Are your or a family member retired? Did you have a retirement party? Did you want a retirement party? Details you’d like to share?
H had a casual party with his team and then there was a nice ceremony at one of the board meetings for his organization- I think he liked it. All our kids were able to attend that and it was special.
The LAST thing I will want unless I change is any party or official ge together. I don’t even like my birthday! No attention suits me best!
Just thought it might be interesting to hear what people have experienced from the simple to possibly the outlandish!
My office has had three recent retirements (precovid) and none of the people wanted a big celebration, but were happy to have a group lunch with colleagues. There was a lowkey gift giving but not much in the way of speeches etc. I think that’s what I’ll want ultimately.
It was lovely that for one retiree, a colleague happened to bump into someone who used to work for us years ago while taking a walk and she showed up unexpectedly at the event. That meant more to the honoree than any of the current coworkers!
We have had several retirements in my office in the last few years. Some were big shindigs with the big wigs stopping by to attend. But a couple of people did not want a single thing done. We honored their wishes as well. A few people went out for drinks afterwards, but that’s it.
H does not want a single thing either. I haven’t thought about it for myself. It doesn’t really matter to me.
DH had an employee retire last week, after being with the company for 40 years. With Covid and all, no one has really been in the office for 16 months but the company invited all employees to a gathering at the office with a food truck and big tent so they could see him off and be outside. The guy must not have been into it because he left as the truck arrived, didn’t eat anything, and didn’t say good bye. It was super weird!!
I retired ten years ago from a job I worked at for 30 years. Another colleague retired the same year. We had a very nice party and about 200 people were there. It was very informal, with lots of time to mingle. Folks we worked with over the 30 years were invited, as were our families.
In addition to that, the job administrators took both of us and our husbands out for a very nice dinner.
A much loved co worker and supervisor retired a few months back, and another former co worker had a massive party in her yard and house. We also celebrated another co worker who retired due to wanting to avoid Covid. Everyone brought an appetizer, and there were drinks. Seeing some of those who have moved onto other jobs was amazing, as well as heartwarming, given that there has been no socializing for 18 months or so.
I am not sure about a party, though have a large network friends and neighbors and having retirement as an excuse for a party might be fun. If someone wants to host something more work associated, it would be fun, but not required.
H retired after 45 years. He didn’t want a big bash so they had a nice lunch. About mid-year before he retired, his office had a rare open house. D and I both attended and many of H’s coworkers sought H out and told him how much working with him over the years had meant to him. H was very pleased with that.
He let me throw a very small buffet lunch for my extended family and about a dozen of his buddies at a country club. It was low key but everyone had a nice time.
That was all he wanted and what he got. Some of his fellow retirees wanted big bashes and got them. He’s a more low key kind of guy.
helpingmom - re: the guy who left midway through his party - I wonder if he was one of those people who don’t like attention but people felt like they ‘had to’ give him something? A friend is retiring soon and I’m pretty sure she will want zip. Trying to respect that but think of a way to recognize her awesomeness.
Several years ago our campus started recognizing retirees at an end of semester event that was already scheduled for all employees - holiday luncheon in December, spring luncheon and faculty/staff awards. I plan to retire in either December or next spring and I do not want to be recognized in front of everyone. I am interested in celebrating with my division members at a lunch after our last meeting of the semester, but don’t know if this will be allowed as it will depend on how many other retirees there are at the time. We invited our spring 2020 retirees back for an outdoor boxed lunch after our last division meeting last spring and it was a nice informal way to catch up with them and give them some recognition. I like that approach.
I am that person who would dread the event and attention. I think a card one even a guest book of sorts where people can write a short or long message to the retiree could be meaningful. The awkwardness wIs very real for some of us!
I suppose small offices vs large offices makes a difference as well. Shoot , if everyone keeps working virtually there will be no need for retirement parties !
I wouldn’t want the attention. A lot of people retired where I used to work. Each time everyone in our department was expected to plan the party, buy or contribute to a gift, bring or contribute to food, etc… Usually the workers did everything and the managers took all the credit. My facility downsized and eventually closed over a five year period and the last six months I was the only one in my department. I thought it was funny that I wouldn’t have had a party even if I wanted one.
I replaced a guy who had been at our small company for 20 years. The owner gives people one week’s pay for every year they worked as long as they’ve been at the company for at least ten years. He got that money, a gift certificate to PGA Tour shop (loves golf) and steak dinner at owner’s house.
I had lunch with my immediate work group and manager - all 4 of us. It was all I wanted.
There was a large potluck for another retiring colleague where I was included, but not everyone knew and it was kind of awkward.
My husband’s group got together at their usual brewery/restaurant after work one day.
When senior managers and above retired, there were often big events with food, gifts, speeches, etc. I’d hate being the center of that sort of attention.
Where my sister-in-law worked, they were given the option to have a reception at work, or they could receive a gift card for a set $ amount to the restaurant of their choice. She chose the latter option and treated the extended family to a nice dinner out.
I retired during Covid so no party. I did get a very generous gift card from my department and got lots of on line well wishes.
Maybe it was for the best. A person in my department retired about 5 years ago and got a very nice lunch. I was actually still in my prior department but was invited and attended. But she did not invite some of the people who were her close colleagues b/c she didn’t like them. That was awkward…
A friend of mine retired a few years later after decades (plural) with the company. The policy had changed and management was not allowed to spend any money for her. She was beloved by everyone and very hurt by that. The managers in our department did step up and have a department lunch for her, we pitched in for a gift and then we had a big cake back at the office.
The year that I retired there were 4 other teachers who also retired, so the school held an after-school retirement party for all of us. It was OK, but nothing special. What I really enjoyed and was touching was when my department mates took my wife and I out for dinner. Celebrating with the people I worked with closely for all those years was most appreciated.
