diff --git a/KIPs/kip-286.md b/KIPs/kip-286.md
index d3e0996..3567c22 100644
--- a/KIPs/kip-286.md
+++ b/KIPs/kip-286.md
@@ -161,8 +161,8 @@ The `User tx` is a transaction initiated by the user, while `System tx` is a sys
 
 | From        | To          | Timing  | Condition             | Trigger   |
 | ----------- | ----------- | ------- | --------------------- | --------- |
-| ValActive   | ValInactive | Epoch   | Below `MinStake`      | System tx |
-| ValActive   | ValInactive | Epoch   | Below Top 50 by stake | System tx |
+| ValActive   | ValInactive | Epoch   | Below `MinStake` AND at least one `ValActive` remains after the epoch transition      | System tx |
+| ValActive   | ValInactive | Epoch   | Below Top 50 by stake AND at least one `ValActive` remains after the epoch transition | System tx |
 | ValPaused   | ValInactive | Epoch   | Below `MinStake`      | System tx |
 | ValInactive | ValReady    | Anytime | Over `MinStake`       | User tx   |
 | ValReady    | ValInactive | Anytime | -                     | User tx   |
@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ def process_epoch_transition():
     # over all entities. T1 and T4 do not contribute competitors.
     # T3b (MinStake) and pool building are handled inline via compete_or_demote.
     competitors = []
+    # Captured before the pass mutates states, for the liveness floor below.
+    previously_active = [e for e in get_all_entities() if e.state == ValActive]
 
     def compete_or_demote(entity):
         # T3b (below MinStake): demote directly to ValInactive, no slot check.
@@ -261,6 +263,13 @@ def process_epoch_transition():
         else:
             # T3b: Demote to ValInactive (entities below top 50 by slot competition)
             transition(entity, ValInactive)
+
+    # Liveness floor: retain the entities that entered as ValActive when the
+    # demotions above leave none. A ValPaused entity in the top 50 stays paused,
+    # so it does not satisfy this floor.
+    if count_by_state(ValActive) == 0:
+        for entity in previously_active:
+            transition(entity, ValActive)
 ```
 
 **Ordering Rationale:**
@@ -279,6 +288,8 @@ T1, T4, T2, and the eligible-pool collection (T3b MinStake check) are processed
 
 6. **T3b (competition demotion)**: Entities in the eligible pool but outside top 50 are demoted to `ValInactive`.
 
+7. **Liveness floor**: an empty `ValActive` set has no in-band recovery, since no block can be produced to restore stake or ready a replacement. The entities that entered the epoch as `ValActive` are therefore retained when the demotions above would leave none. Only that set is retained, and it competes normally at the next boundary.
+
 ### Violation Transition
 
 Violation transitions run at every block (after epoch transition if on an epoch block). They handle MinStake and PFS violations with slot-limited demotions. Validators are processed in deterministic address order to ensure consistent results across nodes.