Retirement party

by katina
(st louis,mo)

After you retire, when should you have a retirement party?

Wendy: Honestly, the retirement parties I've attended were all done before you retire, or on the last day of work. A few times there were parties in catered halls and that might be the week after retirement, but that's rare. (I think!)

Why not do it the last day of work? Make it easier for the retiree to "walk out that door" one last time. It's not an easy day, it's kinda funny (you are happy and yet...)

Comments for Retirement party

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Retirement party.
by: Susan Whittenham, Portsmouth, England.

I worked as an Administrative Officer for the civil service here in the UK (= sitting staring at a computer screen and shuffling papers & files all day).

When I retired early for medical reasons, I didn't plan a retirement party but simply thought that on my last day at work I would hand in my official pass, sign any official documents and simply walk out of the door quietly without anyone noticing I wasn't there any more.

My boss asked me to go for a coffee with him - I thought to sign some official paperwork - but I was led over to the Officers' Mess at the military establishment where I worked, and everyone I'd worked with was there to wish me a long and happy retirement.

To say I was completely gobsmacked was an understatement; I'd not planned a retirement party at all but my colleagues certainly sent me off in style!
Retirement: No one tells you ..... You have to learn it as you go.
by: Durgesh Kumar Srivastava, JiBhaiya@gmail.com

Dear Katina,

Retirement is once in a lifetime event.

Ideally it should be in or near the work place in the late afternoon of the last working day so that the new retiree may go home straight away.

Among the government school teachers in New Delhi there is a tradition of escorting the new retiree home in a flower decked vehicle laden with gifts and cheering colleagues.

In the college where I taught a retiring peon was presented with a new bi-cycle and he rode back home after the party.

In some places there is also the tradition of hosting the new retiree on to the shoulders of his cheering colleagues. It is all very good so long as it is not overdone. It should be natural and spontaneous.

I am particular not about when the party should be held but about how it should be organized. I have seen a party in which less than a dozen people turned up from a staff of about 200. I have also seen a party in which there was not a single person who was willing to say a word or two in praise of the retiree.

In one party the retiree, who disliked all her colleagues, did not turn up at her own retirement party.

All this must be avoided by proper planning. There should be one or two pre-prepared speeches and the rest can be spontaneous. No negative comments should be made. If you had hated the retiree, please do keep quiet.

If one or two colleagues could sing a song the atmosphere will become lively.

I always used to recite a self-written poem based upon some comic situation and unrelated to the retiree.

Some senior retirees from the same organisation should be invited. They should share their experiences about post retirement life.

Key subject such as work, pastime, managing your funds etc. should be touched upon. Emotional issues of retirement should be addressed.

The party should end with selected goodies to eat. alcohol should be avoided. The retiree should also consider giving a return gift to his office. I presented my large collection of books to the college library. It did not cost me a thing.

Durgesh, JiBhaiya@gmail.com 26th Aug,10

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