[tab name=’Guidelines’]

Guidelines : Retirement

Congratulations on Retirement

Guidelines and Alternate Phrases

• Mention the occasion of retirement.
• Your time of leisure, travel, and rest is fast approaching; I’m so envious.
• Congratulations on such a long and varied career.
• Congratulations on such a successful 40-year record!
• What a record–30 years of hard work, commitment, and excellence.
• I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to work with you through the years on so many joint projects. On your retirement, I have very mixed emotions. On the one hand, you deserve the well-earned years of leisure; on the other hand, I’ll miss you greatly.
• From my distinct vantage point as a competitor, I can’t say how glad I am to see you retire–you’ve put most of us to shame with your accomplishments. Seriously, I hate to see you go. Leaders who’ve exhibited the courage you’ve shown are difficult to replace.
• My colleagues tell me you’re retiring after 30 remarkable years.
• After 28 highly productive years, you think you’re really going to get any rest on the sidelines?
• You’ve had such a spectacular career I find it shocking to think you will not be leading our organization to new records.
• I understand from mutual friends you will be retiring at the end of the month, and I didn’t want the occasion to go by without a special note to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed our association.
• If our records are right, you’ve been showing up for work here every morning for the past 20 years. Now, that’s consistency!
• Comment specifically on the career achievements, skills, or personal attributes of the retiree.
• You have spread your fatherly interest to include me so often.
• Your business acumen has been noted so often in the press I feel at a loss to comment further other than to say I’ve learned more from you in our six-month relationship than in all my earlier years with the organization.
• Your punctuality, your dependability, and your loyalty have been exemplary.
• Whenever there has been a technical problem, I always had the confidence that given enough time and the proper assistance, you would have us back in operation.
• Your sound judgment, your can-do attitude, and your management skills have contributed more than I can say in this short letter.
• You have so faithfully performed every task assigned, without complaint and with excellence.
• Your record of attendance, your skill development, and your attitude have been marvelous through the years.
• Wish the reader well with any announced plans for the retirement years. Remember, however, that not everyone is pleased about retiring, and in those cases, your comments should only be general.
• My very best wishes for your future years.
• My thoughts and prayers go with you as you leave us.
• Have fun as you travel the globe, meet new people, and enjoy your family.
• Many years of health, happiness, and fun to you.
• Thank you for making us part of your life; we wish you many more years with the people who matter most–your friends and family.
• Your plans for retirement sound exciting. Make the most of every moment.
• Godspeed as you go.
• You have earned the thorough rest that only retirement provides. Enjoy.
• You have worked long and contributed much. We hope your retirement brings you equally as much contentment.
• Our best wishes go with you as you face those exciting days of pure leisure–long conversations, unhurried visits, uninterrupted rest. You deserve to enjoy life to its fullest.

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[tab name=’Example 1′]

Example 1: Sample letter for retirement congratulations

Company Name or Letterhead
Address
City, State Zip

Date

Addressee
Address
City, State Zip

Dear Douglas:

Rumor has it you’re going to be deserting us here in the Eastern region for greener pastures–golf courses, tennis courts, hunting leases in Wyoming. Congratulations on your planned retirement.

But before you leave for those greener pastures, let me recall for you the outstanding successes you’ve had here with us. It seems like only yesterday you were breaking sales goals and had set the bell curve on edge. Then, as my mentor in the field of management, you showed me what it meant to listen to your team members and really give their ideas a chance, to work long hours for a common goal, to envision the future as you want it to be and then make things happen. Thank you so much for what your career has meant to me as both a friend and an observer.

Your retirement has come too soon to suit me; nevertheless, I wish you the very best in the years ahead.

Sincerely,
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[tab name=’Example 2′]

Example 2: Retirement congratulations letters

Company Name or Letterhead
Address
City, State Zip

Date

Addressee
Address
City, State Zip

Dear Jeremy:

I’m pleased to have the opportunity to help you mark your retirement from the company and move into a life of well-deserved leisure and travel. Thank you so much for the excellent sales assistance you’ve given me numerous times in the past 25 years. Specifically, I’m remembering just last year–without you, I could have kissed the Joverson deal good-bye.

Doesn’t the time go fast? But being the effective salesperson you are, you’ve been just as fast in piling up awards and profit records.

Congratulations on a very successful career–one I hope to emulate.

Sincerely,
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[tab name=’Example 3′]

Example 3: Retirement congratulation

Company Name or Letterhead
Address
City, State Zip

Date

Addressee
Address
City, State Zip

Dear Willard:

Come Easter week, they tell me the business is losing some of its real flavor. Are you really retiring? Who will be here to tell about real creative selling–like translating butter and eggs into an initial payment?

And who will be able to show us such good times on the job? Like the time at Ruidoso when I watched your knuckles turn white as the helicopter went into a steep bank and we looked straight down through the open door–several thousand feet.

And who will straighten me out when I tell a customer the 402 model will cost him $2,800/month instead of $800?

As you can see, the things I remember are not only the problems but the fun. I’m very grateful for having worked with a fine guy who still “wears well” with everyone I know.

My sincerest wishes for your future happy years.

Regards,
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