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 News
One of employers’ tasks on their busy end-of-year checklist: reminding employees about approaching deadlines to use up remaining cash in their flexible spending accounts.
Financial concerns, holiday stress, work pressures, end-of-year deadlines, and more are ramping up. Here’s how employers can help their employees during this time of year.
As mental health–related leave continues to climb, learn how many employers are rethinking how they support employees before, during, and after an absence.
A sharp increase in prescription drug spending, including GLP-1s, is fueling another significant jump in health costs next year, data finds. Explore what steps employers can take to respond.
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
Several states' minimum wage rates will increase in 2026.
Navigating the complexities of the Benefit Plan Reporting & Disclosure Calendars is a vital responsibility for HR professionals and employers alike. Generally, these resources provide the same information. The different formats are provided in hopes of meeting a wide variety of preferences.
Each year, millions of people in the U.S. experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also called seasonal depression or the "winter blues."
The end of the calendar year brings more than employee performance reviews and holiday celebrations. Administering employee benefit plans can mean daunting year-end to-do lists. We've compiled resources to help and we will continue to monitor for additional checklists.