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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:
FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 22:58

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:54

I would self treat myself. As I always do anyway.

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

TipsyCoralOtter · 27/01/2026 22:57

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:53

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

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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.

Sparklesandspandexgallore · 27/01/2026 22:57

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:16

I’ve never said to duly opt out. Just that I’d like a discount for what I will not benefit from.

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Well wouldn’t we all.

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

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.

SapphOhNo · 27/01/2026 22:57

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:54

I would self treat myself. As I always do anyway.

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Well you wouldn't self treat someone else...

Keep digging OP.

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:57

MasterBeth · 27/01/2026 22:56

No, because "soc" would be pronounced "sock".

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Not if you know the word you’re reading.

OP posts:
MasterBeth · 27/01/2026 22:56

2ndtimefinances · 27/01/2026 22:55

Surely if it is an abbreviation for Social it should be Soc'???
But I understood that to be the old term for the 'dole' & other associated benefits of the 80's, which are very different to the current UC system

No, because "soc" would be pronounced "sock".

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:56

YourJustOrca · 27/01/2026 22:56

Treat yourself with your child benefit money .

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With 0 kids. Nice one!!!

OP posts:
YourJustOrca · 27/01/2026 22:56

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:54

I would self treat myself. As I always do anyway.

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Treat yourself with your child benefit money .

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 22:56

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:53

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

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Lolllll

Try and read it again.

Genuinely, having been momentarily grumpy paying quite a massive tax bill today (I just call it tax, call me modern I know) this has properly cheered me up. Noone so clueless as she who thinks she's got all the answers eh.

Boudy · 27/01/2026 22:56

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:54

I would self treat myself. As I always do anyway.

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Hmmmm

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:56

TeenYearsAreBrutal · 27/01/2026 22:55

Whaaaaat?

of course you’re a contributor if you pay tax. But it’s doubtful you’re a NET CONTRIBUTOR. Ie you’ve paid at least enough in contributions to fully cover the cost of services you’ve utilized over the course of your lifetime.

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Well obviously I have if I’m 4 years away from retirement? ARENT I !!!

OP posts:
MasterBeth · 27/01/2026 22:56

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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Who the fuck calls it the chizzer?

AstonScrapingsNameChange · 27/01/2026 22:55

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:54

I would self treat myself. As I always do anyway.

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Lol.

This thread is brilliant

🍿

TeenYearsAreBrutal · 27/01/2026 22:55

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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Whaaaaat?

of course you’re a contributor if you pay tax. But it’s doubtful you’re a NET CONTRIBUTOR. Ie you’ve paid at least enough in contributions to fully cover the cost of services you’ve utilized over the course of your lifetime.

2ndtimefinances · 27/01/2026 22:55

Surely if it is an abbreviation for Social it should be Soc'???
But I understood that to be the old term for the 'dole' & other associated benefits of the 80's, which are very different to the current UC system

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:54

TooBored1 · 27/01/2026 22:54

Which private ambulance will you call when you have an accident and which private hospital will they take you too? And which non-NHS funded medical school will your nurses, Drs, etc have attended?

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I would self treat myself. As I always do anyway.

OP posts:
bumptybum · 27/01/2026 22:54

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:10

Well I don’t really want to pay for that either as I won’t be having one so feels quite unfair.

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Did you have children? Use the NHS? Ever be in receipt of any kind of benefit? Use government funded services?

there are people out there who won’t have used some of these things but they paid.

MasterBeth · 27/01/2026 22:54

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:51

Thank god we have someone in here that understands. It’s So-Shh
Like saying Social with out the ‘ial’ part

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"Soch" is a really bad attempt at trying to replicate that sound. What words are spelled -och and pronounced like the first bit of social?

TooBored1 · 27/01/2026 22:54

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.

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Which private ambulance will you call when you have an accident and which private hospital will they take you too? And which non-NHS funded medical school will your nurses, Drs, etc have attended?

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:54

Tigerbalmshark · 27/01/2026 22:52

It’s been called National Insurance since it was introduced in 1911…

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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

OP posts:
Boudy · 27/01/2026 22:54

I am laughing so much..truly excellent stuff😂

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:53

TipsyCoralOtter · 27/01/2026 22:52

Many people are not net contributors. The estimate is you have to pay 17k alone in taxes per year to be a net contributor.

If you earn 32 grand and have 3 kids, you're taking more out of the system than you're putting in.

If you earn 150 grand with no kids, you're taking less out of the system than you put in.

The purpose of the tax system we have is so those who are working in lower paid, necessary jobs, and having children, for example, are not at a significant disadvantage for doing so. Thus UC that tops up wages, payments towards childcare, etc. Its not a perfect system but it's better than every man or woman for himself like you seem to think.

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

OP posts:
FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 22:52

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:49

Where has anyone stated a refund? You’re late to the thread and trying to be funny. It’s failed.

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But you're being funny unintentionally, which is worse.