- Solid health and safety benefits
- Easy-to-use phones
Whether you're a senior who wants to keep it simple with a flip phone or a tech-savvy senior posting on social media and video chatting with the grandkids, there's a phone plan out there for you. You’ll find everything from affordable low-data plans to all-inclusive unlimited packages.
What’s more, many carriers and organizations (like AARP) provide additional savings for seniors. We know picking a phone plan can seem daunting. That’s why we’ve thoroughly researched dozens of mobile carriers and found that Consumer Cellular’s 3GB Data Plan is the best option for most seniors. Let’s look over all the phone plans for seniors that made our list so you can select the right option for yourself or a loved one.
Best phone plans for senior citizens
| Plan | Best for | Monthly price | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Cellular 3GB Data Plan | Most folks | $25 | View Plan |
| PureTalk 10GB Data Plan | Budget-conscious | $35 | View Plan |
| T-Mobile Magenta 55+ | Unlimited data | $40 | View Plan |
| Lively Unlimited Talk & Text | Health and safety perks | View Plan | |
| Verizon 15GB Prepaid Plan | Strong coverage | $35 | View Plan |
| AT&T 15GB Prepaid Plan | Monthly prepaid service | $40 | View Plan |
Many carriers offer feature-packed cell plans with great senior discounts. Expected goodies include attractive discounts, high data thresholds, and even occasional health apps. Here are the best senior cell phone plans to fit your needs and budget—no matter what they are.
Best Overall Plan for Seniors
Consumer Cellular | 3GB Data Plan | $30/mo—Best plan for most seniors
Consumer Cellular is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that focuses its advertising campaign on seniors. While folks of all ages are free to sign up, Consumer Cellular offers a 5% AARP discount, making its pricing particularly competitive. Monthly pricing for 3GB is $25, before the AARP discount. If you exceed your monthly data allowance, Consumer Cellular will automatically charge you for the next tier up. Nevertheless, if you’re mindful of your data usage, you should be fine.
In our review, we loved Consumer Cellular’s wide selection of plans, exceptional U.S.-based customer service, and competitive multi-line discounts. 3GB of monthly data should be enough for video calls on Zoom, checking Facebook, or reading your emails—especially if you stay connected to Wi-Fi whenever possible. There’s also an excellent device selection at Consumer Cellular; you can pick from the latest iPhone and Android smartphones or find easy-to-use flip phones for basic calling and unlimited texting. Consumer Cellular even offers senior-specific gadgets like its GrandPad.
- Pros: Many available plans, outstanding US-based customer service, AARP discount
- Cons: Hidden overage charges
Use our Consumer Cellular coverage map to view network service in your area.
Best Value Plan for Seniors
PureTalk | 10GB Data Plan | $35/mo—Best budget plan for seniors
Powered by AT&T, PureTalk is a fantastic MVNO that partners with AMAC, or the Association of Mature American Citizens, to offer phone service for seniors at a competitive senior discount. You’ll receive up to $250 off of phone purchases plus affordable prices on your phone bill bundled with an AMAC membership. We like PureTalk’s excellent US-based customer service, no-contract plans, and fast 5G speeds where available. Unfortunately, you’re subject to deprioritization at any time, although that’s common with MVNOs. Ultimately, PureTalk’s no overages, low-cost plans, and outstanding coverage make it a great choice.
- Pros: AMAC senior discount, excellent coverage, fantastic US-based customer service
- Cons: Deprioritization at any time
Learn how to find the best cell phone coverage in your area.
Best Unlimited Plan for Seniors
T-Mobile | Magenta 55+ | $50/month—Best heavy data plan for seniors
T-Mobile's phone service for seniors really shines for its 5G speeds. 5G mobile internet is significantly faster than 4G LTE, and T-Mobile offers best-in-class 5G network coverage. Its Magenta 55+ plan is the best T-Mobile plan for seniors with a starting price of $50/month for a single line and $35/month per line for two or more lines. For that price, you’ll enjoy 5G access, unlimited text, talk, and data, 5GB of mobile hotspot data (at 4G LTE speeds), plus 5GB of 4G data to use in Mexico and Canada.
Streaming video from services such as Netflix and Disney+ over mobile data (not Wi-Fi) will cap at standard definition (SD) or DVD quality. Although data is unlimited, T-Mobile may slow down your data during times of heavy network congestion. Stepping up to the Magenta MAX 55+ plan nets you a 40GB 4G LTE hotspot, up to 4K ultra-high definition streaming, and data that won’t slow. Still, the Magenta 55+ plan should be more than enough to call, text, chat with friends and family on Facebook Messenger, or watch YouTube videos.
- Pros: Unlimited talk/text/data, 5GB mobile hotspot data, 5GB of data to use in Canada or Mexico, affordable pricing
- Cons: SD video streaming (DVD quality), data deprioritization
Use our best unlimited data plans guide to check out other fantastic unlimited data packages.
Best Health and Safety Features
Lively (previously GreatCall) | Unlimited Talk & Text | $19.99/month—Best plan perks for seniors
Lively (the network formerly known as GreatCall) features some of the best phone plans for seniors. Its Unlimited Talk & Text tier is an affordable $19.99/month. While networks such as T-Mobile and Consumer Cellular offer unlimited data plans, Lively keeps it uncomplicated with exclusive and simple-to-use Jitterbug phones that offer talk and text-only plans—data costs extra. You can tack on data starting at $2.49/month for 100MB.
Low-cost cell phone plans for seniors on Lively’s network include attractive pricing along with optional health and safety perks for an extra $19.99/month. You’ll have benefits such as 24/7 medical alert agents, nurse and doctor access, a personal operator to assist you with various tasks, medication management mobile apps, and Lyft rideshare service integration. Additionally, Lively features an AARP member discount. Lively is a great option for phone service for seniors if you don't mind the extra charge for data and the limited phone selection.
- Pros: Affordable pricing, easy-to-use phones, excellent health and safety perks
- Cons: Talk/text plans only (data costs extra), limited phone selection
Use our best cheap cell phone plans guide to check out other affordable service packages.
Best Network Coverage
Verizon | 15GB Prepaid Plan | $35/month—Best coverage plan for seniors
Of the big three carriers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile), Verizon leads the pack with its 4G LTE network spanning over 70% of the United States. Its 15GB prepaid tier is one of the best Verizon phone plans for seniors with enough data to handle checking emails, streaming Disney+, and video chatting with friends or family. It’s just $35 with autopay ($45 without). The Verizon 15GB prepaid plan comes at a significant discount to Verizon’s much pricier Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, and Unlimited Ultimate packages. While you won’t get any add-on perks like streaming subscriptions or health and safety apps, Verizon’s 15GB monthly prepaid tier provides top-notch network coverage at a reasonable price.
- Pros: Excellent 4G LTE network coverage, reasonable price, no contract
- Cons: No AARP/senior discount, lacks perks
Verizon Unlimited Plan for 55+—Only for Florida seniors
Although Verizon does have a dedicated senior cell phone plan, its Unlimited Plan for 55+ has a catch: it’s only available in Florida. For residents of the Sunshine State interested in a Verizon plan, it’s a no-brainer. With an auto-pay discount, just $60/month gets you unlimited talk, text, and data on a superb network. If it's available to you, this is hands-down the best Verizon plan for seniors.
- Pros: Unlimited plan, best nationwide coverage
- Cons: Only available in Florida
Use our best Verizon plans guide to compare other options.
Best Prepaid Plan for Seniors
AT&T | Prepaid 15GB Plan | $40/month—Best prepaid plan for seniors
AT&T has a reliable network, coming in just shy of Verizon's 70% country-wide coverage at 68%. Its $40/month prepaid phone plan is the best AT&T plan for seniors, netting you 15GB of high-speed data a month. That should be ample smartphone data for reading articles online, watching some videos, and talking to family or friends on Facebook. There’s no unlimited data or perks like those offered by other carriers, but at just $40/month, AT&T’s prepaid 15GB plan is a compelling choice. Although the AT&T Unlimited 55+ plan is only for seniors in Florida, you can take advantage of AARP discounts in any state, such as $100 in credit per line of service and waived activation fees up to $45.
- Pros: Affordable price, generous data offering, no contract, nationwide AARP discounts
- Cons: Lacks perks, no senior discount
AT&T senior citizen discount - Only for Florida seniors
This AT&T Unlimited 55+ plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data in the US, Canada, and Mexico. You'll enjoy texting to more than 120 countries. Like Verizon, AT&T offers a senior citizen discount, but only to Florida residents.
- Pros: Affordable plan, great network coverage, unlimited data
- Cons: Only for Florida residents
Use our cheapest unlimited data plans guide to get loads of data for little money.
What to consider when choosing a phone plan for seniors
Cell phone service isn’t universal, so you’ll need to consider several factors when deciding which plan is right for you.
MVNOs
A mobile virtual network operator piggybacks off of a major carrier, so you’ll still experience the same great service at a substantial discount. MVNOs are good options for seniors since most offer no-contract plans and affordable pricing. In fact, two of our top plan providers for seniors—Consumer Cellular and Lively—are MVNOs. Our other favorite prepaid service providers include Visible Wireless, Mint Mobile, and Twigby.
Customer service
Hopefully, you won't require help, but excellent customer service is incredibly beneficial when you do. Whether you’ve got a question about plans or phones, getting in touch with an actual human can make troubleshooting quick and painless. Thankfully, our picks in this guide all feature fantastic customer support. We even tested out their responsiveness ourselves and were incredibly impressed.
In-store availability
Although online shopping is extremely convenient, sometimes it’s easier to pick something up in-person. Consumer Cellular, Lively, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T are readily available in brick-and-mortar stores.
Multi-line vs. single line
Generally, family plans offer increased savings when compared with single-line options. A two-line bundle works well if you can sign up alongside a partner or friend. We like Visible Wireless, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Reach Mobile for a pair of lines. Alternatively, think about getting on a family plan with groups of relatives or friends. Our top family plans hail from Visible, T-Mobile, Verizon, Simple Mobile, and US Mobile.
Unlimited vs. limited data
If you’re constantly streaming videos, playing games, and checking your email on the go, unlimited data comes in handy. However, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg. Companies like Mint Mobile, US Mobile, and Visible Mobile notably deliver cheap unlimited plans. Low data plans are typically the most cost-effective. We recommend Twigby and Consumer Cellular for limited data packages.
Methodology: Choosing the best cell phone plans for seniors
In curating the top phone plans for seniors, we looked at:
- Pricing
- Senior-specific discounts
- Single vs. multi-line plans
- Phone and service availability
- Signal strength and coverage
- Customer service
- Ease of use
- Device support
Moreover, we got hands-on testing with mobile carriers to gain invaluable first-hand knowledge of coverage areas and customer experience. Then, we gathered tons of data from seniors (those in the 55+ age group) for real-world information. We analyzed these statistics while comparing dozens of carriers and MVNOs to narrow down our picks.
Best plan discounts for seniors
Seniors enjoy several ways to save, including AARP deals, direct carrier discounts, and the federal LifeLine program.
AARP discounts
Many wireless companies offer additional discounts to seniors based on certain memberships—the most popular of which is the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Consumer Cellular, AT&T, and Lively are just three examples of carriers that reward you for being a member. Fun fact: While AARP focuses on the over-50 demographic, there’s no minimum age requirement, so join today and start saving!
Carrier deals
Certain mobile carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, feature senior savings. Unfortunately, Verizon and AT&T only provide these packages in Florida, which is great for folks in the Sunshine State but won’t help you save if you're living elsewhere.
Federal Lifeline program
You could get a monthly phone bill discount through the federal Lifeline program. Your income must fall below 135% of the federal poverty line to qualify. Otherwise, you might be eligible for a discount if you're on select government programs like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SNAP, Supplemental Rental Assistance, or Federal Public Housing Assistance.
AMAC savings
The Association of Mature American Citizens, or AMAC, is similar to AARP in providing benefits like lower phone bills. AMAC partners with PureTalk for monthly plan deals or device deals. Additionally, you’ll appreciate up to $250 off any phone.
Best phones for seniors
Need a handset to accompany your new service? You've got loads of options, from cutting-edge cell phones to senior-oriented gadgets. Whether you're a heavy app user or stick to calling and texting, there's a phone for you. Check out the best phones for seniors, from Androids and iPhones to Jitterbugs, and everything in between.
Best flip phones for seniors
Not interested in a smartphone? Consider a flip phone. They're simple to use for answering and ending calls, and they lack some of the more confusing menus and options on "smarter" tech.
XP3plus
- 2.8 inch display
- Rear Camera: 8MP
- 16GB int. memory (useable capacity will be less)
Best smartphones for seniors
If you want the tech (and larger screen!) of a smartphone, our favorite Android phones include the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A32. We also recommend the iPhone 13 or iPhone SE as good phones for seniors who are Apple fans. Jitterbug also makes a solid roster of phones for elderly users.
iPhone SE (2022) 64GB
- 4.7 inch display
- Rear Camera: 12MP
- Front Camera: 7MP
iPhone 13 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 12MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 14 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 12MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S23 5G 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 12MP, 50MP, 10MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S24 5G 128GB
- 6.2 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 12MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
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