The present work investigated the role of mnemonic and executive factors on age-related PM. The impact of task switching, maintenance load combined with focality as well as target distinctiveness, again combined with focality was investigated in three different experiments in younger and older adults. Results show task switching as well as distinctiveness to be strongly linked to age effects in PM. Age effects were found when task switching demands were high, but not when these were low. Target distinctiveness affected age-related differences with age effects being higher for distinct than for non-distinct cues. Focality only impacted the age-related general task approach, particularly the differential recruitment of controlled attention to monitor for the cue in younger and older adults, but not age differences in PM. Moreover, the memory factor maintenance load did not relate to age differences. Findings suggest that cognitive control processes rather than memory processes explain PM age differences.