What to look for in a senior phone plan

Most phone plans marketed to seniors offer the same basic thing: lower monthly costs in exchange for fewer minutes or data than younger people typically use. The real differences are in what you actually pay per month, whether you own your phone outright or need to buy one, and what happens if you go over your limit.

The cheapest plans run $15 to $25 a month and work best if you make fewer than 100 calls a month and rarely use data. Mid-range plans cost $30 to $50 and give you more calling minutes and some data for email and maps. The most expensive senior plans still stay under $70 a month and include unlimited calling and texting.

Before you compare prices, decide what you actually need: Do you mostly call family and your doctor? Do you text? Do you use maps or look things up online? Do you want a smartphone or a basic phone? The answers to these questions matter more than the plan name.

Key Takeaways

  • Senior plans from major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) cost $15 to $70 a month depending on minutes, texts, and data included.
  • Prepaid plans let you pay as you go and stop paying whenever you want, with no contract or cancellation fee.
  • Basic phones are cheaper upfront and use less data, but smartphones let you video call family and use maps without paying extra.
  • You can bring your current phone to a new carrier if it is unlocked, which saves you $100 to $400 on a new device.
  • Many plans include discounts for AARP members, Medicare recipients, or low-income seniors through Lifeline programs.

Major carriers and their senior plans

Verizon offers plans starting at $25 a month for 500 minutes and unlimited texting, with no contract. Their higher-tier plans include data and cost up to $65 a month. Verizon also runs a Lifeline program for low-income seniors that can reduce your bill to $9.25 a month. You can call Verizon at 1-800-922-0204 to ask about senior discounts.

AT&T has plans starting at $30 a month for unlimited calling and texting within the US, with data options starting at $15 extra. AT&T also participates in Lifeline and offers an AARP discount of about 10 percent off most plans. Call 1-800-331-0500 to ask about what you may have access to for.

T-Mobile offers unlimited calling and texting for $25 a month on their Connect plan, with data available for an additional cost. T-Mobile also runs Lifeline and has an AARP partnership. Call 1-844-839-4534 to discuss options.

All three carriers let you bring your own phone if it is unlocked and compatible with their network. If you need a new phone, they offer discounts on basic phones ($50 to $150) and smartphones ($200 to $800 after a discount).

Prepaid and no-contract plans

Prepaid plans let you pay upfront for a set amount of talk time, texts, or data, then use it until it runs out. You do not sign a contract, and you can stop paying whenever you want. This works well if you are not sure how much you will use the phone or if you want to avoid a long-term commitment.

Tracfone is the largest prepaid carrier for seniors. Plans start at $10 a month for 60 minutes of talk time, and you can add more minutes as needed. Tracfone uses the networks of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile depending on where you live, so coverage is usually good. You can buy a Tracfone phone for $20 to $100 or bring your own if it is unlocked.

Straight Talk offers similar prepaid plans starting at $25 a month for unlimited talk and text, with data options available. Like Tracfone, it uses the major carriers' networks. You can buy a phone or bring your own.

Consumer Cellular is a prepaid carrier owned by AARP and offers plans starting at $20 a month. They focus on customer service and have a reputation for helping older adults. You can call 1-855-707-7328 to speak with someone about your needs.

Basic phones versus smartphones

A basic phone (also called a flip phone or feature phone) does calling and texting only. It costs $30 to $150 to buy, uses very little data, and the battery lasts for days. If you only need to make calls and send texts, a basic phone keeps your bill low and is simpler to use.

A smartphone does everything a basic phone does, plus email, maps, video calling, and apps. It costs $200 to $800 upfront (though carriers often discount this), uses more data, and the battery lasts about a day. If you want to video call grandchildren, use Google Maps, or look up information online, a smartphone is worth the extra cost.

Many seniors find a middle ground: a basic phone for everyday calling, plus a tablet at home for video calls and web browsing. This keeps your phone bill low while giving you access to the features you want.

Lifeline and other discounts for low-income seniors

The Lifeline program is a federal program that reduces phone bills for people with low income. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, SNAP, or other information, you may be able to get a phone plan for $9.25 a month or less. Lifeline covers both basic phones and smartphones.

To learn about you may have access to, contact your state's Lifeline administrator. You can find the right office at lifelinephone.org or by calling 1-888-641-8722. You will need to bring proof of income or proof that you receive an information program.

Beyond Lifeline, many carriers offer AARP discounts (usually 5 to 10 percent off) and senior discounts for people over 55 or 65. Ask the carrier directly what discounts are available in your state, because they vary.

How to switch carriers or bring your phone

If you want to move to a new carrier, you can bring your current phone if it is unlocked. An unlocked phone works with any carrier, while a locked phone only works with the carrier that sold it to you. Call your current carrier and ask them to unlock your phone — they usually do this for free if your account is in good standing.

Once your phone is unlocked, you can take it to a new carrier and ask them to set up it. You will need your phone's model number (usually on the back or in settings) and your account information from your old carrier. The new carrier will give you a new SIM card and phone number, or let you keep your old number if you want.

If you do not have an unlocked phone or do not want to bring yours, the new carrier will sell you one. Basic phones usually cost $30 to $100, and smartphones cost $200 to $800 after any discounts. Some carriers offer free or heavily discounted phones if you sign up for a plan.

Questions to ask before you sign up

Before you commit to a plan, call the carrier and ask these questions: What is the total monthly cost, including taxes and fees? Do you have a contract, and what is the cancellation fee if you want to leave? What happens if you go over your minutes or data limit — do they charge extra, or does the service slow down? Is there a customer service number you can call, and is it available 24/7? Can you bring your own phone, and is there a fee to set up it?

Write down the answers and compare them across carriers. The cheapest plan is not always the best if the customer service is poor or the coverage does not work where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my current phone number if I switch carriers?

Yes. This is called number portability, and it is free. When you sign up with the new carrier, tell them you want to keep your old number and provide your account information from your old carrier. The transfer usually takes a few hours to a few days. Your old carrier cannot charge you a fee for this.

What if I do not use all my minutes in a month?

On contract plans, unused minutes usually roll over to the next month for a few months, then expire. On prepaid plans, unused minutes stay in your account until you use them or they expire (usually after a year of no activity). Check your plan's terms to see how long minutes last.

Do I need a smartphone to use 911?

No. Any phone — basic or smartphone — can call 911 for free, even if you do not have an active plan. If you are buying a phone just to have for emergencies, a basic phone is cheaper and simpler.

What if I cannot afford any of these plans?

Start with the Lifeline program at lifelinephone.org or 1-888-641-8722. If you do not may have access to for Lifeline, ask your local Area Agency on Aging about emergency phone programs in your community. Some nonprofits give free basic phones to seniors in need.

How do I know if my phone will work with a new carrier?

Call the new carrier with your phone's model number (on the back or in settings) and ask if it is compatible with their network. Most carriers have a tool on their website where you can type in your phone model and see if it works. If it does not, you will need to buy a new phone.