Retirement is a milestone that most Americans look forward to their entire lives. But finding the perfect words to make your friend, family member, or colleague feel truly celebrated can be challenging.
Let us help you give your retiree a send-off they’ll never forget. In this article, you’ll learn:
-
- The step-by-step process of creating a heartfelt note
- Simple congratulatory retirement messages and funny retirement quotes
- How to make your retirement card memorable with the perfect retirement messages
Let’s get started on creating retirement card messages that will make everyone smile.
Creating the Perfect Retirement Messages
Writing retirement message thas resonates is all about recognizing your specific retiree’s journey, achievements, and personality. Are they sarcastic, or serious? Are they
Here are three steps to help you create a retirement message that leaves a lasting impression.
Step 1: Make your retirement messages handwritten.
Handwriting your retirement message (versus using a printer or email) adds a personal touch to your note or card. The power of a handwritten note really does set you apart, because it shows you took extra time and effort. In a culture where most communication happens electronically, this thoughtful touch shows how much you care. Plus, a sentimental retiree might hold on to your message and look back on it for years to come.
Step 2: Make your retirement messages sincere and genuine.
Express your congratulations on their retirement and let the retiree know how much they will be missed. Reflect on their achievements and the impact they’ve made throughout their career. You can even include some inspirational and/or funny retirement quotes (keep reading for examples below) to bring a smile to their face.
Step 3: Make your retirement messages personal to the retiree.
Whether it’s a retirement wishes for a friend or a retirement message to a coworker, make sure to make it personal. Consider the retiree’s interests, personality, and your relationship with them. This is the secret sauce will help your message resonate deeply.
Detailed messages, like referencing specific achievements or shared memories, will make your retirement card messages more meaningful than anything generic Hallmark comes up with.
Be sure to wish them well in their future endeavors and offer your support. With these steps, you’ll create a retirement message that will be cherished for years to come.
Retirement Messages for Your Employees
If the retiree works for you, or you’re writing a retirement message on behalf of your organization, you might consider keeping your tone a bit more professional. Do still highlight their career achievements, but a joke may or may not be appropriate.
Here is an example of a retirement message crafted for someone who reports to you:
[Employee’s name here], congratulations on your retirement!
We want to honor your dedication to our company and wish you all the best as you embark on this exciting new journey. May you find joy in pursuing your passions, exploring new interests, and enjoying well-deserved relaxation.
Your impact on our organization will continue to inspire us. We’ll never forget your significant contributions, such as [specific example or accomplishment here], and [another specific example here]. We wish you a happy retirement filled with happiness, health, and fulfillment.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
Inspirational Retirement Messages
- “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” —Fred Rogers
- “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” —Psalm 92:12-14
- “Retirement is a blank sheet of paper. It is a chance to redesign your life into something new and different.” —Patrick Foley
- “Retirement means doing whatever I want to do. It means choice.” —Dianne Nahirny
- “The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.” —Vince Lombardi
- “Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.” —Oliver Wendell Holmes
- “Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” —Jim Rohn
- “Retirement is when having a good time is your only job.” —Unknown
- “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” —Mark Twain
- “Retirement, a time to enjoy all the things you never had time to do when you worked.” —Catherine Pulsifer
- “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…”—Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Funny Quotes About Retirement
- “I’m not just retiring from the company; I’m also retiring from my stress, my commute, my alarm clock, and my iron.” —Hartman Jule
- “He who laughs last at the boss’s jokes probably isn’t far from retirement.” —Unknown
- “The company gave me an aptitude test and I found out the work I was best suited for was retirement.” —Unknown
- How many retirees to change a light bulb? Only one, but it might take all day.
- What do you call someone who’s happy on Mondays? Retired!
- You’re retired – goodbye tension, hello pension!
- “Work is the curse of the drinking classes.” – Oscar Wilde
- “Retirement: That’s when you return from work one day and say, ‘Hi, Honey, I’m home—forever.'” —Gene Perret
- “A retired husband is often a wife’s full-time job.” —Ella Harris
- “I enjoy waking up and not having to go to work. So I do it three or four times a day.” —Gene Perret
- When is a retiree’s bedtime? Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch.
- “Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did.” —Unknown
- “When a man retires, his wife gets twice the husband but only half the income.” – Chi Chi Rodriguez
- “Sometimes the best part of your job is retirement.” —Unknown
Creating the perfect retirement messages for your friends, family, co-workers, or employees, should be fun. Enjoy!
If you or a retiree in your life have questions like our free second opinion of your retirement plan, please contact our firm today. We are here to guide you to and through retirement.
Related Resources:
Article:The Best Retirement Party Games (For an Unforgettable Event)