Does anyone actually work in Software past 50 anymore? 🤔
I rarely see anyone on my floor who looks a day over 45.
If you’ve been in the industry for 25–30 years:
- Where are you hiding?
- How do you stay relevant?
- Is the retirement fund ready, or is the "50-year-old software engineer" a myth?
Let’s hear from the seniors. Is there life after 50 in tech, or is it just downhill from here? ⬇️
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I mean, even IT itself isn't that old. So its an obvious thing that you'll find no one in that age range
What about people who joined as software engineers in early 2000's and late 1990's
My question is more around their views on working in this field where every year it gets replaced with fresh talent
And if their relevance and retirement
No, it isn't obvious, because what you said is incorrect. There are companies that started well before 70s, 80s and 90s, which means that people who joined those companies then would be in their 50s now.
Also, yes I do know people who work at these F500 companies, and the roles at that point are mostly consulting, VP, top level management etc.
Yes, I have had many coworkers who are above 50 in the software industry, but they have generally moved into leadership roles (e.g. Sr. Program Manager, Director, VP, or higher C-suite roles).
Few people who stay technical, are in technical leadership roles (e.g. Principal Engineer, Principal Architect, CTO roles).
In most large companies, you will find some people in their 50s in business or technical leadership roles.
To stay relevant - learn, learn, learn. Continuous lifelong learning about technology & business is the only way to stay relevant
One thing it industry can give pocket money but no stable career
True.
Out of curiosity, at 50 in IT, have you been able ready a retirement fund by now?
Yes, the relevant and competitive ones are in C-suites or VP, or director levels
My mamaji still working at the age of 54
Well I am 36 with 13+ exp. I see few old colleagues who I worked together when I was a fresher. They started their career in manufacturing and finance the core side later they learned and moved to IT ERP side. Even after retirement they used to work on a contract basis in 2014 itself and it's 2026 and still they are kicking hard when I see their linkedin profile for them it's just a routine yeah only difference is they take roles which are good for them not some nightshift regular basis but occasionally they too work. Yeah there are people of all ages only thing you have to be ready to relocate evolve adapt.
I have atleast 4 colleagues who are 55+
My only concern is that I see 90% of IT folks are young people. Only few of them made to leadership roles, So what happened to rest of lakhs of IT Employees who are in their 50s.