How to write a retirement letter: A complete guide with a sample

When you’re planning to step away from the workforce, one important step you might want to consider is writing a retirement letter to your employer. This formal document lets your workplace know that you intend to resign, and it usually includes the date you expect your final day at work to be. While many retirements begin with a direct conversation, putting your plans in writing helps ensure clarity and avoids miscommunication down the line.

Submitting a retirement letter may help your employer start the transition process more smoothly. It gives human resources time to prepare for your absence — possibly by coordinating a replacement, handling benefit-related tasks, or beginning internal workflows tied to your departure. Sharing this information early can help reduce disruptions within your team.

Officially notifying your company shows that you're thinking not just of your own next chapter, but also of the people you’ve worked with. A clear and respectful announcement might leave a positive impression and help maintain strong relationships even after you’ve left the role.

Making your intentions and timeline clear in your letter can also help build trust, and allows your employer to prepare for and avoid last-minute issues. It might also invite questions or open the door for a smoother transition.

Writing a professional retirement letter involves several key elements, from a formal greeting to a positive closing and proper sign-off. The following steps can help guide you when it comes to writing your own retirement letter, or you can use the retirement letter sample below to get started.

To set a professional tone right from the beginning, you may want to open with a courteous greeting to your direct supervisor. Including a clear formal introduction not only shows respect but also helps guide the rest of your message. 

Once your greeting is in place, you may want to follow with a clear intention to retire, so there's no room for confusion. Providing a direct sentence early in the letter sets the tone for your formal resignation and lets your employer and HR know what to expect.

Be sure to mention both your job title and your planned retirement date. Being upfront about your timeline helps ensure the offboarding process goes smoothly.

In this section, briefly describe your current role and how long you’ve been with the company. Highlight the contributions you’ve made during your tenure and how your work has supported the organization’s goals. This helps provide context for your departure and sets a positive tone for the rest of your message. 

Use this section to express appreciation for the opportunities, support, and experiences you’ve had during your time with the company. Acknowledge the contributions of your colleagues, leadership, or the organization as a whole. 

Keeping the tone sincere can help reinforce positive relationships and leave a lasting impression. Avoid overly personal anecdotes, and instead focus on general expressions of thanks that reflect your overall experience and growth.

Offering continuity can be especially helpful as you prepare to exit your role. You may want to include a sentence in your letter stating that you're open to supporting the team during the handover period. This could involve:

• Helping train your successor

• Documenting key daily workflows

• Answering questions that come up before your departure

This type of transition support may help ensure that responsibilities aren't left unfinished and shows a willingness to contribute to a smooth transition. Demonstrating support for the succession process reflects a high level of professionalism and could leave a reliable, positive impression as you close a chapter on your career.

To wrap up your retirement letter on a thoughtful note, include a closing statement that reflects your appreciation and goodwill. This is your opportunity to leave a lasting impression by expressing optimism for the company’s future and gratitude for your time there. 

You might want to write a sentence or two that conveys your best wishes to your colleagues and leadership. Keep the tone warm and respectful, and avoid introducing new information at this stage. A well-crafted closing statement can help bring emotional closure to your message and reinforce the positive tone of your departure.

Including a formal closing may help ensure your letter ends on a respectful note. Don’t forget to sign off with your full name as your signature, so there's no confusion on who the message is from.

If you’re sending your letter by email, it might also be helpful to include your contact information in case your employer has follow-up questions. These details bring a clear sense of closure to your message and reflect a thoughtful exit.

To give you an idea of how all of this might look in action, here’s a sample letter of retirement that follows a professional structure. The example uses a clear format, strikes a respectful tone, and includes the key points most employers expect during a formal retirement resignation. You can consider using templates like this one as a starting point, then customizing the message to reflect your role, tenure, and company culture.

Dear [Manager’s Name],

I’m writing to let you know that I plan to retire from my position as , with my last day of work being . After years with and accomplishing , I’ve decided it’s time to begin the next chapter in life.

It’s been a pleasure working here, and I genuinely appreciate the experiences, collaboration, and support I’ve received over the years.

To ease the transition, I’d be happy to help train my replacement or document key processes ahead of my departure. Please feel free to share where I can be most helpful.

I have grown so much during my time at and I wish you all success well into the future.

Sincerely,  

When writing a retirement letter to your employer as a long-tenured worker, it's helpful to reflect on the depth of your experience and the legacy you leave behind. Consider including the following elements:

• A brief summary of your career journey within the company, including key roles or promotions.

• Highlights of major accomplishments or contributions that had a lasting impact.

• A note of appreciation for the mentorship or leadership you received over the years.

• A willingness to support the transition, such as mentoring new team members or documenting institutional knowledge.

These additions can help convey the value of your long-term service and leave a strong, positive impression as you exit.

If you're planning to retire earlier than the traditional retirement age, it's important to tailor your letter to reflect that decision clearly and professionally. Here are some guidelines to help you customize your retirement letter for early retirement:

• State your intention clearly: Mention that you are opting for early retirement and include your planned final working day.

• Reassure your employer: Emphasize your commitment to a smooth transition, especially since early retirements can be unexpected.

• Stay positive: Express gratitude for your time at the company and optimism for the future.

By addressing these points, your letter can help set the right tone and ensure your early departure is received with understanding and appreciation.

If your retirement involves a significant life change, such as relocating to a new state or shifting your lifestyle, you may want to tailor your letter to reflect that context. While it's not necessary to go into detail, acknowledging the broader life transition can help your employer understand your decision. Keep the tone forward-looking, and ensure that your message remains focused on appreciation and a smooth transition. Including this context can add clarity and reinforce the attentive nature of your departure.

Planning when to share your retirement notice could influence how your transition unfolds. You may want to provide notice around two to three months before your intended last working day, which could allow a timeline broad enough for your employer to manage resources and support a smooth transition, but actual notice periods may vary depending on your role and employer.

If you're comfortable, it might be helpful to first schedule a meeting with your manager to talk through your decision before putting anything in writing and submitting your retirement letter to your employer. When it comes to the delivery method, handing in your letter in person, if possible, could emphasize professionalism. 

Make sure to also notify HR by sending them a copy, which may be required to start the formal process for closing out benefits and onboarding your replacement. Saving a digital copy provides a helpful piece of documentation for your own records should questions come up later.

However, while this is just a general guideline, you may want to ensure you abide by your company policy in regard to termination and retirement notices.

While delivering a retirement letter to your employer signals the end of your working years, your financial decisions during this transition could help set the tone for the years ahead. As you get closer to retirement, understanding how much income you might need each year could help shape a stronger financial plan. Taking this step early may provide more certainty as you plan ahead.

Building a retirement fund does not only need to include Social Security and a retirement account. You might also want to consider combining savings products like certificates of deposit, high-yield savings accounts, and other low-risk investments as you get closer to retirement. You could consider these options based on your financial goals and risk comfort. With Raisin, you can access a variety of high-yield savings products from multiple financial institutions — all in one place, with no fees, and just a single login. Explore accounts, compare rates, and sign up today to start supporting your retirement needs!

No, you are not required to state your reason for retiring in your letter. Including a reason is entirely optional and depends on your comfort level. If you choose to share a reason, it can be something general like health considerations, family priorities, or lifestyle changes. What’s most important is that the tone of your letter remains appreciative, regardless of whether you include a personal explanation.

A retirement letter is a specific type of resignation letter that marks the end of your career, while a resignation letter typically signals a move to another job (rather than the end of your career). Retirement letters often include reflections on your career and gratitude for the experience, making them more personal and forward-looking in tone, but still address your final resignation before retirement.

It’s generally recommended to type your retirement letter to maintain a professional appearance and ensure readability. A typed letter is easier to share, file, and reference during the HR process. Handwritten letters may be seen as less formal and can be harder to read or archive.

In some cases, you may be able to rescind a retirement letter, but it depends on your employer’s policies and how far along the transition process is. It’s best to speak with your manager or HR as soon as possible if you’re reconsidering your decision.

Avoid including negative comments about the company, coworkers, or leadership. Also, steer clear of overly personal details or grievances — keep the tone professional, appreciative, and focused on a smooth transition.

The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.