If you know someone at HP or HPE who is dealing with possible layoff or retirement, or has recently left, send them this link. It has pragmatic advice collected from alumni who have gone through past cycles -- including actions to quietly take now, even if you don't expect to be leaving. https://www.hpalumni.org/leaving (No membership or login required.)

Helping each other with life after HP/HPE. Updates and online forums with Q-and-A discussions on details of COBRA and retiree health benefits, transition to Medicare, stock, 401(k), pensions, and other financial issues. TechTalk. Operated by volunteers. Not officially endorsed or supported.

Join us. If formerly a regular, direct U.S. employee of HP or HPE -- or in the process of leaving. We welcome others who could benefit from our updates and online forums: spouses/partners, those receiving company benefits -- dependents, DEC and EDS retirees -- and heirs with HP/HPE-related stock. No charge, thanks to HPAA's Supporting Members. Join at hpalumni.org/join

(Updated May 13, 2023)

HP (HP Inc.) contacts for former employees:  HPAA's directory of HP contacts  

HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company) contacts for former employees:  HPAA's directory of HPE contacts

2. HPAA member advice  

If leaving or recently left: ASAP Checklist. Pragmatic advice from HP/HPE alumni on what to do before losing access to company systems -- and in the following few weeks. Supplements the official HP/HPE checklists.

Classification as a "retiree." If an employee left at 55 or older with at least 10 years of service, or left after 2010 with age-plus-years-of-service of at least 80, or left under an early retirement program -- HP and HPE generally classify the employee as "retired" -- regardless of how they left and whether or not they have any retiree benefits. This is reported to outside payroll and employment verification services, but doesn't seem to have any negative consequences. Inquiries from state Unemployment Dept. claims examiners go to a specific group in HR, which replies via letter. Over the years, members have reported that HP did not block their UI claims. 

To determine if you have any HP, HPE, or DEC retiree or dependent health benefits:
- Download the most recent HP or HP Enterprise Enrollment Guide here on the HPAlumni website: Enrollment Guides.  Lots packed into an Enrollment Guide. Even if you have a paper copy, download the current file and use Adobe Reader's search feature to find specific words or phrases. (Press "Ctrl" and "F" together on a PC -- or "Command" and "F" on a Mac.)
- Then call the appropriate Benefits Center to go over your specific situation in detail -- which may include COBRA, reimbursement accounts, Medicare, coverage for dependents, etc. Phone numbers and member advice: HPAA's Contacts page  

To determine if you have any forgotten HP, HPE, DEC, or EDS pension benefits:  HP    HPE    EDS    DEC   

If you received a letter from Social Security entitled "Potential Private Retirement Benefit." If "Type of Benefit" is "A" -- in the "Year Reported" you rolled to a different plan, bought an annuity, or took cash. More: https://www.hpalumni.org/PotentialBenefitLetter.

Make sure that the 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. (HP Inc. is the legal successor to the companies acquired by Hewlett-Packard before the company was split into HP Inc and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, including DEC, EDS, etc.) Update address at former company

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. Compaq, Tandem, Autonomy, etc. did not have retiree healthcare or pensions among their benefits programs. Their employees did not have those expectations -- and there were no corresponding trust funds to pass on to an acquiring company. Therefore, employees of those companies did not get credit under HP's retiree healthcare or pension programs for service at the predecessor. Predecessor service generally did count for other benefits. Details: DEC  EDS

Which HP-related companies have me classified as a retiree or former employee? Given HP's history of acquisitions and spinoffs, this may not be obvious. If any doubt, check here: Which Company

Info for those who worked at:  Agilent    Autonomy    Compaq    DEC    DXC    EDS    HP    HPE    Keysight    Micro Focus    Perspecta    Tandem    Other acquisitions and spinoffs 

Update and strengthen your LinkedIn profile. Even if not currently looking, you need a strong, credible profile on LinkedIn. People check you out before working with you. Recruiters run searches for particular skills and background. In addition, LinkedIn helps you reconnect with people who know you and your work.

Check your LinkedIn profile. (Click your photo and select "View Profile.") LinkedIn has been standardizing company names, with odd results. Recruiters view illogical entries -- such as HPE positions before 2015 -- as fake. (HPE changed many decades-old HP positions to display the HPE name and logo.) Watch for typos. You may wish to emphasize (or de-emphasize) some of your experience and background.

Tricks and traps: hpalumni.org/LinkedIn

Job posts on LinkedIn. To see job openings shared by other HP alumni -- and post opportunities at your current employer: Join the "HP Connections" group on LinkedIn (Operated by HPAA, but HPAA membership not required.) 

Sorting out the different types of financial salespeople and advisors. Member Advice: How to Choose a Financial Advisor.

Question or comment? Email: info@hpalumni.org

Helping each other with life after HP and HPE:  Website    Forums

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