FACTBOX-France's planned social and pension reforms

(Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled social policy proposals on Tuesday, including details of his plans for reform of special pension privileges given to some workers in state-controlled companies.

Here are some facts on France's social security system and the proposed measures:

SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM FINANCING

* The social security accounts commission said in July France's social security deficit was set to reach 12 billion euros in 2007, well above a previous government forecast.

* France is under pressure from European Union partners and Brussels to cut its overall public deficit. Sarkozy has said France will aim for a balanced budget by 2012.

SPECIAL PENSION REGIMES

* Around 500,000 workers in state-controlled companies are eligible for the "special regime" pension system and around 1.1 million pensioners are already benefiting from it. Some can retire as early as age 50 but most can stop work at 55.

* These advantageous conditions will cost the government nearly 5 billion euros this year.

* The scheme covers the SNCF national rail network, the Paris-region RATP transport network, EDF electricity producer, GDF gas producer, miners, senators, parliamentary deputies, the French national theatre company and the Paris opera.