Claims Procedures. As required under [Section 2560.503-1(b)(2)])] of the Department of Labor Regulations, the claims procedures are set forth in the Plan’s Summary Plan Description, which claims procedures are incorporated by reference into the Plan. A Participant or a beneficiary, or the authorized representative of either (the “claimant”), may not bring an action under ERISA [Section 502(a)] or otherwise with respect to his or her claim until he or she has exhausted the claims procedures. Any such action must be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction within 12 months after the date on which the claimant receives the Committee’s written denial of the claimant’s claim on appeal or, if earlier, 12 months after the date of the alleged facts or conduct giving rise to the claim (including, without limitation, the date the claimant alleges he or she became entitled to Plan benefits requested in the suit or legal action), or it shall be forever barred. Any further review, judicial or otherwise, of the Committee’s decision on the claimant’s claim shall be limited to whether, in the particular instance, the Committee abused its discretion. In no event shall such further review, judicial or otherwise, be on a de novo basis, as the Committee has discretionary authority to determine eligibility and benefits and to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan.

Claim Procedure. If an Employee or former Employee makes a written request alleging a right to receive benefits under this Plan or alleging a right to receive an adjustment in benefits being paid under the Plan, the Committee shall treat it as a claim for benefit. All claims for benefit under the Plan shall be sent to the Committee and must be received within 30 days after termination of employment. If the Committee determines that any individual who has claimed a right to receive benefits, or different benefits, under the Plan is not entitled to receive all or any part of the benefits claimed, it will inform the claimant in writing of its determination and the reasons therefor in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant. The notice will be sent within 60 days of the claim. The notice shall make specific reference to the reasons for denial and pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, and describe any additional material or information necessary for the claim to succeed and a description of why it is necessary. Such notice shall, in addition, inform the claimant what procedure the claimant should follow to take advantage of the review procedures set forth below in the event the claimant desires to contest the denial of the claim. The claimant may within 90 days thereafter submit in writing to the Committee a notice that the claimant contests the denial of his claim by the Committee and desires a further review. The Committee shall within 60 days thereafter review the claim and authorize the claimant to appear personally and review pertinent documents and submit issues and comments relating to the claim to the persons responsible for making the determination on behalf of the Committee. The Committee will render its final decision with specific reasons therefor and in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, and will transmit it to the claimant within 60 days of the written request for review. If the Committee fails to respond to a claim filed in accordance with the foregoing within 60 days, the Committee shall be deemed to have denied the claim. This [Section 7.5] shall not serve to prohibit any Participant from bringing an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce his rights under the Plan after satisfaction of the foregoing procedures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the claims and appeals procedure provided for in this [Section 7.5] will be provided for the use and benefit of Participants who may choose to use such procedures, but compliance with the provisions of these claims and appeals procedures will not be mandatory for any Participant claiming benefits after a Change in Control. It will not be necessary for any Participant to exhaust these procedures and remedies after a Change in Control prior to bringing any legal claim or action, or asserting any other demand, for payments or other benefits to which such participant claims entitlement.