Absolutely everyone carries a cell phone today – even seniors. From browsing the internet on a smartphone to making calls and texts on a basic flip phone, cell phones are important each and every day. And for older adults, cell phones are particularly beneficial, as they allow you to call friends and family as well as emergency services.
But cell phones aren’t exactly cheap. Most cell phone plans cost hundreds of dollars per month, even if you’re getting perks like unlimited data or the newest smartphones. And for many seniors, that’s simply too much to pay.
aslysun / ShutterstockFortunately, there are a few ways to save. One option is to find a cell phone plan that’s made for seniors or people on a budget. Increasingly more cell phone providers are offering plans just for adults age 55 and older. And the following are five of the best available.
1. Sprint Unlimited 55+
Price: $35 per month per line, plus a one-time $30 activation fee¹.
What’s Included
Sprint’s Unlimited 55+ plan is only available for new customers and in Sprint store locations. However, the plan packs plenty of benefits, including the following²:
- Unlimited talk, text, and data.
- Free text and basic data in over 200 places around the world.
- Unlimited mobile hotspot.
- DVD-quality video streaming.
- International roaming.
Benefits for Seniors
- You can choose to either buy or lease your cell phone, or use one you already own.
- Calls, texts, and data are all included and unlimited.
- Monthly cost is affordable.
- Wide variety of phone choices, including the newest smartphones and easy-to-use flip phones.
2. GreatCall Talk and Text Rate Plan
Price: Depends on the cell phone you choose. Right now, customers can choose either the Jitterbug Smart2 for $149 or the Jitterbug Flip for $99³. The Talk and Text Rate Plans start at $14.99 per month and can increase from there, depending on the amount of texts, minutes, and data you need⁴.
What’s Included
GreatCall offers affordable, budget-friendly cell phone plans for any senior in need of flexibility. And depending on the phone you choose, you can customize your benefits with included features like⁵:
- From 250 minutes to 2,500 minutes per month.
- From 500 texts to 2,500 texts per month.
- The option of Unlimited Talk and Text.
- Can add data (depending on the phone) between 100 MB and 2.5 GB.
Benefits for Seniors
- No contracts, meaning you can change or cancel any time.
- Keep your current phone number.
- Choose and customize the number of minutes and texts you’d like to have.
- All cell phones offered by GreatCall are senior-friendly and easy to use.
- All plans include 5Star Urgent Response.
- Optional Health and Safety Plan can give seniors greater peace of mind.
3. Republic Wireless Unlimited Talk and Text
Price: Unlimited Talk and Text plans start at $15 per month⁶.
What’s Included
Anyone can sign up with Republic Wireless, but seniors will love the simplicity of the available plans. The Unlimited Talk and Text Plan includes⁷:
- No limit on the number of minutes or text messages each month.
- 14-day money-back guarantee.
- 4G LTE coverage across the U.S.
Benefits for Seniors
- Contract is month-to-month, giving you more flexibility.
- Can use an existing phone or choose a new one.
- If you don’t use or need data, you don’t have to pay for it.
- Calls to the U.S. are free – even from international destinations.
4. T-Mobile Magenta Unlimited 55
Price: There are two price options for T-Mobile’s Magenta Unlimited 55 plans: $35 per month per line for the basic plan, or $45 per line per month for the Plus plan8.
What’s Included
Designed for adults age 55 and older, the T-Mobile Magenta plans include everything seniors could need. These plans include features like9:
- Unlimited talk, text, and data.
- International data and texting.
- 480p video streaming.
- International roaming in Mexico and Canada.
- Free inflight texting and data on certain airline flights.
- Free mobile hotspot.
Benefits for Seniors
- No annual contract, meaning you can cancel at any time.
- Deep discount compared to T-Mobile’s regular rates and plans.
- No cap on your phone calls or texts.
- Data is included for anyone who uses a smartphone.
5. Consumer Cellular Talk and Connect
Price: Consumer Cellular plans vary depending on the features you choose. Prices start at $15 per month for 250 minutes and an unlimited plan starts at $20 per month10.
What’s Included
Consumer Cellular offers budget-friendly cell phone plans that give seniors the power to choose how much talk, text, and data they’d like. Features for plans include11:
- Either 250 minutes per month or unlimited minutes.
- Anywhere from 500 MB to 25 GB of data per month.
- Unlimited texting.
Benefits for Seniors
- Can change your plan anytime, including downgrading to a cheaper option.
- Customer service is U.S.-based, making it easy if you’re having problems.
- Can choose from a wide array of flip phones and smartphones.
- No extra fees.
- Seniors can bring a phone they already own to Consumer Cellular.
- Discounts may be available for certain group memberships or senior organizations.
How to Find a Senior-Friendly Cell Phone Plan
Seniors don’t always need the newest smartphones, unlimited data, and pricey phone plans. And if you know that senior-friendly cell phone providers and plans exist, you can find one that fulfills your needs. Most importantly, senior-friendly cell phone plans give you the chance to save money on your phone bill.
By switching to a plan that’s designed for seniors, you may be able to reduce your cell phone bill. For anyone living on a fixed income, this is critical. You need to decrease your expenses, even when it comes to something as important as your cell phone.
To find an affordable cell phone plan like those mentioned here, you’ll want to search online. Today, cell phone providers advertise many of their best offers online. And there are always deals, discounts, or special offers available for new customers.
The key to finding them – and finding a cheap plan – is to search online. Then, you’ll be able to compare cell phone plans, available phones, and all of the benefits of each wireless company.