Subjective social status has a known association with health, whereby better health outcomes are observed for those with higher perceived status. In this research, we offer new evidence on the status–health relationship using a rigorous methodological approach that considers both observed and unobserved confounders. We use 5 waves of data spanning 15 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and derive a measure of allostatic load with biomarkers as an objective measure of health. We apply ‘within–between’ panel regression models. Models reveal the expected association between subjective status and health when comparing participants (the ‘between’ estimate), but no association when examining temporal variation within participants (the ‘within’ estimate). When controlling for personality traits including optimism, and parental education, the ‘between’ association between subjective status and allostatic load is reduced but does not disappear. Person-level confounders play some role in explaining the observed link between subjective status and health. The exact nature of the link, including the role of psychological pathways and early-life confounders, remains a question for future research. •Subjective social status has a known association with health outcomes.•We re-test this association with overtime data and biomarkers to measure health.•Higher status is associated with better health.•Overtime analysis within individuals shows no link between status and health.