I plan on retiring this December. When do you think I should let my employer know?

10 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 21,2025 at 5:41PM UTC

   If there are no issues where you fear they will let you go sooner or other rules/processes in place for retiring, I say 30 days.

2. AnonymousMarch 21,2025 at 5:47PM UTC

   I gave my boss a years notice.

3. AnonymousMarch 21,2025 at 5:59PM UTC

   Consult with your HR department on best practices. In state government where I work, the process to get approved is 6-9 months. Most give a few months notice. I would prefer that too so that they have time to post the position and a good time to transition the work to others. Congrats to you!

4. AnonymousMarch 21,2025 at 6:08PM UTC

   Two weeks notice

5. Betty WarrickMarch 21,2025 at 6:14PM UTC

   I am an employer and have retired many people and looking back on it, the ones who gave just a few months notice to retire were easier. The last one was my director of sales, who gave a year and it was a year of a long drug out hand off process that was much more painful than it needed to be. Especially since we were promoting from within and the person who was tapped was eager to get going without interference from the guy who insisted things still be done his way through the rest of the year. At one point the trainee (who's worked here for 10 years) almost quit. The retiree was determined to stick around for one last profit sharing check. I should have just paid him out to leave.

   Adding: Also, we can usually tell when people start planning to retire. There are signs, aside from reaching a certain age or time in service.

6. AnonymousMarch 21,2025 at 9:18PM UTC

   That's a great perspective. I also think the longer one stays the more mucky the waters. I'm curious, you mentioned you can tell when people are planning to retire. What are the signs you have seen?

7. GirlBossanova918360March 22,2025 at 5:37PM UTC

   What are the signs you see?

8. Angelyn Booth MooreMarch 23,2025 at 3:04PM UTC

   check any insurance provisions-savings plan funds matched by employer- read rulebook now! cover all bases````

9. LauraMarch 23,2025 at 8:28PM UTC

   Having worked in HR for years, the typical lead time I saw was around 2 to 3 months. To be fair, the companies I worked at were fair and honest companies so there was no fear that the employees would be let go early because they told us. With that amount of lead time, it was helpful to map out a transition plan, find a replacement and make sure that everything was in order for the both the team and the employee. Happy retirement and congrats!!

10. Maggie SoldanoMarch 25,2025 at 10:41PM UTC

    Depends. Have they treated you well and will they be excited for you? I would say 3 months, in that case.

    If they are more likely to respond negatively, I would give them no more than 4 weeks.