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Retirement and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Summary of Net Benefit Cost
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 $$$
Interest cost(1)
118 143 215 
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)
Settlement loss(1)
10 13 — — — 
Special termination benefits(1)
— — — 
Total net benefit cost (credit)$26 $(45)$24 $$$
(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.
Schedule of weighted average assumptions used to calculate net benefit (credit) cost
The following table provides the impact changes in the weighted-average assumptions of discount rates, the expected increase in compensation levels and the expected long-term return on plan assets would have had on the net periodic benefit cost for fiscal 2021:
Change in basis
 points
Change in Net Periodic Benefit Cost
In millions
Assumptions:  
Discount rate(25)$23 
Expected increase in compensation levels25 $
Expected long-term return on plan assets(25)$35 
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.
Schedule of funded status of the direct plans
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 — — 
Actual return on plan assets1,256 557 — 
Employer contributions167 167 
Participant contributions23 24 
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 — — 
Service cost97 94 
Interest cost118 143 
Participant contributions23 24 
Actuarial loss (gain)13 368 (10)(9)
Benefits paid(486)(410)(9)(7)
Plan amendments— (3)— — 
Curtailment(5)— — — 
Settlement(32)(51)— — 
Special termination benefits— — 
Currency impact228 448 (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.
Schedule of weighted-average assumptions used to calculate the projected benefit obligations
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 %
Schedule of net amount recognized for the direct plans in the entity's Combined Balance Sheets
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)
Summary of pre-tax net actuarial loss and prior service benefit recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for direct defined benefit plans
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)
Schedule of direct defined benefit plans with projected benefit obligations exceeding the fair value of plan assets
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 
Schedule of direct defined benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations exceeding the fair value of plan assets
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 
Schedule of fair value of direct plan non-U.S. defined benefit plan assets by asset category within the fair value hierarchy 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— 46 48 — 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 92 24 95 120 
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.
Schedule of changes in fair value measurements of Level 3 investments for Direct non-U.S. defined benefit plans
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 $$756 
Actual return on plan assets:   
Relating to assets held at the reporting date43 13 10 (3)— 68 
Relating to assets sold during the period— 10 — — — — 10 
Purchases, sales, and settlements150 (12)16 — — 158 
Balance at end of year$748 $46 $116 $48 $33 $$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 $$591 
Actual return on plan assets:     
Relating to assets held at the reporting date(25)(3)(3)— — — (31)
Relating to assets sold during the period— — — — — 
Purchases, sales, and settlements179 (8)22 — (1)— 192 
Balance at end of year$555 $35 $90 $39 $36 $$756 
Schedule of weighted-average target and actual asset allocations across the benefit plans
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 %
Schedule of estimated future benefits payable for the Company's direct retirement plans
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