To ask what your plan is to defeat ageism + hold on to your earning power in your 40s + 50s

[ThePassageOfTime]

I have a role leading a specialist team in tech. although I'm not a coder. I'm 43 and acutely aware of the trend to make older, more expensive workers redundant and the struggles in securing a new role. I'm expensive and assume I will eventually be laid off. This trend disproportionately affects women.

I'm working on the assumption that unless I go into civil service or similar I will be facing redundancy at some point for my late forties onwards, regardless of how current I keep my skills.

So I assume I'll have to either free lance or start a business.

How do other women in corporate roles feel about this threat/trend?

My pension is a shit show so need to work til I drop. Haven't got far to go on mortgage though and am saving for kids university etc to minimize overheads in my 50s

And yes am aware I'm privileged to be in this position in the first place.

Really interesting to read the range of experiences and perspectives, thank you.

I'm fanatical about nurturing my network, think every one of my ex bosses would hire me, indeed some have!

And I have a bunch of skills that can be sold free lance.

I guess I just wish I wasn't already having to have these thoughts at just 43. Could be a by-product of working for a VERY young company though, not many over 35s about!

I'd love some networking tips!
Having these thoughts is just a by-product of being future focused OP, I think the same and am much younger.
Many people don't think so much, just take life as it comes. Works out for some, doesn't for others.

Some companies also have younger folk due to the pace and work culture. People use it to gain a foothold, and then move on to bigger and better things. That doesn't indicate it being somewhere you want to stick around.

I’m 62 and interviewing for a new senior corporate role (tech sector but not tech role). My experience is very useful and so my previous boss has brought me along as they changed companies/roles. I expect I’ll do this for a couple of years as long as I’ve got the energy.
I have been made redundant 3 times in my career, but always moved onto new things. Ran my own business as a contractor in my 50s, from which I was hired to the best paid and most interesting job of my life.
Keep relevant and energetic, choose your boss carefully and occasionally Botox your cv a bit, and you should be fine.

Do you think I'm naïve because my experience disagrees with yours or because ultimately you're worth what people are willing to pay you, and you're not happy about it?