Stay Connected, Stay Savvy
While these days almost everyone has a cell phone, not everybody uses theirs in the same way. Gen Z consumers, for example, will almost certainly need plenty of data and excellent WiFi connectivity for social media use and instant messaging.
Seniors, however, often have different needs and might seek a different cell phone plan than their kids or grandkids or look for more affordable prices. If you’re a senior seeking a phone plan to suit your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the best ones, detailing how they differ from standard phone plans and what’s included in the data plans.
As reported by Consumer Reports, there are some things to consider about the plans. Paperless billing and autopay are still necessary for many, which may be more difficult to set up for the less tech-savvy senior. Likewise, some plans are only available in Florida, so if you don’t live in the Sunshine State, be sure to shop around for nationwide plans. Let’s dive into the best plans on the market and compare prices and the benefits of each.
4 Best Senior Cell Phone Plans
T-Mobile Senior Unlimited Essentials 55+ Plan
Coming in at only $27.50 per line and promising unlimited data, text data and calls, this senior plan also comes with advanced scam protection, so whether it’s for you or your loved ones, you’ll have peace of mind of a reduction in the threat of scams.
The dedicated customer care team means any complaints or issues will be met with the utmost support and the 3G mobile hotspot means you can use your data plan to connect to other devices - perfect for keeping in touch with the family through things like video calls.
T-Mobile offers other Senior Unlimited 55+ plans, but they’re more expensive. For more money per line, however, you can benefit from features such as 4K UHD streaming, 5G access at no extra cost and high-speed data and texting while abroad. These costlier plans are perfect for seniors with more demanding data needs.
Mint 55+ Plus
This offering by Mint Mobile is one of the best deals on the market, costing just $15 per month for premium wireless. It uses T-Mobile’s network, so you’ll get good coverage and you can use an existing phone to set it up.
If you’re not so tech savvy or you’re nervous about canceling your previous package, Mint will jump on a call with your AT&T or Verizon provider to help you cancel your previous plan if Mint is cheaper.
You’ll get unlimited nationwide talk and text, a free mobile hotspot, free WiFi calling (perfect for chatting with the family) and 5GB OF 5G and 4G LTE data per month. It’s not the best plan for those who use plenty of data, but if you don’t plan on streaming and only use the web on your phone occasionally, it will be more than enough.
Verizon 55+
Costing $62 per month per line (or $42 per line for two lines), this senior cell plan from one of America’s biggest network providers is sadly only available in Florida, but it’s a great option for Floridians.
You’ll get unlimited 4G LTE data (perfect for senior TikTokers!) as well as unlimited talk and text and DVD-quality streaming for when you’re watching your favorite series. Mexico and Canada are included in the plan, too, so you can text, chat and stream even on vacation.
AT&T 55+
Unfortunately, this plan is only available for Floridians, but it does have the benefit of being run by one of America’s most trusted cellphone service providers. For $40 per month per line, you can enjoy access to two lines with unlimited text, talk and data. One line only will set you back $60.
5G access is included, so you’ll be able to access the fastest and most reliable internet when it’s available to you. One of the best parts of this plan is you’ll also enjoy unlimited texts from the US to more than 200 countries - making it perfect for those with friends and family abroad. Free spam call-blocking can ensure you don’t fall prey to sophisticated scams, too.
Choosing the Right Cell Phone Plan for Seniors
Before choosing a cell plan, establish what you need from the plan in terms of data, texts and calls. Setting a budget is a good idea, too. To get an idea of how much you’ll use, contact your existing cell plan provider for a breakdown of your monthly data usage as well as the number of texts you send and how many minutes of talk time you use. This information will help you choose only the data, texts and talk minutes you need.