Get a Raise … Without a Raise

Looking for an income lift but don’t see a salary bump in the near future? It’s time to take a fresh look at your benefits package.

In recent years, many employers have added financially fruitful perks that go well beyond the usual health insurance and 401(k) match. Among the popular new offerings is extra time off, via policies that let workers use paid days off for caregiving, volunteering and other purposes that in the past required taking vacation days. 

AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

Join Now

Unfortunately, many workers don’t capitalize on all that’s given to them. “Employees are unaware of the full breadth of benefits and resources at their disposal,” says Rachael McCann Jones, global diversity, equity and inclusion solutions leader at benefits consultancy WTW.

To see what your employer offers, schedule a meeting with your HR rep or take some time to scour your workplace intranet. Here’s a sampling of benefits that innovative companies offer.

Reimbursement for home office costs

As remote work remains commonplace, nearly 6 in 10 employers subsidize work-from-home necessities such as office supplies and internet service, contributing an average maximum of $857 a year, according to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Extra time with your family

With grandparent (or “granternity”) leave and paid time off for family care, workers can receive compensation specifically for spending meaningful time with relatives. One-third of employers offer paid leave to care for immediate family members and almost 20 percent provide paid leave to care for extended family, SHRM says.

Menopause-support services

Among ­organizations with 500 or more employees, 15 percent offer menopause benefits or plan to do so in 2024, according to benefits consulting firm Mercer. This includes access to specialists and medical coverage for symptoms. 

Paid time off for community engagement

While at food banks, animal shelters and even protest marches, workers can still earn their pay. Nearly 30 percent of employers grant paid time off for volunteering, and about 5 percent do so for protests or activism, SHRM reports.