Providing support for a retiring employee

Even though employees can generally choose when to retire, preparing for retirement may still be a difficult time emotionally and financially for them.

Facilitating the transition from employment to retirement

There are several ways in which you can help an employee make the transition from employment to retirement, including:

• Allowing them to gradually reduce their working hours for a period of time before their retirement. This will give the retiring employee a chance to develop other interests outside work. However, reducing working hours in the few years leading up to retirement could reduce the pension an employee would receive.
• Providing opportunities to attend a pre-retirement course for counselling and/or financial advice.
• Providing information on the state pension and other entitlements - see pensions and retirement.
• Organising a retirement party for them and buying them a retirement gift.