Greg Murphy & North Carolina Republicans Champion NC First Responders’ Retirement Plans

This week, Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), with the support of all House Republicans in North Carolina, introduced legislation to provide greater access to pension plans for North Carolina first responders. This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to include full-time nonprofit firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) workers in governmental pension plans. Currently, full-time nonprofit emergency providers are not eligible to participate in North Carolina’s pension plan due to federal law.

“North Carolinians depend on the selfless service of first responders every single day,” said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D.”It is only fitting that these dedicated individuals should be able to depend on the government to provide them with a reliable retirement plan. This bill will be critical in ensuring our brave first responders are taken care of when their call to service comes to an end.”

“I am proud to continue my support for this legislation that provides fire and EMS personnel serving at non-profit departments the same benefits as their state-employed counterparts,” said Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry.”These brave men and women work tirelessly to keep our communities safe and deserve our support.”

“North Carolinians can sleep safer at night knowing that there are dedicated firefighters and EMS personnel standing ready to keep our communities safe,” said Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx.”It’s only fair that these heroes are able to access the same state sponsored retirement benefits available to governmental employees. I’m proud to join this legislation and support our first responders for their important contributions.”

“Firefighters and EMS workers keep our community safe and deserve our support,” said Congressman Richard Hudson.”I am proud to join Rep. Murphy to introduce this legislation that would allow these nonprofit first responders to access the North Carolina state pension fund. I look forward to working with my NC colleagues to advance this commonsense bill in Congress.”

“Our first responders work around the clock and risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe,” said Congressman David Rouzer.”I’m pleased to join my colleagues from North Carolina in introducing a bill to ensure volunteer firefighters and EMS workers can join a state or local retirement system and earn the benefits they deserve for so nobly serving the public.”

“Our volunteer firefighters and EMS workers put their lives on the line every day to keep us all safe,” said Congressman Dan Bishop.”Their service should be commended, and they deserve access to the same retirement funds as their counterparts employed by the state. I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation and thank our first responders for their continued service and sacrifice.”

“North Carolina’s firefighters and EMS heroes who are employed full-time by non-profit departments put their lives on the line every single day for our communities,”s aid Congressman Chuck Edwards.”It is past time for these brave men and women to be able to access secure retirement benefits through the state pension system.”

“I thank Representatives Murphy, McHenry, Foxx, Hudson, Rouzer, Bishop, and Edwards for introducing this legislation,” said Chief Donna Black, the President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.”This legislation will ensure that our members of the North Carolina fire and emergency services are recognized for their commitment to their communities. As volunteer fire departments adapt to a changing environment, it is important that we recognize and look after the career firefighters who work alongside them and allow the sustainability of our volunteer service.”

“I commend Rep. Murphy for his leadership in introducing this important legislation to allow paid firefighters and EMS personnel in non-profit departments to receive the retirement benefits they’ve earned through serving their communities,” said Steve Hirsch, Chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council.

BACKGROUND:
The current tax code prevents full-time nonprofit firefighters and EMS workers from joining the state retirement system. In North Carolina, 74% of fire departments are non-profit and employ 5,527 paid personnel who could be affected.

This legislation would provide clarity by stating these volunteers and EMS personnel can join their state/local retirement system and was previously introduced in the 117th Congress by Rep. Patrick McHenry (NC-10).

You can read the bill here.