The 7 Best Senior Cell Phone Plans

Best Overall: T-Mobile

• Plans: 3 special over age 55 plans
• Average Monthly Cost: $30 to $65 for one line
• Unique Features: Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE data, high-speed mobile hotspots, taxes & fees included

Why We Chose It

Offering three easy-to-use 55+ plans, all coming with unlimited talk, text, and data, T-Mobile is likely to meet the needs of most seniors.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Dubbed the rate plan for a "generation of rule-breakers," T-Mobile's unlimited Go5G Plus 55 plan offers unlimited talk, text, and LTE and 5G data for $110 monthly for two lines.

The $110 charge is the same number you should see every month without any taxes or fees tacked onto the bill, making budgeting much more manageable.

Beyond the base rate, T-Mobile adds unlimited video streaming at DVD quality (480p) and up to 4K, and international roaming in Canada and Mexico with 15GB of high-speed data.

Additionally, retirees on this plan receive unlimited free in-flight Wi-Fi. Customers can also turn their devices into mobile hotspots without any extra charge.

With nearly 50 percent in savings compared to leading competitors' rates, world travelers and heavy data users should flock to this T-Mobile plan.

Best Emergency Plan: Lively

• Plans: Six customizable, seniors-specific plans and phones
• Average Monthly Cost: $22 to $50

Unique Features: Urgent response health and safety packages

Why We Chose It

Lively is an excellent option for older customers looking for a cell phone plan that's good for low monthly use, and its emergency features will ease users' and family members' minds.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Home of the senior-friendly Jitterbug phones, Lively offers an Unlimited Talk & Text Plan for $19.99 per month with unlimited minutes and unlimited texts.

To complete your phone plan, you'll choose a data option: 1GB at no extra monthly cost, 5GB for $10 per month, 10GB for $15 per month, and unlimited for $30 per month.

But Lively really shines with its urgent response offerings, known as Lively Health and Safety packages, which let users immediately access emergency assistance, ask medical questions, summon a locksmith, and more.

The $24.99 Basic package includes an urgent response service and a "Lively Link," which alerts designated loved ones when you access the urgent response service. A $34.99 Premium package also includes access to a live operator.

Best Prepaid: Metro by T-Mobile

• Plans: Selection of prepaid plans
• Average Monthly Cost: $50 to $60
• Unique Features: Unlimited high-speed data
  

Why We Chose It

For a no-frills solution on prepaid, look to Metro by T-Mobile for a one-stop plan that offers a $50 monthly rate that includes unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Piggybacking off T-Mobile's nationwide 5G network, Metro by T-Mobile customers can rest easy knowing that all taxes and regulatory fees are already included in the bill, so $50 is the same rate every month.

The most expensive plan at $70/month adds plenty of extras like 25GB of hotspot data and unlimited texting to over 210 countries.

As a prepaid carrier, customers do have to purchase the device outright, with prices varying depending on the device. However, Metro by T-Mobile does offer a bring-your-own-device solution to skip past the upfront cost of a new phone.

Best Basic: Consumer Cellular

• Plans: Three senior discount plans
• Average Monthly Cost: $20 to $50
• Unique Features: Unlimited talk & text, nationwide coverage

Why We Chose It

Geared toward the older crowd, Consumer Cellular is a simplified cell phone reseller that provides an easy-to-understand solution to selecting a cellular provider.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Individual Consumer Cellular users can start with rates as low as $20 per month for unlimited talk and text and 1GB of data, while a two-line plan sharing the same data and minutes raises the cost to $35 per month.

As a bonus, Consumer Cellular has an established relationship with AARP, so there's a 5% discount on monthly service for any existing AARP member.

Another highlight of Consumer Cellular is the opportunity to select a new plan every month, so you can adjust your allotted monthly minutes and data in case you're traveling or are spending too much or too little for your monthly needs.

Best Flexible: US Mobile

• Plans: Wide range of prepaid plans
• Average Monthly Cost: $10 to $44
• Unique Features: Very affordable

Why We Chose It

For seniors who still have a landline or just need a cell phone for emergencies, US Mobile has many affordable options.

Pros & Cons

Overview

For a truly flexible solution, cell phone customers should look to US Mobile for a wireless carrier that provides a wide selection of buckets to help piece together the right plan for you.

With prices starting as low as $10 for 2GB and unlimited talk & text, it's easy to see right off the bat just how flexible and inexpensive US Mobile can be. Alternatively, prices can go as high as $44 for 100GB of 5G data and unlimited talk and text.

To help make things easier, US Mobile offers a 30-day risk-free trial to ensure you're on the right plan and with the right provider, with the promise of a full refund if you're not completely satisfied.

Customers who select US Mobile can supply their own device but if you want a new phone number there is a $10 fee to activate the service.

Best Traveler: AT&T

• Plans: Special plan for seniors
• Average Monthly Cost: $60 to $80
• Unique Features: Free spam and fraud call blocking, identity monitoring, and safe browsing

Why We Chose It

One of the nation’s first cell service providers, AT&T offers unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. In addition, subscribers get free texting in more than 200 countries, making it excellent for travelers.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Customers enjoying their golden years by traveling should look to AT&T's $40 monthly prepaid offering.

For that price, AT&T customers receive unlimited talk and text in and between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

International travelers can also take advantage of international text messaging in Mexico, Canada, and from the U.S. to more than 200 countries. As for data, AT&T offers 15GB of 5G data that's good for use in all of North America, and any unused data rolls over for one 30-day renewal period.

With nationwide coverage on AT&T's 5G network and no-frills use anywhere in North America, AT&T's prepaid option is a terrific choice for seeing the world.

Best Data: Boost Mobile

• Plans: Three unlimited plans
• Average Monthly Cost: $25 to $60
• Unique Features: Unlimited talk and text, discounts for extra lines

Why We Chose It

While not the cheapest carrier, Boost Mobile offers excellent services and some unique benefits for seniors at affordable prices.

Pros & Cons

Overview

For mobile-savvy seniors, Boost Mobile offers an attractive solution that is no-frills and includes taxes and fees directly in the rate plan.

The base Unlimited plan includes unlimited text, talk, 30GB of data, and a $25 lifetime rate when you sign up for autopay.

Customers opting for the $50 Unlimited+ plan receive unlimited talk, text, a mobile hotspot, and 40GB of LTE data. The $60 Unlimited Premium plan ups data to 50GB and adds unlimited talk and text and 5GB of roaming data in Canada and Mexico.