A retirement letter is not an ordinary goodbye. You are not handing over contacts for future projects — you are closing years of shared work. The tone that works is gratitude without drama and a clear “I am not disappearing”.
Copy and adapt: “Dear colleagues, 30 September is my last working day — I am retiring. Twenty-six years next to you were the best part of my job. Please join me for tea in the staff room on Friday at 3 pm.”
Short answer: tell your manager first, the team one or two weeks ahead. The letter needs the date, the years together, one specific thank-you and an invitation to say goodbye. If you host the send-off, say that you are treating, so nobody wonders whether to chip in.
Templates
- Short, for the chat: “Colleagues, Friday is my last day before retirement. Thank you for all these years — I will miss you. Cake in the kitchen at 4 pm!”
- Warm: “Thirty years ago I came here for a year. It turned into a life. Thank you for every shift, every joke and every time you had my back.”
- Invitation: “On Friday at 4 pm I am seeing myself off into retirement in the meeting room. Tea, pies and good company — come along, I will be glad to see everyone.”
- Thanks for the gift: “Thank you for the send-off and the wonderful gift. Special thanks to Marina, who organised it all.”
Seeing off a colleague rather than retiring yourself? See collecting for a farewell gift.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell colleagues you are retiring?
Briefly and without drama: your last day, how long you worked together, one specific thank-you and an invitation to say goodbye.
When should you tell the team?
Your manager first, privately and well in advance. The team one or two weeks before the last day.
Do you have to host a send-off?
No, but many teams expect a modest tea party on the last day. Cake and tea at lunchtime is as good as a banquet.
Collecting for a Send-Off?
One link: who has chipped in, how much is collected and the receipt for the gift.
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