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For DEC Alumni (Digital Equipment Corporation)  (Page updated Feb 13, 2026)

Not officially endorsed or supported.

For 2026, HPInc and HPE changed how retiree health coverage is provided. The necessary changes cannot be made automatically. https://www.hpalumni.org/enroll-tips-traps

HPInc is the overall legal successor to Hewlett-Packard and to companies acquired by Hewlett-Packard before Nov 1, 2015 – Compaq, EDS, etc. – regardless of whether a business unit ended up in HPInc or HPE. Unofficial directory of HP/HPE acquisitions For employees of HP – and predecessor companies – who left before the HPInc/HPE separation, responsibility for any health or retirement benefits varies from country to country, depending on employee population. For the US, HPInc has responsibility. For Canada and UK, HPE has responsibility. In many countries, plans were split between HP Inc and HPE. See: Where are my benefits?

Received a "Potential Private Retirement Benefit" letter from U.S. Social Security? How to decode and who to contact: https://www.hpalumni.org/PotentialBenefitLetter

If you have paper stock certificates. What to do: Stock Certificates

1998 DEC sale to Compaq. Due to declining growth and profits – including losses starting in 1990 and a $2.8 billion loss in 1992 – DEC stock was down to $45 – from $199 four years earlier.
Management and board negotiated the sale for a 26% premium. Announced Jan 26, 1998; completed on Jun 12, 1998. For each share of DEC owned on June 11, 1998, DEC shareholders received $30.00 in cash and  0.945 share of Compaq stock. DEC stock was retired.

Hewlett-Packard breakup. On Nov 1, 2015, the legal name of the Hewlett-Packard Company was changed to HP Inc. ("hp" logo, HPQ stock symbol) and a new, completely separate company – Hewlett Packard Enterprise ("HPE" logo and stock symbol) – was spun off. Portions of HPE were later spun off into DXC and Micro Focus: HP Breakup 

Make sure that the overall legal successor to every company you ever worked for has your current postal address. Even if not classified by the company as a "Retiree" or if long gone – in case of pension plan changes, employment lawsuits, settlements, or other issues. Update address at former company

Which HP-related companies have me classified as a retiree or former employee? Due to acquisitions and spinoffs, may not be obvious: Which Company

Info and contacts for those from:  Compaq 

Contacts at HP Inc. – the successor company: HP contacts

Reconnect, celebrate the good times, and appreciate those who have passed. Leading DEC- and HP-related Facebook groups – which you can join without disclosing personal info: https://www.hpalumni.org/facebook

The DEC Connection is an independent association of former DEC employees. Has local chapters: DEC Connection

Dexodus is an independent association of former UK DEC employees: Dexodus

DEC Pension: Go to https://www.hpalumni.org/DEC-pension

DEC Retiree Health Program: Go to https://www.hpalumni.org/DEC-health

Stock:  

- Compaq acquisition of DEC: For each share of DEC owned on June 11, 1998, DEC shareholders received $30.00 in cash and  0.945 share of Compaq stock. DEC stock was retired. Source: SEC 8K filing

- How one broker handled stock history for: DEC   Compaq  

- Depending on when and how you acquired stock – and due to the sequence of spinoffs and acquisitions – you may now have shares of HPInc (HPQ), HPE, DXC, Keysight (KEYS), and/or Agilent (A) – in different accounts – and may not have received cash payouts for Micro Focus (MFGP) and Perspecta (PRSP).

Transactions were often tracked and reported differently – or not at all. Only you – not the company, plan administrators, transfer agents, brokers, or the IRS – can reconstruct your full employee stock history.

Find it all – and verify or estimate your current cost basis: HP/HPE-related stock

Worldwide employment verification for Hewlett-Packard, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and related companies. Employment and Experience Verification

For those in the workforce, select the links below that fit your situation...

- Current HPInc or HPE employee: Networking and Information.

- HPInc or HPE employee in the process of leaving or being laid off: ASAP checklist.

Update and strengthen your LinkedIn profile. Even if not currently looking, you need a strong, credible LinkedIn profile. Reconnect with people who know your work. Be found for your specialty and background by AI, recruiters, and managers. Your profile may look bogus – most HP positions were changed to HPE; the LinkedIn company selector has trouble with "Hewlett-Packard" and "EDS." Member advice on settings, networking, emails. hpalumni.org/LinkedIn

DEC history and culture https://www.hpalumni.org/DEC-History.htm

Click to join our forums   Question? Email us: info@hpalumni.org 

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