Retirement is a major life transition, and finding the right words to express your congratulations and well wishes can be challenging. One of the most popular things to say is “Happy Retirement.” But what else can you say instead of “Happy Retirement”?
In this article, I share alternative phrases you could use instead of “happy retirement” and many more best wishes and messages for retirement. Ready to dig in? Let’s go!
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Retirement Wishes For A Co-worker
1) Thank you for bringing so much joy and dedication to the office. We will miss you!
2) Thank you for all the life lessons. I hope you’ll have a wonderful time in your retirement!
3) I hope you enjoy all the adventures you have planned for the future.
4) Wishing you good health, happiness, and success as you move forward to this next chapter in your life!
5) To one of the best and kindest people I’ve worked with, congratulations on your retirement!
6)The Legend Has Retired! (check matching gifts here>>)
7) I hope you will have a wonderful retirement! You will be missed at the company but never forgotten.
8) Thank you. You’ve done so much for all of us. Enjoy your retirement
9) Thank you for being you. You have set a great example for everyone at work.
10) Your graciousness, friendliness, and teamwork are going to be missed.
11) It has been a pleasure working with you!
12) It has been truly a pleasure working with you these years.
13) Thanks for your hard work and dedication all these years!
14) You are irreplaceable and a one-of-a-kind colleague. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
15) I wish you a great retirement. You very much deserved it!
16) Congratulations. It has been a pleasure working with you!
17) You have made a positive difference here, and I want to thank you for that. Enjoy your retirement!
18) Congratulations on your retirement—it won’t be the same here without you!
19) Enjoy your free time!
20) Keep staying busy, and make the most of your retirement!
21) Thanks for all the great memories. Your contributions will never be forgotten. Enjoy your time in retirement!
22) Reward yourself with a great and joyous vacation you always crave. You deserve it!
23) May your years be filled with everything you’re looking forward to and always wanted to do.
24) I hope all your bucket list dreams come true for you in retirement!
25) May you enjoy the best that life offers you!
26) I wish you a new journey of success and happiness in this new chapter of your life!
27) For your dedication and hard work, you deserve the best retirement ever.
28) Keep working hard, but be your own boss!
29) Retirement is a time to look back with satisfaction. It’s a time to look ahead with anticipation and to fill each day with enjoyment.
30) Come back for a cup of coffee once in a while. I would love to hear your stories!
31) A piece of advice: Don’t retire with regrets about what you couldn’t do. Retire with ambitions of what you will do now. Enjoy it!
32) I hope you will have a great time in retirement! You can charge a consulting fee next time we talk. (check matching t-shirt here >>).
33) We are going to miss you, but we will never forget you. You’ve done so much for all of us. Thank you, and have fun!
34) May your retirement be filled with awesome adventures!
35) Now you can finally say. “Not My Problem Anymore, I’m Retired.” (Check matching Can Coolers here>>)
Tip: To make it extra special, remember to personalize your message and speak from the heart.
Retirement Wishes For A Boss
36) Working under your leadership has been an honor, and we wish you all the best in your retirement.
37) You’ve been an exceptional boss, and your dedication to our team will be greatly missed.
38) Your guidance and mentorship have been invaluable, and we’re grateful for everything you’ve done for us.
39) Time to wine down. (Check matching “Time To Wine Down” Retirement Gift Wine Rack >>)
40) I wish you a well-deserved retirement filled with relaxation, travel, and new adventures.
41) You’ve been an inspiring leader, and we’re excited to see what you accomplish next in your retirement.
42) Your legacy will live on in our company, and we’ll continue to be motivated by your example.
43) Congratulations on your retirement! Your contributions to our team have been immeasurable, and we’re grateful for everything you’ve done.
44) Thank you for being a great boss, and we wish you all the happiness and joy in your retirement.
45) Your leadership and dedication have significantly impacted our careers, and we’ll always be grateful for your guidance.
46) We’ll miss your expertise and guidance, but we’re excited for you to enjoy your retirement and all the wonderful things it has to offer.
47) You’ve had a remarkable career, and it’s time to celebrate your accomplishments.
48) May your retirement bring you all the happiness and relaxation you deserve.
49) Working with you has been a privilege, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve contributed to the company.
50) You’ve left a lasting impact on all of us, and we’ll miss you dearly.
51) Retirement starts a new chapter, and I’m excited to see where your journey takes you next.
52) Your dedication and hard work have been an inspiration to all of us. Congratulations on your retirement!
53) I wish you a fulfilling retirement filled with new experiences and cherished memories.
54) You’ve been a valuable member of our team, and we’re grateful for everything you’ve done. Enjoy your retirement!
55) You’ve been an inspiration to us all, and we’re excited to see where your retirement takes you next.
56) May your retirement be filled with all the things you’ve been looking forward to – relaxation, travel, hobbies, and more.
57) Your leadership has been instrumental in our success, and we’ll always be grateful for your contributions to our team.
58) Your vision and dedication have inspired us all, and we wish you all the best in your retirement.
59) You’ve been our role model and mentor, and we’ll always be proud to have worked under your guidance.
60) Your legacy will continue to inspire us as we move forward, and we’ll always remember your impact on our careers.
61) Your guidance and support have been invaluable, and we’re grateful for the lessons we’ve learned under your leadership.
62) Congratulations on your retirement! We’re excited for you to enjoy the next chapter of your life and all the adventures that await.
63) Your contributions to our team have been immeasurable, and we’re grateful for everything you’ve done to support us over the years.
64) You’ve been an exceptional boss; we’re honored to have worked under your leadership. We wish you all the best in your retirement.
65) Your dedication and commitment to our team will always be remembered, and we’ll miss your presence in the office.
Tip: Remember to keep your message positive and uplifting, and express your appreciation for your boss’s contributions to the team. Your boss has likely played a significant role in your professional development, and expressing your gratitude can be a powerful way to show your respect and admiration.
Retirement Wishes For A Friend
66) Congratulations on reaching this milestone in your life! Wishing you all the happiness and relaxation in your retirement.
67) You’ve worked hard for this moment, and I’m so excited for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor in retirement finally.
68) Your retirement is well-deserved, and I look forward to seeing all the wonderful things you do with your newfound free time.
69) You’ve significantly impacted so many people’s lives, and we’re all grateful for everything you’ve done.
70) Your retirement is a time for new adventures and experiences, and I’m excited to see where your journey takes you next.
71) You’ve always been an inspiration to me, and I’m so happy that you can now enjoy your retirement to the fullest.
72) Wishing you a happy and fulfilling retirement filled with everything you’ve dreamed of. Now you have time to wine all day! (check matching Wine Glass>>)
73) You’ve accomplished so much in your career, and I’m excited to see all the amazing things you’ll do in retirement.
74) Your retirement is a well-deserved break from the daily grind, and I’m excited for you to enjoy some relaxation finally.
75) You’ve been a great friend and mentor to me, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve taught me. Enjoy your retirement to the fullest!
76) Your retirement is a time to reflect on your accomplishments, and I’m so proud of everything you’ve achieved.
77) Your hard work and dedication have paid off; now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor in retirement.
78) Your retirement is a well-deserved break from the daily grind, and I’m looking forward to seeing all the amazing things you’ll do with your free time.
79) Your retirement is a time to explore new hobbies, travel to new places, and make new memories. I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!
80) Your retirement is a testament to your hard work and dedication, and I’m so happy to see you reach this milestone.
81) Your retirement is a time to relax, unwind, and enjoy the simple things in life. I’m excited for you to embrace this new chapter.
82) Your retirement is a time to take a step back and appreciate all you’ve accomplished. You should be proud of everything you’ve achieved.
83) Wishing you a happy and fulfilling retirement, filled with all the things you’ve been dreaming of.
84) Your retirement is a time to focus on yourself, your loved ones, and the things that truly matter. I’m excited to see all the amazing things you’ll do.
85) Your retirement is a new beginning, filled with endless possibilities and opportunities. I’m so excited to see where this journey takes you.
Tip: Remember to speak from the heart and express your genuine appreciation and admiration for your friend. Retirement can be a significant life transition, and your words of support and encouragement can make a big difference in helping your friend embrace this new chapter in their life.
Retirement Wishes For A Family Member
86) I wish you lots of happiness in retirement!
87) Enjoy all the plans you have in retirement. Congratulation on this milestone in your life!
88) Cheers to your well-earned retirement!
89) Retirement is not the end of the road; it’s the beginning of the open highway! Enjoy your upcoming road trip!
90) Best wishes for an awesome retirement!
91) Congrats! Go and do what your heart desires!
92) I wish you the most exciting and stress-free retirement ever.
93) Enjoy this journey of your life. Cherish every moment, and have fun!
94) Go after the things that make you truly happy!
95) The days of nine to five are passed,
Happy days are here at last.
You’ve worked all your life and paid your dues.
Now you can do what you choose!
Enjoy your retirement!
96) Retirement is a time for feeling glad to be alive,
A time when friendships blossom, and enthusiasm thrive.
A chance to do the unique things with your family you wished you could.
Retirement is a special time for knowing… life is good!
97) I wish you a relaxing, fun, and long retirement!
98) There is a world of possibilities ahead of you, and I wish you the best on your next adventure!
99) Congrats! Wishing you a wonderful future!
100) Enjoy the time you spend with family, friends, and hobbies.
101) All the best for an amazing retirement!
102) Make the most out of your retirement!
103) Congratulation, and enjoy your retirement!
104) May you live your best life from here on out!
105) After climbing the mountain, you can finally enjoy the view.
106) The day has come when you can finally stop working and start living!
107) Best wishes on your next adventure in life!
108) Congrats. Here’s some advice for you: start listening to your heart. It’s the best gift you can give yourself when you retire.
109) You truly deserve every little bit of joy, and fun retirement offers you! Make the most of it!
110) Now that you’re retired, you can start doing all the wonderful things I’ve heard you talking about over the years! Cheers to new adventures and making amazing memories!
111) May your retirement be filled with many new adventures, meaningful moments, and much happiness.
112) Have fun with your newfound freedom!
113) I hope all your future dreams come true and your retirement is filled with joy and happiness.
114) Cheers to making your retirement dreams come true!
115) I want to wish you a healthy and happy life with all your loved ones!
116) If you get bored. Don’t worry. I’m only a phone call away!
117) All your hard work has finally paid off! Enjoy!
118) Stay young at heart, kind in spirit, and enjoy retirement living!
119) Congratulation! Now the fun really begins!
120) Need company in all the fun? Let me know!
125) Have fun with all the adventures in your retirement!
Tip: Remember to make your message personal and heartfelt, and reflect on your family member’s unique qualities and accomplishments. Your words of encouragement and support can help your family member embrace this new chapter in their life with enthusiasm and positivity.
Funny Retirement Wishes
126) Congrats, now every day is a Saturday!
127) When ‘I’m too old for this shit’ becomes your daily mantra, you know it’s time to retire.
128) Young at heart. Slightly older in other places… Congratulations, and enjoy your retirement!
129) Feel free to call me and visit when you get bored playing around and doing nothing.
130) Now, you can enjoy doing nothing all day and relax afterward! (check matching retirement gift here>>)
131) We took a vote and decided that your retirement is not good for any of us! It’s been redrawn.
132) Enjoy this new chapter in life, where your wife becomes your boss. (check out matching retirement gifts here>>)
133) Now that you got your boss off your back, you can do what you want, when you want, as long as your wife approves.
134) The money’s no better in retirement, but the hours are!
135) When you retire, you switch bosses – from the one who hired you to the one who married you. Good luck!
136) What do you call someone who is happy on Mondays? Retired!
137) Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it to the fullest but not so fully that you run out of money!
138) You have made your mark, paid your dues, now put on your party shoes! Enjoy this dance party that is retirement.
139) Retirement is the time when you realize that getting showered and dressed in the morning is now optional.
140) Now, your only job is to have fun. Get good at it!
141) Congratulations on gaining two new best friends upon your retirement. Their names are Bed and Couch. You will be hanging out with them a lot!
142) Retirement: think of it as a six-month holiday, but twice a year.
143) Life has officially given you permission to relax, sit back and enjoy.
144) Enjoy the money from the government, you’ve contributed enough over the years!
145) Retirement is awesome – you can finally do nothing without worrying about getting caught.
Short Retirement Wishes
155) Congratulations on a fulfilling career and reaching this milestone.
156) Best wishes on your new chapter in life.
157) I wish you a relaxing and enjoyable retirement.
158) May your retirement be filled with joy and new adventures.
159) Enjoy your retirement to the fullest!
160) Congratulations, you made it!
161) Cheers to a healthy retirement!
162) You beat me to it! Cheers to that!
163) Best wishes on your retirement!
164) Congratulations on your retirement!
165) I wish you a fulfilling retirement!
166) Have a wonderful retirement!
167) All the best in your retirement!
168) Embrace this new chapter!
169) Cheers to your retirement!
170) Welcome to retirement!
Helpful Tips On How To Write A Retirement Card
By following these tips, you can create a meaningful and memorable message for the person you are addressing.
1) Consider The Relationship
Before writing your message, consider your relationship with the person. Are they a close friend, coworker, boss or family member? This can help you determine the appropriate tone and level of formality for your message.
2) Be Personal
Start by addressing the person by their name, and use a warm and friendly tone to make your message more personal. Adding a personal touch, such as a handwritten note or a photo, can make your retirement card more special and meaningful. It shows that you took the time and effort to create a personalized message for the recipient.
3) Avoid Cliches
While “happy retirement” is a common phrase, try to avoid using generic or overused expressions in your message. Instead, opt for more personalized and thoughtful messages that reflect the person’s unique qualities and accomplishments.
4) Express Gratitude
Begin your message by expressing appreciation and gratitude for the person’s hard work and dedication. This can be a great way to acknowledge their contributions and show them that they are valued.
5) Share Memories
Share some positive memories or experiences you have had with the person. This can help to create a more meaningful and memorable message that the person will cherish. It shows that you have taken the time to reflect on your experiences with the person and can help to strengthen your relationship.
6) Be Sincere and Heartfelt
Your retirement message should be sincere and heartfelt, reflecting your true feelings and emotions. Avoid using overly formal or stiff language and focus on conveying your genuine appreciation and well wishes for the person.
7) Offer Congratulations
Congratulate the person on reaching this milestone and achieving their goal of retirement. This can help to convey your excitement and enthusiasm for this new chapter in their life.
8) Offer Well Wishes
Wish the person all the best in their retirement, and encourage them to pursue their dreams and passions. This can help to show your support and encouragement for the person’s future endeavors.
9) Keep It Positive
Make sure to keep your message positive and uplifting, and avoid dwelling on negative or sad emotions. Retirement is a time for celebration, so try to focus on the positive aspects of this new chapter in the person’s life. Highlight the person’s accomplishments and express excitement for their future endeavors.
10) Keep It Short & Sweet
Keep your message concise and to the point, and avoid rambling or going off-topic. This can help ensure your message is clear and easy to understand.
11) Edit and Proofread
Once you have written your message, make sure to edit and proofread it carefully for any errors or mistakes. This can help to ensure that your message is polished and professional.
Retirement Gift Ideas
When you want to wish someone a great retirement, you probably are also looking for a great retirement gift. Although giving a retirement gift is not mandatory, and in some cases, a retirement card with best wishes is sufficient, it will be very much appreciated when you give a retirement gift.
The Gift Of MasterClass (#1 Favorite)
Our no. 1 retirement gift is Masterclass. The Masterclass platform is an online course platform where you can follow classes from the world’s most famous and successful people.
The different Masterclasses on the platform are interesting for everyone who wants to keep learning new things. An activity that’s highly recommended for retirees.
From cooking, acting, writing, poker, singing, sports to science, and so much more. Masterclass offers masterclasses taught by the best in the world: Gordon Ramsey, Christina Aguilera, Usher, Hans Zimmer, Stephen Curry, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Chin, and many more. Learn more about Masterclass;
Champagne Gift Basket
A Champagne Gift Basket with the world’s best vintage champagne, Dom Perignon is an example of a great retirement gift. The retiree can celebrate his or her retirement by popping this bottle of exclusive champagne and enjoying the included snacks together with his or her spouse. It will be a great start for an awesome retirement and therefore a great gift to give that will be very much appreciated.
Read more: Top 5 Best Retirement Gifts
Frequently Asked Questions
What are funny synonyms for retirement?
Here are some funny synonyms for retirement that you could use to add a lighthearted touch to your retirement message:
- The Great Escape
- The Final Stretch
- The Golden Goodbye
- The Freedom Trail
- The Grand Finale
- The End of an Era
- The Long Goodbye
- The Last Hurrah
- The Victory Lap
- The End of the Line
What are some good retirement quotes?
Here are some good retirement quotes that you can use in a retirement card or message:
- “Retirement is not the end of the road. It’s the beginning of a new journey.” -Unknown
- “Retirement is when you stop living at work and start working at living.” -Unknown
- “Retirement: It’s nice to get out of the rat race, but you have to learn to get along with less cheese.” -Gene Perret
- “Don’t simply retire from something; have something to retire to.” -Harry Emerson Fosdick
- “Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it to the fullest, but not so fully that you run out of money.” -Jonathan Clements
- “Retirement, a time to do what you want to do, when you want to do it, where you want to do it, and, how you want to do it.” -Catherine Pulsifer
- “Retirement is a blank sheet of paper. It is a chance to redesign your life into something new and different.” -Patrick Foley
- “Retirement is wonderful. It’s doing nothing without worrying about getting caught at it.” -Gene Perret
- “The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.” -Abe Lemons
- “Retirement is not the end of the road; it is the beginning of the open highway.” -Unknown
What to say when someone retires?
When someone retires, expressing your appreciation and well wishes is important. Here are some things you can say when someone retires:
- Congratulations on your retirement! You’ve earned it.
- Thank you for your years of hard work and dedication. You will be missed.
- I wish you all the best in your retirement. Enjoy this new chapter in your life!
- Your contributions to our team have been invaluable. We are grateful for your service.
- You leave behind a legacy of excellence and professionalism. Thank you for all that you have done.
- I have learned so much from you over the years. Your knowledge and experience will be missed.
- Best wishes on your retirement adventure! I can’t wait to see what you do next.
- You’ve made a lasting impact on our organization. Thank you for your many years of service.
- It won’t be the same without you! Your positive attitude and friendly demeanor will be missed.
- Congratulations on a job well done! You deserve a happy and fulfilling retirement.
Remember, the most important thing is to express your appreciation and well wishes for the retiree. A heartfelt message that acknowledges their hard work and contributions can go a long way in making them feel valued and appreciated.