In this article we extend extant theories of work motivation to take into account the dynamics of adult development across the life span. In confronting the question of age-related changes in motivation, we suggest that contemporary, process-oriented theories of work motivation (e.g., expectancy theories, goal theories) are insufficient for identifying the sources of agerelated differences in work motivation. Processoriented formulations usefully delineate the structure and operation of proximal psychological variables (e.g., expectancies, self-efficacy) through which person and situation factors affect goal choice and goal striving. They do not, however, address the “what” and “why” questions that are inevitably raised in a full account of how age affects workplace motivation.