What to do about NHS pension?

[BerthaKit]

After 20 years working in the NHS I have left and now self employed.
Any idea what I am supposed to do about my pension? Can I keep paying into it from my own earnings or do I need a whole new one?
I did ask HR but they were useless.

You can’t pay into it if you’re no longer an NHS employee. Just leave it there until your retirement date and start a private pension.

Agree with PP, just leave it where it is until retirement age (60, 65 or 67 depending which nhs scheme it is)
Start a new private pension as you cannot pay into an NHS one if no longer employed by NHS

Thanks. Thought so but slightly annoying as there will be bits all over the place.

It’s not that annoying. I have four occupational pensions, three of which are local government, presumably you’ll have two.

Bits all over the place isn't too bad, it spreads risk and adds flexibility

Indeed. I have a civil service pension, an NHS pension and have consolidated smaller less good pensions into a SIPP. Will have a 4th pension with my next job.

They all have different retirement ages so consolidating would be a really bad idea.

@BerthaKit Yes, you may have a couple of different pots, but the NHS one will take care of itself happily.
But worth having a chat to Pensionline (free advice)