The article examines the social connectedness of older adults, challenging the common belief that aging leads to social isolation. Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), the study finds that older adults are well-connected, with age having a complex relationship to various dimensions of social connectedness. While age is negatively related to network size, closeness to network members, and number of non-primary group ties, it is positively related to socializing with neighbors, religious participation, and volunteering. Age also has a U-shaped relationship with contact volume with network members. These findings suggest that life course factors, such as retirement and bereavement, can influence social connectedness in different ways. The study highlights the importance of considering health, life course transitions, and social network characteristics in understanding older adults' social integration. It also emphasizes the need for further research to clarify the causal mechanisms linking life transitions and health to social network connectedness. The study concludes that the popular image of older adults as socially isolated has little empirical support, and that social connectedness among older adults is more nuanced and complex than previously thought. The research underscores the importance of considering both interpersonal networks and community involvement in understanding the social lives of older adults.The article examines the social connectedness of older adults, challenging the common belief that aging leads to social isolation. Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), the study finds that older adults are well-connected, with age having a complex relationship to various dimensions of social connectedness. While age is negatively related to network size, closeness to network members, and number of non-primary group ties, it is positively related to socializing with neighbors, religious participation, and volunteering. Age also has a U-shaped relationship with contact volume with network members. These findings suggest that life course factors, such as retirement and bereavement, can influence social connectedness in different ways. The study highlights the importance of considering health, life course transitions, and social network characteristics in understanding older adults' social integration. It also emphasizes the need for further research to clarify the causal mechanisms linking life transitions and health to social network connectedness. The study concludes that the popular image of older adults as socially isolated has little empirical support, and that social connectedness among older adults is more nuanced and complex than previously thought. The research underscores the importance of considering both interpersonal networks and community involvement in understanding the social lives of older adults.