Retirement is a strange and lovely thing to celebrate. It is a goodbye and a beginning at once, the close of a long working chapter and the start of free time someone has earned many times over. The best retirement messages honour the work and look forward to the rest.

Here are more than 40 retirement wishes, grouped by who they are for and the tone you want. Add a specific memory and sign it warmly.

Short retirement wishes

Happy retirement. You have earned every minute of it.
Congratulations on a wonderful career.
Wishing you a relaxing and well-deserved retirement.
Here is to the next adventure. Enjoy it.
So happy for you. Go enjoy the rest.
Cheers to freedom. Happy retirement.

Heartfelt retirement messages

You leave behind a career to be proud of and people who will genuinely miss you.
Thank you for years of hard work, wisdom and kindness. Enjoy every well-earned moment.
The place will not be the same without you. Wishing you a happy, restful retirement.
You have given so much over the years. Now it is your turn to enjoy the time.
Few people leave a mark like you have. Happy retirement, and thank you for everything.

Funny retirement messages

Happy retirement. Your alarm clock is now officially unemployed too.
Congratulations. The hardest decision you will face now is what to do before lunch.
Enjoy retirement. Try not to fix everything around the house in the first week.
Happy retirement. You will finally find out what your house looks like in the daytime.
Welcome to the club where every day is the weekend. Congratulations.

Retirement messages for a colleague

It has been a privilege to work alongside you. Wishing you a brilliant retirement.
Thank you for the laughs, the advice and the steady hand. We will miss you.
You set the standard for the rest of us. Enjoy every minute of your retirement.
The office will be quieter without you, in the best and worst ways. Happy retirement.

Retirement messages for a boss

Thank you for leading with patience and fairness. You will be missed. Happy retirement.
You made coming to work better for all of us. Wishing you a wonderful retirement.
A great manager is rare. Thank you for being one of them. Enjoy your retirement.
Your leadership shaped this team for years. Now go enjoy the time you have earned.

Retirement quotes to add

Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway.
The best part of retirement is doing what you love with the time you have earned.
Do not count the years. Make the years count.
The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.

A quick tip for a memorable gift

A retirement card is often signed by a whole team, so make your line personal: name a moment, a habit, a kindness you will remember. For a group gift that goes beyond the usual, a personalised keepsake celebrating their years and the people they worked with is a thoughtful touch. You can browse our books here.

Frequently asked questions

What is a short retirement message?

"Happy retirement. You have earned every minute of it. Enjoy the next chapter." Warm, simple and works for anyone.

What do you write for a colleague's retirement?

Make it personal and appreciative: "It has been a privilege to work with you. Thank you for the laughs and the wisdom. We will miss you."