Millions of Americans order items online daily and expect next-day delivery. For many, Amazon Prime makes this possible. But for seniors, deciding to sign up is more complicated.

The cost of Amazon Prime is $139 per year or $14.99 per month. This can be a significant amount, especially for retirees with fixed incomes. Yet, it’s important to realize you’re not just paying for shipping. Instead, you gain entry to a whole ecosystem—streaming video and music, free e-books, prescription drug discounts, grocery delivery, and more. In fact, PCMag describes it as a bundle that now touches nearly every corner of daily life. Whether those benefits matter to you personally is the critical question.

A main attraction remains shipping. Prime members get free two-day delivery on millions of items, with same-day or next-day delivery in many urban and suburban areas. For seniors who don’t drive or find store trips exhausting, this convenience can be important. Having medications, groceries, or essentials delivered without leaving home can genuinely change the texture of daily life.

Alongside shipping, the entertainment offerings deserve attention. Prime Video offers access to a large library of movies and TV shows, including Amazon Originals. Prime Music adds ad-free streaming, and Prime Reading lets members borrow a rotating selection of e-books and magazines at no extra charge. For those who enjoy stories in different formats, these perks add up. Combined with a tablet or smart TV, Prime becomes a reasonably affordable all-in-one entertainment solution.

Apart from convenience and entertainment, healthcare is another area where Prime can help. Amazon’s RxPass program allows members to get dozens of generic prescription medications for a flat monthly fee, offering meaningful savings for those treating chronic conditions. In addition, Prime members who shop at Whole Foods receive an extra 10 percent off sale items and get exclusive deals, which is worth noting for regular shoppers there.

It’s also important for seniors to understand there is no dedicated senior discount for Prime. Some may have seen mailers or ads claiming otherwise—Amazon’s forums show people have received such solicitations. Those claims are misleading. Instead, there is Prime Access, a membership discounted to $6.99 per month for people who qualify for EBT or certain government assistance programs. If you receive Medicaid, SNAP, or similar benefits, check your eligibility—this can be a significant discount.

Turning to the drawbacks, the $139 annual fee only makes sense if you use the service regularly. NerdWallet and others now point out that two-day shipping—once Prime’s main appeal—is less reliable in some areas. Delays are reported more often, and fast delivery isn’t always guaranteed. For those living in rural areas, Prime’s logistics may not perform as well as in major cities.

There’s also the question of overspending. This is a subtler drawback, but a real one. Prime makes shopping almost frictionless — a few taps and something is on its way to your door. For people on tight budgets, that convenience can quietly become a problem. Studies have consistently shown that Prime members spend significantly more on Amazon than non-members, which, of course, is exactly what Amazon intends.

Apart from personal finance considerations, Amazon’s corporate practices are worth thinking about as well. Many prospective customers—especially those who have spent years as union members—may be concerned. Amazon has received sustained, well-documented criticism for how it treats workers. Delivery drivers, often employed via subcontractors that distance Amazon from liability, have reported difficult work conditions. The National Employment Law Project has noted Amazon’s reliance on this subcontracting structure to avoid accountability under labor law.

The company’s stance on organized labor complicates matters. For example, Amazon was recently required to disclose that it spent $26 million on consultants to discourage unionizing, according to Fortune. The Teamsters union accused Amazon of illegally firing over 100 unionized workers and using “abusive union-busting tactics.” Additionally, reports allege Amazon has used surveillance to track worker organizing. Thus, for anyone with union experience, these issues are not simply theoretical.

In short, the decision for seniors comes down to a few main questions: How often will you use Prime’s shipping and services? Do the entertainment and prescription benefits add value for you? Is the membership fee manageable within your budget? And lastly, are you comfortable with Amazon’s corporate practices as a customer? Weighing these considerations can help you decide if Prime is a worthwhile investment for your needs and values.