My Retirement Speech

Sample Retirement Speech

My retirement speech was an important part of my transition into retirement.  I wanted it to be a sincere and personal acknowledgment of the friends and colleagues who had supported me throughout my career.

This example may help you in preparing your own retirement speech, and generate some ideas for your retirement speech. 

Ladies and Gentlemen...

There hasn’t been a day in 26 years that I didn't want to come to work here, because I loved my job and I enjoyed working with you. What a blessing to be able to say that!

You have been my second family and you have supported me in my career and in my personal life. You listened to my stories about the birth of my children and you cared when my mother entered the nursing home.

I'm going to miss you all ... the fun and arguments we had at the tea break, listening to the "hurler on the ditch" on Monday morning telling us how the match should have gone.

My career was challenging and rewarding. I did my best and I was well rewarded in kind and in friendship. I was privileged to be part of a team which achieved success that we can all be proud of.

I'm looking forward to my new career as a Business and Personal Coach, with a particular emphasis on retirement coaching.

I'm also looking forward to having the time and the freedom to pursue my hobbies and interests including writing, travel, golf and hanging out with family and friends.

Imagine the joy of travelling without an agenda, followed by a trip report, leisurely lunches without worrying you might be sleepy in the afternoon and no more anxious phone calls from our customers. Yes, there are compensations in life's transitions!

Thank you for sharing this celebration dinner with me and thank you for the support and friendship over 26 years.

I believe that this great company will continue to grow and prosper and I trust that each one of you will be happy and fulfilled here. Keep up the good work; you’ve been a wonderful team to work with.

Thanks for everything, I shall miss you.

The key to my retirement speech example was preparation, and it's never too soon to start.  I wrote the first draft two years before I retired. 

Read My Retirement Speech Draft.

Read Retirement Speeches for advice and tips on how to create your own farewell words.  There you will find some ideas and techniques which I found helpful when writing my retirement speech.

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