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.
5 mins
What is a Retirement thank you and gift letter?
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.
On the last day at work
The Employer (you) to the Employee
Great Britain & NI (United Kingdom), Worldwide
What steps should I take to ensure the effective, compliant execution of this letter?
| 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 |
What legislation or best practices underpin this template / should I be aware of?
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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.
Other territories
Refer to your local employment legislation / labor laws to support the execution of the template. Review the wording for local accuracy.
[Company 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 to all of us. Your contributions have helped to shape our organisation into what it is today, and we will always remember your valuable insights and guidance.
As a token of our appreciation, we would like to present you with this [insert gift description] as a symbol of our gratitude for your service. We hope that it will serve as a reminder of the impact you have had on our organisation and the lives of those around you.
We wish you all the best in your retirement, and we hope that this next chapter of your life is filled with joy, relaxation, and fulfillment. Please know that you will always be a valued member of our organisation, and we would be delighted to keep in touch with you as you move forward.
Thank you again for your many years of outstanding service to our company. We wish you all the best in your retirement.
Yours [faithfully | sincerely],
[Sender name]
[Sender job title]
[Sender telephone]
[Sender email]
What communication / process sequence is this part of?
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.
Why choose our Retirement thank you and gift letter template?
- It's easily editable and implementable, saving you time and money
- It's designed by CIPD accedited Chartered HR practitioners with operational experience in this area
- You will maintain compliance with ACAS guidelines, legislation, and industry best practices
- Email notifications for any updates made to this template or its accompanying materials
- 12 months of unrestricted access without any additional costs (any update in that period is free to you)
- A 25% discount on all library, toolkit, and template purchases/renewals
