While the term "DRIP" is usually associated with company-sponsored plans, reinvestment of stock dividends is also available at no cost through some brokerage firms[1].

Instead, Waste Management wants the workers to join a less expensive company-sponsored plan.

Depositing money in a personal retirement account or in a company-sponsored plan is one of the most lucrative ways still left for individuals to trim their 1987 income tax bill.

And as more employers eliminate retiree health benefits, early retirees are unlikely to have any sort of company-sponsored plan once they stop working.

Many early retirees are able to avail themselves of some insurance, relying on company-sponsored plans or policies available through a spouse's employer.

Almost half of the survey respondents said they were saving for retirement through company-sponsored plans, and a quarter were putting additional money into savings accounts, certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts.

Not all company-sponsored plans are created equally, so be sure to carefully vet all funds on the plan menu.

With some company-sponsored plans, including some 401(k)'s, December is the only time participants can switch among investment options; your window for reallocation may be about to close.

In 1994, for example, only 8 percent of companies made car insurance available to workers through company-sponsored plans.

The results of a new survey show that company-sponsored plans are crucial to the retirements envisioned by baby boomers.