(a) Any person who knowingly makes any false statements or falsifies or permits to be falsified any records of the retirement system in any attempt to defraud the retirement system, as a result of such act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00, imprisonment not exceeding 12 months, or both.

(b) If any change or error in the records of the retirement system results in any member or beneficiary receiving from the retirement system more or less than he would have been entitled to receive had the records been correct, the board of trustees shall have the power to correct such error and to adjust the payments as far as practicable in such a manner that the actuarial equivalent of the benefit to which such member or beneficiary was correctly entitled shall be paid.