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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we shouldn’t have to contribute to soch if we don’t intend to use it?

737 replies

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:03

For example, I don’t want a state pension - so I should surely be able to opt out of soch based contributions percentage. And just pay a lesser amount to cover anything I do take advantage of.

OP posts:
WinterBlues26 · 27/01/2026 23:42

slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:39

Well someone commented that lots of Scottish people call it the social as well so take that?

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I always thought the social (security) was the unemployment benefit, aka the dole. Nothing to do with pensions or schools or NHS. Even so it wasn't said as one syllable.

Lunde · 27/01/2026 23:42

The main uk reference to soch that I can find online is for "culturally sensitive addiction services"

.... makes you wonder??

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:42

OnYerselfHen · 27/01/2026 23:41

amazing! So you'd just ignore that innate sense of self preservation? You'd rather die?

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No I’d try some of my self tested ailments and alleviate symptoms

OP posts:
Rayburn · 27/01/2026 23:41

LowdermilkPark · 27/01/2026 23:39

I opened this to see what ‘soch’ is. None the wiser.

Article of hosiery, not as long as a stoching.

OnYerselfHen · 27/01/2026 23:41

slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:38

I wouldn’t go

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amazing! So you'd just ignore that innate sense of self preservation? You'd rather die?

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 23:40

Grammarnut · 27/01/2026 23:28

But you have used the health service. You benefit, for example, from having diseases that you might catch and die of being cured and prevented by the NHS. You benefit from the vaccination programme used in this country which confers herd immunity as long as 95% of people are vaccinated. You benefit from a healthy work force. You benefit from the fact that your wages are not partly sequestered by your employer to pay into private health insurance that you will lose if you change jobs, which means you are able to be paid a higher wage.

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Someone who understands public health 😍

Delphiniumandlupins · 27/01/2026 23:39

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:53

Well I defiantly am a net contribution because I earn over 17k

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Jumped the shark

Beekman · 27/01/2026 23:39

Memento Mori, OP. What do you think you’re going to die of? Hope you get good care and treatment from the NHS that you don’t want to fund.

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:39

InterestedDad37 · 27/01/2026 23:39

Ah, so 'soch' is the first syllable of 'social'. Yeah, my gran used to talk about that down the gavva. You MUST know what the gavva is, my gran used to say it all the time! You know, the gavva!

I don’t… I’m afraid I don’t.
But regional or class based I guess?

OP posts:
LowdermilkPark · 27/01/2026 23:39

I opened this to see what ‘soch’ is. None the wiser.

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:39

SabrinaThwaite · 27/01/2026 23:37

I’m just a few years younger than OP. I’ve always called it national insurance. My parents and grandparents called it the stamp.

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Well someone commented that lots of Scottish people call it the social as well so take that?

OP posts:
InterestedDad37 · 27/01/2026 23:39

Ah, so 'soch' is the first syllable of 'social'. Yeah, my gran used to talk about that down the gavva. You MUST know what the gavva is, my gran used to say it all the time! You know, the gavva!

Grammarnut · 27/01/2026 23:38

slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:33

My biggest concern is that TCP oil is no longer being sold.

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You are extremely lucky if this is your only worry.

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:38

Grammarnut · 27/01/2026 23:37

We still don't know what you propose to do if run over by a car (why would it not happen?), get cancer, an aneurism, a heart attack etc.? Your private hospital won't have A&E (not profitiable) and though they will treat your cancer that will be only up to a point i.e. you will discover in the small print that if it comes back it is a pre-existing condition. Also, what happens with an operation that goes wrong (because they do sometimes) - are you going to self-medicate yourself rather than be taken to the NHS, which is the place with all the expertise and equipment? Do tell.

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I wouldn’t go

OP posts:
SabrinaThwaite · 27/01/2026 23:37

Dollymylove · 27/01/2026 23:34

Well Im in my 60s and I dont know what such means either

I’m just a few years younger than OP. I’ve always called it national insurance. My parents and grandparents called it the stamp.

Rayburn · 27/01/2026 23:37

Does it rhyme with loch, or Marshall Foch?

Grammarnut · 27/01/2026 23:37

slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:27

I would always see the money go to
the disabled!!! I said a percentage just that wouldn’t be used as I cost less to run.

But I would never have disabled people or children go without!!! Ever

I swear down

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We still don't know what you propose to do if run over by a car (why would it not happen?), get cancer, an aneurism, a heart attack etc.? Your private hospital won't have A&E (not profitiable) and though they will treat your cancer that will be only up to a point i.e. you will discover in the small print that if it comes back it is a pre-existing condition. Also, what happens with an operation that goes wrong (because they do sometimes) - are you going to self-medicate yourself rather than be taken to the NHS, which is the place with all the expertise and equipment? Do tell.

VoiceFromThePit · 27/01/2026 23:37

OP if you don’t want to be part of our society please ask to be deported elsewhere

Dollymylove · 27/01/2026 23:34

Well Im in my 60s and I dont know what such means either

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:34

Ocelotfeet27 · 27/01/2026 23:33

WTF did i just read.

OP I don't even know what to say. Madness. I'd love to know where you live that you allegedly use all these 'obvious' terms no one has heard of.

I’ve already said that if you read the thread.

OP posts:
Foodylicious · 27/01/2026 23:33

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:27

Stop being facetious. You all know full well what soch/sosh is.

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Blimey, you're nice.
I'm 46, never heard or seen 'soch' before.
Always known as NI Contributions since I received my NI card when I was 15.
You are doing a good job of derailing your own post though.
Well done.

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:33

IngridBurger · 27/01/2026 23:32

Don't be silly, OP won't do any of those things. She's already said being hit by a car is an unrealistic scenario too. It's quite simple. OP has decided only to have injuries/illnesses she can self-treat for.

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My biggest concern is that TCP oil is no longer being sold.

OP posts:
BlackCatDiscoClub · 27/01/2026 23:33

I just saw on the news, parliament have passed a law that everyone over state pension age needs to set up a MyGrans account and funnel the earnings into MyGrants to give net contributers a refund on their NI.

Ocelotfeet27 · 27/01/2026 23:33

WTF did i just read.

OP I don't even know what to say. Madness. I'd love to know where you live that you allegedly use all these 'obvious' terms no one has heard of.

IngridBurger · 27/01/2026 23:32

OnYerselfHen · 27/01/2026 23:24

What about heart attack? Stoke? Brain aneurysm? Acute angle glaucoma? UTI that becomes septic? There is a myriad of reasons a person has to attend a&e. You could trip on the cord of your dressing gown and fall down stairs, breaking your neck. Has happened to an old neighbour of mine. Shit happens.

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Don't be silly, OP won't do any of those things. She's already said being hit by a car is an unrealistic scenario too. It's quite simple. OP has decided only to have injuries/illnesses she can self-treat for.