3 Best Credit Cards for Retirees on a Budget

Once you’re retired and getting by on a fixed income, it’s even more crucial that you find ways to get the most out of your spending. To that end, a good cash back credit card (especially one without an annual fee) can be an excellent addition to your wallet, as it makes the items you buy cheaper by returning a portion of what you spend. Here are three cash back standouts to consider.

1. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Want ease and simplicity, and perhaps even a one-card wallet? Feast your eyes on the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees). This card earns 2% cash rewards on all your spending, which will save you time and money (both precious commodities in retirement). And you won’t even pay an annual fee for the privilege!

This card also offers cellphone protection, which is a benefit you hope to never use, but can really save you money if the worst happens. Phones are expensive to replace. Just use the card to pay your monthly cellphone bill (and earn 2% cash rewards in the process) to take advantage of this perk.

2. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

If you’re open to switching your bonus category to match the rhythms of your spending, have I got a great cash back card for you! I got the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card several years ago, and thanks to its flexibility, it’s still one of my go-to cards, even as my finances have changed.

This Bank of America card offers you the opportunity to earn 3% cash back in a category of your choosing (up to $2,500 per quarter), 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (like Costco), and 1% cash back on other purchases. What bonus categories does it offer?

• Gas and EV charging
• Online shopping (including cable, internet, and streaming services)
• Dining
• Travel
• Drugstore purchases
• Home improvement and furnishings

You can change your category every month, matching the card to your spending. And you get all this for no annual fee.

3. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

This is the only card on this list that charges an annual fee after the first year (see rates and fees), but I’d argue that it’s worth paying for the perks you get. (For full disclosure, the card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.)

Especially if you love to cook, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is worth considering for its biggest bonus category — 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (terms apply). I earned $400 in cash back with this card last year, and I love it when I get to log into my Amex account and redeem my rewards as a statement credit, thereby making my next bill cheaper.

Another standout bonus category for this card is gas and transit costs, at 3% (terms apply). If you’re a retiree who’s always on the go, this can make a definite difference to your bottom line.

Living on a budget doesn’t mean giving up the finer things in life, like gourmet groceries, travel, and dining out. And thankfully, using one (or more) of these cash back card options can help your dollars go further in retirement.