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Retirement and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Retirement and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Retirement and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors defined benefit pension plans worldwide, the most significant of which are the United Kingdom ("UK") and Germany plans. The pension plan in the UK is closed to new entrants, however, members continue to earn benefit accruals. This plan provides benefits based on final pay and years of service and generally requires contributions from members. The German pension program that is open to new hires consists of cash balance plans that provide employer credits as a percentage of pay, certain employee pay deferrals and employer matching contributions. There also are previously closed German pension programs that include cash balance and final average pay plans. These previously closed pension programs comprise the majority of the pension obligations in Germany. 
Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
The Company sponsors retiree health and welfare benefit plans, the most significant of which is in the U.S. Generally, employees hired before August 2008 are eligible for employer credits under the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Retirement Medical Savings Account Plan ("RMSA") upon attaining age 45. Employer credits to the RMSA available after September 2008 are provided in the form of matching credits on employee contributions made to a voluntary employee beneficiary association. Upon retirement, employees may use these employer credits for the reimbursement of certain eligible medical expenses.
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company offers various defined contribution plans for U.S. and non-U.S. employees. The Company's defined contribution expense was approximately $170 million in fiscal 2021, $160 million in fiscal 2020 and $181 million in fiscal 2019. U.S. employees are automatically enrolled in the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company 401(k) Plan ("HPE 401(k) Plan"), when they meet eligibility requirements, unless they decline participation. The HPE 401(k) Plan's quarterly employer matching contributions are 100% of an employee's contributions, up to a maximum of 4% of eligible compensation. Due to cost containment measures put in place in response to COVID-19, the Company suspended the employer match for U.S. employees from July 1, 2020 through the end of the calendar year 2020.
Pension Benefit Expense
The Company's net pension and post-retirement benefit costs that were directly attributable to the eligible employees, retirees and other former employees of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019 are presented in the table below.
 As of October 31,
 202120202019202120202019
 Defined Benefit PlansPost-Retirement Benefit Plans
 In millions
Service cost$97 $94 $85 $1 $1 $1 
Interest cost(1)
118 143 215 4 5 7 
Expected return on plan assets(1)
(479)(544)(511)(1)(1)(1)
Amortization and deferrals(1):
      
Actuarial loss (gain)296 264 235 (2)(1)(4)
Prior service benefit(13)(14)(15)— — — 
Net periodic benefit cost19 (57)9 2 4 3 
Settlement loss(1)
4 10 13 — — — 
Special termination benefits(1)
3 2 2 — — — 
Total net benefit cost (credit)$26 $(45)$24 $2 $4 $3 
(1)These non-service components of net periodic benefit cost are included in Non-service net periodic benefit credit in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
The weighted-average assumptions used to calculate the net benefit cost (credit) in the table above for fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
 As of October 31,
 202120202019202120202019
 Defined Benefit PlansPost-Retirement Benefit Plans
Discount rate used to determine benefit obligation1.0 %1.2 %2.1 %2.8 %3.4 %4.9 %
Discount rate used to determine service cost1.3 %1.6 %2.3 %2.6 %3.0 %4.4 %
Discount rate used to determine interest cost0.8 %1.0 %1.8 %2.3 %3.2 %4.7 %
Expected increase in compensation levels2.5 %2.5 %2.5 %— — — 
Expected long-term return on plan assets3.3 %4.1 %4.3 %2.3 %2.3 %2.6 %
Interest crediting rate(1)
2.5 %2.5 %2.5 %2.7 %3.7 %3.7 %
(1)The average assumed interest credited for HPE's cash balance plans and postretirement plans, as applicable.
To estimate the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans that use the yield curve approach, which represent substantially all of the Company's defined benefit plans, the Company has elected to use a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components of benefit cost by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows.
Funded Status
The funded status of the plans was as follows:
 As of October 31,
 2021202020212020
 Defined Benefit PlansPost-Retirement Benefit Plans
 In millions
Change in fair value of plan assets:    
Fair value—beginning of year$14,127 $13,434 $57 $54 
Addition/deletion of plans(1)
60 5 — — 
Actual return on plan assets1,256 557 2 — 
Employer contributions167 167 5 5 
Participant contributions23 24 5 5 
Benefits paid(486)(410)(9)(7)
Settlement(32)(51)— — 
Currency impact239 401 — — 
Fair value—end of year$15,354 $14,127 $60 $57 
Change in benefit obligation:    
Projected benefit obligation—beginning of year$14,845 $14,225 $167 $179 
Addition/deletion of plans(1)
68 5 — — 
Service cost97 94 1 1 
Interest cost118 143 4 5 
Participant contributions23 24 5 5 
Actuarial loss (gain)13 368 (10)(9)
Benefits paid(486)(410)(9)(7)
Plan amendments— (3)— — 
Curtailment(5)— — — 
Settlement(32)(51)— — 
Special termination benefits3 2 — — 
Currency impact228 448 3 (7)
Projected benefit obligation—end of year$14,872 $14,845 $161 $167 
Funded status at end of year$482 $(718)$(101)$(110)
Accumulated benefit obligation$14,668 $14,619 $— $— 
(1)Includes the addition/deletion of plans resulting from acquisitions.
For the year ended October 31, 2021, the benefit obligation remained flat at approximately $14.9 billion primarily due to the effects of increasing discount rates offset by increases in long-term inflation assumptions for various plans. Assets returned much better than expected resulting in an increase in pension assets from approximately $14.1 billion to $15.4 billion. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the increase in the benefit obligation was primarily attributable to a decrease in the discount rate which resulted in an increase to HPE's pension liability of approximately $0.6 billion. Assets performed as expected contributing to an increase in pension assets from $13.4 billion to $14.1 billion.
The weighted-average assumptions used to calculate the projected benefit obligations were as follows:
 As of October 31,
 2021202020212020
 Defined Benefit PlansPost-Retirement Benefit Plans
Discount rate1.3 %1.0 %3.0 %2.8 %
Expected increase in compensation levels2.6 %2.5 %— — 
Interest crediting rate2.5 %2.5 %2.7 %2.7 %
The net amounts recognized for defined benefit and post-retirement benefit plans in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:
 As of October 31,
 2021202020212020
 Defined Benefit PlansPost-Retirement Benefit Plans
 In millions
Non-current assets$1,898 $1,046 $— $— 
Current liabilities(48)(49)(7)(6)
Non-current liabilities(1,368)(1,715)(94)(104)
Funded status at end of year$482 $(718)$(101)$(110)
The following table summarizes the pre-tax net actuarial loss and prior service benefit recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the defined benefit plans:
 As of October 31, 2021
 Defined
Benefit Plans		Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 In millions
Net actuarial loss (gain)$2,575 $(2)
Prior service benefit(14)— 
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss$2,561 $(2)
Defined benefit plans with projected benefit obligations exceeding the fair value of plan assets were as follows:
 As of October 31,
 20212020
 In millions
Aggregate fair value of plan assets$1,191 $4,160 
Aggregate projected benefit obligation$2,606 $5,924 
Defined benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations exceeding the fair value of plan assets were as follows:
 As of October 31,
 20212020
 In millions
Aggregate fair value of plan assets$1,164 $4,094 
Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation$2,487 $5,723 
Fair Value of Plan Assets
The Company pays the U.S. defined benefit plan obligations when they come due since these plans are unfunded. The table below sets forth the fair value of non-U.S. defined benefit plan assets by asset category within the fair value hierarchy as of October 31, 2021 and 2020.
 As of
October 31, 2021		As of
October 31, 2020
 Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
 In millions
Asset Category:        
Equity securities        
U.S. $884 $128 $— $1,012 $155 $117 $— $272 
Non-U.S. 345 196 — 541 955 217 — 1,172 
Debt securities       
Corporate— 1,859 — 1,859 — 1,778 — 1,778 
Government(1)
— 6,998 — 6,998 — 6,007 — 6,007 
Government at NAV(2)
822 875 
Other(3)
— 673 748 1,421 — 683 555 1,238 
Alternative investments       
Private Equity— 2 46 48 — 4 35 39 
Hybrids(4)
19 1,613 116 1,748 18 1,486 90 1,594 
Hybrids at NAV(5)
561 504 
Common Contractual Funds at NAV(6)
Equities at NAV1,513 1,393 
Fixed Income at NAV734 782 
Emerging Markets at NAV464 362 
Alternative investments at NAV214 350 
Real Estate Funds29 246 48 323 27 229 39 295 
Insurance Group Annuity Contracts— 98 33 131 — 56 36 92 
Cash and Cash Equivalents254 239 — 493 241 176 — 417 
Other(7)
44 47 1 92 24 95 1 120 
Obligation to return cash received from repurchase agreements(1)
— (3,620)— (3,620)— (3,163)— (3,163)
Total$1,575 $8,479 $992 $15,354 $1,420 $7,685 $756 $14,127 
(1)Repurchase agreements, primarily in the UK, represent the plans' short-term borrowing to hedge against interest rate and inflation risks. Investments in approximately $5 billion of government bonds collateralize this short-term borrowing at October 31, 2021 and 2020. The plans have an obligation to return the cash after the term of the agreements. Due to the short-term nature of the agreements, the outstanding balance of the obligation approximates fair value.
(2)Includes a fund that invests in various government bonds issued by worldwide governments, interest rate swaps, and cash, to match or slightly outperform the benchmark of the future liabilities of the fund. While the fund is not publicly traded, the custodian strikes a net asset value daily. There are no redemption restrictions or future commitments on these investments.
(3)Includes funds that invest primarily in asset-backed securities, mortgage backed securities, collateralized loan obligations, and/or private debt investments. Primary valuation techniques for level 3 investments include discounted cash flows and broker quotes and/or 3rd party pricing services. Significant unobservable inputs include yields which are determined by considering the market yield of comparable public debt instruments adjusted for estimated losses to reflect where the expected recovery rate would be less than 100%. The yields ranged from 4% to 17%, with the weighted average around 7%. Generally, an increase in yield may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain investments.
(4)Includes funds, primarily in the UK, that invest in both private and public equities, as well as emerging markets across all sectors. The funds also hold fixed income and derivative instruments to hedge interest rate and inflation risk. In addition, the funds include units in transferable securities, collective investment schemes, money market funds, asset-backed income, cash, and deposits. Primary valuation techniques for level 3 investments include discounted cash flows and book value or net asset value. Significant unobservable inputs include discount rates. The discount rates ranged from 3% to 25%, with the main weighted average around 7%. Generally, an increase in discount rates may result in a decrease in the fair value of certain investments.
(5)Includes a pooled fund in the UK, that seeks a rate of return with direct or indirect linkage to UK inflation by investing in vehicles including bonds, long lease property, income strips, asset-backed securities, and index linked assets. Units are available for subscription on the first day of each calendar month at net asset value. There are no redemption restrictions or future commitments on these investments.
(6)HPE Invest Common Contractual Funds (CCFs) are investment arrangements in which institutional investors pool their assets.  Units may be acquired in four different sub-funds focused on equities, fixed income, alternative investments, and emerging markets. Each sub-fund is invested in accordance with the fund's investment objective and units are issued in relation to each sub-fund. While the sub-funds are not publicly traded, the custodian strikes a net asset value either once or twice a month, depending on the sub-fund. There are no redemption restrictions or future commitments on these investments.
(7)Includes international insured contracts, derivative instruments, and unsettled transactions.
As of October 31, 2021 post-retirement benefit plan assets of $60 million were invested in publicly traded registered investment entities of which $49 million are classified within Level 1 and $11 million within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. As of October 31, 2020 post-retirement benefit plan assets of $57 million were invested in publicly traded registered investment entities of which $46 million are classified within Level 1 and $11 million within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Changes in fair value measurements of Level 3 investments for the non-U.S. defined benefit plans were as follows:
 For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021
 Alternative Investments    
 Debt-OtherPrivate
Equity		HybridsReal
Estate
Funds		Insurance
Group
Annuities		OtherTotal
 In millions
Balance at beginning of year$555 $35 $90 $39 $36 $1 $756 
Actual return on plan assets:   
Relating to assets held at the reporting date43 13 10 5 (3)— 68 
Relating to assets sold during the period— 10 — — — — 10 
Purchases, sales, and settlements150 (12)16 4 — — 158 
Balance at end of year$748 $46 $116 $48 $33 $1 $992 

 For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020
 Alternative Investments    
 Debt-OtherPrivate
Equity		HybridsReal
Estate
Funds		Insurance
Group
Annuities		OtherTotal
 In millions
Balance at beginning of year$401 $42 $71 $39 $37 $1 $591 
Actual return on plan assets:     
Relating to assets held at the reporting date(25)(3)(3)— — — (31)
Relating to assets sold during the period— 4 — — — — 4 
Purchases, sales, and settlements179 (8)22 — (1)— 192 
Balance at end of year$555 $35 $90 $39 $36 $1 $756 
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used to measure plan assets at fair value.
Investments in publicly traded equity securities are valued using the closing price on the measurement date as reported on the stock exchange on which the individual securities are traded. For corporate, government backed debt securities, and some other investments, fair value is based on observable inputs of comparable market transactions. The valuation of certain real estate funds, insurance group annuity contracts and alternative investments, such as limited partnerships and joint ventures, may require significant management judgment and involves a level of uncertainty. The valuation is generally based on fair value as reported by the asset manager and adjusted for cash flows, if necessary. In making such an assessment, a variety of factors are reviewed by management, including, but are not limited to, the timeliness of fair value as reported by the asset manager and changes in general economic and market conditions subsequent to the last fair value reported by the asset manager. The use of
different techniques or assumptions to estimate fair value could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. Cash and cash equivalents includes money market funds, which are valued based on cost, which approximates fair value. Other than those assets that have quoted prices from an active market, investments are generally classified in Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measure in its entirety. Investments measured using net asset value as a practical expedient are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy.
Plan Asset Allocations
The weighted-average target and actual asset allocations across the benefit plans at the respective measurement dates for the non-U.S. defined benefit plans were as follows:
 Defined
Benefit Plans
  Plan Assets
Asset Category2021
Target
Allocation		20212020
Public equity securities 23.0 %22.6 %
Private/hybrid equity securities 16.7 %17.6 %
Real estate and other 2.7 %2.9 %
Equity-related investments43.7 %42.4 %43.1 %
Debt securities55.0 %54.4 %53.9 %
Cash and cash equivalents1.3 %3.2 %3.0 %
Total100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %
For the Company's post-retirement benefit plans, approximately 81% of the plan assets are invested in cash and cash equivalents and approximately 19% in multi-asset credit investments which consists primarily of investment grade credit, emerging market debt and high yield bonds.
Investment Policy
The Company's investment strategy is to seek a competitive rate of return relative to an appropriate level of risk depending on the funded status of each plan and the timing of expected benefit payments. The majority of the plans' investment managers employ active investment management strategies with the goal of outperforming the broad markets in which they invest. Risk management practices include diversification across asset classes and investment styles and periodic rebalancing toward asset allocation targets. A number of the plans' investment managers are authorized to utilize derivatives for investment or liability exposures, and the Company may utilize derivatives to effect asset allocation changes or to hedge certain investment or liability exposures.
Asset allocation decisions are typically made by an independent board of trustees for the specific plan. Investment objectives are designed to generate returns that will enable the plan to meet its future obligations. In some countries, local regulations may restrict asset allocations, typically leading to a higher percentage of investment in fixed income securities than would otherwise be deployed. The Company reviews the investment strategy and provides a recommended list of investment managers for each country plan, with final decisions on asset allocation and investment managers made by the board of trustees or investment committees for the specific plan.
Basis for Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets reflects the expected returns for each major asset class in which the plan invests and the weight of each asset class in the target mix. Expected asset returns reflect the current yield on government bonds, risk premiums for each asset class and expected real returns, which considers each country's specific inflation outlook. Because the Company's investment policy is to employ primarily active investment managers who seek to outperform the broader market, the expected returns are adjusted to reflect the expected additional returns, net of fees.
Employer Contributions and Funding Policy
During fiscal 2021, the Company contributed approximately $167 million to its non-U.S. pension plans and paid $5 million to cover benefit claims under the Company's post-retirement benefit plans.
During fiscal 2022, the Company expects to contribute approximately $199 million to its non-U.S. pension plans and an additional $2 million to cover benefit payments to U.S. non-qualified plan participants. In addition, the Company expects to pay approximately $7 million to cover benefit claims for its post-retirement benefit plans. The Company's policy is to fund its pension plans so that it makes at least the minimum contribution required by various authorities including local government and taxing authorities.
Estimated Future Benefits Payments
As of October 31, 2021, estimated future benefits payments for the Company's retirement plans were as follows:
Fiscal yearDefined
Benefit Plans		Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 In millions
2022$523 $11 
2023524 12 
2024530 11 
2025561 11 
2026565 11 
Next five fiscal years to October 31, 20313,027 53