A Claimant whose claim has been denied shall file with the Plan Administrator a notice of appeal of the denial. Such notice shall be filed within 60 calendar days of notification by the Plan Administrator of the denial of a claim, shall be made in writing, and shall set forth all of the facts upon which the appeal is based. Appeals not timely filed shall be barred. The Plan Administrator shall consider the merits of the Claimant’s written presentations, the merits of any facts or evidence in support of the denial of benefits, and such other facts and circumstances as the Plan Administrator shall deem relevant.

The Plan Administrator shall render a determination upon the appealed claim which determination shall be accompanied by a written statement as to the reasons therefore. The determination shall be communicated to the Claimant within 60 days of the Claimant’s request for review, unless the Plan Administrator determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. In such case, the Plan Administrator shall notify the Claimant of the need for an extension of time to render its decision prior to the end of the initial 60-day period, and the Plan Administrator shall have an additional 60-day period to make its determination. The determination so rendered shall be binding upon all parties. If the determination is adverse to the Claimant, the notice shall: # provide the reason or reasons for denial; # make specific reference to the Plan provisions on which the determination was based; # include a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, 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 # state that the Claimant has the right to bring an action under [section 502(a)] of ERISA.

SECTION # Claims. In the event any person or his authorized representative (a “Claimant”) disputes the amount of, or his entitlement to, any benefits under the Plan or their method of payment, such Claimant shall file a claim in writing with, and on the form prescribed by, the Plan Administrator for the benefits to which he believes he is entitled, setting forth the reason for his claim. The Claimant shall have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim and shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records or other information relevant to the claim. The Plan Administrator shall consider the claim and within 90 days of receipt of such claim, unless special circumstances exist which require an extension of the time needed to process such claim, the Plan Administrator shall inform the Claimant of its decision with respect to the claim. In the event of special circumstances, the response period can be extended for an additional 90 days, as long as the Claimant receives written notice advising of the special circumstances and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to make a determination (the “Extension Notice”) before the end of the initial 90-day response period indicating the reasons for the extension and the date by which a decision is expected to be made. If the Plan Administrator denies the claim, the Plan Administrator shall give to the Claimant # a written notice setting forth the specific reason or reasons for the denial of the claim, including references to the applicable provisions of the Plan, # a description of any additional material or information necessary to perfect such claim along with an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and # appropriate information as to the Plan’s appeals procedures as set forth in Section 8.02 of the Plan, including a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring an action under [Section 502(a)] of ERISA. Any claim must be filed within one year after the Claimant’s termination of employment or else it will be forever barred and waived.

If the Claimant does not agree with the Administrator’s decision, the Claimant can request that the Administrator reconsider his or her decision by filing a written request for review within sixty (60) days after receiving notice that the claim has been denied. The Claimant or the Claimant’s representative can also present written statements which explain why the Claimant believes that the benefit claimed should be paid and may review all pertinent plan documents. Generally, the appealed decision will be reviewed within sixty (60) days after the Administrator receives a request for reconsideration. However, if special circumstances require a delay, the review may take up to one hundred twenty (120) days. (If a decision cannot be made within the 60-day period, the Claimant will be notified of this fact in writing.) The Claimant will receive a written notice of the decision which will explain the reasons for the decision by making specific reference to the Plan provisions on which the decision is based.

Within 60 days after you receive written notice denying your claim, you or your authorized representative may make a written appeal to the Plan Administrator. In connection with your appeal, you may review pertinent documents; request copies of such documents free of charge; and may submit issues, comments, documents, records, and other pertinent information.

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.

A written notice of the disposition of any such claim will be furnished to the claimant within ninety (90) days after the claim is filed with the Plan Administrator. Such notice will refer, if appropriate, to pertinent provisions of this Plan, will set forth in writing the reasons for denial of the claim if a claim is denied (including references to any pertinent provisions of this Plan) and, where appropriate, will describe any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary. If the claim is denied, in whole or in part, the claimant will also be notified of the Plan’s claim review procedure and the time limits applicable to such procedure, including the claimant’s right to arbitration following an adverse benefit determination on review as provided below. All benefits provided in this Plan as a result of the disposition of a claim will be paid as soon as practicable following receipt of proof of entitlement, if requested.

The Administrator shall provide the claimant with written or electronic notice of its decision on appeal within 60 days after receipt of the claimant’s appeal request, unless special circumstances require an extension of this time period. If special circumstances require an extension of the time to process the appeal, the processing period may be extended for up to an additional 60 days. If an extension is required, the Administrator shall provide written notice of the required extension to the claimant before the end of the original 60-day period, which shall specify the circumstances requiring an extension and the date by which the Administrator expects to make a decision. If the Benefit Claim is Denied on appeal, the Administrator shall provide the claimant with written or electronic notice containing a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Benefit Claim, as well as the specific reasons for the Denial on appeal and references to the applicable Plan provisions on which the Denial is based. The Administrator’s decision on appeal shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all persons.

If a disputed claim is denied, in whole or in part, you’ll receive a written notice from the Company explaining why and on which plan provisions the disputed claim has been denied. An appeal must be made within 60 days after a denial by writing to the Company (contact your benefits administrator for details). You also may choose to name a representative to handle your appeal.