§ 54-135. Administration.

(a)

Claim for benefits.

(1)

Advance claim required. In order to receive a benefit under this pension plan, a claim for benefits must be submitted, in writing, and shall be made on a duly prescribed form containing the information required in this subsection. A claim for benefits must be filed before any benefits are payable.

(2)

Information required. All participants and beneficiaries shall furnish such information as the board of trustees considers necessary or desirable for the purposes of administering the pension plan. This shall include the expected date of retirement of the participant, the marital status and proof of date of marriage of the participant, proof of age of the participant and any designated beneficiaries, and date and proof of death if a claim is filed for a survivor annuity or a death benefit. If proof of age is not submitted as required, other information may be used as the board of trustees deems reliable. Any adjustment required by reason of lack of proof, or misstatement of age, shall be made in such a manner as the board of trustees deems equitable. Benefits provided under this pension plan are conditioned upon the furnishing of such true and complete information as may be needed. The board of trustees and any other persons involved in the administration of the pension plan shall be entitled to rely upon any certification, statement or representation made by a participant or beneficiary with respect to age, marital status, death of the participant, or other facts required to be determined under any of the provisions of the pension plan, and the board of trustees shall not be liable on account of the payment of any monies or the commission of any act or failure to act, in reliance thereon.

(b)

Multiple claims prohibited. Once a claim for pension benefits has been approved by the board of trustees, no further claims for a pension benefit shall be permitted.

(c)

Notification of mailing address.

(1)

All participants and beneficiaries shall file with the board of trustees, from time to time, in writing, their mailing address and each change of address. Failure to submit such mailing address may result in the payment of benefits being delayed.

(2)

Any check representing payment under this article, and any communication addressed to a participant, beneficiary or other person, at the last address on the records of the board of trustees, shall be binding on such persons for all purposes of this pension plan.

(3)

If the board of trustees is in doubt whether payments are being received by the person entitled thereto, it may notify such person, by certified mail at the last known address, that all payments of benefits shall be withheld until the board of trustees is provided such information as it deems necessary.

(d)

Benefits payable to minors and incompetents.

(1)

Whenever any person entitled to payments under this pension plan is a minor or adjudicated legally incompetent, the board of trustees may, in the exercise of its discretion, direct all or any portion of those payments to be made in any one or more of the following ways:

a.

To the parent, lawfully appointed guardian, or legal representative of the person entitled to payments under the plan.

b.

To the spouse, child or other blood relative of the person entitled to payments under the plan, to be expended on behalf of that person or that person's dependents.

c.

To a recognized charity or nonprofit organization, to be expended for the benefit of the person entitled to benefits under the plan or that person's dependents.

(2)

The decision of the board of trustees under this subsection shall be final and binding upon all persons. After such decision, the board of trustees shall not be obliged to see to the proper application or expenditures of any payments so made. Any payment made pursuant to this subsection shall operate as a complete discharge of the obligations of the board of trustees and the pension plan.

(Ord. No. 1993-43, § 15, 9-28-93)