NC S346

Defines "career firefighter" as a full-time paid employee of a participating employer with a certified fire department whose primary duties involve prevention, detection, and suppression of fire.

Defines "career rescue squad worker" as a full-time paid employee of a participating employer with a certified rescue squad or emergency medical services team whose primary duties involve emergency response and medical services.

Extends early retirement benefits to career firefighters and career rescue squad workers, allowing retirement at age 50 with 15 years of service or age 55 with 5 years of service, matching benefits previously available only to law enforcement officers.

Extends service retirement eligibility to career firefighters and career rescue squad workers at age 55 with 5 years of service, the same as law enforcement officers.

Establishes new retirement benefit calculation formulas effective July 1, 2013 for career firefighters and career rescue squad workers using the same accrual rates as law enforcement officers.