Initial Claim. Claims for benefits under the Plan may be filed in writing with the Administrator. Written or electronic notice of the disposition of a claim shall be furnished to the claimant within ninety (90) days (45 days if the claim involves disability benefits and disability is not based on the Social Security Acts) after the application is filed, or such period as is required by applica ble law or Department of Labor regulation. Any electronic notification shall comply with the standards imposed by Department of La bor Regulation §2520.104b-1(c)(1)(i), (iii) and (iv) or any subsequent guidance. In the event the claim is denied, the reasons for the denial shall be specifically set forth in the notice in language calculated to be understood by the claimant, pertinent p rovisions of the Plan shall be cited, and, where appropriate, an explanation as to how the claimant can perfect the claim will be provided. In addi tion, the claimant shall be furnished with an explanation of the Plan's claims review procedure.

If any claim for benefits is wholly or partially denied, unless special circumstances require an extension of time, the claimant shall be given written or electronic notice within 90 days (or in the case of a claim for disability benefits (a “disability claim”), 45 days) following the date on which the claim is filed, which notice shall set forth # the specific reason or reasons for the denial; # specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based; # a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and # an explanation of the Plan’s claim review procedure, including the steps to be taken if the claimant wishes to submit the claim for review and the time limits for requesting a review.

Claims Procedure. If any person believes he is being denied any rights or benefits under the Plan, such person may file a claim in writing with the Administrator. If any such claim is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing. Such notification will contain # specific reasons for the denial, # specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions, # a description of any additional material or information necessary for such person to perfect such claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and # a description of the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the person’s right to bring a civil action following an adverse decision on review. If the claim involves a Disability, the denial must also include the standards that governed the decision, including the basis for disagreeing with any health care professionals, vocational professionals or the Social Security Administration as well as an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgement underlying the denial. Such notification will be given within 90 days (45 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) after the claim is received by the Administrator. The Administrator may extend the period for providing the notification by 90 days (30 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability, which may be extended an additional 30 days) if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim and if written notice of such extension and circumstance is given to such person within the initial 90 day period (45 day period in the case of a claim regarding Disability). If such notification is not given within such period, the claim will be considered denied as of the last day of such period and such person may request a review of his claim.

Claims Procedure. If any person believes he or she is being denied any rights or benefits under the Plan, such person may file a claim in writing with the Administrator. If any such claim is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing. Such notification will contain # specific reasons for the denial, # specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions, # a description of any additional material or information necessary for such person to perfect such claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and # a description of the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the person’s right to bring a civil action following an adverse decision on review. If the claim involves a Disability, the denial must also include the standards that governed the decision, including the basis for disagreeing with any health care professionals, vocational professionals or the Social Security Administration as well as an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgement underlying the denial. Such notification will be given within 90 days (45 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) after the claim is received by the Administrator. The Administrator may extend the period for providing the notification by 90 days (30 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability, which may be extended an additional 30 days) if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim and if written notice of such extension and circumstance is given to such person within the initial 90 day period (45 day period in the case of a claim regarding Disability). If such notification is not given within such period, the claim will be considered denied as of the last day of such period and such person may request a review of his or her claim.

Upon receipt of any written claim for benefits, the Administrator shall be notified and shall give due consideration to the claim presented. If any Participant or beneficiary claims to be entitled to benefits under the Plan and the Administrator determines that the claim should be denied in whole or in part, the Administrator shall, in writing, notify such claimant within ninety (90) days (forty-five (45) days if the claim is on account of Disability) of receipt of the claim that the claim has been denied. The Administrator may extend the period of time for making a determination with respect to any claim for a period of up to ninety (90) days (thirty (30) days if claim is on account of Disability), provided that the Administrator determines that such an extension is necessary because of special circumstances and notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial ninety (90) day (or forty-five (45) day) period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Plan expects to render a decision. If the claim is denied to any extent by the Administrator, the Administrator shall furnish the claimant with a written notice setting forth:

Filing Benefit Claims. Any claim asserting entitlement to a benefit under the Plan must be asserted within ninety (90) days after the event giving rise to the claim by sending written notice of the claim to the Claims Administrator. The written notice of the claim must be accompanied by any and all documents, materials, or other evidence allegedly supporting the claim for benefits. If the claim is granted, the claimant will be so notified in writing by the Claims Administrator.

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.