| Retirement letters-believe it or not, there are some | | | | you had a job. Include any supervisors and |
| general rules of thumb about how to write them, | | | | coworkers for things that they have done during |
| when to turn them in, etc. While the rules are not | | | | your career-and tell them what they meant to you. |
| hard and fast, they are a general guideline. | | | | Make the effort to ensure that the changeover is a |
| First, give your employer plenty of warning-the | | | | painless as possible for your former company. Give |
| absolute minimum being six weeks. If you work in | | | | your word that you will take the time to meet with |
| the white collar world, such as in high finance or | | | | your replacement, and whatever else may be |
| academia, trying to find a replacement for you | | | | needed to help ease the transition. |
| quickly will be difficult at best. Six weeks at the | | | | Should you want to offer up any part-time consulting |
| minimum will give the employer time to at least start | | | | services, this would be the perfect time to make |
| trying to find someone to take your place, and try | | | | your feelings known about that. It is not unusual for |
| to train them somewhat. | | | | retirees to keep working part time, usually as an |
| While the employer may very well be aware of your | | | | independent contractor. Hey, it is a possible way to |
| retirement that is fast approaching, or may have | | | | have some type of retirement income, and you |
| even reminded you of it, you still need to turn it in. It | | | | would actually know what you were doing. |
| is professional courtesy for an employer, and as you | | | | While some letters go on for what seems ever and |
| will find out later on, something that may help you in | | | | ever, you must remember to cover the very basics. |
| the long run. | | | | You may also send retirement letters to clients as |
| When writing the letter, stating the date that you | | | | well as coworkers, if you so desire. |
| are going to retire is an absolute must so that there | | | | Truthfully, retirement letters are a good way to open |
| is no confusion. This also helps out with disbursal of | | | | up new opportunities, and close out your old career. |
| any benefits that you are due from that | | | | Hopefully, you can begin a new career, too, as a |
| company-401K, pensions and whatever else you may | | | | result of the new opportunities because of your |
| have. | | | | retirement letter. Look towards the future in your |
| Take the time to thank your employer for the years | | | | retirement letter-and offer that thought, along with |
| of employment-even if you hated it there, at least | | | | well wishes, to everyone that you thank, as well. |