The main purpose of this paper is to analyze component elements and characteristics of elder education program planning. Interviews have been conducted in order to facilitate this analysis. The seven interviewees are directors or executive officers selected from representative education institutions for seniors. In accordance with these interviews and subsequent analysis of the manuscripts, this paper proposes three conclusions: 1. The elder education program planning consists of 13 component elements, including the mission of the institution, needs analysis, curriculum design, resources, government intervention, leadership, teaching, the participants, management strategy, operation performance, social functions, evaluation and revision or feedback mechanisms. 2. The process of elder education program planning includes analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation. 3. Each kind of e1deration program planning has its unique characteristics. Based on these conclusions, this paper proposes suggestions for the programmers of elder education from the perspective of analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation.