Dear …

After all these years, the words you’ve all longed to hear have finally come to pass! “The ol’ __(fellow/gal)__ is finally retiring!” Yes, it is true! I am retiring from __(Name of Organization)__. Now don’t go rushing off to my retirement party quite yet…I will still be here until __(date)__.

It’s funny, when I look back at the start of my career here, I remember that there was so much I wanted to do, thinking that it would take a lifetime to accomplish everything. Retirement was so far off that it was inconceivable to even think about! And now I sit back and wonder how all that time could have flown by so fast. Maybe some of you are thinking, “Not quite fast enough there, __(your name)__!”

Has it really been a lifetime already? Before I knew it, the time had come to close this chapter of my life. Retirement for me has become that of bitter-sweetness. I am really looking forward to moving into a new era of my life, spending more time__(fishing/gardening/traveling/etc.)__. Yet, I am finding it more difficult than I could have ever imagined, leaving behind those people who have become such a big part of my life. It is hard to say farewell to close friends and family who are so dear to me.

I want to take this opportunity to thank every one of you who made my job so enjoyable all these years. My experience with __(name of organization)__ has been a most pleasurable one and I will always look back on it fondly. And now, as I move on, my wish is that my successor treats you all well and does a great job. May he/she contribute greatly to the continued success of __(name of organization)__ and become another valued addition to the team.

I will surely miss the wonderful relationships I have built with all of you over the years. My best wishes to each and every one of you!

Sincerely,