What is Verizon's $35 a month plan for seniors?
Verizon also has a special wireless plan known as Verizon 55+ that is designed for senior citizens of 55 years and above, and it goes for $35 per month only. Here's a closer look at what's included and how it works.
What's Included
Verizon 55+ plan comes with free talk time for local US numbers, free texting to US domestic numbers, and 4G LTE data of 5GB. That includes using the internet for browsing, listening to music and watching videos, GPS navigation, and others.
After 5GB usage in a month, the speed of the data is lowered to 2G for the rest of the billing cycle – so, you can continue emailing, web browsing, and even using messaging apps. However, streaming and anything that needs faster speeds won’t run very well.
The plan also covers mobile hotspot usage at no additional cost. You can also connect up to 10 devices to the internet service by using your phone as a wireless modem. It also offers spam and robocall filtering as a part of the plan without any additional charges.
Who is eligible for Verizon 55+?
This is the cheapest rate available for seniors; however, to be eligible for it, you must be 55 years and above. Unlike many carriers that allow discounted plans only for the account holder of the required age, anyone can sign up for a Verizon 55+ account.
However, in case the account holder is at least 55 years of age then extra lines can be provided to other members of the family who do not qualify for this age limit. It has become very convenient for seniors to include their spouse, children, or grandchildren on the cheaper tariff without the need to have different accounts.
The account holder is right, one does have to provide proof of age to confirm their eligibility as a 55+ user but a regular user on a Verizon 55+ plan does not have to go through the process of identification.
How many lines can I have?
The Verizon 55+ plan allows only up to two lines. For instance, a senior and his/her spouse, child, or friend could both sign up for a plan and get 5GB for $70 per month in total. It means that any extra line besides 2 in this plan is impossible.
Of course, seniors who live alone and do not need another telephone connection can get 5 GB of data for only $ 35 per month.
Which Phones are Compatible with Verizon 55+?
Any modern unlocked smartphone today can be used with a Verizon 55+ plan whether you are using an iPhone or an Android. Nevertheless, Verizon-branded phones are likely to receive the best signal because they are compatible with all Verizon bands and options.
Verizon customers can either purchase a new phone at full price for use with this plan or use Verizon’s Installment Plans to pay off the cost of the phone in $/€30 monthly installments over either 24 or 30 months. The majority of seniors prefer to transfer their current device from another carrier since the plan is no contract and you don’t have to buy a phone from Verizon.
For other unlocked phones from other carriers, as long as the phone can operate on Verizon’s frequencies and the kind of network technology that Verizon uses, they should be okay. You can compare the IMEI or model number on Verizon’s BYOD page before porting over.
Are the Senior Discount Applicable to Phones as well?
The cost per line in the monthly plan is $35, however, Verizon offers no additional senior citizen discount on devices bought at the company. While you’re paying $35 on the service fee, you will have to make typical retail price purchases of the phones and accessories.
Verizon indeed provides rebates and discounts on the devices from time to time, and 55+ customers can also enjoy it. However, there is no existing standing discount for the Verizon 55+ plan.
This part of the service is significantly cheaper though, so even when devices are priced at their regular rates, this is an affordable wireless solution for seniors who do not consume too much data.
What Are Some Limitations?
While the 55+ plan from Verizon delivers great value, there are a few limitations to be aware of.
- Video streaming is capped at DVD quality, which means 480p maximum over cellular. You can enable streaming in HD over WiFi though.
- Mobile hotspot speeds are limited to 600 Kbps – still good for basic usage but the full LTE hotspot is missing.
- It cannot be intermingled with other unlimited plans – all lines must be on the 55+ 5GB shared data bucket.
- This offer is only valid in the USA Accounts must be created with a US shipping address and used domestically only.
- Like most carriers these days, the plan specifically bans unauthorized tethering and may even throttle or suspend your account if high usage is observed.
If you can live with those limitations, then the value is hard to beat at just $35 per month!
What Should I Do First?
Signing up for Verizon 55+ plan is very easy and it will only take you a few minutes. It is convenient to get a service and receive a SIM card as soon as possible. Seniors who wish can also take their phones to a Verizon store and arrange for services on the same day.
Just a reminder, an identity card and passport for the account holder will be required when creating an account. Identification for this purpose may include a driver’s license, passport, or birth certificate.
And that's it! By producing proof of eligibility, obtaining your phone or upgrading through Verizon, and choosing the 55+ plan option, seniors can begin receiving 5GB of data for $35 per month plus tax and fees. It is the cheapest solution for older Americans to remain connected to the best wireless network.
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