Hi
I have a situation in my career and thought to get guidance / perspectives from this platform.
I have been working in IT close 30 years and I am 58 now. I am a US national, worked in US for 11+ years, moved to India about 14 years back. All the time I have been working for the same company. I have close to 1.5 years for my 60.
My situation is that - personally I am fit and can work for few more years in my current capacity. Health wise, I would say moderate (not excellent). I also have financial obligations to settle my younger son with his education. He may need assistance for 4 more years. (If I don't work, I need to eat into my veteran corpus to support him.
My elder son is back in US for the past 5 years as after he finished his masters is US and working over there.
Needless to say I have both interest and need to work for some more time.
Now in my company, off late there appears to be a new HR policy and few of the employees (like me) are being be taken back as consultants and receive their services. I am not fully aware of the financial terms though. This would be yearly review based opportunity. I raised this with my management. They are yet to return to me on this.
At the same time, my company as well needs similar services (from experienced professionals) back in US and are expanding the business there too. Being a US citizen, it is a natural process for them to take me back, possibly.
The advantage in this US route is - it is like regular full time employment with the standard compensation structure. There are staff over there up to 65+ or more (or even 70s).
Now the question I have is
- what are the merits or constraints of a) working as a consultant in India on an yearly basis or b) returning to US for a full time employment?
- in case of route b) is chosen what are precautions / expectations to be set by oneself own, before considering the US return option?
I understand a lot could dependent on individual needs, taste and personal situations. But I would like to know from this group is is share their inputs / comments.
Thanks in advance for your valuable inputs.
Cheers!!!
Kris
(I am new to this website, if there is any other group I should post this for rules / better response, please feel free to suggest. I will be glad to move).
From India, Bengaluru
1I have a situation in my career and thought to get guidance / perspectives from this platform.
I have been working in IT close 30 years and I am 58 now. I am a US national, worked in US for 11+ years, moved to India about 14 years back. All the time I have been working for the same company. I have close to 1.5 years for my 60.
My situation is that - personally I am fit and can work for few more years in my current capacity. Health wise, I would say moderate (not excellent). I also have financial obligations to settle my younger son with his education. He may need assistance for 4 more years. (If I don't work, I need to eat into my veteran corpus to support him.
My elder son is back in US for the past 5 years as after he finished his masters is US and working over there.
Needless to say I have both interest and need to work for some more time.
Now in my company, off late there appears to be a new HR policy and few of the employees (like me) are being be taken back as consultants and receive their services. I am not fully aware of the financial terms though. This would be yearly review based opportunity. I raised this with my management. They are yet to return to me on this.
At the same time, my company as well needs similar services (from experienced professionals) back in US and are expanding the business there too. Being a US citizen, it is a natural process for them to take me back, possibly.
The advantage in this US route is - it is like regular full time employment with the standard compensation structure. There are staff over there up to 65+ or more (or even 70s).
Now the question I have is
- what are the merits or constraints of a) working as a consultant in India on an yearly basis or b) returning to US for a full time employment?
- in case of route b) is chosen what are precautions / expectations to be set by oneself own, before considering the US return option?
I understand a lot could dependent on individual needs, taste and personal situations. But I would like to know from this group is is share their inputs / comments.
Thanks in advance for your valuable inputs.
Cheers!!!
Kris
(I am new to this website, if there is any other group I should post this for rules / better response, please feel free to suggest. I will be glad to move).
From India, Bengaluru
Dear Kris36,
Thanks for approaching this forum for the guidance. Not just juniors, but those who are on the verge of their retirement also approach this forum. Your post, though indirectly, demonstrates the strength of this forum.
Whether to take a full-time job in the US or take consultancy in India? You are on the horns of a dilemma and wanted help in taking the decision.
A quick solution that can be offered is based on your plans to spend your twilight years. Whether you decide to work in India or in the US, a time will come wherein you need to hang your boots. Thereafter, where do you wish to spend your retired life? Whether in the US or in India? Both have merits and demerits. I have done the analysis as below:
a) Working in India: - This choice will help in maintaining a cash flow but on a reduced scale. Nevertheless, it will help you stay rooted in your tradition in some way or another. At least a few times, you can see your relatives. Nevertheless, the consultancy will be renewed year after year. What if the company refuses to renew your consultancy after 60? Secondly, you will have to pay the premium for health insurance on your own. This will give a dent in your pocket.
b) Working in the US: - Since this is full-time employment, you will enjoy the benefits of social security. Working in the US will help generate surplus cash. This can be set aside for your son's education. This will give you reprieve even if you face an eventuality of any kind.
From my side, I recommend you exercise the option (b). Whether to continue in the US or come back to India, a call can be taken depending on the prevailing situation at that time. Whether in India or in the US, you should stay with your children. The children who educate in the US, never come back to India. Therefore, it appears to me that you will spend your retired life in the US.
All the best!
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Thanks for approaching this forum for the guidance. Not just juniors, but those who are on the verge of their retirement also approach this forum. Your post, though indirectly, demonstrates the strength of this forum.
Whether to take a full-time job in the US or take consultancy in India? You are on the horns of a dilemma and wanted help in taking the decision.
A quick solution that can be offered is based on your plans to spend your twilight years. Whether you decide to work in India or in the US, a time will come wherein you need to hang your boots. Thereafter, where do you wish to spend your retired life? Whether in the US or in India? Both have merits and demerits. I have done the analysis as below:
a) Working in India: - This choice will help in maintaining a cash flow but on a reduced scale. Nevertheless, it will help you stay rooted in your tradition in some way or another. At least a few times, you can see your relatives. Nevertheless, the consultancy will be renewed year after year. What if the company refuses to renew your consultancy after 60? Secondly, you will have to pay the premium for health insurance on your own. This will give a dent in your pocket.
b) Working in the US: - Since this is full-time employment, you will enjoy the benefits of social security. Working in the US will help generate surplus cash. This can be set aside for your son's education. This will give you reprieve even if you face an eventuality of any kind.
From my side, I recommend you exercise the option (b). Whether to continue in the US or come back to India, a call can be taken depending on the prevailing situation at that time. Whether in India or in the US, you should stay with your children. The children who educate in the US, never come back to India. Therefore, it appears to me that you will spend your retired life in the US.
All the best!
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Dear Dinesh,
Thank you for prompt and insightful response. Your analysis makes sense. Option b) is was what it seems to be gravitating to. You rightfully mentioned the healthcare coverage option impact (I took a oversight on it).
In early part of the career we didn't think so much to go to US, as we landed there with just a suitcase and few hundred dollars in packet. But realized later part of life that - that move is a lot. That's why we returned to India as a family.
After 14 years of life back in India, I NOW want to be more careful and thoughtful for any such decision / action again.
Hence I am seeking a 3rd set of eyes to know what they would consider if they are in my shoes. Hence the request to this audience.
But, you know for most of the Indians(of our generation, at the least), kids means a lot in life. So if I have to be in US, I will, and no hesitation on that.
Also there is nothing written in stone. I can pursue route b) as much as I can. And if I can come back to India in future, I always can.
Looks like vicious circle, right? Indeed it is :-). Its all what we make out ..
Once again, thanks for your comments and valuable time.
Cheers!!!
Kris
From India, Bengaluru
Thank you for prompt and insightful response. Your analysis makes sense. Option b) is was what it seems to be gravitating to. You rightfully mentioned the healthcare coverage option impact (I took a oversight on it).
In early part of the career we didn't think so much to go to US, as we landed there with just a suitcase and few hundred dollars in packet. But realized later part of life that - that move is a lot. That's why we returned to India as a family.
After 14 years of life back in India, I NOW want to be more careful and thoughtful for any such decision / action again.
Hence I am seeking a 3rd set of eyes to know what they would consider if they are in my shoes. Hence the request to this audience.
But, you know for most of the Indians(of our generation, at the least), kids means a lot in life. So if I have to be in US, I will, and no hesitation on that.
Also there is nothing written in stone. I can pursue route b) as much as I can. And if I can come back to India in future, I always can.
Looks like vicious circle, right? Indeed it is :-). Its all what we make out ..
Once again, thanks for your comments and valuable time.
Cheers!!!
Kris
From India, Bengaluru
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