SIX political parties are to meet soon in an effort to reach agreement on the proposed retirement protection scheme.
United Democrat member Lau Chin-shek said the unprecedented meeting aimed to strike a common ground for the six parties, which now back two proposals.
The United Democrats, the Liberal Party and Meeting Point have endorsed a proposal asking for an immediate old age pension, with a means test mechanism, to those over 65.
The three parties also called for the setting up of a central provident fund.
In a separate move, the three ''smaller'' parties - the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, the Hong Kong Democratic Foundation and the pro-China Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong - have formed a coalition to garner support for an old age pension scheme contributed to by the Government, employers and employees.
The Government announced last December that it would embark on a study to prepare for the old age pension scheme.