Now retired - time to replace Verizon?

Have you /family members/friends moved to one of the feeder phone networks at retirement?  Verizon is $$$, so I am looking for a far more reasonable carrier.  

TIA!

What are feeder phone networks, and why does retirement make one want one?

And what is far more reasonable?  how much are you paying and for what services?  

How much data do you use - is it only for you?  

so many questions, so few answers.  

Congrats, 

Though not retired, I recently switched the family from Verizon to T-Mobile. Three phones, unlimited data and pretty decent coverage. Price is almost half what I was paying Verizon, and no more overages. Prior to switch the three phones were racking up almost 20 Gigs of data per month.

We hardly use any data - usually under a gig (2 phones).  We have Xfinity - $12/gig.  

Quite a few retirees I know use a flip phone rather than a smart phone.  The flip phone won't display a GPS map with directions to your destination, count your steps when you walk, or connect you directly to uber/lift.  A flip phone will connect you with someone you want to speak with, display your emergency contacts, tell you what time it is, and provide a rudimentary calendar.  If you have to have a smart phone, AARP provides a discount for cell phone service from a provider with which they have established a relationship.  Phone provided is much more basic than what you are used to and is designed for seniors who are less than computer savvy. Either option will be less expensive than what you are paying for a smart phone service with Verizon.  Flip phone service will cost about $30 a month from Verizon.

We use Consumer Cellular, which I believe AARP get a discount deal with.

Three Motog G smart phones, unlimited minutes and text, 5gb  all for $63 a month.

You can add extra gig, such as 10 gig for $10 more. This is all shared by the three phones. Each additional phone after the first is $15, so if there is only one phone the cost would be about $35 a month.

Consumer Cellular uses the AT&T network.

We are very happy with Consumer Cellular and the $50 (I think) each we paid for two new Samsung Galaxy J3 phones which do everything and some things better than my laptop!

Best Regards,

Ron Carter

The thing with T mobile is that don't really have tech support. They have people that read through a flip book, but really have no idea what they are saying.  Verizon is worth the extra cost if you can afford it and aren't tech savvy. 

I have an iPhone on Verizon plan just for me...I use it constantly and have never gone over my limit. $54 per month.  

goldy said:
I have an iPhone on Verizon plan just for me...I use it constantly and have never gone over my limit. $54 per month.  

Expensive.  Whereas on Consumer Cellular if I had one phone the cost would be about 30 a month. Doesn't matter if its smart iphone, smart android or dumb flip phone.

30 a month unlimited after all taxes/fees?

conandrob240 said:
30 a month unlimited after all taxes/fees?

Its 37 a month with taxes and fees and I'm 2 gig not 5 gig. I was 5 but never needed it. Unlimited talk and text. I pay 63 because we have three phones. The bill is broken up by phone and for the primary phone its $30 with 8.30 in taxes and fees and minus 1.50 AARP discount. For one phone its about 37.

Each additional phone costs $15 for new users. It was $10 and users who added on the $10 plan are grandfathered. All the phones share talk, text and gig allowance. If you have unlimited talk and text the only concern is the gig usage.

We rarely use the data gig allowance considering we usually have internet access for the phones.