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WR-12.31.2011-11K


UNITED STATES
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
For the fiscal year ended ended December 31, 2011

OR

[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 1-3523

A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN

B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
818 South Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66612






Westar Energy, Inc. Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan
Employer ID No: 48-0290150
Plan Number: 004

Financial Statements as of December 31, 2011 and 2010,
and for the Year Ended December 31, 2011,
Supplemental Schedule as of December 31, 2011, and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm






WESTAR ENERGY, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 

All other schedules required by section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 have been omitted because they are not applicable.







REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Participants and the Investment and Benefits Committee
of the Westar Energy, Inc. Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan
Topeka, Kansas

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Westar Energy, Inc. Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Plan") as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2011. 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 standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, 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, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2011 is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements, but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management. Such schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the basic 2011 financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP


Kansas City, Missouri
June 15, 2012


1




WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
 
 
 
 
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010
 
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Participant-directed investments:
 
 
 
Mutual funds
$
327,199,236

 
$
334,932,162

Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust IV Fund
67,799,793

 
61,085,445

Westar Energy Common Stock Fund
32,009,394

 
29,849,252

 
 
 
 
Total Investments
427,008,423

 
425,866,859

 
 
 
 
Notes Receivable from Participants
10,099,420

 
9,981,052

Dividends receivable
354,769

 
369,258

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
437,462,612

 
436,217,169

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS AT FAIR VALUE
437,462,612

 
436,217,169

 
 
 
 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive stable value fund (Note 2)
(3,139,563
)
 
(2,405,429
)
 
 
 
 
NET ASSESTS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
$
434,323,049

 
$
433,811,740

 
 
 
 
See notes to the financial statements.
 
 
 



2




WESTAR ENERGY, INC.
EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
 
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
Investment income:
 
Interest and dividend income
$
11,466,813

Net depreciation in fair value of investments
(6,479,352
)
 
 
Total Investment Income
4,987,461

 
 
Contributions:
 
Employer
7,235,620

Participant
18,279,784

Rollover
540,773

 
 
Total Contributions
26,056,177

 
 
Interest income on notes receivable from participants
501,123

 
 
Total Additions
31,544,761

 
 
Benefits paid to participants
30,857,233

Administrative expenses
176,219

 
 
Total Deductions
31,033,452

 
 
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
511,309

 
 
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS:
 
Beginning of Year
433,811,740

 
 
End of Year
$
434,323,049

 
 
 
 
See notes to the financial statements
 
 
 



3



WESTAR ENERGY, INC. EMPLOYEES' 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

The following description of the Westar Energy, Inc. (the "Company") Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Plan") is provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plan's information.
General - The Plan is a defined contribution plan, designed to provide benefits for eligible employees of the Company upon retirement or earlier termination of employment. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company appoints an Investment and Benefits Committee consisting of at least five members to administer the Plan on behalf of the Company. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company serves as the trustee of the Plan. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).
Eligibility - An employee becomes eligible to participate in the Plan as of the first day of the calendar month following commencement of active employment or re-employment and/or as specified within the Plan document. Participants are eligible for the Company matching contribution following the completion of one year of service, as defined by the Plan.
Contributions - Participants of the Plan may contribute between 1 to 50 percent of earnings as defined by the Plan. All employees who are eligible to make elective deferrals under the Plan and have attained age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions in accordance with the Plan document. In addition to or instead of pretax contributions, participants can elect to make Roth elective deferrals. Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified employee benefit plans. Participants direct the investment of their contributions and Company matching contributions into various investment options offered by the Plan. The Plan currently offers 21 mutual funds (including 12 target-date retirement funds), a common/collective trust fund and a Company stock fund as investment options for participants. Contributions up to the first 6 percent of a participant's earnings, as defined by the Plan, are matched 75 percent by the Company. The Company matching contribution may be made in either cash or in Company common stock, generally at the option of the Company. Participants are immediately vested in both their contributions and Company contributions and earnings thereon. Contributions are subject to certain limitations. Active participants are allowed to make additional contributions each quarter to meet the maximum contribution percentage. These contributions are considered in determining matching employer contributions. Company matching contributions are suspended for a period of six months in the event that a participant withdrew money from their after-tax account and/or the Company match account. Company matching contributions are also suspended in the event a participant received a hardship withdrawal. The Plan does not allow additional contribution, transfer, or rollover of monies into the Company stock fund if the value of the participant's investment in the Company stock fund equals or exceeds 15 percent of the participant's account.
Payment of Benefits - Benefits are recorded when paid. Upon retirement, death, disability or termination of employment, all vested balances are paid to the participant or the participant's beneficiaries in accordance with Plan terms.
Participant Accounts - A separate account is maintained for each participant. Allocations to participant accounts for employer and employee contributions are made when the contributions are received by the trustee. Allocations to participant accounts for the net of interest, dividends, realized and unrealized changes in investment gains and losses and Plan expenses are made when such amounts are earned or incurred.

4



Participant Loans - Participants are permitted to borrow a specified portion of the balance in their individual account. Loan interest rates and terms are established by the Investment and Benefits Committee. Loans are evidenced by promissory notes payable to the Plan over one to five years for general purpose loans and up to 30 years for principal residence loans.
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Accounting - The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company's management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets available for benefits and changes therein. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Risks and Uncertainties - The Plan utilizes various investment instruments including common stock, mutual funds, and a common/collective trust fund. Investment securities, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such change could materially affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. There is a concentration of investments in Company common stock and there is a possibility that changes in the value of Company common stock could occur and affect the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.
Investment Valuation and Income Recognition - The Plan's investments are stated at fair value. Fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Shares of mutual funds are valued at quoted market prices that represent the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year end. The Company's common stock fund is invested primarily in the common stock of the Company. A small portion of the fund may also be invested in short-term reserves such as money market investments to help accommodate daily transactions. The investment objective of this fund is to provide the possibility of long-term growth through increases in the value of the stock and the reinvestment of its dividends. The Company's common stock fund is stated at fair value at its year-end unit closing price (comprised of year end market price plus uninvested cash). The investment in the common/collective trust fund (which is considered to be a stable value fund) has underlying investments in investment contracts and is valued at the fair market value of the underlying investments and then adjusted by the issuer to contract value. Fair value of the stable value fund is the net asset value of its underlying investments and contract value is the principal plus accrued interest. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Net appreciation (depreciation) includes the Plan's gains and losses on investments bought and sold as well as held during the year.

5



The Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust IV Fund (the “Trust”) is a common/collective trust fund that is considered to be a stable value fund and provides for the collective investment of assets of tax-exempt pension and profit sharing plans. The Trust invests solely in the Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust (VRST) Master Trust. The VRST Master Trust seeks to provide participants with an attractive rate of interest and safety of principal. The expectation is that each unit of the VRST Master Trust will maintain a constant net asset value of $1. However, there is no assurance that this will be the case. The underlying investments of VRST Master Trust are primarily in a pool of investment contracts that are issued by insurance companies and commercial banks and in contracts that are backed by high-quality bonds, bond trusts, and bond mutual funds. Participants may ordinarily direct the withdrawal or transfer of all or a portion of their investment at contract value. Contract value represents contributions made to the fund, plus credited earnings, less participant withdrawals. The existence of certain conditions can limit the Trust's ability to transact at contract value with issuers of its investment contracts. Specifically, any event outside the normal operation of the Trust that causes a withdrawal from an investment contract may result in a negative market value adjustment with respect to the withdrawal. Examples of such events include, but are not limited to, partial or complete legal termination of the Trust or a unit holder, tax disqualification of the Trust or unit holder, and certain Trust amendments if issuers' consent is not obtained. In general, issuers may terminate the contract and settle at other than contract value if there is a change in the qualification status of the participant, employer, or Plan; a breach of material obligations under the contract and misrepresentation by the contract holder; or failure of the underlying portfolio to conform to the pre-established investment guidelines. Plan management believes that the occurrence of events that would cause the trust to transact at less than contract value is not probable.
  
In accordance with GAAP, the statements of net assets available for benefits presents the stable value fund with underlying investments in investment contracts at fair value, as well as an additional line item showing an adjustment of fully benefit-responsive stable value fund from fair value to contract value. The statement of changes in net assets available for benefits is presented on a contract value basis.
Other than the fees discussed below under “Administrative Expenses”, all management fees and operating expenses charged to the Plan for investments are deducted from income earned on a daily basis and are not separately reflected. Consequently, management fees and operating expenses are reflected as a reduction of investment return for such investments.
Unit Values - Individual participant accounts invested in the Company common stock fund and the common/collective trust fund are maintained on a unit value basis. Participants do not have beneficial ownership in specific underlying securities or other assets in the various funds, but have an interest therein represented by units valued as of the last business day of the period. The various funds earn dividends and interest, which are automatically reinvested in additional units. Generally, contributions to and withdrawal payments from each fund are converted to units by dividing the amounts of such transactions by the unit values as last determined, and the participants' accounts are charged or credited with the number of units properly attributable to each participant.
Company Common Stock Fund - Effective January 1, 2003, the portion of the Plan consisting of the Company stock fund is designated as a stock bonus plan within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and an employee stock ownership plan within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(7) of the IRC. Such portion of the Plan is referred to as the "ESOP". The ESOP was not implemented until September 18, 2003. The ESOP is designed to invest primarily in common stock of the Company or other qualifying employer securities as defined in Section 4975(e)(8) of the IRC. With respect to dividends paid on Company common stock allocated on the record date of the applicable dividend to a participant's account under the ESOP, the participant shall have the right to elect that either the dividend be paid directly in cash or be paid to the participant's account under the ESOP and invested in Company common stock in the Company stock fund. Dividends paid from the ESOP to participants were $198,238 in 2011 and $185,506 in 2010.
Notes Receivable from Participants - Notes receivable from participants are measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. Delinquent participant loans are recorded as distributions based on the terms of the Plan document.

6



Administrative Expenses - Effective October 29, 2010, the Company, as plan administrator, shall determine whether a particular plan expense is a settlor expense which the Company must pay, or is a non-settlor expense which may be paid by the Plan. The reasonable non-settlor expenses incident to the operation and administration of the Plan may be paid by the Plan. These expenses may include, but are not limited to, the compensation of personnel and advisors and the cost of compliance with the bonding requirements specified in ERISA. The Company shall determine whether it will pay any or all non-settlor reasonable Plan expenses or whether the Plan must bear the expense. The Company, at its discretion, may elect at any time, to pay part or all thereof directly but would have no continuing obligation to do so. Prior to October 29, 2010, all administrative expenses of the Plan were paid by the Company with the exception of loan administrative charges and investment advisory fees for the Vanguard Managed Account program, which were paid by the participants utilizing those services. During the remainder of 2010 and in 2011, the affected Plan participants continued to pay for these investment advisory fees and loan administrative charges which are reflected as administrative expenses in the accompanying statement of changes in net assets available for benefits.
New Accounting Standards -
ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures: In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which amends ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, adding a new disclosure requirement to provide Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis. This requirement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance in 2011 did not materially affect the Plan's financial statements.
ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements: In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, which amends ASC 820. ASU 2011-04 also requires the categorization by level for items that are only required to be disclosed at fair value and information about transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. In addition, the ASU provides guidance on measuring the fair value of financial instruments managed within a portfolio and the application of premiums and discounts on fair value measurements. The ASU requires additional disclosure for Level 3 measurements regarding the sensitivity of fair value to changes in unobservable inputs and any interrelationships between those inputs. The new guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Plan management does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its financial statements.
3.
INVESTMENTS

The Plan's investments that represented 5 percent or more of the Plan's net assets available for benefits as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
 
 
Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust IV Fund
$
67,799,793

 
$
61,085,445

Vanguard 500 Index Signal Fund
58,940,506

 
60,338,970

Vanguard Windsor Fund
44,597,239

 
51,824,960

Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
44,483,626

 
51,521,542

Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Signal Fund
39,282,364

 
37,544,298

Vanguard Wellington Fund
34,273,071

 
34,681,881

Westar Energy Common Stock Fund
32,009,394

 
29,849,252

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
25,862,856

 
31,671,171


7



During the year ended December 31, 2011 the Plan's investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) in value as follows:
Mutual funds
$
(10,580,494
)
Westar Energy Common Stock (1)
4,101,142

 
 
Net depreciation in fair value of investments
$
(6,479,352
)
 
 
(1) Represents a party in-interest to the Plan.
 

4.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, provides a framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, as follows: Level 1, which refers to securities valued using unadjusted quoted prices from active markets for identical assets; Level 2, which refers to securities not traded on an active market but for which observable market inputs are readily available; and Level 3, which refers to securities valued based on significant unobservable inputs. Assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Plan's policy is to recognize significant transfers between levels at the end of the reporting period.

Asset Valuation Techniques - Investments in common collective trust funds are valued based upon the redemption price of units held by the Plan, which is based on the current fair value of the common collective trust funds underlying assets. Unit values are determined by the financial institution sponsoring such funds by dividing the fund's net assets at fair value by its units outstanding at the valuation dates. Investments in common collective trust funds are categorized as Level 2.
The Company's common stock fund is stated at fair value at its year-end unit closing price (comprised of year end market price plus uninvested cash). The Company's common stock fund is categorized as Level 2.
Shares of mutual funds held are categorized as Level 1. They are valued at quoted market prices that represent the net asset value of shares held at Plan year-end.

8



The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy a summary of the Plan's investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

December 31, 2011
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
2011 Total
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic stock funds
$
182,592,200

 
$

 
$

 
$
182,592,200

Balanced funds
61,158,126

 

 

 
61,158,126

International stock fund
25,862,856

 

 

 
25,862,856

Fixed income funds
57,586,054

 

 

 
57,586,054

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total mutual funds
327,199,236

 

 

 
327,199,236

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Westar Energy Common Stock Fund

 
32,009,394

 

 
32,009,394

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common/Collective trust

 
67,799,793

 

 
67,799,793

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
327,199,236

 
$
99,809,187

 
$

 
$
427,008,423

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2010
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
2010 Total
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic stock funds
$
198,490,286

 
$

 
$

 
$
198,490,286

Balanced funds
49,888,133

 

 

 
49,888,133

International stock fund
31,671,171

 

 

 
31,671,171

Fixed income funds
54,882,572

 

 

 
54,882,572

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total mutual funds
334,932,162

 

 

 
334,932,162

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Westar Energy Common Stock Fund

 
29,849,252

 

 
29,849,252

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common/Collective trust

 
61,085,445

 

 
61,085,445

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
334,932,162

 
$
90,934,697

 
$

 
$
425,866,859


For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no significant transfers in or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3.

5.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS

The Plan obtained its latest determination letter on July 9, 2004, in which the Internal Revenue Service stated the Plan, as then designed, was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC. The Plan has submitted to the IRS an application for a new determination letter and a letter of receipt of the application from the IRS dated December 7, 2010 was received. However, a new determination letter has not been received. The Plan has been amended since receiving the latest determination letter and the Plan administrator believes the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC, and the Plan and related trust continue to be tax-exempt. Therefore, no provision for income taxes is included in these financial statements.

9



GAAP requires Plan management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Plan has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The Plan administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2008.
6.
PLAN TERMINATION

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions set forth in ERISA.
7.
EXEMPT PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS

The Plan invests in shares of mutual funds and a common/collective trust fund managed by Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company. Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company is also the trustee of the Plan and, therefore, these transactions qualify as exempt party-in-interest transactions. Also, the Company common stock fund includes transactions that also qualify as party-in-interest transactions.
8.
RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the GAAP financial statements to amounts reflected in the Form 5500 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
2011
 
2010
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
$
434,323,049

 
$
433,811,740

Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive stable value fund
3,139,563

 
2,405,429

Less deemed distributions
(7,197
)
 
(7,197
)
 
 
 
 
Net assets per the Form 5500
$
437,455,415

 
$
436,209,972


The following is a reconciliation of the increase in net assets per the financial statements to amounts reflected in the Form 5500 for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
2011
 
 
Increase in net assets per the financial statements
$
511,309

Change in fair market value for fully benefit-responsive stable value fund
734,134

 
 
Increase in net assets per the Form 5500
$
1,245,443


9.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Effective January 1, 2012 the Plan was amended to exclude certain part-time and temporary employees hired on or after January 1, 2012, including rescue personnel, interns, temporary employees, leased employees and reclassified employees.


10



Effective March 1, 2012, the Plan automatically enrolls new, eligible union and non-union employees. Each employee who becomes an eligible employee with respect to the Plan on or after March 1, 2012 shall be given written notice as soon as practicable that, unless he or she makes a contrary affirmative election, such employee shall automatically start making a pre-tax elective deferral equal to six percent of compensation paid as defined under the Plan. An automatic deferral made under this provision shall be invested in the Plan's default fund, which is the applicable Vanguard Target Retirement Fund, unless the participant makes a different investment election.



*****

11






























SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE



12




WESTAR ENERGY, INC. EMPLOYEES’ 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
Employer ID No: 48-0290150
Plan No: 004
 
 
 
 
 
 
FORM 5500, SCHEDULE H, PART IV, LINE 4(i) - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR) DECEMBER 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Identity of Issuer, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party
Description of Investment
Shares/Units
Cost
Current Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Vanguard 500 Index Signal Fund
Mutual Fund
616,210

**
$
58,940,506

*
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Mutual Fund
3,492,344

**
44,597,239

*
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund
Mutual Fund
720,499

**
44,483,626

*
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Signal Fund
Mutual Fund
3,571,124

**
39,282,364

*
Vanguard Wellington Fund
Mutual Fund
1,093,589

**
34,273,071

*
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Mutual Fund
1,980,311

**
25,862,856

*
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Signal Fund
Mutual Fund
755,431

**
21,250,263

*
Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund
Mutual Fund
18,303,690

**
18,303,690

*
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
Mutual Fund
399,058

**
13,320,566

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund
Mutual Fund
699,266

**
8,600,977

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund
Mutual Fund
288,712

**
6,262,159

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund
Mutual Fund
307,254

**
3,770,006

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 Fund
Mutual Fund
84,743

**
1,900,789

*
Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund
Mutual Fund
118,915

**
1,371,088

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund
Mutual Fund
69,647

**
871,287

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund
Mutual Fund
56,331

**
1,178,452

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund
Mutual Fund
56,395

**
1,156,088

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 Fund
Mutual Fund
48,731

**
583,796

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund
Mutual Fund
43,305

**
557,333

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund
Mutual Fund
29,008

**
592,060

*
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund
Mutual Fund
1,876

**
41,020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Total Mutual Funds
 
 
 
327,199,236

 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Vanguard Retirement Savings Trust Fund
Common/Collective Trust Fund
64,660,230

**
67,799,793

*
Westar Energy Common Stock Fund
Company Stock Fund
2,069,127

**
32,009,394

*
Various Participants
Participant Loans (maturing through 2041 at interest rates of 4.25% - 14.00%)
 
**
10,099,420

 
 
 
 
 
$
437,107,843

*
Represents a party-in-interest to the Plan.
 
 
 
 
**
Cost information is not required for participant-directed investments and, therefore, is not included.



13





SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment and Benefits Committee for the Westar Energy, Inc. Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


WESTAR ENERGY, INC.


By:
Signature
Title
Date
 
 
 
/s/ Anthony D. Somma
Chairman
June 15, 2012
Anthony D. Somma
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Greg A. Greenwood
Member
June 15, 2012
Greg A. Greenwood
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Bruce A. Akin
Member
June 15, 2012
Bruce A. Akin
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Kelly B. Harrison
Member
June 15, 2012
Kelly B. Harrison
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Jerl L. Banning
Member
June 15, 2012
Jerl L. Banning
 
 




14
WR-12.31.2011-11K Exhibit 23.1


Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-151104 on Form S-8 of our report dated June 15, 2012, relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule of the Westar Energy, Inc. Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 11-K of the Westar Energy, Inc. Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan for the year ended December 31, 2011.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
June 15, 2012