Audience: associates in immediate department or larger group
Message: We will miss your friendship; best wishes in your retirement.
Tone: informal, light
Timing: 2-3 minutes

Set up a filing system for bills and canceled checks. Re-pot the ivy. Wallpaper the hallway. Oh, excuse me, that’s my list of honey-do’s, not yours. Oh, well, I’m sure yours will be similar—and longer. After all, you’ll have more time.

But, (name), look at it this way: Retirement has cured many a businessman’s ulcer—and given his wife one! So at the conclusion of this get-together, we are going to proceed with a very moving ceremony. We plan to bronze your coffee cup and send it home to (wife’s name). She’ll need it now.

Seriously, we know she and the rest of your family are looking forward to having you available to them more often. Their gain is our loss here at the office. Truly.

You’ve had a brilliant career, spanning (number) years. First at (company), then at (company), and finally at (company). And there may even be a few other places you’ve hung around while deciding what you wanted to be when you grew up.

This is both a sad and happy time. Happy because (name) is going to have time to enjoy himself. Sad because we hate to say good-bye to a dear friend. He’s proven that many times over. Whenever we’ve needed him, he’s been there through triumphs and tears. Our minor problems required only band-aids; our major problems often required crutches. He’s supplied both and always knew which to use on what occasion.

He has encouraged us loudly and encouraged us quietly. With our successes, he has given us personal attention and company-wide attention. With our failures, he has given us solace and direction for the future. He’s been there to explain—sometimes two or three times—to answer, to guide. That’s how he’s interacted with me and that’s how I’ve heard and seen him interact with many of you.

He knows that work is more than a desk, a pile of paperwork, and some customers. By his listening and sharing of his own wisdom gained through life’s experiences, he has demonstrated a realization that work is, after all, people rather than paperwork.

Our retirement wish for you, (name), is that you enjoy what’s ahead to its fullest. Enjoy your travel, your golfing, your church work. We know your retirement will be filled with all those returned kindnesses—those listening ears, unexpected favors, care and concern coming back to you.

You’re a dear friend and a real winner. We love you. God bless.