Using the National Sample Survey household-level data, this paper investigates the nature and extent of old age poverty as well as its link with household demographic composition in sixteen major states in India. Our analysis highlights the complex nature of old age poverty in the Indian states. While adjusted poverty estimates taking account of equivalence scale and size economies in consumption suggest that households with elderly members are less poor than others, the interpretation of this result appears to be more complex. Further analysis suggests that these results are partly a function of differences in demographic composition of the households and a possible survivorship bias due to positive correlation between household incomes and life expectancy. After correcting for the possible sources of bias, there is evidence that poverty is higher among households with older elderly in all states, reflecting the declining economic contribution of the elderly with age and thus necessitating the government to strengthen the social protection of the older elderly. Further research is however needed to understand the net effect of any cash transfer programme.