QUALIFYING LEAVE UNDER FAMILY LEAVE ACT. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Plan, if a Participant goes on a qualifying unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), to the extent required by the FMLA, the Employer will continue to maintain the Participant’s existing coverage under the Plan with respect to benefits under Section V and Section VIII of the Plan on the same terms and conditions as though he were still an active Employee. If the Employee opts to continue his coverage, the Employee may pay his Elective Contribution with after- tax dollars while on leave (or pre-tax dollars to the extent he receives compensation during the leave), or the Employee may be given the option to pre-pay all or a portion of his Elective Contribution for the expected duration of the leave on a pre-tax salary reduction basis out of his pre-leave compensation (including unused sick days or vacation) by making a special election to that effect prior to the date such compensation would normally be made available to him (provided, however, that pre-tax dollars may not be utilized to fund coverage during the next plan year), or via other arrangements agreed upon between the Employee and the Administrator (e.g., the Administrator may fund coverage during the leave and withhold amounts upon the Employee’s return). Upon return from such leave, the Employee will be permitted to reenter the Plan on the same basis the Employee was participating in the Plan prior to his leave, or as otherwise required by the FMLA.
