The consultation period starts on Monday

The RCN is particularly concerned about a suggestion to increase the pension age for the majority to 65.

The RCN said it welcomed some of the proposals made, particularly in relation to increased flexibility.

However, it said it was concerned that other proposals would reduce nurses' benefits significantly.

The consultation period starts on Monday.

RCN Officer Maureen Scott said: "One of our main problems with the review is the proposal to increase the pension age for the majority to 65.

"We feel that a mandatory increase like this fails to recognise the emotional and physical demands of nursing which could prevent many nurses from working to this age.

"If nurses are forced to retire early because of ill-health, this would in turn be a burden on the public purse."

Members' views

The RCN said it was concerned nurses who currently had special retirement rights were promised these for life, yet these rights were withdrawn for new entrants in 1995.

If nurses believed the government was not going to uphold its promise to them, morale was likely to fall, said the RCN.

"The RCN is pleased to be a partner in a joint staff-side and employer review, but there are areas in which it was not possible to reach a consensus," said Ms Scott.