Why? That's literally what a company is paying you. It's your fault if you don't realize it and negotiate for terms that are in your favor. Do you think this money isn't yours? It sure isn't the companies.
Oh, you don't care about $10,000 in medical benefits because your spouse has them? Great, roll that into my base.
Obviously I look at the respective benefits packages when comparing multiple offers. But it's definitely not a norm to, when asked how much you're paid, include not only salary and fungible compensation but also your valuation of the benefits package. That'd be considered a lie (and, if you're e.g. applying for a mortgage, literal fraud).
The only reason the author does it here is because the actual salary would draw traction as a headline, and his organization paid good money to get this editorial presented in Forbes.
Oh, you don't care about $10,000 in medical benefits because your spouse has them? Great, roll that into my base.