The situations and feelings of representative national samples of 50- and 70-year-olds were investigated in order to provide a representative, adequate data base for planning programs and policies that will result in maximum improvement in the quality of life of older Americans at minimum costs to taxpayers. Intensive case studies of 1,000 individuals for each of the two age groups were conducted. Product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated between present ratings of overall quality of life and the extent to which subjects reported their needs and wants were met in each of 15 dimensions. The largest contribution to overall quality of life in all groups appeared to be the extent to which needs and wants were met with respect to material comforts. For the 50-year-olds,"work" was the second largest contributor and "health," the third. This order was reversed for the 70-year-olds. "Spouse,""active recreation,""socializing," and "learning" were all important contributors to the overall quality of life of these four groups, with the exception of "spouse" for the 70-year-old women, most of whom did not have a husband. (Author/HLM)