The More Years Better Lives (MYBL) initiative seeks to enhance coordination and collaboration between European and national research programmes related to demographic changes. It is vice-chaired by ERRIN. During a workshop in Paris in October, a group of experts gathered to discuss the needs and problems of the oldest old (people aged 85 or older). The amount of people reaching this age is increasing, in Europe and worldwide. This means that there are more active and independent very old people than before and their role in society is increasing. Further, data shows that these people now have more years in good health and more years with no major functional limitations. However, it should be noted that it is a very heterogenous group of people with different needs and type of support. The mental health of the elderly is also improving, even though numerically there are more cases of Alzheimer, since the population is getting older, the incidence of the disease is decreasing. The workshop stressed the importance of investigating a person’s biological age, in terms of general health, mental health and frailty level. Only if including all these aspects, we can truly understand the real needs of 85+ people. It was also realised that more adequate data is needed to better understand the characteristics of this age group, in order to be able to supply them with suitable services, support and intergenerational relations, and for society to be able to take full advantage of the lengthening of lives. More efficient and robust ageing indicators must be developed. Further, the general welfare of oldest old must be deeply investigated always considering that a good health is something that is built throughout life. The main recommendations from the meeting are to encourageing discussion on best practices in health and social services of working with oldest old; support and fund research on the perspectives and views of the oldest-old themselves on their health, quality of life, possibilities of participation and preferences for care, with cross-country comparisons. A final conclusion was that it is really important to hear the oldest-old´s own opinion on their quality of life.