The majority (85%) of employees rank a pension scheme as the most common benefit offered by employers, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

Healthcare came in second place with 54%, and salary sacrifice schemes came in third with 52% of employers offering the benefit.

Other employee benefits which were rated highly in the survey were membership body fees, childcare and a car allowance.

Other results from the survey include:

• 48% of staff believe they are paid less then what they are worth

• 38% say they feel they are paid what they are worth

• 9% feel they are paid considerably less than what they are worth

• 44% said receiving higher wages or salary is most important to them

• 34% believe the most important thing is achieving a better work-life balance

Diana Bruce, senior policy liaison officer at the CIPP, said: “With pay rises few and far between, the overall remuneration package is of vital importance to ensure employees feel valued.

"An employer may not be in a position to provide a bonus or pay rise but it can certainly help its employees by providing benefits such as a good workplace pension scheme where both the employer and employee can save on tax and national insurance contributions.”

Read more articles on pension schemes and other common benefits