Retirement marks a major moment in our lives, and it should be recognized in the workplace. However, when getting ready to connect over this milestone keep in mind that people retire for a variety of reasons, so there’s no one-size-fits-all message.
When you’re thinking about an appropriate way to recognize the retirement of a friend, coworker or client, start by taking into account why they’re retiring. Once you consider the “why,” a sincere and thoughtful retirement card message is much easier to craft.
Retirement by choice. Your employee, coworker, friend or client has put in years of service and can afford to retire, or he or she has accepted an early retirement package as part of a company downsizing. Be sure to consider the emotional nuances of both scenarios, but in both cases, the person is likely to be moving on to other things they want to do. They are likely looking forward to such pursuits as hobbies, volunteer activities, traveling, family time or other career interests.
Retirement due to other circumstances. Other reasons someone may be retiring include mandatory retirement age ceilings or union retirement eligibility after 20 years on the job. In the latter case, you may have someone who is relatively young changing careers or finding another way to use their skillset. Finally, it’s also not uncommon for someone to retire to address their own health concerns or those of family members. But regardless of the circumstances, retirement is an important milestone to commemorate.
After years or even decades of working together, it can be bittersweet when a coworker retires. You’ve likely celebrated promotions, weathered challenges, and made memories together. Now that your colleague is embarking on their next chapter, a heartfelt card is a thoughtful way to express your well wishes.
But what should you write in a retirement card for a coworker? These meaningful messages can provide inspiration:
Express Your Appreciation
Start your card message by thanking your coworker for their dedication over the years. A few examples:
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Thank you for your many years of hard work and contributions to our team. We will miss you!
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I can’t thank you enough for your mentorship and friendship over the years. It has been an honor to work with you.
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Your commitment to excellence inspired us every day Thank you for sharing your talents with our department for so many years.
Share Your Favorite Memories
Reminisce about special moments you shared at work. Some ideas:
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I’ll always remember the time we stayed late to meet that huge deadline – we were so tired but we got it done! Your perseverance motivated us all.
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From office pranks to holiday parties, we’ve made so many special memories over the years. I will treasure them always.
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I could always count on you to make me laugh even during crunch times. Thanks for keeping things fun!
Wish Them Well
Express hope and excitement for this next phase of their life with a warm sentiment:
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Best wishes for an amazing retirement. I know you have so many plans – travel safely and enjoy every moment!
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While we’ll miss you, I’m excited for you to start this new chapter. I wish you endless sunshine, rest, and relaxation!
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You’ve worked so hard over the years. I hope retirement brings you all the joy and adventure you deserve!
Offer Ongoing Support
Let your coworker know that your friendship will continue even after their last day:
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Our office won’t be the same without you, but I’m just a phone call away if you ever need anything.
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I hope we’ll stay in touch in retirement – I’d love to meet up to catch up once you’re settled.
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We’ve been there for each other through it all at work, and that won’t change even though you’ve retired! I’m here whenever you need me.
Add a Personal Touch
Make your message unique by highlighting your coworker’s best qualities, inside jokes, or favorite memories. For example:
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I’ll never forget our Friday doughnut tradition. Enjoy retirement – you’ve more than earned all of life’s sweet treats!
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Your genius marketing ideas always impressed me. Enjoy finally having time for all your creative hobbies in retirement!
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Thanks for always lending a hand these past 15 years – your generosity and thoughtfulness helped us all succeed.
Keep it Short and Simple
Long messages can be overwhelming. A short, sincere note is often most meaningful:
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Wishing you all the best in your retirement! You will be missed.
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Congrats on retiring! Enjoy every moment.
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Happy retirement – you deserve it!
Quotes and Poems
Adding a quote or poem is a nice touch. Just keep it brief:
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“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – A.A. Milne
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“The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.” – Seneca
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Don’t be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. – Richard Bach
The most important thing is to write from the heart. Your coworker will appreciate the gesture, no matter how you phrase it. By taking the time to craft a personal, thoughtful message in their retirement card, you can make their send-off special.
Career Retrospective Retirement Card Messages
Honoring careers and contributions is always appropriate in a retirement card, especially for those who have been with a company for a significant amount of time. In these retirement card messages, it’s most important to let them know they made a difference and that they will be missed. Use phrases such as:
- In the many years you have been with [company], you have made an undeniable difference. Congratulations on your retirement—it won’t be the same here without you!
- Your hard work, dedication and achievements may never be matched. Thank you for setting the standard for everyone at [company].
- You’ve done so much for us that we could never list it all in one place. Best of luck in your new adventures!
- Your retirement is well deserved, but you will be missed!
- Thanks for all the great memories. Your contributions to [company] will never be forgotten.
20 Ideas for What to Write in a Retirement Card
Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words to say, and retirement cards can be especially challenging to write. Lucky for you, we’ve put together some excellent go-to messages perfect for businesses to use for a variety of retirement situations. So don’t be afraid to stock up, select a pre-written sentiment and use one of the personal message ideas below—this way, you’ll be ready for the next retirement announcement. Here are 20 messages to get you started as you ponder what to write in a retirement card or congratulations card.
Retirement Wishes | Retirement Messages | Retirement Quotes
How do I write a message on a coworker’s retirement card?
When writing a message on a coworker’s retirement card, it’s important to consider your connection to the coworker. Here are some common ideas you can include on a retirement card: General messages are usually good options if you’ve met the employee but didn’t work closely with them.
What are some good retirement wishes for coworkers?
Short and simple retirement wishes are great for coworkers you do not know particularly well. Here are some concise retirement messages for your coworkers: “Happy retirement! Enjoy the journey ahead.” “Wishing you endless joy in retirement!” “Cheers to a well-deserved retirement!”
What to include on a retirement card for a coworker?
Depending on your relationship with your coworker, your message may include anything from a fond memory to a general farewell. In this article, we discuss what to include on a retirement card for a coworker and provide 80 examples of different messages you can use to congratulate your coworker.
How do you congratulate a coworker on retirement?
Start by congratulating your coworker on their retirement, acknowledging this significant milestone in their life. A simple statement like “Congratulations on your retirement!” or “Happy retirement!” works well. Keep this initial congratulatory message concise to allow space for a more personalized message later in the card.
