EQUITY RESIDENTIAL (EQR)

7.3          Death

(a)        If a Participant dies prior to the complete distribution of his or her Account, the vested portion of the Participant’s Account shall be paid to the Participant’s designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, according to the Participant’s distribution election.

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7.3          Death

(a)        If a Participant dies prior to the complete distribution of his or her Account, the vested portion of the Participant’s Account shall be paid to the Participant’s designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, according to the Participant’s distribution election, unless the Plan Administrator elects, in its sole discretion, to pay out a Participant’s Account balance in a single lump sum as soon as practicable following the date of termination.

(b)        A Participant may designate a beneficiary by so noticing the Plan Administrator in writing, at any time before Participant’s death, on a form prescribed by the Plan Administrator for that purpose.  A Participant may revoke any beneficiary designation or designate a new beneficiary at any time without the consent of a beneficiary or any other person.  If no beneficiary is designated or no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the Participant’s surviving spouse, or, if none, to the Participant’s issue per stirpes, in a single payment.  If no spouse or issue survives the Participant, payment shall be made in a single lump sum to the Participant’s estate.