Here are the best cell phone plans for seniors, plus some alternatives that might fit you even better. You’ve got four different options for Consumer Cellular data plans, and they range from 2 GB to 20 GB of data. As you can imagine, the price increases as your data limit increases. Consumer Cellular’s 2 GB plan also costs $10–$30 less a month than you would pay with GreatCall or Verizon. If you want to call your daughter and dish about the latest episode of The Bachelor, do it. If you want to call your son and talk about whether the Lakers will go all the way this year (they won’t)—you should do that too. Unlimited talk and text means you don’t need to think twice about getting in touch. Here’s a look at what kind of coverage you can expect with Consumer Cellular. You get coverage in the green areas. Remember when you had your first flip phone and you somehow opened up an internet page despite not having any data, or when you accidentally exceeded your text limit? Those were stressful experiences. You won’t need to deal with any of that with unlimited data. Stream what you want, play what you want, FaceTime who you want—you might as well, since you have unlimited data. As long as you pay in advance for your prepaid plan, you can rest assured that you can text and call family and friends to your heart’s content.
iPhone 6 iPhone 6s iPhone 7 Samsung Galaxy J3 Samsung Galaxy J7 Samsung Galaxy S7 LG Premier Pro LTE Motorola Moto G6
On the plus side, you’ll save more money by going with a slightly older phone. You may not want to pay an expensive monthly rate for a new phone that basically does the same things your phone will do.
5.5-inch screen with text that you won’t have to squint to read Voice typing that lets you dictate your messages instead of typing them Front-facing speakers that make your audio easier to hear 13MP camera with LED flash Urgent response button on the home screen
The 5Star Urgent Response button lets you get a hold of a service agent ASAP if you need help—whether you’ve fallen or have another medical emergency. And the GreatCall Link app will let your family know you used the urgent response button.
Many cell phone companies offer discounts to AARP members—you can join AARP here. Certain cell phone companies like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T offer discounts for active-duty military and veterans. The federal Lifeline program might subsidize your cell phone bill if you meet one or more of the following requirements: Your income falls at or below 135% of the federal poverty guideline. You’re part of one of the following government programs: Medicaid Food stamps/SNAP Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Supplemental Rental Assistance (Section 8) Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) Veterans pension and survivors benefit programs
Here’s a breakdown of our top recommended cell phone plans for senior citizens:
Best value plan: Consumer Cellular Unlimited Talk & Text + 2 GB Data Plan offers an affordable phone plan that gets you plenty of bang for your buck. Best family plan: Verizon’s Unlimited Plan for 55+ gets you on the best network in the country for a discounted price if you’re a resident of Florida. It’s still pricey, but the coverage is the best. Best prepaid plan: Tracfone’s Unlimited Talk, Text & 1GB Data Smartphone Plan is one of the cheapest prepaid cell phone plans around. You won’t get unlimited data, but you should have plenty to get by. Best senior-friendly plan: GreatCall Wireless Unlimited Talk & Text Plan for Jitterbug Smart gives you an easy-to-use device with reliable emergency features.
Do you have a favorite cell phone plan or cell phone feature that you swear by? We’d love to hear about it. Let us know in the comments below.
