Private medical insurance (PMI) is the most common benefit that UK employers offer to staff based outside the UK, according to exclusive research by Employee Benefits.

The Benefits Research 2013, which surveyed 561 HR and benefits professionals, found that 86% of respondents that offer benefits to staff based outside of the UK offer PMI, while 85% offer a pension scheme, 78% offer a bonus, 66% offer life insurance and 61% offer death in service.

The proportion of respondents which offer benefits to employees outside the UK has risen slightly since 2012. Some 10% of employers now offer benefits to local employees only, compared with 5% in 2012, while 18% of respondents now offer benefits to expatriates and local staff.

The Middle East and Africa remain key areas of development, with 46% of respondents currently offering benefits to employees in the Middle East and 38% offering benefits to employees in Africa.

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Sample: All respondents responsible for compensation and benefits in their own organisation (221)

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Sample: All respondents responsible for compensation and benefits in their own organisation, which offer any benefits to staff based outside of the UK (2013: 80, 2012: 59)

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Sample: All respondents responsible for compensation and benefits in their own organisation, which offer any benefits to staff based outside of the UK (2013: 80, 2012: 59)