80 Messages To Write In a Retirement Card for a Coworker

Updated July 31, 2023

A retirement card is used to convey messages of appreciation, congratulations and well wishes. After learning about a coworker's retirement, you may want to express your gratitude for their work by sending them a retirement card. 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.

What do you include in a retirement card for a coworker?

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:

Congratulatory statements
Special memories, moments or events
Wishes for their success as they transition to the next phase of life
Comments on their contribution to the company

Example messages for a coworker's retirement card

Here's a list of example messages you may use for a coworker's retirement card:

General messages

General messages are usually good options if you've met the employee but didn't work closely with them. Here are 20 messages you may write on a coworker's retirement card to congratulate them:

Congratulations on your retirement and your wonderful career!
Happy retirement! We will miss you at the office!
Celebrating you today! Congratulations on your retirement!
Best wishes to you and your family. Happy retirement!
Congrats to the retiree! I hope you have an awesome retirement!
Congratulations! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
You've worked hard for so many years. You deserve to relax and take it easy for a change. Enjoy it!
Congratulations! We hope you savor every minute of your retirement!
Cheers to your second act! May it be even more fantastic than the first.
Congratulations on your retirement! I am so happy we worked together!
Congratulations on an outstanding career. Wishing you the best for your retirement!
Thank you for all of your hard work. We will miss you! Happy retirement!
Cherish every moment of this time and revel in this new stage of your life. Happy retirement!
I wish you a happy, loving and healthy retirement.
Congratulations on your retirement. Best wishes as you embark on this new journey.
We're so proud of you! Thank you for your devotion to this company!
Congratulations on your retirement. Now enjoy your time as a retiree!
I can't believe you're retiring! Congratulations to you!
Cheers to your retirement as a person who gave their all! May this be the best and most rewarding year of your life. Enjoy!
Thank you for being such a wonderful colleague and friend. Though I'm losing you as a coworker, I'm grateful you'll still be my friend. Happy retirement!

Appreciative messages

You can write these types of messages if you worked on the same team or within the same department. Here are 20 messages you may write on a retirement card for a coworker to express appreciation:

Honoring your 35 years of excellent service to our team and celebrating the legacy of hard work and commitment you leave behind.
You're a true professional who's shown by example that excellence is something to aim for daily. You inspire everyone around you to be more, and I know that will only continue in your retirement.
We love all that you did. Now go and do all that you love.
Congratulations on your retirement! May your future be filled with more of what you appreciate and less of what you don't!
Congratulations on your retirement and all of your new opportunities in life!
All of your sacrifices in life have successfully paid off! Enjoy the benefits of having the time to do anything and everything you've always desired to do.
After everything you've done for us, it's only fair for you to give your efforts to others in the world! Best wishes for your new endeavors.
I wish you good health, delight and success as you move forward in life. Thank you for being an amazing coworker and even better friend!
Your work ethic and outstanding personality will be missed! May this next chapter of your story be all you want it to be.
Whatever comes next for you, may it bring you the same joy and fulfillment as you brought us!
Congratulations on your retirement. You've earned it after years of excellent work! May you continue to live a fulfilling life.
In the years you've been with the business, you have made a tremendous 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 everything you have contributed to this company.
I want to wish you heartfelt congratulations on all the hard work to put in leading up to this retirement. You deserve it!
Congratulations! Thank you for your dedication throughout the last 40 years! I hope you give yourself the time to explore all opportunities you've always wanted to pursue.
I can't believe you're retiring! Congratulations and enjoy every minute because you deserve it! Thank you for everything you've accomplished for this firm!
We hope you enjoy your future with lots of time to enjoy your hobbies, friends and family as much as we've enjoyed having you! Cheers to your retirement.
Congratulations on your retirement and all the incredible years of work you put into getting there.
It's wonderful to see someone as deserving as you retire. Remember to put in the same effort into your free time as you put into your career.
Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication. The accounting team won't be the same without you!

Funny messages

A humorous message is best if you know the person well and think they would appreciate it. Here are 20 funny messages you may write on a retirement card for a coworker:

Retirement is the only real excuse you'll ever have to spend your entire life's savings. Have fun!
You're retiring! I may be jealous, but mostly just happy for you. Congrats!
I hope you have a wonderful time writing your next chapter! Just don't make it boring for us readers! Happy retirement!
Goodbye early meetings and hello early bird specials! Enjoy your retirement!
Cheers to your retirement! So, where will we be traveling to first?
Are you sure you're old enough to retire? I doubt it. Congratulations!
Remember 9 a.m. meetings and reports? Well, now's your chance to stop remembering them. Actually, just forget all about them! Happy retirement!
Congratulations on your retirement! Remember, you can always call us or get back to work if you get bored!
What do you call a person who is happy on Monday? Retired. Congratulations!
Best wishes for your retirement. Here's to watching your grandkids instead of meetings and presentations.
Retirement is an everlasting vacation, so enjoy it! Congrats!
Congratulations! You beat me to retirement! I'll do my best to not hold a grudge.
Retirement means no job, no stress and no pay! Congratulations!
You now have two more best friends! Their names are Couch and Television. I think you'll be spending a lot of time with them throughout your retirement.
We're truly going to miss you. Best wishes to you as you enter retirement! Feel free to call or visit when you get bored with retirement life!
Your new job is to make sure you have a wonderful time in retirement. The workdays are flexible and you have total authority over your schedule!
Put on your dancing shoes now that you've made your mark and paid your dues! It's time to party for retirement!
Life has officially given you permission to relax. Happy retirement!
Can you say senior discount? Enjoy all the benefits of retirement!
Now it's time for you to learn how to make your own coffee! Congratulations on your retirement!

Sincere messages

You can add sincere messages if you have a close relationship with your coworker. Here are 20 sincere messages you may write on a retirement card for a coworker:

When you believe you've come to the end of something, you're often just beginning something even better. Congratulations on your retirement!
Thank you for always supporting our team with your constant positivity and encouragement. We will miss you!
We'll remember the fantastic work you did for this company. We've appreciated your time and dedication. Congratulations on your retirement.
It was a real pleasure to work with you. I've always admired your skillful ways to overcome any challenge, big or small.
We all know you've been an incredible leader, and we wish you all the best as you embark on this new chapter in your life as you celebrate your retirement.
Thank you for consistently being a hard worker, a helpful coworker, and a terrific friend. Now go ahead and unwind and relax!
Having you as a coworker has been nothing but a delight. I wish you a fantastic retirement life! We'll miss you and never forget you.
It has been a privilege to work with someone who's so passionate. I've only worked with you for a short time, but it's undeniable that your passion has positively influenced our business.
It was great working with you! Your work truly produced an everlasting impact, and one that has changed the community for the better in so many ways. Congratulations on your retirement!
Good luck and congrats! I'm excited to see what awesome endeavors you will take on next.
I'll miss you and your positive attitude around the office, but I wish you all the best in your retirement! Thank you very much for everything!
In your retirement, I wish you pleasant times, good health and great people by your side.
With love and congratulations on your retirement.
You'll be missed. But this is the perfect moment for you. I genuinely hope your retirement is pleasant, and I wish you countless happy hours with your family.
We wouldn't be where we are today without you. Thanks for everything.
The office won't be the same without you! You'll be missed every day.
Thank you for being a mentor, friend and one of the hardest workers I know. Enjoy retirement!
I can't imagine working here without you! Thank you for all you've done for us.
Congratulations on your decision to retire! I'll miss seeing you every day, but I hope you feel continuous love and happiness during your retirement. This place just won't be the same without you. Miss you already!
I'm sorry to see you go, but I'm glad you have so much fun ahead of you. Keep in touch and enjoy your retirement!

Frequently asked questions

Can I include a gift card or a gift with the retirement card?

Yes, you can include a gift card or a gift with the retirement card. Many retirees would prefer a useful gift card, such as a restaurant, entertainment, retail or travel gift card. You can also consider personalized gifts, gift certificates, gift baskets or hobby-related gifts along with the retirement card.

What's the appropriate tone for a retirement card?

The appropriate tone for a retirement card is thoughtful, congratulatory and respectful. It's important to acknowledge the retiree's service and contributions to the company, including their past accomplishments. For instance, you can wish them good health and happiness in retirement and congratulate them on reaching this milestone.

How do I address a coworker who is retiring?

It's important to consider your relationship with the retiree when addressing them on the retirement card. When writing a message on the retirement card, be courteous and express your appreciation for their contributions. Use their name and job title to show appreciation for their years of service when writing the retirement card. You can also share fond memories, jokes or anecdotes from working together.

How do I know if my use of humor is appropriate?

It's important to consider the relationship with the coworker who's retiring and the tone of the message before using humor on a retirement card. Avoid mentioning a particular joke or reference if you're unsure about it. Sarcasm and negativity are also best left off. You may ask a colleague to review the message before sending the card.

Do I sign the retirement card from just myself or the team?

Signing the retirement card solely under your name or mentioning other colleagues' names depends on your preference and relationship with the retiree. If you're a close friend of the retiree, you can sign the card under your name, while sending well-wishes and sharing happy memories of working together. Alternatively, you can discuss this with colleagues and sign the retirement card from the team.

Do I write a retirement card if I'm also retiring?

Yes, you can still write a retirement card as a nice gesture if you're also retiring. You can use the card to express your appreciation for their years of contributing to the company, wish them well for the next milestone and share any personal memories you may have of working together. You can also congratulate them on retiring together.