It beats the alternative, in a saying (3,3)
I believe the answer is:
old age
'it beats the alternative in a saying' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for old age that I've seen before include "Time near the end of life" , "Pensionable condition" , "Advanced years" , "Lego ad (anag)" , "Later part of life" .)