Seniors are becoming more tech-savvy these days. In fact, more than 90% of people over 65 own a cell phone, according to a 2019 survey from Pew Research. That’s good news because most mobile providers offer big discounts for customers over a certain age. Some of these cell phone plans offer cheap ways to talk and text with your existing phone, while others come with data to stream movies on Netflix, 5G access, and more. Here is our list of the best cell phone plans for seniors, including the best free, cheap, and premium options.
FreedomPop: Best Free Cell Phone Plan for Seniors
The FreedomPop plan is a totally free cell phone plan for seniors. With this no-contract plan, you just have to pay a one-time fee of $10 for a SIM card. All you have to do is plug the SIM card into your existing cell phone, and you can make free unlimited calls and text messages over WiFi.
The free plan also includes 10 minutes of cellular voice minutes, 10 free text messages, and 25MB of 4G LTE data per month. However, that is really only enough data for sending a few emails and visiting a few websites a month. So, this might not be the best cell phone plan for tech-savvy seniors that like to browse the web, make video calls, or stream movies on Netflix on their cell phones.
If you end up using more data, you will be automatically upgraded to a paid plan, however, the paid plans are still quite cheap. You can add minutes for only $3 a month or sign up for a plan with unlimited voice and text messages for $15 a month. All the different plans let you keep your cell phone and number, and they don’t require any kind of app to use.
Sign Up: FreedomPop
Consumer Cellular: Cheap Plan with Talk, Text, & Data Endorsed by AARP
Consumer Cellular is one of the best mobile providers for seniors who want an affordable cell phone. Since they use the networks of the top providers, Consumer Cellular claims that it covers 99% of the US population.
The cheapest plan comes with 250 minutes of call time starting at only $15 per month. If you want to do more than make calls, Consumer Cellular has a senior plan that comes with 500MB of data, 250 talk minutes, and unlimited texts for $25 a month. If you go over your minutes or data, you will automatically be upgraded to a higher plan. But, it also comes with a free service that sends you a text or email when you’re close to reaching your monthly limit.
As an added benefit for seniors, Consumer Cellular also offers a 5% discount to American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) members. If you’re not a member yet, Consumer Cellular can help you apply when you sign up for one of their plans.
Sign Up: Consumer Cellular
Verizon Cell Phone Plan for Seniors: Verizon 55 Plus
Verizon’s 55 Plus plan comes with unlimited talk, text, and data on its ultra-fast 4G LTE network. This special plan is only available for residents of Florida that are over 55 years old and new Verizon wireless customers.
You can choose between the plan with one line for $60 or two lines for $80, which makes this one of the best cell phone plans for couples. Plus, you even get unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada, so it’s a great option for seniors that travel.
With unlimited data, this plan allows you to stream DVD-quality movies and use your phone as a mobile hotspot to surf the web on your other devices. You even get six months of Apple Music for free when you sign up for this cell phone plan, so you can stream your favorite songs any time.
Sign Up: Verizon
AT&T Cell Phone Plan for Seniors: Unlimited 55+
Unfortunately, like Verizon, AT&T’s senior plan is only available to Florida residents. It’s one of the best plans for seniors that like to text because it offers free text messaging to over 120 countries. In addition, the AT&T Unlimited 55+ plan comes with unlimited talk and data, and you can access its 5G network for free to get even faster streaming and web browsing.
You can only have two lines with this plan, with one line starting at $60 a month and two lines starting a $80 at month. AT&T previously had a Senior Nation plan that offered 200 anytime minutes to seniors over 65 years old for $29.99 a month. However, the provider discontinued the program in May of 2020, even though you can still find details about the plan online.
AT&T requires that you visit an AT&T store and show a Florida billing address to verify eligibility to get this offer. If you’re enrolled in the AARP Signature Program, you might also be able to qualify for $100
If you want to find out more about where 5G is available in your area, check out our article here.
Sign Up: AT&T
T-Mobile Cell Phone Plan for Seniors: Magenta Max 55+
If you want a cheap cell phone plan that gives you more than just minutes, texts, and data, the T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+ one of your best bets. With its extra features, any senior over the age of 55 will enjoy tons of benefits with this premium plan.
The T-Mobile Magenta Max 55+ plan only costs $45 for a single line. Just like the other cheap T-Mobile senior plans, this premium plan comes with unlimited talk, text, and data. It also gives you free 5G access, so you can take full advantage of ultra-fast streaming with your new iPhone 12.
This T-Mobile senior plan promises faster speed and texting, even when abroad. And when you travel to Mexico or Canada, you get 5GB of 4G data on top of unlimited in-flight WiFi. With its ultra-fast speeds, you can even stream in 4K UHD. You can easily take advantage of this feature with the free Netflix subscription that’s included with this plan.
Sign Up: T-Mobile
GreatCall Jitterbug Smart2: Best Overall Cell Phone Plan for Seniors
If you’re looking for a cheap cell phone plan that offers health and safety features designed for seniors, GreatCall is the best option. The Jitterbug Smart2 plans come with an easy-to-use smartphone and several no-contract plans that let you keep your existing phone number.
The Jitterbug Smart2 phone has a 5.5-inch screen and a simple menu that is easy to read. It also has a front-facing speaker for clear conversations, voice typing for easy text messaging, and pre-installed apps that let even the least tech-savvy seniors video chat with friends and family.
The phone also features a 5Star Urgent Response button that instantly connects you to an emergency dispatch agent in case of emergencies. Once you push this button, the agent will be able to confirm your location using GPS and get you help in any situation. The service even has board-certified doctors and registered nurses that you can speak to 24/7.
Plus, you can also get smart wearable devices that work with your phone to track your health. These devices allow a senior to call for help when they don’t have their phone on them, and they come with tons of features, such as automatic fall detection, a sleep tracker, and more.
GreatCall plans start as low as $14.99 for 250 minutes of talk time. You can also pay $39.99 for unlimited talk and text or $59.99 for unlimited talk, text, and data. You will also have to pay extra for the Urgent Response, Urgent Care, and Personal Operator features, as well as any of the smart wearable devices.
Sign Up: GreatCall
