Exhibit 10.17

THE AES CORPORATION
SEVERANCE PLAN
(As Amended and Restated December 29, 2008)

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1                                                                                 Establishment and Purpose.

The purpose of the AES Corporation Severance Plan, as amended (the “Plan”) is to provide eligible employees who are involuntarily terminated from employment in certain limited circumstances with severance and welfare benefits as set forth in this Plan.  Benefits payable under this Plan are not, and should not be construed as vested benefits, and are generally intended for employees who are involuntarily terminated without cause.  This Plan constitutes a welfare plan under ERISA and will be interpreted in accordance with the terms of ERISA. This Plan supersedes any prior severance plans, policies, guidelines, arrangements, agreements, letters and/or other communication, whether formal or informal, written or oral sponsored by the Employer and/or entered into by any representative of the Employer.  The Plan was originally established June 1, 2006,

1.2                                                                                 Definitions.

Except as may otherwise be specified or as the context may otherwise require, for purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the respective meaning ascribed thereto.

“Administrator” means the Health and Welfare Benefits Plan LLC or such other committee or persons designated by it to assume the duties of the Administrator.

“Affiliated Employer” mean any corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Section 414(b) of the Code) which includes the Company; any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control (as defined in Section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company; any organization (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of an affiliated service group (as defined in Section 414(m) of the Code) which includes the Company; and any other entity required to be aggregated with the Company pursuant to regulations under Section 414(o) of the Code.

“Annual Compensation” means (i) an Eligible Employee’s annualized base salary as in effect as of the Eligible Employee’s Termination Date or (ii) in the event that an Eligible Employee is an hourly employee, the person’s cumulative base earnings (excluding bonuses) for the previous completed calendar year prior to the Eligible Employee’s Terminate Date.  Unless otherwise provided on a Benefits Schedule, Annual Compensation shall: (i) include pre-tax employee contributions under any qualified defined contribution retirement plan, salary deferrals under any unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plan, and amounts deferred (to include employee premiums) under a flexible spending account established pursuant to section 125 of the Code; and (ii) exclude any amounts contributed by the Employer to any plan established pursuant to section 125 of the Code, overtime pay, bonuses, shift differential, annual incentive payments, long-term incentive awards (including but not limited to stock options, restricted stock and performance unit awards), and any other form of supplemental compensation.

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“Benefit Schedule” means any schedule attached to the Plan which sets forth the benefits of specified groups of Eligible Employees, as approved by the Company and updated by the Administrator from time to time.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Bonus” means an Eligible Employee’s annual target bonus compensation as established by the Employer and in effect on the Eligible Employee’s Termination Date.

“Cause” means Separation from Service by action of the Employer, or resignation in lieu of such Separation from Service, on account of the Eligible Employee’s dishonesty; insubordination; continued and repeated failure to perform the Eligible Employee’s assigned duties or willful misconduct in the performance of such duties; intentionally engaging in unsatisfactory job performance; failing to make a good faith effort to bring unsatisfactory job performance to an acceptable level; violation of the Employer’s policies, procedures, work rules or recognized standards of behavior; misconduct related to the Eligible Employee’s employment; or a charge, indictment or conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony, whether or not in connection with the performance by the Eligible Employee of his or her duties or obligations to the Employer.

“Change in Control”  means the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company to any Person or group (as that term is used in Section 13(d) (3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of Persons, (ii) a Person or group (as so defined) of Persons (other than management of the Company on the date of the adoption of this Plan or their Affiliates) shall have become the beneficial owner of more than 35% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company, or (iii) during any one-year period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors (together with any new director whose election or nomination was approved by a majority of the directors then in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or who were previously so approved, but excluding under all circumstances any such new director whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any individual, corporation, partnership or other entity or group) cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors.   For purposes of this definition, “Affiliate” means: (i) any Subsidiary of the Company; (ii) any entity or Person or group of Persons that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company; and (iii) any entity or Person or group of Persons in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as determined by the Company.

“COBRA Coverage” means medical, dental and vision coverage which is required to be offered to terminated employees under section 4980B of the Code and section 606 of ERISA; provided, however, that no provision of this Plan shall be construed to require the Employer to contribute on behalf of an Eligible Employee towards continuation coverage for a health spending account.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

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“Company” (or “AES”) means The AES Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

“Disability Termination” means a Separation from Service: (a) on account of the Eligible Employee’s failure to return to full-time employment following exhaustion of short-term disability benefits provided by the Employer; (b) following the date the Eligible Employee is determined to be eligible for: (i) long-term disability benefits under any long-term disability insurance policy or plan maintained by the Employer; or (ii) disability pension or retirement benefits under any qualified retirement plan maintained by the Employer; or (c) due to a physical or mental condition that substantially restricts the Eligible Employee’s ability to perform his or her usual duties, as determined by the Employer.

“Eligible Employee” means any Employee of the Employer who: (i) is not an Ineligible Employee (within the meaning of Section 2.2); and (ii) who has completed one Year-of-Service as a full-time Employee.

“Employee” means any person who is listed as an employee on the payroll records of the Employer as a full-time employee.  Any person hired by the Employer as a consultant or independent contractor and any other individual whom the Employer does not treat as its employee for federal income tax purposes shall not be an Employee for purposes of this Plan, even if it is subsequently determined by a Court or administrative agency that such individual should be, or should have been, properly classified as a common law employee of the Employer.

“Employer” means the Company and any Affiliated Employer that participates in the Plan with the consent of the Company.  The Administrator shall maintain a list of participating Employers.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

“Ineligible Termination” means an Eligible Employee’s Separation from Service on account of:

·                                          The Eligible Employee’s voluntary resignation, including but not limited to the Eligible Employee’s unilateral Separation from Service at any time prior to the Termination Date established by the Employer;

·                                          Any Separation from Service that the Employer determines (either before or after the Separation from Service and whether or not any notice is given to the employee) the payment of benefits under the Plan in connection with such Separation from Service would be inconsistent with the intent and purpose of the Plan;

·                                          A Separation from Service in connection with an Eligible Employee’s failure to return to work immediately following the conclusion of an approved leave-of-absence.

·                                          A Separation from Service for, or on account of, Cause;

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·                                          A Disability Termination;

·                                          The Eligible Employee’s death;

·                                          The Eligible Employee declines to accept a New Job Position offered by the Employer that is located within 50 miles of the Eligible Employee’s then assigned work site of the Employer;

·                                          The Sale of Business Rule set forth in Section 2.4 herein; or

·                                          The voluntary transfer of employment from Eligible Employee’s Employer to another AES related entity, irrespective whether the Eligible Employee is required to relocate or whether the AES related entity qualifies as an Affiliated Employer.

“Involuntary Termination” means an Eligible Employee’s involuntary Separation from Service that is (i) not an Ineligible Termination and (ii) by action of the Employer on account of:

·                                          Permanent Layoff;

·                                          Reduction-in-force;

·                                          Permanent job elimination;

·                                          The restructuring or reorganization of a business unit, division, department or other segment;

·                                          Termination by Mutual Consent; or

·                                          Eligible Employee declines to accept a New Job Position offered by the Employer that requires the Eligible Employee to relocate to a work site location that is located greater than 50 miles from the Employee’s then assigned work site of the Employer; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 2.4 or in connection with a Separation from Service following a Change in Control, an Eligible Employee who functions at or above a Group Manager position (or its equivalent) shall not incur an Involuntary Termination if such Eligible Employee declines a New Job Position (regardless of its location) at a time when the Eligible Employee’s existing job position is being eliminated.

“Layoff” means a special program of workforce reduction approved in advance in writing by the Employer and that is designated as a “Layoff” for purposes of this Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Layoff must result in a permanent elimination of a job resulting from an internal reorganization of the Employer.

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“New Job Position” means: (i) with respect to an Eligible Employee who has demonstrated inadequate or unsatisfactory performance, as determined by the Employer, any job position offered by the Employer; or (ii) with respect to all other Eligible Employees, a full-time job position offered by the Employer that does not result in a reduction of the Employee’s Annual Compensation.

“Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code, the regulations and other binding guidance promulgated thereunder.

“Separation From Service” shall mean an Eligible Employee’s termination of employment with the Company and all of its controlled group members within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.  For purposes hereof, the determination of controlled group members shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code; provided that the language “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” in each place it appears in Section 1563(a)(1),(2) and (3) of the Code and Treas. Reg. § 1.414(c)-2; provided, further, where legitimate business reasons exist (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(h)(3)), the language “at least 20 percent” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” in each place it appears.  Whether an Employee has a Separation from Service will be determined based on all of the facts and circumstances and in accordance with the guidance issued under Section 409A.

“Specified Employee” means a key employee (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to paragraph (5) thereof) of the Company as determined in accordance with the regulations issued under Code Section 409A and the procedures established by the Company.

“Subsidiary” means any entity in which the Company owns or otherwise controls, directly or indirectly, stock or other ownership interests having the voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors, or other governing group having functions similar to a board of directors, as determined by the Company.

“Termination by Mutual Consent” means an involuntary Separation from Service pursuant to which the Company agrees, in its sole discretion, that benefits are payable under this Plan.

“Termination Date” means the date of the Eligible Employee’s Separation of Service (or scheduled date of Separation from Service, as applicable).

“Week’s Compensation” means one fifty-second (1/52) of an Eligible Employee’s Annual Compensation.

“Year-of-Service” means each twelve-month period measured from the Eligible Employee’s first day of employment with an Employer, as reduced to reflect breaks in service

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and/or services performed during such period the Eligible Employee was otherwise ineligible to participate in the Plan, as determined under the rules promulgated by the Administrator.  Service with a predecessor employer (that was not an Affiliated Employer) shall be recognized to the extent such service is recognized under The AES Corporation Retirement Savings Plan. Service shall also include services performed prior to the effective date of the Plan.  In the event an Eligible Employee’s Separation from Service and the Eligible Employee is subsequently reemployed by the Employer, the Eligible Employee’s service for calculation of any severance benefits under Article IV of the Plan shall be based on only upon the Eligible Employee’s service credited since the most recent date of employment with the Employer.

ARTICLE II
PARTICIPATION

2.1                                                                                 Eligibility.

Except as otherwise provided in this Article II or a Benefit Schedule, an Eligible Employee shall, upon execution of the Release in the form specified in Article III of this Plan in the time and manner prescribed by the Administrator, be eligible for the severance benefits provided under Article IV of this Plan if the Eligible Employee’s Separation from Service is by reason of an Involuntary Termination.  An Eligible Employee who fails to execute the Release in the time and manner prescribed by the Administrator or who subsequently revokes execution of the Release in accordance with its terms shall not be entitled to receive benefits under this Plan.  An Eligible Employee who satisfies all of the terms and conditions specified in this Plan and who becomes entitled to receive benefits hereunder shall be referred to herein as a “Participant.”

2.2                                                                                 Ineligible Employees. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, the following Employees (“Ineligible Employees”) are not eligible to participate in the Plan:

·                                          Any Employee who has been hired to work on a part-time, seasonal or temporary basis or who is classified as a part-time, seasonal or temporary Employee, or a student intern on the Employer’s records;

·                                          Any Employee who has been hired by the Employer to work in a job share position (provided that such Employee is not otherwise employed on a full-time basis);

·                                          An Employee who is member of a collective bargaining unit to which this Plan has not been specifically extended by a collective bargaining agreement;

·                                          An Employee entitled to a severance type payment pursuant to any other plan, policy, arrangement, agreement, letter or other communication sponsored by, or entered into with, or maintained by the Employer, including but not limited to an employment agreement;

·                                          Leased employees, including those within the meaning of section 414(n) of the Code;

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·                                          Nonresident aliens (other than those nonresident aliens to whom the Employer has extended participation in the Plan with the written consent of the Company);

·                                          Any individual who has agreed in writing that he or she waives his or her eligibility to receive benefits under the Plan; and

·                                          Any Employee who has an enforceable right to resume employment or to be recalled to employment with the Employer.

2.3                                                                                 Transfer of Employment.

If an Eligible Employee transfers to a location of AES to which this Plan has not been extended, such Employee shall cease to be eligible to participate in this Plan unless the Eligible Employee’s prior Employer has agreed in writing to continue to extend participation in the Plan to the Employee with the consent of the Company.

2.4                                                                                 Sale of Business Rule.

An Eligible Employee shall not be eligible to benefits under the Plan if the Eligible Employee’s Separation from Service is in connection with the sale of the stock or other ownership interests of the Employer or other related entity, or the sale, lease, or other transfer of the assets, products, services or operations of the Employer or other related entity to another organization if either of the following occurs:

·                                          The Eligible Employee is employed by the new organization immediately following the sale, transfer or lease or is so employed within a time period specified in an agreement between the Employer and the new organizations; or

·                                          The Employer terminates the employment of an Eligible Employee who did not accept an offer of employment from the new organization when the new organization offered a compensation and benefits package that was, in the aggregate, generally comparable to the compensation and benefits provided by the Employer; provided that such Eligible Employee  was not required to relocate to a work site location that is located greater than 50 miles from the Employee’s then assigned work site of the Employer.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this section 2.4 shall not apply if an Eligible Employee’s Separation from Service occurs in connection with a Change of Control and, as such, any such Separation from Service will not be an Ineligible Termination solely on the basis of the Sale of Business Rule.

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ARTICLE III
RELEASES

3.1                                                                                 Release.

Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, no benefits of any sort or nature (other than as provided in section 3.3) shall be due or paid under this Plan to any Eligible Employee unless the Eligible Employee executes a written release and covenant not to sue, in form and substance satisfactory to the Employer, in its sole discretion, within the time stated in the release; provided, however, that in all cases such release must become final, binding and irrevocable within sixty (60) days following the Eligible Employee’s Termination Date.  The written release shall waive any and all claims against the Employer and all related parties including, but not limited to, claims arising out of the Eligible Employee’s employment by the Employer, the Eligible Employee’s Separation from Service and claims relating to the benefits paid under this Plan.  At the sole discretion of the Employer, the release shall also include such noncompetition, nonsolicitation and nondisclosure provisions as the Employer considers necessary or appropriate.

3.2                                                                                 Revocation.

The release described in Section 3.1 must be executed and binding on the Eligible Employee within the timeframe specified by the Company before benefits are due or paid.  An Eligible Employee who revokes execution of the release in accordance with the terms of the release shall not be entitled to receive benefits under the Plan.

3.3                                                                                 Outplacement Services.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article III, the Outplacement Services set forth under Section 4.3 herein may or may not be provided, at the discretion of the Employer, to an Eligible Employee prior to the execution of a release under this Plan.

ARTICLE IV
SEVERANCE BENEFITS

4.1                                                                                 Separation Payment.

4.1.1                        A Participant shall be entitled to receive a separation payment as set forth on the applicable Benefit Schedule.  The separation payment will be paid at least monthly in substantially equal installments as salary continuation in accordance with the Employer’s established payroll policies and practices over the same time period upon which the separation payment is based.

4.1.2                        The separation payments will commence on the Employer’s next normal pay date occurring after the date the Eligible Employee’s release becomes final, binding and irrevocable.

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4.1.3                        For purposes of Section 409A: (i) the right to salary continuation installment payments shall be treated as the right to a series of separate payments; and (ii) a payment shall be treated as made on the scheduled payment date if such payment is made at such date or a later date in the same calendar year or, if later, by the 15th day of the third calendar month following the scheduled payment date.  A Participant shall have no right to designate the date of any payment under the Plan.  For purposes of the Plan, each salary continuation installment payment is intended to be excepted from Section 409A to the maximum extent provided under Section 409A as follows: (i) each salary continuation installment payment that is scheduled to be made on or before March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year containing the Termination Date is intended to be excepted under the short-term deferral exception as specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(4); and (ii) each salary continuation installment payment that is not otherwise excepted under the short-term deferral exception is intended to be excepted under the involuntary pay exception as specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii).

4.2                                                                                 Continuation of Certain Welfare Benefits.

4.2.1                        Medical/Dental/Vision.  For the period set forth below in Section 4.2.3 and beginning in the calendar month following the calendar month in which the Termination Date occurs, the Participant shall be eligible to participate in the Employer’s medical, dental and vision employee welfare benefit plans applicable to the Participant on his Termination Date.  To receive such benefits, the Participant must properly enroll in COBRA coverage, and must also pay such premiums and other costs for such coverage as generally applicable to the Employer’s active employees.  The Employer will continue to pay its share of the applicable premiums under the medical, dental and vision plans for the same level and type of coverage in which the Participant is enrolled as of the Termination Date.

If a Participant has elected the “no benefit coverage” option under the medical, dental or vision plans as of his actual Termination Date, the Participant shall not be entitled to continuation coverage or cash in lieu thereof.  Following expiration of coverage under this Section 4.2.1, a Participant may, to the extent eligible, continue to participate in such plans for the remainder of the COBRA continuation period, if any.

4.2.2                  Concurrent COBRA Period.  The continuation period for medical, dental and vision coverage under this Plan shall be deemed to run concurrent with the continuation period federally mandated by COBRA (generally 18 months), or any other legally mandated and applicable federal, state, or local coverage period for benefits provided to terminated employees under the health care plan.  The continuation period will be deemed to commence on the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the Termination Date falls.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, COBRA Coverage will only be available if the Participant is eligible for and timely elects COBRA Coverage, and timely remits payment of the premiums for COBRA Coverage.

4.2.3                  Length of Benefits.  Benefits under this Section 4.2 shall be for the same time period upon which the separation payment was based; provided, however that in no event will the time period exceed 18 months. Post-termination medical benefits are intended to be excepted from Section 409A under the medical benefits exceptions as specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B).

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4.3                                                                                Outplacement Services.

As set forth on the applicable Benefit Schedule, a Participant shall be eligible for such outplacement services typically provided to employees of the same job classification or level.  Outplacement services may be provided by an independent agency or by the Employer.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the availability, duration, and appropriateness of outplacement services shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that outplacement expenses must be reasonable, must be actually incurred by the Participant and may not extend beyond the December 31 of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurred (or such shorter period as specified by the Employer).  Any such reimbursement shall be as soon as administratively feasible, but in no event later than December 31st of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurred. Post-termination outplacement benefits are intended to be excepted from Section 409A under the separation payment benefits exceptions as specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A).

4.4                                                                                Bonus Compensation.

As set forth on the applicable Benefits Schedule and subject to any deferral election that the Participant has made with respect to such amounts, a Participant will be eligible for (i) a prorated Bonus; and (ii) any accrued but unpaid bonus compensation for completed performance periods.  The prorated Bonus specified in Section 4.4(i) will be prorated based on the amount of time the Participant was actively at work on a full-time basis in the calendar year in which the Participant’s Termination Date falls, and will be paid within the applicable 2½ month period specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(4).  The bonus compensation specified in Section 4.4(ii) shall be paid no later than the time that such amounts are paid to similarly situated employees in accordance with the applicable plan terms. .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to bonuses paid in accordance with the terms of The AES Corporation Performance Incentive Plan (or any successor plan, the “Performance Incentive Plan”), any such bonus compensation shall be paid only to the extent earned in accordance with the terms of the Performance Incentive Plan and on the payment date specified therein.

4.5                                                                                Enhanced Benefits.

To the extent provided under the Benefits Schedule, in the event the Participant was Involuntarily Terminated within two years following a Change in Control, or in the event the Participant was Involuntarily Terminated under circumstances that constitute a Layoff, the separation payment under Section 4.1 will be multiplied by 2.0.  In addition, the length of time for which benefits under Section 4.2 will be provided will also be multiplied by 2.0; provided, however, that this time period will never exceed 18 months as set forth in section 4.2.3.

4.6                                                                                Delay in Payment.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, to the extent that a payment hereunder is subject to Section 409A (and not excepted therefrom), such payment shall be delayed for a period of six months after the Termination Date (or, if earlier, the death of the Participant) for any Participant that is a Specified Employee.  Any payment that would otherwise

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have been due or owing during such six-month period will be paid on the first business day of the seventh month following the date of Termination Date.

ARTICLE V

PLAN ADMINISTRATION

5.1                                                                                Operation of the Plan.

The Administrator shall be the named fiduciary responsible for carrying out the provisions of the Plan.  The Administrator may delegate any and all of its powers and responsibilities hereunder or appoint agents to carry out such responsibilities, and any such delegation or appointment may be rescinded at any time.  The Administrator shall establish the terms and conditions under which any such agents serve.  The Administrator shall have the full and absolute authority to employ and rely on such legal counsel, actuaries and accountants (which may also be those of the Employer) as it may deem advisable to assist in the administration of the Plan.

5.2                                                                                Administration of the Plan.

To the extent that the Administrator in its sole discretion deems necessary or desirable, the Administrator may establish rules for the administration of the Plan, prescribe appropriate forms, and adopt procedures for handling claims and the denial of claims.  The Administrator shall have the exclusive authority and discretion to interpret, construe, and administer the provisions of the Plan and to decide all questions concerning the Plan and its administration.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator shall have the authority to determine the level of an Employee, to determine eligibility for and the amount of any benefits due in accordance with the attached Benefit Schedule, to make factual determinations, to correct deficiencies, and to supply omissions, including resolving any ambiguity or uncertainty arising under or existing in the terms and provisions of the Plan or any Benefits Schedule.  Any and all such determinations of the Administrator shall be final, conclusive, and binding on the Employer, the Employee and any and all interested parties.

5.3                                                                                Funding.

The Plan shall be unfunded and all payments hereunder and expenses incurred in connection with this Plan shall be from the general assets of the Employer. Benefits will be paid directly by the Employer employing the Participant, and no other Employer or Affiliated Employer will be responsible for any benefits hereunder.

5.4                                                                                Code section 409A.

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if any benefit provided under this Plan is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder, the provisions of the Plan will be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner necessary to comply with Section 409A or an exception thereto (or disregarded to the extent such provision cannot be so administered, interpreted, or construed).  With respect to payments subject to Section 409A of the Code: (i) it is intended that distribution events

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authorized under the Plan qualify as permissible distribution events for purposes of Section 409A of the Code; and (ii) the Company and each Employer reserve the right to accelerate and/or defer any payment to the extent permitted and consistent with Section 409A.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event shall the Administrator, the Company, an Affiliated Employer or Subsidiary (or their employees, officers, directors or affiliates) have any liability to any Participant (or any other person) due to the failure of the Plan to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A or any other applicable law.

ARTICLE VI

CLAIMS

6.1                                                                                General.

If an Employee believes that he or she is eligible for benefits under the Plan and has not been so notified, an Employee should submit a written request for benefits to the Administrator.  Any claim for benefits must be made within six months of an Employee’s Termination Date, or the Employee will be forever barred from pursuing a claim.  For purposes of this Article VI, an Employee making a claim for benefits under the Plan shall be referred to as a “claimant”.  The claimant shall file the claim with and in the manner prescribed by the Administrator.  The Administrator shall make the initial determination concerning rights to and amount of benefits payable under this Plan.

6.2                                                                                Claim Evaluation.

A properly filed claim will be evaluated and the claimant will be notified of the approval or the denial of the claim within ninety (90) days after the receipt of the claim, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing.  Written notice of the extension will be furnished to the claimant prior to the expiration of the initial ninety-day (90-day) period, and will specify the special circumstances requiring an extension and the date by which a decision will be reached (provided the claim evaluation will be completed within one hundred and twenty (180) days after the date the claim was filed).

6.3                                                                                Notice of Disposition.

A claimant will be given a written notice in which the claimant will be advised as to whether the claim is granted or denied, in whole or in part.  If a claim is denied, in whole or in part the notice will contain: (i) the specific reasons for the denial; (ii) references to pertinent Plan provisions upon which the denial is based; (iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and (iv) the claimant’s rights to seek review of the denial.

6.4                                                                                Appeals.

If a claim is denied, in whole or in part, the claimant, or his duly authorized representative, has the right to (i) request that the Administrator review the denial, (ii) review pertinent documents, and (iii) submit issues and comments in writing, provided that the claimant files a written appeal with the Administrator within sixty (60) days after the date the claimant

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received written notice of the denial.  Within sixty (60) days after an appeal is received, the review will be made and the claimant will be advised in writing of the decision, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for reviewing the appeal, in which case the claimant will be given written notice within the initial sixty-day (60-day) period specifying the reasons for the extension and when the review will be completed (provided the review will be completed within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the date the appeal was filed).  The decision on appeal will be forwarded to the claimant in writing and will include specific reasons for the decision and references to the Plan provisions upon which the decision is based.  A decision on appeal will be final and binding on all persons for all purposes.  If a claimant’s claim for benefits is denied in whole or in part, the claimant may file suit in a state or federal court. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, before the claimant may file suit in a state or federal court, the claimant must exhaust the Plan’s administrative claims procedure set forth in this Article VI.  If any such state or federal judicial or administrative proceeding is undertaken, the evidence presented will be strictly limited to the evidence timely presented to the Administrator.  In addition, any such state or federal judicial or administrative proceeding must be filed within six (6) months after the Administrator’s final decision. Any such state or federal judicial or administrative proceeding relating to this Plan shall only be brought in the Circuit Court for Arlington County, Virginia or in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division.  If any such action or proceeding is brought in any other location, then the filing party expressly consents to the transfer of such action to the Circuit Court for Arlington County, Virginia or the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division.  Nothing in this clause shall be deemed to prevent any party from removing an action or proceeding to enforce or interpret this Plan from the Circuit Court for Arlington County, Virginia to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division.