10 retirement party invitation wording ideas to celebrate a job well done (2024)

Retirement marks the end of a remarkable career—and the beginning of a whole new life. But before your loved one or coworker hits the golf course or boards a cruise ship, it’s time to invite them to one last work-related event: a retirement party.

Get the toasts started early with your retirement party invitations. Whether you’re looking for heartfelt messages, funny quips, or a combination of both, find the retirement invitation wording you’re looking for to celebrate a momentous occasion after a job well done.

What goes on a retirement party invitation?

Knowing how to word a retirement party invitation isn’t as complicated as it seems—as long as you have all the right information. Add the following details to your retirement party invitations so guests know where, when, and why the party is happening.

• The guest of honor’s name: Put the guest of honor’s name—and possibly their photo—front and center on your invitation.
• The host’s name: Let guests know whether the retiree’s workplace, family, or friend is hosting the party.
• Time and date: When is the party taking place? Make these details clear for guests, including whether the party has an end time.
• Venue: Include the venue’s address as well as its name. If there’s other information guests should know, including directions or parking tips, add those, as well.
• RSVP deadline: Request that guests RSVP by a certain date—preferably at least 2 weeks before the event takes place.
• Meal information: Tell guests whether the party will include a meal, or if they should expect co*cktails and appetizers instead. Gather dietary information with Paperless Post’s Guest Questions before planning your meal.
• Gift details: Some retirement parties are gift-giving occasions, and some aren’t. Only include details about retirement gifts if the guest of honor doesn’t want them—or if they’d rather guests donate to a charity or organization.

When to send retirement party invitations

Your retirement party invitation timeline depends on the formality and theme of the event. If you’re hosting a formal or semi-formal party with a seated meal, consider sending your invitation 6–8 weeks in advance to give yourself enough time to adjust catering needs.

Invitations for more casual retirement parties—or parties that don’t involve catering—can go out around 4 weeks in advance.

When you send Paperless Post invitations, you can send and share invitations your way, whether that’s with a text, email, or shareable link. For professional parties, shareable links are especially helpful, since you can link to the invitation from your own email service provider or post it on Slack or another mode of internal communication.

Formal retirement party invitation wording examples

A formal retirement party is an elegant way to bid a coworker farewell. If you’re hosting a black tie, semi-formal, or co*cktail party, use one of these professional retirement invitation wording suggestions to set the tone from the start.

1. Dinner party celebration

Give your toast over a formal meal when you host a retirement dinner party. A dark floral frame in the “Royal Botanical” invitation by Oscar de la Renta makes a sophisticated statement before your party.

Then, add professional retirement invitation wording like:

You are cordially invited to a retirement dinner party

honoring Hannah Ruiz

and her many years of dedication

to the Considine Corporation.

Saturday, November 4th

Drinks at 6:00, seated dinner at 7:00

The DuBuque Ballroom

900 Juniper Lane

St. Louis, Missouri

RSVP by October 20th

2. A semi-formal affair

Mark this significant milestone in your coworker or loved one’s life with a classy semi-formal party. Gold and silver decorations in the “Tini Time” invitation by Paperless Post set the stage for a festive—yet tasteful—occasion.

Include retirement party invitation wording for your coworker like:

Come eat, drink, and celebrate

Nancy Taylor’s retirement

from Warner and White Accounting!

Saturday, January 16th

7–10 p.m.

Ravenwood Dining Hall

9123 Blue Jay Avenue

Atlanta, Georgia

RSVPs appreciated by December 29th

Instead of gifts, consider donating to

the Farmer Street Animal Shelter,

where Nancy volunteers her time.

3. co*cktail party toasts

Commemorate a professional life well spent with a retirement co*cktail party. The sparkling “Champagne Bubbles” invitation by Paperless Post makes a simple but celebratory statement, letting guests know that they’re in for a good time.

Add appropriate wording to your co*cktail party invitation, such as:

Toast Hugo Johansson

and the new adventures that await him

as he embarks on this next exciting journey.

co*cktail party hosted by the partners at Olson, Meyer & Meyer

Saturday, April 16th

6–10 p.m.

Empress Hotel, Victoria Ballroom

1043 Baylor Road

co*cktail attire

RSVP by April 1st

4. A farewell garden party

A retirement party set in an outdoor, floral garden or park is a beautiful way to send your coworker off in style. For these occasions, use the lovely “Buttercup Garland” by Rifle Paper Co. to gather guests for a sweet goodbye.

Use wording that fits the event, such as:

They say all good things come to an end.

Celebrate Dr. Tom Greene and his medical legacy

at a retirement reception hosted by Joshua Tree Medical Group.

Saturday, October 12th, 7 p.m.

Sandberg Botanical Garden

7362 Arrowsmith Way

RSVP to Yvonne Tannis by October 2nd

Instead of retirement gifts for Dr. Greene,

please send donations to the American Red Cross.

5. A reception for the guest of honor

Make the guest of honor’s smiling face the first image guests see when they open your retirement party invitation. Whether the party is full of speeches to send off the coworker, or the retiree will be making a presentation themself, use a photo invitation like “Tetromino” by Paperless Post to give them the spotlight long before the party begins.

Add wording to your photo invitation like:

Mrs. Welch is retiring!

Toast Annie and her 30-year teaching career

at a retirement party hosted by the Oak Springs School District.

Friday, June 29th

6 p.m.

Oak Springs District Auditorium

3857 Sycamore Rd.

Enjoy drinks, appetizers, and desserts

as everybody gives a speech on the stage

to say goodbye to an incredible teacher.

RSVP to Sandi Hendricks by June 15th

Informal retirement party invitation wording ideas

Not every retirement party is a black-tie affair. For coworkers and loved ones who prefer a more laid-back celebration, try one of these informal retirement party wording suggestions to get the party started.

6. A funny send-off

Some retirements are more of a “see you around” than an auspicious goodbye. For these casual occasions, use “Later Gator” by Hello!Lucky to give guests a chuckle starting with the invitation.

Add funny retirement party invitation wording like:

Mike’s getting ready for his permanent PTO (minus the P)!

Let’s pay for one last meal at a retirement lunch

hosted by the Langworth Inc. art department.

Friday, September 20th at 12 p.m.

Lazy Owl Cafe

RSVP by September 13th

7. It’s a surprise

If your retiree loves a good surprise, a surprise retirement party is the ultimate send-off. Use the “Time to Shine” surprise party invitation by Paperless Post to let everyone know that this party is on the q.t.

Include surprise retirement party invitation wording like:

My dad is retiring, and who could deserve a break more than him?

Please join us for a toast and good laughs

as we celebrate his accomplishments.

February 10th, 2024

Guests should arrive by 6:45 p.m.

Dad will arrive at 7!

My place: 673 Ambrosia Lane

Bring your favorite desserts and stories about Dad to share.

PS: It’s a surprise—so don’t tell Dad!

8. Meeting on the golf course

Some retirees can’t wait to hit the links after their last work engagement. Celebrate an office-to-golf-course trajectory with the golf-themed “Tee Time” invitation by Paperless Post. It gets even better if you host the retirement party at the local golf course’s restaurant or bar.

Add themed wording to your invitation like:

Dave’s only taking meetings on the golf course now!

Come celebrate an epic legal career at his retirement party

with 18 holes and drinks at the clubhouse

on Saturday, August 12th

1 p.m.

Bay Laurel Golf Club

700 Aaron Way

RSVP by August 1st so we can book you a tee time!

9. Bon voyage

Retirees with a case of wanderlust waste no time trading cubicles for cruise ships. Celebrate a coworker or loved one before a big retirement trip with the “Travel Essentials” invitation by Rifle Paper Co. and wording like:

She’s stamping her passport instead of punching a clock!

Bid bon voyage to Betty before her trip to Europe

at a retirement party celebrating 40 years in nursing.

May 18th, 6 p.m.

Tina Black’s home—8271 Mockingbird Way

RSVP by May 10th

Instead of gifts, please come with travel essentials

or a story about Betty to share!

10. Happy retirement, happy birthday

If your guest of honor happens to be retiring near their birthday, throw a joint retirement-birthday party for double the celebration. The sparkling “Alphabet Fuchsia” invitation by Mary Katrantzou offers enough cheers for both occasions.

Add casual wording like:

Please join us in celebrating Jill Addison’s 60th birthday—

and her retirement after 35 years in journalism!

Saturday, July 11th at 6 p.m.

DeLaney’s Bar and Grill

300 Rosebud Ave.

RSVP to Jill’s sister, Mary, by July 1st

No presents, please—Jilly just wants your presence!

Commemorate a well-earned retirement with Paperless Post

When you send an online retirement party invitation with Paperless Post, you can plan, invite, and organize your guest list in one easy place. Add questions for your guests about dietary restrictions or give them options to choose their preferred menu items. You can also add a Photo Gallery Block to highlight memories you’ve shared in the office.

Before the party’s over, find a retirement card to express congratulations to your coworker or loved one. With Paperless Post, you can pay respect to a long career as the new retiree gets excited about the relaxing, exciting days ahead.

Hero Image is “Magnum Opus” by Paperless Post.