In the event that any application for benefits is denied in whole or in part, the Company shall notify the applicant in writing of his right to an independent review of the denial. Such written notice shall set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the applicant, specific reasons for the denial, specific references to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based, a description of any information or material necessary to perfect the application, an explanation of why such material is necessary, an explanation of the Plan’s review procedure, (including an explanation of the applicant’s right to initiate a lawsuit under [section 502(a)] of ERISA if the applicant’s appeal is denied), and, in the case of a Disability Claim (defined below), each specific internal rule, guideline, protocol or other similar criteria relied upon in making such denial (or a statement that such criteria were relied upon and will be provided free of charge to the applicant upon request), if any. An application shall be granted, or written notice of a denial shall be given to the applicant, within 90 days (45 days in the case of a Disability Claim) after the Company receives a proper application, unless special circumstances (which are matters beyond the control of the Plan in the case of a Disability Claim) require an extension of time for processing the application. In no event shall such an extension exceed a period of 90 days (30 days in the case of a Disability Claim) from the end of the initial 90-day period (45-day period in the case of a Disability Claim). If such an extension is required, written notice thereof shall be furnished to the applicant before the end of the initial 90-day period (45-day period in the case of a Disability Claim) indicating the circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Company expects to render a decision. If the Company determines that a decision on a Disability Claim cannot be rendered within the initial 30-day extension period due to matters beyond the control of the Plan, the period for making a determination may be extended for an additional 30 days, provided that written notice is furnished to the applicant before the end of the initial 30-day extension period indicating the circumstances requiring an additional extension of time and the date by which the Company expects to render a decision. In the case of any extension with respect to a Disability Claim, the notice of extension shall specifically explain the standards on which benefit entitlement is based, the unresolved issues

12.1Filing a Claim. A Participant or beneficiary of a Participant who believes that he or she is eligible for a benefit under this Plan that has not been provided may submit a written claim for benefits to the Officer Committee. The Officer Committee shall evaluate each properly filed claim and notify the claimant of the approval or denial of the claim within 90 days after the Officer Committee receives the claim, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. If an extension of time for processing the claim is required, the Officer Committee shall provide the claimant with written notice of the extension before the expiration of the initial 90-day period, specifying the circumstances requiring an extension and the date by which a final decision will be reached (which date shall not be later than 180 days after the date on which the Officer Committee received the claim). If a claim is denied in whole or in part, the Officer Committee shall provide the claimant with a written notice setting forth # 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 needed and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and # the claimant’s right to seek review of the denial pursuant to [Section 12.2] below.

The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, rely on any applicable statute of limitation or deadline as a basis for denial of any claim.

The review of the denied claim will take into account all comments, documents, records and other information that the Participant submitted relating to the Participant’s claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial denial of the Participant’s claim.

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.

the views of medical experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Plan in connection with the denial of the Claimant’s Disability Claim; and

Within a reasonable period of time after the denial of the claim, but in any event, not to be more than sixty (60) days, the claimant or his/her duly authorized representative may make written application to the Committee for a review of such denial. The claimant or his/her representative, may, upon request and free of charge, review or receive copies of documents, records and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits, and may submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim for benefits.

Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Employee Relations Committee, which shall have full authority to administer and interpret this Plan, make payments and maintain records hereunder. The Employee Relations Committee may adopt or amend from time to time such procedures as may be required for determinations required under the Plan. All interpretations of the Employee Relations Committee shall be final and binding on all parties including Members, Beneficiaries and the Company. Any complaint with regard to benefits under the Plan should be directed to the Employee Relations Committee, Colgate Palmolive Company, 300 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Such complaint must be filed in writing no later than 90 days after the date of retirement, termination or other occurrence related to the complaint. 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 the approval or denial of the claim. If the claim is denied, the 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 claimant 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 Employee Relations Committee. The claimant will have the right to review pertinent Plan documents and to submit issues and comments in writing. The Employee Relations 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. If the claimant does not request such a review or the Employee Relations Committee fails to respond to such a request for review in writing, the request for review will be deemed to have been made and denied on the 120th day after the date of the initial denial. The Employee Relations Committee, in its discretion, may request a meeting to clarify any matters deemed appropriate. No action may be brought for benefits under this Plan pursuant to the denial of a claim, unless such claim was timely made under this Section and such complaint is filed on or before one year from the denial or deemed denial by the Employee Relations Committee of any such claim upon review.

Each Pari Passu Creditor agrees to execute, verify, deliver and file any proofs of claim in respect of the Pari Passu Debt as reasonably requested by Agent in connection with any Proceeding provided that such proofs of claim acknowledge such Pari Passu Creditor’s rights with respect to its Pari Passu Debt and each Pari Passu Creditor hereby irrevocably authorizes, empowers and appoints Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact to execute, verify, deliver and file such proofs of claim upon the failure of such Pari Passu Creditor promptly to do so prior to FIFTEEN # days before the expiration of the time to file any such proof of claim.

Each ​-District [[Organization F:Organization]] agrees to execute, verify, deliver and file any proofs of claim in respect of the ​-District Debt as reasonably requested by Agent in connection with any Proceeding provided that such proofs of claim acknowledge such ​-District [[Organization F:Organization]]’s rights with respect to its Pari Passu Debt and each ​-District [[Organization F:Organization]] hereby irrevocably authorizes, empowers and appoints Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact to execute, verify, deliver and file such proofs of claim upon the failure of such ​-District [[Organization F:Organization]] promptly to do so prior to FIFTEEN # days before the expiration of the time to file any such proof of claim