Top Retirement Messages to Show Your Appreciation
January 27, 2025In Management & Organizational Performance

When a colleague retires, it’s important to acknowledge their unique contribution to your workplace. Retirement messages help achieve this role, recognizing a retiree’s achievements and wishing them well for the next chapter of their life.
Crafting the perfect retirement message can be challenging. That’s why we’ve written this guide to help you find words that will resonate. You’ll discover why retirement wishes matter, along with tips for writing a heartfelt message. You’ll also be able to browse through examples, find creative ways to deliver your retirement message and learn what not to write.
The celebration card, the perfect way to celebrate your employees.
Why Retirement Messages Matter
Retirement is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone and deserves to be honored appropriately. The right retirement words capture appreciation for the retiree’s contribution as they leave a significant chapter of their life behind.
It’s natural for retirees to feel emotional, overwhelmed or even nervous at this crossroads. The right retirement words can help with this transition, setting them at ease as they adjust to a different phase of life.
Retirement messages are invaluable ways to pay tribute to a retiree in many different scenarios. Maybe you’re wondering what to write in a colleague’s retirement card. Or you’ve been tasked with giving a speech at their leaving celebration. You may even be marking the retirement of your boss and searching for the right words to suit them.
Rest assured you’ll find the retirement words that will resound with your colleague or loved one in this guide.
Tips for Writing a Retirement Message
Let’s get started—writing a retirement message is easy when you know how.
Start with a personal touch to help the recipient feel valued. For example, you could acknowledge how many years the retiree has worked for your company: “As we bid farewell to Tony after 21 years working for us…”
Or you could reference their exceptional role: “Susan, during the time you have worked in our Accounts Department, you have mentored countless trainees, offering your special insights and knowledge to many.”
If you know the retiree well enough, add in a detail about their interests outside work: “We’ll miss hearing about the fun you have every weekend with your grandchildren and pets.”
Be careful to keep the tone of your retirement message appropriate. If the retiree is a private person, you may wish to stick to messages about their work role. And consider your work relationship with them. If they are your senior, keep the tone respectful and formal. But if you’re close colleagues and your workplace is relaxed, it’s fine to add a little humor to your retirement message.
In your retirement wishes, you should also mention the exciting chapter of life that awaits the recipient. This can help reassure them that while one door is closing, another is opening up. Include phrases such as, “We’re all excited for your future!” or “Finally, you have time to fulfill your dreams” to set the tone.
Retirement messages should always sound sincere. This usually means that you keep the tone warm yet restrained, for example, “Everyone is going to miss your hard work, enthusiasm and can-do attitude.” If you think the retiree would receive it well, add a little gentle humor to your message, such as “…but we won’t miss you beating us in the work Scrabble challenge every year!”
Follow these simple rules and you’ll be sure to come up with the perfect retirement message.
Examples of Retirement Messages
Take inspiration from these examples of retirement wishes. You’ll find words of appreciation on retirement for your boss or colleague. Choose from a selection of messages to uplift, honor and pay tribute to your retiree.
Happy and Funny Retirement Messages
Keep the tone light by offering a happy or funny retirement message.
1. You made it! Mondays are now Fundays for you! Enjoy your retirement.
2. Swap your office chair for a lounge chair and enjoy a well-deserved change of scene. You’ve put in the hard work, so now’s your chance to relax!
3. It’s time to embark on fresh adventures and make new memories. Don’t forget us as you sail off into the sunset!
4. This is your time to shine! Now’s your chance to pursue your hopes and dreams as you move into this new chapter of your life.
5. Retire that alarm clock right now! May retirement bring you plenty of long lie-ins, relaxing days filled with fun and the satisfaction of knowing you made a difference.
6. You’ve worked tirelessly all your life, balancing the needs of work and family. Now is your opportunity to relax and put yourself first for a change!
7. We’re so excited for you as you take the break you deserve and get to spend more time with the family. Looking forward to hearing about your next adventures!
8. You’ve been inspiring us for years with your hard work and dedication. We’re sure you will continue to be an amazing role model in this next phase of your life!
9. Now’s your chance to make lots of happy memories away from your desk! Enjoy all the exciting things you have planned for your retirement.
10. Congratulations on your retirement. We’ve heard so much about your grandkids…we’re sure they will be keeping you super busy in this next phase of your life!
Retirement Messages for a Boss
Pay respect to your boss with a respectful retirement message.
1. Thank you for being an inspirational leader. You’ve set the highest of standards, which will live on as your legacy.
2. Congratulations on your long and distinguished career — it has inspired so many.
3. You’ve changed our workplace for the better, and we’ll never forget the many ways you have contributed to our industry. Enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
4. It’s time to hand over the reins to someone new…and those are certainly big shoes to fill! Let’s hope our new boss will be as wise and inspiring as you!
5. Judging by how successful your long and illustrious career has been, your retirement is going to be amazing! Congratulations on reaching this milestone.
6. You’ve left an indelible mark on this company, helping to shape the direction and success of our endeavors. Now it’s time for you to look back on your achievements and enjoy new and exciting projects!
7. Thank you for being such a generous, knowledgeable and respected boss. Your care and guidance have helped shape the careers of many and we’re incredibly grateful to have benefited from your wisdom.
8. You’ve been more than a boss to us. Over the years, you’ve been a mentor, friend and ally. Thank you for everything you’ve achieved.
9. Time to move on to become CEO of your own life! Now’s your chance to fulfill your personal dreams and ambitions. We all wish you well!
10. It’s hard for us to let you go but we know this is your time to sit back and enjoy life. Don’t forget to keep in touch and visit us when you’re passing.
Retirement Messages for a Colleague
Remember the good times with retirement wishes suitable for a colleague.
1. You’ve always been the best colleague. Your friendship and humor have lit up the office, and we’ll miss the contribution you bring.
2. Thank you for being by my side, in the ups and downs of office life. This place won’t be the same without you!
3. We started out together and have grown together as a team. While I don’t want to let you go, I appreciate that retirement is the break you deserve. Good luck!
4. It’s been a pleasure working with you. I couldn’t have asked for a kinder, more considerate colleague. All the best in your retirement.
5. What? You’re leaving us? No way! Seriously though, I wish you an incredible retirement, filled with doing things you love.
6. I can truly say that you have been like family to me over the years that we’ve worked together. I will miss seeing you every day, but I know we’ll stay in touch.
7. I can’t believe this day has come…are you sure you’re old enough to retire? Wishing you the best of luck in the next chapter of your life.
8. I’ve always admired your ability to deal with everything thrown your way while remaining kind, funny and welcoming. We’re all going to miss you so much!
9. It’s a sad day when the office comedian retires! We’re going to miss your crazy humor, which has kept us looking on the bright side every day. This place is never going to be the same without you!
10. How am I going to cope without my office buddy? Your loss will leave a gaping hole in my working day. Be sure to stay in touch…if you’re not too busy!
Creative Ways to Deliver Retirement Messages
Now that you’ve chosen your retirement message, let’s give some thought to how to deliver it. Unique and thoughtful ways will make your words more impactful.
One of the most common ways to deliver retirement messages is in a card. Choose a big enough card, and you can get everyone at your workplace to sign their own personal message to make it extra personal.
Alternatively, you could opt for a single message, beautifully written by a professional calligrapher. This turns your retirement wishes into a work of art.
Or you could make your message more memorable with a personalized Celebration Card, reflecting the recipient’s personal tastes.
If you’re holding an event for the retiree, then you could incorporate some meaningful messages into a speech. This is usually given by the retiree’s boss or most senior colleague. But you could also ask other team members to add their own personal anecdotes about the person retiring.
At your event, you may wish to include personalized messages in a video or presentation. Or you could have a guest book at your event where attendees write down their personal memories of the retiree.
There are certainly many ways to deliver retirement wishes. The key is to tailor the delivery method to the retiree’s personality and interests for a meaningful touch.
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Retirement Messages
As well as knowing how to write a retirement message, it’s important to understand mistakes to avoid. Have a look at our checklist before you sign off that message:
- Pitch your message right. For example, if your retiree is serious in nature, avoid making jokes that they may not appreciate.
- Maintain a positive tone. Focus on the retiree’s achievements, and don’t dwell on the negative aspects of work that they won’t have to endure any longer.
- Show sensitivity. Your retiree may be nervous about this huge life change and what it means. Choose encouraging words to put them at ease and give them hope for the future.
- Make your message personal. Instead of a generic message, include specific details about the retiree’s role or character to make your words more heartfelt.
- Ensure everyone gets a say. The chances are your retiree will have worked with many people over the years. Reach out to as many colleagues, past and present, as possible so they can offer their wishes.
- Don’t forget to proofread! Make sure your message looks perfect before presenting it to your retiree. Typos can make your offering appear rushed or insincere.
Celebrate Employee Milestone Effortlessly
Retirement is a unique turning point in anyone’s life, prompting them to look back on their professional achievements and ponder what lies ahead. Thoughtful retirement messages help mark this transition in a positive way, acknowledging past successes and future pleasures.
Celebrate every milestone with the Altrum Employee Recognition Platform. Whether it’s a meaningful retirement or everyday achievements, our platform makes recognition effortless, impactful, and unforgettable. Ready to take your celebrations to the next level? Let’s talk!