“Can money buy health?” A study on the relationship between financial well-being, health, and gender among older Indians

India's population is aging rapidly, creating urgent challenges related to the financial security and health of older adults. These challenges are particularly acute for older women, who often face lifelong economic disadvantages and limited access to formal social protection. While the link between financial well-being and health is well established globally, there is a lack of robust, gender-disaggregated evidence from India using nationally representative data. This study addresses that gap by examining how financial factors, including income sources, pension status, insurance coverage, and intergenerational financial exchanges, shape self-rated health among older adults in India. Using data from Wave 1 of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017-18), we apply bivariate analysis, ordered logistic regression, and generalized ordered logistic regression. Our results highlight significant gender disparities: men report greater financial autonomy and better health, while women are more likely to lack pensions and insurance. Contributing financially and participating in household decisions are associated with better health outcomes, whereas receiving financial support is linked to poorer self-rated health, possibly reflecting loss of autonomy. These findings emphasize the need for gender-sensitive financial protection strategies to support healthy aging in India and other low- and middle-income countries undergoing demographic transitions.