This paper examines the social connectedness of older adults in the United States, using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). The authors analyze nine dimensions of social network connectedness, including network size, closeness to network members, volume of contact, network composition, and density, as well as community involvement in socializing with neighbors, religious participation, volunteering, and organized group involvement. The findings suggest that while older adults have smaller networks and are less close to network members, they are more involved in community activities such as socializing with neighbors, religious participation, and volunteering. Age has a U-shaped relationship with volume of contact, with older adults in their 80s having the highest volume of contact. The study also explores the impact of life course factors like retirement and bereavement on social connectedness, finding that these factors can partially explain the curvilinear relationship between age and contact volume. Overall, the results challenge the notion of universal social isolation in old age and highlight the importance of considering both interpersonal and community-based forms of social connectedness. The authors call for more research to understand the causal mechanisms linking life transitions and health to social network connectedness.This paper examines the social connectedness of older adults in the United States, using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). The authors analyze nine dimensions of social network connectedness, including network size, closeness to network members, volume of contact, network composition, and density, as well as community involvement in socializing with neighbors, religious participation, volunteering, and organized group involvement. The findings suggest that while older adults have smaller networks and are less close to network members, they are more involved in community activities such as socializing with neighbors, religious participation, and volunteering. Age has a U-shaped relationship with volume of contact, with older adults in their 80s having the highest volume of contact. The study also explores the impact of life course factors like retirement and bereavement on social connectedness, finding that these factors can partially explain the curvilinear relationship between age and contact volume. Overall, the results challenge the notion of universal social isolation in old age and highlight the importance of considering both interpersonal and community-based forms of social connectedness. The authors call for more research to understand the causal mechanisms linking life transitions and health to social network connectedness.