Guide · Speeches · About a 6-minute read
How to write a retirement speech that people remember for the right reasons
Whether you're the one retiring or you've been asked to say a few words for a colleague, a retirement speech is easier than a wedding speech: the room is on your side and everyone wants it to go well. This guide gives you the length, the structure and two templates you can fill in tonight.
How long should it be?
Aim for three to five minutes. Spoken at a relaxed pace that's about 400 to 650 words. Leaving dos often happen in a work canteen, a pub function room or over a lunch, with people standing and holding drinks, so short is kind. If a manager, a colleague and the retiree are all speaking, keep each one nearer three minutes.
Write it, then read it out loud against a timer. First drafts nearly always run long.
If you're speaking about a colleague: four parts
- Welcome and why we're here (about 20 seconds). Thank everyone for coming and say who you are and how you know the person retiring.
- Their career (about 1 minute). When they started, what they did, and how things have changed since. One or two real details beat a list of job titles: the old phone system, the office they moved into, the project everyone still talks about.
- What they were like to work with (1 to 2 minutes). One or two short stories that show their character: the person who always remembered birthdays, fixed the printer, or calmed down the angriest customer. Then thank them for something specific.
- What's next, and the toast (about 30 seconds). Mention what they're looking forward to (the grandchildren, the allotment, the long trip), wish them well, and ask everyone to raise a glass: "To Pat, and a long and happy retirement."
If it's your own retirement: four parts
- Thank you for coming (about 20 seconds). Thank whoever organised the do, and the people who said nice things about you.
- A look back (1 to 2 minutes). How you started, a couple of memories that make people smile, and what you've learned. Keep it about the people, not your achievements.
- Thank-yous (about 1 minute). Thank teams and groups rather than reading out thirty names, and pick out one or two people who really made a difference. Reading a long list risks missing someone.
- What's next, and goodbye (about 30 seconds). Say what you're going to do with your time, wish the team well, and finish with a toast to them or simply "thank you, all of you".
What to leave out
- Jokes about age, health or "finally getting rid of them". They sound harsher out loud than in your head.
- Old grudges and office politics, including the restructure everyone hated.
- Pensions, money and the leaving collection.
- In-jokes that only three people in the room will get.
- A list of every job title and date. People remember stories, not CVs.
Template: for a colleague
Thanks, everyone, for coming. For anyone who doesn't know me, I'm [your name], and I've had the pleasure of working with [name] for [how long].
[Name] joined [organisation] in [year], back when [one detail about how things used to be]. Since then they've [two or three things they did or looked after].
But what we'll really miss is [a quality]. [Short story that shows it]. And I don't think anyone here will forget [second short story].
[Name], thank you for [something specific]. We know you're looking forward to [plans], and you've more than earned it.
So please raise your glasses. To [name], and a long and happy retirement.
Template: for your own retirement
Thank you all so much for coming, and thank you to [organiser] for putting today together. And [speaker], thank you for those kind words, most of which were true.
When I started here in [year], [one detail about how things were]. I remember [a memory that makes people smile], and [another one].
The thing I'll miss most is the people. To [team or group], thank you for [something specific]. To [team or group], thank you for [something specific]. And to [one or two people], I genuinely couldn't have done it without you.
As for what's next, [plans]. I'll be thinking of you all on Monday morning, from [somewhere nice].
So, please raise a glass: to [organisation / the team]. Thank you, all of you.
On the day
- Print it in large type or use cue cards. Phones lock and dim at the wrong moment.
- Practise out loud at least three times, ideally once to someone else.
- Slow down and pause after anything funny or moving.
- If you get emotional, that's fine. Stop, take a breath, have a sip of water, and carry on. Nobody minds.
- Check names and dates with HR or a long-serving colleague if you're not sure.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should a retirement speech be?
- Three to five minutes is right for most leaving dos, which is roughly 400 to 650 words spoken at a relaxed pace. If several people are speaking, keep yours nearer three minutes.
- What do you say in a retirement speech for a colleague?
- Say how long they have worked there and what they did, tell one or two short stories that show what they were like to work with, thank them for something specific, mention what they are looking forward to, and finish with a toast to their retirement.
- What should I say in my own retirement speech?
- Thank the people who organised the event, look back at a few memories from your working life, thank colleagues by team rather than reading a long list of names, say what you are going to do next, and end with a warm goodbye or a toast to the team.
- Should a retirement speech be funny?
- A little humour helps, but keep it gentle and about shared memories. Avoid jokes about age, health, pensions or being glad to see the back of someone, because they rarely land the way you intended.
Rather someone else wrote it?
TCH Works writes retirement and leaving speeches from a short questionnaire. You tell us the stories and the people; we turn them into a speech in your own voice that fits your time slot, with printable cue cards. A speech up to five minutes is £25, and up to ten minutes with next-working-day delivery is £45.