Senior missionaries
Couples and singles age 40 and older can serve. Here is what the Church’s senior missionary pages say, in short.
Who can serve
- You may be recommended starting at age 40 if you have no dependent children under 18 living at home.
- There is no upper age limit, as long as you can meet the needs of the assignment.
- You need a temple endowment and a current temple recommend.
- You should be available at least 32 hours a week. Most assignments are 40 or more.
Couples and singles
- Couples usually stay together all day and are never apart at night.
- Some single senior sister assignments don’t need a companion.
- Single senior elders don’t serve in companionships.
How long
- Couples: 6, 12, 18 or 23 months.
- Single seniors: 12, 18 or 23 months.
- If you serve less than 18 months in another country, you pay your own travel there and back.
Costs (as officially published)
- You pay your own mission expenses: food, travel in the mission, medical care, phone, insurance and more.
- Housing is charged monthly to your home ward missionary fund. For couples it won’t go over US$1,400 a month. For singles it won’t go over US$1,200 living alone, or US$850 with a companion.
- A Church vehicle adds US$150 a month.
- The Church pays travel to and from your mission if you serve in your own country, or 18 or 23 months abroad.
- Your exact amounts are in your call packet.
Kinds of assignments
Assignments include mission offices, visitors’ centers, temples, member and leader support, military relations and Self-Reliance Services. Browse open assignments on the senior missionary site.
Health
You need enough physical, mental and emotional health for the assignment. Adequate health insurance is required to serve away from home. Some places have stricter health needs; talk with your local leaders.
How to start
- Start the recommendation yourself on the senior missionary site, or ask your bishop to start it.
- Meet with your bishop, then your stake president.
- You can submit up to nine months before you are available.
- After headquarters gets your recommendation, a call usually comes in about three weeks.
Questions
What is the minimum age for a senior mission?
You may be recommended starting at age 40 if you have no dependent children under 18 living at home.
How long do senior missions last?
Couples can serve 6, 12, 18 or 23 months. Single seniors can serve 12, 18 or 23 months.
How much does a senior mission cost?
It depends on the place and assignment. Housing charged to your ward missionary fund is capped at US$1,400 a month for couples. You also pay food, local travel, insurance and personal costs.
Do senior missionaries have to learn a language?
No, but many find learning the basics helpful.
How long until a senior call comes?
Usually about three weeks after Church headquarters receives the recommendation.
Sources
- Senior Missionary FAQ (official)
- Serve a Mission (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
- General Handbook, chapter 24
Checked October 12, 2026. Rules change, so official pages, your call packet and the Missionary Portal are always the final word. GotMyCall is unofficial and not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.