This report presents period life tables for the United States based on age-specific death rates in 2004. Data used to prepare these life tables are 2004 final mortality statistics; July 1, 2004, population estimates based on the 2000 decennial census and data from the Medicare program. Presented are complete life tables by age, race, and sex. In 2004, the overall expectation of life at birth was 77.8 years, representing an increase of 0.4 year from life expectancy in 2003. Between 2003 and 2004, life expectancy increased for males and females, and for both the white and black populations. Life expectancy increased by 0.5 years (from 72.6 to 73.1) for the black population and by 0.4 year (from 77.9 to 78.3) for the white population. Both males and females in each race group experienced increases in life expectancy between 2003 and 2004. The greatest increase was experienced by black males with an increase of 0.6 year (from 68.9 to 69.5). Life expectancy increased by 0.4 year for black females (from 75.9 to 76.3), for white females (from 80.4 to 80.8), and for white males (from 75.3 to 75.7).