I’m planning on retiring in two years. How much notice should I give?

5 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 16,2025 at 8:35PM UTC

   2 weeks unless you are an officer of the company or head up a large department and need more lead time to hand off your responsibilities. But no more than a month to find your replacement as an officer and a couple of weeks to hand things off.

   Sticking around is more disruptive than helpful. It sends more of a confusing message.

2. AnonymousJuly 16,2025 at 10:40PM UTC

   Check any contract that you signed or other legally binding paperwork. Unless the paperwork says otherwise or you are a boss's boss, two weeks notice is standard. Sadly, being too considerate can backfire; if you give a month or more notice, they could say "just make today your last day," leaving your final paycheck short of what you anticipated it would be.

3. AnonymousJuly 17,2025 at 12:08AM UTC

   Wait until you get there. Addressing this 2 years in advance is quit unprofessional actually. Jamie Dimon at Chase only plans to give 2 weeks. He said a good leader can leave easily if they've done their job well. He's prepared his stock holders for this for years.

4. AnonymousJuly 17,2025 at 3:03PM UTC

   Honestly, this is an individual decision. I have some people give a few months' notice, some two weeks, some just reached the point where "eff this, I'm done" (I think my husband will arrive at that point with his employer in the near future). Is yours a critical role? What kind of rapport do you have with your boss, your team, etc.? How do you want to leave it? Is the work you do the kind of work that would require a lot of training for your backfill? Do you have certain financial goals you are trying to achieve? If you aren't yet medicare age how is your insurance coverage? Have you met with a financial advisor for their advice?

   Ultimately, it's your decision. What I've seen happen too frequently is that someone gives notice (either for retirement or just for another opportunity or whatever) the manager is like "oh no, we can't lose this person, they are so valuable, blah blah blah" and then it's "HR, we need to fill this position immediately so Jane Doe can totally train her replacement before she leaves" and it never works out that way. Do what feels right to you and don't let anyone guilt you into staying longer "we need you train the replacement!" just make sure your needs are covered.

5. AnonymousJuly 18,2025 at 1:39AM UTC

   I have also seen companies do the opposite-- the person gives plenty of notice as a courtesy, then their angry boss says "forget it. Today is your last day." Then they lose the pay they were counting on. You're right to tell the OP to do what's right for her.