The relation between psychiatric disorders, defined by the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS), and mortality over 15 months is compared in 3007 adults age 55 and over in the New Haven Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) project. Our results indicate that the odds of dying are more than four times greater for individuals with affective disorders than for others in the sample, controlling for age, sex, and physical health. Cause of death is also examined. There were no suicides or deaths from external causes.