Celebrating a retirement is a big milestone in someone's life. They've dedicated years, perhaps decades to working hard. So it goes without saying that such a big event deserves recognition. But what should I write in a retirement card, we hear you ask? Well, panic not. We've gathered together some of our favourite retirement messages to write in a card. Whether you need a short and sweet retirement message for a friend or colleague, or a meaningful and emotional retirement message for a parent, we've got you covered. And keep reading all the way to the end for our top tips on creating the perfect retirement message.
And if you still need a unique, personalised retirement card, take a look at our collection here.
Funny Retirement Messages
- Goodbye early meetings and hello early bird specials! Enjoy your retirement!
- The best part about being retired is never having to ask for time off.
- Remember, you can always go back to work if you get bored!
- What do you call a person who is happy on Monday? Retired.
- Now it's time for you to learn how to make your own coffee! Congratulations on your retirement!
- Just think, no one from IT is ever going to ask if you rebooted your computer again. Enjoy every single minute of it.
- Goodbye tension, hello pension! Let the fun begin!
- Remember all the times you said, “Not my problem”? Now it’s official
- Welcome to retirement, where every day is a weekend.
- Welcome to retirement. You may find the money isn’t as good but the hours are certainly better.
- Think about your retirement as two six-month holidays each year.
- Hip Hip Replacement!
- You’re officially old.
- Here’s to grey hair, elasticated pants, and Velcro shoes.
- Congratulations on being able to never have to call in sick again.
- Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
- Cheers to the next chapter
- Thank you for all of your hard work. We will miss you!
- Happy retirement!
- Life begins now. Enjoy every minute.
- May this next chapter of your story be all you want it to be.
- Enjoy every minute because you deserve it!
- You came, you succeeded, you retired. Well done!
- Now that you’re retired, hope you’ll have time for all you’ve got planned!
- New places to go, new stories to write. Let the next chapter begin.
- After climbing the mountain, you can finally enjoy the view.
- I hope you get to enjoy everything you’ve never had time for before.
- The best is yet to come.
- Congratulations on a successful career.
- Time to put your feet up and relax.
- Please don’t be a stranger!
- Life begins at retirement.
- Though I'm losing you as a co-worker, I'm grateful you'll still be my friend. Happy retirement!
- We love all that you did. Now go and do all that you love.
- Congratulations on your retirement and all the incredible years of work you put into getting there.
- The office won't be the same without you! Happy retirement and best wishes.
- 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!
- Thank you for consistently being a hard worker, a helpful co-worker, and a terrific friend. Now go ahead and unwind and relax!
- You have set the standard for hard work, determination and loyalty. No one will ever be able to take your place and we will all miss you terribly. Enjoy your retirement.
- Never underestimate how much one person can touch the lives of others. Enjoy your retirement!
- Be proud of what you’ve accomplished and the difference you’ve made in the lives of those around you. We'll miss you!
- Thanks for being my work therapist. Now I’m probably going to have to pay someone. Happy retirement.
- Thank you for being a mentor, friend and one of the hardest workers I know. Enjoy retirement!
- We envy you, but are excited for you!
- Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you stop taking coffee breaks. Be sure to schedule me in!
- Retirement isn’t really all as great as it sounds. No pressure from the boss, zero deadlines, no company meetings to enjoy—how will you manage?
- Your hard work, dedication and achievements may never be matched.
- Thank you for everything you have contributed to this company.
- Thank you for always supporting our team with your constant positivity and encouragement. We will miss you!
- You've been an incredible leader, and we wish you all the best as you embark on this new chapter in your life.
- We wouldn't be where we are today without you. Thanks for everything.
- You’re leaving behind some pretty big shoes to fill. This place won't be the same without you. Happy retirement!
- I’m so grateful to have had you as a mentor, leader and role model. Happy retirement. enjoy every moment.
- Retirement checklist: Wake up whenever you feel like it. Relax over a latte. See the world. Read a book. Walk by the ocean. Spend time with loved ones. Repeat.
- Now it's time to kick back and enjoy the rewards of a job well done. We'll miss you!
- On your retirement, I want you to know that there’s no replacing the value, heart and soul you brought to this job each and every day. You’ll be missed more than know.
- It's hard to believe the time has come to say goodbye. You're truly one of a kind, and we're going to have a hard time finding someone to fill your shoes!
- On your retirement, I want to let you know that it's been a privilege to have you on my team. Happy retirement!
- You have been a strong influence on my professional career. Your work ethic inspires me to be my best every day.
- We know that you’ll miss being stuck in the office with us every weekday but we’re pretty confident that all the time spent adventuring/ sailing/ golfing/ gardening will make up for it.
- Congratulations on your retirement Grandma/Grandad! I'm so excited for more adventures with you!
- Enjoy your retirement Gran, you deserve it!
- You may have retired from your day job, but you still have a full time role as Grandma. Unpaid and with no holidays. Enjoy!
- Time to have some fun with the little ones. Enjoy being a full time grandparent.
- Now you have even more time to spoil your grandchildren.
- Time to make more memories with your grandchildren.
Retirement Messages for a Friend
- When you get tired of your two new best friends—the bed and living room recliner—remember to give your old friend a call!
- I'm so happy for you, and excited for all the adventures we'll have!
- Congratulations on your retirement. When did we get so old?!
Retirement Quotes
- “Remember me and smile, for it is better to forget than to remember me and cry” -Dr. Seuss
- “Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “This is not goodbye, my darling, this is thank you.” – Nicholas Sparks
- “It feels right. But it’s emotional. Saying goodbye to anything you’ve done that long is hard.” -Angela Ruggiero.
- “Retirement is more fun than work, and you never have to make excuses.” – Unknown
- "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want." –Bill Waterson
- “Retirement life is different because there is no set routine. You are able to let the day unfold as it should. Enjoy, be happy and live each day.” – Suzanne Steel
- "A retired husband is often a wife's full-time job." –Ella Harris
- "Retirement: It's nice to get out of the rat race, but you have to learn to get along with less cheese." –Gene Perret
- “Retirement: That’s when you return from work one day and say, “Hi, Honey, I’m home — forever.” – Gene Perret
- “To be idle is sometimes an excellent way of being busy.” – Thomas Carlyle
- “The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” – Oprah Winfrey
- “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” – Steve Jobs
- “You have to put off being young until you can retire.” –Unknown
- “Retirement is when you stop living at work and start working at living.”– Unknown
How do I personalise a retirement message?
The most important thing to do when writing a personal retirement message is be specific. Think about who they are as an individual person- do they have hobbies or special interests? Is there a funny story or favourite memory of their working life that you could recall? Make it personal to let them know that you genuinely care. Here are some topics to get you started:
- Hobbies they are likely to spend their time doing. Eg. gardening, walking, golf, baking
- Who they are likely to spend their time with. Eg. Grandchildren, partner, friends
- Where they are retiring to. Eg. a city, town, village, country.
Keep it short and sweet, kind and thoughtful. Wish them all the best for their future and congratulate them on their retirement. Maybe add a quote (see above for examples).