Although Taiwan is ethnically diverse, research on the health of its aging population by ethnicity remains sparse. Using linear growth curve models on data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (N=7,955), this study tracks physical limitations, daily functioning and depression over time among Mainland older adults (post-1949 migrants from China) and Taiwanese older adults. Early cohort Mainlanders showed slower declines in physical limitation and daily functioning, an advantage not explained by socioeconomic or family differences. The findings highlight the role of institutional factors in aging disparities, with implications for policy and aging research.