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Pensions save on your Broadband

Are you paying £50 a month for BT broadband? You could get broadband for pensioners for just £9.95 a month.

That’s a massive £40 difference every month – over £480 you could save each year! We want you to keep more money in your pocket, not hand it over to expensive broadband contracts.

Many providers offer cheap broadband for pensioners, especially if you’re receiving Pension Credit. BT’s basic package gives you 11Mbps download speeds plus £1.50 worth of calls for only £9.95 monthly.

If you want faster speeds, BT Home Essentials delivers 67Mbps with the same call allowance. The best part is that these social tariffs come with low setup fees, and your price stays the same throughout your contract.

But here’s the thing – finding broadband and phone deals for pensioners isn’t always straightforward. 

Most seniors must meet certain conditions to qualify for social tariffs. However, don’t let that stop you getting a great deal.

We’ve created this simple guide to help you get the right broadband package at the right price. Whether you qualify for special rates or not, we’ll show you how to save money.

Ae you ready to stop overpaying for broadband you don’t need?

Step 1: Start with the cheapest broadband that actually works for you

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Choosing the right broadband package doesn’t need to be complicated. When looking for the best broadband for pensioners, we want you to understand what you actually need. This saves you significant money.

Speed isn’t everything – here’s what matters

Don’t believe the adverts pushing ultra-fast broadband. Most seniors don’t need these expensive packages. 

Research shows that besides gaming, many people use fast internet mainly for a few things. These include checking emails, managing finances, and shopping online.

Many pensioners are perfectly happy with basic broadband packages. If you rarely download large files or have many people streaming videos at once, you don’t need to pay for faster internet.

A standard connection lets you:

• Browse websites comfortably
• Check and send emails
• Make video calls to family
• Stream TV shows and movies

Stop paying for features you’ll never use

Nearly 2 in 5 older consumers feel overwhelmed when comparing landline and broadband deals for pensioners. We make it simple – focus on your actual needs, not what providers want to sell you.

Consider these factors before selecting a plan:

• Usage patterns: Basic browsing needs minimal speed, streaming needs more
• Number of devices: More devices need more bandwidth.
• Budget: Fixed incomes need cost-effective solutions

Many providers bundle features you might never use. If you only browse occasionally and check emails, the cheapest deal available will likely meet your needs. Try to avoid contracts that have setup fees or extra charges. These can make your total cost higher.

Affordable broadband plans that work

Several providers offer budget-friendly options specifically designed for seniors:

BT Basic + Broadband provides essential features at a low monthly fee, including both phone and broadband services. This bundle makes billing easier yet gives good speeds for regular use.

NOW Broadband Basics and the BT Home Essential Fibre Plan is for people who get Pension Credit. These social tariffs start at just £12.50 monthly, making them considerably more affordable than standard packages.

TalkTalk stands out by offering flexible contracts with no mid-contract price increases. This means your bill will stay the same during your contract.

We help you find the package that fits your needs and your budget.

Get the right landline and broadband package for your home

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Many pensioners want both broadband and a home phone. We understand why – landlines offer peace of mind and often work out cheaper when bundled together.

But there’s something important happening that affects every landline user. Big changes are coming to phone services, and we want to make sure you’re prepared.

Why should you keep your landline?

Don’t let anyone tell you landlines are outdated. They’re still vital for many older adults, especially in areas with poor mobile signal. Your landline gives you:

• Reliability when mobiles fail
• Larger buttons and clearer sound
• Peace of mind for emergencies
• Cheaper calls to family and friends

If you enjoy longer conversations with loved ones, bundled packages often cost less than separate broadband and mobile bills. Your Co-op offers three main broadband packages designed for homes with older residents, all including landline service.

The simple truth? If you make regular calls from home, bundled deals save you money and keep your bills simple.

What’s changing with your phone line

Here’s what you need to know – the traditional phone network from Victorian times is ending. By January 2027, your landline will work differently, with calls made through a digital service.

What does this mean for you?

Your calls will go through your internet connection instead of copper wires. Providers call this “Digital Voice“, “IP voice”, or something similar. You’ll plug your phone into your router or use an adapter they provide.

The good news is that most phones will keep working. BT says 99% of current phones work with their Digital Voice service. Your provider will contact you about four weeks before they make the change.

One thing to remember – digital phones won’t work during power cuts unless you have battery backup. If you depend on your landline, your provider must give you a “resilience solution” for emergency calls.

Get more value with inclusive calls

Do you use your phone regularly? Inclusive call plans stop bill shock and keep costs predictable. These plans help you:

• Avoid paying for each individual call
• Budget better with fixed monthly costs
• Talk longer without watching the clock

Many broadband packages include calls as standard, others let you add them later. This lets you begin with something simple and improve it later if you want.

Receiving Pension Credit? You get even better value. BT Home Essentials and Virgin Media’s social tariff broadband for pensioners start from just £12.50 monthly.

Get even more savings – switch or haggle your way to better deals

If you have found a decent broadband deal, don’t stop there. You can save even more money with the right approach.

Most people who ask their provider for a better deal get one – 71% succeed according to a June 2025 poll. We want you to be one of them.

Switch providers the easy way

The One Touch Switch service handles everything for you, making the change between your old and new providers automatic. Here’s what you need to do:

Check which providers serve your address using the Better Internet Dashboard. Then compare offers on sites like Broadband Freedom, Uswitch, or Comparethemarket. This approach gets you bigger savings than staying put.

What to say when you call your provider

Your best chance to haggle? When your contract is ending and you’re free to leave. Be polite but firm – tell them you’re paying too much and have found better deals elsewhere.

Use these exact phrases:

• “My absolute max is £[amount] monthly”
• “I need to think about it”
• “Is that the very best you can do?”

Here’s the key – don’t accept their first offer. Stay quiet after they make a proposal. Often, this prompts them to improve it.

No more surprise price rises

Good news – from January 17, 2025, Ofcom banned inflation-linked mid-contract price rises. Providers must now tell you exactly how much prices will increase before you sign up.

If your provider hits you with unexpected price increases, you might have the right to exit penalty-free. Want to avoid this altogether? Consider providers like Hyperoptic or Cuckoo Broadband that guarantee no mid-contract price increases.

We believe you should know exactly what you’ll pay throughout your contract.

Get the most from your broadband connection

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You’ve found the cheapest broadband for pensioners at the right price. Now let’s make sure you get the most from your connection.

Your broadband opens up a world of possibilities that can make life easier and more enjoyable.

Use broadband for health, shopping, and staying connected

Your internet connection helps you stay independent. Book medical appointments online and order prescriptions from home. Grocery shopping becomes simple with home delivery – perfect if getting out is difficult.

Most importantly, broadband helps you stay close to family and friends. Video calls let you see loved ones anytime, anywhere. You can join virtual family gatherings or community events without leaving your home.

Keep track of what you’re using

Most broadband packages give you unlimited data, but it’s worth checking you’re getting what you pay for. These free tools make it simple:

• GlassWire – Shows your usage with easy-to-read graphs
• NetWorx – Gives you daily and monthly reports
• BitMeter OS – Tracks your data usage automatically

Your router might already have monitoring built in – look for “traffic use” or “internet usage” in the settings.

Get help when you need it

Don’t let technology worries stop you from enjoying your broadband. Always ask for help during installation – a properly set up router means a stable connection.

Look for providers with 24/7 support you can reach by phone, chat, or email. Some comparison services also offer telephone help to find the right deals.

You’re in control of your broadband experience. Use it to make life easier and stay connected with the people who matter to you.

Get the broadband deal you deserve

Finding affordable pensioner broadband doesn’t need to be difficult. We’ve shown you how to save hundreds of pounds each year without paying for speeds you’ll never use.

Basic packages give you everything you need for browsing, emails, and video calls with family. Social tariffs starting at just £9.95 monthly offer great value if you receive Pension Credit.

Remember to check out bundled landline and broadband deals. They make your bills simpler and help you stay connected as we switch to digital voice services by 2027.

Here’s the best bit: simply asking for a better deal works! Most customers who haggle get better rates. The worst they can say is ‘no’.

Your broadband connection opens doors to online shopping, managing healthcare, and staying close to loved ones – all from home.

Ready to take action?

Check your current package against the options we’ve discussed. You might be surprised how much you can save while getting reliable internet that meets your actual needs.

Every pound saved on broadband is money you can spend on what truly matters to you.

Don’t be tied into expensive contracts when better deals are waiting.

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