You don’t stop using phones as you age. Just like everything, our mobile data requirements also evolve with time. Our older friends and family members may not be more inclined toward new technology, but they use smartphones for their daily needs. In fact, according to Statista, 94% of Americans aged between 50 and 64 own a cell phone. Therefore, this guide highlights the best cell phone plans for seniors. Find out which carriers offer simple and affordable plans for older people and also discover the welcome benefits.
Top 5 Cell Phone Plans for Seniors
Mobile phones are not just popular among the younger generation. They are equally essential for senior citizens to access healthcare benefits and other services. By law, anyone aged 62 or above, or of retirement age is considered a senior citizen in the USA. However, mobile carriers also consider those who are 55 or older as seniors. They understand the requirements of this demographic and tailor their plans to be affordable, simple, and reliable.
The top mobile operators know that one data plan cannot suit every senior citizen, so they offer several options to make sure they can get exactly what they need – from simple prepaid to unlimited data plans. Some carriers even have specialized cell phone plans for seniors, while others offer incredible package benefits, such as simplified features, larger buttons, and more. Furthermore, they also have exclusive discounts for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) members.
In short, there are a lot of choices, and some might even look the same on a surface level. Other factors also impact the value of these plans, such as network performance and coverage. Therefore, after carefully considering everything, we have shortlisted the top 5 cell phone plans for seniors in the table below.
| 5 Best Cell Phone Plans for Seniors | |||
| Carrier | Plan | Monthly Price | Contact |
| Spectrum Mobile | By the Gig | $14.00/mo. per GB | Call Now |
| Mint Mobile | 55+ | $15.00/mo. | Call Now |
| T-Mobile | Essentials 55 | $40.00/mo. for 1 line | Call Now |
| AT&T | Unlimited 55+ | $60.00/mo. for 1 line | Call Now |
| Verizon | 55 Plus | $62.00/mo. for 1 line | Order Now |
AT&T Unlimited 55+: Best Unlimited Senior-Specific Plan
AT&T Wireless has an exclusive plan for Floridians who are 55 or older. However, the subscription process is somewhat inconvenient as AT&T requires qualified customers to visit the nearest store in Florida to verify their eligibility. AT&T Unlimited 55+ provides unlimited talk and text within the US and to over 200 countries for just $60 per month for one line or $80 per month for two lines.
Although it is not the cheapest senior-specific plan on our list, it offers 5G access, unlimited data, and connectivity in Mexico and Canada. It also includes AT&T ActiveArmorSM mobile security with the free app and features like spam call blocking, providing online safety to your older family members. Additionally, if you are an AARP member, you can save up to $50 on activation and upgrade charges. AT&T Unlimited 55+ is a simple solution for older people to stay connected with their families and healthcare professionals.
| Overview of AT&T Unlimited 55+ | |
| Price for 1 Line | $60.00/mo. |
| Price for 2 Lines | $80.00/mo. |
| Unlimited Talk & Text in the U.S., Mexico & Canada | ✔ |
| Data | Unlimited |
| 5G Access | ✔ |
| Includes | AT&T ActiveArmorSM |
| Best For | SD streaming |
Pros
- Provides 5G access
- Includes unlimited talk, text, and data
- Offers connectivity in Mexico and Canada
- Ensures online safety with free AT&T ActiveArmorSM mobile security
Cons
- Only available to older people in Florida
- Slow data speeds when the network is busy
- Expensive compared to others
Network Coverage and Reliability
As one of the major mobile network operators in the US, AT&T has numerous cell towers throughout the country. As a result, it has excellent 4G LTE coverage in most cities and suburbs and is the second largest 5G network, covering 29.52% of the country. AT&T is a reliable name in the market, known for its excellent performance and high network speed. Unfortunately, its senior-specific plan is only limited to Floridians.
Customer Service
AT&T has the best customer service among all carriers. The carrier tops the customer satisfaction benchmarks set by the American Customer Satisfaction Index, ranking first among the MNOs in its latest report with a score of 75. AT&T’s customer representatives are qualified to handle all sorts of customers and promptly solve all queries and issues.
| ACSI Rankings for MNOs | AT&T |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 75 |
| 2022 | 73 |
Verizon 55+: Another Best Unlimited Cell Phone Plan
Verizon also has a special deal for Floridians aged 55 years or above. Verizon 55+ is the most expensive option on our list, with a monthly price of $62 for one line and $84 for two lines with an Auto Pay discount. This plan is quite similar to its conventional unlimited cell phone plan, offering unlimited 4G LTE data, talk and text, and low-speed mobile hotspot data.
It also includes exciting promotional deals like six months of free Apple Music and Verizon Up rewards and 5G access if you live within its 5G Ultra Wideband network. Overall, Verizon 55+ is also an excellent discounted plan for seniors in Florida. The only problem is that it is not accessible to older people residing in other states.
| Overview of Verizon 55+ | |
| Price for 1 Line | $62.00/mo. |
| Price for 2 Lines | $84.00/mo. |
| Unlimited Talk & Text in the U.S., Mexico & Canada | ✔ |
| Data | Unlimited 4G LTE data |
| Hotspot Data | Unlimited (600 Kbps) |
| 5G Access | ✔ |
| Includes | Apple Music for 6 months and Verizon Up rewards |
| Best For | DVD quality (480p) streaming |
Pros
- Includes unlimited 4G LTE data, talk and text
- It gives you 6 months of free Apple Music
- Supports DVD-quality streaming
- Offers 5G access within its 5G Ultra Wideband footprint
Cons
- Most expensive cell phone plan for seniors
- Only accessible to Floridians
Network Coverage and Reliability
Verizon is an award-winning MNO with nationwide coverage. In fact, it has the strongest 4G LTE network, covering 99% of the US population. On the other hand, its 5G network, 5G Ultra Wideband, is the smallest among other MNOs, covering only 12.77% of the country. However, this network provides 10 times faster speeds and can resist extreme conditions, keeping you connected at all times.
Customer Service
Verizon also has a separate customer support team for its wireless service. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) has ranked this carrier below AT&T and T-Mobile in its latest report. However, Verizon has snagged 73 points for its customer service, one point above the industry average, indicating that its customers are mostly satisfied with its performance.
| ACSI Rankings for MNOs | Verizon |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 73 |
| 2022 | 73 |
Spectrum Mobile: Best Pay-As-You-Go Cell Phone Plan for Seniors
Unlike millennials and other younger generations, older people, on average, mostly use their cell phones for basic features. Hence, they don’t need data-heavy plans to stay connected with their grandkids or for social media.
Spectrum Mobile may not offer an exclusive plan for seniors, but its By the Gig option is the best pay-as-you-go solution for their basic connectivity needs. For just $14 per GB, Spectrum Mobile By the Gig provides unlimited talk and text with access to a 5G network.
The carrier allows you to share this data with up to 10 lines. Seniors with additional requirements can also add more data. Overall, Spectrum Mobile By the Gig is perfect for senior citizens with less than 3 GB of monthly data usage.
| Overview of Spectrum Mobile By the Gig | |
| Monthly Price | $14/GB per month |
| Price for 1 GB Data | $14/mo. |
| Price for 2 GB Data | $28/mo. |
| Price for 3 GB Data | $42/mo. |
| All Taxes & Fee Included | ✔ |
| Unlimited Talk & Text | ✔ |
| 5G Access | ✔ |
| 4G LTE | ✔ |
| Full Speed Mobile Data Allowance | Speeds are reduced to 256 Kbps up/down & data after 5 GB/line of data usage. |
Pros
- An affordable pay-as-you-go plan
- Unlimited talk and text
- Access to nationwide WiFi hotspots
Cons
- Availability is limited to Spectrum Internet customers
- Spectrum reduces the network speed to 256 Kbps after 5 GB of data usage
- No exclusive benefits for seniors
Network Coverage and Reliability
Spectrum Mobile is also a widely available cell phone service as it relies on Verizon’s nationwide cell towers. However, its nationwide availability does not mean that it is also widely accessible. Spectrum only allows its Internet customers to access its mobile service. Hence, you can only enroll in Spectrum Mobile service within the coverage area of Spectrum Internet, which is available in 41 states.
Customer Service
The American Customer Satisfaction Index ranks wireless phone service carriers in three categories – mobile network operators (MNOs), Full-Service mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), and Value MVNOs. Spectrum Mobile ranks 4th in the Full-Service MVNOs list with 75 points. This score is one point above the category average and three points higher than the overall wireless phone service average. This above-average customer satisfaction score showcases the high-quality customer support and performance of Spectrum Mobile.
| ACSI Rankings for Full-Service MVNOs | Spectrum Mobile |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 75 |
| 2022 | 74 |
T-Mobile Essential 55: Best Discounted Cell Phone Plan for Seniors
T-Mobile Essentials 55 offers 50% more savings to senior citizens compared to the basic unlimited plans of its competitors. This plan has a reasonable monthly price of $40 for one line, which is reduced to $27.50 per month when you opt for two lines. The plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data.
While T-Mobile may reduce the network speed for heavy data users who consume up to 50 GB of data per month, this is not a significant concern for older people aged 55 or above. This straightforward plan meets the basic needs of seniors, with 5G access, a 3G mobile hotspot, and exciting benefits. However, T-Mobile Essentials 55 is only available for up to two lines. Fortunately, T-Mobile also offers two other options for senior citizens who require extra lines: Go5G Plus 55 and Go5G Next 55.
| Overview of T-Mobile Essentials 55 | |
| Price for 1 Line | $40.00/mo. + taxes & fees |
| Price for 2 Lines | $27.50/mo. + taxes & fees |
| Unlimited Talk & Text | ✔ |
| Data | Unlimited (customers may experience slower speeds after exceeding 50 GB of data) |
| Hotspot | 3G |
| 5G Access | ✔ |
| Includes | Free stuff every week |
| Advanced scam-blocking | |
| Best For | 480p streaming |
Pros
- Offers 50% more savings than other options
- Extra discount when you opt for two lines
- Unlimited talk, text, and data
- Straightforward plan without unnecessary extras
- Provides free stuff every week
- Includes advanced scam-blocking protection
Cons
- Slow hotspot connection
- 2G data in Mexico and Canada
Network Coverage and Reliability
T-Mobile is a highly reliable MNO with the largest 5G network in the country. The carrier covers more places and connects more people than other mobile operators. It is also in the process of further expanding this network. Moreover, you can count on its fast 4G LTE network in areas that lack 5G access. This network covers 99% of the American population, allowing you to stay in touch with your dear ones.
Customer Service
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) evaluates MNOs on a few factors, like reliability, helpfulness of their customer service and store staff, network coverage, variety of data plans, quality of their calls, and more. T-Mobile satisfies most of these benchmarks and, as a result, ranks 2nd for its customer satisfaction in the MNOs list.
| ACSI Rankings for MNOs | T-Mobile |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 74 |
| 2022 | 74 |
Mint Mobile 55+: Most Affordable Cell Phone Plan for Seniors
Mint Mobile is the most affordable option for seniors. The MVNO offers an exclusive plan for your older family members with 5 GB of data per month. Mint Mobile 55+ only costs $15 a month if you sign up for a 12-month contract. On the other hand, it costs $20 when you sign up for 6 months and $25 for three months.
The plan is perfect for seniors’ needs, allowing them to indulge in unlimited talk and text. Mint Mobile 55+ also includes free mobile hotspot data and Wi-Fi calling. However, the hotspot also consumes data from the monthly data allowance. While there are no bundled promotional deals, like those offered by MNOs, Mint Mobile 55+ provides free Mintech advisor support to assist seniors in case of any issue.
| Overview of Mint Mobile 55+ | |
| Price | $15.00/mo. |
| Unlimited Talk & Text | ✔ |
| Data | 5 GB of 5G/4G LTE data per month |
| Mobile Hotspot | Free |
| 5G Access | ✔ |
| Includes | Free Wi-Fi calling |
| Mintech advisors support | |
| Best For | 480p streaming |
Pros
- Affordable cell phone plan
- Free Mintech advisors support
- Unlimited talk and text
Cons
- The lowest price depends on a 1-year contract
- Hotspot usage is counted toward the monthly data allowance
Network Coverage and Reliability
As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s cellular network. As a result, this carrier is also available throughout the country, giving you a reliable service at a fraction of the cost of MNOs.
Customer Service
The American Customer Satisfaction Index includes Mint Mobile in its Value MVNOs list. The carrier, with a score of 79, ranks 2nd in this category, highlighting the excellent performance of its dedicated customer support.
| ACSI Rankings for Value MVNOs | Mint Mobile |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 79 |
| 2022 | Not Measured |
What is the Best Cell Phone Plan for Seniors?
The choice is up to you! We have discussed the five best cell phone plans for seniors based on the price, availability, and monthly data. The most common trend about these senior-specific plans is that they are more affordable than the standard options. Moreover, considering that older people only use their cell phones for basic activities like making or receiving calls, text messaging, or searching for directions, these plans include lower data allowances and few features.
To summarize, while AT&T and Verizon offer impressive plans for older people in Florida, T-Mobile provides the best-discounted cell phone plan for seniors across the country. Spectrum Mobile is the best option for those who only need 1 to 2 GB of data each month, and Mint Mobile stands out for its affordability. All of these plans are simple, and some of them even include special benefits. So, make sure to read their details and choose the one that is perfect for your needs.
Best AARP Cell Phone Plan for Seniors
Seniors who are a part of AARP (previously known as the American Association of Retired Persons) receive additional discounts from some mobile carriers. Among them, Consumer Cellular especially offers discounted plans for seniors. The best thing about its plans is that they are flexible, allowing you to choose the amount of data you require. It also offers an exclusive deal for AARP members, giving them unlimited data, talk, and text for just $27.50 for one line per month and $55 per month for two lines.
| Overview of Consumer Cellular Unlimited 55 | |
| Price for 1 Line | $27.50/mo. |
| Price for 2 Lines | $55.00/mo. |
| Unlimited Talk & Text | ✔ |
| Data | Unlimited (speed will be reduced after 50 GB) |
| 5G Access | ✔ |
| Includes | 30% discount on accessories |
How to Pick the Best Cell Phone Plan for Seniors?
You should consider a few factors when choosing the best cell phone plan for older family members.
Exclusive Discounts
Are you getting any discount on your chosen cell phone plan for seniors? Or does it cost the same as the carrier’s standard plan? Some cell phone plans for seniors are more affordable than regular options, so make sure to choose for significant savings each month.
Wide Availability
Some carriers, for example AT&T and Verizon, only offer senior exclusive plans in Florida. To avoid unpleasant surprises, make sure to check the fine print of your chosen plan and verify its availability at your address.
Customer Satisfaction
Instead of purely relying on the advertisement, check how satisfied the customers are with your chosen carrier and plan. Check the reviews on online forums and social media platforms before subscribing to any plan.
Our Methodology
We didn’t randomly pick a carrier or a wireless plan. After carefully analyzing the typical usage requirements of senior citizens and the customer reviews of different plans, we have compiled a list of the top 5 cell phone plans for seniors. We know that the final choice comes down to what you value the most, which is why we have chosen these cell phones based on several important factors like affordability, wide availability, and network performance.
