A Retirement Letter or Note is a document written by an employee by which the employee gives formal notification of their intent to retire. Retirement letters are used to give formal notice of your intent to leave the company and retire. These documents are important because giving formal notice when leaving a job leaves a good lasting impression on your boss.
Retirement notes are used to tell your coworkers you are retiring. They are less formal that retirement letters. These notes allow you to leave on good terms with your coworkers. You might want to stay in touch, and retirement notes are a great way to send your contact information to the people whose friendship you would like to retain.
How to Write a Retirement Letter
Formal retirement letters to your boss have several components, and each of them are important.
- Formal resignation statement
- Offer to help with the transition
- Appreciation
The formal resignation statement is the statement you use to notify your boss you are leaving. Be sure to include the date of the last day you will be working. This can be a simple statement, or you can discuss your future plans.
An offer to help with the transition is a polite and kind gesture, and leaves your boss with a positive impression of you. Helping to train another employee or delegating some of your responsibilities helps your employer and will likely leave you feeling better for having done it.
A show of appreciation is a good way to leave any job. Think about your time at the company and consider the opportunities you have had. Highlight the ones you feel good about. This is one more way to keep your contacts thinking of you positively when you retire.
Note: It’s a good idea to take your retirement letter to your boss at a scheduled meeting with them. This way you can discuss your intent to retire without being interrupted or distracted.
How to Write a Retirement Note
Retirement notes contain the same information as a retirement letter, but can be written in a less formal tone. Write each of the coworkers you have worked with individually. It is fine to do this by email.
Tell your coworkers how to get in touch with you after you leave. Include as much or as little contact information as you want. Retirement notes written in the same format as retirement letters but in a more casual tone leave a good impression on your coworkers. Be sure to offer them ways to get in touch with you after you retire.
Note: If your boss has a retirement party scheduled, you might want to give each of your coworkers a note before the party. Letting your coworkers know in advance that you are leaving gives them the opportunity to say goodbye without being rushed.
Retirement Note Format
{date}
{recipient name}
I would like to inform you that I am retiring from my position, effective {your last day at work}. {Use this space to offer further details about your retirement, if desired}
I have enjoyed my time at {company name}, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given here. {Use this space to talk about some positive experiences or a positive thing about the job.}
Although I am eager to retire, I will miss {company name} {and my team}.
If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. I am happy to provide any assistance required in training my successor and ensuring a smooth transition.
Sincerely,
{your signature}
{your name}
{contact details, such as email, if desired}
Sample Retirement Letter
November 2, 2002
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
I would like to inform you that I am retiring from my position, effective November 30, 2022. I am retiring to leave the workplace and spent more time with my grandchildren in St. Louis.
I have enjoyed my time at Harrison Publishing, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given here. We have been privileged to witness the technological revolution in the publishing industry, and I leave knowing I was a part of a historic moment in the publishing business.
Although I am eager to retire, I will miss Harrison Publishing and my team. We worked on many projects together and created so much great content over the years. I have learned so much from you and my coworkers, and I will always be glad I spent these past years at Harrison Publishing.
If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. I am happy to provide any assistance required in training my successor and ensuring a smooth transition.
Sincerely,
Catherine Jones
Catherine Jones
Sample Retirement Note
Dear Claudia,
I wanted to let you know that I am retiring from my position at Harrison Publishing, effective November 30, 2022. I am looking forward to spending a good bit more time with my grandkids in St. Louis.
I have greatly enjoyed working with you over these years. You have given me with a great deal of your time and attention, and I cannot thank you enough for the many ways you have helped me succeed. You are a great coworker, and I will miss you.
Please stay in touch! My email address is [email protected]. You can also reach me on my cell phone, (873) 298-3744.
Best wishes,
Catherine
Retirement Note / Letter (Word Template)
- MS Word
Different Type of Retirement Notes
Writing a retirement letter or note doesn’t need to be difficult, but retiring is a big transition and it’s good to do it well. The sample letter and note above demonstrate how easily you can adapt the basic format provided to create perfect retirement letters and notes. Please feel free to use our format for your letter or note.
Retirement Letter to Employer
- MS Word
Retirement Letter to Boss
- MS Word
Retirement Letter to Coworkers
- MS Word
Thank You Retirement Letter
- MS Word
Letter of Intent to Retire
Retirement Farewell Letter
- MS Word
Teacher Retirement Letter
- MS Word
Company Retirement Letter
- MS Word
Notice of Retirement to Employer
Letter of Voluntary Retirement Agreement
Official Retirement Letter
21 Day Employee Retirement Letter
Retirement Appreciation Letter
- MS Word
Generic Retirement Letter
Faculty Employee Retirement Letter
Resignation Acknowledgement Letter
Professional Retirement Announcement
- MS Word
Retirement Notification Letter
Letter to Work Colleagues Resignation
- MS Word
Notice of Retirement
Letter to Customers Announcing Resignation
Retirement Letter of Recognition
Retirement Extension Thank you
- MS Word
Nursing Retirement Letter
- MS Word
Letter of Voluntary Retirement and Agreement
Staff Retirement Confirmation Letter
Retirement Termination Letter
Letter of Retirement to Business Leaders
