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 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.

The claimant may request a review of a denied claim by writing the Committee in care of the Plan Administrator. The appeal must, however, be made within 60 days after the claimant's receipt of notice of the denial of the claim. Pertinent documents may be reviewed in preparing an appeal, and issues and comments may be submitted in writing. An appeal shall be given a complete review by the Committee, and a written decision, including reasons, shall be provided within 60 days. If there are special circumstances requiring an extensive review, the Committee shall notify the claimant in a written notice within the original 60 day period of its receipt of the appeal and indicating that the decision will be delayed. A final decision on the appeal shall be made within 120 days of the Committee's receipt of the appeal.

Claims Review Procedure. Within 60 days after a Participant or Beneficiary receives notice from the Committee that his or her claim for benefits has been denied in any respect, he may file with the Committee a written notice of appeal setting forth his or her reasons for disputing the Committee’s determination. In connection with his or her appeal the Participant or Beneficiary or his or her representative may inspect or purchase copies of pertinent documents and records to the extent not inconsistent with other Participants’ and Beneficiaries’ rights of privacy. Within 60 days after receiving a notice of appeal from a prior determination (or within 120 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time and written notice of the extension is given to the Participant or Beneficiary and his or her representative within 60 days after receiving the notice of appeal), the Committee shall furnish to the Participant or Beneficiary and his or her representative, if any, a written statement of the Committee’s final decision with respect to his or her claim, including the reasons for such decision and the particular Plan provisions upon which it is based.

The claimant may request a review of a denied claim by writing the Committee in care of the Plan Administrator. The appeal must, however, be made within 60 days after the claimant's receipt of notice of the denial of the claim. Pertinent documents may be reviewed in preparing an appeal, and issues and comments may be submitted in writing. An appeal shall be given a complete review by the Committee, and a written decision, including reasons, shall be provided within 60 days. If there are special circumstances requiring an extensive review, the Committee shall notify the claimant in a written notice within the original 60 day period of its receipt of the appeal and indicating that the decision will be delayed. A final decision on the appeal shall be made within 120 days of the Committee's receipt of the appeal.

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.

Claim Review. Any Participant, Beneficiary or other claimant who does not agree with the decision rendered on the application may request that the Committee review the decision. Each request for review must be made in a writing addressed to and filed with the Committee within sixty (60) days after the claimant receives the decision, or if the application has neither been approved nor denied within the 90-day period specified in [subsection (b)], then the request must be made within 60 days after expiration of the 90-day period. Concurrently with filing the request for review the claimant may submit in writing to the Committee a statement of the issues raised by his appeal and supporting arguments and comments. Where the Committee believes that the issues raised by the claimant’s appeal may be more efficiently or fairly processed by taking testimony of the claimant or others, it will set the matter for oral hearing and give the claimant reasonable notice of the time and place. The Committee will proceed promptly to resolve all issues raised by the claimant’s appeal and will render a written decision on the merits within 60 days following the claimant’s request for review. Any determination by the Committee after completion of the review process set forth herein shall be binding upon the Company and the claimant.

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)].

If a claim is denied, in whole or in part, ​ 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 ​ should follow to get the claim reviewed again. ​ then has 60 days to appeal the decision to the Committee.

Review of Denial. Upon denial of a claim, in whole or in part, a claimant or his duly authorized representative will have the right to submit a written request to the Plan Committee for a full and fair review of the denied claim by filing a written notice of appeal with the Plan Committee within 60 days of the receipt by the claimant of written notice of the denial of the claim. A claimant or the claimant’s authorized representative will have, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits and may submit issues and comments in writing, except for privileged or confidential documentation. The review will take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.