Despite the cause being the end of the UNIX epoch in 2038, problems will become apparent a much sooner. Like the Y2K issue - in ~2031 (or sooner), systems that

Despite the cause being the end of the UNIX epoch in 2038, problems will become apparent a much sooner. Like the Y2K issue - in ~2031 (or sooner), systems that track expiration dates or contract terms will start to run into dates past 2038. As 2038 approaches, more systems will be affected (there are relatively fewer expiration dates 7 years out vs. 5 or 3). The effects of this problem are closer than they seem - only 14 years away or less