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.

I have 4 years left. Begrudgingly

Cornwall? They grow actual tea. Unlike some counties who just name the tea after themselves.

Exactly this. I am the same, in addition I don't have children and I've never had any hospital treatment (I'm 66) however I don't think I'm entitled to receive a refund for services not used. We all should contribute to society without thought to what we get out of it.

YABVVVVVVVVVVVVU OP, and if this is how you wish to live then go find that island.

So you've paid in all these years incase you needed a state pension. Now you're 4 years away from retiring and you realise you don't need it, you want your money back.

Jesus christ I've heard it all now. Just off to ring my car insurer. I didn't have a crash last year so I'd like a refund please.

So if you could choose what would you opt in or out of funding? State education, early years childcare, the police, libraries, the local swimming pool, the court system, the passport office? We could be here forever debating who funds what.

Indeed. I’ve been a fiscal researcher in UK public spending for many years and it’s a new one on me too! All I was getting was that ethnic brand, and some androgynous social media profile.

You could just say, sorry, you made a mistake - instead of being arsey and accusing posters of comprehension problems.

And you didn't spell it both ways for others. You got it wrong, spelling it "soch" in your title and then a further three times. Switching it to "sosh" didn't change much, as nobody recognised that either.

Sosh is a budget-friendly arm of telecommunications giant Orange apparently.

Should pacifists be able to opt out of the bit of tax that pays for the military?

Don't be daft.

And no, 'soch' isn't self explanatory. I've just googled it and am none the wiser. What does it stand for WRT pensions?

But OP, it’s highly unlikely you’re a net contributor…so it’s even more ridiculous you’re proposing a discount.

How is a person who pays tax not a contributor? Insulting to say the least.

My parents both worked for the DSS in Rotherham in the 70s and 80s, and neither have heard the word “Sosh”. Because it’s national insurance.

”Stamps”, back when it was a literal stamp you bought and stuck on a card, yes. “Sosh”, nope.

Maybe OP lives in the village of Twyning in Gloucestershire.

Assuming you have older relatives, does your ‘deduction’ from ‘soch(?)’ (I still haven’t a clue what it means but I’m assuming national insurance) mean that they have a deduction in their earnings. I have no idea why you won’t benefit from a state pension when the time comes, but I intend to take out of a system I’ve paid into when it’s my turn. I’ve worked since being 16 and have contributed to my community on voluntary basis since the age of 14…so I’d like to think I would deserve it…when and if I get there.

'think you’ll find I know how to spell it the MOST'😂

No. Its a social contract that as a member of the current working age population, you support the elderly who are no longer able to work. Some people will work and contribute till age 59 then drop dead of cancer & won't ever be in the position to benefit from the next generation of working age people to support them, it is what it is.

This passed me by bit slots nearly into the list of terrible words, along with holibobs, moist and hubby.

My gran called it soch in her stamp era. So it’s been around for longer than yours.

@slozenger so who would treat you if you needed emergency surgery?

Ooooooh so you think it is meant to be pronounced like gauche with an s? Like the first syllable of social?

That makes all the difference! Only joking OP you're still selfish and have no idea how the country works.

Okay, but I don't have children and don't want children, therefore I don't want to pay for anything that supports children then - so that should be fine by your logic? I'm not planning to put children through school, therefore I shouldn't have to pay for children to go to school.

I also don't claim benefits, never have and nor will I ever, therefore I don't want my taxes to support other people in such a way. So I'll pay less then to that system.

Part of being a member of society is contributing to its general running, whether you benefit from all those things or not. Before you get on at me, I am a higher rate tax payer too. But I'm happy for my tax money to support children's education, to support those who need a safety net, to support NHS treatment for all those who need it in the UK and to fund the state pension. With the expectation that if I ever need any of those services, I am also entitled to use it.

That's part of the social contract. Go live off grid and forage for berries if you don't like it.

Precisely - because the social contract means that even if we don’t have children of our own, we invest in other people’s - because they will be the doctors, the nurses, the policemen working to loo after me and me and/or my children in future decades. We pay to educate them, we pay to keep them safe, we pay to keep them healthy - not because we have children ourselves but because they will form the economic and social centre of the society I will age into.

I haven't been to the GPs in 10 years, do I get a discount for the next 10 years? My brother never had children, surely he and his wife are due a huge refund, no antenatal care, birth etc to pay for not to mention 12+ years of schooling.

Don't be silly.

Surely should be Natty Cons, like Platty Jubs?

Bravo! And that is why I said we should all support child based stuff from the get go of my thread!!!!!!

I had no idea, I don't live in the UK (and before you think of moving here you can't opt out here either). Incidentally when I Googled it I got the same search results as pps have mentioned, nothing at all about social security.

Where did I leave that box of frogs ?
🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸🐸