Page 48 - Pay'n Save Retirement Truat fund

SOUND RETIREMENT | 46

CLAIM AND APPEAL PROCEDURES

To claim your pension benefit under the Plan, you must complete
a pension application (available from your local union or the
Administrative Office). Submit this application in accordance with
the instructions provided on page 44 of this booklet.

If your claim for benefits is denied, the Board of Trustees has
adopted the following procedures to appeal such a denial. The
Board of Trustees has the sole power and discretion to interpret,
apply, construe, and amend the provisions of the Plan and make
factual determinations regarding its construction, interpretation
and application, and any decision made by the Board of
Trustees in good faith is binding upon employers, employees,
a union, participants, beneficiaries, and all other persons who
may be involved or affected by the Plan. The Trustees have the
discretionary and final authority to decide pension benefit claims,
subject only to the appeal rights described in this section.

REVIEW BY APPEALS COMMITTEE

If you (or your spouse) apply for benefits, and that pension
application is denied, in whole or in part, you have the right to
request the Appeals Committee of the Board of Trustees to
conduct a review of the matter. You must send a written request
for a review of the benefit denial to the Trust Office no later than
60 days after the date you receive the notice of denial (no later
than 180 days for a disability application). The appeal must set
forth the specific element of the claim which is being appealed
and the reason why you believe the denial is wrong. You may
appoint an authorized representative to act on your behalf in
writing by providing the Trust Office with the representative’s
name, address, and telephone number.

The Appeals Committee will review all documents related to
your claim, plus any additional information that you (or your
spouse) have submitted regarding the benefit. A decision will be
issued by the first regular appeals meeting (or the second regular
meeting if more time is needed) following the date your appeal
was received, unless you (or your spouse) agree to a different
schedule. You (or your spouse) will be notified of the Appeals
Committee’s decision within 5 days of the date a decision is
made. If the Appeals Committee upholds the denial, the Trust will
send you a written notice which contains the following:

 The specific reasons for the Trustees’ decision;
 References to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based;

 A description of any additional material or information
necessary for you to perfect your application and an
explanation why such material or information is necessary;