Best Retirement Resignation Letter Example (+ Free Template, How to Write One)

A retirement resignation letter is a type of retirement letter and resignation letter informing an employer that the employee is resigning from their duties to enter into a new phase of life, retirement. Generally, employers are very receptive to resignations surrounding retirement, as it is often celebrated by both the employee and current employer.

Before writing a retirement letter, an employee should speak with their direct supervisor (or boss) and begin the planning of their retirement notice (or an impending retirement). This would include deciding when the final period of employment would be, discussing any retirement benefits the company may offer and choosing a retirement date that the employee will list in their letter. This meeting acts as a formal notice and formal notification to the company, which begins the transition period where the employee starts to move their active duties to a colleague or new employee.

Tip: If you’re a seasoned veteran and executive with an employment contract, be sure to review the contact to understand the agreed-upon time period that was offered to the employer to make any transition in the event of a resignation. This may be listed under the “notice period” of the employment contract.

Because this resignation is being submitted with the intent to retire, a reason for the resignation is not required nor asked on behalf of the employer. But a formal retirement letter may be required by the HR department to ensure your retirement plan and retirement benefits are properly accounted for.

Your supervisor will decide on the best course of action to transition the employee out of their current job. The formal letter can be submitted as soon as the employee and supervisor determine the transition's appropriate next steps and time period.

Letter Writing Tips

When writing a retirement letter as an employee, it can be useful to speak to the retiree’s career depth and discuss how the job was satisfying for the employee. This is the final resignation letter the employee will ever write; it can be fun, humorous, or heartfelt. The choice is entirely up to the employee. A retirement resignation letter is not too dissimilar to a standard resignation letter or formal resignation letter. It should include the job title, notice date, and reason for resignation (which is retirement). The letter can be short (simple resignation letter) or long letter depending on the employer's relationship.

Tip: If you are retiring after termination, a retirement letter is not required. Employees who are experiencing termination later in life should speak with career coaches or retirement professionals to determine the appropriate next steps to handle their retirement benefits.

Sample Resignation Letter

Below is a resignation letter sample in the event of a retirement or early retirement.

Retirement Letter Template

Download this resignation letter example and template in Word format. Can be imported as a Google Doc. Instant download. No email required.

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Resignation Letters

Below are resignation letters and free templates.

By Job Title

• Teacher
• Nurse
• Chef
• Pastor
• Volunteer
• Retail
• Police Officer

By Format

• Simple Resignation Letter
• Formal Resignation Letter
• Heartfelt Resignation Letter

By Reason

• Retirement
• Maternity Leave
• Board Resignation
• Personal Reasons
• New Job
• Better Salary and Benefits
• Relocation
• Hostile Work Environment
• Unhappy with Management
• Unfair Treatment
• Health and Stress
• Going Back to School
• Voluntary Resignation Letter

By Time

• Immediate Resignation Letter
• Two Weeks Notice
• Short Notice Resignation Letter
• 24 Hours Notice
• Part-Time Job

Additional Resources

• How to Tell Your Boss You're Quitting
• What is a "Two Weeks Notice"
• Resignation Letter Format
• Resignation Email
• Goodbye Email to Coworkers
• How to Quit a Job
• Rescind Resignation Letter