Finding the best cell phone plans for seniors needn’t be a hassle. It can actually be relatively simple thanks to our handy guide. We’ve tirelessly researched all the nation’s favorite carriers (and a few up-and-comers) to determine which ones, in our opinion, offer particularly strong options for older citizens.
Like all phone users, the requirements of older folks differ widely from person to person, so we’ve made sure our best cell phone plans for seniors takes into account a wide array of differing requirements.
Just need the basics? We’ve got you covered with some fantastic, easy-to-use plans. Alternatively, if you’re interested in getting a plan with unlimited data then you’ll also find the best value options rounded up here.
How To Find The Best Cell Phone Plans For Seniors
The trick to finding the best cell phone plan for seniors starts with figuring out what you’re willing to pay and homing in on an offer that meets your budget. To that end, we’ve lined up plans ranging from cheap options that give you just a few hundred megabytes to the best unlimited data plans providing lots of data at surprisingly appealing rates.
We also consider plans that keep you covered should you travel. (And if your retirement years include a lot of globetrotting, be sure to check out our review of the best international phone plans you can use on your travels.)
Be aware that seniors-only plans at AT&T and Verizon have residency requirements, whereas T-Mobile’s best cell phone plan for seniors only requires proof of age.
Other plans we’ve looked at have no age or residency requirements, though Consumer Cellular does offer a discount off its normal rates to AARP members.
Firstly, here’s a very quick summary of our top choices.
- Mint Mobile – best all-rounder
- Tello – best for flexibility
- Ultra Mobile – best pay as you go
- T-Mobile – best unlimited data plan
We’re deep-diving into why these are the best cell phone plans for seniors just down below and you’ll find plenty more options to consider as well. Before we do that, however, here are a few top tips to help you find the right plan for you as well as a quick explainer on the jargon that’s commonly used with senior cell phone plans.
Tips To Help Find The Right Plan
1. Determine budget
Set an upper limit to how much you’re willing to spend
2. Determine data usage
More data equals higher bills, so cut out what you don’t need
3. Check if you’re covered
Check to see if you’re best covered on AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile
4. Compare the market
See who offers the cheapest rate possible for your requirements
Best Cell Phone Plans For Seniors
1. Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile | T-Mobile network | 3-12 month contract | 4 – 15GB data | $15 – $25 per month
For sheer value on cheaper prepaid plans, it’s really hard to beat Mint Mobile right now – especially if you’re looking for just a single line.
With this carrier you buy your plan upfront for a set amount of months – three, six, or twelve to be specific – with the longer plans averaging out to the lowest monthly rates on average.
Starting at just $15 for a plan with a 4GB data allowance, unlimited talk and text, and also 5G access makes Mint Mobile a great ‘all-rounder’ pick for the best cell phone for seniors.
2. Tello(T-Mobile Network)
Tello | T-Mobile network | 1 month contract | 0Mb – unlimited data | $5 – $39 per month
Tello is a carrier that operates a rather unique ‘build-your-own’ plan system that sounds complicated, but in reality is really simple. Using the easy-to-use slider you can decide exactly how much data, texts, and monthly call minutes you need, and the monthly rates are really competitive too.
What makes Tello really great is that you can easily modify your plan too, so you’re not locked into a low-data plan for ages, or you can easily cut extras out should your circumstances change.
3. Ultra Mobile
Ultra Mobile | T-Mobile network | 1 month contract | 100Mb data | $3 per month
If you need the basics – and we mean just the basics – then you could consider Ultra Mobile’s pay-as-you-go service. With this prepaid plan you’ll pay an entry fee of just $3 a month for 100Mb of data, 100 texts, and 100 minutes of calls – pretty much the cheapest on the market right now.
Note, after your allowances are up, you’ll pay 3 cents per minute for calls, 1 cent per text, and 3 cents for every MB of data usage. That’s not much, but you’ll definitely rack up extra costs if you’re planning on using your device a lot.
4. T-Mobile
5. US Mobile
6. Verizon
Verizon Unlimited | 24 month contract | unlimited data | $70 to $90 per month (1 line)
Data-hungry seniors could also consider checking out Verizon – a carrier that has pricey plans, but with some of the best perks and coverage in the country.
While expensive, you can get savings here by adding multiple lines, and you can also mix and match individual plan tiers if you’d like to have varying levels of priority data on each one.
Note – Verizon does actually have its own 55+ Seniors Plan that’s worth checking out, but it’s currently available for Florida address holders only.
7. AT&T (Pure Talk)
Pure Talk | AT&T network | 1 month contract | 2GB – unlimited data | $20 – $55 per month
We’ve featured a lot of T-Mobile and Verizon sub-carriers on this list for the best cell phone plans for seniors, so here’s a great pick for those who get the best coverage on the AT&T network.
Pure Talk is a prepaid carrier that offers a flexible array of options from simple low-data plans all the way to unlimited data plans for extremely competitive rates. It also offers a 10% to 20% discount for multiple lines, depending on how many you add, so there are potential savings for couples here.
Conclusion on Best Cell Phone Plans For Seniors
In conclusion, the above information concerning Best Cell Phone Plans For Seniors is comprehensive enough for anyone even a newbie. Now make sure to go through the steps provided in this post, and you will surely come out with the desired result.
Additionally, it is important to carefully follow through with the information above to come up with the desired result.
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Robomin is a freelance writer and blogger who covers topics related to Account Creation, gadgets, Refunds, and how to delete An Account. He has a passion for new and innovative technology and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others