Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine, exerts its biological activity by signaling via its two receptors, TNF-RI and TNF-RII, and by activating NF-κB. NF-κB is essential for survival of many cell types; however, TNF-α also induces cell death. In this article, both the survival and cell death signaling by TNF-α and the role of caspases in turning off NF-κB survival signal are reviewed. Furthermore, a role of DAP kinase in TNF-induced apoptosis is discussed. Finally, the molecular basis of the effect of age on TNF-α-induced apoptosis in human T cells is reviewed.