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Different from Space marines who destined to die on the battlefield, sisters of battle just like guardsmen, they are unmodified ordinary human just wear power armor. When they reach a certain age, they will lose their combat effectiveness (although bionics and life extending technology can make them serve longer).

When a combat nun exceeds the service age, will they retire? What will they do when they retire because of their age?

They are nuns, its a lifetime commitment. However, they don't serve on the front lines forever. Not all of the duties of a Sororitas are frontline combat. There are actually many branches of the Sororitas, and while all can be called to fight they mostly do Nun stuff for the church. They work in convents, churches, schools, etc... There also need to be experienced individuals training and teaching the next generation of Sisters. That is where the older members would go as they lose frontline performance.

Of course, the Sororitas have access to the best Juvenat treatments thanks to the Church's wealth, so they can be hale and hearty for several centuries.

I recall a Black Library novel that had a passage where some old Sister had to dig up her old Bolter and armor because the world was being invaded, she was running either an orphanage or just a small church. Naturally they got overrun and were just meaningless act 1 deaths for the grimdark, but it did show kinda what happens to those who 'retire'. Can't remember what book it was though.

So yeah, old granny Sisters end up doing non-combat stuff mostly.

I think the sister-superior of the temple in Helsreach (Grimaldus' uh, "last" stand during the third battle for Armageddon) was a retired battle nun?

Also, Ciaphas Cain mentions a retired sister as being in charge of training young Sororitias on behalf of the Schola Progenium.

Yeah I was also thinking of the retired Sister in Helsreach. I think for OPs question, when they reach a certain age they can off-ramp to a non-combat position while still being a Sister.

"Only in death does duty end"

I would imagine those that survive long enough to be considered less-effective combatants, move to non-combat roles within the church. Be that training, logistical support, tending/caring for a chapel/relic/holy site, teaching, supporting other clerics, hospitalier type stuff and/or go on silly long pilgrimages to prove/test their devotion. Some may even request to be in the repentia with the full expectation of dying in the Emperors service - they aren't always the sanest of people.

Just echoing others. Pretty sure sisters that live long enough just get desk/educator jobs. If you've managed to live that long as a sister, you've probably got some knowledge worth passing on to the next generation or enough experience to have a rough idea of how to steer the ship.

But even the elderly are still expected to put on their arms and armor when the threat is on their front doorstep.

 Wyldhunt wrote:

But even the elderly are still expected to put on their arms and armor when the threat is on their front doorstep.

In fairness, those situations tend to be fight or die, so you might as well put your armour on, grab your bolter and do your best to stay alive and slay the invaders.

 Overread wrote:

 Wyldhunt wrote:

But even the elderly are still expected to put on their arms and armor when the threat is on their front doorstep.

In fairness, those situations tend to be fight or die, so you might as well put your armour on, grab your bolter and do your best to stay alive and slay the invaders.

And inspire faith in those around them- I suspect such elderly sisters on isolated missions would act akin to preachers for the PDF/conscripts/militia fighting alongside them.

Also lets not forget they can use Prayers. They aren't always answered, but the right venerable Sister, Devout for decades and giving her life to the Emperor - has potential to call down powers that could turn the tide of the situation.