Retirement Resignation Letter Examples

Are you ready to let your employer know that you're retiring? If so, it’s a good idea to formalize your departure by notifying your employer in writing with a formal retirement letter.

Not only is this considered good manners, but it also provides official documentation for your company’s human resources department files. The letter can be given to your employer when you inform them in person that you're leaving, or you can turn it in as a follow-up to the conversation.

Notifying Your Employer About Retirement

Depending on your job and your relationship with your employer, you most likely will want to offer more than two weeks’ notice, which is typical for resignations. That's especially the case if you've had a lengthy tenure with the company.

It's important to check your company's retirement policies, so you're familiar with the retirement process and how retiree benefits, pensions, retirement accounts, unused leave, and other factors impact your retirement work. Typically, retirement dates are based on eligibility for retiree benefits.

Note

If you have an in-person conversation with your manager or human resources department, you may be able to negotiate a retirement date that fits the needs of both you and your employer.

What to Include in a Retirement Letter

Your retirement letter should include the details of your departure:

• Your letter should include the date you are resigning, which will be the last day you work.
• If you can help during the transition that will follow your resignation, mention this as well.
• Assuming you have become a valued employee during your position tenure, offering to assist with training your successor or preparing your team for your departure will become a final “gold star” in your career history.
• It is also polite to thank the company for the opportunities you have had while working for their firm.

Retirement Resignation Letter Example

Here is an example of a resignation letter written to inform your employer about your retirement. Download the resignation letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or see below for more examples, including another example that mentions leaving the workforce.

Retirement Resignation Letter Example (Text Version)

Frank Jones
123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
frank.jones@email.com

April Lee
Manager
Acme Corporation
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

I would like to inform you that I will be retiring effective July 1, 2024.

I have truly enjoyed working for Acme Corporation, and I sincerely appreciate the support provided to me during my 10 years as part of the company. The stimulation of our positive corporate culture and the opportunities for promotion and professional advancement I was given made waking up and coming to work each day a pleasure.

While I look forward to enjoying my retirement, I will miss being part of our team and the company. I trust that the friendships I have developed here will last well into the future.

If I can be of any assistance before my departure or afterward, then please let me know. I'd be happy to provide whatever assistance I can to provide a smooth transition to my successor.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Leaving the Workforce Retirement Letter

Use this resignation letter sample as a model to advise your employer that you are resigning because you are leaving the workforce. Be sure to tailor it to reflect your tone of voice and professional circumstances.

Leaving the Workforce Retirement Letter Example

Marjorie Dolan
134 Amherst Blvd.
Coronado, CO 34134
555-121-1234
marjorie.dolan@gfmail.com

October 18, 2024

James Madison, PhD
Department Chair
History Department
Coronado College
143 Broadway
Coronado, CO 34134

Dear Dr. Madison:

I would like to inform you that I am officially resigning from my faculty position at Coronado College, effective December 1, 2024. Working here has been such a wonderful experience, and I will cherish the memories forever.

Life is fleeting, so I have decided to retire and leave the workforce so I can enjoy watching my grandchildren grow up. I have worked at Coronado College for over 20 years, and although those were some of the best years of my life, I am looking forward to the next chapter.

I want to personally thank you for the many opportunities you have given me over the years. I have grown personally and professionally, and am very pleased with the work I have done, the students I have been privileged to work with, and the departmental and institutional changes I have helped to effect. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with my coworkers and superiors, and I do hope that we will all keep in touch.

If I can be of any help during this transitional time, please let me know. Thank you again for your understanding, and I wish you all the best.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Key Takeaways

• Notifying your employer about retirement with a formal letter is good etiquette and provides necessary documentation for HR.
• It’s recommended to give more than the typical two weeks’ notice for resignations, especially if you have a long tenure with the company.
• A retirement letter should include your resignation date, willingness to assist during the transition, and gratitude for the opportunities provided by the company.