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AIBU?

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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:
Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:04

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

OP posts:
TeenYearsAreBrutal · 27/01/2026 23:04

slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:00

Well I am already earning more than that. So I am a net contributor. TOUcHE

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This I highly doubt.

BigAnne · 27/01/2026 23:04

The op's a witty leg puller.

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 23:04

slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:01

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

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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?

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:02

WinterBlues26 · 27/01/2026 23:02

Shock

Nope, not heard of those either.

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Right what do you call the chizzer then?

OP posts:
LLJETO · 27/01/2026 23:02

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:39

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

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Newcastle? Ringtons, obviously. Much better than Yorkshire Tea.

WinterBlues26 · 27/01/2026 23:02

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:54

But do you not understand? That is what a lot of people in my area called it - like
some of you call a chip shop the CHIPPER or
the CHIZZER? It’s regional

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Shock

Nope, not heard of those either.

2ndtimefinances · 27/01/2026 23:02

Hence the apostrophe to soften the 'c' & demonstrate it is an abbreviation & not an anacronym.

Waitingfordoggo · 27/01/2026 23:02

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:53

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

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You didn’t read that properly.
Not EARN 17k but pay 17k in tax.

Why are you paying your taxes defiantly? Who are you defying? Sounds like you’re complying tbh.

Also you aren’t a contribution but a contributor. Sounds like some of everyone’s taxes should be spent on sending you back to school for a few years.

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

Tigerbalmshark · 27/01/2026 23:01

You think “most people” earn over £75k per year? Every year, across their whole lifetimes? Not most households, most individuals?

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

OP posts:
Tigerbalmshark · 27/01/2026 23:01

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:58

Well that would be most people then

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You think “most people” earn over £75k per year? Every year, across their whole lifetimes? Not most households, most individuals?

SouthernNights59 · 27/01/2026 23:00

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:47

My gran called it soch in her stamp era. So it’s been around for longer than yours.

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We just call it tax where I live - much simpler, and everyone knows what we mean.

DurinsBane · 27/01/2026 23:00

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:53

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

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Pay over 17k in taxes, not earn over 17k

Empress13 · 27/01/2026 23:00

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:25

Social Securtity contributions. Prior to 2001 this was their name, and therefore how I choose to word it, as I have done for the entirety of my life.

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So why couldn’t you have said that originally when asked instead of being a knob!

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 23:00

Tigerbalmshark · 27/01/2026 22:59

£17k in tax. So that’s about £75k per year.

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Well I am already earning more than that. So I am a net contributor. TOUcHE

OP posts:
RottenBanana · 27/01/2026 22:59

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:46

How is a person who pays tax not a contributor? Insulting to say the least.

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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.

Tigerbalmshark · 27/01/2026 22:59

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:53

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

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£17k in tax. So that’s about £75k per year.

Peridoteage · 27/01/2026 22:59

My grandparents were from the north & referred to the "social" but it meant benefits, eg "on the social" meant receiving unemployed benefits. I've never heard it referred to in relation to national insurance or pensions (that was stamps or "your stamp"). Social security is a more American phrase.

You are being rather individualistic. Your obligation to contribute national insurance is separate to your entitlement to receive pensions. You are paying in because its a form of taxation, its redistributive, its moving money from those who have it to those who don't. If everyone opted out the elderly and vulnerable & low paid would starve, and then who would serve you in shops & restaurants and wipe your arse in a care home?

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 22:59

MasterBeth · 27/01/2026 22:56

Who the fuck calls it the chizzer?

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Asking the big questions 😂

MasterBeth · 27/01/2026 22:59

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:57

Not if you know the word you’re reading.

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But no-one knows that the word "soc" is supposed to be pronounced "soesh".

AstonScrapingsNameChange · 27/01/2026 22:59

Cadenza12 · 27/01/2026 22:57

Yes and your pension scheme goes bust and you starve? Or you have an emergency and need A and E are you going to bleed to death on the pavement or whatever? The state provides a safety net which we all hope we don't actually need.

Didn't you read the previous comment?

Op treats themselves rather than go to A&E (visions of them sitting there with a sewing kit and bottle of tcp)

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:58

TipsyCoralOtter · 27/01/2026 22:57

You've misread me. It's not earning over 17k. It's paying over 17k worth of taxes per year, per person in your household.

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Well that would be most people then

OP posts:
Boudy · 27/01/2026 22:58

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 22:58

With the greatest of kindness, it might be time to try some alternative input

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😂🤣

HopSpringsEternal · 27/01/2026 22:58

You really don't understand how it works.
What if your private pension fails? As has happened to many people over the years. Should we let you starve?
Stating you won't use the NHS highlights that you don't understand how healthcare works in this country
Try rocking up a a BUPA a&e after a car crash needing entry into their ICU

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:58

BlackCatDiscoClub · 27/01/2026 22:57

'Soch' is in the Scottish dialect, its used as an exclamation for when you find out how much of your tax went on keeping pensioners alive

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.

OP posts: