There is provided a method for producing an optically active 1-(fluoro-, trifluoromethyl- or trifluoromethoxy-substituted phenyl)alkylamine N-monoalkyl derivative, which includes the steps of conducting reductive alkylation of an optically active secondary amine and a formaldehyde (including an equivalent thereof) or lower aldehyde in the presence of a transition metal catalyst under a hydrogen gas atmosphere, thereby converting the secondary amine to an optically active tertiary amine of the formula, and subjecting the tertiary amine to hydrogenolysis. The target optically active compound can be produced efficiently by this production method.