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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think it’s unfair that some people get inheritance while others start with nothing?

821 replies

ThisCandidCritic · 06/02/2025 14:22

Isn’t inheritance just another way of keeping wealth in the hands of the privileged? AIBU to think we should heavily tax or abolish inheritances altogether?

OP posts:
AzurePanda · 07/02/2025 07:16

@wipeywipe it’s a statement of the bleeding obvious so why would anyone research, publish or even reference such a statement? I’d love to see an explanation of how the majority of the value of estates liable for IHT do not belong to higher rate taxpayers given the very small percentage of estates involved.

wipeywipe · 07/02/2025 06:45

@oakleaffy I think it's 500k for you then.

wipeywipe · 07/02/2025 06:45

Luckily most highest rate payers don’t give up and reduce their hours to the 20% limit or we’d have no services at all.

A fair few keep their earnings under 100k because of the childcare implications

oakleaffy · 07/02/2025 01:29

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 20:22

@oakleaffy A married couple can leave 1m to their dc before you pay IHT.

I'll have to look into this! Thanks! I 'm not part of a a couple though...just a single person. {Divorced}

TizerorFizz · 07/02/2025 01:01

The highest rate of tax is not 40%. It’s more than that. More tax is raised from the 40.% payers than the 20% payers. Luckily most highest rate payers don’t give up and reduce their hours to the 20% limit or we’d have no services at all.

blacksax · 06/02/2025 23:57

Oh look - another Wind 'em up and watch 'em go thread.

Not that I'm a cynic or anything...
Confused

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 23:46

It's a bizarre argument to accuse me of expecting others to fund my lifestyle/public services even though I'm paying more tax than many others whilst simultaneously chastising me for not working f/t & paying more tax. 🤔

Clearly your bitterness has clouded your judgement somewhat. I hope you find some peace.

BIossomtoes · 06/02/2025 23:44

Totallymessed · 06/02/2025 23:31

I'm really sorry you had to get a job as a teenager despite mummy and daddy being millionaires, that must have been very traumatic for you. You're absolutely right, you should definitely not have to work full-time ever again, what a dreadful thought. Luckily there are plenty of people working minimum wage jobs to pay for the NHS, so nothing for you to worry about.

That was a nasty little wind up, wasn’t it? I expect you enjoyed that. 🙄

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 23:42

My parents weren't millionaires then much of it was equity gains. Why would it be traumatic? I simply asked you to clarify how I was a hypocrite?

Luckily there are plenty of people working minimum wage jobs to pay for the NHS, so nothing for you to worry about.

This doesn't even make sense!

Someone on minimum wage isn't paying more tax than me & paying more for the NHS... Why do you have a problem with me working p/t? Again how much tax do you want me to pay?

Totallymessed · 06/02/2025 23:31

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 23:10

@Totallymessed explain how I am a hypocrite?

I have worked since I was 17 & supported myself throughout university. I then worked full time paying high rate tax for many years. Since having dc I have been p/t & apart from maternity leave have always worked. I'm a higher rate taxpayer now despite the fact I am p/t. I could work f/t (my job can be demanding) but I don't want to & one of the reasons is because anything I do extra is taxed at 40%. I think the income tax bands should be unfrozen. Again what is hypocritical?

You accused me of this "But you think you should get your bit from the money people have saved working full time for decades.*

Yet you are chastising me for working p/t! How much tax would you like me to pay?

I'm really sorry you had to get a job as a teenager despite mummy and daddy being millionaires, that must have been very traumatic for you. You're absolutely right, you should definitely not have to work full-time ever again, what a dreadful thought. Luckily there are plenty of people working minimum wage jobs to pay for the NHS, so nothing for you to worry about.

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 23:10

@Totallymessed explain how I am a hypocrite?

I have worked since I was 17 & supported myself throughout university. I then worked full time paying high rate tax for many years. Since having dc I have been p/t & apart from maternity leave have always worked. I'm a higher rate taxpayer now despite the fact I am p/t. I could work f/t (my job can be demanding) but I don't want to & one of the reasons is because anything I do extra is taxed at 40%. I think the income tax bands should be unfrozen. Again what is hypocritical?

You accused me of this "But you think you should get your bit from the money people have saved working full time for decades.*

Yet you are chastising me for working p/t! How much tax would you like me to pay?

Totallymessed · 06/02/2025 22:56

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 22:46

This thread has certainly been revealing about how many caring, sharing Mumsnetters are extremely privileged and utterly divorced from most people's reality. So easy when you have nothing to worry about!

I think the lack of comprehension is enlightening & depressing!

I mean I've gone from an hypocritical, non tax paying grabby scrounger to a privileged champagne socialist in mere minutes!

Apologies, when I said you only worked part time to avoid paying tax, I did miss out the important word more tax. I'm surprised you didn't realise, but maybe you're just being disingenuous.

You choose to only work part time because you prefer to reduce the amount of tax you pay (that goes towards such things as schools and the NHS), and you're wealthy enough to be comfortable anyway.

You're a hypocrite, but your posts have been educational, so thank you. I'll certainly remember them on future threads when our resident champagne socialists gather to lecture the plebs on how paying tax is so important (except not for them, obviously).

BIossomtoes · 06/02/2025 22:47

Totallymessed · 06/02/2025 22:44

I hate to remind you, but you did post that your parents had no shortage of nice cars and expensive holidays when you were growing up. It's too late to start faking the four yorkshiremen sketch.

I hate to correct you but I wasn’t talking about when I was growing up, I was talking about their retirement. And it was their money, not mine.

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 22:46

This thread has certainly been revealing about how many caring, sharing Mumsnetters are extremely privileged and utterly divorced from most people's reality. So easy when you have nothing to worry about!

I think the lack of comprehension is enlightening & depressing!

I mean I've gone from an hypocritical, non tax paying grabby scrounger to a privileged champagne socialist in mere minutes!

Corneliafunk · 06/02/2025 22:45

I am just in the situation now of inheriting from my Mum’s estate - she was a nurse but sold her ordinary house at the top of the property market. The money mostly went on care home fees but there is still a reasonable bit left for my sibs and I.
But I contrast my situation with my single parent friend who rents and will have nothing to leave to her child. I am using my inheritance to help pay uni fees for my kids and improve the house we own.
Already my kids will be in a ‘better’ position than hers and I feel uncomfortable and I guess sad about this. I had thought if I had got more money of sharing some with them, but felt it would create a weird dynamic. I don’t have an answer but I understand why this topic has been posted

Totallymessed · 06/02/2025 22:44

BIossomtoes · 06/02/2025 22:40

When did I say I frittered money away? I was a single parent for almost two decades and was on the bones of my arse for several years. Being able to buy a pint of milk or a loaf of bread, not both, is an experience you never forget. It makes you appreciate not being there any more.

I hate to remind you, but you did post that your parents had no shortage of nice cars and expensive holidays when you were growing up. It's too late to start faking the four yorkshiremen sketch.

Comedycook · 06/02/2025 22:42

labamba007 · 06/02/2025 22:38

I won't receive an inheritance. I have brilliant parents, who are involved in my Son's life and love him dearly. I can confide in them in anything and I know in the back of my mind, that if I lost everything I'd always have a place to stay until I got back on my feet and food at least.

I'm luckier than so many, even quite a few who receive inheritance too.

Inheritance isn't everything. Of course, it's not fair but we have to be thankful for what we have.

Great post.... having lost my parents young, I've lost the security that you get from having parents as an adult. The idea that if you lost everything tomorrow, your house fell down or your husband leaves you, there's somewhere you can go....I'd rather have my parents than the money but the money gave me a little bit of security.

BIossomtoes · 06/02/2025 22:40

Totallymessed · 06/02/2025 21:49

Having money to just enjoy and fritter away is extremely privileged. I'm amazed you don't realise that. You really don't seem to have a clue about life for a significant proportion of the population.

When did I say I frittered money away? I was a single parent for almost two decades and was on the bones of my arse for several years. Being able to buy a pint of milk or a loaf of bread, not both, is an experience you never forget. It makes you appreciate not being there any more.

Totallymessed · 06/02/2025 22:40

This thread has certainly been revealing about how many caring, sharing Mumsnetters are extremely privileged and utterly divorced from most people's reality. So easy when you have nothing to worry about!

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 22:39

@Totallymessed that's a brilliant retort! I wonder if Katie Hopkins posts on MNs...

labamba007 · 06/02/2025 22:38

I won't receive an inheritance. I have brilliant parents, who are involved in my Son's life and love him dearly. I can confide in them in anything and I know in the back of my mind, that if I lost everything I'd always have a place to stay until I got back on my feet and food at least.

I'm luckier than so many, even quite a few who receive inheritance too.

Inheritance isn't everything. Of course, it's not fair but we have to be thankful for what we have.

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 22:36

@ThinkAboutItTomorrow will have a read. But did the inheritance come from higher rate taxpayers payers as opposed to being inherited by higher rate taxpayers? So as I already said DH and I are a higher rate taxpayers household and may inherit but gps and parents weren't.

Totallymessed · 06/02/2025 22:35

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 22:32

@Totallymessed

I said And I work p/t because anything more I earn is taxed at 40%

Why have you inferred that to mean I pay no tax?!

But you think you should get your bit from the money people have saved working full time for decades.

My parents and in-laws are millionaires &
I am a higher rate tax payer despite being pt. DH is too and works f/t. What bit of money do I want from others?

Hilarious

I'd say ludicrous...

Yup, yet another champagne socialist. I wonder if Emma Thompson posts on Mumsnet?

Newposter180 · 06/02/2025 22:35

Comedycook · 06/02/2025 14:26

Life's not fair...stop the press! This is brand new information.

I got an inheritance...I don't think it's fair my parents died young. That's life though.

Some people lose parents young...some live for ages.

Some have rich parents, poor parents, kind parents, abusive parents.

Some people are born in war zones...some people are born in peaceful countries.

Welcome to the world

This!

Is it also unfair that some people’s parents can afford piano lessons or to send them to private school and others’ can’t? Yes, but that’s life. Really good point by PP that often the people getting inheritance have lost parents young. I’m sure they’d rather have their parents and see all the money go on care fees after a long life (I would).

wipeywipe · 06/02/2025 22:32

@Totallymessed

I said And I work p/t because anything more I earn is taxed at 40%

Why have you inferred that to mean I pay no tax?!

But you think you should get your bit from the money people have saved working full time for decades.

My parents and in-laws are millionaires &
I am a higher rate tax payer despite being pt. DH is too and works f/t. What bit of money do I want from others?

Hilarious

I'd say ludicrous...

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