The ageing of society is one of the biggest policy challenges of this time. Growing life expectancy and low birth rates mean that, for the fist time in human history, most people, and certainly the more prosperous social groups, will be spending a third of their lives in "retirement". This has profound social, cultural and economic implications, which the Government has been trying to grapple with for a decade. Adult education has much to contribute to policy debate on the ageing of society. Making the most of adult learning's potential contribution requires both joined-up government and real engagement at a local level. The author stresses the need to win the arguments with local authorities that good adult education has an important part to play in strategies for aging, wellbeing and social cohesion, as well as simply contributing to the quality of life for their citizens.