A mix of light-hearted anecdotes and thoughtful observations is always a fitting tone for this capstone event.
If you are the main speaker, your tribute should include humor. How did the retiree interact with coworkers, the bosses, or those in subordinate positions? Such personal associations are often a source for good-natured fun. But you'll also want to include comments about the person's character, leadership style or contributions. A mix of light-hearted anecdotes and thoughtful observations is always a fitting tone for this capstone event.
If you are honoring the retiree, you'll want your speech to be entertaining and touching. Open your speech with something that will grab the attention of the audience. A quote, statistic or funny story about the honoree works well. And since retirement parties are walks down memory lane, most of your speech should include recollections of what the individual has meant to the workplace.
Aim for a 5 minute talk. That's long enough to do justice to the retiree and short enough to keep your audience from secretly reaching for their phones. The body of your talk should be a blend of stories and observations that paint a picture of the retiree and the role he or she has filled with the organization.
Put some thought into your conclusion. It may be funny or serious but be sure to mention how much the person has contributed or will be missed. If you’re a pro, you’ll end your talk with a conclusion that ties back to your opening remarks or an earlier story. Hard to do but that is always a winning formula.
For help with polishing your retirement speech, check out these tips from Toastmasters International.
(If you are retiring and will be making a speech, See When you are the retiree for a suggested speech outline.)
And in case your sensitivity monitor does not always work, remember that over-the-hill remarks or nursing home jokes that were hilarious at a 50th birthday party are not so amusing now. Most retirement parties include members of the family and some will probably be elderly. A safe option is to focus on the workplace and relationships there. Highlight some funny things that happened to the person while at work or earlier in his or her life.
If the person is healthy, active and looking forward to leaving work, it’s appropriate for the retirement speech to include some light remarks about a laid-back future enjoying hobbies. But if you’re not sure of the person’s situation, focus on their role with the company.
If the retiree is leaving the military, include some stories or sayings about military service that apply to the retiree and the branch of service.
There are a variety of retirement sayings or quotes you can use but be careful. In all cases, avoid those dire predictions about a toothless, drooling, declining future that, while intended to be funny, may embarrass others or make them uncomfortable.
The following sample honors Joe Smith who is retiring from Always There Insurance in Wilkesboro after working there for 15 years. You can adapt this formula and the tips for retirement wishes listed in the left-hand column to fit your honored guest. If you're stuck for ideas, incorporate some of the retirement sayings on this website.
If you are the main speaker, keep your remarks to around 5-7 minutes. (The average attention span of an audience is about 7 minutes.) If there are several speakers (besides the retiree), aim for no more than 4 minutes.
| | Statistics tells us that 10,000 Baby Boomers reach retirement age every day. And one of those retiring today is Joe Smith. We're sorry to say goodbye to Joe. But, every ending has a bright side when it also marks a new beginning. We're here to say a few words about his life at Always There and wish Joe well as he goes to that place in life we all look forward to . . . retirement. Thank you, friends and coworkers, for joining us . . . . Joe, you didn't know, did you, that so many people would be celebrating your departure! Before we get started, I'd like to take just a minute to introduce some special guests. . . . |
| | Seriously, Joe, … you've been an anchor in our marketing department for the past 15 years. He was one of the first ones in every day and would watch we Gen X’ers and Millenials come dragging in an hour after he’d finished his second cup of coffee. And he’d always have something cheerful to say before 8 a.m. Sometimes it was irritatingly cheerful for those of us who are night owls. He’s definitely not like those people who come in late but make up for it by leaving early. Joe was always here, greeting us with a wide grin. I asked him once why he was always so happy and Joe simply said, “You might as well smile because you’re here anyway and there’s no point in bringing anybody else down by complaining.” That comment says a lot about who Joe Smith is. His glass is always half full. And on those occasions when our marketing team's creativity had run wild and out of bounds, Joe knew how to gently guide us back in the fold while complimenting their ingenuity. One of the things people like most about Joe... besides his ability to smile all the time . . . is the fact that he can laugh at himself. And Joe has provided the rest of us with some laughs along the way. Remember that time when his team developed the campaign with the talking locks? That campaign had a memorable slogan: Joe’s bright idea to the idea was to show everybody how we were the one insurance company with the talking locks that could make every house safe. His pitch – – was a great success until it was abruptly ended. As you recall, that was the time the Wilkes police launched a raid on a prostitution ring that covered five states and was headquartered in a safe house in nearby Winston. Suddenly Joe’s idea of pitching Always There as the backer of the safe house didn’t fit the image the executive suite wanted. I think cracks about Joe's safe house went on for months. . . . And he laughed every time he heard it. Thanks, Joe, for being such a good sport. |
| | Looking back over Joe’s career here, we all have stories about him. Others will share some of those shortly. To Joe, I want to say how much we admire your dedication to your colleagues and this company. When Joe started working here, Always There was a small agency with just 6 employees but with a vision of customer service that would transform us into in this market. And Joe... you have been in our growth and prosperity. |
| It’s the people like Joe, who come into work with a smile, make our clients happy and understand that we always have to keep improving our service . . . those people like Joe are the ones who have made Always There Insurance the success it is today. It’s impossible to measure what Joe has meant to this company all these years. And I know I speak for everyone when I say this is a bittersweet moment . . . saying goodbye to a friend and coworker who has meant so much. But we are all happy that Joe and Laura will have time to kick back, get off this treadmill and do what they want. |
| | We’re now at the point in a retirement party when someone presents the retiree with a watch. But we don't have one and that's okay because Joe will no longer need a watch. What we do have are some more memories we’d like to share. It is obvious that you will be missed. We wish you and Laura all the best and like knowing that your smile will be even broader now that you don’t have to take that commute in every morning. And we know that if the Wilkes police ever break up another safe house, they can call you because you’ll know just what to say. |
| | Joe and Laura, would you please stand so we can say thanks. |
Retirement sayings - retirement wishes.
These retirement sayings - retirement wishes will help you write a retirement toast or speech.
Are you participating in a military retirement ceremony or celebration? If so, this collection of military retirement toasts will help you says something heartfelt and punchy.
Need some help with retirement party planning? Here are some tips to help you organize a fun gathering whether the party involves a dozen people or a hundred. The basic elements of planning a successful retirement party are the same.
If an educator you admire is departing, here are some teacher retirement toasts to help you express your appreciation.
Retirement celebrations Honoring a retiring co-worker Quotes about retirement Your retirement speech Make them glad they came Military retirement toasts Teacher retirement toasts Retiring teacher tribute Boomer retirement party Quotes about teaching P lanning the party Retirement roasts and songs
Helping you shine when the spotlight is on you.
"It's been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade," said Sajak
Pat Sajak has officially given his final spin on Wheel of Fortune .
The longtime game show host's last episode is set to air on Friday, June 7, as he begins his anticipated retirement .
During the episode, Sajak, 77, delivers a heartfelt speech to thank viewers for their support during his 40 years of hosting the classic.
"Well, the time has come to say goodbye," he begins. "I have a few thanks and acknowledgments before I go, and I want to start with all watching out there. It's been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade."
Sajak adds that he proudly fulfilled the duty to make the half-hour show "a safe place for family fun. No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing I hope, just a game."
He points out that over time, "it became more than that," and evolved into a place where "kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors, and entire generations."
"What an honor to play even a small part in all of that," says Sajak. "Thank you for allowing me into your lives."
Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty
Sajak, who began hosting Wheel of Fortune in 1981, first announced his retirement in June 2023. He wrote via X (formerly Twitter), "Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my lastIt’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)"
Weeks later, Ryan Seacrest was confirmed as his replacement . Sajak's long-time co-host Vanna White will continue through the 2025-2026 season .
“I don't know how to put into words what these past 40 years have meant to me but I'm going to try," White said in a tribute video to Sajak, released on Thursday, June 6 . “8000 episodes went by like that. When I first started, I was so green. You made me so comfortable and so confident, Pat. You made me who I am, you really did.”
“As this chapter of our lives is coming to an end, I know you'll still be close by,” she added later in the video. “You're like a brother to me and I consider you a true lifelong friend who I will always adore. I love you, Pat.”
Wheel of Fortune airs weekdays in syndication (check local listings).
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Law student volunteer, youth justice and safety (spring 2025).
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is a federal agency that provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. OJP's offices support state, local and Tribal crime-fighting efforts, fund thousands of victim service programs, help communities manage sex offenders, address the needs of youth in the system and children in danger, and provide vital research and data.
Within OJP, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) works to prevent and respond to youth delinquency and protect children. Through its divisions, OJJDP sponsors research, program, and training initiatives; develops priorities and goals, and sets policies to guide federal juvenile justice issues; disseminates information about juvenile justice issues; and awards funds to states to support local programming. OJJDP envisions a nation where all children are free from crime and violence. Youth contact with the justice system should be rare, fair, and beneficial.
Learn more about OJJDP at Working for Youth Justice and Safety | Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (ojp.gov) .
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
OJJDP law student interns will conduct a variety of legal research and analysis related to all aspects of the child welfare and youth justice fields. Interns will also be exposed to federal, state, local and Tribal work across the continuum of care including prevention, intervention and system-involvement. Interns may be asked to assist OJJDP staff with reviewing statutes, regulations, draft and/or final legislation and providing an analysis of how these documents impact OJJDP. Interns will also assist OJJDP staff in gathering information for OJJDP trips to the field. Our goal is to introduce legal interns to the child welfare and youth justice fields, to assist in developing their legal skills, and to offer a rewarding internship experience.
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First year (second semester), second- and third- year law students are encouraged to apply. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Superior research and writing skills, LexisNexis and/or Westlaw proficiency, an eye for detail and a desire to work as part of a team.
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Submit all application materials in one combined pdf document via email to [email protected], subject line JP-25-OJJDP-AVOL. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis prior to the application deadline.
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2. Short Retirement Speech. Many retirement speeches happen in spaces where we need to be brief, such as a Zoom meeting or other virtual space. A short retirement speech will allow you to be concise and still convey your message. It can also make for an excellent written piece for a retirement card or email greeting. Example Short Retirement ...
Sample Retirement Speeches (from the Retiree) The speeches outlined in this article are tailored to encapsulate various careers, personalities, and sentiments, each offering a unique perspective on the transition from a professional life to retirement. They are detailed, and imbued with a mix of emotions and anecdotes, making each one a ...
If you are looking for sample speeches for your retirement party or the final meeting at the office, check out the examples below. ... You may not only pay homage to a retiree's work, but also mention their personality, complement their sense of humor, the ability to solve unsolvable problems, or a high-achieving spirit. Thank the person for ...
The retirement speech is a chance to express gratitude on behalf of the organization, pride in their accomplishments, and to assure the retiree that their shoes were hard to fill. Retirement Speech Etiquette. Retirement speeches are a tribute, a celebration, and a farewell all wrapped into one.
9) Speak From The Heart. Speak from the heart, and let your genuine emotions shine through. This will help to make the speech more authentic and engaging. Don't be afraid to show your appreciation and admiration for the retiree, and express your heartfelt congratulations and well-wishes.
Original Sample Speeches for Retirees. If you need a little more guidance on writing your retirement speech, check out these original sample speeches. They might help inspire your own speech or might be appropriate to use with a little customizing. For help with downloading or printing these sample speeches, refer to the Guide for Adobe Printables.
Step 1: Gather information. The first step to creating a retirement speech is to gather information about the person's life from different people. Hopefully, you can get extraordinary stories from them and a core idea of what you will put in the speech.
What Is The Purpose Of A Retirement Speech? The purpose of a retirement farewell speech is multi-faceted and holds significant meaning for the retiree and their audience. Here are a few key purposes: It provides an opportunity for the retiree to reflect on their career journey, accomplishments, and experiences throughout their working years. It also serves as a celebration of their ...
Craft A Retirement Speech: Guide For Honoring A Retiree. If you're not the retiree but wish to deliver a memorable retirement speech for one, here's a structured outline to help you along: 1. Introduce The Retiree. Begin your speech by introducing the retiree and shining a light on their remarkable career journey.
Organizing notes and structuring the speech effectively. Organize your notes and structure the speech effectively to ensure a smooth and coherent delivery. Start with a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention and establishes a connection. Arrange your thoughts logically, transitioning smoothly from one point to the next.
Retirement speech example 1. Greetings to all. As I stand here today to say goodbye to my coworkers and the company, I find myself experiencing a wide range of emotions. To begin, I would like to express my gratitude to my employer and coworkers for the privilege of working with such a fantastic bunch of individuals.
A good retirement speech should include a heartfelt introduction, a reflection on the retiree's accomplishments and contributions, personal anecdotes or stories, expressions of gratitude to colleagues and loved ones, a positive outlook on retirement, and a memorable conclusion that leaves a lasting impact. In this guide, we'll be your ...
1. Plan Ahead. Before diving into your farewell retirement speech, ensure you have ample time to plan and prepare. Create a rough outline beforehand, jotting down key points you want to cover. Some crucial points you may want to prioritize in your draft outline: The beginning: Reflect on your early days in the company.
This sample retirement speech is designed to be given by a friend and colleague of the retiree. Although this particular speech is geared towards a teacher, you could easily rework it to make it suitable for anyone retiring, whether a CEO, waitress or mailman! This sample retirement speech makes good use of story-telling and special memories.
How long you are expected to speak for governs how many words you write. A relatively informal retirement speech to be given at a social gathering is usually 3 - 5 minutes long. That's between 625 - 750 words depending how fast you speak. * Much more and you run the risk of losing people's attention.
The retirement speech sample below was written to show you the end result of using the step-by-step guidelines I put together on 'how to write a retirement speech' and, to find out just how long it took to follow my own advice! *You can find the answer to that $64 thousand dollar question at the foot of the page. Although my farewell address is fictional, it is based on experience.
1. Prepare A Skit. Adding a skit is an excellent way of making a retirement speech memorable. The theme for the skit can be anything. However, make sure it's relevant to the retiring person's life. A good idea is to structure the skit around some memorable incident from the person's time at the workplace.
Retirement speech 2: Thank you everyone for being here, I truly appreciate seeing you all because I can say thank you to your faces. I've been here for X years, at other companies for another X years so if my maths is correct that makes XX years in the industry. I can only say that in my time as a worker in the [industry] I have always found ...
1. The Grateful Goodbye. Legal Resolution: This speech focuses on expressing gratitude towards colleagues and the organization. It's important to be specific and genuine in your expressions of thanks. Read it here. 2. The Reflective Farewell. Legal Resolution: This speech takes a look back at memorable moments, experiences, and achievements.
Here are a few tips in preparing your retirement speech. Do a recollection. Reflect on your past memories and remember those instances where you faced challenges, how you overcame them, and who were the people who helped you get through it. Be confident. Smile. Think of writing a retirement speech template as a walk in the park.
So, let's head into the first step on how to give your perfect retirement speech. Table of Contents hide. 1 #1 Do a Creative Brainstorm Session. 2 #2 Prepare an Outline. 3 #3 Include Personal Anecdotes. 4 #4 Express Gratitude. 5 #5 Inject Humor. 6 #6 Conclude with Positive Impact. 7 Retirement Speech Ideas & Examples.
Joe and Laura, would you please stand so we can say thanks. (Lead others in applause.) Retirement celebrations. P. If you have to talk at a retirement party, here's a sample retirement speech honoring a co-worker plus some guidelines to help you organize what you will say to honor the retiree and entertain your audience.
They might even offer added information about the retiree that you can add into the speech for some special personalization. You might also have a few coworkers who have given such speeches before. ... When preparing the sample retirement speech, make a few inquiries about how the speeches will be conducted. Enjoy Giving the Talk.
By Marlene Lenthang. For over four decades Pat Sajak was synonymous with the beloved gameshow, "Wheel of Fortune." On Friday, the 77-year-old host took his final spin on the iconic show after a ...
Pat Sajak delivered an emotional speech as he said goodbye to 'Wheel of Fortune' viewers in his final episode of the long-running television game show. He first announced his retirement after 41 ...
Speeches. Videos. Photo Galleries. Blogs. ... members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate ...