With the costs of living going up, senior citizens with limited income should consider ways to cut back on expenses. If you’re looking for ways to lower your telecom provider costs, you may want to consider phone plans for seniors at Verizon. If the Verizon 55 Plus Cell Phone Plan made for seniors doesn’t fit your needs, you could opt for the other plan bundles the telecom company provides.
Unlike other plan providers Senior Assistance Club has covered, there’s only one offer for phone plans for seniors at Verizon. But that shouldn’t stop you from considering all the different bundles Verizon provides. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering cutting back by browsing for the best cell phone plans for seniors.
Verizon’s network covers the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Here’s a general overview of how having Verizon as your service provider for senior plans can be the right or wrong choice for you. Keep in mind that these pros and cons are made for the Verizon 55 plus cell phone plan, and other bundles can have their own pros and cons.
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How much your Verizon plan can cost depends on which bundle you buy, how many lines you purchase, and all the other discounts you qualify for. Verizon’s bundles vary depending on how much coverage you need for calls, texts, and internet browsing. If you’re looking for something basic that you only use for emergencies for calling family, friends, and other caregivers, you may only need the smallest available bundles. However, other phone plans for seniors at Verizon may need better coverage to communicate constantly, so the cheapest and most basic plans may not be enough for your needs.
The cost of each line gets cheaper the more lines you purchase. For instance, the best price you can buy from the Verizon 55+ is $40 each for two lines. However, if purchased separately at one line, you may have to pay $60 per one line.
Also, keep in mind that the Verizon 55+ plan is only open to senior citizens in Florida. If you’re from any other state, check other Verizon deals that you can grab depending on your usage and the type of services you use the most.
Verizon offers only one senior plan that’s only open to senior residents in Florida. Below is everything you need to know about the Verizon 55+ plan, as well as other alternative plans from the company to help you maximize your plan where it matters.
Verizon offers $10 discounts to customers who set up an AutoPay feature and go paperless with their monthly bill. These prices already reflect that discount.
Verizon 55+ Unlimited Plan | Verizon Start Unlimited | Verizon Get More Unlimited | Verizon Prepaid Unlimited | Verizon Do More Unlimited | |
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Best Price | $80 monthly for two lines | $60 monthly for two lines | $80 monthly for two lines | $60 monthly per line | $70 monthly for two lines |
Calls | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Text | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Data | Unlimited (4G LTE) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited (50GB premium network and unlimited data) |
5G Access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Hotspot | Unlimited (speed up to 600 Kbps) | Unlimited (5GB of high speed data and unlimited lower-speed data) | Unlimited (50GB of high speed data and unlimited lower-speed data) | Unlimited (5GB of 4G LTE and unlimited 600 Kbps data) | Unlimited (25GB of high speed data and unlimited lower-speed data) |
International Features | Coverage in Mexico and Canada |
Coverage in Mexico and Canada Unlimited texts to over 200 countries |
Coverage in Mexico and Canada Unlimited texts to over 200 countries |
Coverage in Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands |
Coverage in Mexico and Canada Unlimited texts to over 200 countries |
For senior citizens over the age of 55 living in Florida, you can get access to unlimited calls, texts, and data through the 55+ Unlimited plan. With DVD-quality streaming, unlimited mobile hotspot, and the chance to earn Verizon Up Rewards, you can make the most out of your Verizon senior plan.
Best For: Seniors who want good coverage for all texts, calls, and data, but aren’t really interested in getting the fastest internet speeds available.
Ideal for anyone on the go, the Start Unlimited 5G plan is for those who want to try the basic version of Verizon’s unlimited plans before upgrading to the other, more premium solutions. It’s more affordable and provides just enough perks and coverage to give you a taste of Verizon’s services.
Best For: Seniors outside of Florida who want a basic level of unlimited coverage before they can consider upgrading.
Verizon’s best unlimited plan, the 5G Get More plan offers everything you could want from a premium plan. It offers unlimited data and up to 50GB of premium hotspot data. You also get free access to other apps and streaming platforms – an additional $64.96 perk for free.
Best For: Seniors who want premium data perks, plan perks, and access to discounts for things like home internet and cloud storage.
The prepaid unlimited plan provides customers with the flexibility of unlimited talk, text, and data. Because it’s prepaid, there’s no risk of overage charges. Add in Verizon’s 5G coverage in over 2,700 cities, and you have a fairly reliable plan that covers you as needed.
Best For: Seniors who want good coverage plus the flexibility of prepaid plans.
The 5G Do More Unlimited plan is the middle-ground between the Start Unlimited and Get More Unlimited. Offering a higher level of data and mobile hotspot data, it’s a step up from the smaller amount provided from the basic package. This plan also offers the option to get Verizon Home Internet for as low as $25 monthly.
Best For: Seniors who want coverage that focuses less on music and video streaming and more on perks that can help them save on connectivity and data features.
On top of the plan, you can opt to purchase a new phone that’s part of the best cell phone plans for seniors. If you’re a new Verizon customer or applying for the 55+ Unlimited plan, you’ll have to go to your nearest Verizon store to register or verify your age. There, you can pick up your new phone in the store. But if you’re an existing customer or are shopping for plans that can be purchased online, you can get your phone through a quick two-day shipping setup.
Verizon offers a number of senior-friendly smartphones. These are smartphones with accessibility features that make it easier for seniors to navigate their phones and apps like health and wellness reminders or money saving apps for seniors that make managing their daily lives easier.
You can choose to buy a new phone and pay for it upfront or pay for it in installment on top of your monthly payments. You can also opt to use your own device and keep your current number, and you can receive up to $500 of Verizon gift cards if you’re getting a 5G unlimited plan. You can return your device within 14 days of purchase, though it’s subject to a $50 restocking fee and a separate charge for removing any installed device.
Here are some of the smartphones we recommend for senior citizens.
As part of Samsung’s more affordable series of phones, the A01 has all the basic features to make navigating a phone’s features easier. The large screen makes it easier to view what’s on your phone. Its ergonomic, lightweight design and durable materials can benefit those with motor conditions and dexterity issues that can make handling phones difficult. It also has facial recognition technology to make accessing sensitive information easier and more secure.
This model was built for durability and to withstand regular wear and tear. From its water–repellant design, large and durable screen, and fast-charging battery that can last up to three days of regular use, it’s the no-fuss option for older adults on the go that don’t want to worry about the lifespan of their smartphone.
If the average smartphone is too small for those with certain visual conditions, you may want to consider getting a tablet that can act as a phone with its own SIM card. The wider screen makes reading more accessible, as well as a benefit for older adults who like to stream video content. It’s durable, shock-proof, and built to withstand the regular accidents and wear and tear that come with owning a tablet.
Verizon’s 55+ cell phone plan feels at-par with that of AT&T. Both are only available in Florida and offer unlimited calls, texts, and data. The deciding factor may come down to the quality of coverage in the area you live in, as well as what you’re looking for in a plan and from customer service.
Verizon 55+ Unlimited Plan | AT&T Unlimited 55+ | Mint Mobile’s Mint 55+ | T-Mobile’s Essentials 55+ | |
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Best Price for Senior Plans | $40 per line per month for a two-line plan | $40 per line per month for a two-line plan | $15 per month for a one-year plan | $27.50 per month for a two-line plan |
Maximum Number of Lines | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
National Availability | Only to US seniors with a Florida billing address | Only to US seniors with a Florida billing address | US senior citizens over the age of 55 | US senior citizens over the age of 55 |
Calls | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Texts | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Data | Unlimited (4G LTE) | Unlimited | 4GB | Unlimited |
Data Throttling | Only during congested times | Only during congested times | After 4GB | After 50GB |
Mobile Hot Spot | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3G |
International Coverage | Free calls, texts, and data in Mexico and Canada |
Free calls and data in Canada and Mexico Free texts from the US to over 200 countries |
Free Calls to Mexico and Canada | Texts and 2G Data in Canada and Mexico |
Payment Plan | Postpaid | Postpaid | Prepaid, one-time upfront payment required | Postpaid |
Phone Options | Keep your old phone and number, or buy a new phone from Verizon online or in any of Verizon’s physical stores. | Can purchase the plan on its own, buy a phone from AT&T, use your current phone. or trade-in your current phone for a discount on a new phone | Buy a phone from Mint Mobile or Bring Your Own Phone | Can purchase the plan on its own (for existing customers) or buy a new phone |
Additional Features |
DVD-quality streaming Verizon Up Rewards |
Standard-definition streaming Compatible for both basic cellphones and smartphones |
Free Full Service Activation by MINTech Advisors 7-Day Money Back Guarantee |
Scam-Blocking Protection Standard Definition Streaming Quality |
Q: Can I get more discounts for the Unlimited 55+ plan if I’m affiliated with the military/medical/teacher/employer/etc.?
A: No. Verizon doesn’t offer additional discounts with the 55+ Unlimited plan. The prices listed here and on their website are assuming you take up the AutoPay and paperless billing option, which provides a $10 discount.
Q: Do all line users under the Verizon Unlimited 55+ have to be over 55 years old?
A: No. Only the account holder needs to qualify for the program. The other line user can be of any age.
Q: I still have the plan even if I’m not from Florida. Can I keep the plan?
A: The 55+ Unlimited plan used to be available in other states, but it’s now only offered in Florida. You can continue to keep your current plan, but it won’t be offered to senior citizens in other states until further notice.