Benefits Handbook

Generally, benefits under the Company's plans may not be sold, transferred, pledged or assigned before you receive them, except as permitted by law. For certain healthcare plans, however, you may assign your benefits to the person or organization that provided the services the benefit is being paid to cover. And in certain situations, court orders may require benefits to be provided for a certain individual or individuals, typically an employee's family member.

A qualified medical child support order, also known as a QMCSO, is any judgment, decree or order, including a court-approved settlement agreement, issued by a domestic relations court or other court of competent jurisdiction, or through an administrative process established under state law which has the force and effect of law in that state, and which assigns to a child the right to receive health benefits for which a participant or beneficiary is eligible, and that the Plan Administrator determines is qualified under the terms of ERISA and applicable state law. Children who may be covered under a QMCSO include children born out of wedlock, those not claimed as dependents on your federal income tax return, and children who don't reside with you. The plan won't provide coverage it doesn't otherwise offer—for example, children who are no longer eligible due to their age can't be added under a QMCSO.

The Company will comply with all valid QMCSOs. You and your dependents may receive, upon request to the Plan Administrator and without charge, a copy of the procedures applicable to QMCSOs.

A qualified domestic relations order, also known as a QDRO, is a state court order, decree or judgment that directs a Plan Administrator to pay all or a portion of your retirement and/or savings plan benefits to a former spouse or a dependent. The terms of the applicable plan control all questions of benefit entitlement and calculation. The plan can honor a QDRO (and make payments) only if the QDRO is properly prepared and documented and meets the criteria for QDROs pursuant to ERISA. A QDRO can't modify the terms of the plan.

The Company will notify you if it receives a QDRO affecting your retirement/savings plan benefits. You and your former spouse or dependents may obtain a copy of the procedures governing the processing of a QDRO without charge by contacting: