Retirement Messages

When someone reaches the point in their life that they will be retiring its usual for friends, family and coworkers to congratulate and wish them luck. A lifetime of hard work deserves recognition. So sending a gift and card with a heartfelt or inspiring retirement message is the least we can do.

Here you will find the best retirement wishes and quotes. They will help you to wish a friend or colleague a happy retirement, hoping they enjoy the next phase of their life. When starting the journey into retirement a friendly best wishes or congratulations from those close to you can help make the transition feel much easier. And knowing everyone is supporting you is a real boost that makes everything feel easier and less worrisome.

You might prefer to post something on Facebook or Twitter, where sharing retirement quotes for friends or family is often done. This is a great way to let lots of people offer their good luck messages and best wishes for whoever is retiring.

And if you know the retiree well then you could consider using a funny retirement message. Putting a smile on the face or giving a laugh to those who are retiring can be a great way to help ease any fears or worries they have about the next chapter of their life.

We understand writing a retirement message can be difficult. You want your words to be heartfelt and express the best wishes for the retirees future, maybe showing how much you've appreciate them as a colleague and friend. You can be happy in the knowledge that a retirement card or gift will be warmly received by those retiring. And as long as you're sincere in what you say and write from the heart then it will be greatly appreciated. If you're still not sure what to say then try our guide to writing the perfect retirement message.

If the person retiring is a coworker or colleague then you may want to send or give a small gift with your retirement card. Choosing the best retirement gift can be tricky though. Try our retirement gift ideas to help decide on the perfect accompaniment for your retirement card.

What to Say in a Retirement Card

Not being confident about writing a retirement card message is common. You might be unsure of the best words to use or finding it difficult to express exactly how you feel about whoever is retiring.

  • Enjoy your retirement, you've earned it!
  • Wishing you a truly happy retirement
  • Happy retirement - just don't forget the rest of us!
  • Best wishes and good luck for a fulfilling retirement
  • Enjoy this new journey!
  • Wishing you a lengthy and satisfying retirement
  • Wishing you well through retirement!
  • Wishing you the best in this next phase in your life
  • Enjoy your golden years!
  • Wishing you a long and joyous retirement

What NOT to say in a Retirement Card

There a few things you should avoid saying in your retirement message. The last thing you want to do is upset the retiree and some of these phrases or words could do so.

  • Don't be negative. Stay upbeat and use encouraging, positive phrases and words to make them feel more confident
  • Don't mention death! This should be obvious but retirement should mean a new beginning, and is nothing to do with dying
  • Don't use anything religious in your message unless you are confident they will appreciate it. If you're in any doubt then just stick with a regular message
  • Don't act or talk differently. Retirement is just finishing work, nothing more, so they will want you to be as normal as possible with them. So write and talk as you usually would to them

If a standard retirement message doesn't feel like enough for you then there are a few alternatives. You can make a retirement card interesting by including more than the usual words wishing them a happy retirement. A beautiful poem or verse that says in rhyme how you feel is a sweet way to wish someone all the best. Writing poetry can be challenging so our example retirement poems are ideal for you to use as inspiration for your own or copy as they are.

If the person retiring is religious then a prayer could be a lovely way to wish them all the best in the next stage of their life. Anyone with a strong faith will appreciate a prayer that offers them support and hope for their new future. Demonstrating their well being is important to you will be greatly received. So have a look at our choice of retirement prayers for a great way to wish someone a happy retirement.

Other Retirement Message Resources: