The hospital governing board of a county hospital and regents of a state educational institution operating a county hospital under a contract approved by the state board of finance may establish retirement plans and programs for employees of a county hospital under their control. In establishing a retirement plan or program for county hospital employees, the governing board of the hospital may contract with private insurance companies. Any retirement benefits payable or paid to a county hospital employee resulting from a retirement plan or program authorized under this section are employee benefits and part of consideration for services rendered and are not donations to the employee.