Abstract: A non-volatile RAM circuit (10) uses ferro-electric capacitors (14, 16) to store data in a dormant state. Data is initially stored on the ferro-electric capacitors. The data stored on the ferro-electric capacitors is transferred to a memory cell (25) when the RAM circuit is powered up. Subsequent read operations after the power-up sequence obtain data from the memory cell instead of the ferro-electric capacitors. Any write operation during the power-up sequence is stored in the memory cell. When power is removed, the ferro-electric capacitors are updated with the present state of the memory cell. The endurance and data retention time of the ferro-electic capacitors increases by accessing data from the memory cell.