A Participant may file a claim with respect to amounts asserted to be due hereunder by filing a written claim with the Committee specifying the nature of such claim in detail. The Committee shall notify the claimant within 60 days as to whether the claim is allowed or denied, unless the claimant receives written notice from the Committee prior to the end of the 60 day period stating that special circumstances require an extension of time for a decision on the claim, in which case the period shall be extended by an additional 60 days. Notice of the Committee’s decision shall be in writing, sent by mail to the Participant’s last known address and, if the claim is denied, such notice shall # state the specific reasons for denial, # refer to the specific provisions of the Plan upon which such denial is based, and # if applicable, describe any additional information or material necessary to perfect the claim, an explanation of why such information or material is necessary, and an explanation of the review procedure in [Section 8.4(b)].

General. Each Participant (and each person or entity claiming rights under the Plan through such Participant) shall claim any benefit to which he or she is entitled under the Plan by a written notification to the Committee. If a claim is denied, it must be denied within a reasonable period of time, but not in excess of 90 days following receipt of the claim by the Committee unless the Committee determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, in which case, the Committee shall provide the claimant with written notice of extension prior to the termination of the initial 90 day period and shall have an additional 90 days from the expiration of the initial 90 day period to decide such claim. Any such notice of extension shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Committee expects to render its decision, The Committee’s decision with respect to such claim shall be provided to the claimant in writing in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, and if such claim is denied, shall include # the specific reason for the denial, # reference to the specific Plan provisions on which the denial is based, # a description of additional information necessary for the claimant to present his claim, if any, and an explanation of why such information is necessary, and # an explanation of the Plan’s claim review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under [Section 502] of ERISA following an adverse determination on review.

A Participant or his or her beneficiary (if applicable) may file a written claim with the Committee with respect to his or her rights to receive a benefit from the Plan. The Participant will be informed of the decision of the Committee with respect to the claim within 90 days after it is filed. Under special circumstances, the Committee may require an additional period of not more than 90 days to review a claim. If this occurs, the Participant will be notified in writing as to the length of the extension, the reason for the extension, and any other information needed in order to process the claim. If a Participant is not notified within the 90-day (or 180-day, if so extended) period, he or she may consider the claim to be denied.

A Participant or his or her beneficiary (if applicable) may file a written claim with the Committee with respect to his or her rights to receive a benefit from the Plan. ​ will be informed of the decision of the Committee with respect to the claim within 90 days after it is filed. Under special circumstances, the Committee may require an additional period of not more than 90 days to review a claim. If this occurs, ​ will be notified in writing as to the length of the extension, the reason for the extension, and any other information needed in order to process the claim. If a Participant is not notified within the 90-day (or 180-day, if so extended) period, he or she may consider the claim to be denied.

If a claim of a Participant is wholly or partially denied, the Participant or his duly authorized representative may appeal the denial of the claim to the Committee. Such appeal must be made at any time within 30 days after the Participant receives written notice from the Company of the denial of the claim. In connection therewith, the Participant or his duly authorized representative may request a review of the denied claim, may review pertinent documents, and may submit issues and comments in writing. Upon receipt of an appeal, the Committee shall make a decision with respect to the appeal and, not later than 60 days after receipt of such request for review, shall furnish the Participant with the decision on review in writing, including the specific reasons for the decision written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Participant, as well as specific references to the pertinent provisions of the Plan upon which the decision is based.

If the claim is denied and a review is desired, the Participant (or beneficiary) shall notify the Committee in writing within sixty (60) days after receipt of the written notice of denial. In requesting a review, the Participant or beneficiary may request a review of pertinent documents with regard to the benefits created under this Plan, may submit any written issues and comments, may request an extension of time for such written submission of issues and comments, and may request that a hearing be held, but the decision to hold a hearing shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee.

If a claim is denied, in whole or in part, the Participant will be notified in writing of the specific reason(s) for the denial, the exact Plan provision(s) on which the decision was based, what additional material or information is relevant to his or her case, and what procedure the Participant should follow to get the claim reviewed again. The Participant then has 60 days to appeal the decision to the Committee.

9.3Claims Procedure. The Administrative Committee shall have the exclusive right to interpret the Plan and to decide any and all matters arising thereunder. In the event of a claim by a Participant as to the amount of any distribution or method of payment under the Plan, within 90 days of the filing of such claim, unless special circumstances require an extension of such period, such person will be given notice in writing of any denial, which notice will set forth the reason for the denial, the Plan provisions on which the denial is based, an explanation of what other material or information, if any, is needed to perfect the claim, and an explanation of the claims review procedure. The Participant may request a review of such denial within 60 days of the date of receipt of such denial by filing notice in writing with the Administrative Committee. The Participant will have the right to review pertinent Plan documents and to submit issues and comments in writing. The Administrative Committee will respond in writing to a request for review within 60 days of receiving it, unless special circumstances require an extension of such period. The Administrative Committee, at its discretion, may request a meeting to clarify any matters deemed appropriate.

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.

Claim Procedure. The Committee procedure for handling all claims hereunder and review of denied claims shall be consistent with the provisions of ERISA. If a claim for Plan benefits is denied, the Committee shall provide a written notice within 90 days to the person claiming the benefits that contains the specific reasons for the denial, specific references to Plan provisions on which the Committee based its denial and a statement that the claimant may # request a review upon written application to the Committee within 60 days, # may review pertinent Plan documents and # may submit issues and comments in writing. If a claim is denied because of incomplete information, the notice shall also indicate what additional information is required. If additional time is required to make a decision on the claim, the Committee shall notify the claimant of the delay within the original 90 day period. This notice will also indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension and the date by which a decision is expected. This extension period may not exceed 90 days beyond the end of the first 90-day period.