If a superior court reverses the denial by the board of an application for a retirement allowance, or for a survivor’s allowance based on such allowance, or for a claim based on a claimed pension right or benefit, the superior court in its discretion may award reasonable attorney’s fees as costs to the member or beneficiary of the member who successfully appealed the denial of such application. Such costs shall be assessed against the board, shall be considered a cost of administration, and shall in no event become a personal liability of any member of the board.

(Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 556.)