(a) Recommendation.--A city may, at any time, at its discretion and upon the recommendation of the persons having custody and management of the firefighters pension fund, increase the allowances of individuals receiving allowances of any kind from the fund by reason of and after the termination of the services of any member of the fund.

(b) Uniform scale.--Increases made pursuant to this section shall be in conformity with a uniform scale, which may be based on the cost of living, but the total of the allowances shall not, at any time, exceed one-half of the current salary being paid firefighters of the highest pay grade.