Personal information released?

[Gannettoid]

This was submitted through our anonymous box to submit info on http://www.Gannettoid.com:

I'm curious, has anyone else from Gannett had problems with companies calling them about the money they have in their 401k. I have received a call from a company, MetLife, asking about stuff they should not have a clue about. They wanted to move my 401k from Gannett. I'm just curious, is Gannett handing over this information to these companies.

Does anyone know about this?

[TheManNowDog]

Your employer is listed on your form W-2, which is public information. Unless they knew which funds you had invested in, I don't think MetLife knew anything that a journalist couldn't have known.

[wrtrgal5]

This was submitted through our anonymous box to submit info on http://www.Gannettoid.com:

I'm curious, has anyone else from Gannett had problems with companies calling them about the money they have in their 401k. I have received a call from a company, MetLife, asking about stuff they should not have a clue about. They wanted to move my 401k from Gannett. I'm just curious, is Gannett handing over this information to these companies.

Does anyone know about this?

From time to time I get letters from companies asking about 401K however none mention Gannett specifically, they're solicitation, and I throw them away. Wouldn't that breach SEC (or other) privacy rules?

[Me]

MetLife is the Life Insurance Company that provides the 1X salary Life Insurance that each of us have. MetLife has our information and knows who we are because, at least for some of us, on July 1 they were getting paid to provide Life Insurance for us. On July 15 they weren't.

[Guest]

I'd like to encourage everyone NOT to use an insurance company (ie Met) to help you with your 401(k) money and financial decisions you need to make moving forward. Visit http://findanadvisor.napfa.org/Home.aspx to look for a fee-only planner near you.

Because they don't sell anything like an insurance company or broker they will help you make the best decision.

[meetoo]

i got a call the other day and the guy knew i was laid off, he said he knew because metlife handles the life insurance for gannett and being that it expired july 31, metlife i guess got a list and decided to do some "cold calling"

[An0n]

So is their service necessary, or are they just trying to sell me something?

I've already rolled over my 401k and stock to another bank.

[Guest]

Go hire your own fee only planner. You can find one at http://www.focusonfiduciary.com