There are computer developers (not just software) who are working into their 70s. Guess it all depends on how you view your career and what things you are doin

There are computer developers (not just software) who are working into their 70s. Guess it all depends on how you view your career and what things you are doing. While the 20 year olds may be able to type faster and use newer tools, they lack the expert wisdom gained from decades of hands-on experience. From my perspective (I'm 48) I see the industry having to reinvent some wheel or other every 10 or so years, a lot of stuff developed years ago is being written all over again for microcomputers, then the web, then netbooks, now mobile, and soon Google glass, add in in-car apps etc. For us guys who wrote that sort of stuff earlier in their career it's old hack to do it again and also improve upon the old designs with new capacity connectivity and technologies. As far as transitioning out, there's a lot of skill and experience that comes with age, many people start a new business or career at retirement based on their knowledge, hobbies and/or experience. You will find many famous authors, painters, cartoonists, etc. got their start later in life. Long run? Have a hobby or three, keep learning, hone your craft, do stuff, think of what you want to become as you get older. Don't rely on a particular industry to always keep you employed/happy/busy. Never think that after a certain age you can't do anything else, you can always do something different.