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Shopping for internet is overwhelming when you're not sure what to look for. Finding cheap internet is essential for seniors and retirees looking for a reliable internet connection that fits a fixed-income budget.
To help you decide which internet deal is best for you, we've compiled a list of the top internet discounts based on cost, added fees, service details and military status and provided you with our top picks.
Read more: Check out the best monthly internet deals.
Tips for choosing the best internet plan
Start with government programs
Unlike your local diner, internet service providers don't offer senior discounts. Some ISP-specific deals are worth exploring (and we'll get into them later), but your best bet is to begin by taking advantage of federal programs. One in particular jumps to mind and has been around since 1985.
Lifeline is a decades-old program that can help eligible customers with phone or internet bills. While it's not specifically geared to older citizens, several of its qualifiers -- including participation in Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit -- apply to seniors. Lifeline aims to help low-income households, so retirees on an especially tight, fixed income, including those in Federal Public Housing Assistance or those using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, might also be able to participate.
What do you get if you do qualify? Older people can get up to $9.25 a month off their internet bill or $111 a year off the cost of being connected at home.
Try to avoid scams
Beware of some ISP sites with "senior deals" pages, which are often ads masquerading as helpful tips. They're trying to sell you on higher-speed plans instead of showing you legitimate discounts or unveiling special deals. Unless you have some heavy streamers, gamers or remote workers in your house, you probably don't need all the speed offered in those plans. The Federal Communications Guideline advises at least 100 megabits per second in download speed and 30 megabits per second in upload speed, with a recommendation of at least 25Mbps for streaming in HD 4K.
Also, be sure to pay close attention to the fine print. If a "senior deal" doesn't explicitly mention data caps or additional fees, you might see extra charges added to your bill. Know precisely what you're paying for before you buy. To avoid paying more, read our guide on how to spot those hidden fees better.
What's the cheapest internet service for older adults?
Our top picks for the cheapest internet for seniors are Xfinity's Internet Essentials plan and Astound Broadband's Internet First plan. Xfinity's plan costs $15 monthly for 75Mbps of speed, and Astound's plan costs $20 monthly for 150Mbps. Although Xfinity's plan is slightly cheaper than Astound's plan, you'll get more speed for a better cost per Mbps with Astound. Both plans are targeted at low-income households and people over 65 who participate in Medicaid or SSI. With no data caps or required credit checks, these budget-friendly plans are perfect for households with light internet usage (like streaming, shopping online or checking your email).
The best internet deal for you depends on the one available at your address and that caters most to your specific needs.
Locating local internet providers
Best internet deals and discounts for seniors
Astound Broadband: Internet First
Best cost-efficient seniors internet plan deal
Our take - Internet First, Astound's affordable internet plan, is $20 monthly and offers up to 150Mbps download speeds. The plan is available in only 11 states plus DC: California, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Washington and the District of Columbia. No contracts or credit checks are required. Although not exclusively for seniors, it's available to eligible low-income households and participants in SSI or Medicaid. In addition, Astound is offering the first three months for free with no installation fees. The modem is included, but customers can add a Whole-Home Wi-Fi device for $5 a month.
Xfinity: Internet Essentials
Best cheap seniors internet plan
Our take - You may be eligible for Xfinity's Internet Essentials plans if you're a senior who participates in Medicaid or SSI, receives a VA pension and more. You might also be eligible for these plans if you've not accessed Xfinity's services for the last 90 days. Xfinity offers an Internet Essentials plan for 75Mbps running for $15 monthly and an Internet Essentials Plus plan with 100Mbps running for $30 monthly. Neither plan enforces a data cap or requires a credit check. Participants also get free access to Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots.
Optimum: Advantage Internet
Best seniors internet plan to bundle with a mobile plan
Our take - People 65 and older who receive or are eligible for SSI, US military veterans receiving state or federal assistance and households participating in the National School Lunch Program qualify for Optimum Advantage Internet. Optimum also offers a low-cost plan for $15 monthly, but only for 50Mbps of speed. The alternative Advantage Internet plan costs $25 monthly for 100Mbps, a slightly better deal. If you're looking for a cheap mobile plan, you can bundle Optimum's mobile plan with that 100Mbps plan for $40 monthly. Optimum uses T-Mobiles 4G LTE and 5G coverage and offers 1GB of data, plus unlimited talk and text.
AT&T: Access from AT&T
Best seniors internet plan for speed
Our take - If you receive SSI benefits in California or participate in SNAP in any of the 22 states within the AT&T serviceability area, you're eligible for the Access from AT&T program. This plan features download speeds of up to 100Mbps for $30 a month. Equipment is included in this plan and you won't have to deal with any installation fees, data caps, contracts or deposits.
Spectrum: Internet Assist
Best seniors internet plan to bundle with Wi-Fi
Our take - New customers aged 65 and over who receive SSI are eligible for Spectrum Internet Assist. It features up to 50Mbps in download speeds and 4Mbps upload for $25 a month and includes a free modem, no data caps and no contracts. Wi-Fi is available for an additional $5 a month.
Cox Communications: ConnectAssist
Most comprehensive seniors internet plan
Our take - ConnectAssist is geared toward low-income households without children. Several eligibility programs apply to older people, including Veterans' Pension, Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. For $30 a month, qualifying households can receive a 100Mbps plan -- including a free modem and access to over 4 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the country. There is a monthly data cap of 1.25TB. However, you won't be charged with overage fees if you exceed that threshold. In addition, no contracts are required and self-installation may also be available at no extra cost.
Rise Broadband
Best seniors internet for military veterans
Our take - While the ACP came to a close in May, don't fret. Rise Broadband features a discount of 10% off monthly internet service for retired (and active) military personnel. To find out more about your eligibility call Rise Broadband's customer service at 844-816-9149.
How does internet access benefit older adults?
For many people, browsing online is a way of life. Gaming, streaming and staying connected through social media aren't just a habit; they're effectively a need. Some older generations may be more apprehensive about getting online, especially with the never-ending developments and changes in technology that occur so frequently.
Internet access can benefit seniors in many ways, including social connection and mental stimulation. Additionally, the absolute attachment of the internet to everyday life makes it increasingly difficult to pay bills, file taxes, or get help during an emergency without a reliable internet connection.
How can older adults stay connected online?
Two essential elements are required to stay connected online: a device for internet access and a reliable internet connection. Whether you opt for a cellphone, computer or tablet, accessing the internet from your household requires some kind of reliable service plan. There are multiple providers and options, but the right fit for you depends on availability and what type of internet plan you're looking for.
What are the best social media apps for seniors?
Email is one of the most popular online tools that older generations use. It's a great option for efficiently communicating with loved ones, regardless of distance.
Unlike email, social media outlets like Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube won't come already downloaded onto your phone. These three apps make it easy for older people to interact with family and friends.
What's the easiest way for seniors to get internet on their phones?
To access the internet on your phone, you have two options: connecting to a home internet server or visiting a ___location that provides local Wi-Fi.
Some providers offer a phone and internet bundle if you want a phone plan and a household internet service. Companies like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile offer plans that combine the two to save you money.
How CNET chose the best internet deals for retirees
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn't end there: We use the FCC's website to check our data. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication. Once we have this information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but we recommend the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three. To explore our process in more depth, visit our explainer on how we test ISPs.
What's the final word on senior internet deals?
Older adults have access to various deals and discounts regarding home internet connection. Some companies, like Xfinity, Optimum, Spectrum and Cox Communications, offer plans exclusively for people over 65, but others are more targeted toward low-income households.
The government program Lifeline is also a way to get money knocked off your monthly broadband bill. Even if you're unsure whether or not you're eligible for this program, it's worth checking out.
If you're looking for speedier plans, the option to bundle television or mobile devices with your internet, or if cost is not a major concern, be sure to explore all of your options before making a final decision. Pay attention to added fees, service terms and the fine print to maximize your savings and avoid being scammed.
Internet deals for seniors FAQs
What's the cheapest internet plan for older adults?
Xfinity's Internet Essentials and Optimum's Advantage Internet offer the cheapest plans. They both cost $15 monthly, though Optimum's plan offers only 50Mbps, while Xfinity offers 75Mbps. Alternatively, the best cost-efficient low-cost plan is Astound Broadband's Internet First plan, which costs $20 monthly for 150Mbps. All plans come with no data caps and no credit checks, but Astound allows customers to try out the plan before they buy, with three months of service for free.
What's the best type of internet plan for retirees?
Ultimately, the best type of internet plan will come down to availability at your address and which one is best for your household needs. If you want the cheapest internet plan that's aimed toward older people, Xfinity or Astound are the providers who offer the best deals. If you want more speed or want to bundle your service with TV or mobile devices, you'll want to look into other plans.
Can seniors get internet service for free?
Technically, yes, but it'll take a few maneuvers. You must be eligible for the federal program, Lifeline. It's not explicitly for older adults, but if you participate in Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, you may likely qualify. Once you do that, you become eligible to get up to $9.25 off the cost of phone, internet or bundled services, which may drop your bill close to $0 (depending on the cost of your internet plan).
Can older people bundle their internet with TV service?
Although cable companies don't offer any senior-specific bundling options, many providers have plans that combine internet with television service. Companies like Cox Communications, Spectrum, Optimum, Xfinity and even AT&T have multiple bundling plans with various speeds and television packages. To learn more, check out our top picks for internet and TV bundles.
Do any cable companies offer discounts for older adults?
No, not specifically. Several cable internet companies feature discount programs and plans that can apply to seniors. For example, Optimum offers Optimum Advantage Internet, a 50Mbps plan for $15 a month that includes free installation, unlimited data, no contracts and a Wi-Fi router. Among the eligibility criteria are veterans receiving state or federal public assistance or people aged 65 and older who participate in Supplemental Security Income. Astound Broadband's Internet First program and Spectrum's Internet Assist also include the SSI participation qualification. Finally, Comcast Xfinity's Internet Essentials accepts SSI and participation in Medicaid or a VA pension.
Does Xfinity offer discounts for older people?
Xfinity does not offer a discount that's explicitly for older people or a 55-plus plan. Still, Comcast's Internet Essentials program has connected over 10 million low-income households to home broadband. This program features 50Mbps and 100Mbps plans for $10 and $30 a month, respectively. You'll also have free access to Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots, including eligibility for older adults. Among the qualifications are participation in Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, public housing assistance and VA pension.
What are the best internet discounts for veterans?
Rise Broadband is your way to go if you're seeking a veterans discount on any internet service plan. They offer 10% off any monthly plan for those active in or retired from the military. Other companies like Cox Communications and Optimum have specific plans at a discounted price for military personnel.
How do I troubleshoot my Wi-Fi?
If you can't connect to your home internet through your phone, computer or tablet, your first step is to narrow down the issue. Verify that your modem is connected to the outlet, Wi-Fi is enabled in your device settings, and it's not just a single device experiencing connection issues. Next, check the weather outside; bad weather has a habit of causing internet outages, which may be an issue you have to wait out. If you've run down the list and don't know why you can't connect, try restarting your modem and router by unplugging them, waiting for 15 seconds and then plugging them back in. If that doesn't fix the problem, head to our CNET internet outage troubleshooting article for further guidance.
