Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 176, § 12

Any society may create, maintain, invest, disburse and apply a death fund, any part of which may in accordance with the by-laws of the society be designated and set apart as an emergency, a surplus or other similar fund, and a disability fund and a hospitalization and medical service fund. Such funds shall be held, invested and disbursed for the use and benefit of the society, and no member or beneficiary shall have or acquire individual rights therein or become entitled to any part thereof except as provided in sections seventeen, twenty or twenty-five. The funds from which benefits shall be paid shall be derived and the fund from which the expenses of the society shall be defrayed may be derived from periodical or other payments by the members of the society and accretions of said funds.