TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new state audit says a handful of Kansas teachers may be earning retirement benefits for the work they do as officers of their state and local unions.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that auditors said the practice technically should not be allowed.

One Republican legislator called it fraud within the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. But others said the practice is merely a technical error caused by vague instructions from the state.

The issue involves credits public employees receive for each year on the job, which determine when they can retire. Auditors noted that while teachers are covered by KPERS, employees of teachers’ unions are not.

Auditors said they selected 34 teachers in a “targeted sample,” and found seven incorrectly awarded KPERS service credits while working for unions.