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.
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 Total Rewards News & Insights
Annual inflation ticked up to 3% in September, the largest increase since January.
Benefits will rise by 2.8% next year for 71 million people, including retirees and workers with disabilities. Learn more about the increases taking effect in January.
Catch up on the latest benefits news, including new limits for FSAs and commuter benefits, plus upcoming tax changes that will affect free food perks.
HR leaders face a paradox: more tech, less connection. Explore strategies to address employee loneliness, improve manager support, and enhance workplace belonging.
New Mexico is the first state to launch universal free child care. Discover what the news indicates for momentum around support and benefits for working parents.
Starting Jan. 1, employers won't be able to write off expenses for food in the office. Learn what that means for the popular office perk and what HR leaders plan to do.
Discover why now is a good time for HR to focus on helping employees through difficult and life-changing moments, and how workplaces can better integrate life and work.
The IRS is raising pretax commuter benefit limits to $340 per month for parking and transit in 2026, offering HR new opportunities for employee support.
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.
BUILD WINNING REWARDS STRATEGIES
Attract and retain top talent by designing competitive compensation and benefits programs that align with business goals and workforce needs.
Member Resources
The Director of California's Department of Finance published a letter on August 1 stating that the minimum wage needed to rise by 2.49% to $16.90 per hour effective January 1, 2026.
Pay transparency is becoming an essential practice for organizations aiming to attract and retain talent while promoting fairness in the workplace.
Establish a workplace wellness program to improve employee health, boost productivity, increase engagement, and reduce health care costs by taking these steps.
Stay current on California wage payment and hours of work laws. This toolkit provides actionable insights for HR professionals seeking effective compliance strategies.
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.