WASHINGTON – On the weekend of Dec. 12–13, Catholics across the United States will have the opportunity to support aging sisters, brothers, and religious order priests through the Retirement Fund for Religious. For decades, women and men religious have served in Catholic schools, hospitals, parishes, and other ministries, often for little to no pay. Their communities have been facing rising eldercare costs and limited retirement resources. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), this annual collection in participating (arch)dioceses provides financial assistance to eligible religious institutes caring for their retired members. Some (arch)dioceses may hold the collection on a different date.

In 2026, only 6% of religious institutes providing data to the NRRO were adequately funded for retirement, and 69% had a median age of 70 or older. The 2025 appeal raised a record $37.1 million. In June 2026, the NRRO distributed a record $40 million in Direct Care Assistance to 261 religious communities, the first time annual direct care distributions reached that level. “The generosity of Catholics across the country is a powerful expression of gratitude for a lifetime of faithful service,” said NRRO director John Knutsen. “The record response to last year’s appeal and this year’s historic distribution help religious communities provide care today while planning with greater confidence for the future.”

More than $1 billion distributed since 1988

Since the collection began in 1988, more than $1.04 billion has been distributed or allocated in assistance, nearly $940 million for the day-to-day care of senior religious and an additional $103.9 million for self-help projects initiated by religious communities.

“Yet the need remains substantial,” Knutsen continued. “Many of our senior religious spent their lives serving others with little opportunity to build retirement savings. Your support helps their communities provide the care and dignity they deserve, and we are grateful for that generosity.”

In 2025, the average annual cost of care for a senior religious was approximately $62,000, with skilled nursing care averaging about $102,000. The average annual Social Security benefit for a religious was $9,390, compared with $24,856 for the average lay beneficiary. Annual costs to support senior women and men religious have exceeded $1.1 billion since 2009. Collection proceeds support immediate care, strengthen retirement resources, and fund educational programs and planning assistance that help communities prepare for long-term needs.

For more information, please visit retiredreligious.org.