Net contributor or Burden on the state?

[Whyareblokesonhere]

Am I being unreasonable to think that the vast majority of us don't believe we are 'burdens' on public money.

I earn reasonable money, around £65k per year, I assumed that would make me a net contributor, after all I seem to be paying tax left right and center, however whilst it's not actually an easy calculation, I realised today that I'm most likely a burden, mostly due to have several children.

Not a big user of anything medical aside from birth but that must skew things significantly. Two car household and household income of around £80k.

So very likely that I'm actually a burden, changes my perspective somewhat.

So AIBU to think most of us assume incorrectly that we are net contributors?

Also interested as to whether you think you are or aren't? Obviously MN is the land of ultra wealthy as we all know so not a scientific study by any stretch!

I’m a burden. I have a child, 2 car family. 3-5 holidays a year. We’re financially comfortable, home owners, I tend to update interiors regularly, I’m wasteful, I am trying not to be.

I am a burden. Am on UC, an have had a lot of treatment from the NHS.
However, seeing myself as a burden is not really a healthy way to view myself.... even more so other people.

um...OP of course several children makes you less of a contributor!

I don't know how it works for me, regular meds, now down to 6 prescriptions a year. But single, childfree, paying council tax and income tax for 27 years.

These aren't factors though?

I read the other day the the Baby boomers will on average contribute £60000 over their lifetimes and receive benefits of 1.2m. Gen Z is looking to be the other way round (adjusted for inflation)

3 children (2 adult tax payers no kids) long term disabled on benefits use the NHS quite a bit so i've been a burden for years and am aware

only saving grace is i own my own home (no mortgage) so that saves the state a bit as otherwise it would be costing the local council alot to house me and especially when i had three dependents

Contributor, I think. Top (45%) tax rate payer, 60% marginal rate paid on part of it. 2 DC but both in private school, rarely use the NHS as thankfully all have good health at the moment. I guess I could turn burden when labour add VAT to school fees as the kids will move to state school.

Really interesting question. We're not particularly high income (household around £45k) so don't pay in an awful lot but I don't feel like we use a lot of services either. Two small children so maybe we do. Child benefit. Oh and one lot of funded nursery hours. I don't feel like a burden. But then should people racking up use of services/benefits/disability money feel like a burden? I hope not.

So in answer to your question, I don't feel like a burden, but quite possibly am. It's like that statistic that I'll paraphrase incorrectly about the top 10% of people having 90% of the income, or whatever it is. Are the top 10% of earners subsidising everyone else? Maybe if they weren't tax dodgers anyway.

I'm lucky to have good health and a reasonable job so I'm probably even.

I'll probably work to 67 so health permitting I will become a net contributor - but who knows after that? I'm hoping to live disreputably into old age.

Not being a burden is largely down to luck.

Just shy of £100k/year household income and we will never pay enough tax for the amount of healthcare we’ve received, let alone anything else. NICU stays and surgeries for two children, plus long term medication for DS which is thousands a month, and some IVF too.

Work as an NHS consultant and do give them way more than the work I am paid for on the flip side. Not sure this is exactly ideal though.

How do you work out what to include? Costs etc. Is there a calculator somewhere (and if not, why not?).

I imagine that I'm a net contributor. Higher/top rate taxpayer for years, no children, private healthcare (including GP) for years. Occasional car use (mostly I walk).

I agree, and well pointed out.

it would be fascinating to have a calculator to work it out!

Isn't the cut off between 'burden' and 'net contributor' around about the 40% tax limit? There will be variations around that, mainly around healthcare and children in education but that's probably a reasonable cut off. And children are only in school for 13 years but parents are paying tax for 40 plus years.

Ooh do you have a source? That sounds really interesting.

And 'burden' is the wrong word. It benefits all of us to have a system where we have minimum standards of living, free education and a healthcare service.

The last statistic I read stated 56% of the population were net tax contributors. The top 1% contribute about a third of all tax revenues. I don’t think people quite realise how expensive being ill is. A friend of mine with terminal cancer (6 years from diagnosis to death) ran up over a million in medical fees on the NHS.

Definitely net contributors for at least 20 years.

DH and I pay over £50k in paye tax, NI and corporation tax every year.

3 cars, 2 with fairly high annual road tax.

Private health insurance and more often than not private GP and blood tests etc.

One child in state school. Regularly donate money for school resources. I serve as a parent governor. Raised over £30k for the primary school as chair of PTA.

I don’t think I’m a burden
I earn around £50k and have no dependants
However I do have a disability so need medical treatment and claim PIP

Eea immigrant (in adulthood) so most likely net contributor as I didn't use any school, healthcare etc for half my life. Also childfree with minimal NHS and other resources use

Is that a typo on the £60k? Would only be £1k pm of tax for five years

It would be interesting to know, wouldn't it.

On the cost side, I've had
primary & secondary education,
an undergraduate degree at a post-92,
one hospital birth,
one emergency op
one set of cancer treatment.
three months furlough

Set against being a higher rate tax payer for 30 years, and having paid 40 years NI. I'd like to think I've covered my costs.

Without "the burdens", the "net contributors" wouldn't be able to earn what they earn. Society itself may not function.

We are all connected. Society would certainly notice a lack of people who were "burdens!

@OneHundredOtters , does that include any inheritance tax after they’ve popped their clogs?