How loss of the germline increases longevity in C. elegans has remained unknown. This study shows that germline ablation is sensed by adhesion disruption between germline stem cells (GSCs) and gonadal niche cells, altering stromal expression patterns and cytokine secretion for enhanced longevity signalling in distal tissues. Depletion of GSCs disrupts the cell adhesion with their niche, distal tip cells (DTCs), leading to transcriptome changes and enhanced longevity of worms.Translocation of HMP-2/beta-catenin, and the GATA transcription factors, ELT-3 and PQM-1, are required for DTC-mediated longevity induction upon germline loss.TGF-beta ligand TIG-2 is upregulated and secreted by DTCs upon germline loss, activating systemic longevity signalling pathways.