Retirement card messages

A retirement card marks the end of a working life, often after decades in the same place. People keep these cards, so it's worth writing more than your name. A thank-you and one real memory will mean a lot, even in a card with fifty other signatures.

What to write in a retirement card

Start by congratulating them. Then mention something about their work or what they were like, and wish them well with what they're planning. If you know their plans, use them, for example "Enjoy the caravan" or "Have a lovely time in Spain".

Keep jokes kind. Lie-ins and the end of the commute are safe ground. Leave out anything about health, memory or getting old.

Retirement messages for a colleague

• Congratulations, Trevor. Twenty-six years on the loading bay and you still said good morning to everyone. We'll miss you. Enjoy the fishing.
• Happy retirement, Bernie. Thank you for showing me the ropes when I started and for all the laughs since. The office will be much quieter without you.
• Pauline, nobody knows the filing system like you do, and I'm a bit worried about what happens next. Have a wonderful retirement and enjoy that trip to Skye.
• Enjoy every minute, Sanj. You've earned the lie-ins. Thanks for always being the calmest person in the room.
• Wishing you a very happy retirement, Heather. The ward won't feel the same without you. Thank you for looking after all of us as well as the patients.

For your boss or manager

• Thank you for being such a fair and patient manager, Clive. You gave me a chance when I needed one, and I haven't forgotten it. Enjoy your retirement.
• Congratulations on your retirement, Mrs Okafor. The school owes you a great deal, and so do I. Have a lovely time in Pembrokeshire.
• It's been a privilege working for you, Yvonne. You built this team from nothing and made it a good place to come to work. All the very best.
• Des, thanks for the good advice and the terrible jokes in the Monday meeting. Wishing you a long and happy retirement.

Funny retirement card messages

• Congratulations, Terry. You'll never have to sit on the M5 at half seven again. Enjoy the quiet weekday mornings.
• Happy retirement, Val. Your plants will be thrilled to see so much of you. The rest of us are very jealous.
• Retirement at last, Brian. Please don't spend it all on bird food. Thanks for everything, and see you at the garden centre.
• Mandy, who will we ask about the photocopier now? We may have to read the manual. Have a brilliant retirement.

For a friend

• You did it, Gill! Forty years of teaching, and not one parents' evening missed. Now we can finally go walking on a Tuesday.
• Congratulations, Mal. I hope you get all the golf you want, and a bit of peace from the phone. Let's get that trip to Keswick booked.
• Happy retirement, Anita. You've worked so hard for so long. Now it's time for you and Dev to enjoy yourselves. Lots of love.

For your mum, dad or partner

• Mum, I'm so proud of everything you've done in forty-two years at the council. Enjoy the free time. We'll see you for lunch every Thursday now.
• Dad, you've worked hard all our lives and never once complained. Happy retirement. Now you've no excuse not to fix the shed.
• To my wonderful husband on his last day. I'm so proud of you, and I can't wait for all the trips we've been talking about. All my love.
• Congratulations, Nan. Retiring at seventy-one is quite something. We hope you enjoy the peace and quiet, for a week or two at least.

Signing a big retirement card

If lots of people are signing, keep to a line or two and leave space in the middle for their manager or closest colleagues. Add your team if the card is going round a large company. If you have more to say, write a separate note and put it in the envelope.

For colleagues moving to a new job, there are more ideas in leaving card messages. If you need to speak at the do, read our guide to retirement speeches, and if it's your own retirement, see your own retirement speech. Other occasions are on the card messages page.