Section 240.14a-101 Schedule 14A.
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Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )

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Becton, Dickinson & Company

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Becton, Dickinson and Company
1 Becton Drive
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880
www.bd.com

December 20, 2005

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

      You are cordially invited to attend the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Becton, Dickinson and Company (“BD”) to be held at 1:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at the Hilton Short Hills, 41 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey. You will find directions to the meeting on the back cover of the accompanying Proxy Statement.

      The notice of meeting and Proxy Statement describe the matters to be acted upon at the meeting. We will also report on matters of interest to BD shareholders.

      Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, we encourage you to vote so that your shares will be represented and voted at the meeting. You may vote by proxy on the internet or by telephone, or by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card in the return envelope provided. If you do not vote by internet, telephone or mail, you still may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person.

      Thank you for your continued support of BD.

		Sincerely,
		EDWARD J. LUDWIG Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

December 20, 2005

      The 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Becton, Dickinson and Company (“BD”) will be held as follows:

      Shares represented by properly executed proxies that are hereby solicited by the Board of Directors of BD will be voted in accordance with the instructions specified therein. Shares represented by proxies that are not limited to the contrary will be voted in favor of the election as directors of the persons nominated in the accompanying Proxy Statement, for Proposal 2, and against Proposals 3 and 4.

      Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 7, 2005 will be entitled to vote at the meeting.

		By order of the Board of Directors,
		DEAN J. PARANICAS Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Public Policy

Table of Contents

Proxy Solicitation

      These proxy materials are being mailed or otherwise sent to shareholders of Becton, Dickinson and Company (“BD”) on or about December 20, 2005 in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors for BD's Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 1:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 at the Hilton Short Hills, 41 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey. Directors, officers and other BD employees also may solicit proxies by telephone or otherwise. Brokers and other nominees will be requested to solicit proxies or authorizations from beneficial owners and will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses. BD has retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in soliciting proxies for a fee not to exceed $15,000 plus expenses. The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by BD.

Shareholders Entitled to Vote

      Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 7, 2005 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. As of such date, there were 248,284,048 shares of BD common stock outstanding, each entitled to one vote.

How to Vote

      Shareowners of record and participants in the BD plans described below may cast their votes by proxy by:

      The internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate votes cast by use of a personal identification number. The procedure allows shareowners to appoint a proxy and the various plan participants to provide voting instructions, and to confirm that their actions have been properly recorded. Specific instructions to be followed are set forth on the enclosed proxy card. If you vote on the internet or by telephone, you do not need to return your proxy card. In order to be timely processed, an internet or telephone vote must be received by January 30, 2006.

Revocation of Proxies

      A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted by sending written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary of BD at the address set forth above, by delivering a proxy (by one of the methods described above) bearing a later date or by voting in person at the meeting.

Quorum; Required Vote

      The holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting must be present in person or represented by proxy to constitute a quorum. Abstentions and shares that brokers do not have the authority to vote in the absence of timely instructions from the beneficial owners (“broker non-votes”) are treated as present for the purposes of determining a quorum.

      Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and, accordingly, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

      Approval of Proposals 2, 3 and 4 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting. Under New Jersey law, in determining whether the proposal has received the requisite number of affirmative votes, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and, accordingly, will not affect the outcome of the vote.

Savings Incentive Plan (SIP)

      Participants in BD's Savings Incentive Plan (“SIP”) may instruct the SIP Trustee how to vote all shares of BD common stock allocated to their SIP accounts, as well as the shares held in SIP for which voting instructions are not received by the Trustee from other SIP participants. The SIP Trustee will vote the SIP shares for which it has not received instructions in the same proportion as SIP shares for which it has received instructions.

Participants in Other Plans

      Participants in the Savings Incentive Plan of Med-Safe Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of BD (the “Med-Safe Plan”), may instruct the Med-Safe Plan trustee how to vote all shares of BD common stock allocated to their accounts, as well as the shares held in the Med-Safe Plan for which voting instructions are not received by the Med-Safe Plan's trustee from other participants. The Med-Safe Plan's trustee will vote shares for which it has not received instructions in the same proportion as those for which it has received instructions.

      The shares of BD common stock held by Wachovia Bank, N.A., as trustee of both BD's Deferred Compensation Plan (“DCP”) and BD's 1996 Directors' Deferral Plan (“DDP”), and those held by Banque Internationale a´ Luxembourg (“BIL”) under BD's Global Share Investment Program (“GSIP”), may also be voted on all matters submitted to BD shareholders and carry one vote per share. Each director participating in DDP and each employee participating in DCP and, if so provided under the terms of the local country GSIP plan, in GSIP, may provide voting instructions for all shares of BD common stock allocated to that person's account, as well as the shares held in the relevant plan for which instructions are not received.

      Proxies representing shares of BD common stock held of record also will serve as proxies for shares held under the Direct Stock Purchase Plan sponsored and administered by Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc. and any shares of BD common stock allocated to participants' accounts under the DDP, SIP, DCP, the Med-Safe Plan and GSIP, if the registrations are the same. Separate mailings will be made for shares not held under the same registrations.

Other Matters

      The Board of Directors is not aware of any matters to be presented at the meeting other than those set forth in the accompanying notice. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

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OWNERSHIP OF BD COMMON STOCK

Securities Owned by Certain Beneficial Owners

      The following table sets forth as of September 30, 2005, information concerning those persons known to BD to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of BD's outstanding common stock. This information is as reported by such persons in their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). No changes in these holdings have come to BD's attention since September 30, 2005. BD is not aware of any other beneficial owner of more than 5% of its common stock.

Securities Owned by Directors and Management

      The table on the following page sets forth as of December 7, 2005 information concerning the beneficial ownership of BD common stock by (i) each director, (ii) the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 28, and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group. In general, “beneficial ownership” includes those shares that a director or executive officer has the power to vote or transfer, including shares which may be acquired under stock options that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days. The following table reflects share units previously granted but undistributed under BD's Stock Award Plan and 2004 Employee and Director Equity-Based Compensation Plan to directors and executive officers. While these units may not be voted or transferred, they have been included in the table as they represent an economic interest in BD common stock that is subject to the same market risk as ownership of shares of BD common stock.

      No individual director or executive officer owns more than 1% of the outstanding BD common stock. Together, the directors and executive officers, as a group, own approximately 1.8% of the outstanding BD common stock. Except as indicated in the footnotes to the table, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares he or she beneficially owns.

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BD COMMON STOCK

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

      The following table provides certain information as of September 30, 2005 regarding BD's equity compensation plans.

      Deferred Compensation Plan (“DCP”). The DCP allows employees, including executive officers, with a base salary of $100,000 or more, to defer receipt of salary and annual bonus either in a BD common stock account or in cash accounts that mirror the gains and/or losses of a number of different investment funds. Under the plan, a participant may defer up to 75% of the participant's base salary and up to 100% of the participant's annual bonus, until the date or dates specified by the participant. In the event a participant elects to have salary or bonus deferred in a BD stock account, the account is credited with a number of shares based on the prevailing market price of the BD common stock. A participant may also defer receipt of up to 100% of the shares issuable under any stock units granted to the participant. The number of shares credited to the BD common stock accounts of participants is adjusted periodically to reflect the payment and reinvestment of dividends on the common stock. The plan is not funded, and participants have an unsecured contractual commitment of BD to pay the amounts due under the plan. When such payments are due, the cash and/or BD common stock will be distributed from BD's general assets.

      Global Share Investment Program (“GSIP”). BD maintains a GSIP for its non-U.S. employees in certain jurisdictions outside of the United States. The purpose of the GSIP is to provide non-U.S. employees with a means of saving on a regular and long-term basis and acquiring a beneficial interest in BD common stock. Participants may contribute a portion of their base pay, through payroll deductions, to the GSIP for their account. BD provides matching funds of up to 3% of the participant's base pay through contributions to the participant's GSIP account, which contributions are immediately vested. Contributions to the GSIP are invested in shares of BD common stock. A participant may withdraw the vested portion of the participant's account, although such withdrawals must be in the form of a cash payment if the participant is employed by BD at the

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time of withdrawal. Following termination of service, withdrawals will be paid in either cash or shares, at the election of the participant.

      Non-Employee Directors 2000 Stock Option Plan. The Non-Employee Directors 2000 Stock Option Plan provided for the granting of non-qualified stock options at each Annual Meeting of Shareholders to each non-employee director elected at or continuing to serve after such meeting. This plan was terminated with respect to future grants upon the approval of the 2004 Employee and Director Equity-Based Compensation Plan by BD's shareholders at the 2004 Annual Meeting.

      The options issued under this plan had a monetary value at the time of grant of $35,000 based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The exercise price of stock options granted under the plan was the fair market value of the BD common stock on the date of grant. Each option granted under the plan has a term of 10 years from its date of grant. The options granted under the plan have vesting periods of three to four years, depending on the year of grant. In the event of a tender offer for more than 25% of the outstanding common stock, or a “change in control” of BD (as defined in the plan), all outstanding options under the plan become immediately vested and exercisable.

      1996 Directors' Deferral Plan. The 1996 Directors' Deferral Plan allows non-management directors to defer receipt, in an unfunded cash account or a BD common stock account, of all or part of their annual retainer and other cash fees. In the event a director elects to have fees deferred in a BD common stock account, the director's account is credited with a number of shares based on the prevailing market price of the BD common stock on the due date of each payment. The number of shares credited to the BD common stock accounts of participants is adjusted periodically to reflect the payment and reinvestment of dividends on the common stock. Participants may elect to have amounts held in a cash account converted into a BD common stock account, or convert amounts in a BD common stock account into a cash account, subject to certain restrictions. The plan is not funded, and participants have an unsecured contractual commitment of BD to pay the amounts due under the plan. When such payments are due, the cash and/or common stock will be distributed from BD's general assets.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

      Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires BD's directors and executive officers to file initial reports of their ownership of BD's equity securities and reports of changes in such ownership with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Directors and executive officers are required by SEC regulations to furnish BD with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of copies of such forms and written representations from BD's directors and executive officers, BD believes that for the period from October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005, all of its directors and executive officers were in compliance with the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a), except that a report of Mr. Ludwig's election to defer a portion of his fiscal year 2004 bonus into the BD stock account under the DCP was inadvertently filed late by nine days.

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Proposal 1.      ELECTION OF DIRECTORS                            

      The Board of Directors is divided into three classes, the terms of which expire alternately over a three-year period. The Board proposes the election of Edward J. Ludwig, Willard J. Overlock, Jr. and Bertram L. Scott to serve for a term of three years until the 2009 Annual Meeting and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.

      All of the nominees for election have consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to serve if elected. Presented below is biographical information for each of the nominees and the directors continuing in office following the 2006 Annual Meeting.

NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR

Term to Expire 2009

		Edward J. Ludwig, 54, has been a director since 1999. He has been President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2000. Mr. Ludwig was elected to the additional role of Chairman effective February 2002. He is a director of Aetna Inc. and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, and a member of the Boards of Trustees of The Johns Hopkins University and the College of the Holy Cross.
		Willard J. Overlock, Jr., 59, has been a director since 1999. He retired in 1996 as a partner in Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he served as a member of its management committee. He currently serves in an advisory role as a Senior Director to The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. Overlock also is an advisor to the Parthenon Group and a trustee of Rockefeller University.
		Bertram L. Scott, 54, has been a director since 2002. He has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company and Executive Vice President of TIAA-CREF since joining TIAA-CREF in November 2000. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, Mr. Scott served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon/Mercy, a joint Medicaid managed care program between Mercy Health Plan of Pennsylvania and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Jersey.

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CONTINUING DIRECTORS

Term to Expire 2007

		Henry P. Becton, Jr., 62, has been a director since 1987. Since 1984, Mr. Becton has served as President of WGBH Educational Foundation, a producer and broadcaster of public television and radio programs and books and other educational materials. Mr. Becton is a director of Belo Corporation, various Scudder mutual funds and Public Radio International.
		Edward F. DeGraan, 62, has been a director since 2003. He currently serves as Vice Chairman—Gillette of the Procter & Gamble Company, a manufacturer of a wide variety of consumer products. Prior thereto, he was Vice Chairman of The Gillette Company, and served as President and Chief Operating Officer from July 2000 until November 2003. Mr. DeGraan served as Acting Chief Executive Officer of Gillette from October 2000 to February 2001.
		James F. Orr, 60, has been a director since 2000. Mr. Orr is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Convergys Corporation, a provider of outsourced billing, employee care and customer management services. Prior to September 2005, he also served as President of Convergys. Mr. Orr also is a director of Ohio National Financial Services, Inc.
		Margaretha af Ugglas, 66, has been a director since 1997. She is the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. Mrs. af Ugglas is a member of the University Board of the Karolinska Institute, a leading Swedish medical research university, and a board member of the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation, an organization that focuses on European integration and cooperation.

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Term to Expire 2008

		Basil L. Anderson, 60, has been a director since 2004. He has served as a director and Vice Chairman of Staples, Inc., a supplier of office products, since 2001. Prior thereto, he was Executive Vice President—Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Campbell Soup Company. Mr. Anderson also is a director of Hasbro, Inc., CRA International, Inc. and Moody's Corporation.
		Gary A. Mecklenburg, 59, has been a director since 2004. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, the parent corporation of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, since 1986, and as a director since 1987. Mr. Mecklenburg also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwestern Memorial Hospital from 1985 to 2002.
		James E. Perrella, 70, has been a director since 1995. In 2000, he retired as Chairman of the Board of Ingersoll-Rand Company, a manufacturer of industrial machinery and related products. He also is a director of Bombardier Inc.
		Alfred Sommer, M.D., M.H.S., 63, has been a director since 1998. He is Professor of International Health, Epidemiology, and Ophthalmology at The Johns Hopkins University (“JHU”) Bloomberg School of Public Health (the “Bloomberg School”) and the JHU Medical School. Dr. Sommer is Dean Emeritus of The Bloomberg School, having served as Dean from 1990 through August 2005. Dr. Sommer was founding Director of the Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology at JHU, which focuses on clinical epidemiology and public health aspects of blindness prevention and child health. Dr. Sommer is a member of the National Academy of Science and the Institute of Medicine. He is a recipient of the Albert Lasker Award for medical research. Dr. Sommer is also a director of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposal 1.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board and Committees of the Board

      BD is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of eleven members. The Board has established seven Committees: the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Benefits Committee, the Corporate Affairs Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Finance Committee (formerly known as the Finance and Investment Committee) and the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee. The Executive Committee and Qualified Legal Compliance Committee meet only as necessary. The Board has adopted a written charter for each of the Committees (other than the Executive Committee), copies of which are posted on BD's website at www.bd.com/investors/corporate_governance/. Printed copies of these charters may be obtained, without charge, by contacting the Corporate Secretary, BD, 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880, telephone 201-847-6800. A copy of the Audit Committee's charter is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.

Committee Membership and Function

      Set forth below is a summary of each of the Board's key Committees.

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Board, Committee and Annual Meeting Attendance

      The Board and its Committees held the following number of meetings during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005:

      Each director attended 75% or more of the total number of the meetings of the Board and of the Committees on which he or she served during the year. BD's non-management directors met in executive session three times during fiscal 2005.

      The Board has adopted a policy pursuant to which directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in the absence of a scheduling conflict or other valid reason. All of the directors then in office attended BD's 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on February 1, 2005.

Non-Management Directors' Compensation

      The Board believes that providing competitive compensation is necessary to attract and retain qualified non-management directors. The key elements of director compensation are a cash retainer, Committee chair fees, and equity-based grants. It is the Board's practice to provide a mix of cash and equity-based compensation that it believes aligns the interests of the Board and BD's shareholders.

Retainer/Fees

      Each non-management director receives an annual retainer of $55,500 for services as a director. An annual fee of $5,500 is also paid to each Committee chair. Directors do not receive meeting fees, nor are any additional fees paid to the Lead Director.

      Additional directors' fees of $1,500 are paid to non-management directors for each half-day spent on Board-related activities outside of regularly scheduled Board meetings, in meetings of each Board Committee in excess of an aggregate of five hours per year, or for time spent by a non-management director becoming familiar with BD's businesses or meeting with representatives or officers of BD.

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      The following table sets forth the retainer and other cash fees received by the non-management directors during fiscal year 2005.

Fiscal Year 2005 Retainer and Additional Cash Fees

Equity Compensation

      Each non-management director elected at, or continuing as a director after, the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders was granted (a) stock options to purchase shares of BD common stock at the fair market value of the BD common stock on the date of grant, and (b) 1,200 restricted stock units in tandem with dividend equivalent rights. The monetary value of the options on the date of grant was $35,000 (based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model), and the options vest ratably over four years. The shares of BD common stock underlying the restricted stock units are not issuable until a director's separation from the Board.

      Under the Board's share ownership guidelines, each non-management director is required to own shares of common stock valued at 50% of the amount obtained by multiplying the annual retainer fee by the number of years the director has served. Each non-management director currently owns shares in an amount sufficient to comply with these guidelines.

Changes to Director Compensation

      During 2005, the Board undertook a review of the compensation of its non-management directors. This review included an analysis of the director compensation practices of certain peer companies, including the use of equity-based compensation, the mix of cash and equity-based compensation and total compensation. The peer group included the following companies: Alcon, Inc., Allergan, Inc., C.R. Bard Inc., Baxter International Inc., Beckman Coulter, Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Fisher Scientific International Inc., Guidant Corporation, Medtronic, Inc., PerkinElmer Inc. and St. Jude Medical, Inc. This group differs slightly from the Compensation Comparison Group used to benchmark executive compensation, as described on page 22. Specifically, the Board did not consider the director compensation practices of three companies included in the Compensation Comparison Group (Abbott Laboratories, Johnson & Johnson and Roche Diagnostics), since they are used only for the limited purpose of benchmarking compensation for certain business units within BD and not BD as a whole. Also, Fischer Scientific International is not included in the Compensation Comparison Group, since information regarding its compensation practices for senior management is not available.

      As a result of its review, the Board approved the following changes to the compensation of its non-management directors, effective as of the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:

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      Based on its findings, the Board believes these changes will place the compensation for BD's non-management directors at approximately the 50th percentile of the peer group mentioned above. In addition, as a result of these changes, two-thirds of the base compensation paid to the non-management directors (not including Committee chair fees) will be equity-based compensation that directors will be required to retain until they complete their service on the Board. This retention feature will serve to increase the share ownership levels of the non-management directors and ensure compliance with the director share ownership guidelines discussed above.

Directors' Deferral Plan

      Directors may defer receipt of, in an unfunded cash account or a BD common stock account, all or part of their annual retainer and other cash fees pursuant to the provisions of the 1996 Directors' Deferral Plan. A general description of the 1996 Directors' Deferral Plan appears on page 6.

Other Arrangements

      BD reimburses all directors for travel and other necessary business expenses incurred in the performance of their services for BD. BD occasionally invites spouses of directors to Board-related events, for which they are reimbursed their travel expenses.

      Directors are eligible, on the same basis as BD employees, to participate in BD's Matching Gift Program, pursuant to which BD matches contributions (up to an aggregate of $10,000 annually) that are made by a director to qualifying nonprofit organizations.

      To the extent any director who is not a resident of the United States is subject to any U.S. or state tax as a result of compensation received for service as a director, BD will pay up to $5,000 toward the director's tax return preparation costs. BD also reimburses the director for any tax liability resulting from the payment of such costs. In fiscal year 2005, BD did not pay any tax preparation costs to any non-management director.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

      On December 7, 2005, BD and Mr. Ludwig entered into a time-sharing arrangement under which Mr. Ludwig will make lease payments to BD for his personal use of the BD corporate aircraft, up to the maximum amount permitted by Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

      Gary A. Mecklenburg, a member of the Board, is a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, the parent corporation of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. In fiscal year 2005, BD's sales to Northwestern Memorial Hospital (both direct and through a distributor) were approximately $2.5 million, which represented approximately .23% of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare's consolidated operating revenues.

      In addition to the foregoing disclosures that are required under SEC rules, BD has been a party to the following transactions with entities of which a member of the Board serves or served in an executive capacity.

      Basil L. Anderson, a member of the Board, is a director and the Vice Chairman of Staples, Inc. (“Staples”). In fiscal year 2005, BD purchased approximately $2.3 million of office products from Staples pursuant to a contract that was competitively bid.

      Alfred Sommer, M.D., M.H.S., a member of the Board, is Professor of International Health, Epidemiology, and Ophthalmology at the Bloomberg School of Public Health (the “Bloomberg School”) at The Johns Hopkins University (“JHU”) and the JHU Medical School. He is Dean Emeritus of the Bloomberg School, having retired effective September 1, 2005. In fiscal year 2005, BD sponsored a research arrangement with the Bloomberg School and also provided one-half of a $600,000, multi-year commitment for a research collaboration with the Bloomberg School, resulting in an aggregate expenditure to the Bloomberg School in fiscal year 2005 of approximately $350,000. In fiscal year 2005, BD's sales to JHU generally were approximately $3.1 million, which represented approximately .11% of JHU's consolidated operating revenues. During fiscal year 2005, BD also paid intellectual property licensing royalties to JHU in the amount of approximately $357,000, and also paid JHU approximately $39,000, primarily for providing routine medical services to BD associates. BD also made charitable contributions to JHU for the Bloomberg School in fiscal year 2005 totaling $18,333 (see the 2005 Annual Report of Charitable Contributions attached as Appendix C to this Proxy Statement).

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Communication with Directors

      Shareholders or other interested parties wishing to communicate with the Board, the non-management directors or any individual director (including with respect to accounting, internal accounting controls or audit matters) may do so by contacting the Lead Director either:

      All communications will be kept confidential and promptly forwarded to the Lead Director, who shall in turn forward them promptly to the appropriate director(s). Such items as are unrelated to a director's duties and responsibilities as a Board member may be excluded by the Director of Corporate Security, including, without limitation, solicitations and advertisements; junk mail; product-related communications; job referral materials such as resumes; surveys; and material that is determined to be illegal or otherwise inappropriate. The director(s) to whom such information is addressed is informed that the information has been removed, and that it will be made available to such director(s) upon request.

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REPORT OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Committee's Role and Responsibilities

      BD believes that sound corporate governance is a key component of BD's journey toward greatness as a company. Primary responsibility for BD's corporate governance practices rests with the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. This Report represents a new governance initiative that will enable the Committee to highlight BD's corporate governance practices.

      The Committee is responsible for, among other things, assessing the independence of Board members; leading the annual evaluation of the Board and its individual members; identifying and assessing candidates for Board membership; implementing BD's director orientation and education program; and generally overseeing BD's corporate governance practices. The Committee monitors emerging issues and practices in the area of corporate governance, and pursues those initiatives that it believes will enhance BD's governance practices, policies and documentation. In addition, the Board and other Committees are responsible for overseeing other areas of corporate governance. These include, among others, ethical and legal compliance, executive compensation and financial controls.

      Since the beginning of fiscal year 2005, BD continued or initiated several important governance actions, discussed in greater detail below, including:

Corporate Governance Principles

      BD's commitment to good governance is embodied in its Corporate Governance Principles (the “Principles”). The Principles, originally adopted in 2001, set forth the Board's views on a number of governance topics, and reflect BD's commitment to good corporate governance practices and an appreciation of their importance in enhancing shareholder value. Moreover, the Principles are not static; the Committee regularly assesses BD's governance practices in light of emerging practices.

      The Principles cover a wide array of subject areas. These include voting for directors; the designation of a Lead Director to represent non-management directors; relationships between directors and BD; regular annual evaluations of the Chief Executive Officer, the Board, its committees and (when they stand for re-election) individual directors; and charitable contributions to entities affiliated with BD's executive officers and directors, each of which is discussed below.

      The Principles are set forth in Appendix B to this Proxy Statement and are available on BD's website at www.bd.com/investors/corporate_governance/. Printed copies may be obtained, without charge, by contacting the Corporate Secretary, BD, 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880, phone 1-201-847-6800.

Significant Governance Practices

      Described below are some of the significant corporate governance practices that have been instituted by the BD Board.

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Voting for Directors

      In November 2005, BD adopted a new Corporate Governance Principle that requires a director in an uncontested election who receives more “withheld” than “for” votes to offer his or her resignation for consideration by the Committee and the Board. Under this new Principle, if a nominee were to receive a greater number of “withheld” than “for” votes, the Committee and the Board would be required to examine the circumstances surrounding such vote in order to determine whether the director's resignation would be in the best interests of BD and its shareholders. The Board believes that this new Principle represents a standard of good corporate governance and is responsive to the concerns expressed by proponents of majority voting for directors.

Lead Director

      For more than three years, there has been an independent director serving as Lead Director of the Board of Directors. This structure is set forth in the Principles, which provide for a Lead Director whenever the Chairman is not an independent director. The Lead Director presides over executive sessions of the non-management directors, helps set Board agendas, and serves as a liaison between the non-management directors and the Chief Executive Officer. The Lead Director also serves as a contact person to facilitate communications between BD's employees, shareholders and other constituents and the non-management directors. The Committee recommends the nominee for Lead Director for approval by the independent members of the Board. BD's Lead Director currently is Henry P. Becton, Jr.

Shareholder Rights Plan

      BD has maintained a shareholder rights plan, or “poison pill,” since 1986, and this plan is set to expire in April 2006. The Board believes that a rights plan can be an effective tool in protecting the interests of the shareholders in certain circumstances. At this time, however, the Board believes that it is not necessary to renew or replace the plan upon its expiration. Accordingly, in November 2005, after careful consideration, the Board determined that BD's shareholder rights plan will not be renewed upon its expiration in April 2006. The Board may adopt a rights plan in the future if circumstances warrant taking such action.

Director Orientation and Education

      BD has developed an orientation and training program for new members of the Board. This includes meetings with senior management and site visits. Directors are also encouraged to attend director education courses, and are provided presentations on current issues or topics relevant to their role as directors of a public company. In furtherance of this program, a full-day joint director education program was conducted in September 2005 with the boards of directors of BD and Aetna Inc. This distinctive program provided a special opportunity to bring together members of the boards of both companies in a broad-based, accredited program that covered a wide range of governance topics presented by well-respected commentators.

Compliance

      Under the oversight of the Corporate Affairs Committee, BD has undertaken a new enterprise compliance initiative aimed at ensuring that BD's efforts to comply with the many laws, regulations, and policies affecting its business are effective at preventing and detecting violations, and that BD continuously encourages lawful and ethical conduct. This new initiative, which supplements the various compliance and ethics functions that were already in place at BD, seeks to ensure better coordination and effectiveness through program design, prevention, and promotion of an organizational culture of compliance. Key elements of this new initiative include the formation of a new Compliance Committee comprised of members of senior management, and the appointment of a Chief Compliance Officer. Another key element of this program is training, and a global computer-based compliance training program has been launched. The first course, which is focused on the BD Business Conduct and Compliance Guide, will be rolled out, beginning in fiscal year 2006, in multiple languages to BD's approximate 25,000 associates worldwide.

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Equity Ownership by Directors

      The Board believes that directors should hold meaningful equity ownership positions in BD. To that end, the compensation structure for non-management directors has been changed, effective following the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to eliminate stock options and issue in their place restricted stock units that would not be distributable until a director completes his or her service on the Board. The accumulation of these units, representing the value of shares of BD common stock, will help to better align the interests of the non-management directors and the shareholders. The retention feature will serve to increase the share ownership levels of the non-management directors and ensure compliance with the director share ownership guidelines discussed on page 13.

Disclosure Practices

      BD believes that good disclosure practices are an important element of a company's corporate governance practices. To that end, BD provides enhanced Proxy Statement disclosures in such areas as executive compensation and an Annual Report of Charitable Contributions. The Annual Report of Charitable Contributions lists contributions and pledges made by BD during the preceding fiscal year in an amount of $10,000 or more to entities affiliated with BD's directors, executive officers, and their families. BD's Report of the Compensation and Benefits Committee on Executive Compensation and the Annual Report of Charitable Contributions have been cited by independent organizations as examples of good disclosure. The Annual Report of Charitable Contributions for fiscal year 2005 is attached as Appendix C to this Proxy Statement.

Business Conduct and Compliance Guide

      BD maintains a Business Conduct and Compliance Guide (the “Guide”), which was first adopted by the Board in 1995. The Guide is a code of conduct and ethics applicable to all directors, officers and employees of BD, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, Controller and other senior financial officers. It sets forth BD's policies and expectations on a number of topics, including conflicts of interest, confidentiality, compliance with laws (including insider trading laws), preservation and use of Company assets, and business ethics. The Guide also sets forth procedures for communicating and handling any potential conflict of interest (or the appearance of any conflict of interest) involving directors or executive officers, and for the confidential communication and handling of issues regarding accounting, internal controls and auditing matters.

      Since 1995, BD has also maintained an Ethics Help Line number for BD associates as a means of raising concerns or seeking advice. The Help Line is serviced by an independent contractor and is available to all associates worldwide, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Translation services are also available to associates. Associates using the Help Line may choose to remain anonymous and all inquiries are kept confidential. All Help Line inquiries are forwarded to BD's Ethics Director for investigation. Any matters reported to the Ethics Director, whether through the Ethics Help Line or otherwise, involving accounting, internal control or audit matters, or any fraud involving management or persons who have a significant role in BD's internal controls, are reported directly to the Audit Committee.

      The Ethics Director leads the BD Ethics Office, a unit within BD that administers BD's ethics program. In addition to the Help Line, the ethics program provides for broad communication of BD's Core Values (discussed below), associate education regarding the Guide and its requirements, and ethics training sessions.

      BD regularly reviews the Guide, and proposed additions or amendments are submitted to the Board for its consideration. Any waivers from any provisions of the Guide for executive officers and directors would be promptly disclosed to shareholders. In addition, any amendments to the Guide, as well as any waivers from certain provisions of the Guide relating to BD's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Controller, would be posted at the website address set forth below.

      The Guide is posted on BD's website at www.bd.com/investors/corporate_governance/. Printed copies of the Guide may be obtained, without charge, by contacting the Corporate Secretary, BD, 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880, phone 1-201-847-6800.

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Classified Board

      The Board believes that a classified board provides continuity, stability and experience in the composition of the Board, and enables the Board to represent more effectively the interests of all shareholders. The Board believes that BD's existing governance practices, and the fact that, with the sole exception of the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, the Board is comprised entirely of independent directors, are important safeguards against the concerns raised with respect to classified boards.

Director Independence

      Under the NYSE rules and the Principles, a director is not independent if the director has a direct or indirect material relationship with BD. The Committee annually reviews the independence of all directors and reports its findings to the full Board. To assist in this review, the Board has adopted director independence guidelines (“Independence Guidelines”) that are contained in Corporate Governance Principle No. 7. The Independence Guidelines set forth certain relationships that the Board, in its judgment, has deemed to be material or immaterial for purposes of assessing a director's independence. In the event a director has any relationship with BD that is not addressed in the Independence Guidelines, the independent members of the Board determine whether such relationship is material.

      The Board has determined that the following directors are independent under the Independence Guidelines: Basil L. Anderson, Henry P. Becton, Jr., Edward F. DeGraan, Gary A. Mecklenburg, James F. Orr, Willard J. Overlock, Jr., James E. Perrella, Bertram L. Scott and Margaretha af Ugglas. In addition, the Board has determined that Dr. Alfred Sommer is independent under the Independence Guidelines. (Previously, Dr. Sommer had not been determined to be independent because he had been Dean of the Bloomberg School of Public Health at The John Hopkins University (“JHU”) and Edward J. Ludwig, BD's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, is a member of the Board of Trustees of JHU. Dr. Sommer is now Dean Emeritus, having concluded his tenure as Dean effective September 1, 2005 and returned to the faculty as Professor of International Health, Epidemiology, and Ophthalmology.) As Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ludwig is an employee of BD and is not independent under the NYSE rules and the Principles.

Board Evaluation

      Each year the Board evaluates its performance and effectiveness. Each director completes a Board Evaluation Form developed by the Committee to solicit feedback on specific aspects of the Board's role, organization and meetings. The collective ratings and comments are then compiled by the Corporate Secretary and presented by the Chair of the Committee to the full Board. As part of the evaluation, the Board assesses the progress in the areas targeted for improvement a year earlier, and develops recommendations to enhance the Board's effectiveness over the next year. Additionally, each Board Committee conducts an annual self-evaluation of its performance through a Committee Evaluation Form based on its charter.

      The Board's evaluation covers many areas (a complete list of which is available on BD's website at www.bd.com/investors/corporate_governance/), including corporate strategy; BD's performance as compared with peer companies; research and development funding and performance; the adequacy of accounting and financial controls; ethical conduct and legal compliance; the performance of the Chief Executive Officer, including responsiveness to the Board; senior management development, compensation and succession planning; relations with BD's associates, including compensation and benefits policies; organization of the Board (e.g., director selection, Board diversity and mix, composition of committees), and the frequency and quality of Board meetings and non-management director meetings.

Director Nomination Process

      The Committee reviews the skills, characteristics and experience of potential candidates for election to the Board and recommends nominees for director to the full Board for approval. The assessment of the overall composition of the Board encompasses consideration of diversity, age, skills, international background, and significant experience and prominence in areas of importance to BD.

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      It is the Committee's policy to utilize a variety of means to identify prospective nominees for the Board, and it considers referrals from other Board members, management, shareholders and other external sources such as retained executive search firms. The Committee utilizes the same criteria for evaluating candidates irrespective of their source.

      The Committee believes that any nominee must meet the following minimum qualifications:

      When considering director candidates, the Committee will seek individuals with backgrounds and qualities that, when combined with those of BD's other directors, provide a blend of skills and experience that will further enhance the Board's effectiveness. The Committee has retained an executive search firm to assist it in its efforts to identify and evaluate potential director candidates.

      The Committee assesses the characteristics and performance of incumbent director nominees against the above criteria, and to the extent applicable, considers the impact of any change in the principal occupations of such directors during the last year. Upon completion of the individual director evaluation process, the Committee reports its conclusions and recommendations for nominations to the Board.

      This process resulted in the election of a new director in the past year. In November 2004, the Board elected Gary A. Mecklenburg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, the parent entity of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, a major healthcare institution in Chicago, Illinois.

      To recommend a candidate for consideration, a shareholder should submit a written statement of the qualifications of the proposed nominee, including full name and address, to the Corporate Secretary, BD, 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND
NOMINATING COMMITTEE

James E. Perrella, Chair
Edward F. DeGraan
Bertram L. Scott
Gary A. Mecklenburg
Margaretha af Ugglas

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

November 21, 2005

      The Audit Committee reviews BD's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The independent registered public accounting firm (the “independent auditors”) is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and to issue a report thereon. The Committee monitors these processes.

      In this context, the Committee met and held discussions with management and the independent auditors. Management represented to the Committee that the Company's consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and the Committee reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent auditors. The Committee also discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU 380), as amended.

      In addition, the Committee discussed with the independent auditors the auditors' independence from the Company and its management, and the independent auditors provided to the Committee the written disclosures and letter required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions With Audit Committees).

      The Committee discussed with the Company's internal and independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Committee met with the internal and independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of BD's internal controls, and the overall quality of BD's financial reporting.

      During fiscal year 2005, management completed its documentation, testing and evaluation of the adequacy of the Company's system of internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules and regulations. The Audit Committee was apprised of the progress of the evaluation by both management and the independent auditors, and provided oversight and advice to management during this process. At the conclusion of this process, management reviewed with the Audit Committee its report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee also received the report from the independent auditors on management's assessment of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

      Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

James F. Orr, Chair
Basil L. Anderson
Edward F. DeGraan
Gary A. Mecklenburg
Bertram L. Scott

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

      The Compensation and Benefits Committee (the “Committee”) reviews the compensation program for the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers listed on the Summary Compensation Table appearing on page 28 (the “named executives”), as well as other members of senior management who report directly to the Chief Executive Officer, and determines their compensation. In the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the compensation decisions of the Committee are ratified by the other independent directors of the Board. The Committee also oversees the administration of the retirement, savings and other benefit plans maintained by BD.

      The Committee has retained an independent consultant to assist the Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities. The independent consultant is engaged by, and reports directly to, the Committee. The independent consultant generally attends all meetings of the Committee.

Overview

      The Committee's philosophy is to provide a compensation package that attracts, motivates and retains executive talent and delivers rewards for superior performance and consequences for underperformance. Specifically, the objectives of the Committee's compensation practices are to:

      The Committee seeks to attract executive talent by offering competitive base salaries, annual performance incentive opportunities and the potential for long-term rewards under BD's equity-based long-term incentive program. The Committee believes that to attract and retain a highly-skilled executive team, BD's compensation practices must remain competitive with those of other employers with which BD competes for talent.

      The Committee also believes that a significant portion of executive compensation should be closely linked to both BD's and the individual's performance. The Committee's “pay-for-performance” philosophy is reflected in BD's compensation practices, which tie a significant portion of executive compensation to the achievement of both short- and long-term financial objectives of BD. Annual incentive awards are directly linked to the achievement of short-term objectives set by the Committee. In addition, equity-based long-term incentive awards are designed to motivate executives to meet BD's long-term performance goals as well. This is particularly true of performance-based awards, which have potential payouts ranging from zero to 250% of target, based on BD's performance over a three-year period as measured against pre-established performance goals. Accordingly, under BD's compensation program, a significant amount of variable compensation is contingent on the achievement of key financial objectives of BD. These objectives include revenue and earnings growth, return on invested capital, and creation of shareholder value. BD's compensation program also accounts for individual performance (including the individual's adherence to BD's Core Values), which enables the Committee to differentiate among executives and emphasize the link between personal performance and compensation.

      BD's long-term incentive program is an integral part of BD's overall compensation program. The long-term incentive program serves to align the interests of executives with those of BD's shareholders, as BD's executives will benefit under their long-term incentive awards from any future appreciation in BD's stock price in the same manner as BD's other shareholders. In addition, the extended vesting schedule of options, stock appreciation rights and performance-based awards issued under the program, as well as time-vested restricted stock units or “Career Shares” (which generally vest after an executive's retirement), further the goal of executive retention. The types of awards granted under the program are described in more detail below.

      In furtherance of its compensation objectives, the Committee compares BD's senior management compensation levels with those of a group of thirteen companies (the “Compensation Comparison Group”). This benchmarking is done with respect to the key elements of BD's executive compensation programs, as well as the compensation of individual executives where job descriptions are sufficiently similar. In addition to reviewing compensation levels against those of BD's peer companies, the Committee also considers the recommendations

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of the Chief Executive Officer regarding the compensation of the senior managers who report directly to the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Comparison Group is comprised of Abbott Laboratories, Alcon, Inc., Allergan, Inc., C.R. Bard Inc., Baxter International Inc., Beckman Coulter, Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Guidant Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Roche Diagnostics and St. Jude Medical, Inc. This group represents companies that BD believes it competes with for executive talent. As such, the Compensation Comparison Group is broader than the group of peer companies used to prepare the stock performance graph on Page 37, which is selected on a line-of-business basis. Two of the companies included in the stock performance graph, Bausch & Lomb Inc. and Stryker Corporation, are not included in the broader Compensation Comparison Group, as information regarding their compensation practices for senior management is not available.

      The key elements of executive compensation are base salary, annual performance incentive awards, and long-term incentive awards, each of which is discussed below. It is the Committee's practice to target each of these elements to deliver compensation to each executive and, on average, all executives as a group at approximately the 50th percentile of the Compensation Comparison Group companies. In making its decisions with respect to each element of executive compensation, the Committee takes into consideration the impact on the total value of these elements for each executive and all executives as a group.

      The Committee also reviewed for each of the named executives a summary report reflecting the total dollar value of their annual compensation, including salary, annual incentive award, long-term incentive compensation, perquisites and other compensation. A table showing the total value of annual compensation provided to the named executives is set forth later in this report under the heading “Value of Total Compensation.”

      The Committee periodically reviews the effectiveness and competitiveness of BD's executive compensation structure with the assistance of its independent consultant.

Elements of Executive Compensation

Base Salary

      The Committee annually reviews and determines the base salaries of the Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management. Salaries are also reviewed in the case of promotions or other significant changes in responsibilities. In each case, the Committee takes into account the results achieved by the executive, his or her future potential, scope of responsibilities and experience, and competitive salary practices.

Performance-Based Annual Incentive Awards

      Annual performance incentives under BD's Performance Incentive Plan are tied to BD's overall performance, as measured against objective criteria set by the Committee (for fiscal year 2005, the criteria included an earnings per share target), as well as the performance of each executive and of his or her area of responsibility or business unit. In addition, management sets certain financial and operational objectives for each business unit, region/country and function that are designed to promote key company initiatives.

      Target annual incentive payments, expressed as a percentage of base salary, are set for each executive prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, based on job responsibilities. For fiscal year 2005, award targets for executive officers ranged from 45% of salary to 110% of salary (for the Chief Executive Officer). Incentive award payments for the year may range from zero to 200% of target, based on BD's performance compared to the pre-established performance goal(s) set by the Committee and the individual's performance. Except as provided below, the Committee retains the discretion, in light of BD's and the individual's performance and the Committee's compensation objectives, to determine overall funding for awards and individual incentive award amounts. With respect to the named executives, the Committee does establish a formula to determine the maximum annual incentive payment that may be payable, subject to the discretion of the Committee to reduce the amount of the award based on such factors as the Committee deems appropriate. For fiscal year 2005, BD achieved 109% of its annual incentive earnings per share target.

Long-Term Incentive Awards

      Long term incentive awards for each member of senior management consist of three components: stock options or stock appreciation rights (also known as “SARs”), performance-based stock units (referred to as

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“Performance Units”) and time-vested restricted stock units (referred to as “Career Shares”). In consultation with its independent consultant, the Committee first determines the dollar value of the award to be granted to each recipient. Then, using valuation methodologies determined by the Committee in consultation with its independent consultant, the award is allocated among its components, with stock options/SARs and Performance Units generally targeted to deliver approximately 40% each of the total dollar value of the award, and Career Shares generally targeted to deliver the remaining 20%.

Deferred Compensation Plan

      The BD Deferred Compensation Plan is a non-qualified plan that allows an associate with an annual salary of $100,000 or above to defer receipt of his or her salary and/or annual incentive payment until the date or dates elected by the participant. The amounts deferred are invested in BD common stock or in dollar-denominated accounts that mirror the gains and/or losses of several different investment funds, based on the investment selections of the participants. The Deferred Compensation Plan offers participants a wide-range of publicly-available investment funds, including international, U.S. equity, bond and money market funds. The Deferred Compensation Plan does not offer any above-market rates of return to the named executives.

      Participants may defer up to 75% of salary and 100% of annual incentive awards. The Deferred Compensation Plan also allows associates to defer receipt of up to 100% of the shares issuable under any stock unit awards granted under the long-term incentive program.

      The Deferred Compensation Plan is not funded by BD, and participants have an unsecured contractual commitment by BD to pay the amounts due under the Deferred Compensation Plan. When such payments are due, the cash and/or stock will be distributed from BD's general assets. BD has purchased corporate-owned life insurance to offset this liability.

Other Benefits

      BD also provides certain other benefits to its executive officers that are not tied to any formal individual or company performance criteria and are intended to be part of a competitive overall compensation program.

      Company Transportation. The Committee has encouraged Mr. Ludwig to use aircraft maintained by BD predominantly for business use for Mr. Ludwig's personal as well as business travel, in order to make more efficient use of Mr. Ludwig's travel time and mitigate business continuity risk. No other named executive used the BD aircraft for personal travel during fiscal year 2005. BD also makes available a driver and company-owned car to Mr. Ludwig for business use, and on occasion for commuting to and from work. Information concerning the incremental costs to BD of Mr. Ludwig's personal use of BD-supplied transportation, and the

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methodology used to calculate these costs, is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table and related notes beginning on page 28.

      On December 7, 2005, BD and Mr. Ludwig entered into a time-sharing arrangement under which Mr. Ludwig will make lease payments to BD for his personal use of the BD corporate aircraft, up to the maximum amount permitted by Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The payments will cover a substantial portion of the variable costs, and reduce the amount of lost tax benefits to BD, associated with Mr. Ludwig's personal flights. This is more fully discussed in Note 5 to the Summary Compensation Table on page 30.

      Life Insurance. BD had previously provided split-dollar life insurance to the named executives and other eligible associates. This program was discontinued in 2003. BD currently provides term life insurance for those associates, including the named executives, who were participants in the split-dollar life insurance program at the time of its termination above that provided to all BD associates.

      Financial Planning. During fiscal year 2005, BD reimbursed the named executives and other senior executives for up to $9,000 of financial planning services. This benefit has been discontinued and, effective October 1, 2005, BD's executive officers received salary increases ranging from $4,000 to $6,000 in replacement of this lost benefit. The salary increase for Mr. Ludwig was $4,000, which brought his salary to $994,000.

Change of Control Arrangements

      BD has entered into change of control employment agreements with each of BD's executive officers and certain other key associates. These agreements provide for the continued employment of the executives for a period of time following a change of control of BD, and are designed to retain the executives and provide continuity of management in the event of an actual or threatened change in the control of BD and ensure that their compensation and benefits expectations would be satisfied in such event. During fiscal year 2005, the Committee undertook a review of these arrangements, which included an analysis of competitive data and estimates of potential payouts. As a result of its review, the Committee approved certain changes to be included in future change of control employment agreements that, among other things, reduce the employment period following a change of control from three years to two, and also extended agreements to certain additional executives within BD. The named executives and other senior executives also voluntarily relinquished their existing agreements for new agreements containing these modified terms, effective January 1, 2006. A description of the material terms of BD's change of control arrangements, as modified by the Committee, can be found beginning on page 35.

Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer

      The Committee meets with the other independent directors each year in executive session to evaluate the performance of Mr. Ludwig, BD's Chief Executive Officer. The results of this evaluation are considered in determining his compensation, consistent with the compensation policies described above. The Committee also consults with the Committee's independent advisor in setting the Chief Executive Officer's compensation. Neither the Committee nor its independent advisor consults with the Chief Executive Officer or any other members of management when setting the Chief Executive Officer's compensation.

      In November 2004, the Committee approved a 4.8% salary increase for Mr. Ludwig from $945,000 to $990,000. At the same time, the Committee approved a long-term incentive award to Mr. Ludwig consisting of stock options for 76,409 shares, 14,820 Career Shares and Performance Units having a target payout of 24,101 shares. This long-term incentive award had a dollar value of $3,422,642 at the time of grant, using a lattice-based binomial option valuation model for the stock options and the prevailing market price of the BD common stock for the Career Shares and Performance Units (without taking any discount for risk of forfeiture). The Committee determined Mr. Ludwig's salary increase and long-term incentive award after reviewing competitive market data and Mr. Ludwig's individual performance during the 2004 fiscal year. While the November long-term incentive award to Mr. Ludwig was granted with respect to fiscal year 2004, it is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table and other tables for fiscal year 2005, as required by the SEC proxy statement rules, since it was awarded during the 2005 fiscal year.

      In November 2005, the Committee awarded Mr. Ludwig a $1,561,000 annual incentive payment with respect to fiscal 2005, representing 145% of Mr. Ludwig's target award. In setting this award, the Committee reviewed BD's overall financial performance during the year, as well as Mr. Ludwig's role in advancing BD's three strategies of increasing profitable revenue growth through innovation, improving operating effectiveness

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and strengthening BD's organizational capabilities. In particular, the Committee noted BD's reported 10% revenue growth and 20% growth in earnings per share (adjusted for certain items) for the year (which represented achievement of 109% of the earnings per share target set by the Committee), BD's return on invested capital for the year, BD's improvement in a number of financial measures, including profit margins and cash flows, and BD's overall balance sheet strength. In this regard, it was also noted that productivity improvements had enabled BD to achieve these results, despite oil-related cost increases in raw materials during the year. The Committee also reviewed the progress of BD's growth initiatives and considered efforts undertaken during the year to further improve BD's ability to develop new products. Mr. Ludwig also spent considerable time during the year focused on improving BD's organizational capabilities and the development of candidates for leadership positions throughout BD. The Committee also noted Mr. Ludwig's leadership in the medical technology industry as the Chairman of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, a trade association comprised of medical technology and pharmaceutical companies in New Jersey, and his election as the Chairman, effective March 2006, of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the world's largest medical technology trade association.

      In recognition of Mr. Ludwig's leadership during fiscal 2005 and in light of competitive market data, in November 2005 the Committee also approved a 3.6% salary increase for Mr. Ludwig from $994,000 to $1,030,000, effective January 1, 2006, and approved a long-term incentive award to Mr. Ludwig consisting of SARs for 86,819 shares, 16,812 Career Shares and Performance Units having a target payout of 27,340 shares. This long-term incentive award had a dollar value of $4,202,393 at the time of grant, using a lattice-based binomial option valuation model for the stock options and the prevailing market price of the BD common stock for the Career Shares and Performance Units (without taking any discount for risk of forfeiture).

Value of Total Compensation

      Set forth below is a summary of the dollar values of the total annual compensation provided to each of the named executives:

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      The above table does not reflect (i) any increase in pension benefits that may accrue to the named executives as a result of these compensation actions, (ii) any compensation income resulting from the exercise of previously-awarded stock options or other equity-based compensation awards or changes in the value of such awards, or (iii) earnings on amounts deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan. In addition, the actual value ultimately realized by the named executives under the equity-based compensation awards set forth above will vary based on, among other things, BD's operating performance and fluctuations in the BD stock price.

Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

      Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) precludes BD from taking a federal income tax deduction for compensation paid in excess of $1 million to BD's chief executive officer or any of its four other highest paid executive officers. This limitation does not apply, however, to “performance-based” compensation, as defined under the Federal tax laws. Stock options, SARs, Performance Units and annual incentive awards generally qualify as “performance-based” compensation, and are, therefore, fully deductible.

      The Committee considers the anticipated tax treatment to BD and its executive officers when reviewing executive compensation and BD's compensation programs. The deductibility of some types of compensation payments can depend upon the timing of an executive's vesting or exercise of previously granted rights. Interpretations of and changes in applicable tax laws and regulations, as well as other factors beyond the Committee's control, also can affect deductibility of compensation.

      The Committee will continue to assess alternatives for preserving the deductibility of compensation payments and benefits. However, the Committee will not necessarily seek to limit executive compensation to amounts deductible under Section 162(m), since the Committee wishes to maintain the flexibility to structure BD's compensation programs in ways that best promote the interests of BD and its shareholders.

Executive Share Retention and Ownership Guidelines

      The Committee believes that each member of senior management should have a significant equity interest in BD. In order to promote equity ownership and further align the interests of management with BD's shareholders, the Committee has adopted share retention and ownership guidelines for senior management. Under these guidelines, executive officers and certain other members of senior management are expected to retain 75% of the net after-tax gain or the net after-tax shares realized under equity-based compensation awards granted after the adoption of the guidelines, until they achieve and continue to maintain a significant ownership position, expressed as a multiple of salary as follows:

      The Committee periodically reviews share ownership levels of the persons subject to these guidelines. Shares held directly by the executive, shares held indirectly through the BD 401(k) plan or Deferred Compensation Plan, and Career Shares are included in determining an executive's share ownership. Stock options, including vested options, as well as unvested Performance Units, are not included. Each of the named executives has achieved shareholdings in excess of the applicable multiple set forth above.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE

Henry P. Becton, Jr., Chair
Basil L. Anderson
Edward F. DeGraan
James F. Orr
Willard J. Overlock, Jr.

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COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVES

      The following tables set forth information regarding the compensation of BD's Chief Executive Officer and the four most highly compensated officers other than the Chief Executive Officer (collectively, the “named executives”). These tables should be read in conjunction with the Report of the Compensation and Benefits Committee on Executive Compensation appearing on page 22. The following tables are prescribed by the rules of the SEC. We have also included additional tables that are not required by SEC rules, in order to provide our shareholders with more current information concerning the compensation of our named executives.

      The following table shows, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, compensation provided by BD to each of the named executives in all capacities in which they served.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

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		Each Career Share represents the right to receive one share of BD common stock upon vesting. The Career Shares vest and are distributable one year following retirement, or in the case of other events, such as involuntary termination without cause. The Career Shares fully vest upon a change in control (see discussion under the heading “Other Change of Control Provisions” on page 36).
		The following table lists the undistributed portions of all restricted stock unit awards previously awarded to the named executives as of September 30, 2005 (including amounts accruing under dividend equivalent rights). Performance-based restricted stock unit awards (“Performance Units”) are reflected in the table below at target payout amounts. Awards of Performance Units are not included in the Summary Compensation Table above, but are reported as long-term incentive awards in a separate table (see “Long-Term Incentive Plan—Performance Unit Awards in Fiscal Year 2005” on page 31). Market values are determined by multiplying the number of undistributed shares by $52.43, the September 30, 2005 closing price for BD common stock. No discount has been taken to reflect risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transferability.

	Name		Number of Undistributed Shares				Market Value of Undistributed Shares Held
	Edward J. Ludwig			104,612			$	5,484,807
	Gary M. Cohen			28,737				1,506,681
	John R. Considine			38,141				1,999,733
	Vincent A. Forlenza			31,272				1,639,591
	William A. Kozy			35,818				1,877,938

		The Career Shares and Performance Units awarded to the named executives in fiscal year 2005 were issued in tandem with dividend equivalent rights. Under these rights, the named executives are credited, each time BD pays a dividend on the BD common stock, with additional restricted stock units, determined by dividing the dividends that would be paid on the shares underlying the award (and on the shares underlying any restricted stock units credited pursuant to these dividend equivalent rights) by the prevailing market price of the BD common stock. Stock unit awards issued in prior fiscal years did not carry these rights.
		During fiscal year 2005, the named executives were credited with the following number of restricted stock units under the dividend equivalent rights issued with their Career Shares and Performance Units. The amounts reflected below assume that the Performance Units will pay out at their target amount.

			Accrued Shares
	Edward J. Ludwig			512
	Gary M. Cohen			155
	John R. Considine			205
	Vincent A. Forlenza			153
	William A. Kozy			153

(4)

Amounts shown for fiscal year 2005 include for each of the named executives BD's matching contributions of $6,300 to BD's Savings Incentive Plan (“SIP”), a qualified defined contribution plan available to U.S. employees at all levels. These amounts represent BD matching contributions at a 50% rate of the first 6% of base pay contributed to SIP by each of the named executives, in accordance with applicable SIP rules and subject to limits imposed by the IRS upon maximum contributions to such tax-qualified plans. The remaining amounts reflected for fiscal year 2005 represent premiums paid by BD for incremental life insurance benefits provided to the named executives beyond those provided to all BD employees.

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(5)		Includes Mr. Ludwig's personal use of corporate aircraft ($255,381) in fiscal year 2005, consisting of $99,431 of variable costs associated with such flights (net of federal and state tax benefits to BD) and lost tax benefits to BD of $155,950 attributable to such flights, as discussed below. Pursuant to a policy adopted by the Board, Mr. Ludwig is encouraged to use BD corporate aircraft for his personal as well as his business travel. The value ascribed to Mr. Ludwig's personal use of the BD aircraft reflects the fuel, trip-related maintenance, crew travel expenses, on-board catering, landing and parking fees and other variable costs incurred in connection with Mr. Ludwig's personal flights. As BD aircraft are used predominantly for business purposes, we have not included fixed costs, such as pilots' salaries, which do not change based on usage. In addition, prior to fiscal year 2005, the costs of Mr. Ludwig's personal flights were fully deductible by BD for federal income tax purposes. With the enactment of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, this deduction is now limited to the amount of income imputed to Mr. Ludwig for income tax purposes for these flights, or the amounts that Mr. Ludwig reimburses BD for these flights.
		On December 7, 2005, BD and Mr. Ludwig entered into a time-sharing arrangement under which Mr. Ludwig will make lease payments to BD for his personal use of the BD corporate aircraft, up to the maximum amount permitted by Federal Aviation Administration regulations. These payments will cover a substantial portion of the variable costs, and reduce the amount of lost tax benefits, associated with these personal flights.
		The amount shown for Mr. Ludwig also includes his personal use of a company-owned car ($250), and financial planning services provided to Mr. Ludwig on behalf of BD ($5,580) in fiscal year 2005. BD makes available a driver and company-owned car to Mr. Ludwig on occasion for commuting to and from work. The value ascribed to Mr. Ludwig's use of the company-owned car reflects a fuel charge and any other variable costs associated with such use. As BD-owned cars are used predominantly for business purposes, we have not included fixed costs, such as driver salaries, which do not change based on usage.
(6)		Includes the value of financial planning services provided to Mr. Forlenza on behalf of BD ($5,580) and reimbursement to Mr. Forlenza for the payment of certain California state tax liabilities ($2,250). For additional discussion, see “Other Arrangements” on page 36.

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INFORMATION REGARDING LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005

      Set forth below is information regarding the long-term incentive compensation awards provided to the named executives in fiscal year 2005. These awards were made under the 2004 Employee and Director Equity-Based Compensation Plan (the “2004 Plan”).

OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005

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INFORMATION REGARDING LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
IN FISCAL YEAR 2006

      Set forth below is information regarding the long-term incentive compensation awards provided to the named executives in November 2005 under the 2004 Plan.

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHT (SAR)/CAREER SHARE GRANTS
IN FISCAL YEAR 2006

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LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2006

STOCK OPTION EXERCISES DURING FISCAL YEAR 2005

      The following table contains information relating to the exercise of stock options by the named executives during fiscal 2005, as well as the number and value of their unexercised options as of September 30, 2005. The following table does not reflect the SARs granted to the named executives in November 2005 shown on the previous page.

AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN FISCAL YEAR 2005 AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

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OTHER COMPENSATION

Retirement Plan

      BD's Retirement Plan is a non-contributory defined benefit plan that provides for normal retirement at age 65 and permits earlier retirement in certain cases. Benefits are based upon years of service and the compensation (comprised of salary, commissions and bonuses (“Covered Compensation”)) for the five consecutive calendar years that produce the highest average annual Covered Compensation. The Retirement Plan is integrated with Social Security.

      The Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) limits the maximum annual benefit that may be paid to any individual from the Retirement Plan's trust fund and the amount of compensation that may be recognized in calculating these benefits. Under BD's Retirement Benefit Restoration Plan, BD will make supplemental, unfunded payments to offset any reductions in benefits that may result from such limitations. BD's obligations to pay retirement benefits under the Restoration Plan are secured by a trust. The trust is currently secured by a letter of credit. The trustee is required to draw on the letter of credit, up to specified limits, following a change in control of BD (as defined in the trust agreement).

      The following table shows the estimated annual retirement benefits payable under the Retirement Plan, inclusive of benefits payable under the Restoration Plan, at normal retirement date to all eligible employees, including the named executives, in specified remuneration and years of service classifications.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS