Free Retirement Speeches

For most people, retirement is the time when you can do all the things you wanted to but couldn't while you were still working. For others, it is an end of their busy active lifestyles. However you may feel about retirement, it is generally considered a special occasion - the culmination of a career. It can be difficult to completely express feelings during a retirement speech, especially since most are given at a party.

If you are preparing a retirement speech, you may be interested to know that there are several free retirement speeches on the internet. These are more like speech outlines, and to make them your own, just fill in the blanks. Here is an example speech:

Address the group (Members of the Board, Colleagues, Friends, Family...).

Thank you for this great (party, dinner, luncheon...).

I have (been appreciated, been honored, learned so much, grow so much, been challenged...) while I have been with this organization.

I have come to think of you as (close friends, great associates...)

We have been through many (challenges, ups and downs, Christmas parties...) together and these have made us (closer, stronger, survivors...)

I remember when (our big merger happened, success...) and how we all (worked it out, fell apart, laugh till we ached...)

When I look back on my time with this organization it is with (a great fondness, full of happy memories...)

Thank you to each of you for making my time here (so rewarding, worthwhile, fun...)

I am taking up (golfing, bowling...) in my retirement to have something to keep me always active and fit.

I wish all of you to have (wonderful challenges and successes, happy memories...)

The many free retirement speeches you can find online can be modified to your liking. Just remember that retirement speeches don't have to be emotional. You can make your speeches humorous to prevent emotions from getting the best of everyone. If it helps, think of retirement as part of your life that requires no appointments, no pressure and is practically free from headaches! Keeping your retirement speech light and a little funny will make the whole occasion, party, or however you celebrate your retirement a happy celebration, and your team, colleagues, or co-workers will remember you as someone who has taken off the burden of work and headed to a happy and leisure-filled life.