How to Write a Formal & Professional Retirement Resignation Letter

This article was co-authored by Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM and by wikiHow staff writer, Aimee Payne, MFA. Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University.

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If you’ve made the decision to retire, you’ve probably started thinking about the best way to inform your employer. A retirement resignation letter is an official notification that gives your employer time to find a replacement and ensure a smooth transition. A professional resignation letter can also help you leave a good impression on your colleagues as you move out of the workforce. We’ve created a quick guide to help you structure your retirement letter, including tips on what information to cover so you can start the next phase of your life on the right foot.

• Keep your letter clear and concise, making sure to match the tone of your company’s culture.
• Address it to your boss and include the date, your planned last day at work, and if you are available and willing to help in the transition.
• Mention any of your major achievements, express appreciation for opportunities, and briefly mention your retirement plans.

Structuring a Retirement Resignation Letter

• Hit "Return" so there’s an empty line between your address and the date.
• The date should be the date you plan on delivering the letter to your supervisor.

Recipient address Address the letter to your boss (or other appropriate recipient, based on your company's policy) and include their business mailing address. List a specific department if you work for a larger organization. This section is not necessary if you’re sending an email. [1] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source

• Use your recipient’s professional title and last name if that’s how you refer to them at work. For example, if you work for a veterinarian and call them Dr. Bennett, use that in your salutation.
• Punctuate your salutation with a colon.
• For example, use a format like “Dear Dr. Bennett:” for a supervisor with a professional title or “Dear George:” for a more personal salutation.

• After the salutation, leave a blank line and then clearly state you are retiring from your position at your company with the date of your final day. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source This is the most important information in the entire letter.
• For example, “I am writing to inform you that I’m retiring from my role as marketing manager at ABC Agency effective December 5, 2025.”
• Use additional paragraphs to include some details about your retirement. Briefly mention your immediate retirement plans and express appreciation for the opportunities your employer has given you over the years.
• Briefly discuss your time with your employer and highlight any of your significant career achievements.
• If you plan to participate in the transition or training of your replacement, mention it in the body toward the end of the letter.

• Place your closing phrase two lines below the end of the letter’s body. Capitalize the first letter and follow it with a comma (for example, "Best wishes,").
• Include your first and last name and contact information in the identification section. For example, "Best regards, Sarah Johnston, sjohnston@gmail.com, 999-999-9999.
• Leave 4 lines between the closing and identification for your signature.

Signature Sign your name in the space between the closing and identification. Use blue or black ink for the most professional look. [3] X Research source Use your full first and last names. This is the most professional and formal way to sign a letter.

Sample Retirement Resignation Letters

Example 1December 4, 2026

Elanor Frost
123 Bluebird Lane
Notown, CA 99999

Dr. George Jeffries
Senior Manager
ABC Pharmaceuticals
56789 Corporate Pkwy
Morning City, CA 99999

Dear Dr. Jeffries:

This letter is to inform you that I intend to retire from my position as Team Lead for ABC Pharmaceuticals. My final work day will be April 4, 2027.

I’m excited about moving into the next chapter of my life, but I want to tell you how much I appreciate the many opportunities you created for me at ABC. I’ve enjoyed my time as a Team Lead and will miss working with you and the rest of the team.

I want to assure you that I plan to be fully engaged in my work until my retirement date and will do everything in my power to make the transition go as smoothly as possible. I’m happy to help with hiring and onboarding my replacement.

Thank you so much for giving me such a wonderful experience at ABC Pharmaceuticals. I’m sure I will look back on the time I spent here fondly. I wish you and the team the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.

Please let me know if you need any additional information or if there’s anything I can do to help during the rest of my time here.

Example 2December 4, 2026

Elanor Frost
123 Bluebird Lane
Notown, CA 99999

Dr. George Jeffries
Senior Manager
ABC Systems
56789 Corporate Pkwy
Morning City, CA 99999

Please accept this letter as notice of my intention to retire on April 4, 2027. I’ve enjoyed my 17 years with ABC Systems, Inc., and appreciate the opportunities I’ve had to work with you and the rest of the marketing team.

While I’m eager to spend more time traveling, I’ve enjoyed my time as a marketing manager with ABC Systems.

I recognize that it can take some time to hire and train the right person to replace my, I’m willing to make myself available through June 15, 2027, I that will help.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to grow and learn with such an incredible team in my career with ABC.

Example 3December 4, 2026

Elanor Frost
123 Bluebird Lane
Notown, CA 99999

George Jeffries
Managing Editor
ABC Publishing
56789 Corporate Pkwy
Morning City, CA 99999

Dear Mr. Jeffries:

It’s with mixed emotions that I’m writing to formally notify you of my intention to retire from ABC Publishing as Senior Copyeditor.

I’ve spent nearly 20 years at ABC, and it’s been such rewarding journey. I’ve loved being able to come to work with such an amazing team to help create imaginative picture books for children. The commitment everyone on the team shows to such important work has made my time here feel less like a job and more like a calling.

I want to thank everyone at ABC Publishing for the wonderful memories and exciting opportunities I have enjoyed. I will never forget the times I found out projects I worked on had won important literary awards. There’s no feeling like it.

I’m certain these fond memories will follow me into retirement, where they will inspire me to write books my own books for children.