Tips for writing a retirement congrats message
Whether expressed at a happy retirement gathering or written in a letter or card, a retirement congrats message allows you to show your appreciation. Here are five tips to craft an effective happy retirement message.
1. Avoid assumptions about retirement plans
Every retiree has their own unique vision for their next chapter. To respect your employee, keep any mentions of the future general. Unless they’ve shared specific details about their plans, avoid mentioning specific retirement activities, such as traveling or taking up hobbies.
Also, consider avoiding happy retirement wishes that assume the employee will have financial security.
2. Personalize your happy retirement wishes
Acknowledging their contributions and the value they’ve added to the company is an important part of a retirement congrats message. Personalize your wishes by highlighting one or two of their successes in the workplace.
3. Say thank you
After mentioning a specific achievement, express your gratitude to the employee. Consider using language that reflects your personality and manner of speaking to help your message feel more sincere.
4. Let them know they’ll be missed
Show the employee they matter by expressing how much you and your team will miss them. Letting them know they won’t be forgotten may help them leave on a positive note.
5. Wish them well
Conclude your message with happy retirement wishes. Use forward-looking language, such as “your next chapter” or “what comes next.”
Example happy retirement messages
Consider the following examples of happy retirement messages when writing your custom well wishes:
- Over the last 20 years, you achieved your annual sales goal 20 times, and your success has been an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for your dedication. You will be missed as a valued member of our team. Wishing you all the best in the next phase of your life!
- It’s impossible to calculate how much saved paper, electricity and water your work on our sustainability program has resulted in, and I can’t thank you enough for all that you have done for our team, our company and our planet. It’s been a joy working with you, and I will miss seeing you every day. Here’s wishing you all the best in this new chapter!
- During your time with us, you served as the trainer and mentor for more than 350 new employees. Your impact on our company has been tremendous. Thanks for all you’ve done to inspire us. Please know that you’ll be missed by many. You are an esteemed member of our company, and we wish you joy, health and happiness in your retirement.
How to plan a happy retirement celebration
Honoring the retiree with a celebration allows your team to say goodbye while expressing appreciation for their contributions. To plan a happy retirement gathering, follow these steps.
1. Consult the employee
Ask the retiring employee how they’d like to be honored. Some may prefer a large after-hours party, while others might opt for a simple office gathering or a brief acknowledgement at the start of a team meeting. Offering flexible celebration options ensures the retiree feels comfortable and valued.
2. Establish a budget
Once you’ve decided on the type of celebration, determine your budget. Be sure to include the cost of a going-away gift if the company plans to provide one.
3. Delegate tasks to a planning team
Involve your team by creating a planning committee to effectively delegate tasks. Depending on the nature of the celebration, some key responsibilities may include:
- Choosing a venue
- Scheduling a date and time
- Developing a menu
- Creating a guest list
- Selecting activities or entertainment
4. Consider inviting people to speak
At many retirement celebrations, it’s common to ask members of the company to give speeches honoring the retiree and reflecting on their career accomplishments. Choose speakers who know the retiree well, such as a current or former boss or a close colleague.
The retiring employee may want an opportunity to speak as well. Let them know you can set aside time for their remarks, but reassure them that speaking is optional.
5. Provide a guest book
Purchase a guest book for attendees to sign and share their contact information. Present it to the retiree at the end of the celebration, providing them with a way to keep in touch.
FAQs about retirement wishes
What are some retirement gift ideas?
Often, the entire department comes together to purchase a single retirement gift. It’s best to avoid gifts that might create expectations for the employee’s retirement, especially if you don’t know much about their personal life. Instead, consider general gifts such as cash, gift cards, food baskets or engraved keepsakes. You might also think about making a charitable donation or planting a tree in their honor.
What are the responsibilities of HR during an employee’s retirement transition?
Human resources (HR) typically plays a key role in helping employees plan for their retirement transition. They often provide information about 401(k) plans, pension plans and other employer-sponsored retirement options in which the employee participated. Additionally, an HR generalist may explain options for continued health insurance coverage and conduct an exit interview to gather valuable feedback from the employee.
