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Section 503 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. section 1133, provides that, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Labor, each employee benefit plan must provide "adequate notice in writing to any participant or beneficiary whose claim for benefits under the plan has been denied." The notice must set forth the specific reasons for the denial and must be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant. Each plan must also afford "a reasonable opportunity" for any participant or beneficiary whose claim has been denied to obtain "full and fair review" of the denial by the "appropriate named fiduciary of the plan." The Department has issued a regulation pursuant to the above authority that establishes the minimum requirements for benefit claims procedures of employee benefit plans covered by title 1 of ERISA. See 29 CFR 2560.503-1. This rulemaking is intended to strengthen, improve, and update the current disability benefit claims and appeals process under the section 503 regulations.