The teacher retirement age could change

Currently, they can retire at 60, but there are plans to bring pensions into line with the private sector.

Those over 52 will not be affected by the changes.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said pensions policy was a reserved issue and the role of ministers would be to administer change.

She added: "No final decisions have been taken, but there were consultations among the Scottish Public Pensions Agency for the proposed changes last year."

On Tuesday it was revealed that teaching unions, the SSTA and EIS, are holding a consultative ballot to gauge the mood before a possible strike ballot.

Pension scheme

Planned changes to the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme (STSS) will apply to new entrants from 2006.

They will not apply to current pension scheme members until 2013.

Ronnie Smith, general secretary of the EIS, objected to "the goalposts being moved".

He said that current members should have the right to hold on to the terms of the pension scheme they joined.

The "indicative" ballot will be conducted among all members to decide whether to go ahead with a formal "statutory" ballot on a one-day unpaid strike to be held soon after the Easter holiday.