Review Procedure. If the Administrator denies part or all of the claim, the Claimant shall have the opportunity for a full and fair review by the Administrator of the denial as follows.

Exhaustion of Claims Procedures and Right to Bring Legal Claim. No action at law or equity shall be brought more than one year after the Administrator’s affirmation of a denial of a claim, or, if earlier, more than four years after the facts or events giving rising to the claimant’s allegation(s) or claim(s) first occurred.

If the claim is denied in whole or in part, the Company shall inform the Claimant in writing, and set forth: # the specified reason or reasons for such denial; # the specific reference to pertinent provisions of this Plan on which such denial is based; # a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect his or her claim and an explanation of why such material or such information is necessary; # appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the Claimant wishes to submit the claim for review; and # the time limits for requesting a review under [subsection (c)].

The claimant may request a review of any denial of his or her claim by written application to the Committee within 60 days after receipt of the notice of denial of such claim. Within 60 days (or, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, 120 days, in which case notice of such special circumstances should be provided within the initial 60-day period) after receipt of written application for review, the Committee will provide the claimant with its decision in writing, including, if the claimant's claim is not approved, specific reasons for the decision and specific references to the Plan provisions on which the decision is based.

If a Benefit Claim is Denied, the Administrator shall provide the claimant with written or electronic notice containing # the specific reasons for the Denial, # references to the applicable Plan provisions on which the Denial is based, # a description of any additional material or information needed and why such material or information is necessary, and # a description of the applicable review process and time limits.

Upon receipt of the denied claim, the Participant (or the Participant’s authorized representative) may file a request for review of the claim in writing with the Administrator. This request for review must be filed no later than 60 days after the Participant has received written notification of the denial.

Appeal of Claims That Are Denied or Partially Denied. The claimant may request review of the Claims Administrator's denial or partial denial of a claim for Plan benefits. Such request must be made in writing within sixty (60) days after claimant has received notice of the Claims Administrator's decision and shall include with the written request for an appeal any and all documents, materials, or other evidence which claimant believes supports his claim for benefits. The written request for an appeal, together with all documents, materials, or other evidence which claimant believes supports his claim for benefits should be addressed to the Claims Administrator, who will be responsible for submitting the appeal for review to the Claims Appeal Administrator.

A claimant who has a claim denied wholly or partially under Section 9.2 may appeal to the Administrator for reconsideration of that claim. A request for reconsideration under this Section must be filed by written notice within sixty (60) days (one-hundred and eighty (180) days if the claim is on account of Disability) after receipt by the claimant of the notice of denial under Section 9.2.

If the claim is not a Disability Benefit Claim, within ninety (90) days following receipt of such claim by the Committee, notice of any approval or denial thereof, in whole or in part, shall be delivered to the Claimant or his duly authorized representative or such notice of denial shall be sent by mail (postage prepaid) to the Claimant or his duly authorized representative at the address shown on the claim form or such individual’s last known address. The aforesaid ninety (90) day response period may be extended to one hundred eighty (180) days after receipt of the Claimant’s claim if special circumstances exist and if written notice of the extension to one hundred eighty (180) days indicating the special circumstances involved and the date by which a decision is expected to be made is furnished to the Claimant or his duly authorized representative within ninety (90) days after receipt of the Claimant’s claim.

Exhaustion of Remedies. Except as required by applicable law, no action at law or equity shall be brought to recover a benefit under the Plan unless and until the claimant has: # submitted a claim for benefits, # been notified by the Plan Administrator that the benefits (or a portion thereof) are denied, # filed a written request for a review of denial with the Plan Administrator, and # been notified in writing that the denial has been affirmed.