Comment Re:Stay Put (Score 1) 772
I have another 5 years left in the field and I'm aware of it....
If you're any good, you probably have another ten at least. Age-out in dev doesn't really start until 45, and isn't enforced with too much vigor until 55. After that, it'll totally depend on how many months ago your HR people finished college...
I wonder what will happen if all a whole generation of IT people are out of work because they are "too expensive".
I was in IT before the 2000 bubble burst. They handed out truckloads of money. The bubble burst and no one could afford to pay anyone those crazy rates any more. As a result, a lot of people were suddenly out of work, and a lot of work ground to a halt. Eventually work returned, but at a much reduced (some say "corrected") rate. A lot of people changed industries or otherwise never made it back.
It'll probably be similar. As all of the experienced people become "too expensive" they'll be cut in large numbers, resulting in a lot of work that can't be done, because you really can't cut all of that experience. The returning group will be smaller, and less expensive.
Take advantage of the money times, and save a lot more than you think you'll need. Prepare to reduce your lifestyle to fit a future budget when the cuts come. Repeat as necessary.