PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 227-APR . 8, 1942 whom a guardian or other person legally vested with the care of his Pronviso person or estate has been appointed: Provided, however, That the Discretionary right , t of Board. Board may, in its discretion, validly, recognize actions by, and con- duct transactions with, others acting, prior to receipt of, or in the absence of, such written notice, in behalf of an individual found by the Board to be an incompetent or a minor, if the Board finds such actions or transactions to be in the best interests of such individual. ,Powers of gud- "(b) Every guardian or other person legally vested with the care of the person or estate of an incompetent or minor who is receiving or claiming benefits, or to whom any right or privilege is extended under this or any other Act of Congress now or hereafter admin- istered by the Board shall have power everywhere, in the manner and to the extent prescribed by the Board, to take any action necessary or appropriate to perfect any right or exercise any privilege of the incompetent or minor and to conduct all transactions on his behalf under this or any other Act of Congress now or hereafter admin- Pay'ments. istered by the Board. Any payment made pursuant to the provisions of this or the preceding subsection shall be a complete settlement and satisfaction of any claim, right, or interest in and to such payment. Efective date. r"()This section shall be effective as of August 29, 1935." SEC. 12. Effective as of June 24, 1937, except as to death benefits 0ut. 3s.C 22e. certified prior to the date of the enactment of this section, section 5 of said Act of June 24, 1937, is hereby amended to read as follows: Amount. 50 Stat. 309. 46U. S . C. 228a (h). 50 Stat. 311 . 45U.S .C. §228c (f), 228d. Payment to person or persons designated. Proviso. Determination by Board in certain cases. "DEATH BENEFTrS "SEC. 5. (a) The death benefit shall be an amount equal to 4 per centum of the aggregate compensation (determined in accordance with section 1 (h) of this Act but exclusive of the excess over $300 in any month's earnings) earned by an individual as an employee after December 31, 1936, less any annuity payments paid him, and less any annuity payments due him but not yet paid at his death, and, if he is survived by a spouse entitled to a joint and survivor annuity, less any annuity payments paid such spouse under sections 3 (f) and 4 of this Act, and less any annuity payments due such spouse under said sections but not yet paid at death. "(b) The amount of the death benefit computed under subsection (a) of this section shall be due upon the death of an individual who was an employee after December 31, 1936, or, if he is survived by a spouse entitled to a joint and survivor annuity, upon the death of such spouse and, upon application therefor, as provided in subsection (c) of this section, shall be paid in a lump sum to the person or persons designated by such individual in a writing filed, on or before the date of his death, with the Board, in such manner and form as provided by the Board: Provided, however, That if such designation has not been filed, or was improperly executed or improperly filed, or no designee is alive on the day the death benefit becomes due, the amount of the death benefit shall be paid to the person determined by the Board to have been such individual's spouse on the day of his death; if no such spouse is alive on the day the death benefit becomes due, such amount shall be paid to the person determined by the Board to be his child, by blood or by legal adoption, and alive on the day the death benefit becomes due, and if there be more than one such child they shall share equally; if there be no such child, such amount shall be paid to the person determined by the Board to be his parent and alive on the day the death benefit becomes due, and if both parents are so deter- mined they shall share equally; if there be no such parent, such amount shall be paid to the person determined by the Board to be his brother or sister, by blood or through legal adoption, and alive on the day the death benefit becomes due, and if there be more than one such brother or sister they shall share equally; and if there be no such 208 [56 STAT.
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