Mission costs: young vs senior
Young missionaries and seniors pay in different ways. Here’s a side-by-side from the Church’s handbook, help pages and senior missionary site.
Quick answer
Young missionaries from the U.S. and Canada pay $400 a month into the ward missionary fund, and the mission gives monthly funds for food and living costs. Senior missionaries pay their own way, with housing capped at $1,400 a month for couples and $150 a month for an assigned Church vehicle.
Side by side
| Young missionaries | Senior missionaries | |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays | The missionary and family, with help if needed, into the ward missionary fund | The senior missionary, into the home ward missionary fund |
| Monthly amount | $400 a month per missionary from the U.S. and Canada (Missionary Finances). Set at Church headquarters in equalized countries (same wherever they serve); agreed locally elsewhere. Your bishop confirms the current figure. | Housing up to $1,400/month for couples; singles up to $1,200 alone or $850 with a companion |
| Vehicle | Not charged separately | $150/month if a Church vehicle is assigned ($75 each for single Sisters sharing) |
| Food and daily costs | Monthly funds from the mission | Paid by the senior missionary |
| Personal costs | Clothing, bike, some medical, approved calls home | Food, clothing, in-field travel, fuel, medical, phone, insurance |
| Where to check | Bishop or ward clerk | Your call packet |
Sources: General Handbook 24.3.4 · Missionary Finances help · Senior missionary FAQ
Young missionaries
- The monthly amount ($400 a month per missionary from the U.S. and Canada) is set at Church headquarters for countries in the equalized program, and is the same wherever the missionary serves. Elsewhere, leaders and the family agree on it.
- Ask your bishop or ward clerk for the current amount. The Church’s help page doesn’t print a dollar figure.
- The first and last months are prorated by days of service, including MTC days.
- Don’t pay ahead. Money given in advance can’t be refunded if the missionary comes home early.
- Money shouldn’t stop anyone. The bishop can adjust the commitment, and ward or stake members can help.
- In the field, the mission gives monthly funds for food, transport and living costs. Clothing, bikes, some medical costs and approved calls home are personal expenses.
Sources: General Handbook 24.3.4.1 · Missionary Finances help
More detail: how much does a mission cost?, plus a mission savings calculator.
Senior missionaries
- Housing (rent, utilities, furnishings): no more than $1,400 a month for couples; single seniors up to $1,200 alone or $850 with a companion.
- Church vehicle: $150 a month; single Sisters sharing a vehicle pay $75 each.
- Your exact amounts are in the call packet.
- Everything else is yours: food, clothing, travel within the mission, fuel, medical care, phone and insurance.
- Travel: serving abroad for less than 18 months means paying your own travel.
- Need help? Look to family first, then talk with your bishop. A live-at-home service mission is another option.
- Taxes: contributions and some expenses may be deductible. Ask your tax adviser.
Sources: Senior missionary FAQ · Missionary Finances help · General Handbook 24.3.4.2
Next steps
Questions
Who sets the monthly amount for young missionaries?
In equalized countries it is set at Church headquarters and is the same wherever they serve. For the U.S. and Canada it’s $400 a month per missionary. Your bishop or ward clerk can tell you the current amount.
Who pays the young-missionary amount?
Single Elders and young Sisters on teaching missions. Young women can begin serving at 18 after high school, since the First Presidency’s November 21, 2025 announcement (Church Newsroom). Couples, single men and women 40 and older, and Church-service missionaries don’t pay it. The Church’s Missionary Finances help page still lists Sisters from 19; it predates that change.
What do senior couples pay for housing?
No more than $1,400 a month, charged to the home ward missionary fund, plus their own food and personal costs.
Can we pay the whole mission in advance?
No. The handbook says not to give more than the monthly amount ahead, and advance funds can’t be refunded.
Sources
. Unofficial: check your call packet and the Missionary Portal for your own details. Official pages and your leaders are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.