Starbucks is just one corporate example moving from a merit-based system to an across-the-board 2% raise.

As companies try to hold on to the workers they have, pay and benefits are on the up and up. That may not be enough.

Typically, unionized companies are the ones that directly tie cost-of-living increases to inflation. And union membership has been falling.

There are many theories, including unemployment benefits being too high, a skills mismatch and low wages.

An Indeed survey found that mid-career women, especially, are overwhelmed with family responsibilities.

About 82% of men receive the raise they asked for.