Whereas , The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to provide forthwith for the payment of certain retirement benefits, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the teachers' retirement board shall pay to Carol Mellett, the surviving spouse of Thomas Mellett, a former teacher at the Blue Hills regional high school, a joint and last survivor's allowance in accordance with subdivision (2) of section 12 of chapter 32 of the General Laws. This survivor's allowance shall be calculated based on Thomas Mellett having attained 30 years of creditable service. Carol Mellett, shall, before any survivor's retirement allowance is paid, pay to the board, in one sum, the balance of the alternative superannuation retirement benefit accelerated payment agreement entered into by Thomas Mellett. If the remaining amount cannot be paid due to the limitations established under section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code, Carol Mellett shall be entitled to an actuarially reduced benefit in accordance with section 5 of said chapter 32.