If you're 55 or older, you may be eligible for discounted cell phone plans. Major providers like T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T all offer deals specifically for seniors, often at lower-than-average rates.
In addition, many prepaid carriers have competitive options. For example, Mint Mobile offers a plan for people 55 and older for just $15 per month, which includes unlimited talk, text and 5 gigabytes of high-speed data.
With so many choices available, it's worth comparing. But if you're looking for the best overall value, here's why T-Mobile stands out.
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T-Mobile senior phone plans: Pricing and features
T-Mobile offers three plans for customers above 55 years old. The Essentials Choice 55 offers the best value. With it, you’ll receive unlimited text, calling and 50GB of high-speed data for $45 per month for one line, or $60 per month for two lines.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for perks like streaming deals or phone upgrades, the Experience plans might be better suited for your needs.
The Experience More with 55+ Savings includes unlimited data, talk and text. You’ll also have the option to upgrade your phone every two years, with Netflix and Apple TV Plus for free. Both of these will be ad-supported plans, but you have the option to upgrade to an ad-free plan for Netflix for a few bucks more per month.
Another perk of this plan is it features unlimited text and 5GB of high-speed data in 215 countries. Therefore, if you plan to travel internationally, this phone plan keeps you connected. The Experience More plan is $70 per month for one phone line or $100 per month for two.
The most expensive offering is Experience Beyond with 55+ Savings. You’ll get all the perks of the other two plans with the option to upgrade your phone every year.
On the streaming end, you’ll receive free subscriptions to Hulu, Netflix and Apple TV Plus. That alone is a savings of $28 per month.
And you’ll receive unlimited hotspot data. So if you travel often and want to connect to a secure network, your phone gives you a way to do this. This plan is $85 per month for one line or $130 for two.
For all three plans, you'll need to verify your age. Call 1-800-TMOBILE or visit a store near you to do so. Verification needs to happen within 45 days of activation or you run the risk of having your plan switched to a regular plan option.
T-Mobile senior phone plans: Are they worth it?
It comes down to your needs and budget. If you’re looking for cell service with some flexibility, such as having access to high-speed data separate from Wi-Fi, or you want streaming perks or the ability to upgrade phones every year or two, T-Mobile’s 55+ deals offer exceptional value.
They’re less expensive than Verizon, where senior plans start from $62. AT&T offers a plan slightly cheaper than T-Mobile for $40 per month, but T-Mobile also sits atop of the charts in J.D. Power’s U.S. Wireless Retail Experience Study.
With the Essentials plans, you’re locking in your price for five years, so say goodbye to incremental bill spikes. On top of this, you receive some of the best streaming services for free and every Tuesday, the provider does T-Mobile Tuesdays.
How this works if you’ll download the free T-Life app on Google Play or the Apple App Store. Each week you’ll receive deals on travel, dining and shopping. It’s a great way to save extra on top of the already low monthly price.
Overall, T-Mobile delivers strong value. Whether it’s the right fit for you depends on your needs, as there are cheaper options available. However, those alternatives often lack the extra perks, such as a price lock guarantee.
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