Denial of Claim. In the case of the denial of a claim respecting benefits paid or payable with respect to an Eligible Executive, 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.

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.

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. If circumstances (such as for a meeting) 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.

shall, within 90 days after receipt of such claim, send to the claimant notice of the grant or denial, in whole or in part, of such claim unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. In no event may the extension exceed 90 days from the end of the initial period. If such extension is necessary, the claimant will be given notice to this effect prior to the expiration of the initial 90-day period. Any notice of extension shall set forth the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Compensation Committee expects to render its decision on the application for benefits.

Notification by Committee. Within 90 days after receiving a claim for benefits (or within 180 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time and written notice of the extension is given to the Participant or Beneficiary within 90 days after receiving the claim for benefits), the Committee shall notify the Participant or Beneficiary whether the claim has been approved or denied. If the Committee denies a claim in any respect, the Committee shall set forth in a written notice to the Participant or Beneficiary:

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.

Unless such claim is allowed in full by the Committee, written notice of the denial shall be furnished to the claimant within ninety (90) days (which may be extended by a period not to exceed an additional ninety (90) days if special circumstances so require and written notice to the claimant is given prior to the expiration of the initial ninety (90) day period describing such circumstances and indicating the date by which the Committee expects to render its determination) setting forth the following in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant:

Claims (Other than Disability Claims). For all claims other than Disability Claims, within ninety (90) days after receipt of such claim, the Committee will send to the Claimant by certified mail, postage prepaid, notice of the granting or denying, in whole or in part, of such claim, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. In no event may the extension exceed ninety (90) days from the end of the initial period. If such extension is necessary, the Claimant will be given a notice to this effect prior to the expiration of the initial ninety (90) day period. If the Committee fails to notify the Claimant either that his or her claim has been granted or that it has been denied in whole or in part within the initial ninety (90) day period or prior to the expiration of an extension, if applicable, then the claim shall be deemed to have been denied as of the last day of the applicable period, and the Claimant then may request a review of his or her claim.

Denial or Partial Denial of Benefit Claims. If the Claims Administrator denies a claim for benefits in whole or part, the Claims Administrator shall notify the claimant in writing of the decision within ninety (90) days after the claim has been received by the Claims Administrator. In the Claim Administrator's sole discretion, the Claims Administrator may extend the time to decide the claim for an additional ninety (90) days, by giving written notice of the need for such an extension any time prior to the expiration of the initial ninety (90) day period. The Claims Administrator, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to request specific information from the claimant, and reserves the right to have the claimant examined or tested by person(s) employed or compensated by the Employer. If the claim is denied or partially denied, the Claims Administrator shall provide the claimant with written notice stating: