BEIJING - The Chinese Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) will begin an extensive review of the retirement age for women, said an official statement Sunday.

Related readings:  Debate: Retirement age  Sarkozy faces showdown over retirement reform  Shanghai opens door to delayed retirement  Govt denies immediate plan for retirement age rise

The MHRSS will conduct a comprehensive study in this regard, considering factors including employment situation, gender equity, and social security, the statement said.

It noted that the Internal and Judicial Affairs Committee under the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, has proposed that the ministry set ages of retirement based upon the circumstances of different sectors and jobs.

The NPC committee further proposed that women be given the right to decide if they will retire earlier than the officially-set age.

The retirement age in China is generally 60 years old for men and 50 to 55 for women. Chinese scholars and the public have been debating whether to raise the retirement age as the country's elderly population rises.