Retirement thank you and gift letter template
Our Retirement Thank You and Gift Letter Template helps express gratitude to retiring employees and accompanies a thoughtful retirement gift.
- 1 page / 220 words
- Instantly download as Word / PDF / plain text
- Suitable for worldwide use (but check local legislation)
- Includes 12 months’ access, with all updates to this page provided free of charge and notified to you.
Retirement thank you and gift letter
[Sender name]
[Sender address]
[date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Dear [Recipient first name],
Re: Your retirement
As you approach your retirement, we would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for your many years of dedicated service to our organisation. Your contributions have been instrumental in the success and growth of our company, and we will always be grateful for your hard work, loyalty, and professionalism.
Your commitment and dedication to your role have been an inspiration
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A Retirement thank you and gift letter expresses gratitude to a retiring employee, often with a gift, acknowledging their contributions and wishing them well in retirement.
It's a meaningful way for the organisation to honour their service and maintain positive relationships.
It is usually delivered to the Employee by the Employer / HR.
It should be actioned on the last day at work.
Compliance
Compliance
This Retirement thank you and gift letter template incorporates relevant UK laws and HR standards, including those listed below:
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Non-Discrimination: Employers should ensure that the gift and the message of the letter do not discriminate against the retiring employee on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
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Tax Implications: Employers should be aware that certain gifts and benefits may be taxable, and should ensure that any tax liabilities are appropriately managed.
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Consistency: Employers should ensure that any gifts or acknowledgements are consistent with their policies and practices, and do not create a perception of unfairness or inconsistency among other employees.
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Privacy: Employers should respect the retiring employee's privacy and obtain their consent before sharing any personal information or messages publicly.
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Contractual Obligations: Employers should ensure that any gifts or acknowledgements are in line with the terms of the employee's contract and any relevant policies or agreements.
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Gratitude: Employers should express their gratitude and appreciation for the retiring employee's service and contributions, and convey best wishes for their future endeavours.
Flowchart
Flowchart
Check which resources should be implemeted before and/or after the Retirement thank you and gift letter template, to understand the workflow.
Retirement announcement script
Our Retirement Announcement Script template respectfully informs the team about an employee's retirement, celebrating their contributions and wishing them well in their next chapter.
Timings
Timings
Follow these best practice actions to get the most from the Retirement thank you and gift letter template, guiding you before, during, and after implementation:
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| Step | Description | Responsibility | Timing |
| 1 | Identify retiring employee and gather their accomplishments and contributions. | HR | Before retirement |
| 2 | Select an appropriate gift and draft a personalised thank you message. | HR | Before retirement |
| 3 | Review the letter and gift selection with relevant stakeholders for approval. | HR, Management | Before retirement |
| 4 | Present the gift to the retiree and read the thank you message aloud. | HR, Management | Retirement event |
| 5 | Deliver the Retirement thank you and gift letter to the retiree. | HR | Retirement event |
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use this template in my small business?
Yes. The Retirement thank you and gift letter template is designed to be flexible and suitable for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses and charities. It follows UK employment law best practice, so even if you don't have an in-house HR team, you can confidently apply it.
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Is this template compliant with 2025 UK employment law?
Absolutely. All of our templates are drafted with the latest ACAS guidance and UK employment legislation in mind. We review and update them regularly, so you can be confident they remain compliant.
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Can I customise it for my organisation?
Yes, we highlight the areas that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
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Do I get instant access?
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable Word or Excel format so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
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What if I need more help, not just this template?
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include this template, along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
