form S-8 (File No. 33-58917) of our report dated June 17, 1998, on our audit of the financial statements of the Kansas City Power & Light Company Cash or Deferred Arrangement Employee Savings Plus Plan as of December 31, 1997, and 1996, and for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 11-K. /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P. Kansas City, Missouri June 17, 1998 22