To think we shouldn’t have to contribute to soch if we don’t intend to use it?

[slozenger]

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.

Same could be said of the state school system and then the number of children you have. If you have private medical or private schooling. And what if you die before you reach state pension age anyway.

no all ridiculous

Up can’t really predict where you might be when you retire. You might not feel like you’d want the pension now, but that might change.

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.

Soch? Are you talking about NI contributions? In which case you're not paying for your state pension. You're paying for the current generation of pensioner's pensions.

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.

Apart from the administrative burden and associated costs of an elective service, what about those who can’t pay in? Those who’ve paid more than they’re able to recoup? Those who stay alive longer than their contributions suggest they should? I’m quite sure you’re being deliberately provocative but if not, perhaps consider an alternative country, where every man really is for themselves. America maybe?

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

You are being ridiculous, what if I don't want children, can I withhold the bit that pays for schools?

I think anyone that wants to opt out of national collective tax should ponder if they might want to reside in a different country with different tax systems.

At the moment you don't need the state pension. In 1977 my dad was earning £700 a week 10 times the national average. His illness flared up and he got a serious virus and never worked again...we were broke and struggling on benefits 5 years later.

And remember it's not a pension pot, your contribution is paying pensions for people today as youngsters will be paying ours in the future.

Wtf is soch

So what about when a person needs healthcare not available privately?

You do realise the many complex lifesaving procedures are only available on the NHS due to the cost of specialist equipment that private companies don’t/wont invest in as they can’t make a profit from them.

Also consider what might happen when a person “confidently” opts out of a state pension….then life goes to pot and they lose their job with a private pensions that’s pitiful.

Think of the costs of administering a system with people continually opting back in and out at will.

Imagine the chaos of that system. It’d probably double your taxes to administer.

No I said that child based stuff should be something we all contribute to already.

It’s self explanatory

“It feels unfair”? Seriously, are you 12? This is not how societies work.

Consider it your civic duty to pay for services that benefit the majority of people in society who are unable to afford private healthcare, private education or a basic standard of living in retirement. What's the alternative?

This!

Yes you said that but why should you get your choice, why can't I have mine?

Do make sure you wear something visible to show you are a ‘non NHS user’ in that potential situation then; would hate for an NHS ambulance to be called for you in an emergency.

I’m still happy to pay a percentage. Just with a slight discount as I won’t be using the state pension?

It sounds like you need to live on an island on your own. In society we contribute. I pay money towards the police even though I haven't had to call them. I pay money towards the fire service even though I've never needed them. I pay money towards road maintenance even though I dont own a car and mostly travel by train. Maybe one day I'll need the police or the fire service, but in the meantime I'm really glad I'm paying towards something that helps other people.

No but it would be a good idea to keep something like that on my ID

If you want to enjoy the benefits of living in a society, you don't get to opt out of paying for it.

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