Best cell phone plans for seniors in 2024

The best cell phone plans for seniors can help you save money on your cell phone bill if you're 55 years or older. But you're not limited to age-restricted plans. Broaden your search, and you can still find low-costs options that provide plenty of data. 

The best cheap cell phone plans — whether it's for seniors or for anyone at any age — deliver great value by including strong service and perks with affordable prices. In our search for the best cell phone plans overall, we've found serval plans designed specifically for anyone 55 or older. But we've also included any low-cost option that packs in sufficient data, including some of the best prepaid phone plans from carriers who might be off the beaten path.

The trick to finding the best senior phone plans starts with figuring out what you're willing to pay and zeroing in on an offer that meets your budget. To that end, we've lined up plans ranging from cheap options with just a little datato the best unlimited data plans that still keep costs down. 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 select seniors plans at AT&T and Verizon have residency requirements, whereas T-Mobile's best cell phone plan for seniors only requires proof of age. 

But you're not limited to options from big-name carriers — we also like options from Mint, Visible and Boost. These trio of carriers don't have senior-specific plans, but they do offer good coverage at a low monthly rate. And isn't that what everyone's looking for?

The quick list

The best cell phone plan for seniors overall

T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 | 2-line plan | $60/month - Best value unlimited senior plan

Pros:Cons: 

T-Mobile Essentials Choice 55 | 2-line plan | $60/month - Best value unlimited senior plan
Rates have gone up on T-Mobile's plans for seniors, but it's still a good low-cost offering, particularly if you opt for the Essentials Choice 55 plan. You can get two unlimited lines for just $60 a month ($30 each). This comes with unlimited data, calls, and texts with no speed restrictions, 3G mobile hotspot data and scam protection; you also get access to T-Mobile's 5G access at no extra cost. You can upgrade to T-Mobile's Go5G Plus plan, where you get two lines of data for $100/month. The plan also includes Apple TV Plus, 50GB mobile hotspot data, and more. Even better, taxes and fees are included in the monthly rate, so you always know how big your bill will be.

Pros:
Affordable price, no annual contract, 5G at no extra cost
Cons: Limited to 2G in Mexico/Canada, only SD streaming

Best value plan for seniors

Mint Mobile | 5GB | $15/month - Low price with tech support

Pros: 
Cons:

Mint Mobile | 5GB | $15/month - Low price with tech support
Mint Mobile now offers a Mint 55+ plan that looks a lot like its entry-level plan in which you get 5GB of data for $15/month in your first three months of service. But seniors get access to MINTech Advisors for technical support with activation, cancelling your previous service, bringing your current number over to Mint and any other ongoing questions. As with Mint's other plans, the 55+ offering requires you to pay for a full year in advance after your first three months, if you want to keep the low $15/monthly rate. While that's a big upfront charege, the monthly savings and tech support make Mint's plan more than worthit.

Pros:
Very affordable, tech support included for seniors
Cons:
Requires big upfront payment for lowest monthly rate

Best low-cost unlimited data plan for seniors

Visible | Visible Unlimited plan | $25/month - A cheap option for unlimited dataPros:Cons:

Visible | Visible Unlimited plan | $25/month - A cheap option for unlimited data
There's no age requirement at Visible Wireless, and seniors may find it hard to resist the carrier's $25 monthly cost for unlimited data. That $25 includes taxes and fees, without requiring the upfront payment for one of Mint's plans. The $45/month Visible Plus plan offers more perks like hotspot data and international calling, plus access to Verizon's faster 5G service. A current promotion at Visible lowers your month rate to $20 on the regular plan or $35 on Visible Plus for the next 24 months when you use code 'CHAMP' to sign up.

Pros: Low monthly cost, uses Verizon's network
Cons: Visible Plus plan has better perks, no discounts on multiple lines

Best locked-in price for seniors

Boost Mobile | Unlimited data | $25/month — Guaranteed price lockPro:Cons:

Boost Mobile | Unlimited data | $25/month — Guaranteed price lock
If you haven't looked at Boost Mobile in a while, check out the carrier's current plans. The most appealing option for seniors offers unlimited data for $25 a month — a low cost that compares well with what Mint and Visible charge. But Boost keeps that rate locked in at $25 forever, so long as you remain enrolled in autopay. You can use 30GB per month before your data speed is subject to throttling and you can try out Boost's service for 30 days to see if it serves your needs.

Pro: Rate is locked in place forever, extended network has wide reach
Cons: Limited perks compared to other Boost plans


Best flexibe data plan for seniors

Ultra Mobile | 3GB | $19/month - Most flexible plan
 
Pros:
Cons:

Ultra Mobile | 3GB | $19/month - Most flexible plan
While Ultra Mobile is best know for its cheap pay-as-you-go options for data, you get the best deal from the carrier when you pay for a year's service in advance. That allows you to get a 3GB data plan for $19/month. Need more than 3GB? Ultra also has 5GB, 10GB, 15GB and unlimited data plans with discounted rates when you pay in advance.

Pros:
Super cheap, locks in rate
Cons:
Best offer requires big upfront payment

Best cell phone plan for seniors at AT&T

AT&T | Unlimited 55 Plus | $60/month or two lines for $80/month - AT&T's feature-packed unlimited plan

Pros:
Cons:

AT&T | Unlimited 55 Plus | $60/month or two lines for $80/month - AT&T's feature-packed unlimited plan
The best AT&T plans include an exclusive deal for seniors, but you've got to be over 55 and living in Florida. If you fit this criteria, you can get two unlimited data, calls, and text lines for just $80 a month or one for $60. You'll be able to use your plan in the US, Mexico, and Canada, and 5G service is included at no extra cost. You can also text to more than 120 countries for free, and you'll get spam and fraud call blocking. If you don't live in Florida, try the Value Plus Plan for $50/month; sadly, it's limited to one line of data.

Pros:
Unlimited 5G data, discount for Florida residents over 55
Cons:
Expensive, not available in other states

Best cell phone plan for seniors at Verizon

Verizon | 55 Plus Unlimited plan | $62/month or $84 for two lines  - The best Verizon plan for seniors


Pros:Cons:

Verizon | 55 Plus Unlimited plan | $62/month or $84 for two lines  - The best Verizon plan for seniors
Like AT&T's plan above, this Verizon promotion is exclusively available to those over 55 and living in Florida; you also need to sign up for automatic payments. Yes, that's a niche group but if you fit into it, you can get a truly fantastic offer — one unlimited line for $62 a month or $84 for two lines. This includes unlimited 4G data, calls and texts, unlimited mobile hot-spotting, use when traveling in Mexico and Canada, and more. If you don't fit into this criteria, Verizon's 15GB prepaid plan costs $35/month for one line and includes 5G coverage.

Pros:
Major discount, unlimited 4G data, unlimited hotspot
Cons: Expensive, requires autopay, residency requirement

Best AARP discount on cell phone plans for seniors

Consumer Cellular | 10GB | $35/month - A plan with AARP discounts

Consumer Cellular | 10GB | $35/month - A plan with AARP discounts
Consumer Cellular offers low prices for everyone regardless of age, but it's especially adept at catering to seniors with flexible data plans where you can chose exactly how much data you want. The best option in Consumer Cellular's reshuffled lineup is a 10GB plan that costs $35/month for just one line and $50/month if you add a second person to the plan. AARP members get a 5% discount on top of the low rate.

Pros: Monthly discount for AARP members, includes 5G coverage and discounts on multiple lines
Cons: Fewer plan options than before

Best cell phone plan for seniors who travel

Google Fi | Unlimited Plus Plan | $110/month | Best plan for globe-trotting seniorsPros: Cons:

Google Fi | Unlimited Plus Plan | $110/month | Best plan for globe-trotting seniors
At $110 a month for two lines with unlimited data, Google Fi's Unlimited Plus is one of the more expensive offerings among the best cell phone plans for seniors. And while Google offers discounts on additional lines, a two-person household would still pay $110 each month (or $55 for each line). But if you've retired to explore the four corners of the earth, that high price could be worth it, as Google Fi lets you use your plan when you travel to more than 200 countries. (You can make calls from the US to more than 50 countries for free, as well.) With Google Fi optimized for Google's own Pixel phones, this is an unlimited data plan that might appeal to a very specific set of seniors.

Pros: Talk, text and data available when traveling, optimized for Google phones
Cons: One of the more expensive options

How to pick the best cell phone plans for seniors

best cell phone plans for seniors

(Image credit: 10'000 Hours)

When researching the best cell phone plans for seniors, we've learned that there are a few factors to consider. Most of these plans tend to be more affordable with lower data caps, more flexible, and often offer special benefits.

Some brands, such as AT&T and Verizon, offer discounted prices for seniors or packages specifically designed for people over a certain age. However, these can require you to live in the state of Florida. T-Mobile is unique among the major carriers in having no residency requirement for its best cell phone plan for seniors.

If you don't live in Florida, your best bet is to focus on what you need. Do you need something with a minimal amount of data and low costs? One of the best cell plans for seniors from Mint Mobile, Tello, or Ultra Mobile should be a good fit for you.

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, T-Mobile offers up unlimited data plans. However, these are going to cost you a fair bit of cash to get, unless you turn to a discount carrier like Visible or Mint. 

Alex is an editor at Future with a focus on phones and broadband. With an eye on the best prices across both of these areas, Alex is bringing you the must-have bargains right now.

  • beansaretasty
    The cheapest service that I've found and currently use is Tello (a former Sprint MVNO). Unlimited text/calls + 1GB data is $10/mo. the plan can be changed on the fly, and no commitment. Downside is you need to bring your own compatible device or purchase one of Tello's refurbished models. The Moto G series works well enough on the Tello network.

    I actually get the 500MB plan and only use about 100MB/mo. Turning on Data Saver in Android, disabling nearly all background networking except for essential system services, and sticking primarily to WiFi avoids using network data.

    Seniors are generally on a fixed income and therefore can't afford to spend too much per month. So cheap phone plans and cheap phones are a must. I recommend Tello's lower end plans as a middle ground option between Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile.
    Reply
  • pjcamp
    admin said:
    Here's how the best cell phone plans for seniors compare, ranging from the cheapest to best unlimited options.

    Best cell phone plans for seniors : Read more
    Here's the thing about T-Mobile's senior plan, which I have. You only get the $60 rate if you allow T-Mobile to have direct access to your bank account. If you don't do that, it is $80. They stopped taking credit cards 2 years ago. I don't give ANYONE direct access to my bank account, but especially T-Mobile given the number of data breaches they have had in recent years. Your losses are legally limited to $50 on a credit card but if a hacker gets into your bank account they can take everything you have. $80 is still an OK rate but it isn't a no-brainer like $60 is. T-Mobile used to brag about removing pain points, but new management seems intent on restoring as many as possible.
    Reply
  • Nukes
    T-Mobile Senior Plan for $60 with auto pay is incorrect. It's $60 PLUS tax and fees and auto pay comes out to $70.12. I got stuck in that trick bag.
    Reply