CenturyLink Group Life and AD&D Insurance Plan. SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION for Active Legacy Qwest Occupational Employees

Transcription

1 CenturyLink Group Life and AD&D Insurance Plan SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION for Active Legacy Qwest Occupational Employees CenturyLink Inc. Effective January 1, 2013

2 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION... 1 Reserved Rights... 2 How to Use this Document... 2 What is an SPD?... 3 General SPD Information... 3 LIFE AND AD&D INSURANCE PLANS... 4 ABOUT LIFE and AD&D INSURANCE BENEFITS... 4 GENERAL PLAN and CONTACT INFORMATION... 6 Eligibility... 7 Access Your Information online... 7 Highlights and Amounts of Coverage... 7 Basic Life Insurance Coverage... 8 Basic AD&D Coverage... 8 Paralysis and Loss of Use Benefit under AD&D... 8 Seat Belt Benefit... 9 Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance Coverage Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life Coverage Dependent Child(ren) Life Insurance ACCELERATED BENEFIT FOR BASIC AND SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE EVIDENCE OF INSURABILITY CHANGING COVERAGE AMOUNTS Plan Participation and Cost Your Beneficiary Assignment of Life Insurance HOW BENEFITS ARE PAID Release of Medical or Confidential Information Filing a Claim Appeal Procedures CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY AFFECT YOUR PLAN BENEFITS When Coverage Ends Conversion and Portability Rights Coverage during Grace Period Conversion with Plan Termination Additional Conversion Provisions (for Minnesota Residents only) Additional Services Provided by MetLife OTHER FACTS Court Orders General Administrative and Legal Notice Provisions Interpretation of Benefits Clerical Error Administrative Services January i-

3 Conformity with Statutes Refund of Overpayments Limitation of Action Time Deadline Right To Change or Terminate the Plan Statement of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) Rights Receive Information about Your Plan and Benefits Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries Enforce Your Rights Assistance with Your Questions IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLANS Statement of ERISA Rights Plan Amendments Interpretation of the Plan Plan Name and Type Plan Financing and Administration Plan Sponsor Plan Administrator and Agent for Service of Legal Process Limitation on Civil Actions Clerical Error Records And Information and Your Obligation to Furnish Information Circumstances That May Affect Your Plan Benefits Consequences of Falsification or Misrepresentation APPENDIX January ii-

4 INTRODUCTION CenturyLink Inc. (hereinafter CenturyLink or Company ) is pleased to provide you with this Summary Plan Description (hereinafter Benefit Summary or SPD ). This SPD presents an overview of the general plan provisions, rights, and responsibilities under the CenturyLink Life and AD&D Insurance Plan (the Life or AD&D Plan ). Collectively, this SPD might refer to both plans as Life Insurance Plans, Life Insurance or the Plans. This SPD must be read in conjunction with the General Information SPD which explains several other details of your coverage. The effective date of this updated SPD is January 1, This SPD summarizes Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment ( AD&D ) survivor benefits for all active Legacy Qwest Occupational employees. If you are a Covered Person in this Plan on or after January 1, 2013, this SPD supersedes and replaces, in its entirety, any other SPD describing Life Insurance Benefits for which you may be eligible. This SPD, together with other plan documents (such as the Plan Document, the General Information SPD, the Summary of Material Modifications (SMMs) including materials you receive at Annual Enrollment) briefly describe your Benefits as well as rights and responsibilities, under the CenturyLink Group Life and AD&D Insurance Plans. This SPD supersedes and replaces, in its entirety, any other SPD, describing its provisions that you currently may possess. This SPD is intended to accurately reflect the provisions of the Group Life and AD&D insurance policies that underwrite the CenturyLink Life and AD&D Insurance Plans. Since this is only a summary of the policies, it does not cover all details found in the group policies. In the event of any discrepancy between this SPD and the official Plan Document, the group insurance policies shall govern. The Life and AD&D Plans, as described in this SPD are a part of your total compensation from CenturyLink. You are encouraged to review this information carefully, share it with your dependents, and keep it for future reference. January 1, 2013 is the date changes were most recently made to the coverages available under the Plans. Questions regarding your Life and AD&D Plans insurance benefits should be directed to the following: CenturyLink Service Center at However, you may also contact the Plan Administrator, the CenturyLink Employee Benefits Committee directly. You may contact the EBC at: CenturyLink, Inc. Human Resources 805 Broadway Vancouver, WA January

5 Reserved Rights CenturyLink reserves the right to amend, change or terminate the Plans and any of the Benefits provided under the Plans with respect to all classes of covered or eligible persons, retired or otherwise without prior notice to or consultation with any covered or eligible person, subject only to applicable laws and collective bargaining agreements or other written applicable agreements. The Plan Administrator has the right and discretion to determine all matters of fact or interpretation relative to the administration of the Plans including questions of eligibility, interpretations of the Plans provisions and any other matter. The decisions of the Plan Administrator and any other person or group to whom such discretion has been delegated, including the Claims Administrators (the Insurers), shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. More information about the Plan Administrator and the Claims Administrator can be found in the Appendix of this is SPD. With respect to the Company s Bargaining Employees who are eligible to participate in the Plans, the Plans are maintained pursuant to the applicable collective bargaining agreements. A copy of the current collective bargaining agreements is available from the Human Resource Labor Relations Department or by contacting your union directly. No Company Employee or vendors hired by CenturyLink can be responsible for advising you on the tax effects of your participation in the Plan as described in this SPD. Because tax laws are constantly changing, you should consult a tax advisor if you have questions about how participation in any Company plans will affect your personal tax situation. How to Use this Document This SPD is provided to explain how the Plans work. It describes your Benefits and rights as well as your obligations under the Plans. It is important for you to understand that because this SPD is only a summary, it cannot cover all of the details of the Plans or how the rules will apply to every person in every situation. All of the specific rules governing the Plans are contained in the official Plan Documents and underlying group insurance policies. You and your beneficiaries may examine the Plan Documents and insurance policies, other documents relating to the Plans during regular business hours or by appointment at a mutually convenient time in the office of the Plan Administrator. For additional information, refer to Your ERISA Rights. Capitalized terms are defined in the Glossary section and throughout this SPD. All uses of "we," "us," and "our" in this document, are references to the Claims Administrator or CenturyLink. References to "you" and "your" are references to people who are Covered Persons as the term is defined in the Glossary. You are encouraged to read and keep all SPDs and any attachments (summary of material modifications ( SMMs ), amendments, and addendums) for future reference. January

6 What is an SPD? This SPD is designed to provide you with a general description, in non-technical language, of the Life, and AD&D insurance benefits and coverages available under the Plans, without describing all the details set forth in all the Plan Documents. Other important details can be found in the Plan Documents. This SPD is not the Plan Document. The legal rights and obligations of any person having any interest in the Plans are determined solely by the provisions of the Plan Documents. If any of the terms of the Plan Documents are in conflict with the contents of the SPD, the Plan Documents and insurance policies will always govern. The Plan Documents and this SPD supersede any and all prior documents you may have been provided regarding your benefits under the Plans. See the General Information SPD for more information as noted below. General SPD Information The Life Insurance Benefits are offered under the Plan. Refer to the General Information SPD for general Plan information including, but not limited to, the following sections: Eligibility When Coverage Begins When Coverage Ends Questions, Complaints, How to Appeal a Claim The Plan s Right to Restitution Plan Information (e.g. Plan Sponsor and EIN, administration, contact information, Plan Number, etc.) Your ERISA Rights Glossary of Defined Terms January

7 LIFE AND AD&D INSURANCE PLANS The CenturyLink Life and AD&D Insurance Plans provide a wide range of coverage in the event of death or certain other serious physical losses. The Basic Life Insurance Benefit under the Life Plan pays benefits in the form of a lump sum payment to your beneficiary(ies) if you die while covered. The Supplemental Life Insurance Benefit allows you to buy additional coverage under the Life Plan for yourself and, if you want, coverage for your spouse or domestic partner (subject to statutory guidelines where you live) and eligible children. The Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Benefit under the AD&D Plan pays benefits if you die as a result of a covered accident or have another covered physical loss due to a covered accident. The Supplemental Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit under the AD&D Plan allows you to buy additional AD&D coverage for yourself (subject to statutory guidelines where you live). For assistance in understanding terminology associated with the administration of your benefit plans, please refer to the Glossary. ABOUT LIFE and AD&D INSURANCE BENEFITS CenturyLink maintains the Plan to provide Benefits to Active Legacy Qwest Occupational participants. This SPD is only for Active Employees. (Note: All Retiree groups should refer to their specific retiree Life Insurance SPDs). If you are a covered member under the Plans, your rights and Benefits are determined by the provisions of the Plans and its related Group Life and AD&D Insurance Policies and this SPD. The Plans and this SPD outline what you must do to be covered and explains how to file claims. This SPD is your certificate while you are eligible to be insured. Therefore, there are no individual policies issued. The CenturyLink Group Life and AD&D Insurance Plans provide eligible active participants with the following Group Life and AD&D Insurance programs: Basic Life Insurance Basic AD&D Insurance Supplemental Life Insurance Supplemental AD&D Insurance Spouse/Domestic Partner Life Insurance Dependent Child(ren) Life Insurance January

8 The Plans provide eligible Employees with Basic Life and Basic AD&D insurance coverage paid by CenturyLink in addition to the opportunity for you to purchase additional Supplemental Life/AD&D, Spouse/Domestic Partner Life, and Dependent Child(ren) Life Insurance coverages. As your employment status changes, you will have limited rights to continue some of these coverages. Note: At retirement, you have limited rights to continue your Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance coverage. Any Dependent Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance coverage (AD&D) ceases upon your retirement. This Insurance is covered under Group Contracts (the policies ) underwritten by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company ( MetLife ) for the Group Life Insurance and Zurich American Insurance Company ( Zurich ) for the Group Accidental Death & Dismemberment ( AD&D ) which provides insured Benefits under the Plans. Therefore, there are no individual policies issued. For all purposes of these policies, CenturyLink acts on its own behalf or as an agent of its Employees. Under no circumstances will CenturyLink be deemed the agent of MetLife or Zurich, absent a written authorization of such status executed between CenturyLink and MetLife and CenturyLink and Zurich Nothing in these documents shall, of themselves, be deemed to be such written execution. MetLife and Zurich, as Claims Administrators have the sole discretion to interpret the terms of the policies, to make factual findings, and to determine eligibility for benefits. The decision of the Claims Administrators shall not be overturned unless arbitrary and capricious. January

9 GENERAL PLAN and CONTACT INFORMATION Name of Plan: CenturyLink Group Life and AD&D Insurance Plans Type of Benefits: Life and AD&D Insurance are welfare benefits Plan Number: 501 Employer Identification Number: Plan Year: January 1 through December 31 Plan Administrator: The CenturyLink Employee Benefits Committee c/o CenturyLink, Inc. Human Resources 805 Broadway, 8th Floor Vancouver, WA Send Claims/Appeals to: For Life Insurance: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company MetLife Group Life Claims Post Office Box 6100 Scranton, PA For AD&D Insurance: Zurich American Insurance Company P. O. Box Schaumburg, IL Plan Insurers: Agent for Service of Process for the Plan: Plan Benefits Provided by: Attn: ERISA Appeal Committee [FOR APPEALS ONLY] Specialties Division A&H Special Risk Claims Metropolitan Life Insurance Company ( MetLife ) (Life Insurance) 200 Park Avenue New York, New York Zurich American Insurance Company (AD&D Insurance) Post Office Box 9102 Plainview, New York CenturyLink, Inc. c/o Human Resources 805 Broadway, 8th Floor Vancouver, WA Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (Life Insurance) Zurich American Insurance Company (AD&D Insurance) January

10 Eligibility Generally, you are eligible for all Life and AD&D Insurance Benefits on the 31st day following your hire date if you are an active regular Employee as defined by your payroll status. (The Life Insurance Plan s eligibility typically follows the CenturyLink Health Care Plan s eligibility, including Dependent eligibility for your Spouse/Domestic Partner and Child(ren)--refer to the General Information SPD for more detailed information regarding eligibility classifications, effective dates and definitions). Also, see the Participation and Cost section for details on when coverage starts and the affect on participation in the Plan if your payroll status changes. Access Your Information online You can access and change certain personalized information concerning your CenturyLink Group Life Insurance Plan coverage through the CenturyLink Health and Life Benefits website at or contact the CenturyLink Service Center at for questions or to elect coverage changes. Highlights and Amounts of Coverage The following section is an overview of Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, Spouse Life and Child Life Insurance Benefits and the amount of coverage you can elect. Annual Pay Basic Annual Earnings means Your annual base rate of pay plus annualized commissions, if a sales-related Employee; Basic Annual Earnings can also include certain bonuses, commissions, special payments and merit awards, but excludes other compensation such as differentials, overtime and special allowances as determined by the Policyholder. Basic Annual Earnings are calculated as of a certain date in the 3rd quarter of the prior year (typically September 1) and then rounded to the next higher $1,000 increment unless already a multiple thereof. For New Hires Basic Annual earnings salary is as of date of hire for remainder of the year. January

11 Basic Life Insurance Coverage While you are an active Employee, the Company provides Basic Life Insurance coverage equal to 1 times your Annual Pay as described above. This amount does not change during the year, even if your salary or commissions change. (Example: For a non-sales person whose base rate is $44,200, the Basic Life Insurance amount would be $45,000.) Beginning with the first day of the year following your 66th birthday, your coverage will be reduced by 10%. Your coverage amount will be reduced each following year, up to a total reduction of 50% by age 70. Note: Your Basic Life coverage will cease upon termination of employment (see the Conversion Rights section for additional information). Upon retirement, your Retiree Basic Life coverage amount provided by the Company reduces to $10,000 effective the first of the month following your retirement date. Basic AD&D Coverage The Company also automatically provides AD&D coverage in an amount equal to your Basic Life coverage amount, subject to the exclusions listed under the How Benefits Are Paid section, if you die as a result of and within 365 days of a covered accident, whether it occurs on or off the job. Basic AD&D also pays certain amounts for Injury and Dismemberment as outlined below. AD&D coverage decreases beginning on the first day of the plan year following your 66th birthday, the same as the Basic Life Insurance coverage as noted above. Paralysis and Loss of Use Benefit under AD&D If you sustain an Injury, and as a result of such Injury, one or more of the covered losses listed below are incurred, the insurance carrier will pay the following percentages of your scheduled AD&D Benefit (or approved amount, if applicable) in force, provided all benefit qualifications are met. Covered Loss... % of Scheduled Benefit Quadriplegia % Both Hands or Both Feet % Sight of Both Eyes % One Hand and One Foot % One Hand and Sight of One Eye % One Foot and Sight of One Eye % Speech and Hearing % Paraplegia % One Hand or One Foot... 50% January

12 Sight of One Eye... 50% Speech... 50% Hearing... 50% Hemiplegia... 50% Uniplegia. 50% Thumb and Index Finger of the Same Hand % Plegia must be determined by Zurich s competent medical authority to be permanent, complete and irreversible paralysis of one or more limbs. A limb means an arm or a leg. Proof of total paralysis may be required by Zurich on a periodic basis. Benefits are not payable for paralysis caused by a stroke. Quadriplegia This means total paralysis of all four limbs. Paraplegia This means total paralysis of both lower limbs. Hemiplegia This means paralysis of upper and lower limbs on one side of the body. Loss of Hand or Foot This means severance through or above the wrist or ankle joint. Loss of Sight This means total and permanent loss of sight in the eye. Loss of Speech This means total and permanent loss of speech. Loss of Hearing This means total and permanent loss of hearing. Seat Belt Benefit An additional benefit, which equals 10% of your principal sum up to a maximum of $10,000 for Basic AD&D provided the insured employee was operating or riding as a passenger in any private automobile designed for use primarily on public roads and wearing an original, equipped, factory installed or manufacturer authorized and unaltered seat belt, or lap and shoulder restraint at the time of the injury. Zurich will not pay a Seat Belt Benefit if the driver of the automobile in which the insured employee was riding was either: 1. under the influence of alcohol; a. A driver will be conclusively presumed to be under the influence of alcohol if the level of alcohol in his or her blood exceeds the amount at which a person is presumed, under the law of the locale in which the accident occurred, to be under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating liquor if operating a motor vehicle. b. An autopsy report from a licensed medical examiner, law enforcement officer reports, or similar items will be considered proof of the driver s intoxication. Or, 2. under the influence of any prescription drug, narcotic, or hallucinogen, unless such prescription drug, narcotic, or hallucinogen was prescribed by a physician and taken in accordance with the prescribed dosage. January

13 Verification of the insured employee s use of the seat belt or lap and shoulder restraints is required as follows: 1. in the official law enforcement report of the accident, through certification by the investigating officers; or 2. by other reasonable proof, acceptable to Zurich. Note: AD&D coverage ends upon retirement and at termination of active employment, regardless of age. Reference the Conversion and Portability Rights section below. Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance Coverage You pay monthly premiums to obtain and continue this additional coverage. Supplemental Life Insurance can provide coverage equal to 1-8 times your Basic Life Insurance amount. The Maximum Supplemental Life and AD&D benefit is $3,000,000. This coverage election may require Evidence of Insurability. (See the Evidence of Insurability and Changing Coverage Amounts sections for additional details.) You automatically receive a Supplemental AD&D coverage amount equal to the amount you are insured for under the Supplemental Life coverage, and the AD&D Benefit provisions are the same as the Basic AD&D coverage (see above). The cost of the Supplemental AD&D coverage is in addition to the cost of your Supplemental Life Insurance premium. You may continue Supplemental Life/AD&D coverage for as long as you are an active Employee and paying the premiums, but it will be reduced on the first day of the year following your 66th birthday. Coverage reduction for Supplemental Life/AD&D coverage is the same schedule as the Basic Life/AD&D Insurance reduction, up to a total reduction of 50% by age 70. Supplemental AD&D is not available for your dependent spouse/domestic partner or dependent children. Note: Your Supplemental Life/AD&D coverage will cease upon termination of employment (see the Conversion and Portability Rights section for additional information). Upon retirement, if you have Supplemental Life coverage, you may have the opportunity to continue the coverage up to age 70 by timely paying the applicable premium and according to the Plan provisions. You cannot purchase Supplemental Life coverage after you retire. January

14 Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life Coverage You may select the following amounts of coverage for your eligible Spouse/Domestic Partner s Supplemental Life Insurance. This coverage election may require Evidence of Insurability. (See the Evidence of Insurability and Changing Coverage Amounts sections for additional details.) $5,000 $10,000 $25,000 $50,000 $75, 000 $100,000 Dependent Child(ren) Life Insurance You may select the following amounts for your Dependent Child(ren) s Life Insurance. These amounts do not require Evidence of Insurability: $3,000 $5,000 $10,000 If you enroll in Dependent Child(ren) Life coverage, you can insure all of your eligible Child(ren) with one premium rate. However, to ensure eligibility for coverage, names of all covered Children must be listed on the health and life benefit website and appear on your Confirmation Statement produced by the CenturyLink Service Center. Please update this information via the CenturyLink Benefits website at and always check any Confirmation Statements you may receive. Note: Spouse/Domestic Partner and Dependent Child(ren) Supplemental Life coverages cease at the end of the month in which you terminate or retire (see the Conversion and Portability Rights section below.) ACCELERATED BENEFIT FOR BASIC AND SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE An Accelerated Benefit is an advance (before death) payment of a part of your Life Insurance Benefit. To qualify, you must be insured for an insurance Benefit of at least $10,000 and be diagnosed as terminally ill (expected to die within 24 months) and provide proof of such terminal illness to the insurance carrier, MetLife. Proof of terminal illness will consist of a statement from your Physician and any other medical information the insurance carrier requests. There will only be one Accelerated Benefit payable during your lifetime. If you have assigned your Life Insurance Benefits, you are not eligible for an Accelerated Benefit. January

15 You may be eligible to receive 90% of up to $500,000 of your combined Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance (minimum payment request of $10,000). However, the Accelerated Benefit proceeds may be reduced if, within 24 months after the date the insurance carrier receives such proof, a reduction due to age would have applied to the amount of your Employee Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance. In that case, the amount of the Accelerated Benefit proceeds may not exceed the amount of such Insurance after applying the reduction. If you elect this option, the insurance carrier will pay the insurance proceeds you place under this option in one lump sum or in 24 equal monthly installments. The payment(s) will be due when the insurance company receives proof that you are terminally ill. If you elect monthly installments and you die before all payments have been made, the insurance carrier will pay your beneficiary(ies) in one lump sum. That sum will be the total of the payments that remain. Your right to be paid under this option is subject to these terms: You must choose this option in writing in a form that satisfies the insurance carrier. You must furnish proof that satisfies the insurance carrier that your life expectancy is 24 months or less, including certification by a doctor. Your Life Insurance must not be assigned. Accelerated Benefit proceeds will be made available to you on a voluntary basis only. Therefore: If you are required by law to use this option to meet the claims of creditors, whether in bankruptcy or otherwise, you are not eligible for this benefit. If you are required by a government agency to use this option in order to apply for, get, or keep a government benefit or entitlement, you are not eligible for this benefit. This benefit is in lieu of the benefits that would have been paid on your death with respect to the accelerated benefit proceeds. When you elect this option, the total amount of Employee Life Insurance otherwise payable on your death, including any amount under an extended death benefit, will be reduced by the Accelerated Benefit proceeds. Also, any amount you could otherwise have converted to an individual policy will be reduced by the Accelerated Benefit proceeds. EVIDENCE OF INSURABILITY The insurance carrier may require you to complete proof of good health/evidence of Insurability (EOI) depending on the level of additional coverage you elect during and after your initial enrollment period as a newly eligible Employee for you and your Spouse or Domestic Partner. The necessary forms will be provided and must be completed and returned to the insurance company within 30 days. Note: You will be assigned a lower level of coverage, appropriate with your election, until your EOI is approved. The insurance company will review the EOI application. Additional information may be required, such as medical examinations, Attending Physician s Statements (medical records), blood/urine tests and, sometimes, additional tests, e.g., an EKG. All applicants are informed of the decision on their application via a personal letter directly from the insurance carrier. The specific medical reasons for any rejection are kept confidential and provided to the applicant only. January

16 Medical exams, tests and medical records are at no expense to the applicant for timely entrants during the initial enrollment period and with a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). For all other increases (late entrants), including annual enrollments, fees or charges associated with any required physical examinations, tests, and medical records will be at the applicant s expense. Newly Hired Employees. During your 31-day initial enrollment period as a newly hired Employee, you can elect Supplemental Life/AD&D, and Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life without EOI up to the following amounts: Employee Supplemental Life/AD&D 2 times Basic Life Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life $25,000 Any elected amounts of coverage over these limits for Supplemental Life and Spouse or Domestic Partner Life will require EOI as described above. EOI is never required on Dependent Children. Amounts over $10,000 for Dependent Children are not available. CHANGING COVERAGE AMOUNTS To apply for Supplemental Life/AD&D, Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life, or Dependent Child(ren) Supplemental Life Insurance or to increase your elected coverage amount(s) you must: Be Actively at Work (Refer to the When Coverage Starts section). If you are not actively at work on the date insurance will otherwise take effect, insurance will take effect on the date you resume active work. Provide the life insurance carrier with acceptable EOI, when applicable On the date Dependent insurance is scheduled to take effect, the Dependent must not be: Confined at home under a Physician s Care; Receiving or applying to receive disability benefits from any source; or Hospitalized. If the Dependent does not meet this requirement on such date, insurance for the Dependent will take effect on the date that Dependent is no longer: Confined; Receiving or applying to receive disability benefits from any source; or Hospitalized. January

17 Increasing Coverage when EOI is Required Once you are enrolled in the Plan or after the first 31 days of eligibility, you can elect to change your Supplemental/AD&D or your Dependent s Life coverage at Annual Enrollment or anytime during the year by providing EOI. EOI is also required when you elect coverage amounts over certain limits when increasing your coverage due to a Qualified Life Event (QLE), such as marriage, birth or adoption, as outlined below. Increasing Coverage when EOI is Not Required When you experience a QLE for marriage, birth or adoption at any time during the year, you can elect the following increases in coverage without EOI for you and your Dependents as listed below: You. You may increase your Supplemental Life Insurance by one times coverage (maximum is 8 times coverage) without EOI at the time of a Qualified Life Event (QLE) if you are actively at work and enroll for coverage within 45 days of the QLE. When you enroll timely, the effective date of this coverage is from the date of the event. Note: EOI is required on amounts of coverage elected over the 1 times increase in coverage at time of the QLE or to add any amount of coverage at a later date outside of the 45 day enrollment period. The additional increased coverage amount (or late enrollment) is effective the first of the month following the EOI approval. Spouse. A Spouse may be added as a Dependent if you are actively at work and you enroll him or her within 45 days of the legal marriage or the date that the common law marriage is legally recognized (if recognized by law in the state in which you reside) up to $25,000 without EOI at the time of a QLE. When you enroll your Spouse timely, the effective date of this coverage is the date of the event. Your Spouse s coverage may also be increased by 1 level of coverage when you are adding a Child (see below). Note: EOI is required on amounts of coverage elected over the $25,000 at the time of the QLE or to add any amount of coverage at a later date outside of the 45 day enrollment period. The additional increased coverage amount (or late enrollment) will be effective the first of the month following the EOI approval. January

18 Domestic Partner. A Domestic Partner may be added as a Dependent if you are actively at work and you enroll him or her within 45 days of the date in which the domestic partnership is recognized up to $25,000 without EOI at the time of the QLE. When enrolled timely, the effective date of this coverage is the first of the month following the day you make your election and provide a Company-approved domestic partnership affidavit. Your Domestic Partner s coverage may also be increased by 1 level of coverage when adding a Child (see below). Note: EOI is required on amounts of coverage elected over the $25,000 at the time of the QLE or to add any amount of coverage at a later date outside of the 45 day enrollment period. The additional increased coverage amount (or late enrollment) will be effective the first of the month following the EOI approval. Child(ren). You can add a Child or Children at Annual Enrollment or anytime during the year if you are actively at work for any level of coverage without EOI. However, if you did not previously have eligible Dependent(s) when you acquire a newborn or adopted Child, then you may add Dependent Child(ren) Life coverage at the time the newborn or adopted Child is acquired, even if you are not actively at work, (provided the mother is the Employee or the father is on an approved child care leave of absence). The effective date of coverage is retroactive to the date of birth or date Child was first eligible, as long as notification is provided within 45 days of the QLE. Otherwise, coverage is effective the first of the month following the day you make your election. You and your Spouse s coverage may also be increased when adding a Child (see below). Husband, Wife, and Domestic Partner Employees. Please note that if both husband, wife, or Domestic Partner is employed by the Company, each may elect coverage for their Child(ren) under Dependent Child(ren) Life. You and Spouse s Coverage When Adding a Child. You may increase your Supplemental Life or your Spouse s Life Insurance by one level of coverage without EOI if you are actively at work and enroll for coverage within 45 days of a birth or adoption of a Child. When enrolled timely, the effective date of this coverage is the date of the event. Note: EOI is required on amounts of coverage elected over the 1 level increase in coverage at the time of the QLE or to add any amount of coverage at a later date outside of the 45 day enrollment period. The additional increased coverage amount (or late enrollment) is effective the first of the month following the EOI approval. Decreasing or Dropping Life Insurance Coverage You may decrease/drop your Supplemental Life/AD&D Insurance, Spouse/Domestic Partner Life Insurance, and Dependent Child(ren) Life Insurance during Annual Enrollment or at any time during the year, whenever applicable. The effective date of the change will be the first of the month following the day you make your election or January 1 if dropped during Annual Enrollment. Note: It is important that you drop your Dependents when they become ineligible since they will not be covered under the Plan and are not eligible for coverage in the event of a death, even if you have continued to pay premiums. Premiums will not be refunded because you failed to notify the Plan timely. January

19 How to Add or Remove Coverage for a Dependent To enroll or disenroll a Spouse, Domestic Partner or Child Dependent you need to call the CenturyLink Health and Life Service Center at Note: Adding your Spouse, Domestic Partner, or Child(ren) to your health care coverage does not automatically add them to Spouse/Domestic Partner or Dependent Child(ren) Life Insurance. Plan Participation and Cost The Company pays for your Basic Life and AD&D Insurance coverage; you pay for the cost of Supplemental Life/AD&D and Dependent Life Insurance coverage, if any. Once you are covered by the Plan, your participation is effective and continues as follows: When Coverage Starts and Ongoing Participation Initial Enrollment Basic Life/AD&D coverage (and Supplemental/AD&D and Dependent Life Insurance, if elected within your initial enrollment period) and the Supplemental Life election if it is within the guaranteed issue limit, is effective on the 31 st day following your date of hire if actively at work. Coverage remains in affect from year to year unless you change it. Amounts of Coverage and Supplemental Life/AD&D and Dependent Life premiums, if any, adjust automatically according to any changes in Annual Pay, age-band changes according to Plan provisions. Actively At Work. This refers to an Employee s regularly scheduled attendance at the Company s place of business and the Employee s physical ability to perform all assigned duties. Actively at work includes an Employee s temporary absence from work due to vacation or jury duty. For purposes of making election changes and Portability Rights, an Employee is not considered actively at work when on an approved leave of absence or entitled to receive benefits from the Company s Short-Term Disability Plan or Long-Term Disability Plan whether or not the Employee is receiving pay or benefits during those times from such plans. Annual Enrollment or Anytime During the Year You may add or increase your Supplemental Life/AD&D, Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life, and Dependent Child(ren) Supplemental Life coverages (if applicable) during Annual Enrollment or anytime during the year without a QLE, at which time proof of good health/eoi may be required. Coverage is effective the first of the month after EOI is approved or coincident with Annual Enrollment if EOI is approved prior to January 1. January

20 Qualified Life Event (QLE) You may add or increase your Supplemental Life/AD&D, Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life, and Dependent Child(ren) Supplemental Life coverages (if applicable) consistent with a QLE up to certain limits without EOI, or with EOI if additional amounts are requested. The limited coverage is effective on the event date (marriage, birth or adoption), if elected within 45 days of the event. If additional coverage is elected (or your election is not timely) then the coverage is effective the first of the month following the EOI approval. Coverage During Disability or Leave of Absence You may continue your coverage during Short-Term Disability (STD) or certain Leave of Absences (LOA) according to Plan provisions as long as the Company retains you on the payroll. If applicable and you continue your Supplemental/AD&D or Dependent coverages, you must also continue to pay premiums timely to avoid cancellation. Maximum Coverage Available While Long-Term Disability Benefits Are Payable If Term of Employment Is: Basic and Supplemental Life and Dependent Life Coverage Continues For: Under 5 Years Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance: Company-paid coverage will continue for up to 1 year. Dependent Life Insurance: At your expense, you may elect to continue your coverage for up to 1 year. 5 but under 10 Years Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance: Company-paid coverage will continue for up to 2 years. Dependent Life Insurance: At your expense, you may elect to continue your coverage for up to 2 years. 10 but under 15 Years Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance: Company-paid coverage will continue for up to 3 years. Dependent Life Insurance: At your expense, you may elect to continue your coverage for up to 3 years. 15 or more Years Coverage continues in accordance with disability or service pension provisions under the CenturyLink Pension Plan. If you no longer qualify for the LTD benefits prior to reaching maximum coverage as listed above, your Basic, Supplemental, and Dependent Life coverages terminate at the end of the month in which your Long-Term Disability benefits cease. The Start Date for continuation of coverage is the 1 st day you were approved for STD Benefits. If you subsequently return to work after the STD or LOA expires and did not continue your coverages as stated above, you will be required to provide EOI when enrolling for Supplemental Life coverage, but your Dependent Child Supplemental Life coverage can be reinstated the first of the month after you return to work, upon request. January

21 If you do not return to work after your LOA or STD and are eligible for retiree Benefits from the Company under a service or disability pension you have limited rights to continue your life insurance benefits. (Please refer to the Post-1990 Retiree Life SPD for more information.) If you do not continue your Supplemental Life/AD&D, Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life, or Dependent Child(ren) Supplemental Life coverages (or it is cancelled due to late or nonpayment) during a period of eligible STD or LOA and you subsequently become eligible to receive Long-Term Disability benefits from the Company or retire, you will not be eligible to enroll or re-enroll for those coverages. If you are not eligible for life insurance benefits after you leave the payroll, your coverage under this Plan will usually end as described in the When Coverage Ends section. Military Leave CenturyLink is temporarily allowing Employees who are called upon for active duty status or inducted into active Military Service to continue receiving Basic Life Insurance (company paid) for the first 12 months of cumulative Military Leave. This temporary change for Basic Life does not apply to Employees who take Military Leave for active duty for training, initial active duty training, or inactive duty training. Supplemental and Dependent Life Insurance can be continued if timely paying the premiums. Re-hired Employee If you terminate your employment and are subsequently rehired, you will be treated as a new hire with respect to Life Insurance coverage. (Note: If you are rehired within the same calendar month you were terminated, coverage will not be interrupted.) Re-hired Retiree If you are a re-hired Retiree that continued Supplemental Life Insurance during retirement, you can carry this same multiple of coverage back to active status without EOI. (Note: The coverage amount is subject to change, but the level may remain the same. For example, if you initially retire with 3 times annual pay of $60,000, but re-hire with Annual Pay of only $50,000, your new coverage is 3 times $50,000.) When you subsequently retire again, you retire with the coverage you have at the time of the new retirement date. Dual Retiree In the event you are a retiree from a legacy CenturyLink company, for example, if you initially retired from legacy Qwest as a bargained employee, then were rehired and re-retired again under the same plan or from another legacy CenturyLink company, please refer to Your Retiree SPDs or Departing Employee Guide for those legacy companies for further information. Coverage Costs and Funding All Benefits under this Plan are insured through MetLife (for Group Basic and Supplemental Life) and Zurich (for Group Basic and Supplemental AD&D) Insurance policies purchased with premiums paid using Plan contributions provided by Company for Basic Life/AD&D Insurance and with respect to Employee Supplemental Life and AD&D, Spouse/Domestic Partner and Dependent Child Supplemental Life Insurance coverage, premiums paid by you. January

22 Supplemental Life and AD&D and Dependent Supplemental Life Insurance premiums. If you enroll for Employee Supplemental Life and AD&D, Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life, or Dependent Child(ren) Group Supplemental Life coverage, you pay monthly premium contributions which are either deducted from your payroll check or billed to you directly when on LOA. Your Supplemental Life and your Spouse Supplemental Life Insurance cost is based on each person s age and amount of coverage; therefore, your premium amount is subject to change. If your (or your Spouse s) age bracket changes, the Supplemental Life Insurance premium will increase effective the first of the year after your (or your Spouse s) birthday occurs. Your Dependent Child(ren) Group Supplemental Life Insurance cost is a flat monthly premium that pays for the elected coverage of your Child(ren), regardless of the number of Dependents insured. If you are on an unpaid leave of absence, you will be billed directly. Note: Make sure all of your Dependent Children are enrolled for this coverage. Additionally, Life Insurance rates may change due to Company funding arrangements or upon policy renewal with the Plan Insurer. You may call the CenturyLink Service Center at to check the current Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance rates. Authorization. If you enroll in the Supplemental, Spouse/Domestic Partner, or Dependent Child(ren) Group Supplemental Life coverage, you are authorizing the Company to deduct your premium contributions from your paycheck on an after-tax basis. Your Beneficiary Your beneficiary is the person you choose to receive survivor benefits in the event of your death. You may name any person(s), your estate, almost any organization or a trust as the beneficiary(ies) under your CenturyLink Life and AD&D Insurance Plans (the Life Plan ). You may name one beneficiary or divide the benefit among multiple beneficiaries. If you name multiple beneficiaries, you must specify the percentage each beneficiary will receive. You also may name different beneficiary(ies) for each Plan. It is important to specify your beneficiary(ies) designation clearly when you enroll. In the event that a beneficiary is named for one coverage but not the others, the named beneficiary will apply to all coverages. If you enroll your spouse or domestic partner and your dependent child(ren) in any of the Supplemental Life and AD&D plans, you are automatically the beneficiary for their coverage. If you and your spouse, domestic partner and/or child(ren) die at the same time, the beneficiary is the person(s) that you designate on your Life Insurance Beneficiary form. January

23 If no beneficiary is alive on the date of your death or you have not elected a beneficiary, the benefit will be paid as follows: 1. to your spouse or domestic partner, if living; or 2. if there is no surviving spouse or domestic partner, to your surviving child(ren) in equal shares; or 3. if there is no surviving spouse or domestic partner or child(ren), to your surviving parents in equal shares; or 4. if there is no surviving spouse or domestic partner, child(ren) or parents, to your surviving brothers and sisters in equal shares; or 5. if there is no surviving spouse or domestic partner, child(ren), parents, brothers or sisters, to your surviving grandparents in equal shares; or 6. if none of the above, to your estate. Please confirm that you have designated beneficiaries for all of your Life Insurance Plans by going to or calling the CenturyLink Service Center at CenturyLink Service Center is the recordkeeper of beneficiary designations. If there is no beneficiary designation on file upon your death, any eligible amount will be payable according to the plan rules and may not be whom you intended to receive the benefit. In addition, naming a beneficiary and having all the information on file may expedite the claim processing. Important Note About Naming Minor Children: If you name your minor child(ren) as beneficiary(ies), please be advised that the Plan will be unable to pay benefits to them until the earlier of: 1. The date your child(ren) reach the age of majority (usually age 18 or 21), depending on applicable state; or 2. The date a legal guardian of the minors estate has been appointed by a court. This can be a costly process, and state laws may limit who may be named as guardian of an estate. Spouse/Domestic Partner and Dependent Child(ren) Group Life Coverage If you enroll in Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life or Dependent Child(ren) Supplemental Life coverage, you are automatically the beneficiary. However, if you do not survive the Dependent, the benefit for Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life or Dependent Child(ren) Supplemental Life Insurance will be paid to your Dependent s estate. Assignment of Life Insurance You may make an absolute and irrevocable assignment of your Group Life Insurance coverages. This means that you may name someone else to have ownership rights to your Group Life Insurance coverage even though it is your life that is insured. Note: Dependent Supplemental Life Insurance cannot be assigned. If you make an assignment, it cannot later be revoked by you. The person to whom you assign your insurance has the absolute and continuing right to name beneficiaries or to exercise any other privileges which would have been otherwise available to you, including changes in the coverage levels etc., which could affect your premium contribution amount. January

24 Because of the various legal and tax implications involved, we suggest you consult both a lawyer and tax advisor before taking any such action. If you wish to make an absolute and irrevocable assignment, you can get the appropriate forms from the CenturyLink Service Center by calling Please note: If you assign your Benefit to an individual and that person predeceases you, you run the risk of the assignment not being released back to you. HOW BENEFITS ARE PAID Special rules govern how Benefits are paid for Life and AD&D insurance. Your Basic Life and AD&D Insurance coverage amounts and any Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance coverage amounts you may be covered for are payable to your named beneficiary or beneficiaries in the event of your death from any cause. Basic and Supplemental AD&D Insurances If you suffer a loss of life as a result of a Covered Injury within 365 days of the Covered Injury, Zurich will pay the applicable benefits. This is, of course, subject to the general exclusions and limitations of the governing policy. The beneficiary or beneficiaries who receive your Basic Life Insurance proceeds will receive 100% of your AD&D Insurance. This AD&D payment is in addition to your Basic and Supplemental Life coverages. (Note: Enrolling in Supplemental Life coverage is the only way to receive Supplemental AD&D coverage). If as a result and within 365 days of a Covered Injury you lose sight or limb, you will receive all or part of your AD&D Benefits, depending on the extent of your loss as described in the Highlights and Coverage Amounts section. AD&D Insurance is payable whether the accident occurs on or off the job. However, these benefits are not payable for any loss to which a contributing cause is one of the following: Suicide or any attempt at suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury or any attempt at intentionally self-inflicted injury Illness or disease, regardless of how contracted; medical or surgical treatment of illness or disease; or complications following the surgical treatment of illness or disease; except for Accidental ingestion of contaminated foods War, or any act of war whether declared or undeclared Involvement in any type of active military service Participation in the commission or attempted commission of any felony or an assault;. Being intoxicated: An insured employee will be conclusively presumed to be intoxicated if the level of alcohol in his or her blood exceeds the amount at which a person is presumed, under the law of the locale in which the accident occurred, to be intoxicated, if operating a motor vehicle. January

25 An autopsy report from a licensed medical examiner, law enforcement officer reports, or similar items will be considered proof of the insured employee s intoxication. Being under the influence of any prescription drug, narcotic, or hallucinogen, unless such prescription drug, narcotic, or hallucinogen was prescribed by a physician and taken in accordance with the prescribed dosage; Travel or flight in any aircraft in which the insured employee is the pilot, operator or member of the crew or cabin attendant except for aircraft owned or leased by CenturyLink and for which you have a current and valid medical certificate and pilot certificate with a proper rating to pilot such aircraft (see AD&D insurance policy for further exclusions and limitations); Participation in these hazardous sports: parasailing, scuba diving; bungee jumping; heliskiing, or any other extra-hazardous activity Maximum AD&D Benefit Not more than 100% of your AD&D Insurance amount will be payable for all losses-including death-resulting from any one covered accident. In other words, if a dismemberment claim is paid at 50% and within the same 365 days death occurs, the other 50% of AD&D Insurance would be paid for the death, for a total of 100% of the benefit. Form of Payment Basic Life, Supplemental Life, and Supplemental AD&D Upon your death, the Life Insurance amount in force, less any accelerated benefit payment and accumulated interest charges, will be placed in an interest-bearing checking account and a check book will be sent to the beneficiary. The account balance will be available to your beneficiary at any time, in total or in part by writing a check. Each check that is written must be at least $250. If the account balance falls below $250, the balance will be paid to the beneficiary in a lump sum and the account will be closed. The minimum amount required to open an account is $5,000. Spouse/Domestic Partner Life and Dependent Child(ren) Supplemental Life Insurance Spouse/Domestic Partner Supplemental Life and Dependent Child(ren) Supplemental Life Insurance benefits are payable in one lump sum in the event of the death of a covered Dependent. You are automatically the beneficiary. However, if you do not survive the Dependent, the benefit for Basic and Supplemental Life will be paid to your Dependent s estate. January

26 Release of Medical or Confidential Information By accepting benefits from the life insurance Plans you authorize the Plan Administrator or insurance carriers to examine any medical records needed to process evidence of insurability, if applicable, and/or claims or appeals. Information will be kept confidential whenever possible. Under certain circumstances this information may be disclosed to other parties with your or your beneficiary s authorization or as required by state or federal law. Please keep in mind that it is very important for you to follow the Plans procedures, as summarized in this SPD, in order to obtain Plan Benefits and to help keep your personal confidential information private and protected. For example, contacting someone at the Company other than the Claims Administrator or Plan Administrator (or their duly authorized delegates) in order to try to get a Benefit claim issue resolved is not following the Plan s procedures. If you do not follow the Plan s procedures for claiming a Benefit or resolving an issue involving Plan Benefits, there is no guarantee that the Plan Benefits for which you may be eligible will be paid to you on a timely basis, or paid at all, and there can be no guarantee that your personal confidential information will remain private and protected. Filing a Claim How to File a Claim Claims For Basic or Supplemental Life Insurance Benefits When there has been the death of an insured person, notify the CenturyLink Service Center by calling For the purpose of this section, the CenturyLink Service Center is the party designated by the Policyholder to maintain certain records needed to administer the insurance provided under the Life Plans. This notice should be given to the CenturyLink Service Center as soon as is reasonably possible after the death. The CenturyLink Service Center will notify MetLife and a claim form will be sent to the beneficiary or beneficiaries of record. The beneficiary or beneficiaries should complete the claim form and send it and Proof of the death to MetLife as instructed on the claim form. When MetLife receives the claim form and Proof, MetLife will review the claim and, if approved, they will pay benefits subject to the terms and provisions of the Life Plan. The benefit amount may be reduced by the amount of any due and unpaid contributions to premium outstanding at the time payments made. It may be further reduced for any life amounts paid to You under the Accelerated Benefit Option as a result of a terminal illness. Claims For AD&D When there has been a death due to an accidental injury of an insured person, notify the CenturyLink Service Center by calling For the purpose of this section, the CenturyLink Service Center is the party designated by the Policyholder to maintain certain records needed to administer the insurance provided under the AD&D and/or BTA Plans. This notice should be given to the CenturyLink Service Center within 90 days of the covered loss. The CenturyLink Service Center will notify Zurich and a claim form will be sent to the beneficiary January

27 or beneficiaries of record. The beneficiary or beneficiaries should complete the claim form and send it and Proof of the death to Zurich as instructed on the claim form. When Zurich receives the claim form and Proof, Zurich will review the claim and, if approved they will pay benefits subject to the terms and provisions of the AD&D and/or BTA Plans. The benefit amount may be reduced by the amount of any due and unpaid contributions to premium outstanding at the time payment is made If a claim is denied, you or your beneficiary has certain rights of appeal, which are described in the Important Information About the Plans section. Appeal Procedures Appealing the Initial Determination For Life Insurance In the event a claim has been denied in whole or in part, you or, if applicable, your beneficiary can request a review of your claim by MetLife. This request for review should be sent in writing to Group Insurance Claims Review at the address of MetLife's office which processed the claim within 60 days after you or, if applicable, your beneficiary received notice of denial of the claim. When requesting a review, please state the reason you or, if applicable, your beneficiary believe the claim was improperly denied and submit in writing any written comments, documents, records or other information you or, if applicable, your beneficiary deem appropriate. MetLife will re-evaluate all the information, will conduct a full and fair review of the claim, and you or, if applicable, your beneficiary will be notified of the decision. Such notification will be provided within a reasonable period not to exceed 60 days from the date MetLife receives your request for review, unless MetLife notifies you within that period that there are special circumstances requiring an extension of time of up to 60 additional days. If MetLife denies the claim on appeal, MetLife will send you a final written decision that states the reason(s) why the claim you appealed is being denied, references any specific Plan provision(s) on which the denial is based, any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the Plan, and a statement of your right to bring a civil action if your claim is denied after an appeal. Upon written request, MetLife will provide you free of charge with copies of documents, records and other information relevant to your claim. Please direct your appeal to: MetLife Group Life Claims Post Office Box 6100 Scranton, PA January

28 Appealing the Initial Determination For AD&D Insurance In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which governs this plan, you have the right to appeal Zurich s decision to deny the accidental death benefit. You have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, or other information in support of your appeal. You will have access to all relevant documents as defined by applicable U.S. Department of Labor Regulations. Your appeal should provide in writing your reason for disagreeing with Zurich s decision, and should include supplemental documentation that will have a bearing on Zurich s decision. This appeal must be received by Zurich within 60 days of the date you receive this letter. A decision on appeal will be made no later than 60 days after Zurich receives your written request for review of the initial determination. The review will take into account all new information, whether or not presented or available at the initial determination. If Zurich determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for a decision on appeal, the review period may be extended by an additional 60 days (120 days in total). Zurich will notify you in writing if an additional 60 day extension is needed. In accordance with Section 502(a) of ERISA, you have the right to bring a civil action following an adverse benefit determination, but you must complete this appeal procedure before filing suit. If Zurich does not receive your written appeal within 60 days of the date you receive this letter, Zurich s claim determination will be final. The policy under which you filed a claim has a provision, which states, in part, that no lawsuit or legal action shall be brought to recover on the policy after the expiration of three years from the time proof of loss is required. Please direct your appeal to: Zurich American Insurance Company P. O. Box Schaumburg, IL Attn: ERISA Appeal Committee Specialties Division A&H Special Risk Claims Determination of Benefits MetLife or Zurich shall notify you of the claim determination within 45 days of the receipt of your claim. This period may be extended by 30 days if such an extension is necessary due to matters beyond the control of the plan. A written notice of the extension, the reason for the extension and the date by which the plan expects to decide your claim, shall be furnished to you within the initial 45-day period. This period may be extended for an additional 30 days beyond the original 30-day extension if necessary due to matters beyond the control of the plan. A written notice of the additional extension, the reason for the additional extension and the date by which the plan expects to decide on your claim, shall be furnished to you within the first 30-day extension period if an additional extension of time is needed. However, if a period of time is extended due to your failure to submit information necessary to decide the claim, the period for making the benefit determination by MetLife or Zurich will be tolled (i.e., suspended) from the January

29 date on which the notification of the extension is sent to you until the date on which you respond to the request for additional information. If your claim for benefits is denied, in whole or in part, you or your authorized representative will receive a written notice from MetLife or Zurich of your denial. The notice will be written in a manner calculated to be understood by you and shall include: a) The specific reason(s) for the denial; b) References to the specific plan provisions on which the benefit determination was based; c) A description of any additional material or information necessary for you to perfect a claim and an explanation of why such information is necessary; d) A description of MetLife s or Zurich s appeals procedures and applicable time limits, including a statement of your right to bring a civil action under section 502(a) of ERISA following your appeals; and e) If an adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination will be provided free of charge upon request. Appeals of Adverse Determination If your claim for benefits is denied or if you do not receive a response to your claim within the appropriate time frame (in which case the claim for benefits is deemed to have been denied), you or your representative may appeal your denied claim in writing to MetLife or Zurich within 180 days of the receipt of the written notice of denial or 180 days from the date such claim is deemed denied. You may submit with your appeal any written comments, documents, records and any other information relating to your claim. Upon your request, you will also have access to, and the right to obtain copies of, all documents, records and information relevant to your claim free of charge. A full review of the information in the claim file and any new information submitted to support the appeal will be conducted by MetLife or Zurich, utilizing individuals not involved in the initial benefit determination. This review will not afford any deference to the initial benefit determination. MetLife or Zurich shall make a determination on your claim appeal within 45 days of the receipt of your appeal request. This period may be extended by up to an additional 45 days if MetLife or Zurich determines that special circumstances require an extension of time. A written notice of the extension, the reason for the extension and the date that MetLife or Zurich expects to render a decision shall be furnished to you within the initial 45-day period. However, if the period of time is extended due to your failure to submit information necessary to decide the appeal, the period for making the benefit determination will be tolled (i.e., suspended) from the date on which the notification of the extension is sent to you until the date on which you respond to the request for additional information. January

30 If the claim on appeal is denied in whole or in part, you will receive a written notification from MetLife or Zurich of the denial. The notice will be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the applicant and shall include: a) The specific reason(s) for the adverse determination; b) References to the specific plan provisions on which the determination was based; c) A statement that you are entitled to receive upon request and free of charge reasonable access to, and make copies of, all records, documents and other information relevant to your benefit claim upon request; d) A description of MetLife s or Zurich s review procedures and applicable time limits; e) A statement that you have the right to obtain upon request and free of charge, a copy of internal rules or guidelines relied upon in making this determination; and f) A statement describing any appeals procedures offered by the plan, and your right to bring a civil suit under ERISA. If a decision on appeal is not furnished to you within the time frames mentioned above, the claim shall be deemed denied on appeal. If the appeal of your benefit claim is denied or if you do not receive a response to your appeal within the appropriate time frame (in which case the appeal is deemed to have been denied), you or your representative may make a second, voluntary appeal of your denial in writing to MetLife or Zurich within 180 days of the receipt of the written notice of denial or 180 days from the date such claim is deemed denied. You may submit with your second appeal any written comments, documents, records and any other information relating to your claim. Upon your request, you will also have access to, and the right to obtain copies of, all documents, records and information relevant to your claim free of charge. MetLife or Zurich shall make a determination on your second claim appeal within 45 days of the receipt of your appeal request. This period may be extended by up to an additional 45 days if MetLife or Zurich determines that special circumstances require an extension of time. A written notice of the extension, the reason for the extension and the date by which MetLife or Zurich expects to render a decision shall be furnished to you within the initial 45-day period. However, if the period of time is extended due to your failure to submit information necessary to decide the appeal, the period for making the benefit determination will be tolled from the date on which the notification of the extension is sent to you until the date on which you respond to the request for additional information. Your decision to submit a benefit dispute to this voluntary second level of appeal has no effect on your right to any other benefits under this plan. If you elect to initiate a lawsuit without submitting to a second level of appeal, the plan waives any right to assert that you failed to exhaust administrative remedies. If you elect to submit the dispute to the second level of appeal, the plan agrees that any statute of limitations or other defense based on timeliness is tolled during the time that the appeal is pending. If the claim on appeal is denied in whole or in part for a second time, you will receive a written notification from MetLife or Zurich of the denial. The notice will be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the applicant and shall include the same information that was included in the first adverse determination letter. If a decision on appeal is not furnished to you within the time frames mentioned above, the claim shall be deemed denied on appeal. January

31 CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY AFFECT YOUR PLAN BENEFITS Under certain circumstances all or a portion of your Benefits under the Plan may be denied, reduced, suspended, terminated or otherwise affected, such as by a repayment obligation. Many of these circumstances are addressed elsewhere in this document. Such circumstances, in general, include, but are not limited to: You are no longer an active Employee or you become no longer eligible, The Plan is amended or terminated; You attain the maximum Benefit available under the Plan; You misrepresent or falsify any information required under the Plan; You have been overpaid a Benefit and the Plan seeks restitution; You fail to timely make a payment for Supplemental or Dependent Life Insurance. When Coverage Ends There are certain situations in which coverage will end. If your employment with the Company terminates for any reason other than death, expiration of the maximum short-term disability coverage, leaves of absence, or retirement on a service pension (except for Spouse/Domestic Partner Life and Dependent Child(ren) Life), Modified Disability Pension Program (MDPP), or, if your employment classification is changed and you are no longer a regular Employee, your CenturyLink Group Life Insurance Plan coverage will be affected as follows: Your Basic Life Insurance coverage will stop at the end of the month in which you leave the Company or are no longer a regular Employee. Your Basic AD&D coverage will cease at the end of the month your active service ends or at the end of the month you are no longer a covered Employee. Your Supplemental Life/AD&D, Spouse/Domestic Partner Life, and/or Dependent Child(ren) Life coverage will stop at the end of the month in which: You leave the Company or are no longer a regular Employee; (including death or retirement on a service pension for Spouse/Domestic Partner Life and Dependent Child(ren) Life). You request cancellation. You fail to make a required premium contribution, either through payroll deduction or cash payment. Your coverage also ends when the group life policy terminates. If you retiree on a service or disability pension or as a Management Protected Participant eligible for retiree Benefits, your Spouse/Domestic Partner Life and Dependent Life ends at the end of the month in which you retire. Your Basic and Supplemental coverages may be continued with limited rights. (See the Post-90 Retiree Life Insurance SPD for more information.) January

32 Plan Termination and Amendment CenturyLink intends to continue your CenturyLink Group Life Insurance Plan but reserves the right to terminate or amend it at any time, with respect to any or all classes of current or future participants (including retired Employees) subject to applicable limitations of the law. If the CenturyLink Group Life Insurance Plan is ended or changed (or if there is a transfer of plan assets and liabilities or a plan split-up), you will not be vested in any plan benefits or have any further rights (other than payment of benefits to which you or your beneficiaries had become entitled because of death or injury before the plan ended or was changed). Conversion and Portability Rights Converting to Individual Insurance If for any reason your Basic Life coverage ends, you may request the life insurance company convert your coverage to an individual policy. For You to convert, MetLife must receive a completed request form within the Request period as described below: If written notice of the option to convert is given within 15 days before or after the date such insurance ends, the Request Period: begins on the date the insurance ends, and expires 31 days after the date. If written notice of the option to convert is given more than 15 days after but within 91 days of the date such insurance ends, the Request Period: begins on the date the insurance ends, and expires 45 days after the date of the notice. If written notice of the option to convert is not given within 91 days of the date such insurance ends, the Request Period: begins on the date the insurance ends, and expires at the end of such 91 day period. The above duly applies for porting but is only applicable to Supplemental Life insurance coverage. January

33 You may choose to Port due to the following events: You become retired from active service with the Employer; or Your employment ends, due to a reason other than retirement; or You cease to be in a class that is eligible for such insurance; or The Policy is amended to end the Portability Eligible Insurance or Portability Eligible Dependent Insurance, unless such insurance is replaced by similar insurance under another group insurance policy issued to CenturyLink or its successor; or This Policy has ended, unless such insurance is replaced by similar insurance under another group policy issued to CenturyLink or its successor. You may choose to Port the reduced amount of insurance if Your Portability Eligible Insurance is reduced due to: Your age; or An amendment to the Plan which affects the amount of insurance for Your class. Your former Dependent Spouse may choose to Port if their Portability Eligible Dependent Insurance on his or her own life ends because: You die; or Your marriage ends in divorce or annulment Provided that former Dependent Spouse satisfies Dependent Eligibility. Your former Dependent Spouse may also Port Portability Eligible Dependent Insurance on Your Dependent Child if Your former Dependent Spouse Ports insurance on his or her own life. If Your former Dependent Spouse Ports that insurance on that Dependent Child, that Porting will have no effect on the insurance You may have on that Dependent Child. Your former Dependent Child may request to Port Portability Eligible Dependent insurance on his or her own life if that insurance ends because Your former Dependent Child no longer meets the definition of Child. The individual converted life insurance policy will be issued in a policy format customarily issued by the insurance company at the time and rate for your class of risk and age. You must pay the full cost. The cost, terms and benefits of conversion policies differ substantially from those of the CenturyLink Life Plans. For Basic and Supplemental AD&D Insurance: Conversion Privilege If the insurance of an Insured ceases for reasons other than termination of the Policy, the Insured is entitled to convert his or her Coverage to an Individual Accidental Death or Dismemberment (IAD) policy. The new IAD policy will be on approved forms and will not include all the Benefits and Additional Benefits of the Group Accident Policy. The Insured must make a written application for the IAD policy within sixty (60) days of the cessation of insurance under the Basic AD&D Policy. January

34 To request a Conversion Application Form, the Insured must call The Insured does not have to show proof of good health. The issuance of the IAD policy is subject to the following conditions: 1. the Principal Sum for the IAD policy will be the lesser of the Insured s Principal Sum under the Basic AD&D Policy or $200,000; 2. the premium for the IAD policy will be the rate on file with the proper regulatory authority, if such filing is required; 3. any IAD policy issued will take effect on the termination date of the Insured s insurance under the Basic AD&D Policy; and 4. when an IAD policy becomes effective, the relationship between the Insured and Us will be governed by that policy, including all terms and conditions, and benefits and termination dates. Coverage during Grace Period Your coverages for any convertible coverage remain in effect during any 31-day grace period, regardless of whether you decide to convert. If you die within the 31-day grace period after insurance ends, your beneficiary will be paid the amount of Group Life Insurance that you were entitled to convert. Conversion with Plan Termination If your Group Life Insurance coverage ends because the policy is terminated for all Employees or for the Employee classification you belong to, and you have been insured under the policy for at least five years, you may apply within 31 days for a conversion policy as described above. However, the maximum converted Life Insurance amount will be the lesser of one of the following: $2,000; The amount of your terminated Basic Life Insurance amount less the amount of any other group life insurance for which you become eligible within 31 days of the termination of insurance under this policy. Additional Conversion Provisions (for Minnesota Residents only) For Minnesota residents, there are additional provisions about your right to continue or convert coverage after your insurance ends. The following provision replaces the conversion provision described above. If you cease to be insured for the Employee Term Life Insurance of the group contract for one of the reasons stated below, you may convert all or part of your insurance under this coverage, January

35 which then ends, to an individual life insurance contract. Evidence of insurability is not required. The reasons are: Your employment or membership ends or you transfer out of a covered class. All term life insurance of the group contract for your class ends by amendment or otherwise. Any such conversion is subject to the rest of this section. Availability: You must apply for the individual contract and pay the first premium within 31 days after you cease to be insured for the Employee Term Life Insurance. Individual Contract Rules: The individual contract must conform to the following: Amount--Not more than your Employee Term Life Insurance under this coverage when your insurance ends. Form--Any form of a life insurance contract that: Conforms to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, having no distinction based on sex; and Is one that MetLife usually issues at the age and amount applied for. This does not include term insurance or a contract with disability or supplementary benefits. Premium--Based on MetLife s rate as it applies to the form and amount, and to your class of risk and age at the time. Effective Date--The end of the 31 day period during which you may apply for it. Portability Rights (Individual Purchase Rights) This right applies only to the Supplemental Life and the Supplemental AD&D coverage under the group contract. You may have the opportunity to apply for coverage under the Portability Rights during the Portability Application Period. The Application Period is the 31-day period after your Supplemental Life/AD&D insurance ends. You can continue the same level of insurance that you had as an active Employee without EOI. If you wish to increase your coverage, you will be required to submit EOI. January

36 You will have the right to apply for Supplemental Life/AD&D coverage under the Portability Plan if you meet all of these tests: Your Supplemental Life/AD&D coverage ends for any reason other than: Your failure to pay, when due, any contribution required. The end of the coverage for all Employees when such coverage is replaced by Group Life Insurance from any carrier for which you are or become eligible within the next 31 days. Retirement You meet the active work requirement on the day your Insurance ends. You are less than age 70 on the day that your Insurance ends. Your amount of insurance is at least $20,000 under the Supplemental Life/AD&D coverage on the day your insurance ends. The right to elect continuing coverage is provided under the Portability Plan privilege. You may only have a maximum of $1,000,000 of coverage under the portability plan. You may convert any amount above this maximum. If you elect to convert all of your insurance under the Supplemental Life coverage to an individual contract, you may not elect to apply for coverage under the portability plan. If, during the portability application period, you apply for coverage under the portability plan and then elect to convert all of your insurance under the Supplemental Life coverage to an individual contract, your coverage under the portability plan will not become effective. The right to elect coverage under the portability plan does not affect your coverage under the death benefit during the conversion period provision of the Supplemental Life coverage. (see the Conversion Rights section above for additional information.) Additional Services Provided by MetLife ESTATE RESOLUTION SERVICES The following Estate Resolution Services are provided at no additional cost to individuals insured for Group Supplemental Life Insurance coverage as described below. If You are eligible to receive these Estate Resolution Services and You or Your Spouse (for the Will Preparation Service) or You or a Beneficiary (for the Probate Service) would like to speak with a representative from Hyatt Legal Plans or get the name of a Plan Attorney that you can speak with about these Services, please call (800) January

37 THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO RESIDENTS OF ALL STATES OTHER THAN TEXAS Will Preparation Service If You elect Group Supplemental Life Insurance coverage, a Will Preparation Service (the Service ) will be made available to You, through a MetLife affiliate (the Affiliate ), while Your Group Supplemental Life Insurance coverage is in effect. This Service will be made available at no cost to You. It enables You to have a will prepared for You and Your Spouse free of charge by attorneys designated by the Affiliate. If You have a will prepared by an attorney not designated by the Affiliate, You must pay for the attorney s services directly. Upon Proof of such payment, You will be reimbursed for the attorney s services in an amount equal to the lesser of the amount You paid for the attorney s services and the amount customarily reimbursed for such services by the Affiliate. Probate Service If You become insured for Group Supplemental Life Insurance coverage and die while such Group Supplemental Life Insurance coverage is in effect, a probate benefit (the Benefit ) will be made available to Your estate, through a MetLife affiliate ( Affiliate ). The Benefit provides for certain probate services to be made available upon Your death, free of charge by attorneys designated by the Affiliate. If probate services are provided by an attorney not designated by the Affiliate, Your estate must pay for those attorney s services directly. Upon Proof of such payment, Your estate will be reimbursed for the attorney s services in an amount equal to the lesser of the amount Your estate paid for the attorney s services and the amount customarily reimbursed for such services by the Affiliate. This Benefit will be provided at no cost to You and will end on the date Your Group Supplemental Life Insurance coverage ends. OTHER FACTS Court Orders Beneficiary designations may be governed by court orders involving participants. These orders may mandate that the named Life Insurance beneficiary be a Spouse, former Spouse, or Child(ren). The order must be sent to the CenturyLink Service Center, who will process it through to the Life Insurance carrier. Also, you must take appropriate steps to change your beneficiary on file to reflect the court orders. January

38 General Administrative and Legal Notice Provisions Plan Document This SPD presents an overview of your Benefits. In the event of any discrepancy between this summary and the official Plan Document, the Plan Document shall govern. Records and Information At times, the Plan Administrator or the Plan Insurer may need information from you. You agree to furnish the Plan Administrator and/or the Plan Insurer with all information and proofs that are reasonably required regarding any matters pertaining to the Plan. If you do not provide this information when requested, it may delay or result in the denial of your claim. By accepting Benefits under the Plan, you authorize and direct any person or institution that has provided services to you, to furnish the Plan Administrator or the Plan Insurer with all information or copies of records relating to the services provided to you. The Plan Administrator or the Plan Insurer have the right to request this information at any reasonable time. The Plan Administrator agrees that such information and records will be considered confidential. The Plan Administrator and the Plan Insurer, MetLife, have the right to release any and all records which are necessary to implement and administer the terms of the Plan, for appropriate medical review or quality assessment, or as the Plan Administrator is required by law or regulation. If you request forms or records from the Plan Administrator, we also may charge you reasonable fees to cover costs for completing the forms or providing the records. In some cases, the Plan Administrator and the Plan Insurer will designate other persons or entities to request records or information from or related to you, and will release those records as necessary. Our designees have the same rights to this information as we have. During and after the term of the Plan, the Plan Administrator and related entities may use and transfer the information gathered under the Plan, including claim information for research, database creation, and other analytic purposes. Interpretation of Benefits The Plan Administrator and the Plan Insurer have sole and exclusive discretion in: Interpreting Benefits under the Plan. Interpreting the other terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions set out in the Plan, including this SPD. Determining the eligibility, rights, and status of all persons under the Plan. Making factual determinations, finding and determining all facts related to the Plan and its Benefits. Having the power to decide all disputes and questions arising under the Plan. January

39 The Plan Administrator and the Plan Insurer may delegate this discretionary authority to other persons or entities who provide services in regard to the administration of the Plan. In certain circumstances, for purposes of overall cost savings or efficiency, the Plan Administrator may, in our sole discretion, offer Benefits for services that would not otherwise be covered. The fact that the Plan Administrator does so in any particular case shall not in any way be deemed to require the Plan Administrator to do so in other similar cases. Clerical Error If a clerical error or other mistake occurs, including but not limited to, by members of the Employee Benefits Group of the Human Resources Organization, vendors, you or your Beneficiary, that error does not create a right to benefits. It is your responsibility to confirm the accuracy of statements made by us or our designees, including the Plan Insurer, in accordance with the terms of this SPD and other Plan documents. Administrative Services The Plan Administrator may, in our sole discretion, arrange for various persons or entities to provide administrative services in regard to the Plan, such as claims processing and utilization management services. The identity of the service providers and the nature of the services they provide may be changed from time to time in the Plan Administrator s sole discretion. The Plan Administrator is not required to give you prior notice of any such change, nor is the Plan Administrator required to obtain your approval. You must cooperate with those persons or entities in the performance of their responsibilities. Conformity with Statutes Any provision of the Plan which, on its effective date, is in conflict with the requirements of federal statutes or regulations, or applicable state law provisions not otherwise preempted by ERISA (or the jurisdiction in which the Plan is delivered), is hereby amended to conform to the minimum requirements of such statutes and regulations. Refund of Overpayments If MetLife or Zurich pays Benefits for a covered person, that covered person, or any other person or organization that was paid, must make a refund to MetLife or Zurich if all or some of the payment MetLife or Zurich made exceeded the Benefits under the Plan. The refund equals the amount MetLife or Zurich paid in excess of the amount MetLife or Zurich should have paid under the Plan. If the refund is due from another person or organization, the covered person agrees to help MetLife or Zurich get the refund when requested. January

40 If the covered person, or any other person or organization that was paid, does not promptly refund the full amount, MetLife or Zurich may reduce the amount of any future Benefits, if any, that are payable under the Plan. The reductions will equal the amount of the required refund. MetLife or Zurich may have other rights in addition to the right to reduce future Benefits. Limitation of Action Time Deadline You cannot bring any legal proceeding or action against the Plan Administrator or MetLife or Zurich unless you first complete all the steps in the appeal and complaint process described in this SPD. After exhausting the claims procedures, you may seek to pursue another legal remedy; provided, however, that you shall not have the right to file a civil action, proceeding or lawsuit against the Plan or any person acting with respect the Plan, including, but not limited to, the Company, any Participating Company, the Plan Administrator or any other Plan fiduciary, or any third party service provider, after the last day of the twelfth month following the later of (1) the deadline for filing an appeal under the Plan or (2) the date on which an adverse benefit determination on appeal was issued with respect to such Plan benefit claim. Right To Change or Terminate the Plan CenturyLink currently intends to continue the CenturyLink Group Life Insurance Plan but reserves the right to terminate or amend it at any time, with respect to any or all classes of current participants (including retired Employees). Statement of Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) Rights As a participant in the Plan, you are entitled to certain rights and protections under ERISA. ERISA provides that all Plan participants shall be entitled to: Receive Information about Your Plan and Benefits Examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator's office and at other specified locations, such as worksites, all documents governing the Plan, including insurance contracts, and a copy of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by the Plan with the U.S. Department of Labor and available at the Public Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefit Security Administration. January

41 Obtain, upon written request to the Plan Administrator, copies of documents governing the operation of the Plan, including insurance contracts, and copies of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) and updated Summary Plan Description. The Plan Administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies. Receive a summary of the Plan s annual financial report. The Plan Administrator is required by law to furnish each participant with a copy of the Summary Annual Report. Prudent Actions by Plan Fiduciaries In addition to creating rights for Plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the Employee benefit plan. The people who operate your Plan, called fiduciaries of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other Plan participants and beneficiaries. No one, including your employer or any other person, may otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a welfare benefit or exercising your rights under ERISA. Enforce Your Rights If your claim for a welfare benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you have a right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any denial, all within certain time schedules. Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request a copy of Plan documents or the latest annual report from the Plan and do not receive them within 30 days, you may file suit in a Federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan Administrator to provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan Administrator. If you have a claim for Benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or Federal court. If it should happen that Plan fiduciaries misuse the Plan's money, or if you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a Federal court. The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous. Assistance with Your Questions If you have any questions about your Plan, you should contact the Plan Administrator. If you have any questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, or if you need assistance in obtaining documents from the Plan Administrator, you should contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefit Security Administration, U. S. Department of Labor, listed in your telephone directory, or the Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefit Security Administration, U. S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington January

42 D.C You may also obtain certain publications about your rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the Employee Benefit Security Administration or accessing their website at January

43 IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLANS The Life Insurance Plans are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). Statement of ERISA Rights The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) affords you with certain legal protection under the plans the Company provides. As a participant in the Life Insurance Plan component of the CenturyLink Welfare Benefits Plan No. 513, certain rights and protections under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) provides that all plan participants shall be entitled to: Examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator office and other specified locations, such as work sites, and union halls, all documents governing the plan including insurance contracts, collective bargaining agreements and a copy of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by the Plan with the U.S. Department of Labor and available at the Public Disclosure Room of the Employee Benefits Security Administration. Obtain, upon written request to the Plan Administrator, copies of documents governing the operation of the plan, including insurance contracts and collective bargaining agreements, and copies of the latest annual report (Form 5500 Series) and updated summary plan description. The Plan Administrator may make a reasonable charge for copies. Receive a summary of the Plan's annual financial reports. The plan administrator is required by law to furnish each participant with a copy of this annual summary report. In addition to creating rights for plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of employee benefit plans. The people who operate your plans, called fiduciaries, have a duty to do so prudently and in the sole interest of you and other plan participants and beneficiaries. No one, including your employer, your union, or any other person, may fire you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a welfare benefit or exercising your rights under ERISA. If your claim for a welfare benefit is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you have a right to know why this was done, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any denial, all within certain time schedules. Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request materials from the Plan and do not receive them within 30 days, you may file suit in a federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan Administrator to provide the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan Administrator. January

44 If your claim for benefits is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or Federal court. If it should happen that plan fiduciaries misuse the plans' money, or if you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a Federal court. The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous. If you have any questions about the Plan(s), you should contact the Plan Administrator. If you have any questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA or if you need assistance in obtaining documents from the Plan Administrator, you should contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, listed in your telephone directory or the Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C You may also obtain certain publications about your rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publication s hotline of the Employee Benefits Security Administration. Plan Amendments The Company reserves the right at any time, to terminate, modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the plans. The CenturyLink Employee Benefits Committee (EBC) is empowered to amend these plans or any benefit under these plans or any benefits under these plans at any time by a written instrument signed by an authorized person of the EBC. Interpretation of the Plan The Plan Administrator has authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the plans. However, the plan administrator has delegated to the Group sponsored Life and AD&D insurance carriers its entire discretionary authority to make all final determinations regarding claims for benefits under the benefit plans insured by these policies. This discretionary authority includes, but is not limited to, the determination of eligibility for benefits, based upon enrollment information provided by the policyholder, and the amount of any benefits due, and to construe the terms of these policies. Any decision made by the Group sponsored Life and AD&D insurance carriers in the exercise of this authority, including review of denials of benefit, is conclusive and binding on all parties. Any court reviewing the Group sponsored Life and AD&D insurance carrier s determinations shall uphold such determination unless the claimant proves the determinations are arbitrary and capricious. January

45 Plan Name and Type The names of the Plans in which this SPD summarizes the benefits is outlined below. These Plans are components of the CenturyLink Group Welfare Benefits Plan 513, which is an umbrella Section 125 cafeteria plan. Components of this Plan summarized here include the following: The CenturyLink Life Insurance Plan which offers the following benefits and coverage: Basic Life Supplemental Life The CenturyLink Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan which offers the following benefits and coverage: Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment Supplemental Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan Financing and Administration Plan Year: January 1 through December 31. Plan Financing: The Plans are financed on a fully insured basis. The insurance premiums paid under the Plans may be funded through one or more of the following: employer general assets, employee contributions or, if applicable, a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust. Administration Type: The Life and AD&D Plans are administered by third party claims administrator(s) insurance carriers operating under group policies. Plan Sponsor CenturyLink, Inc. c/o Human Resources 805 Broadway Vancouver, WA Employer Identification Number: January

46 Plan Administrator and Agent for Service of Legal Process The CenturyLink Employee Benefits Committee c/o Benefits Administrator CenturyLink, Inc, Human Resources 805 Broadway Vancouver, WA Limitation on Civil Actions You cannot bring any legal proceeding or action against the Plan, the Plan Administrator, claims administrators or the Company unless you first complete all the steps in the claims and appeal process described in this SPD. After completing that process, you can bring any legal proceedings or action against the Plan or us or the Claims Administrator within 12 months or 1 year of the date the Claims Administrator notified you of the final decision on your appeal. No person has the right to file a civil action, proceeding or lawsuit against the Plan or any person acting with respect to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the Company, any Participating Company, the CenturyLink Employee Benefits Committee or any other fiduciary, or any third party service provider, after the last day of the 12 th month following the later of (a) the 60 th day after receipt by the claimant of written notification of the Adverse Benefit Determination or (b) the date on which the Adverse Benefit Determination on appeal was issued with respect to such Plan benefit claim. Clerical Error If a clerical error or other mistake occurs, however occurring, that error does not create a right to Benefits. Clerical errors include, but are not limited to, providing misinformation on eligibility or benefit coverages or entitlements or relating to information transmittal and/or communications, perfunctory or ministerial in nature, involving claims processing, and recordkeeping. Although every effort is and will be made to administer the Plans in a fully accurate manner, any inadvertent error, misstatement or omission will be disregarded and the actual Plan provisions will be controlling. A clerical error will not void coverage to which a Participant is entitled under the terms of the Plans, nor will it continue coverage that should have ended under the terms of the Plan. When an error is found, it will be corrected or adjusted appropriately as soon as practicable. Interest shall not be payable with respect to a Benefit corrected or adjusted. It is your responsibility to confirm the accuracy of statements made by the Plans or our designees, including the Claims Administrator(s), in accordance with the terms of this SPD and other Plan documents. January

47 Records And Information and Your Obligation to Furnish Information At times, the Plan or the Claims Administrator may need information from you. You agree to furnish the Plan and/or the Claims Administrator with all information and proofs that are reasonably required regarding any matters pertaining to the Plan. If you do not provide this information when requested, it may delay or result in the denial of your claim. By accepting Benefits under the Plan, you authorize and direct any person that has provided services to you, to furnish the Plan or the Claims Administrator with all information or copies of records relating to the services provided to you. The Plan or the Claims Administrator has the right to request this information at any reasonable time. This applies to all Covered Persons, including Enrolled Dependents whether or not they have signed the enrollment form. The Plan agrees that such information and records will be considered confidential. We and the Claims Administrator have the right to release any and all records which are necessary to implement and administer the terms of the Plans, for appropriate medical review or quality assessment, or as we are required by law or regulation. Circumstances That May Affect Your Plan Benefits Under certain circumstances all or a portion of your Benefits under the Plans may be denied, reduced, suspended, terminated or otherwise affected. Many of these circumstances have been addressed elsewhere in this SPD. Such circumstances, in general, include but are not limited to: You are no longer in an eligible class of participants The Plan is amended, changed or terminated You attain the maximum benefit available under the Plans, such as may apply to certain Life Plan and AD&D Benefits You misrepresent or falsify any information required under the Plans; you or your beneficiaries will not be permitted to benefit under the Plans from your own misrepresentation You have been overpaid a benefit and the Plans seek restitution Your coverage under the Plans is terminated for one of a variety of reasons, for example, failure to pay a supplemental benefit premium or to pay it on a timely basis Your coverage is rescinded as permitted by law January

48 Consequences of Falsification or Misrepresentation Coverage for you or your dependent(s) will be terminated if you or your dependent(s) falsify or intentionally omit medical history on the application for coverage, submit fraudulent, altered or duplicate billings for personal gain, allow another party not eligible for coverage to be covered under the Plan or obtain Plan Benefits, or allow improper use of your or your dependent's coverage. You and your Dependent(s) will not be permitted to benefit under the Plan from your own misrepresentation. If a person is found to have falsified any document in support of a claim for Benefits or coverage under the Plan, the Plan Administrator may, without anyone's consent, terminate coverage, possibly retroactively if permitted by law (called recission ), and may seek reimbursement for Benefits that should not have been paid out. Additionally, the Claims Administrator may refuse to honor any claim under the Plan. You are also advised that suspected incidents of this nature are turned over to Corporate Security to investigate and to address the possible consequences of such actions. You may be periodically asked to submit proof of eligibility to verify claims. All participants are required to cooperate with requests to validate eligibility. January

49 APPENDIX Life Insurance Company Metropolitan Life Insurance Company MetLife 200 Park Avenue New York, New York Group Policy No Accidental Death & Dismemberment AD&D Insurance Company Zurich American Insurance Company 1400 American Lane Schaumburg, IL Group Policy # (Basic and Supplemental AD&D) January