What Verizon offers seniors and how much it costs
Verizon does not have a plan branded specifically for seniors, but the company offers a 10% discount on most monthly plans for customers aged 55 and older. This discount applies to individual lines on postpaid plans — not prepaid services — and stacks with some (but not all) other promotions. The actual savings depend on which plan you choose: on a $70 plan, 10% saves you $7 per month; on a $90 plan, it saves you $9.
Beyond the age discount, Verizon's regular plans come in several tiers. The entry-level option is typically around $70 to $80 per month for unlimited talk, text, and data on a single line. Mid-range plans run $85 to $95 and add perks like hotspot data or premium streaming. If you use very little data, Verizon also sells prepaid plans starting around $25 per month, though these do not include the senior discount.
Verizon also offers a program called Verizon Forward, which provides discounts on devices and services for customers with low household income. This program is separate from the age-based discount and may save more money than the 10% senior rate, depending on your income and what you need.
Key Takeaways
- Verizon's 10% senior discount applies to customers 55 and older on postpaid plans, saving roughly $7 to $9 per month depending on your plan tier.
- You must ask for the discount when you sign up or call to add it to an existing account — it does not apply automatically.
- The discount does not apply to prepaid plans, device payments, or most add-on services like international roaming.
- Verizon Forward, a low-income program, may offer larger savings than the senior discount if your household income qualifies.
- Family plans can include the senior discount on one or more lines, but each line must be requested separately.
How to request the senior discount on your account
The 10% discount does not activate on its own. You must tell Verizon you are 55 or older and ask them to add it. If you are a new customer, mention your age when you sign up in a store, by phone, or online — the representative can apply the discount before your first bill. If you already have an account, call Verizon at 1-908-559-4899 (the main customer service line) or visit a store in person with a photo ID showing your date of birth.
When you call or visit, have your account number ready. The representative will verify your age and add the discount to your account. The change usually takes effect on your next billing cycle. Ask the representative to confirm the discount amount in dollars per month so you know what to expect on your bill.
If you are on a family plan, each line can receive the discount separately if the account holder or authorized user on that line is 55 or older. You will need to request the discount for each line individually.
What the senior discount does and does not cover
The 10% discount applies to your monthly plan cost — the base charge for talk, text, and data. It does not reduce the cost of devices, device payment plans, or one-time purchases like screen protectors or cases. It also does not discount add-on services such as international roaming, premium channels, or device insurance.
If you are on a family plan, the discount applies only to the monthly service charges for lines that may have access to, not to the shared data pool or other family-level fees. Some promotions (like bill credits for switching from another carrier) may not stack with the senior discount, so ask Verizon which offers can be combined before you commit.
The discount is permanent as long as you remain a Verizon customer and stay on a postpaid plan. If you switch to a prepaid plan, the discount ends. If you move to a different postpaid plan, the discount continues.
Comparing Verizon's senior discount to other carriers
AT&T offers a similar 10% discount for customers 65 and older on most postpaid plans. T-Mobile does not have an age-based senior discount but offers a low-income program called T-Mobile Essentials that may provide savings. US Cellular, a smaller regional carrier, offers a 5% senior discount for customers 55 and older. Prepaid carriers like Boost Mobile, Cricket, and Metro by T-Mobile do not typically offer senior discounts but have low base prices ($25 to $50 per month) that may beat a discounted postpaid plan.
The best choice depends on coverage in your area, how much data you use, and whether you value perks like international roaming or premium streaming. If you use very little data and rarely travel, a prepaid plan from a budget carrier might cost less overall than a discounted postpaid plan from Verizon, even without a senior discount. If you need reliable coverage and use moderate data, Verizon's or AT&T's senior discount may be worth more than switching carriers.
Verizon Forward: the low-income alternative
Verizon Forward is a program for customers whose household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. The program offers discounts on monthly plans and device purchases. The exact discount varies by plan and income level, but it can range from 20% to 50% off the regular price. This is often more than the 10% senior discount, though you must meet the income requirement.
To check whether you may have access to for Verizon Forward, visit Verizon's website or call 1-908-559-4899 and ask about the program. You will need to provide proof of income, such as a recent tax return, pay stub, or benefits statement. If you are already receiving SNAP, Medicaid, or other federal assistance, Verizon may accept that as proof of income without requiring additional documents.
You can use Verizon Forward and the senior discount on the same account only if you meet both requirements. However, Verizon will apply whichever discount saves you more money, so you do not need to choose between them.
Common mistakes to avoid when signing up
The most common error is assuming the discount applies automatically. It does not. If you do not ask for it at signup or call to add it later, you will pay full price. Check your first bill to confirm the discount appears as a line item; if it does not, contact Verizon immediately to have it added retroactively.
Another mistake is applying for the discount on a prepaid plan. Verizon's prepaid service does not include the senior discount, so if you switch from postpaid to prepaid to save money, you will lose the discount. If you are considering prepaid, compare the full monthly cost (without discount) to a discounted postpaid plan before switching.
A third error is not asking which other promotions can stack with the senior discount. Some offers — like bill credits for porting your number from another carrier — may not combine with the age discount. Ask the representative upfront what your total monthly cost will be, including all discounts and promotions, so you know exactly what to expect.
What documents and information you need
The documents required depend on whether you are a new customer, adding the discount to an existing account, or applying for the low-income program. For in-store signup, bring a photo ID showing your date of birth and proof of address such as a utility bill or lease. If you are adding the discount by phone to an existing account, have your account number ready and be prepared to verify your date of birth verbally.
If you are applying for Verizon Forward, you will need proof of income such as a recent tax return, pay stub, or benefits letter. If you already receive SNAP, Medicaid, or other federal assistance, Verizon may accept your benefits card or letter as proof without additional documents. When updating your account online, you will need your account number and password, and you may be asked to upload or describe your date of birth to confirm may be able to access for the senior discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Verizon customer already to get the senior discount?
No. You can request the discount when you sign up for a new Verizon plan. Tell the representative you are 55 or older, and they will apply it to your account from the start. If you are switching from another carrier, the discount applies to your new Verizon plan, not to any credits or promotions related to the switch.
Can I get the senior discount on a family plan?
Yes, but only for lines where the account holder or authorized user is 55 or older. If you have a family plan with four lines and only one person is 55 or older, only that one line receives the discount. You must request the discount for each may have access to line separately.
What if I turn 55 after I sign up — do I have to call to add the discount?
Yes. The discount does not activate based on your age at signup; it activates when you ask for it. Once you turn 55, call Verizon or visit a store to add the discount to your account. Bring a photo ID showing your date of birth.
Does the senior discount work with Verizon's device payment plans?
No. The discount applies only to your monthly service charges, not to the cost of a phone or tablet you are paying for over time. If you buy a device on a payment plan, you pay the full device cost in addition to your discounted monthly service charge.
Can I stack the senior discount with other Verizon promotions?
Sometimes, but not always. Some promotions (like bill credits for switching carriers) may not combine with the senior discount. Before you sign up, ask Verizon which offers can be stacked and what your total monthly cost will be with all discounts applied.