Keep money in 2015 NHS pension scheme or transfer it out?

Amynet

After less than a year of working in the NHS I am leaving for a private sector job. I am on the 2015 NHS pension scheme. What are the pros and cons for:
- keeping my money in the NHS pension scheme or
-transferring it to my new employers defined contribution pension scheme or SIPP?

I don't know if I will return to the NHS and if it is silly to transfer my money out of the NHS pension scheme. So any advice is appreciated!

Update: this has been resolved

greenglide

You don't really have any choice.

The NHS scheme is an unfunded public scheme and you are not allowed, by law, to transfer out. However if you havent reached the "vesting" period yet then you cannot remain a member of the scheme in which case one option is to transfer the funds into your new employer's scheme.

xylophone

After less than a year of working in the NHS

You wouldn't have the option of a deferred pension ( ie leaving contributions in the scheme) with less than two years of membership?

See chart page 6 re transfer to another pension arrangement.

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Documents/Pensions/Leaving_Early_and_Transferring_Out_Booklet_(V11)_online_06.2015.pdf

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Documents/Pensions/sdkto.pdf