(a) When the spouse or children of an active or retired participant shall be entitled to benefits under the plan, such spouse or children shall make, or cause to be made, an application to the retirement board through the secretary-treasurer which shall demonstrate (1) proof of the marriage of such participant to the spouse or (2) the ages of the participant’s children by birth certificate or other competent evidence, as the case may be. All such applications and evidence of marriage and parental relationships shall be kept and retained in the custody of the retirement board. (b) The retirement board shall have the right to require such proper proof of parentage or marriage and such other evidence as the retirement board deems desirable to determine eligibility for or to deny a benefit. Such documentation may include, but not be limited to, a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, and affidavits of relatives, participants, or other persons knowledgeable of the fact of marriage. If no marriage certificate is available, for common law marriage, proof shall include evidence of the existence of the marriage as may be required by applicable law and also may require indemnification and hold harmless agreements. The retirement board may require that unclear cases be adjudicated in an appropriate court proceeding. The retirement board’s determination of benefits and the right of any person to receive payment shall be conclusive.
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