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If you change department within the Civil Service, you don't actually leave the scheme (subtle difference), you remain within the Civil Service. Thus your pension contributions remain intact, within the Civil Service Pension Scheme. In addition, there is no physical pot of money, so if you actually leave the Civil Service, you are not able to transfer anything into another scheme (Private Sector) because there is simply not anything to transfer. However, the pension you have earned, will be preserved until you reach retirement age (for that particular scheme).
Another point that needs making is that there is no universal Public Sector pension sheme (which is what you imply). So again, the transfer is not as simple as you make out, making your statement unfactual. If you leave the Military and say join the Civil Service, you can transfer your Military pension, into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, but it WILL NOT be on a like for like transfer. Transfers also need to be completed within a strict time frame.
Wed, 27/06/2012 - 17:12
Source
Public sector pension changes - what you need to know | Moneywise