Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Peridoteage · 27/01/2026 23:13

Basically op your national insurance contribs are paying for your Gran's pension. Not your own.

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:13

Lunde · 27/01/2026 23:12

Where are you going to A&E/ICU as a non NHS user?

Show quote history

Well I’m not going there am I.

  1. Don’t want to
  2. Self treat myself for 40 years and hasn’t failed me.
  3. Will not go out if unwell
OP posts:
NotThatSerious · 27/01/2026 23:13

Don’t pensions rely on continuous contributions to be able to pay people? If people had the option not to pay the wouldn’t have enough money in the “pot” to pay the current claimants of pensions

Lunde · 27/01/2026 23:12

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:07

I think child based stuff should remain something we all provide for, to ensure low income families are not affected.

But for example a non NHS user who does not want a state pension should be able to opt out of soch payments imo.

Show quote history

Where are you going to A&E/ICU as a non NHS user?

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:12

Grammarnut · 27/01/2026 23:11

It's not. What is soch? Do explain. You might also like to explain how the social contract (what's left of it after neo-liberal crisis capitalism has had a go at it) will work if people opt out of the bits they think they don't want - and then have to opt back in when they realise they need them?

Edited
Show quote history

RTFT at this point!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:11

Peridoteage · 27/01/2026 23:11

I didn't judge your views op. I speculated where a pp could get a job where they wouldn't need to understand words, numbers or the economy.

Ok. Thx for clarifying.

OP posts:
Grammarnut · 27/01/2026 23:11

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:13

It’s self explanatory

Show quote history

It's not. What is soch? Do explain. You might also like to explain how the social contract (what's left of it after neo-liberal crisis capitalism has had a go at it) will work if people opt out of the bits they think they don't want - and then have to opt back in when they realise they need them?

Peridoteage · 27/01/2026 23:11

I didn't judge your views op. I speculated where a pp could get a job where they wouldn't need to understand words, numbers or the economy.

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:11

WinterBlues26 · 27/01/2026 23:10

The chip shop is called the chippy, as you well know.

Show quote history

Not for everyone. Some of my friends call it the cod shop

OP posts:
Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:10

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 23:09

Omg @Peridoteage maybe you were right, didn't expect that one to be pulled out at this hour 😂

Show quote history

She was incorrect. I would never conform to reforms horrific views on mygrans and other subjects

OP posts:
WinterBlues26 · 27/01/2026 23:10

slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:02

Right what do you call the chizzer then?

Show quote history

The chip shop is called the chippy, as you well know.

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 23:09

slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:08

It’s actually a form of racism to assume in order to judge someone’s political views.

Show quote history

Omg @Peridoteage maybe you were right, didn't expect that one to be pulled out at this hour 😂

honeylulu · 27/01/2026 23:08

RottenBanana · 27/01/2026 22:59

Net contributor not just a tax payer. i.e. someone who pays in more than they take out. Most people are net recipients. And then there are some of us who contribute disproportionately large amounts. Some of us even consider this a position of privilege because being a net contributor means you are earning enough to not need to take any benefits out.

Show quote history

Yes this. Moreover there is a difference between someone who is a net contributor within a particular year (I am) and someone who is a net contributor across their whole lifespan (I doubt I am yet and possibly may not ever be - haven't done the maths).

Then the very good point several posters have made that today's contributors are paying for today's pensioners. You don't object to paying for children but they'll be adults and then eventually pensioners, and today's pensioners were once children so what's the difference really?

Further, it would be impossible and too expensive to administer. Imagine verifying and record keeping all the opt-out and ensuring any state pension claims would be barred. And what if you had to change your mind? That your private pension crashes, you lose your assets, you need a state pension to feed yourself. Does the state just let you starve and kick your non-contributing body into the gutter when you croak?

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:08

Peridoteage · 27/01/2026 23:06

OP where are you working that you get paid 75k+ and don't have to understand numbers, words or the economy? Are there any jobs going?

Reform party HQ?

It’s actually a form of racism to assume in order to judge someone’s political views.

OP posts:
FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 23:07

Waitingfordoggo · 27/01/2026 23:05

China? India?

Show quote history

Ah, that'll be why she's so evangelical about 2002 Hindi language crime thriller mystery film 'Soch'

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:07

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 23:06

You don't agree with "some aspects" of calculating averages?

Do you find them...mean?

Show quote history

Median actually.

OP posts:
Auroraloves · 27/01/2026 23:06

I’m not sure what SOCH stands for, I’ve googled and it doesn’t come up with anything so I’m guessing it’s an outdated term no longer used. But no @slozenger , just typing SOCH is not self explanatory

Theyreeatingthedogs · 27/01/2026 23:06

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.

Great idea. I don't want to go to prison so I don't want to pay for them either. Down with Soch!!!!

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 23:06

slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:04

I do understand it. Obviously……. I just don’t always agree with some aspects of it

Show quote history

You don't agree with "some aspects" of calculating averages?

Do you find them...mean?

Peridoteage · 27/01/2026 23:06

OP where are you working that you get paid 75k+ and don't have to understand numbers, words or the economy? Are there any jobs going?

Reform party HQ?

SouthernNights59 · 27/01/2026 23:05

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:58

Atleast you have common sense. My mind is
blown by those who are parentifying themselves into unknowing babies on the thread so they can gasp at new words and pretend they’re surprised.

Show quote history

My mind is blown by people who think they are oh so superior for using a term which apparently hasn't been in use for decades and isn't used now. Wow, I'm in awe of you (NOT). At least I know that 'at least' is two words, not one.

Waitingfordoggo · 27/01/2026 23:05

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:39

I’m from the part where they make the best tea.

Show quote history

China? India?

Peridoteage · 27/01/2026 23:05

slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:01

Probably if they’ve been working 40+ years yes. Promotions etc

Show quote history

Funny 😂 even in london median wages are way lower than this

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:05

TeenYearsAreBrutal · 27/01/2026 23:04

This I highly doubt.

Show quote history

Don’t make me pull out my payslip.!

OP posts:
MasterBeth · 27/01/2026 23:05

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 23:04

Yes you're right, most people get 75k on average per year for their whole working life. Because... promotions.

OP where are you working that you get paid 75k+ and don't have to understand numbers, words or the economy? Are there any jobs going?

Edited
Show quote history

She works in the chizzer. Cash in hand. Don't tell the Soch.

Swipe left for the next trending thread