Telephone talk

Verizon offering cellphone plan for people 55 and up.

Seniors can save on expensive cell phone service with Verizon’s new 55 Plus plan.

Those 55 and older can pocket up to $50 a month on Go Unlimited plans, which includes unlimited talk, text and 4G LTE data. One line is $60; two are $80 per month. This is a nice deal from the No. 1 carrier since one line of service normally costs $80 a month. Taxes and fees are extra.

The offer is good for current and new customers.

The savings comes on the heels of the release of Samsung’s new Galaxy S9 and S9+ Android smartphones. Verizon is offering up to $350 in bill credits on the new device with eligible trade-in. Prices start at $720.

Call the carrier or go to Verizonwireless.com/plans /55plus for the deal.

Since August, No. 3 carrier T-Mobile has offered the ONE Unlimited 55+ plan for those 55 and over for $50 a month for one line or two for $60 a month with auto pay. The price includes taxes and fees.

If you’re a senior already paying for Verizon or T-Mo service, switch to the new plans to save.

But, I still recommend that seniors who don’t use much data look into budget carriers Ting Mobile, Consumer Cellular or GreatCall to save even more. Plans start at about $25 a month.

These no-contract services are top-rated by Consumer Reports, with readers ranking them above the Big Four carriers. Consumer Cellular is even offering one month free through March 31.

You can keep your current cell phone number and smartphone (assuming it’s in good working condition, paid for and unlocked) and buy wireless service from one of these cheaper carriers. You can buy new devices from them, too.

AARP tech seminars

Speaking of smartphones, are you baffled by your mobile device?

Learn how to work the confounded thing at free Android smartphone workshops being held in South Florida, sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons. Anyone can register and you don’t have to be an AARP member.

Sign up to get hands-on instruction at 90-minute beginner and intermediate workshops set for Friday at the Emma Lou Olson Civic Center

at 1801 NE Sixth St. in Pompano Beach. Attendees can register up to five guests.

At “Intro to Android Smartphones,” at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., learn to text, take photos and videos, and download and use. At the “Beyond the Basics: Android Smartphones” intermediate class, at noon or 4:30 p.m., learn to use maps, voice dictation and Google Drive to share photos and documents. Devices are provided in the classes.

The classes will be offered again on May 11 in Cooper City.

AARP also is sponsoring a jobs workshop on Thursday and Saturday and a caregiver workshop on March 20 in Miramar and on May 22 in Hollywood.

Go to AARPtek.AARP.org/workshops to sign up or call 866-591-8105 for more info.

Winn-Dixie senior discount

Winn-Dixie is offering a senior discount on Wednesdays through March 27.

The Jacksonville-based grocery chain is giving a 5 percent discount to shoppers 60 and older at 10 participating South Florida locations, including stores in Pompano Beach, Margate, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach.

Customers get the discount by showing a WinnDixie-Plenti rewards card and asking the cashier for the discount at the register. It’s free to join the program at WinnDixie.com/Plenti

To see the list of participating stores, go to WinnDixie.com/SeniorDiscount.