Section 49A. A society operating on the lodge system with a representative form of government whose rates are on a basis of mortality not lower than the National Fraternal Congress Table as adopted by the National Fraternal Congress on August 23, 1899, or any society formed under section 45, if its constitution and by-laws so provide, may pay a pension to any employee who has been continuously in the service of the society for ten years or more and who has become incapacitated for further service by reason of physical or mental disability, and may pay a pension to any employee who has been continuously in the service of the society for 15 years or more and who is retired by reason of the infirmities of age or has attained the age of 65 years. All moneys expended for the purposes of this section shall be paid from the expense fund of the society. This section shall not apply to any society formed under section 46.