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A close friend retiring is a huge milestone worth celebrating! It marks the end of a long, dedicated career and the beginning of a brand-new chapter filled with freedom, hobbies, and well-deserved relaxation. Finding the right words to congratulate them can feel tricky—you want to be sincere, celebratory, and brief enough for a card, text, or social media post. You want to capture all your happiness for them in just a few perfect lines.
Whether your friend is a globetrotter-in-training, a future master gardener, or just looking forward to endless naps, the perfect message is one that comes from the heart. To help you get inspired, we’ve crafted a collection of short retirement wishes for a friend, sorted into creative categories to match your unique friendship.
Cheers to the Next Chapter


Use these messages to raise a proverbial glass to their future. They are celebratory, forward-looking, and full of positive energy for the adventures ahead.
1. To a new chapter of relaxation and joy! Cheers to you, my friend.
2. Happy Retirement! May your next chapter be the best one yet.
3. Here's to new adventures, new memories, and no more meetings!
4. Congratulations on closing one amazing chapter and starting an even better one.
5. Raising a toast to your hard-earned freedom. Enjoy every second of it!
6. The workday is over, and the good life has just begun. Cheers!
7. Wishing you all the best as you begin your next great adventure.
8. Congratulations on your retirement! Your new beginning is so well-deserved.
9. May your retirement be a happy and rewarding new chapter in your life.
10. To a long, healthy, and happy retirement. You’ve earned it all!
Funny & Cheeky Send-offs


Perfect for the friend you love to tease. These wishes are lighthearted, playful, and poke gentle fun at the newfound freedom of retirement.
1. Congrats on your promotion to professional napper! You’ll be great at it.
2. Happy Retirement! Enjoy not knowing what day it is.
3. Goodbye tension, hello pension! So happy for you.
4. Congratulations on escaping the daily grind! Your only boss now is your spouse. Good luck!
5. You’re retired! I hope you have a great time doing all the things you were putting on Pinterest at work.
6. Happy Retirement! Now you have a new job: enjoying yourself. Don’t be a slacker!
7. Get ready to have your weekdays back. Try not to get too bored without us!
8. I can't wait to hear you complain about being "too busy" in retirement. Congrats, friend!
9. Welcome to the club where every day is Saturday!
Heartfelt & Sincere Congratulations


For when you want to express genuine, heartfelt admiration and happiness for your friend. These messages are warm, sincere, and focus on their accomplishments and character.
1. Your dedication and hard work have been an inspiration. Wishing you a wonderful retirement.
2. Congratulations on a fantastic career. I’m so proud of all you’ve accomplished.
3. It's been a privilege to watch you work so hard. Now, enjoy your well-earned rest.
4. Wishing you endless happiness, relaxation, and peace in your retirement.
5. You’ve given so much for so long. Now it’s time to focus on you. Happy Retirement!
6. May your retirement be as incredible and rewarding as your career was.
7. So incredibly happy for you as you start this next phase of your life.
8. Congratulations, my dear friend. You’ve earned every moment of this joy.
9. You’ve made such a difference. Now, go enjoy the difference retirement will make for you!
Adventure Awaits!


Is your friend planning to travel, tackle new hobbies, or finally build that boat? These wishes are perfect for encouraging their adventurous spirit and a future full of exciting new experiences.
1. Your greatest adventure begins now. Happy Retirement!
2. Let the journey begin! Wishing you endless new experiences and joy.
3. May your retirement be one long, beautiful, and exciting road trip.
4. The world is your oyster! Can’t wait to see all the places you’ll go.
5. Happy Retirement! May your days be filled with sunshine, discovery, and new passions.
6. Time to trade your briefcase for a passport. Bon voyage and congratulations!
7. Here's to ticking off every single item on your bucket list. Enjoy the adventure!
8. The mountains are calling, and now you can finally go! Happy Retirement.
9. Wishing you a future filled with new hobbies, grand adventures, and zero alarms.
Short & Sweet Text Messages


These are ultra-brief, punchy messages perfect for a quick text or a comment on social media. They get straight to the point while still being warm and celebratory.
1. Happy Retirement Day! 🎉
2. You’re free! Congrats!
3. Enjoy every minute of it!
4. So happy for you! Happy Retirement!
5. Congrats on retiring, friend!
6. Time to relax! You’ve earned it.
7. Welcome to the good life!
8. Cheers to your next chapter! 🥂
9. Wishing you the best retirement ever.
10. Congrats & enjoy your freedom!
Now the Real Fun Begins...


This category is for the friend who sees retirement not as an end, but as the true beginning of living life on their own terms, perhaps with a touch of mischief.
1. The 9-to-5 is over. The 5-to-9 fun is just getting started. Congrats!
2. Congratulations on your retirement. Now the real trouble-making can begin!
3. Work is officially behind you, which means all your best stories are still ahead.
4. Ready to cause some weekday chaos? I’m so here for it. Happy Retirement!
5. Now you can finally perfect the art of doing everything you want, and nothing you don’t.
6. Welcome to your permanent vacation. Let’s make it a legendary one.
7. Let the shenanigans begin! So excited for your new life of freedom.
8. Work was just the warm-up act. Now the main event begins. Enjoy the show!
### A Final Thought
The best retirement wish is one that sounds like you. Feel free to mix and match these ideas or add a personal touch. Mention a specific hobby they can now enjoy, recall a funny work story, or share how much you’re looking forward to spending more time with them. Your heartfelt words will mean the world as they step into this exciting new stage of life. Congratulations to your friend