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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:
IngridBurger · 28/01/2026 11:10

MyDeftDuck · 28/01/2026 10:40

Ok, so how are you going to treat a heart attack, stroke, or worse still, a cardiac arrest? 🤔🤔

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TCP. As long as she's stockpiled enough.

iThinkYouAreWonderful · 28/01/2026 11:05

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.

I have to say I really dislike the idea of this. I was not aware of this. Is this how it works? So with all the low birth rate, longer lives etc, our poor children will be shouldering the pensions of a much bigger aged population? Sounds miserable for them! We must do something!

ThePrecisionsifthisislove · 28/01/2026 10:54

MathiasBroucek · 28/01/2026 10:51

Rage bait?

Most definitely ..I won't use the NHS
I take it the crystal ball has been consulted.

Brefugee · 28/01/2026 10:51

hilarity bait, if you read all OPs posts.

MathiasBroucek · 28/01/2026 10:51

Rage bait?

MyDeftDuck · 28/01/2026 10:50

Elbowpatch · 28/01/2026 10:42

Only came on here to find out what soch was. I’m a bit disappointed to find it’s just a word the OP made up.

Have to admit, I was intrigued too Elbowpatch. It soon occurred to me that SOCH was a way of spelling the verbal abbreviation of Social ……’soshe’ might have been a clearer spelling but hey ho. Back in the day some folk used to call it ‘welfare’ but as with a lot of things, it is a regional thing.

But I’m now more intrigued by the declaration of self treatment by the OP…….yes, ok, so we can all mostly treat a scrape, cut, headache, rash,……..but once the big stuff starts playing up??? Bring on the professionals, there’s no way I’m repairing my own fractured neck of femur! 🤣🤣

Gall10 · 28/01/2026 10:47

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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Why not just say you’re voting reform?

Clychaugog · 28/01/2026 10:45

I really hate this attitude. 'I'm alright, Jack'

Happy to support others in society as wealth (or poverty) is mostly an accident of birth.

MrsJeanLuc · 28/01/2026 10:45

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:13

It’s self explanatory

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What planet are you on?

Answer the question. Wtf is soch?

Brefugee · 28/01/2026 10:43

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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nope.

Either you can opt in and out of things you don't use, or you can't.

You are saying "well i will never use a pension so i'm not contributing but anyone who is unable to have children must still contribute to schools for my offspring"

Consistency is key, but your idea is rubbish.

Elbowpatch · 28/01/2026 10:42

Only came on here to find out what soch was. I’m a bit disappointed to find it’s just a word the OP made up.

ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 28/01/2026 10:40

If you want to go and live alone in the woods, then yes.

If you want to remain part of the wider society with all the security and benefits that brings - no.

MyDeftDuck · 28/01/2026 10:40

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:54

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

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Ok, so how are you going to treat a heart attack, stroke, or worse still, a cardiac arrest? 🤔🤔

Emigree · 28/01/2026 10:36

No man is an island
(except possibly the Isle of Man)

Also - I've never heard the term Soch used before , we referred to the Department of Stealth and Total Obscurity in the town and place I grew up in, but it would be ridiculous if I posted a thread using that term without any explanation and expected the whole world to get that reference...

CasperGutman · 28/01/2026 10:34

Having googled the meaning of 'soch', I now understand it to be a Hindi word for 'thought'. It does seem like the OP has already opted out of soch, so I suppose we can't really stop this.

JG24 · 28/01/2026 10:28

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've read up to here and thought the same thing the whole time. Who on earth pays this person £75k+ a year!

DeftWasp · 28/01/2026 10:27

Needspaceforlego · 28/01/2026 09:47

Yip I've seen a bill for someone giving birth in an ambulance 🚑 in a Walmart carpark.

That's not something I'd like to see in the UK.
That said there are people who think ambulances are an alternative to getting a lift to hospital.
Lots of people seemed to think calling an ambulance instead of asking family for a lift is acceptable answer for an injured child on another thread.

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Exactly, I'd recommend anyone who bashes the NHS to watch the Michael Moore film Sicko, which shows how the utopia US system works, and the huge amount it costs if you are not covered.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/01/2026 10:24

What if I picked not to contribute to health but then I needed treatment when old? Would you want a system where people are then left to die, as that’s their choice?

Equally, what if you lost everything and then needed the state pension? Would you want society to say “no you have to starve”?

snowmichael · 28/01/2026 10:24

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:13

It’s self explanatory

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It really isn't

It's not a UK acronym at all

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/01/2026 10:23

No, I don’t think we should be able to pick and choose the bits of taxes we contribute to.

DeftWasp · 28/01/2026 10:23

ClearFruit · 28/01/2026 10:08

I am 47 and have never heard that phrase in my life.

You're the facetious one.

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I'm 46, never heard of it.

DeftWasp · 28/01/2026 10:22

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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There is no such thing as a non NHS user, the NHS provide all the emergency services and A&E facilities, private hospitals don't have these facilities. Private GPs can't issue free NHS prescriptions if you are entitled they run them through the NHS, Everyone uses the NHS to some extent or will have to at some point.

ExceptionTreat · 28/01/2026 10:22

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:13

It’s self explanatory

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I don’t think you know what ‘self-explanatory’ means. Esp as you have spelt it two different ways yourself.

understandyourdilemma · 28/01/2026 10:18

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:13

It’s self explanatory

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How rude!

ClearFruit · 28/01/2026 10:08

slozenger · 27/01/2026 22:27

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

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I am 47 and have never heard that phrase in my life.

You're the facetious one.