Verizon Senior Plan Review

Understanding Verizon’s 55+ Unlimited Plan

While other providers like T-Mobile offer multiple senior-specific phone plans, it's important to know that Verizon only offers the 55+ Unlimited Plan and there are a few eligibility requirements and restrictions that you should know right off the bat.

The 55+ Unlimited Plan is only available to you if you meet the following requirements:

• You are 55 years of age or older with a billing address from Florida.
• You must have a legitimate form of identification and proof of address to present at the time of sign up.

Given that you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, note that:

• If you are already a Verizon customer, you can easily switch to the 55+ Unlimited Plan over the phone or in a store near you.3
• If you are not a Verizon customer, you must either purchase a new phone with the carrier or have an existing phone that's compatible with the plan.
• You still have the option to sign up online, over the phone, or in-store.

If you qualify for the 55+ Unlimited Plan, you can expect to receive:

• Unlimited talk and text capabilities
• Unlimited 4G LTE data
• DVD-quality streaming
• Unlimited mobile hotspots

Now, for older adults who don't live in Florida but still want the network stability and speed that Verizon boasts, there's no need to fret! We did some digging and found that Verizon still offers several cell phone plans that may not be senior-specific, but are solid choices for the older crowd.

We suggest looking into Verizon's basic unlimited plan—Started Unlimited—if you frequently use your cell phone to talk and text. While you won't receive super high-def streaming quality, your monthly bill can be cut in half as the monthly rate starts at $30 per line (when you sign up for five or more lines) for the Started Unlimited. Keep in mind that the price per line for this plan increases when you sign up for less than five lines, so it's best for those who will have multiple lines on their plan.

We also found Verizon's prepaid plans to be another great pick for seniors as this pay-as-you-go avenue brings control, flexibility, and affordability. With the prepaid options, you can bring your own phone to the party, easily make a payment with Instant Pay (a big plus for those who have a family member in charge of their bills), and, if you're on Auto Pay, pricing starts at just $35 a month for 6 GB of data. Again, you can conveniently do this online or in-store, and no credit check or deposit is required.

Do keep in mind that all of these plans, which we break down below, are subject to additional taxes, fees, and a one-time activation fee. Verizon's site can also be a beast, so do be sure to reserve a little bit of time to research and price everything out; the information is not as straightforward as a smaller-scale site like GreatCall's. However, this is mostly because Verizon offers so many different products and services, which is a good thing if you like options!

Our Recommended Verizon Plans for Seniors

Verizon Contracts

While Verizon doesn't necessarily call it a “contract,” if you do purchase a new cell phone with them, you are responsible for any fees remaining if you choose to give it up before the 24-month commitment period. This is pretty typical across the industry among other powerhouse providers like AT&T and T-Mobile. Some smaller companies like GreatCall and Consumer Cellular do not make you sign a contract no matter what plan you choose. However, if you opt for one of Verizon's prepaid plans, there is no contract and you're simply charged as you go. This is favorable for those who are testing out the technology waters or might be uneasy about committing to a long-term cell phone plan.

Our Phone Experience With Verizon’s Customer Service

There are a number of ways to seek assistance with Verizon: online chat, in-app support, or visiting a store. But, seniors may prefer to speak with a specialist on the phone, as this is the quickest and simplest way to get all of your questions answered. Therefore, we did just that. After a brief hold time, we were connected to the sales department to ask some basic questions.

The main thing we wanted to find out was the difference between Verizon's month-to-month prepaid and postpaid plans. Jason, the representative we spoke with, clarified more about the differences between the prepaid and postpaid plans. Basically, you get better connectivity and insurance with postpaid plans as they operate on a different network, but prepaid is still the way to go if you only want to pay for what you're using.

Our Verizon Cell Phone Picks for Seniors

With a wide variety of phone types, ranging from smartphones to prepaid phones, there's a lot to choose from with Verizon. Among the options, we've selected one basic cell phone—Kyocera DuraXV Extreme—and one smartphone—Apple iPhone SE—as our top two cell phone choices for seniors. We provided some information on our selection below to get you started. If our suggestions do not meet your needs or have the features you're looking for, check out our comprehensive list of other senior-friendly phone recommendations here.

Kyocera DuraXV Extreme from Verizon

Kyocera DuraXV Extreme

Highly praised by Verizon customers and reviewers alike, the Kyocera DuraXV Extreme is a nice flip phone choice for older users due to its durable build and senior-friendly design. Priced at a one-time fee of $240 (or $10 per month for 24 months), the basic cell phone can withstand falls, water, and travel. It's also a little bit larger in size, which caters to older eyes and hands. The flip phone is easy to operate thanks to its programmable keys (which will come in handy during an emergency situation) and large screen display for aging eyes. Finally, you'll also find a basic 5MP auto-focus camera for on-the-go snaps. While the camera won't be as high-quality as a smartphone, it's perfect for capturing all the important moments.

Apple iPhone SE from Verizon

Apple iPhone SE

As far as a smartphone goes, this iPhone model is a great option for tech-savvy seniors or those who have had previous experience operating iPhones. With a lighting fast chip, 12MP camera, and a more affordable price point at $399 (or $16.66 per month for 24 months) compared to other iPhone choices, it's a huge technological step up from a flip phone as it comes equipped with retina HD display, high-tech functions and features that allow you to explore augmented realities, an advanced camera, and security system, and the list goes on. Oh, and it's the only model out of Apple's latest iPhone series that still has the familiar Home button intact. You'll love its long battery life and amazing call quality. The iPhone's design is easy to grip for those with arthritis or shaky hands. Plus, the touch screen makes it easy to tap and use without applying the pressure that's needed for physical buttons, which is helpful for older hands. This is a definite bang for the buck purchase if you're looking for a cell phone with the latest tech features.

The Bottom Line

If you're all about top-of-the-line service and superior streaming, Verizon is certainly the way to go. The carrier will deliver on technology and alleviate the frustration that comes with dropped calls and shoddy service. You can say goodbye to the back and forth “can you hear me now?” that none of us are very fond of. Verizon's 55+ Unlimited Plan designed specifically for seniors in Florida sweetens the deal even more. With unlimited talk, text, data, and mobile hotspots, there are literally no limits. Seniors have the flexibility to use their phone and stay connected as much as they want without worrying about running out of minutes or data. Even if you don't live in Florida where this plan is offered, we'd still recommend checking out Verizon's other plans. The Start Unlimited plan starts at just $35 per line when you sign up for four lines, and it still offers unlimited talk, text, and data, making it an affordable option regardless of age. If you only want to make a few calls here and there, Verizon also offers prepaid options that let you choose just how much data and minutes work for you. Overall, Verizon's coverage, speeds, flexible plan options, and reliable service really can't be beaten.