The legislative body of a city, county, or fire protection district may expend money for the payment of contributions to a retirement system authorized to do business in the State for retirement benefits to volunteer or paid firemen of the fire department. For the purposes of determining such contributions the compensation of such firemen shall be either the compensation actually paid or that provided by Section 4458 of the Labor Code, whichever is greater. The legislative body may by ordinance provide for the conditions of retirement and may contract with such retirement system as provided in the ordinance. The authority granted by this section shall not be construed as a limitation on any powers heretofore or hereafter granted to the legislative body of a city, county, or fire protection district to provide for the retirement of volunteer or paid firemen.
(Added by Stats. 1953, Ch. 754.)