One of the perks of retirement is how much life gets easier. Gone are the days of endless work calls, texts, and emails after business hours. Since your cell phone needs may have changed, you might be in the market for a new phone plan. We’ve researched the best cell phone plans for your specific needs as you enter retirement and categorized them based on what you prioritize the most.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Best traditional provider plan: T-Mobile
If you want a senior plan with a traditional mobile provider, T-Mobile is your best option — and you only have to be 55 to qualify.
In fact, T-Mobile is one of the few traditional cell phone providers with specific plans for seniors across the entire United States.
T-Mobile has three age 55 and above plans: the Essentials 55+ Plan, the Magenta 55+ Plan, and the MagentaMax 55+ Plan.
The Essentials 55+ plan starts at $27.50 per month for one line or $55 for two. The plan includes unlimited talking, texting, 5G data usage, and texting abroad.
The Magenta 55+ plan costs $35 per month for a single line or $70 for two lines. This plan offers everything the Essentials 55+ plan does, data abroad, a 1-Year AAA Membership, one-hour Wi-Fi during air travel, and a basic Netflix plan on one mobile device.
The Magenta Max 55+ plan is $45 per month for one line and $90 for two. It includes everything from previous plans, an additional 4k UHD streaming, unlimited Wi-Fi during air travel, and a standard Netflix plan on both phones.
None of these plans require a monthly contract, plus T-Mobile won’t raise the rates on your plan with its Price Lock feature. Customers can get a new smartphone when they initiate a new line with T-Mobile and pay it off in monthly bill credits over 24 months.
Best senior services: Live!y
Photo: Deposit Photos
If you aren’t interested in all the frills of traditional cell phone plans but want a plan catered specifically to the needs of seniors, then Live!y may be the best option for you.
Live!y offers a smartphone and flip phone option, with plans modified to the specific device. The Value Talk & Text plan starts at $14.99 per month and provides 300 minutes plus $.10 per text message. The Unlimited Talk & Text plan offers unlimited minutes and texts. Smartphone users may also choose an additional data plan, ranging from $2.49 to $30 per month.
The Live!y Mobile Plus is a bonus device available for purchase that comes with safety services. These services include an Urgent Response button, connecting mobile users with an Urgent Response Agent to get them the 24/7 help they need in emergencies. The Urgent Care option on this device enables Live!y users to get urgent care assistance with medical questions and prescriptions anytime from board-certified doctors and nurses. Live!y Link is an app that updates friends and family on your location and safety, keeping you independent.
The Live!y Mobile Plus has plans tailored to the services customers are looking for. The Basic Package includes just the Urgent Response option for $19.99 per month, the Preferred Package includes Urgent Response and Urgent Care for $24.99 per month, and the Ultimate Package contains Urgent Response, Urgent Care, Live!y Link, and Fall Detection for $34.99 per month.
Best discount plan: Mint Mobile
If you’re tired of going to physical cell phone stores or committing to long-term cell phone contracts, Mint Mobile may be for you.
Phone plans with Mint come in three-, six-, or 12-month durations. The more months customers purchase, the more money they can save. Mint is currently offering a 3-month trial offer with unlimited talk, text, and data at $15 per month. After three months, customers can purchase a 12-month plan to lock in the rate.
The Mint55+ plan is currently offering the same new customer deal. With the Mint55+ plan, customers will get unlimited talking and texting throughout the U.S., 4GB of 5G data per month, free calls to Mexico and Canada, free mobile hotspots, and free Wi-Fi calling and texting.
Exclusive to Mint 55+ members are the free Mintech Advisors Services, which would typically cost $15. These advisors fully activate the customer’s phone, transfer the customer’s current phone number to their new phone, and cancel and transfer the customer’s cell phone service to Mint.
Customers can purchase most kinds of smartphones with Mint, either in a lump sum payment or in monthly installments with interest. Mint also offers a BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) option to customers who want to keep their current device.
Cheapest overall plan: Freedom Pop
If you’re simply looking for a cheap plan, Freedom Pop might be just what you’re searching for. Freedom Pop puts the ‘free’ in freedom—cell phone plans are nearly free, starting as low as $2.99 per month when customers first sign up.
While Freedom Pop doesn’t offer a distinct plan for seniors, the customization of its phone services makes it an excellent option for seniors who may only need some services and not others.
Customers can purchase an iPhone of their choice through Freedom Pop and receive $50 off plus one month of unlimited talk, text, and data for free. Customers may also choose to keep their current phone when buying a phone plan. When customizing their plans, customers can choose 250 minutes and unlimited text messages or unlimited minutes and unlimited text messages. Then, customers can choose to add on either 1GB, 4GB, or 10 GB of high-speed data.
The most inexpensive combination, 250 minutes, unlimited text messages, and 1GB of data, costs $15 monthly. Right now, Freedom Pop offers its customers this combo at $2.99 per month when they first sign up. Unlimited minutes and text messages with 1 GB of high-speed data cost only $17. An unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data plan costs $55 per month.
To start using Freedom Pop, customers can place their order for their SIM card online. Once that card comes in the mail, customers can visit freedompop.com/activate, follow the steps, and start using their phones.
Bottom line
If you’re in your golden years and looking to save on cell phone costs, there are some unique plans made just for you. But don’t limit yourself just to senior plans. Also consider general plans that could better meet your overall needs.
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