Retirement

After decades of work, Rahul retires from his job, and his colleagues host a farewell gathering to celebrate his career.

Meanings in Rahul, Priya, Colleagues

Key words and phrases

retireto stop working, usually due to ageHe decided to retire at sixty-two.

pensionregular income received after retirementHis pension will begin next month.

farewellan occasion of saying goodbyeHis colleagues organized a farewell party.

careerthe series of jobs a person has over their lifeHe had a long and successful career.

leisurefree time used for rest or enjoymentHe looked forward to more leisure time.

achievementssuccesses reached during a careerHe reflected on his many achievements.

well-deservedearned rightfully through effortEveryone said it was a well-deserved retirement.

hobbiesactivities done for pleasure in free timeHe wanted to spend more time on his hobbies.

reminisceto talk fondly about past experiencesThey reminisced about their years working together.

new chaptera new phase or stage in lifeRetirement marked a new chapter in his life.

colleaguea person one works withHis colleagues gathered to say goodbye.

gratuitya lump sum paid to an employee on retirementHe received a generous gratuity after thirty years of service.

provident funda savings scheme that provides money after retirementHis provident fund had grown steadily over the years.

successorthe person who takes over someone's roleAmit was chosen as his successor.

nostalgicfeeling sentimental about happy memories from the pastShe felt nostalgic looking at old office photos.

send-offa gathering held to say goodbye to someone leavingThe office gave him a warm send-off.

milestonean important event or stage in one's lifeRetirement is a major milestone in life.

legacywhat a person leaves behind through their workHe leaves behind a strong legacy at the company.

work-life balancea healthy balance between work and personal timeRetirement finally gave him better work-life balance.

golden yearsthe pleasant later years of one's life after retirementHe calls retirement his golden years.

Useful sentences

Ask When do you plan to retire, Rahul?
Answer I'm planning to retire by the end of this year.
Ask How does it feel to be finishing your career here?
Answer It's bittersweet, but I'm excited for what's next.
Ask What will you do with all your free time now?
Answer I plan to travel and spend time on my hobbies.
Ask Will you miss working here?
Answer Of course, especially my wonderful colleagues.
Ask When does your pension start?
Answer It should begin from next month.
Ask Who will take over your responsibilities after you leave?
Answer My successor, Amit, will take over from Monday.
Ask Do you have any retirement gifts planned for him?
Answer Yes, we've arranged a special gift and a card.
Ask How do you feel looking back at your career here?
Answer I feel proud and a little nostalgic.
Ask Will you receive a gratuity along with your pension?
Answer Yes, I'll receive a gratuity next month.
Ask What's the first thing you'll do after retiring?
Answer I'll sleep in and enjoy a slow morning.

Dialogue

ColleagueRahul, we're really going to miss you around here.

RahulThank you. I'll miss all of you too, honestly.

ColleagueYou've had such an amazing career here. It's well-deserved rest.

RahulThank you. I'm excited to start a new chapter with my family.

ColleagueWhat are your plans for retirement?

RahulTraveling, gardening, and spending time with my grandchildren.

ColleagueThat sounds wonderful. Who will take over your projects?

RahulAmit will be taking over. I've trained him well over the past year.

ColleagueWe should get a group photo before you go!

RahulGreat idea. Let's take one right now before I leave.

Common mistakes

Saying "I am retiring from work" as a permanent state instead of "I am retiring" or "I retired" ("retire" already implies leaving work).
Saying "I got pension" instead of "I receive a pension" or "I get a pension" (use the article "a" and present tense correctly).
Saying "Farewell party is doing" instead of "The farewell party is happening" or "We are having a farewell party."
Saying "I took retirement" instead of "I retired" (a direct translation from Hindi that sounds unnatural in English).
Saying "My pension is very less" instead of "My pension is very low" (confusing "less" and "low").
Saying "He did the retirement" instead of simply "He retired" (no need for "do" with this verb).

Quick quiz

1. What word means to stop working, usually due to age?

2. Complete: "Everyone said it was a ___ retirement."

3. What word means regular income received after retirement?

4. What word means a lump sum paid to an employee on retirement?

5. Complete: "Who will take over your responsibilities? My ___, Amit, will take over."

6. What word describes feeling sentimental about happy memories from the past?

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