Claims Procedure. Any employee or other person who believes he or she is entitled to any payment under the Plan may submit a claim in writing to the Committee within 90 days of the earlier of # the date the claimant learned the amount of his or her benefits under the Plan or # the date the claimant learned that he or she will not be entitled to any benefits under the Plan. If the claim is denied (in full or in part), the claimant will be provided a written notice explaining the specific reasons for the denial and referring to the provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based. The notice also will describe any additional information needed to support the claim and the Plan’s procedures for appealing the denial. The denial notice will be provided within 90 days after the claim is received. If special circumstances require an extension of time (up to 90 days), written notice of the extension will be given within the initial 90-day period. This notice of extension will indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Committee expects to render its decision on the claim.

The claimant also shall be advised that he or his duly authorized representative may request a review by the Committee of the decision denying the claim by filing with the Committee, within 60 days after such notice has been received by the claimant, a written request for such review, and that he may review pertinent documents, and submit issues and comments in writing within the same 60-day period. If such request is so filed, such review shall be made by the Committee within 60 days after receipt of such request, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case the claimant shall be so notified and a decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than 120 days after receipt of the request for review. The Member or Beneficiary shall be given written notice of the decision resulting from such review, which notice shall include specific reasons for the decision, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, and specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based.

With respect to any claim for benefits which are provided exclusively under this Plan, the claim shall be approved or denied by the Committee (in respect of any Section 16 Participant) or a panel of senior executive officers of the Company (in respect of any Non-Section 16 Participant) within 90 days following the receipt of the information necessary to process the claim. If the Committee denies a claim for benefits in whole or in part, it will give written notice of the decision to the claimant or the claimant’s authorized representative, which notice will set forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, stating the specific reasons for such denial, make specific reference to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision was based, and provide any other additional information, as applicable, required by [Section 503] of ERISA and the regulations thereunder.

Denial of Claim. In the case of the denial of a claim respecting benefits paid or payable with respect to a Participant, a written notice will be furnished to the claimant within 90 days of the date on which the claim is received by the Senior HR Officer. If special circumstances (such as for a hearing) require a longer period, the claimant will be notified in writing, prior to the expiration of the 90-day period, of the reasons for an extension of time; provided, however, that no extensions will be permitted beyond 90 days after the expiration of the initial 90-day period.

Appeal Procedures. A request for appeal of a denied claim must be made in writing to the Plan Administrator within 60 days after receiving notice of denial. The decision on appeal shall be made within 60 days after the Plan Administrator’s receipt of a request for appeal, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case a decision shall be rendered not later than 120 days after receipt of a request for appeal. A notice of such an extension must be provided to the Claimant within the initial 60-day period and must explain the special circumstances and provide an expected date of decision. The reviewer shall afford the Claimant an opportunity to review and receive, upon request and without charge, all relevant all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits and to submit to the Plan Administrator written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the claim for benefits. The reviewer shall take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim regardless of whether the information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

Denial of Benefits. A Participant or Beneficiary (the "Claimant") who believes he is entitled to benefits hereunder that have not been paid may file a written claim for benefits with the Administrator. Within a reasonable period of time thereafter, but not later than ninety (90) days (unless the Administrator determines that special circumstances require an extension of time) following receipt of the written claim, the Administrator will determine the Claimant's entitlement to the benefits requested. If the Administrator determines that an extension of time is required, the Administrator will, prior to expiration of the initial 90-day period, notify the Claimant, in writing, of the extension, along with an explanation of the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Administrator expects to reach its decision, which shall not be later than one hundred eighty (180) days from the Administrator's receipt of the claim. If the claim is denied, the Administrator will furnish the Claimant a written notice stating: # the specific reason or reasons for denial of the claim, # a specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, # a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and # an explanation of the Plan's claim review procedure and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimant's right to bring a civil action under [Section 502(a)] of ERISA following an adverse determination on review.

Notice of Denial of Claim. If a claim is wholly or partially denied, the Plan Administrator shall notify the claimant of the denial of the claim within a reasonable period of time. Such notice of denial # shall be in writing, # shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, and # shall contain # the specific reason or reasons for denial of the claim, # a specific reference to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the denial is based, # a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim, along with an explanation why such material or information is necessary, and # an explanation of the Plan’s claim review procedure. Unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, the Plan Administrator shall notify the claimant of the claim denial no later than ninety (90) days after receipt of the claim. If such an extension is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination of the initial 90-day period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render the final decision.