Debra Johnson and Deborah Perrotta are traveling the country with this message to workers: Don't let Enron happen to you.

        The former Enron employees, who stopped in Cincinnati on Tuesday, each lost tens of thousands of dollars — almost all of their retirement savings — because their 401(k) accounts held too much Enron stock, which once traded as high as $90 a share but is now almost worthless.

        “We know now it's not good to put all your eggs in one basket,” Ms. Johnson said.

        The women spoke Tuesday to Greater Cincinnati workers at a forum sponsored by the AFL— CIO. The union-sponsored, 14-city tour targets the need for pension reform and diversification in retirement plans.

        Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble and Kroger Co. are local examples of what the union calls “Enron-like” plans because their retirement plans are overweighted in company stock.

        P&G's profit-sharing plan, which is not a real 401(k) in that it does not require employee contributions, holds almost 95 percent of its assets in company stock, the union says.

        P&G, however, says the concentration is 92 percent, and that its plan offers employees plenty of investment choices.

        Kroger Co. also modified its 401(k) plan earlier this year to allow employees greater diversification options. Kroger employees now can immediately sell the stock the company gives as an incentive match.

        Ms. Perrotta and Ms. Johnson had the option to diversify much of their Enron stock, but they didn't. pany, and didn't have enough investing education to know any differently.

        That's why they're trying to keep other workers around the country from making the same mistake.

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