diff --git a/.env.sample b/.env.sample
index d3dfcc4..11cd31f 100644
--- a/.env.sample
+++ b/.env.sample
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ ROOT_LOG_LEVEL=WARN
 
 REDACTION_RETENTION_PERIOD=7d
 
-RETENTION_MAX_LIFETIME=1m
+RETENTION_MAX_LIFETIME=4w
 
 ENABLE_3PID_LOOKUP=true
 
diff --git a/compose.yml b/compose.yml
index c34c31b..681a06b 100644
--- a/compose.yml
+++ b/compose.yml
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ services:
       - USER_IPS_MAX_AGE
       - VIRTUAL_HOST=${DOMAIN}
       - VIRTUAL_PORT=8008
+      - RETENTION_MAX_LIFETIME
     networks:
       - proxy
       - internal