Almost everyone struggles with capturing the right sentiments. It’s their big day and crafting a farewell message to a boss is never easy.
The best retirement wishes for a boss reflect genuine appreciation of their leadership and accomplishments. When you include personal thoughts on how they made a difference, this can create a lasting memory for them.
Further complicating matters are the company culture, the circumstance they’re leaving under (such as forced retirement), what the team is doing (or not) and if he/she was well liked and respected.
For instance, the company might be organizing an event or the team planning something special. In those situations, is it appropriate to act on your own?
To help navigate these tricky waters, we’ll look at these different scenarios with samples of how to wish your boss a happy retirement.
What To Do When You Don't Like Your Boss
Before we launch into all the wonderful ways of commemorating their big day, what if you really don’t like them? Let’s be clear, you’re under no obligation to do anything if you don’t want to.
There are managers who should never have had direct reports. They were incompetent and made life miserable for everyone working under them. In other situations, personality conflicts may have simmered and it’ll be a relief when they’re gone.
Having stated the obvious, if the company or your co-workers are doing something; you should consider participating.
This might mean attending a luncheon or kicking in a few dollars for a gift. The key point is you’ll want to avoid others perceiving you’re not a team player.
Finally, another consideration is you may want/need a personal reference from your old boss at some point in the future. Why burn a bridge if you don’t have to?
Retirement Wishes for A Boss from A Team Approach
Those big retirement celebrations complete with a gold watch are a thing of the past. Those were the days when employees dedicated thirty or more years of their life to the same company.
Nowadays, many progressive organizations strive to do something for their long-term employees. They might set aside a small budget for a presentation with a cake and balloons. Alternatively, they might cover a team luncheon.
It’s also equally likely nothing will be done by the company. If anything is to be done, now it’s up to you and your co-workers to pull something together.
In either situation, one of those really big cards might be circulated throughout the office. Everyone is expected to sign it and chip in a few bucks. On average, the value of a decent team gift comes in around $100.00.
For some thoughtful retirement gift ideas, see our gift page.
To personalize a group card, we’ve compiled some samples to inspire you. You’ll likely want to add “Happy retirement” or Congratulations on your retirement” and their name. We’ve omitted this to avoid repetition.
- 1. It’s hard to say farewell to such a great boss! You’ll be missed, but never forgotten.
- 2. Looking back at your amazing career, your greatest accomplishments may have been your leadership and inspiration. They meant so much to us each and every day!
- 3. You’ve redefined what a great boss means! You made work fun, exciting and rewarding. We’ll all miss you.
- 4. Your encouragement and inspiration have made us the team we are! You will be sorely missed and we all wish you the best in your next chapter of life.
- 5. Thank you for inspiring us every day to be our best. The company won’t be the same without you.
- 6. The team won’t be the same without your spirit and energy which elevated us to new levels. What are we going to do without your leadership? Wishing you all the best.
- 7. If anyone deserves to retire, it would be you. You’ve done so much to make this a better place to work. It won’t be the same without you. Enjoy your golden years!
- 8. Anyone can be a boss, but it takes a special someone to be a leader. Thank you for making such a difference in our lives! We wish you health, happiness and prosperity in retirement.
- 9. To the best boss ever, you’ll be a hard act to follow! Your positivity, kindness and respect have deeply touched all of us. Wishing you a wonderful retirement.
- 10. There has never been a dull moment with you around. Your enthusiasm and joy showed day in and day out. We’re going to really miss you as our boss. Wishing you all the good things your golden years can bring!
- 11. Congratulations on achieving this milestone. We’re all going to miss you and things won’t be the same. It’s been an honor and a privilege working with you and hope your retirement is everything you imagine and more.
- 12. Part of your legacy will be your leadership. You made this a fun and rewarding place to work. We appreciate all you've done.
- 13. This is the right time for you and we applaud your decision to retire. Your expertise and thoughtful approach are going to be sorely missed. Enjoy every moment of retirement.
- 14. Hard to believe the time has come to say farewell to an amazing boss and truly wonderful person. You’re one of a kind and the place won’t be the same without you.
- 15. You wrote the book on what it means to be a good boss. Take that pen and write your next chapter in life, which we know will be a good one.
- 16. In terms of profits and loss, your retirement will be a huge loss for all of us while you and your family will profit. Wishing you all the best.
Genuine Retirement Wishes for A Boss from You
When you have a great boss, you might want to do something additional from yourself. Perhaps they’ve mentored, provided advice or otherwise gone above and beyond.
Likewise, they’re genuinely a good person whom you respect and admire.
Whether or not a collective effort is being done, you may also choose to recognize them on your own. This could be a personalized card or note expressing your best wishes and thoughts.
We've compiled some sample retirement messages to inspire you. You’ll likely want to add “Happy retirement” or Congratulations on your retirement” and their name. We’ve omitted this to avoid repetition.
- 17. I wanted to personally thank you for everything you’ve done. I don’t think I’ll ever meet another boss as supportive and understanding as you. May your golden years be as wonderful as you!
- 18. You’ll never know how much I appreciate all the help and support over the years. Your intelligence and wit have made it a joy to work with you. You will be dearly missed. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
- 19. Not only has it been a pleasure working with you, you’ve also been a role model for me. Through your guidance I’ve grown and developed both personally and professionally.
- 20. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the years. I will miss working with you and wish you the best retirement ever!
- 21. You’ve been a guiding light for me. Now it’s your time to shine and bask in the sun.
- 22. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness in your well-deserved retirement. You’ve touched so many with your kindness and generosity. Now it’s your turn to relax and enjoy.
- 23. You are the greatest boss ever! The differences you’ve made in my life will forever be remembered.
- 24. I’m at a loss for words to express my gratitude. You’ve made a profound impact on my life with your encouragement and guidance. I know your retirement will be filled with joy and happiness.
- 25. I can’t imagine coming to work without you here. Your enthusiasm and zest for life made the work day fly by. I’m sure your retirement will be amazing.
- 26. You were more than a boss to me and I feel sad you're leaving. At the same time, I'm happy for you as you begin your next chapter in life.
- 27. I appreciate all the valuable life lessons and great memories created under your leadership.
- 28. The possibilities are endless for this next stage of life. Wishing you and your family a wonderful retirement.
- 29. Congratulations on your newfound freedom, (name). No more coming to work and now’s the time to start enjoying life.
- 30. I look up to you, (name), and want to thank you for always being you! I’ve grown so much through your openness, integrity and genuine desire to help. May your retirement be filled with health and happiness.
- 31. You’ve mentored and encouraged me through the years. Your belief in me allowed me to stretch my wings and grow. You will be missed here however your family is getting back the great person we’ve had the privilege to know. Enjoy this next chapter of life.
- 32. You weren’t only my boss. You were my friend and mentor that I could look to for advice and guidance throughout our years with the company. Here’s to the greatest retirement for a fantastic person.
Our article, How to Write an Amazing Retirement Card, offers some helpful ideas to further personalize your message.
In addition, you might choose to present them with a small gift from yourself. Our gift page has a wide selection of thoughtful gifts under $50.00.
Light Hearted Humorous Retirement Wishes for A Boss
Sometimes a light hearted humorous message is called for. On a cautionary note, what you might view as funny, could be interpreted quite differently.
For example, “You can finally do nothing without worrying about getting caught” may sound cute.
However, this could also imply they’ve been slacking off. To your boss, this might even feel insulting and such a message isn’t likely to be fondly remembered or treasured.
We’ve compiled some sample messages which will usually get a chuckle or two. You’ll likely want to add “Happy retirement” or Congratulations on your retirement” and their name.
- 33. The money’s no better in retirement, but the hours sure are!
- 34. What do you call someone who is happy on Mondays? Retired!
- 35. Hello pension, good bye tension!
- 36. All that changes after retiring is you report to a new boss – your wife.
- 37. From tomorrow onward, the dress code changes from a suit and tie to sweat pants and T-shirts. Enjoy!
- 38. Think of retirement as a long vacation in Vegas. You want to enjoy it to the fullest, yet not run out of money!
- 39. Even though everyone wishes you well, deep down we’re all envious you get to leave!
- 40. Retirement is when you stop living at working and start working at living. Congratulations on your next chapter of life!
- 41. I appreciate all you’ve done. Before you retire, could I get that raise?
- 42. Congratulations! You received one final promotion to the best position you could ever have – retired. Enjoy it to its fullest!
- 43. You’re going to love being retired. You never missed a day of work and there are no vacations or days off in retirement. The streak continues!
- 44. Retirement is the time to maximize all those senior discounts.
- 45. You’re living proof that, eventually, we’ll all get out of here alive!
- 46. Retirement: no alarm clock, no commute and no problems.
- 47. Retirement is a lot like graduating. Except now you’ll be working towards a Masters in doing as little as possible.
- 48. Retirement has often been called the world’s longest coffee break.
Closing Thoughts
When a boss retires, the situation is somewhat different than a co-worker. This complicates matters as there really aren’t any hard and fast rules. Depending upon the situation, you might be unsure of what to do.
This is easier when management has a recognition program. When they don’t, it’s up to the team to figure it out. Assuming the boss was decent, the right thing is to have some form of retirement celebration.
Frequently, this will include a card from everyone along with a gift. Sometimes it could include a luncheon or retirement party with presentations. The majority of the time, you should participate and contribute.
If he/she really made a difference in your life, it’s appropriate to also do something special on your own. Whatever you do (or don’t) can leave a lasting impression.
