The 7 Best Senior Cell Phone Plans of 2023

Best Overall: T-Mobile

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Dubbed the rate plan for a "generation of rule-breakers," T-Mobile's unlimited Magenta 55+ plan is a standout deal offering unlimited talk, text, and LTE data for $70 a month for two lines.

Without any taxes or fees tacked onto the bill, the $70 charge is the same number you should see every month, making budgeting a whole lot easier.

Beyond the set rate, T-Mobile adds on unlimited video streaming at DVD quality (480p) and international roaming in both Canada and Mexico with 5 GB of LTE data.

Additionally, retirees will take note of the 60 minutes of free in-flight Wi-Fi while on a Gogo-enabled flight. Customers can also turn their devices into a mobile hotspot 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 (Formerly GreatCall)

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Formerly known as GreatCall, Lively is an excellent option for older customers looking for a cellphone plan that's good for low monthly use, and its emergency features will put users' and family members' minds at ease.

Lively offers a Value Talk & Text plan for $14.99 for 300 minutes and 10 cents per text, and 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: 100 MB for $2.49 per month, 500 MB for $5 per month, 3 GB for $10 per month, 5 GB 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 Basic Lively Health and Safety package is $19.99 and includes an urgent response service, while the $24.99 Preferred package adds a "Lively Link," which alerts designated loved ones when you access the urgent response service. A $34.99 Ultimate package also includes access to a live operator.

Best Prepaid: Metro by T-Mobile

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For a no-frills solution on prepaid, look to Metro by T-Mobile for a one-stop plan that offers a $40 monthly rate that includes unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data.

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 $40 is the same rate each and every month.

The most expensive plan—$60/month—adds plenty of extras like 15 GB of hotspot data and an Amazon Prime membership.

As a prepaid carrier, customers do have to purchase the device outright, with prices varying depending on the device, though 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

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

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

As an added bonus, Consumer Cellular has an established relationship with AARP, so there's a 5 percent 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 you find that you're spending too much or too little for your monthly needs.

Best Flexible: US Mobile

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For a truly flexible solution, cellphone 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 $2 for 75 minutes, $1.50 for 50 texts, and $2 for 100 MB of data, 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 $8 for unlimited minutes, $6 for unlimited texts, and $26 for 15 GB of 5G data. If you prefer unlimited everything, there's an Unlimited Basic talk, text, and data plan for $35 per month, which drops to $30 per line for two lines, $25 per line for three lines, and $20 per line for four or more lines.

To help make things easier, US Mobile offers a 14-day risk-free trial to make sure 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 are required to purchase a US Mobile SIM card for a nominal $3.99 fee to activate the service.

Best Traveler: AT&T

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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 15 GB 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, as well as no-frills use anywhere in North America, AT&T's prepaid option is a terrific choice for seeing the world.