The year 2025 has been called the year of adaptability by many in global mobility, as organizations try to adapt benefits to balance costs while still filling global business needs. Nearly 40% of HR leaders say adjusting to rising economic pressures and the emphasis on cost-effectiveness are their top priorities, according to a 2024 KPMG Global Mobility Benchmarking Survey. That emphasis, say researchers, is “prompting organizations to focus on moves that they believe will generate the greatest value while minimizing costs within business units.”

But how do you know if what your company offers is in line with other mobility organizations, and where you might adapt your policy to save dollars while still remaining competitive? That’s the value of benchmarking.

Why is Relocation Benefits Benchmarking Important?

HR leaders point to two critical reasons why every mobility leadership team should be benchmarking what they offer.

• Relevance. HR leaders’ top-of-mind mobility priority (nearly three-fourths in the KPMG survey) is aligning and adapting their mobility policies with business objectives. Mobility policies must prove their ROI.
• Talent acquisition. HR leaders understand the value that a robust mobility program with competitive policies has on attracting the best and brightest workforce talent. “The focus on talent is essential — with 70 percent of respondents considering talent development, attraction and retention a top priority,” notes the KPMG study.

What is Mobility Benefits Benchmarking?

If the idea of benchmarking sounds daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Says CapRelo VP, Global Client Services Tracy Langlois, “Benchmarking can be as simple as looking at what other others pay for their miscellaneous allowance, to doing a deep dive that looks at every element within your policy.”

The most valuable benchmark data, however, will compare what your organization offers to what other specific companies offer – for example, your biggest competitors, or businesses in your geographic area or within your industry.

As in other aspects of mobility, she advises, think adaptability when it comes to benchmarking. If benchmarking is a new endeavor at your company, or one that you have to conduct internally with limited resources, don’t be afraid to start small.

Where Do I Find Mobility Policy Benchmark Data?

Your relocation benefits benchmarking is only as good as your data, but where do you find the data?

If you are going it alone, consider starting wih some online research. Major data providers and consulting firms regularly conduct studies; often, by sharing your own data as part of the study, you can access the results. Some firms provide results for a fee. Either way, know that these studies and their reports typically take many months to complete so factor that into your project timeline.

Another valuable source of data could be your professional HR mobility network. Ask around at relocation events, attend learning sessions on benchmarking, and be willing to reciprocate data sharing of your own.

But the best source of benchmarking data comes from your relocation management consultant. “Your RMC has a built-in client base spanning all sizes, locations and types of businesses across the world,” says Langois. “Because your relocation management company is continually benchmarking as a natural part of their work, they are your go-to to get true benchmark data.”

In addition to investing hours gathering data on every client policy, CapRelo also routinely publishes aggregated data that gives clients a snapshot into specific policy aspects. For example, a recent Pulse Check looked at loss on sale benefits.

“We found that an overwhelming 92 percent of companies don’t offer loss on sale benefits, and those that do limit those benefits to executive-level transferees,” she says. “And, while the loss on sale caps range from $10,000 to more than $100,000, they average $43,000.

“That kind of data would take hours upon hours, if ever, to uncover independently,” she notes.

Find Out How Your Relocation Benefits Compare

Global mobility policies and programs are constantly evolving. What might have been industry standards just a few years ago may no longer be competitive, or enough to make your company a top contender in the talent marketplace. An annual, or at least bi-annual, benchmarking assessment helps ensure that your mobility policies comprise what the market expects while minimizing unnecessary costs.

Let CapRelo’s relocation management consultants put their broad benchmark data and relocation industry experience to work for you. Call us today to schedule your next benchmark study.