If a claim for benefits under the Plan is denied, in whole or in part, the Board will provide a written notice of the denial within a reasonable period of time, but not later than 90 days after the claim is received. If special circumstances require more time to process the claim, the Board will issue a written explanation of the special circumstances prior to the end of the 90 day period and a decision will be made as soon as possible, but not later than 180 days after the claim is received.

If a claim for benefits under the Pre-2005 Addendum is denied, in whole or in part, the Committee will provide a written notice of the denial within a reasonable period of time, but not later than 90 days after the claim is received. If special circumstances require more time to process the claim, the Committee will issue a written explanation of the special circumstances prior to the end of the 90 day period and a decision will be made as soon as possible, but not later than 180 days after the claim is received.

If a claim is wholly or partially denied, the plan administrator shall notify the claimant of the plan's adverse benefit determination within a reasonable period of time, but not later than 90 days after receipt of the claim by the plan, unless the plan administrator determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. If the plan administrator determines that an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination of the initial 90‑day period. In no event shall such extension exceed a period of 90 days from the end of such initial period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the plan expects to render the benefit determination.

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 Committee. 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.

The Board will reconsider the claimant’s claim, taking into account all evidence, documentation, and other information related to the claim and submitted on the claimant’s behalf, regardless of whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial denial of the claim. The Board will make a decision within 60 days. If special circumstances require more time for this process, the claimant will receive written explanation of the special circumstances prior to the end of the initial 60 day period and a decision will be sent as soon as possible, but not later than 120 days after the Board receives the request.

When a Claim has been filed properly, it shall be evaluated and the Claimant shall be notified of the approval or the denial of the Claim within ninety (90) days after the receipt of such Claim unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the Claim. If such an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the termination of the initial ninety (90) day period, which notice shall specify the special circumstances requiring an extension and the date by which a final decision will be reached (which date shall not be later than one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date on which the Claim was filed). A Claimant shall be given a written notice in which the Claimant shall be advised as to whether the Claim is granted or denied, in whole or in part. If a Claim is denied, in whole or in part, the notice shall contain # the specific reasons for the denial, # references to pertinent Plan provisions upon which the denial is based, # a description of any additional material or information necessary to perfect the Claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and # the Claimant’s right to seek review of the denial.

If any claim for benefits is wholly or partially denied, unless special circumstances require an extension of time, the claimant shall be given written or electronic notice within 90 days (or in the case of a claim for disability benefits (a “disability claim”), 45 days) following the date on which the claim is filed, which notice shall set forth # the specific reason or reasons for the denial; # specific references to the 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, including the steps to be taken if the claimant wishes to submit the claim for review and the time limits for requesting a review.

When a Claim has been filed properly, it shall be evaluated and the Claimant shall be notified of the approval or the denial of the Claim within ninety (90) days after the receipt of such Claim unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the Claim. If such an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the termination of the initial ninety (90) day period, which notice shall specify the special circumstances requiring an extension and the date by which a final decision will be reached (which date shall not be later than one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date on which the Claim was filed). A Claimant shall be given a written notice in which the Claimant shall be advised as to whether the Claim is granted or denied, in whole or in part. If a Claim is denied, in whole or in part, the notice shall contain # the specific reasons for the denial, # references to pertinent Plan provisions upon which the denial is based, # a description of any additional material or information necessary to perfect the Claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and # the Claimant’s right to seek review of the denial.

If the claim is denied, in full or in part, the Committee shall provide a written notice within (90) days setting forth the specific reasons for denial, and any additional material or information necessary to perfect the claim, and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and appropriate information and explanation regarding the steps to be taken if a review of the denial is desired. However, if special circumstances require an extension of the period of time for considering a claim, the 90-day period can be extended for an additional 90 days by giving the claimant written notice of the extension, the reason why the extension is necessary, and the date a decision is expected.

The claimant may request a review of any denial of his or her claim by written application to the Committee within 60 days after receipt of the notice of denial of such claim. Within 60 days (or, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, 120 days, in which case notice of such special circumstances should be provided within the initial 60-day period) after receipt of written application for review, the Committee will provide the claimant with its decision in writing, including, if the claimant's claim is not approved, specific reasons for the decision and specific references to the Plan provisions on which the decision is based.