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Retiring from work can be a bittersweet experience. On the one hand, it's a time to celebrate the end of a long career and the beginning of a new chapter in life. But on the other hand, it can be difficult to say goodbye to the people you've worked with over the years or to see a valued colleague leave the company definitively.
Saying goodbye to your colleagues and boss can be especially emotional. These are the people you've spent countless hours with, tackling projects and challenges together. They've become like a second family, and it can be hard to imagine life without them. But as with all good things, it's important to remember that change is a natural part of life. So, on the occasion of a retirement, take the time to say a heartfelt goodbye to your colleagues and boss with a memorable speech. Thank them for the memories and the support they've provided over the years.
Writing the perfect retirement speech can be a daunting task, but it's a great opportunity to reflect on your experiences and thank the people who have supported you throughout your career:
Crafting a speech for the retirement of a colleague is an opportunity to show your appreciation for their contributions to the company and to celebrate their career achievements:
➤ We Also Recommend Our Employer's Farewell Sample Letter to Retiring Employee
I would like to take a moment this (evening/afternoon) to share with you all, my sincere gratitude for my time spent working here at (name of company).
I have been with you all for (35) years now. Some of you are newer than some of us other ‘old timer's” still going strong, but we have all managed over the years to get along and grow as a unit, dividing up our areas of expertise yet coming together when it was required.
I am so thankful of having been given the opportunity when I was only (33) years old, to join this dedicated, forward thinking and highly respected company. Being taken on board here to grow and excel in my field was the career move I had been hoping to find.
I remember that at the time, I was finding it very hard to find a company I believed in, one I could see myself evolve and prosper in over the years, but also finding a company who saw me as someone they needed to have be a part of their team and to grow with them was just as hard to find. My talents and work ethics were noticed and appreciated from the very beginning, something that I have never forgotten or ceased to appreciate.
I want to thank from the bottom of my heart you (Mr/Mrs Smith) for believing in me all those (35) years ago.
So now, a new beginning for me, a new journey, the time everyone calls “retirement”... the time that is for all those hobbies and activities we don't have time to do when we have a career. It will be a difficult transition for sure, as my career has been a passion for me all these years and now I will need to get my kicks elsewhere!
I have been giving it a lot of thought, appreciating this new lease on life which is now available to me. My wife and children are extremely happy for me, eager to introduce me to all sorts of new leisure activities to tire me out more I think than anything else so that I don't drive them all crazy with all this new free time I have on my hands!
I hope that those of us who have become close over the years will be able to keep in touch and that you will find the time to come visit me or join me on one of my new activities!... who know ...it might just make you a little bit envious and give you a taste of what you have to look forward to one day.
So, thank you all once again, for (tonight, this dinner celebration/this lunchtime celebration), for all your support and well wishes. You all mean a great deal to me. So on with the retirement party, I'm just getting warmed up!
Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored (tonight) to be able to present to you all (name of Retiree) retirement address to you all.
(Name of Retiree) has been with (name of company) for (20) years. He began as a (write personal history of how the retiree started with the company) and quickly found his footing and not only became a valuable member of our team but started to take over in areas that weren't even on his job description...
...such as when he (use a personal experience here such as "turned up at 5 am one morning thinking the clocks had changed"...here I thought he was just being extra eager to get an early start to his day!) or the time when (again, add another funny example of something the Retiree did that others found amusing during his time at the company)!
These are the fond memories that we all have of (name of Retiree)!
Jokes aside, (name of retiree)'s work acumen was second to none, always serious about his deadlines, his tasks for the day (Use a comical example such as :"laid out on little yellow post it notes stuck all over his desk"..) and was a sporty team player...in the true sense of the word!
We could all always rely on (name of Retiree) when (use a comical, personal example of when help was needed and the Retiree came to the rescue!)
Ahh he will be sorely missed, by me, and I think I can speak for all of his team and those that had the joy to work along side of him all these years: You will not be easily forgotten or replaced (name), you can come back and visit anytime and it would be great if we could call you whenever we have an emergency with the (computers) that our new (tech) guy can't fix!
Well, enough from me, I want to let the (man/woman himself/herself) do the rest of the talking on this auspicious (night/day)!
Ladies and gentlemen, work colleagues and family; please give a warm welcome here (tonight) to (name of retiree)!
