Total Rewards
Using compensation and benefits strategically to retain talent, control costs, and drive organizational performance.
FEATURED RESEARCH:
2025 SHRM Employee Benefits Survey Report
A comprehensive annual survey of HR professionals capturing the prevalence of benefits across a wide range of offerings.
Government Shutdown 2025
What You Need to Know
The latest government shutdown is impacting federal workers and organizations nationwide. Visit our resource hub for expert analysis, actionable guidance, and member-exclusive support. Stay informed, protect your workforce, and lead with confidence.
The Importance of Benefits
Compensation and benefits are among the largest expenses for any organization — but when managed strategically, they deliver outsized returns in retention and engagement. HR leaders who design effective rewards systems reduce turnover, attract top talent, and align workforce motivation with business objectives. Total rewards is more than pay — it’s a business lever for maximizing workforce ROI.
Member OnlyLooking to design pay and benefits that attract and retain talent?
Ask a SHRM Knowledge Advisor or insights on building competitive total rewards.
Key Data Trends
45%
the median share of operating expenses attributed to salaries in 2025, up from 40.9% in 2022, making compensation and benefits a major organizational cost
61%
of HR pros say competitive compensation is very or extremely effective for retaining deskless workers
56%
of HR professionals report ongoing challenges in retaining deskless workers, emphasizing the importance of total rewards strategies for reducing turnover
SHRM Total Rewards Specialty Credential
Design competitive compensation and benefits programs that boost employee engagement with the SHRM Total Rewards Specialty Credential.
Latest News
Military families face financial strain as the government shutdown drags on, with service members at risk of missing pay if no budget deal is reached.
Executive pay disparities are widening, impacting employee engagement and satisfaction. HR executives can use transparency to build trust and retain talent.
Catch up on the latest benefits news, including how Elon Musk's trillionaire path may worsen worker pay discontent, how HR can address employees' benefits regrets, and more.
AI-powered tools are enhancing open enrollment by offering personalized benefits advice, supporting equity, and providing actionable insights for HR leaders.
Design Rewards That Deliver
SHRM membership provides insights on compensation, benefits, and pay transparency that attract talent and reduce turnover.
Become a SHRM Member and build a total rewards strategy that works.
Member Resources
Pay transparency is becoming an essential practice for organizations aiming to attract and retain talent while promoting fairness in the workplace.
Stay current on California wage payment and hours of work laws. This toolkit provides actionable insights for HR professionals seeking effective compliance strategies.
California strengthens pay equity protections with Governor Newsom’s signing of Senate Bill 642, an amendment to the state’s Equal Pay Act, on October 8, 2025. The law emphasizes employers’ responsibility to ensure transparency and fairness in compensation, clarifies pay scale disclosure requirements in job postings, and extends obligations for accurate pay data reporting.
When Daylight Saving Time ends on the first Sunday in November, non-exempt employees working when the clock "falls back" will be entitled to pay for that extra hour of work.