Retirement is a big milestone, and a card is a good way to mark it. A retirement message usually does two things: it thanks the person for their work, and it wishes them well in the next chapter.
Here is a simple way to write a retirement card, followed by retirement card messages for coworkers, bosses, friends and family.
Article contents
- How to Write a Retirement Card
- Short Retirement Messages
- Retirement Messages for a Coworker
- Retirement Messages for a Boss
- Retirement Messages for a Friend or Family Member
- Retirement Messages for a Teacher
- Funny Retirement Messages
- Messages for a Group Retirement Card
- Happy Retirement Wishes
- Retirement Quotes and Sayings
- What to Avoid in a Retirement Card
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Write a Retirement Card
Three or four sentences is plenty.
- Congratulate them.
- Mention something specific about their work or what you learned from them.
- Wish them well in what comes next. Mention a plan they have shared, such as travel, golf or time with grandkids.
- Sign your name. On a group card, add a short line of your own.
Example: "Congratulations, Linda. Thank you for 22 years of patience and good advice. I hope your first trip to Yellowstone is everything you have been waiting for. Warmly, Mark"
Short Retirement Messages
- Congratulations on your retirement. You have earned every minute of it.
- Happy retirement. Enjoy the next chapter.
- Wishing you a long, happy and relaxing retirement.
- Congratulations on a wonderful career.
- Here is to sleeping in and doing exactly what you want.
- Best wishes on your retirement and all the adventures ahead.
- You will be missed. Enjoy every day.
- Cheers to your next chapter.
Retirement Messages for a Coworker
- It has been a pleasure working with you. Congratulations on your retirement.
- Thank you for always having an answer, or knowing who did. We will miss you.
- Work will not be the same without you. Enjoy your well-earned retirement.
- Thank you for the advice, the laughs and the coffee runs. Happy retirement.
- You made this a better place to work. Congratulations and best wishes.
- Congratulations on your retirement. Please stay in touch.
Retirement Messages for a Boss
- Thank you for your leadership and support. Congratulations on your retirement.
- I learned so much from you. Wishing you a happy and healthy retirement.
- Thank you for giving me a chance and helping me grow. Enjoy every moment of retirement.
- Your guidance made a real difference to our team. Congratulations.
- It has been a privilege to work for you. Best wishes in your retirement.
- Congratulations on a remarkable career. You will be greatly missed.
Retirement Messages for a Friend or Family Member
- Congratulations, Dad. You worked hard for a long time. Now it is time to enjoy it.
- Mom, we are so proud of you. Happy retirement.
- Congratulations on your retirement. I cannot wait to see what you do with all that free time.
- Happy retirement. Now we finally have time for that road trip.
- You have earned this. Congratulations and enjoy every day.
- Here is to more time for the people and things you love.
Retirement Messages for a Teacher
- Thank you for years of teaching and caring for your students. Happy retirement.
- You made a difference in so many lives. Congratulations on your retirement.
- Your students will remember you for years to come. Enjoy your retirement.
- Thank you for everything you gave to our school. Wishing you a wonderful retirement.
Funny Retirement Messages
Use these for someone you know well.
- Congratulations on your retirement. Every day is Saturday now.
- Happy retirement. No more alarm clocks, no more meetings, no more reply-all emails.
- Retirement: when you stop living at work and start working at living.
- Enjoy your retirement. Try not to call the office to see how we are doing without you.
- Congratulations on your permanent vacation.
- Happy retirement. Your new boss is whoever is holding the TV remote.
Messages for a Group Retirement Card
On a card that many people sign, a short personal line works best.
- Thank you for everything. Best wishes from all of us.
- Congratulations from the whole team. We will miss you.
- Wishing you the very best. Thank you for all you have done here.
- Enjoy your retirement. It was great working with you.
- Happy retirement. Thanks for the help and the laughs.
- Congratulations. You earned it.
Happy Retirement Wishes
Short wishes for the card, the cake or the group sign-off sheet.
- Happy retirement! Enjoy every slow morning you have earned.
- Wishing you a happy retirement full of travel, family and time for yourself.
- Happy retirement to someone who gave so much to this place. The break room won't be the same.
- Congratulations on your retirement! I hope the next chapter is your favorite one yet.
- Happy retirement! May your days be long, your coffee hot and your calendar empty.
- Wishing you good health and good adventures in your retirement.
- Congratulations on your retirement. I learned more from you than from any training.
- Happy retirement! The office won't be the same, but the golf course will be glad to see you.
Retirement Quotes and Sayings
A quote can go at the top of the card, with your own message below it. The first two are attributed to the people named; the rest are common sayings.
- "Don't simply retire from something; have something to retire to." (Harry Emerson Fosdick)
- "The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off." (Abe Lemons)
- "Retirement: no job, no boss, no stress, no pay." (Saying)
- "Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway." (Saying)
- "Goodbye tension, hello pension." (Saying)
- "Retired: now my time is my own." (Saying)
- "The work is done. Now the fun begins." (Saying)
- "Not retired. Just starting a new adventure." (Saying)
What to Avoid in a Retirement Card
- Jokes about age or health.
- Comments about money or pensions.
- Assuming they will be bored.
- Mentioning workplace problems or complaints.
- Writing only "Congrats!" on a card you are giving on your own. Add one personal line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you write in a retirement card for someone you do not know well?
Keep it simple and sincere: "Congratulations on your retirement. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter."
Should a retirement card be funny?
It can be, if you know the person well and the humor is kind. When in doubt, choose a warm message and add one light line.
When should I give a retirement card?
At the retirement party or on the last day of work. If you miss it, a card sent in the first few weeks of retirement is still welcome.
Our national park card sets are a popular choice for retirement, because many people plan to travel. Every card is blank inside and comes with an envelope.
