What to write in a retirement card
A good retirement card does two things: it thanks them for the work, and it is glad for what comes next. Which of the two matters more depends on who they are to you. Copy any of these as they are.
For Mom or Dad
- You went to work every day so we could have what we have. Now it is your turn.
- Thirty-five years of early mornings. Sleep in. You have earned it.
- We saw how hard you worked. We did not say thank you enough. Thank you.
- You taught us what showing up looks like.
- The best job you ever did was us. Happy retirement.
- No more alarm clock. We are so happy for you.
- Now you can finally do all the things you kept putting off for us.
- Congratulations, Dad. The grandkids have plans for you.
For a coworker
- This place will not be the same without you. Congratulations.
- Thank you for every question you answered without making me feel slow.
- You made the hard days easier. Enjoy every easy one ahead.
- Who is going to know where everything is now?
- It has been a privilege to work beside you.
- You leave big shoes and a very organized desk. We will miss you.
- Congratulations. Come back for the holiday party.
- Wishing you long mornings and no meetings.
For a boss or mentor
- Thank you for giving me a chance before I had earned one.
- Much of what I know about this work, I learned from watching you.
- You led by doing. We noticed.
- You made this a good place to work. That is a rare thing.
- I will keep asking myself what you would do.
- Thank you for your patience, your standards and your open door.
- Congratulations on a career the rest of us will measure ours against.
For a teacher, nurse or someone who served
- Thirty years of students are better for having sat in your room.
- You will never know how many lives you changed. Start counting with mine.
- Thank you for every night shift, and every patient who went home because of you.
- You gave your working life to other people. Take the rest for yourself.
- A whole town learned to read in your classroom.
- Thank you for your service, and for the example.
Funny
- Congratulations on your promotion to full-time weekend.
- Retirement: when every day is Saturday and nobody can make you attend a meeting.
- You are now free to do nothing, and it will still take all day.
- Goodbye tension, hello pension.
- The best part of retiring is never having to ask for a day off again.
- You finally found a job you cannot be fired from.
- Do not call us. We will call you, with questions.
Short ones, for a group card
- Enjoy every minute.
- You earned this.
- We will miss you.
- Thank you for everything.
- Happy retirement!
- Come back and visit.
- Best wishes for what is next.
- Congratulations, and thank you.
- Love, all of us.
How to write your own
- Name the years, or the place: “thirty-one years at the plant”.
- Thank them for one specific thing they did or taught you.
- Wish them something they have said they want to do.
- For a group card, keep it to one or two lines so there is room for everyone.