Two successive studies of 44 and 54 participants respectively investigated teaching four memory training strategies and their effects on subjective memory complaints in the community dwelling elderly. Pre- and post-evaluations in both studies revealed significant improvements in recall functioning for the use of organizing and visual mediating strategies among the Memory Training subjects only. Subjective memory complaints, however, fluctuated independently of performance, suggesting that concern about poor memory may reflect expectations about old age, rather than declining abilities.