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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:
Doggymummar · 27/01/2026 22:32

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:13

It’s self explanatory

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No clue, Some Ones Central Heating?

wiffin · 27/01/2026 22:32

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:29

I think there are better ways - for example

If you want to use public services - pay more sosh.
If you do not - pay less, for example 1% discount for non NHS user.

Show quote history

Or you could leave the country? Then you definitely won't be using services.

AgentPidge · 27/01/2026 22:31

MasterBeth · 27/01/2026 22:29

I do now, because you just posted what you mean by it.

I have never in my 57 years heard the word.

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I used to work for DSS and I've never heard of it either.

BlackCatDiscoClub · 27/01/2026 22:31

MasterBeth · 27/01/2026 22:27

Soch & Co
Rooted in traditional letterpress printing and a love for clever design, our collections mix everyday joy with timeless craft.

Oh in which case I would also like to reduce my contributions. I only want to give 1% of my annual earnings to traditional letter press printing as I expect to be able to fund my own private letter press printing

AfraidToRun · 27/01/2026 22:31

And to think someone once said there's no such thing as society...

JustAnotherWhinger · 27/01/2026 22:31

If you do not - pay less, for example 1% discount for non NHS user.

How does someone guarantee they'll never be a NHS user?

Genuinely curious? As if you get hit by a car tomorrow, or have a stroke, or any number of emergency situations that require an ambulance and/emergency treatment then you'll become one

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 22:30

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:29

I think there are better ways - for example

If you want to use public services - pay more sosh.
If you do not - pay less, for example 1% discount for non NHS user.

Show quote history

What's sosh? Is it more expensive than soch? If so I'll stick with soch.
Unless there's an option to pay sash instead? I do miss the Brownies and earning all my badges.

GrethaGreen · 27/01/2026 22:30

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:29

I think there are better ways - for example

If you want to use public services - pay more sosh.
If you do not - pay less, for example 1% discount for non NHS user.

Show quote history

What do you mean non NHS- user.
If you collapse in the street tomorrow, an ambulance will be called and you are an NHS
user…

cardibach · 27/01/2026 22:30

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 27/01/2026 22:21

I'm in my 40s and had no idea what it was. Yes I Googled it and now know but to assume everyone knows what you're talking about or that it's self explanatory just makes you look like a bit of a knob really.

You know nothing until you know it

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I googled. Just got something about Hindi films. No idea what @slozenger is on about.

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:30

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 22:29

Bit rich to pretend it's a common term when you don't even know how to spell it yourself

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Well I think you’ll find I know how to spell it the MOST as I’m the one who used the word first. I’ve spelt it both ways for those who struggle with comprehension.

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 27/01/2026 22:30

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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But then the same could be said of paying in to cover children. I dint want some, why should I contribute anything towards them?

Anything can happen over the decades, I'm sure you won't need to claim a state pension but what happens if you withdraw y o ir contributions and something catastrophic happens. Do we, as a society, allow you to starve in the gutter?

wiffin · 27/01/2026 22:30

Sofado · 27/01/2026 22:09

The contributions you make to the state pension aren’t for you, though, they are to provide pensions for current pensioners. It’s part of the social contract that civilised countries are based on.

This.

Am also amused when people think k they will never need the NHS. Like private will scrape you off the road after a car accident. Private health insurance is not the same as NHS but with shorter waits, carpet and obsequious staff.

What your taxes are spent on are not a pick n mix. If you don't like it, vote. Or get involved in politics. But as Sofado said, it's part of a civilised society.

Chemenger · 27/01/2026 22:30

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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Well I was employed well before 2001 and I had no idea what you were talking about.

PandoraSocks · 27/01/2026 22:29

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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Bollox. The term has always been National Insurance contributions. Which is why everyone gets given a National Insurance number.

notatinydancer · 27/01/2026 22:29

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:13

It’s self explanatory

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It’s not. That’s why people are asking.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 27/01/2026 22:29

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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I used to work in state pensions in the 90s and have never heard of soch

Duckishness · 27/01/2026 22:29

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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Where do you draw the line. People pay loads of taxes that aren’t applicable to them, not just health and pension.

Original poster
slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:29

Acommonreader · 27/01/2026 22:27

Unfair! I don’t have a child with SEND but I’m happy to pay for those that do.
Im not homeless or in need of benefits but am happy to pay for those that do.
I will probably never need a fire engine, police detective , social worker or brain surgeon but I’m glad they are all provided by my taxes.
Do you actually think society would function if we were all like you?

Show quote history

I think there are better ways - for example

If you want to use public services - pay more sosh.
If you do not - pay less, for example 1% discount for non NHS user.

OP posts:
ItsOnlyHobnobs · 27/01/2026 22:29

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 27/01/2026 22:21

Why have I just paid three grand to uplift my state pension?

Edited
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The current NI funds raised annually are being used for the current pensioners, that’s what people mean when they say it’s not a ‘personal pot’ (and why the declining birth rate is of concern.)

You paid a £3k uplift as to be eligible to receive the full entitlement of state pension when you reach pensionable age, you have to meet a minimum number of years into full NI contributions. You can purchase qualifying years to reach the minimum entry, and depending on how long you live it’s generally considered favourably.

Mere1 · 27/01/2026 22:29

Sofado · 27/01/2026 22:09

The contributions you make to the state pension aren’t for you, though, they are to provide pensions for current pensioners. It’s part of the social contract that civilised countries are based on.

This!

MasterBeth · 27/01/2026 22:29

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:27

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

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I do now, because you just posted what you mean by it.

I have never in my 57 years heard the word.

FrodoBiggins · 27/01/2026 22:29

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:27

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

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Bit rich to pretend it's a common term when you don't even know how to spell it yourself

Cupboarddoorknob · 27/01/2026 22:28

It’s part of the deal of living in this country. You can leave and live elsewhere where this is not part of the deal if you like.

Waitingfordoggo · 27/01/2026 22:27

I Googled soch and an Indian clothing brand was one of the results. So was the OP’s thread. That was about it.

Acommonreader · 27/01/2026 22:27

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.

Show quote history

Unfair! I don’t have a child with SEND but I’m happy to pay for those that do.
Im not homeless or in need of benefits but am happy to pay for those that do.
I will probably never need a fire engine, police detective , social worker or brain surgeon but I’m glad they are all provided by my taxes.
Do you actually think society would function if we were all like you?