Retirement Plans in India After 20+ Years in US: A Family's Global Citizen Journey
A couple shares their 30-year journey across continents—India to US to Bangalore to New Jersey to Michigan. Every 7 years brought a new chapter. Now planning their 2028 return to Bangalore for retirement, while their sons build lives in the US.
In this story
A couple shares their remarkable 30-year journey across continents—from India to the US, back to Bangalore, then to New Jersey and Michigan. Every 7 years brought a new chapter. Now they're planning their 2028 return to Bangalore.
Key Insights from This Story
- 30+ years of moves: India → US → Bangalore → NJ → Michigan
- Seven-year pattern: Major life changes every 7 years
- Two sons: Elder at GM (married), younger at NYU Stern
- 2028 plan: Return to Bangalore as primary base
- Global citizens: India as base, US connections maintained
- Music: Key to maintaining culture across generations
The Journey Overview
This couple describes themselves as "global citizens" and "economic nomads"—a term that perfectly captures their adventurous approach to life.
Timeline of Moves
| Period | Location | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| Initial years | India (Bangalore) | Both grew up, got married |
| ~7 years | USA | First US stint, elder son born |
| ~7 years | Bangalore, India | Returned to India, younger son born |
| ~7 years | New Jersey, USA | Second US stint, wife worked in NYC |
| 2020-Present | Michigan, USA | Followed elder son, COVID remote work enabled move |
| 2028 (planned) | Bangalore, India | Retirement, India as primary base |
The Seven-Year Pattern
The couple noticed a remarkable pattern in their lives—major changes every 7 years.
The "Seven-Year Itch"
Every 7 years, something significant happened:
- Move from India to US
- Move back to Bangalore
- Move back to US (New Jersey)
- Move to Michigan
- Now planning 2028 return to India
They call it a "beautiful itch" they enjoy experiencing.
Why They Embrace Change
- Adventurous spirit: Not afraid to start fresh
- Growth mindset: Each move brought new perspectives
- Family unity: Made decisions together
- No stagnation: Refuse to miss out on experiences by staying in one place
How the Kids Adapted
Elder Son: Atria
- Moved from India to US at age 5
- Struggled with Hindi as third language
- Completed undergrad in US
- Got job at General Motors during campus interview
- Enrolled in Masters at University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) simultaneously
- Bought a house in Michigan
- Met Shriya during Masters—she was finishing undergrad
- Shriya is from Delhi/Bihar background, born and raised in Michigan
- Got married in 2022
💡 The Hindi Transformation
Atria struggled with Hindi his whole life. But after meeting Shriya (a Hindi-speaking girl), everything changed:
Younger Son: Arian
- Born in Bangalore during the family's India stint
- Moved to New Jersey, was in a competitive school district
- Had great friends, doing very well
- In 10th grade when Michigan move was proposed (2020)
- Initially hesitant—"another change in life"
- Agreed because he could be closer to his brother (Anna)
Arian's Michigan Transition
The move happened during COVID (2020), which had both challenges and advantages:
- Advantage: Remote work enabled parents to move easily
- Advantage: First 6 months of school were online—easier transition
- Challenge: Missed in-person interaction initially
What helped:
- Michigan's different vibe—auto town with geopolitical history
- Arian loves history and writing
- Different clubs and perspectives expanded his horizons
- Made great friends in Michigan AND kept New Jersey friends connected
- Introduced Michigan friends to NJ friends—built bridges
Arian's Verdict
Now: Studying at NYU Stern Business School in New York, majoring in business and political economy. The mother always wanted to work in NYC (like working in Bombay)—and that aspiration passed to her son.
The Michigan Chapter
How Michigan Happened
- Atria got job at GM, moved to Michigan
- Bought a house, invited parents for housewarming
- Parents fell in love with the place
- Met Shriya's family who lived in a beautiful subdivision
- Shriya's dad pushed them to see homes for sale
- Made an offer during COVID (2020)
- Remote work made the move possible
America Today vs 1990s
The couple notes how different America is now:
This wasn't the case when they first came to America, but the second time around, it became much easier.
2028 Retirement Plans
The couple has a clear plan: return to Bangalore in 2028.
The Plan
- Timeline: 2028 (4-5 years from interview)
- Location: Bangalore
- Structure: India becomes PRIMARY base, US becomes secondary
- Travel: Continue going back and forth as long as health and finances permit
- International travel: Will continue exploring the world
Not Full Retirement
They're scaling down but not stopping completely:
- The husband's company is still on
- The wife enjoys working—"fantastic career woman"
- Want to stay occupied to remain young in age, energy, and thought
- Advise younger generation: "Don't say I'm done with career. One has to be occupied."
Why Return to India
The Reasons
- Motherland: Love for the country where they grew up
- Parents: Mother is 86, father-in-law is 91—both healthy by God's grace
- Siblings: Brother in North Carolina may follow them to India
- Friends: Many friends they brought to the US are also returning
- Weather: Bangalore's weather is unbeatable—best in India despite changes
- Food: Indian food, especially Bangalore food
- Money works for you: 7%+ interest on deposits
- Travel within India: So much to see—colorful, vibrant, beautiful places
Health & Wellness Perspective
From a health perspective, India offers options not as readily available in the US:
- Ayurveda
- Homeopathy
- Organically grown products
- Time-tested alternatives to allopathy
The Calling
Building Community Takes Time
An important insight about returning:
- Need to be surrounded with people
- Need a nice routine
- Their own parents found their "perfect things to do"—father still does consulting at home
- This takes time to build—it doesn't just happen
- That's why they want to go while they still have energy
Advice for NRIs
Maintain Your Talents
Have your own talents/hobbies that you maintain throughout life—music, art, woodworking, etc.
Key insight: You can't pick up a talent you left 15-30 years ago suddenly in retirement. Keep it in the background even during your prime years.
Build Passive Income
Build passive income alongside your main career. In the US, people do side projects regardless of their main job—like woodworking at Home Depot even if they work in finance.
Stay Flexible and Agile
In today's "agile" world, remain flexible. Don't stagnate in one place and miss out on experiences elsewhere.
Give Kids Options, Not Restrictions
Their parents never put an embargo saying "you cannot go." So they don't want to restrict their own children.
Approach: "We will be there when you really need our help, but at the same time, you build your own stories."
The Sandwich Generation Reality
They describe their generation as the "sandwich generation"—economic nomads who:
- Came to the US for good jobs and better life
- Didn't need to be billionaires—just wanted a nice home, good environment for kids
- Have always been with parents (through visits) but now want to be physically present
- Don't want phone calls and WhatsApp—want to actually BE there
Common Pattern Among NRI Friends
The couple observed similar patterns among their NRI friends returning to India:
- Family-centric: Being close to parents and relatives
- Kids' education timing: Many return when kids are ready for undergrad/masters
- Career opportunities: Some return in 30s-40s for better options
- Parents healthy: Time to spend with them while they're still around
- Kids settled: Once kids have foundation, parents can focus on themselves
Music: The Cultural Bridge
🎵 How Music Kept Culture Alive
Music was integral to the family:
- Mother learned Carnatic music
- Family always hummed songs—Tamil, Kannada, Hindi
- Children connected with it even if not "hardcore"
- Elder son now hums Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi songs perfectly—thanks to his Hindi-speaking wife
Key Takeaways
The Family's Journey Summary
- Embrace change: Every 7 years brought growth
- Kids are resilient: Both sons adapted and thrived
- Music bridges cultures: Kept Indian identity alive
- Global citizens: Can have roots in multiple places
- Plan ahead: 2028 return is being prepared now
- Stay occupied: Don't fully retire—keep contributing
- Build community early: Routines and relationships take time
Resources
Official Resources
- India Government Portal — Official services and information
- Wikipedia — Bangalore — City overview
Related Articles
- NRI Financial Planning: FCNR, RNOR & Tax Guide — Essential for retirement planning
- Quality of Life in India: 17 Years Experience — Another perspective on living in India
- Back to India After 18 Years — Career and kids adaptation story
- Best Cities for NRI Retirement in India — Compare Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad
Planning Your Return to India?
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