In the event of the death of a retired employee or in the event that the Board shall find that he is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident, any payments due may, unless claim shall have been made therefor by a duly appointed legal representative, be paid by the Board to the spouse, a child or parent or other blood relative or to any person deemed by the Board to have incurred expense for such retired employee, and any such payments so made shall be complete discharge of the liabilities of the plan therefor.
Any assignment, pledge or encumbrance of retirement benefits of any kind shall not be permitted or recognized under any circumstances, nor shall benefits be subject to attachment or legal process for debts of retired employees; and upon notice of any assignment or attachment of any kind, the benefits shall terminate and shall be applied by the Board for the benefit of the retired employee, his spouse, children or other dependents or any of them. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article IX, however, the Town shall be authorized by the Board to deduct from the monthly benefit payable to any retired employee who has elected to continue as part of the employee groups for hospital, surgical and medical coverage, pursuant to arrangements made therefor, the full amount of the group subscription rate as it may be established from time to time for such coverage and to pay such amount directly to the carrier or insurer of such coverage.