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For DEC Alumni (Digital Equipment Corporation) (Updated Jul 27, 2025) Not officially endorsed or supported. HP Inc is the overall legal successor to Hewlett-Packard and to companies acquired by Hewlett-Packard before Nov 1, 2015 – such as Compaq, DEC, EDS, Tandem, etc. -- regardless of whether a business unit ended up in HP Inc or HPE. 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. For the US, HP Inc 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? Key contact: The HP Retirement Service Center is the primary administrator for HP Inc U.S. pension and 401(k) accounts, including any accounts for companies that Hewlett-Packard acquired before Nov 1, 2015 (Compaq, DEC, EDS, etc.) Operated by Fidelity Investments. 1-800-457-4015 (If no password, keep hitting #.) (Outside US 1-508-787-9902 collect.) https://nb.fidelity.com (Don't go to a local Fidelity office, which is focused on sales.) Received a "Potential Private Retirement Benefit" letter from U.S. Social Security? How to decode and who to contact: "Potential Benefit" letter If you have paper stock certificates. What to do: Stock Certificates
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. 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 (no hyphen, singular, "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, this may not be obvious. Check here: 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 Service at predecessor companies. Of HPInc's many predecessor companies, only HP and DEC ever had retiree healthcare programs. Only HP, DEC, and EDS ever had pension plans. Over the years, HP, DEC, and EDS set aside money in dedicated trust funds to pay for those programs. Therefore, employees of other acquisitions did not get credit under HP's retiree healthcare or pension programs for service at the predecessor -- but generally did get service credit for other benefits. Pension:
- U.S. pension change. In 2020, HP Inc irrevocably
transferred pension administration and $5.2 billion in
payment obligations for 41,000 U.S. HP, DEC, and EDS
retirees to Prudential Insurance Company - If you were employed by DEC prior to Mar 1, 1996: You may have a benefit under the HP Cash Account Pension Plan. Plan details in this HP document, which may be out of date: 2008 HP CAP Summary Plan Description The current SPD takes precedence over any other written, online, or verbal information you may have been given -- but is still subject to change. The employer's plan administrator is required by law to provide the SPD upon request. How to obtain and decode: https://www.hpalumni.org/SPD-decode - The HP Retirement Service Center is the primary administrator for HP Inc U.S. pension and 401(k) accounts, including any accounts for companies that Hewlett-Packard acquired before Nov 1, 2015 (Compaq, DEC, EDS, etc.) Operated by Fidelity Investments. 1-800-457-4015 (If no password, keep hitting #.) (Outside US 1-508-787-9902 collect.) https://nb.fidelity.com (Don't go to a local Fidelity office, which is focused on sales.) - Benefits depend on the choice the employee made. At various times available pension options may have included lump sum, monthly payment, reduced monthly payment with survivor benefit, etc. - UK Pension -- HP, DEC, EDS. HP Limited Retirement Benefits Plan, administered by Equiniti. https://hprbp.com British IT news site "The Register" -- motto: "Biting the Hand that Feeds IT" article: 8/17/23 DEC pension article on The Register For details of a U.S. employer retirement or health plan, obtain a copy of the legal Summary Plan Description ("SPD"). Log into the plan administrator's website or call. They are required by law to provide the SPD upon request. The current SPD takes precedence over any other written, online, or verbal information you may be given -- but is still subject to change. How to use an SPD Retiree Health Program: - DEC retirees report that Compaq -- and now HP -- have lived up to DEC's retiree healthcare commitments. - We have a copy of HP's official table to determine if you are qualified for health coverage. hpalumni.org/Pre2003 - Call the HP Inc Benefits Center: (Alight) 1-800-890-3100. (Outside US, Puerto Rico, Canada 1-847-883-0465) Alight Ask for a "Retirement Specialist" - Annual Benefits Enrollment. Details and advice from members: https://www.hpalumni.org/EnrollmentGuides - Why HP group plan costs are going up. hpalumni.org/health-cost - Join the HPAA Benefits Forum Covers topics such as COBRA and retiree health benefits, annual enrollment, and transition to Medicare. 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 - If you were ever an HP shareholder, you may now have shares of HPQ, HPE, Keysight, and/or Agilent – in different accounts. If ever an HPE shareholder, you may now have shares of DXC – and may not have received cash payouts for MFGP and PRSP. Find it all – and estimate your current cost basis: HP/HPE-Related Stocks Due to the many complex HP-related stock events, only you – not the company, plan administrators, transfer agents, brokers, or the IRS – can reconstruct your full stock history. Worldwide employment verification and experience letters 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 HP or HPE employee: Networking and Information. - HP 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 the HPAA Question? Email us: info@hpalumni.org |
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