A Retirement Letter is the written notice you give your employer to say you plan to retire, and this retirement letter template gives you a sample to start from. It names your last day, thanks the people you worked with, and you can ask for retirement benefits from your employer in it. There is a special resignation letter template to complete for those having such intentions without which they can not get to go for retirement.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
Send a retirement letter once you have settled on your retirement date. It is essential to give the official notification about soon retirement in advance. For example, at least six to twelve months before you are about to go for retirement.
Such a period is not chosen at random. It is made with the purpose to allow an employer an opportunity to find a new employee for a company. Moreover, this new employee must be a person with similar professional experience and qualifications as a previous worker had so a company would not suffer losses due to one person’s retirement.
In the USA, when people reach a certain age, they may retire. If they want to keep working, they can do it, as well. People who plan to retire, or who feel that work is not for them anymore, can leave their job and focus on personal development or other goals. These goals can include spending time with friends and loved ones, picking up new hobbies, or traveling the world.
You can send the retirement notice to your HR department by mail or by email. A short thank-you to your company and colleagues for the growth the job gave you fits well in this letter.
Try to stay positive while writing this letter and keep in mind this must be your last letter to your employer, so try to make it as personal and ample as possible.
A retirement letter helps when you:
A good retirement letter thanks your employer, shares a few plans and gives a short look back at your career. Such retirement letters do not have one mandatory structure, but it is advisable to adhere to some rules. Use the four points below as a checklist.
Include these points and keep the tone sincere and positive, especially when you leave after a long tenure and have no conflicts with your former superiors.
Unlike items from the previous paragraph (the ones you can sometimes miss if you feel like it), items mentioned in this paragraph are the ones you can not avoid. These items refer to the structure of the resignation letter, and the structure of such resignation letters must be the same. If you want to make your own letter as correct and well-composed as possible, adhere to the structure mentioned below.
A retirement letter has three parts:
In the heading (which is the first paragraph of the letter) you need to give your contact information (including full mailing address (city, zip code, state), full name, phone number, personal email address), contact details of a recipient (consisting of full name, job position, full address (city, zip code, state)), and the signing date.
In the body, say that you will retire and write down the date of your final day at the organization. Note this date must be six to twelve months before you plan to retire (so your former head will be able to find a worthy replacement), so care about giving your chief enough notice about your retirement.
Next, you can describe your work experience, including the projects you handled with your team and your professional path in this workplace. You can also thank your colleagues here. This part is optional, so add it only if you want to.
End with a short summary of your final thoughts and a farewell. Keep this part calm and brief, since it is only a goodbye without strong emotions. Stick to this structure and make the letter as positive and sincere as you can.
Once the letter is finished, hand it to your boss in person if you can. If that is not possible, send it by mail or by email. Handing it over in person shows professionalism and respect for the people you worked with for so many years.
Also, mind you have to send a copy of this letter to Human Resources if you want to get benefits from your retirement.
Use the tips below as a quick check while you write this official notice. They help you keep the letter warm, clear and professional, and they protect the good relationship you have with your employer.
Follow these simple rules and you can be sure your resignation will be as smooth as possible. If you resign on a good note, your chief can offer you consulting work in the organization, so it is essential to make a good impression.
You can add details that make the transition period easier for you and your employer, such as asking your boss for help during your last months. Mention this in the letter if you feel you need it. Put your last day of work where it is easy to see, so your organization knows the date and has time to find your replacement.
Thus, there are two essential items you need to include in your letter:
When you finish with your letter, do not forget to send a copy of it to Human Resources. Otherwise, you risk staying without retirement privileges.
A calm handover helps your team and leaves a good impression. Start preparing it as soon as you set your last day. The checklist below covers the tasks most people handle before they leave.
| Task | What to do |
|---|---|
| Open projects | Write a short status note for each one, with the next steps and the people involved. |
| Regular tasks | List the steps and note where the files are kept. |
| Business contacts | Introduce your successor to the clients and partners you work with most. |
| Shared files and accounts | Hand them over in the way your employer asks. |
| Questions | Tell your team when you are available to answer questions before your last day. |
Before you send the letter, read it once more and check that:
Use this letter example as a sample while writing your own. If you do not like this exact letter example, you can examine templates and find a retirement letter template that suits you best. It does not matter what you use as a reference if the final version of your letter meets all the requirements.
Have these details ready before you fill in the sample:
Retirement Letter of Resignation
From: _____________ (insert your full name)
_____________ (insert your full address)
_____________ (insert your phone number)
_____________ (insert your email)
_____________ (type the signing date)
_____________ (insert a receiver’s name)
_____________ (insert a receiver’s address)
_____________ (insert a receiver’s phone number)
_____________ (insert a receiver’s email)
Dear _____________ (type a receiver’s name),
In this letter, I’d like to inform you about my intention to retire from my position of _____________ (insert your position) from _____________ (type the name of an organization) on the _____________ (insert a last day).
I appreciate the time I spent at the _____________ (type the name of an organization), and I’m grateful for all the working experience I gained here. I couldn’t find a better place to achieve all the job goals I’d ever had, and I couldn’t get all my working achievements without your support. Your faith in me meant a lot to me and helped me in the most complicated hours.
I’d like to ask for your assistance to make my transition period smooth and comfortable for both sides of the working process. I can recommend _____________ (insert the name of a substitute person) as my replacement, as I’d been teaching him/her for a long period, and believe he/she will show incredible results.
If you want more details about my resignation, or if you need my assistance with any work-related questions, please let me know.
Sincerely,
_____________ (insert your signature)
_____________ (insert your printed name)
Dear _____________ (type a receiver’s name),
I am writing to let you know that I will retire from my position of _____________ (insert your position) on _____________ (insert a last day).
Thank you for your support and for the years I spent at _____________ (type the name of an organization). I am glad to help with the handover of my work in the coming months.
Sincerely,
_____________ (insert your printed name)
Dear _____________ (type a receiver’s name),
After _____________ (insert the number of years) years with _____________ (type the name of an organization), I have decided to retire on _____________ (insert a last day).
I am proud of what our team achieved together, including _____________ (insert one or two achievements). Thank you for the trust you placed in me and for the people I had the chance to work with.
I would be glad to help train my successor and hand over my projects before I leave.
With gratitude,
_____________ (insert your printed name)
Subject: Retirement notice from Anna Baker
Dear _____________ (type a receiver’s name),
I am writing to share that I will retire on _____________ (insert a last day). Working at _____________ (type the name of an organization) has meant a great deal to me, and I am thankful for your guidance and support.
I would be glad to make the handover smooth. Please let me know how I can help in the coming months.
Best regards,
_____________ (insert your printed name)
A retirement letter is the written notice you give your employer to say you plan to retire. It states your last day, thanks your team and can ask for help with the transition.
One page is enough. Use a short heading, a few body paragraphs and a brief closing.
Yes, you can hand the letter to your boss in person, send it by mail or email it. Handing it over in person is the warmest option.
You can, but a short line is enough. For example, say you will spend more time with family or travel.
Address it to your boss and add the name and job title of the person who receives it.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
