One-minute retirement toast

Make this speech your own

Copy the script into your own document, then replace every bracketed marker with a true detail. The examples below are fictional prompts, not facts about anyone. Change or remove any sentence that does not fit your situation.

The // mark means pause; do not read it aloud. Use the default script, or swap in one of the openings or closings below. Do not add every alternative to the same speech.

With the fictional examples filled in, the default script is 120 words. At 125 words per minute, that is about one minute. Your own details and pauses will change the time, so read your finished version aloud and time it.

Details to gather

RETIREE — What name does everyone use for the person retiring? Fictional example: Lee

YEARS — How long have they worked here? Fictional example: eighteen years

[ONE_THING] — What is one thing they did that people here will remember? Start with a verb. Fictional example: found time to answer every question, no matter how busy the day was

NEXT — What have they said they're looking forward to? Fictional example: slow mornings and a lot more fishing

Ask for one minute

Could I borrow everyone's attention for a moment? I'd like to raise a toast to RETIREE. //

Name one thing

For YEARS, RETIREE [ONE_THING]. That's the kind of thing you don't notice on a busy Tuesday, but you'd notice right away if it stopped. Plenty of people in this room learned the job by watching RETIREE. //

Look ahead

RETIREE, next up is NEXT. That sounds exactly right, and we hope every day of it is as good as you've imagined. We'll try not to call you with questions. We can't promise. //

Close with the toast

Everyone, please join me. To RETIREE, and to every plan you've been waiting to start. Congratulations.

Two optional openings

Just one minute of your time, I promise. This one's for RETIREE.

Before the cake disappears, a few words about RETIREE.

Two optional closings

To RETIREE: thank you, congratulations and enjoy every minute.

Please join me in wishing RETIREE a long, happy retirement.

Prepare a version you can say

A one-minute toast suits a crowded party or a gathering where several people are speaking. Stick to one thing they did and one wish.

Check the years of service with their manager before you say them.

Look at the retiree for the last line, then at the room.

Keep it kind

Leave out jokes about age, health, slowing down or naps. Keep the focus on what they did and what's next.

Keep the toast easy for everyone to join, with no reference to drinking.

Questions before the day

What do you say in a short retirement toast? Name one thing the person did that people will remember, mention what's next for them and wish them a happy retirement.

How long is this retirement toast? About one minute, which suits a busy party.

Can I give this toast if I'm not their manager? Yes. Anyone who knows the person's work can give it; just let the organizer know first.