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How to Format a Formal Letter (with Examples)

Last Updated: January 26, 2024 Fact Checked

Sample Letters

Block style letter, ams style letter, sending a letter, expert interview, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano . Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 8,426,142 times.

Formal letters can come in handy when you need to communicate professionally. Maybe you’re emailing your boss about an upcoming vacation, confirming an appointment, asking for references, or resigning. No matter the case, a well-formatted formal letter can help you correspond with your boss or coworkers in an authoritative and organized manner. In the business world, there are 2 main types of formal letters: block style and Administrative Management Style (AMS). Block style is most widely known, while AMS is for quick internal memos; however, both styles are good to have in your tool belt.

Things You Should Know

• Block style letters include your address, the date, the recipient’s address, and an opening and closing salutations.
• AMS style letters also have your address, the date, and the recipient’s address, but they include an all-caps subject line instead of a salutation.

• If you live in the United States, write your date as June 15, 2017.
• If you live in a European country, write your date as 15 June 2017.

• If you don’t know the recipient’s title, do some background research or call the company.

• Only use the greeting “To whom it may concern” as a last resort if you don’t know the recipient’s name or title.
• If you typically address the recipient by their first name, it’s okay to address them as such in your letter.

• “I am writing to confirm our arrangements for Sunday, March 26th in the Plaza Hotel at 6 PM. As we discussed, I will have the necessary paperwork on hand, along with additional information you may need. I believe this partnership will benefit both of our companies…”
• “Since we last spoke, the Baking It website has gained over 50% more traffic and earned 11% more income through ads and affiliate links. Combining our expertise will certainly help us grow even more…”
• “I have enclosed the initial deposit and will forward the remaining amount by Monday, March 27th, our agreed-upon date. I cannot thank you enough for supporting my business endeavors, and I look forward to working with you. Please reach out at (555)888-9000 if you have any questions…”

• If you’re printing your letter, leave enough space between your goodbye and printed name to physically sign your name.
• If you’re emailing your letter, digitally sign the document .

• If you’re using a letterhead , you don’t need to put the sender’s address. Instead, begin the letter with the date in the top left corner.

• For instance, your subject line could be something like, “YOU’RE INVITED TO METROPOLITAN MEDICAL CONFERENCE” or “YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED IN TOWN SQUARE.”
• If you’re sending your letter via email, make sure to also include a non-caps subject line in the email’s title field, even if it conveys the same message.

• “On behalf of the University of Tennessee’s Arts Department, we would like to invite you and your family to a benefit banquet on Saturday, March 25th at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Your contribution to the theatre has not gone unnoticed, and we’d like to honor you as a leading Fine Arts professor…”
• “As my resume indicates, I have hands-on experience working in the culinary field. I am have managed ten kitchens while implementing dining room customs and design changes…”

• Leave enough space for a physical or digital signature.

• If you’re using a standard rectangular envelope, fold your letter in horizontal thirds.
• If you’re using a square envelope, fold your letter in half horizontally and then in half vertically, so it forms a rectangle.
• Try only folding your letter once, as a letter with too many creases could make your envelope bulky and more difficult to mail.

• If you don’t like licking envelopes, no worries! Use some tape to seal it shut.

• Typically, it costs $0.63 to mail a standard letter first class.
• One stamp generally equals $0.63, but if your envelope is heavier than 1 oz of paper, it may need 1 or 2 stamps to cover the cost.
• If you’re unsure how many stamps to use , head to your local post office to weigh your envelope.

Reader Videos

• Use 1 inch (2.5 cm) margins for all formal letters. [23] X Research source Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• In cases where you represent a business, consider putting the business’s logo and address in the middle of the page as a background. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Always proofread your letter before sending it. This way, you can catch grammatical errors before your boss or potential employer. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about writing letters, check out our in-depth interview with Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM .

• ↑ Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 May 2021.
• ↑ https://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/docs/handouts/Resignation%20Letters.pdf
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/professional_technical_writing/basic_business_letters/index.html
• ↑ https://www.apa.org/advocacy/guide/sample-letters.pdf
• ↑ http://www.zeepedia.com/read.php?the_appearance_and_design_of_business_messages_punctuation_styles_business_communication&b=72&c=17
• ↑ https://www.usps.com/ship/letters.htm

About This Article

To write a formal letter, start in the top left corner. Write the sender's name or business, then write their address on the next line and their phone number one line below that. Skip one line, then write the date out, like "November 16th, 2015." Skip another line, then write the recipients name, job title, and address on their own respective lines. Skip another line, then write the body paragraph of your letter, which should be no more than 3 paragraphs. When you're ready to sign off, include your name, job title, and contact information, as well as space for you to sign. If you're enclosing other materials with the letter, put "Enclosure" at the bottom of the page, followed by the name of the documents enclosed. For more information about writing formal and direct memos, continue reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Our grandparents and great-grandparents wrote letters all the time: to their friends and families, to the bank manager, to express condolences, to complain, to invite someone to visit, to accept an invitation and to thank people for hospitality or gifts.

Nowadays, we don’t need to write letters very often and it’s become a dying art. Emails, Facebook, Twitter and instant messaging mean that we can stay in touch all the time. There are still, however, times when writing a letter is appropriate, and it’s good to know when, and how to write one.

This page explains different types of letters, from informal to formal, and how to write each one. On this page, we are talking about writing letters that will be sent by post - snail mail - not by email. Most of the letters described on this page should never be sent by email. The only exception is for a job application, where you should attach a formal letter to a covering email.

The General Structure of a Letter

A formal letter has a standard structure, which is:

If you are writing an informal letter , you may omit the recipient’s name and address, and you may also sign it off more informally: ‘ With love ’, or ‘ With best wishes ’, rather than ‘Yours sincerely’, and sign with just your first name, omitting your surname and title.

Forms for signing off a letter vary depending on how you addressed it. The rule is that if you addressed it ‘ Dear Sir ’, then you sign off ‘Yours faithfully’, and if you addressed the person by name, then you sign off ‘Yours sincerely’.

What if you don’t know the name of the person to whom you are writing?

This might arise, for example, if you want to send a letter or a complaint to a company, and you have been told to “ just send it to the Customer Service Department ”.

Your options are:

Start the letter with ‘ To Whom it may Concern ’. This does not feel very personal, but it fits with what you’ve been told to do.

Address the letter to ‘Head of Customer Service’ at the company address, then use ‘ Dear Sir ’. ‘ Dear Sir ’ is technically the correct form when you do not know the name of the person, but many people prefer ‘ Dear Sir or Madam ’.

Google the name of the person who heads that department, and use their name. If you are writing to a big company, this information should be publicly available, and there is no excuse for not finding and using it. If the company conceals the name of the person responsible for customer service, then it seems entirely reasonable to send your complaint direct to the CEO.

Why does this matter? Because letters that are personally addressed are likely to get through quicker, and also get more personal attention.

The only exception is if you are writing to the editor of a newspaper , in which case you always write ‘Dear Sir’. The form to use on the envelope is ‘The Editor’, then the name and address of the newspaper.

A word of warning about unusual titles

The titles ‘Sir’ and ‘Dame’ go with the first name. You therefore address letters to knights and dames ‘Dear Sir John/Dame Nellie’ and not ‘Dear Sir Smith/Dame Melba’.

Peers, however, are addressed by title and surname: ‘Dear Lord Jenkins’.

If in doubt, check the website, or phone the office of the person to whom you are writing, and ask how they should be addressed.

As a general rule, you should type and print business letters, and hand-write personal ones. If you hand-write, use blue or black ink.

If you believe you can send an email instead of a letter, then don’t use the full formal structure. Just start your email ‘Dear Mr [Name]’, followed by the text you wish to send, then ‘Yours sincerely, [your full name]’.

Particular Types of Letter: Special Cases

Formal invitations.

Wedding invitations, or invitations to very formal events such as a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace or the White House, are written in the third person:

RSVP stands for ‘Respondez, s’il vous plait’, which is French for ‘Please reply’. It is outrageously rude not to do so, even if you are not able to attend. The correct way to reply is with a handwritten letter, in the same third person form:

Ms Delilah Green thanks Mr and Mrs John Smith for their kind invitation to the wedding of their daughter Maria to Mr George Jones on Saturday 25th July at 12 noon, at Jacoby House, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. She will be delighted to attend. Ms Green will be accompanied by Mr James White.

Copy the form of the invitation, so that your hosts know that you have correctly understood where you are to be and when. If your invitation says ‘+ guest’, it is helpful to your hosts if you end your reply by telling them the name of your guest, so that they can include it on the table plan if they wish.

If you can’t attend, you should say something like:

‘ She regrets that she will be unable to attend as she has a prior engagement ’.

Thanking Someone for their Hospitality or for a Gift

It doesn’t really matter whether you and your friends ‘go in’ for formal thank you's. Nobody has ever been known to be offended by a letter thanking them for hosting you for the weekend, or at a wedding, or for a gift.

Plenty of people are offended by the lack of a formal thank you and it may affect your chances of receiving further invitations. Just send one, even if it’s only a card. And don’t email or text either it’s not the same and your host may be offended.

Never type a personal thank you letter. It has to be hand-written, however appalling your hand-writing. Conventionally, thanks for hospitality were always addressed to the hostess. However, nowadays the host is likely to have taken as great a part in the organisation, so many people prefer to write to both.

The form of the letter is:

If you do not know the people well , and have written to ‘Mr and Mrs [name]’, as may well be the case for a friend’s wedding, you should end ‘Yours sincerely, [your full name]’, or, if you wish be less formal, with something like ‘With renewed thanks and best wishes, [your name]’.

However, if you are writing to a close friend, you can sign off as you wish: ‘With much love’, or ‘Love to all of you’, for example, followed by just your first name.

You do not need to reply to a letter expressing thanks.

Thanking Someone at Work

You may, on occasion, need to thank people for something at work.

For example, if you have organised a conference or seminar, you should always write to thank the speakers for giving up their time. If you have spent some time shadowing someone, it would be a nice gesture to write to thank them for their time rather than just sending an email.

On such occasions, a typed letter is perfectly acceptable, although you should always sign it by hand. If you are fairly junior in the organisation, it is conventional to get the letter signed by the senior person responsible for the conference: the director, or CEO if necessary.

Why do you send a postal letter? It shows that you’re prepared to spend time and money thanking someone, so it’s much more of a gesture than an email.

The way in which you address the person depends on whether you have addressed them formally or informally when you have previously got in touch, and when you met them on the day. If you have addressed them by first name, you should do the same.

The form of such letters is:

A covering letter for a job application is a special case which is covered on our page Writing a Covering Letter .

A Letter Writing Rule of Thumb

If you are in doubt about whether you need to write a letter to thank someone, or to reply for an invitation, then there are two things to ask:

• Do I need to send some kind of message? If the answer is yes, for example, to an invitation, then you need to decide between a letter or email.
• Will the (non-)recipient be offended if I don’t send a letter?

Remember that nobody was ever offended by a polite thank-you letter. Plenty of people have cut off all contact with former friends because of the lack of a thank-you letter following hospitality.

You may think that’s stupid, but so is not taking the time to send a short note!

Continue to: How to Write a Covering Letter Common Mistakes in Writing

See also: The Art of Tact and Diplomacy Formal and Informal Writing Writing Effective Emails

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How to Write a Formal Letter: Format and Examples

Krystal N. Craiker

Table of Contents

Formal letter formats, how to write a formal letter in 9 steps, formal letter example templates.

Formal letters can be daunting to write. But once you learn the basic format, you can write a formal letter any time.

People use formal letters (or formal emails) in business and academia. In business, you may need to send sales letters, official announcements, invitations, or legal correspondence. In academia, you may need to write cover letters, letters of intent for school, or recommendation letters. 

A formal letter follows a specific format and uses formal English language. Keep reading to find out how to write formal letters.

There are a few formal letter formats, but they’re all very similar. Your company or academic institution may have a preferred style; otherwise, you can use whatever style you want.

The exception is the Administrative Management Style, or AMS, letter format. This style omits polite greetings and sign-offs. It’s usually reserved for memos or announcements. In general, if you are writing directly to one person, it’s polite to use a more standard formal letter format.

Official Letter Format

Formal letters typically have the same basic elements:

Header with sender’s address, date, and recipient’s address

In the header, you can omit the sender’s address if you’re writing on letterhead stationery. It’s also become common to omit your address completely if the person doesn’t need to write back.

Generally, you write the date in standard format (e.g. March 20, 2023) under the sender’s address. If you leave off your address, the date will be the first line. After the date, include the recipient’s address.

Use a polite greeting and the recipient’s title and surname for the salutation. Skip a line, then start the first body paragraph. Your first paragraph should immediately state why you’re writing this letter.

Sign off your formal letter with a polite closing. Thank them for their time, and use a standard line such as “Cordially” or “Sincerely.”

Then sign your name. If you’re sending a physical copy, skip four lines so you can include your actual signature. Then type your name and title underneath. If you’ll be sending the letter electronically, skip only one line before adding your name.

Formal Email Format

Email has become an acceptable replacement for formal letters in many cases. So, how does formal letter format translate to email?

It’s easy. Omit the heading with the addresses and date. Instead, make sure your subject line briefly states the purpose of your formal email.

You’ll open your email with the greeting and get straight to the body of the letter. Use a sign-off just as you would in a formal letter, and sign your name. Include any relevant contact information under your signature.

Let’s take a step-by-step look at how to write a formal letter.

1. Select a Letter Format

There are four standard formal letter format options, and they’re all very similar.

Full block: all lines are left-aligned, no paragraph indentions

Block: right-align the date, sign-off, and signature, no paragraph indentions

Semi-block: same as block style, except indent the first line of each body paragraph

AMS: left-align all content, do not skip a line before the date, use an all-caps subject line, omit complimentary sign-off

Most people use the full block style letter format, so you don’t usually have to worry about indenting.

It’s standard practice to leave a large gap from the top margin before typing, although this is quickly becoming passé. In the days of typewriters, you would press Enter 12 times before typing the heading. Some people still do this on their word processor.

Of course, this large gap is no longer a requirement. It’s fine to start writing your contact information in the top left corner. 

2. Write the Header

When you’re writing the sender’s address, you can include your phone number and email address. Remember to leave your contact information off if you’re using letterhead stationary.

Next, write the date in standard format. This means you spell out the month. If you’re writing to someone in the U.S., follow the format: Month, Day, Year. For other parts of the world, use Day, Month, Year.

Finally, write the recipient’s contact information. You do not need to include their email address or phone number. Include the recipient’s polite title, such as Mr., Dr., Mrs., Ms,. etc. We’ll discuss what to do if you don’t know this information in the next section.

3. Select a Salutation

The standard salutation is “Dear,” followed by the person’s title and surname. You can also use “Greetings.”

In emails, your level of formality may be different. If you’re on a first-name basis with the recipient, or if you’ve met more than once, it’s acceptable to use greetings like “Hello” or “Hi” and their first name.

It’s polite to do your research to find out exactly who the recipient is. Often, you may only have a general business name or email address. Dig around on their website or LinkedIn, or call, to find out the name and title of the person who will read your letter.

If you aren’t sure if a woman prefers “Mrs.” or “Miss,” use “Ms.” If you know the name but not the person’s gender, you can say, “Dear [Full Name].”

Avoid using “To Whom It May Concern” if possible. This letter writing standard is out-of-date and shows you didn’t do your homework to determine who the letter should go to.

But what if you can’t find a person’s name or title? Use the generic salutation “Greetings,” followed by a comma and no name. Always follow the salutation and recipient’s name with a comma, not a colon.

4. State Your Purpose

Begin the first paragraph by saying why you’re writing. Then go immediately into the rest of the body paragraph.

5. Write the Body of the Letter

Keep your body paragraphs short and sweet. Some formal letters, like a resignation letter or complaint letter, may only need one body paragraph.

Try to avoid adding unnecessary information, and be sure to use formal language. If you’re struggling to use formal English, use ProWritingAid’s Rephrase tool. Just highlight a sentence, click Rephrase, and select “Formal” for rephrasing suggestions.

Always single space your paragraphs, but skip a line between paragraphs.

6. Pick a Closing Sign-Off

Wrap up your letter with a complimentary closing paragraph. This should only be one line. Thank them for their time.

You can also add a call-to-action if you want them to contact you back. This is standard for formal emails. You might ask them to reply, click a link to schedule an appointment, or fill out a form.

Then choose a polite sign-off. Remember to omit this if you’re using AMS format. Here are some closings you can use:

All the best

Best regards

Yours truly

7. Sign Your Name

Finally, you need to sign your name. Remember to leave four spaces after the closing for your signature if you’re printing a physical copy of the formal letter. Otherwise, type your name directly below the closing.

Underneath your name, put your job title if it’s relevant to the formal letter.

In AMS style or in an email, put your contact information underneath your name and title. If you already have an email signature saved through your email provider, you can just use that instead of typing it every time.

8. Optional Content

There are some optional things you may include in a formal letter. In the past, it was standard to include the initials of whoever typed the email if that person was different from the sender. You may still see this at the bottom of a formal letter if an assistant typed it. This isn't required, though.

It is still standard to make a note of any additional documents you’ve sent along with the formal letter. For example, if you’ve sent a cover letter, you might include a resume and a list of references.

To do this, type, “Attached: [Document Name]” at the very bottom of the letter, underneath your signature.

Don’t do this with email, though, because people rarely read what comes after the signature. Instead, mention you’ve included attachments in the closing paragraph of the letter.

9. Edit Your Letter with ProWritingAid

Don’t send a formal letter full of errors. Run your letter or email through ProWritingAid to catch all your grammar, spelling, and style errors. Rephrase your sentences to sound more formal and concise.

You can even use ProWritingAid in your email provider for formal emails with the browser extension or Office add-in.

Below, you can find examples of formal and business letters. We’ve included a full block style, AMS format, and a formal email.

Full Block Style Letter

Gemma Townsend

Big Business Inc.

1234 Main St.

Big Town, NY 55555

800-555-1234

April 24, 2023

Mr. Jaime Gonzalez

678 Avenue D Ste 303

Anywhere, CT 90009

Dear Mr. Gonzalez,

I am writing in regards to your request for more information about how Big Business Inc. can help you as an entrepreneur. Here at BBI, we are dedicated to making business ownership as simple as possible.

We offer a full suite of services, from payroll to inventory services. You can choose from our tiered packages. I can also assist you with building a custom package.

Please review the materials I’ve sent, and let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for your time.

Warmest regards,

Assistant Director of Sales

Attached: marketing packet

AMS Formal Letter

Jane Doe-Boyd

5555 Victoria Ct.

Jamestown, VA 55555

March 25, 2023

Elmo Monster

123 Sesame Street

Los Angeles, CA 90210

INVITATION TO FICTIONAL CHARACTERS BANQUET

You are cordially invited to the annual banquet for the Fictional Characters of America Foundation. This year’s banquet will be held on June 19, 2023 at the Chicago Omni Hotel. Please send your RSVP card by May 6, 2023 letting us know if you will attend.

President, Fictional Characters of America Foundation

Enclosed: RSVP card and envelope

Formal Email

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Complaint about upstairs neighbor

Dear Mr. Smith,

I’m writing to lodge a formal complaint against the resident in unit 2022. I’ve attempted to resolve this directly with him three times.

The resident vacuums at 1 a.m. every morning. They then usually turn on loud music. This wakes my entire family up, including my three-year-old daughter.

The lease states that no loud music or other noises should be played between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Please keep me apprised of your next steps to address this matter. Thanks for your time.

Maria Salinas

25 Blvd A Apt 1022

[email protected]

Don’t be intimidated by formal letters! Just use the above formats whenever you need to send official correspondence.

Krystal N. Craiker is the Writing Pirate, an indie romance author and blog manager at ProWritingAid. She sails the seven internet seas, breaking tropes and bending genres. She has a background in anthropology and education, which brings fresh perspectives to her romance novels. When she’s not daydreaming about her next book or article, you can find her cooking gourmet gluten-free cuisine, laughing at memes, and playing board games. Krystal lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child, and basset hound.

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How to Write a Letter: Letter Writing Types and Examples

• Updated on  
• Jan 11, 2024

Whether for an exam or important communication on the professional front, letter writing is both scoring as well as a paramount need in your everyday life. A letter of recommendation a resignation letter or even a relieving letter – all three require good letter-writing skills! Sometimes, writing a simple, informal letter can also be confusing. There can never be sufficient information on how to write the perfect letter along with the right font, spacing, and formatting! So here is a step-by-step guide to help you write or improve your letter-writing skills, for any important day or exam of your life.

This Blog Includes:

What is letter writing, why is it important to know how to write a letter, choose the right type of paper, use the font and format, write sender’s address , specify dateline , come to recipient’s address , insert greeting/salutation , body of letter  , include complimentary close , signature text , attachments , types of letter, what type of letter should you write, what is a formal and informal letter, types of letter writing, write a letter to the editor, application for leave in office, write a letter to your friend, tips on how to write a letter, sending a letter, what’s p.s., the envelope, more topics under writing.

A letter is a type of written communication that can be written by hand or printed on paper. Although it is not required, it is frequently conveyed to the receiver via mail or post in an envelope. A letter, or a written discussion between two parties, is any such message that is sent through the mail.

The art of letter writing has taken a backseat now that E-mails (Advantages and Disadvantages), SMS, and other means of communication have become the norm. However, letters are still used for a lot of our communication, especially official communication. Letters are still a crucial means of communication, whether it’s a cover letter for a job, a bank reminder, or a college acceptance letter. This is why we must understand the nuances of letter writing.

Also Read: Letter of Explanation

Everyone needs to know how to write a letter, whether it’s for professional or personal reasons. These letters may be short, informal emails at times. They’ll be well-polished for corporate correspondence at other times. Today, printed letters are commonly used for professional or commercial communications, therefore knowing how to compose a letter for professional purposes is essential. It’s especially vital to write a letter appropriately if you’re sending a printed copy to the recipient rather than an email.

Also Read: How to Write a Motivation Letter with Examples & Samples

How to Write a Letter?: Step-by-Step Guide

The following are the general guidelines for writing a letter:

You should type and print your letter on plain white paper. You may wish to print on nice resume paper depending on the circumstances for example if you’re sending a letter of reference or a cover letter with your resume. If you’re writing a business letter on behalf of your company, it’s a good idea to use company letterhead.

Your letter should be typed and printed on plain white paper. Depending on the circumstances—for example, if you’re sending a letter of reference or a cover letter with your resume —you might want to print on excellent resume paper. It’s a good idea to utilize company letterhead when sending a business letter on behalf of your company.

To begin, write your complete address in the upper left-hand corner, including your entire name, street address, city, state, and zip code. Learn how to write an address properly if you’re not comfortable with it.

Specify the date by skipping a line. Use the date you’re writing the letter.

Place the recipient’s entire address after skipping a line. The firm name, the recipient’s name and title, and the postal address must all be included in a professional letter. There’s no reason to mention the firm name or job position in an informal, personal letter.

To put the welcome, skip one more line. This is referred to as salutation. In a formal letter, you say “Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. Last Name:” After the greeting, formal letters require a colon, whereas informal ones demand a comma. It’s acceptable to use the recipient’s first name followed by a comma in an informal letter.

Start the letter by skipping a line. Separate your thoughts into paragraphs in the body of your letter. You should never write a large block of text in one sitting. Begin a new paragraph for each new collection of thoughts or ideas. Between paragraphs, leave a blank line.

To incorporate a complimentary close, skip one of your final lines. “Sincerely,” “Yours truly,” “Regards,” or something similar can be used as a closure. Whether the letter is official or casual, a comma should always follow the word or phrase you choose to close it.

Skip three lines (where your handwritten signature will be inserted) and input your entire name. On the next line of a formal letter, you should also add your job title.

Skip one more line and type “Enclosure” if you’re including any attachments with your letter. If there are multiple attachments, use parentheses to indicate how many there are, as in “Enclosures (4).”

Also Read: How to Write a Letter of Resignation

Here are the different types of letters:

• Chain letter
• Letters patent
• Audio letter
• Cover letter
• Recommendation Letter and the closely related employment reference letter
• Letter of credence
• Crossed letter
• Informal letter
• Poison pen letter
• Business letter
• Form letter
• Letter of intent
• Hybrid mail (semi-electronic delivery)
• Letter of thanks
• Dear John letter
• Love letter
• Letter of interest
• Cease and desist letter
• Complaint letter
• Query letter
• Letter of resignation
• Letter to the editor
• National Letter of Intent
• Open letter
• Letter of introduction
• Letter of marque

In this game, there are no hard and fast rules. You’ll want to employ a different letter-writing structure depending on who you’re writing to. The greatest choice is usually a casual discussion with a friend or close relative. Many different types of letters can be written for a close family or acquaintance. Here are a few examples:

• Handwritten letters
• Emailed letters
• Typed social media messages
• Cover letters
• Letters of intent
• Value proposition letters
• Business memorandum letters
• Promotion letters
• Reference letters
• Resignation letters
• Thank-you letters

Also Read: Reference Letter vs Letter of Recommendation

Let us have a look at some significant differences between formal and informal types of letters: 

Let us talk about the different types of Letter Writing in a broader spectrum of formal and informal letters. Let us check some of the types of letter writing other than formal and informal letters:

• Business Letter: This letter is written for business purposes and contains information like quotations, orders, claims, complaints, letters for collection, etc. These letters are extremely formal and follow a proper structure
• Official Letter: This letter is written to inform offices, branches, and subordinates. These are for official information like rules, regulations, events, procedures, etc
• Social Letter: A social letter is a personal letter written on the occasion of a special event. This includes invitations, congratulatory letters, condolence letters, etc
• Circular Letter: A circular letter announces information to a large number of people. The letter is circulated to a large group to share information on change of address, change in management, the retirement of a partner etc.
• Employment Letter: It is the type of letter that is written for the employment process like a joining letter, promotion letter, application letter, etc

Must Read: How to Write a Joining Letter?

Formal Letter Writing

While writing a formal letter, it is mandatory to stick to the format and follow a subtle and professional tone as these letters are written for official purposes and contain a professional issue to talk about. Following is a format of formal letter writing: 

• Sender’s Address : Mention the complete and accurate sender’s address in the top left section.
• Date: It is mandatory to put in the date just below the address.
• Reciever’s Address: The appropriate address of the receiver has to be mentioned in a similar order to the sender’s with the exact designation of the concerned person.
• Subject: The subject is a one-line summary of the issue that is mentioned in the letter. It should be written very briefly within one line.
• Greetings: Keeping in mind that it is a formal letter, the salutation must be formal and respectful. You can use Sir or Madam in this case. 
• Letter Body: It is the most important part of the letter. You can divide the content into two or three paragraphs as per the details. It should be formal and to the point.
• Signature: While closing the letter, you can use ‘Yours Faithfully’ and then mention your name at the end. 

Also Read: Formal Letter Format, Types, Samples, and Writing Tips

To clear all your letter-writing doubts, given below is a sample of how to craft an impeccable formal letter to the editor:  

Here is a sample Leave Letter for working professionals:

Also Read: Leave Application Format for Office, School & College

Exploring Letter Writing for English? Don’t forget to go through Message Writing: Examples, Format & Samples . 

Informal Letter Writing

As such, there is no strict format for writing an informal letter but it is advised to follow the usual pattern. As mentioned above, an informal letter is written to friends, relatives, classmates, etc. If you want to learn and score well in your English exam, here is a general pattern of informal letter writing that you can follow:

• Address : Begin the letter by writing your address on the left-hand side of the sheet. It is mandatory to mention the address so that the receiver can reply and it is written on the top left.
• Date: Immediately after the address, the date has to be written. It is compulsory to write and it should be in an expanded format.
• Salutation: Be it informal or formal letter writing, you should greet the person you are writing the letter to. For example, if you are writing a letter to your friend then, you can use ‘Dear Kaysha’ . 
• First Paragraph : Since it is the introductory paragraph, you can start by asking about their well-being in a lighter and casual tone.
• Second Paragraph: This is the main body where you can state your affairs. You can use a friendly tone for friends but if you are writing to an elderly relative, the tone should be polite and subtle.
• Third Paragraph: It is the last paragraph where you have to summarise the message you want to convey through the letter. Conclude it with a goodbye message followed by a short statement mentioning that you await the reply.
• Signature: While signing off, you can use a phrase like Best, Kindly, Lots of Love, etc.

Bonus:  

• List of Courses after 10th Standard
• The Need For Career Counseling After 10th

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Here is a sample for a letter to a friend:

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A well-written letter can ensure that you pass the right information to people. For every letter, the method changes. But there are a few things you must know about:

• You must identify the type of letter you are writing
• Ensure that the letter has a proper introduction and conclusion
• Establish the intent of the letter
• Be conscious of the language you use. It changes as per the type of letter you write
• The length of the letter should be optimal. Not too long for the reader to get bored or too short that you are unable to share the information itself

The most difficult portion is over once you’ve determined that the envelope is the correct type. Now all you have to do is mail it. (You can always deliver it yourself if it’s a personal letter.) Simply write the intended recipient’s name on the outside of the envelope in this scenario. Write your name and address in the top left-hand corner or use a mailing label. Carefully write the recipient’s address in the centre of the envelope. International letters should include the country for both the destination and return address, in addition to the state abbreviation and zip code. The cost of postage varies. For current pricing, see the USPS website, or use a forever stamp for US destinations. 

Make sure everything on the outside of the envelope is right. If that’s the case, fold your letter and neatly insert it inside. Seal it only after you’ve double-checked that you’ve included all of the pages you want to send. Isn’t it satisfying to send a letter that you know has been meticulously prepared? A well-written letter, without a doubt, has the best chance of succeeding.

Also, Read: How to Write a Motivation Letter for PhD Programs?

The abbreviation P.S. stands for postscript. It’s something you add after the letter is finished at the last minute. In most cases, postscripts aren’t used in formal letters; if you need to add something, you’ll have to rewrite the entire text to include the new information.

A first-class letter can only be 3.5 ounces in weight in the United States. If your letter is longer than three pages or is printed on thick paper, you’ll need to weigh it to ensure it fulfils the standards. The envelope’s size and shape are also important. It must be rectangular and less than 611 inches in length, or it will be returned to you by the post office.

You can check out the writing formats by clicking on additional topics below.

• Feature Writing
• Summary Writing
• Difference Between Precis and Summary
• Leave Application
• Message Writing
• Precis Writing
• Travel Writer
• Report Writing
• Script Writing 
• Article Writing

Isn’t it satisfying to send a nicely crafted letter? A well-written letter, without a doubt, has the best chance of succeeding. To ensure that your letter truly shines, it must be error-free and create the appropriate tone. Use any writing assistance to detect spelling and grammatical errors, and provide formatting tips and guidance to help you produce clear, easy-to-follow emails that keep your recipient’s attention. Write the perfect letter and stand out for your amazing choice of words and structure.

Related Articles

Ans. To start writing a letter, you will have to know who you are writing to and the reason behind the letter. With that in mind, you can start drafting your letter with the Sender’s address on the left-hand side of the paper at the beginning, followed by the date.

Ans. Formal Letters and Informal Letters are the two basic styles of letter writing. Informal letters are written for whatever you wish to tell your friends or family, whereas formal letters are prepared for official purposes.

Ans. A letter can be divided into six halves. The sender’s address and date, the receiver’s address and date, the salutation, the body of the letter, the complimentary close, and the signature are all included.

Ans. The five steps of writing a letter are – writing the name, contact information, and date, writing the receiver’s name and information, writing the greeting and main body of the letter, writing complimentary closure, your name, and signature, and sending the letter.

Ans. The three types of letters are formal letters, semi-formal letters, and informal letters.

Thus, letter writing is an art in which one can excel with sufficient practice. If you are clueless about how to proceed after class 12th, then take the assistance of the professionals at Leverage Edu who will not only guide you in choosing the right university but will also help in completing the admission-related formalities!

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Writing > How to write a resignation letter

How to write a resignation letter

You’ve spent the morning feverishly refreshing your inbox, eagerly anticipating the sound of a new email making its way to you. Today, your patience is rewarded when you receive an email from the company you interviewed with, and it’s filled with good news. Congratulations, you’ve landed the role you’ve been interviewing for! Before you jump straight into your freshly minted position, it’s important to leave your current job on good terms. To ensure a smooth transition into your new role, learn how to create a well-written resignation letter.

What is a resignation letter?

A resignation letter formally communicates your intent to leave your current position. Typically, resignation letters are submitted to your supervisor and HR department, and they convey essential details such as:

• A statement of intent to leave
• A reason for your departure
• Gratitude for the position
• Final day of employment

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Submitting a formal resignation doesn’t reflect badly on your current employer or colleagues; it is a professional step that’s part of the process of transitioning into a new position. It effectively communicates that you will be leaving, allowing employers to make necessary arrangements, initiate the recruitment process for your replacement, and properly send you off. Effectively communicating your departure can help you maintain a good relationship with your employer even after you leave. Furthermore, it’s important for record keeping. A resignation letter clearly establishes your final day, so both your current employer and new employer are aligned with your respective start and end dates.

What to include in a resignation letter

It’s important to include certain information in your resignation letter. A good format to follow for your template is the following:

• Supervisor’s name
• Company name
• City, state, zip code
• Formal resignation notice
• Closing salutation

Best practices for writing an effective resignation letter

Provide sufficient notice.

It’s considered common courtesy to notify your employers at least two weeks before your intended departure date. However, before you draft your letter, review your company’s resignation policy. Some companies may require a 30-day notice or have other resignation stipulations outlined within your contract.

Keep information about your departure brief

When writing your resignation letter, be deliberate in choosing what information to include regarding your reason for leaving. You can keep it concise and factual, such as mentioning that you’re moving, going back to school, or pursuing another opportunity. While you don’t need to divulge everything, providing a clear reason for your departure can help you leave on good terms.

Offer a transition plan

Leaving a position can be challenging for employers as they adjust to your departure. You can help your manager by offering a transition plan, which may involve delegating your tasks to other employers or providing training. Ensure that your files and projects are compiled, easily accessible, and comprehensible so others can complete your work when you leave.

Avoid negative comments or complaints

Even if dissatisfaction with your manager is your reason for leaving, it’s advisable to limit negative comments. Negative comments can be poorly received and may affect your future job prospects. It’s best to leave your work relationship on a positive note, especially if your manager may be contacted as a reference.

A resignation letter plays a crucial role in the job transition process. It should effectively communicate your departure while expressing gratitude for your employers and maintaining a positive relationship while you transition into a new role. For more assistance with crafting work-related documents, learn how to write a resume to recommendation letter .

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Student Opinion

To Whom Would You Write an Open Letter?

A politician or a celebrity? A leader of a company? A school administrator? Your mom? Use our questions below to brainstorm ideas for our contest.

By Katherine Schulten and Natalie Proulx

What’s bothering you? Who could do something about it? What could you say that would persuade that person to care or to make change?

And what if we all read your letter? How could you make us care, too?

These are some of the questions we’re asking you to ponder for our new Open Letter Contest . An open letter is a published letter of protest or appeal usually addressed to an individual, group or institution but intended for the general public. Think of the many “Dear Taylor Swift” open letters you can find online and on social media: Sure, they’re written to Ms. Swift, but they’re really a way for the writer to share opinions and feelings on feminism, or ticket sales, or the music industry, or … the list goes on.

We’re inviting you to do this, too. Write your own open letter, to anyone you like on any issue you care about, as long as it is also appropriate and meaningful for a general New York Times audience.

To whom should you write? What should you say?

Take a look at a few examples that have been published in The Times over the years. (In The Times, open letters often appear in the Opinion section since they are persuasive essays written in the form of letters, as you’ll see.)

For instance, sometimes an open letter is intended to call someone out publicly, like this one written to Mark Zuckerberg , the chief executive of Facebook (now Meta), by the screenwriter Aaron Sorkin in 2019. Here is how it begins:

Mark, In 2010, I wrote “The Social Network” and I know you wish I hadn’t. You protested that the film was inaccurate and that Hollywood didn’t understand that some people build things just for the sake of building them. (We do understand that — we do it every day.) I didn’t push back on your public accusation that the movie was a lie because I’d had my say in the theaters, but you and I both know that the screenplay was vetted to within an inch of its life by a team of studio lawyers with one client and one goal: Don’t get sued by Mark Zuckerberg. It was hard not to feel the irony while I was reading excerpts from your recent speech at Georgetown University, in which you defended — on free speech grounds — Facebook’s practice of posting demonstrably false ads from political candidates. I admire your deep belief in free speech. I get a lot of use out of the First Amendment. Most important, it’s a bedrock of our democracy and it needs to be kept strong. But this can’t possibly be the outcome you and I want, to have crazy lies pumped into the water supply that corrupt the most important decisions we make together. Lies that have a very real and incredibly dangerous effect on our elections and our lives and our children’s lives.

But an open letter doesn’t have to be written by someone famous to someone famous. In An Open Letter to the Woman Who Told My Family to Go Back to China (student version; here is the original ), the journalist Michael Luo addresses an anonymous woman on the street. It begins:

Dear Madam: Maybe I should have let it go. Turned the other cheek. We had just gotten out of church, and I was with my family and some friends on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. We were going to lunch, trying to see if there was room in the Korean restaurant down the street. You were in a rush. It was raining. Our stroller and a gaggle of Asians were in your way. But I was, honestly, stunned when you yelled at us from down the block, “Go back to China!”

Open letters can also honor and thank someone, and call attention to the continued importance of their work. In 2017, at the end of Barack Obama’s tenure as president, the rapper T.I. wrote him an open letter :

You entered humbly into our worlds from the streets of the South Side of Chicago and galvanized a generation. You resonated from the barbershops to the airwaves to the streets of every hood across America. Many of US did not know your name, nor did we truly understand the impact you would have on the world in the years, months and days that followed. As I reflect, I am filled with gratitude, outrage, grief, anger, humility and appreciation, both for the things you helped bring to light and the many things we still have yet to realize.

Or they can inspire and motivate, as the columnist Timothy Egan’s letter “ Dear Graduate ,” from 2009, does. Here’s an excerpt:

Eat a hot dog. With lots of mustard. The kind you can get for two dollars from street vendors just outside the ballpark, a trick I picked up from Ash Green, gentleman editor at Alfred A. Knopf. He passed this wisdom on before the recession. While we’re on the subject: Learn to cook, something they don’t teach at fancy-pants colleges. Millions for quantum physics and deconstructing Dostoevsky, nothing on how to make enchiladas for 20 people. At times, your life will have moments, days, even weeks of despair. Trust me: there is no bout of blues that a rich Bolognese sauce, filling every cubic inch of kitchen air, cannot cure. And that brings me to: Take risks. I don’t mean ski the double diamond runs, ask for a card in blackjack with 15 showing and the dealer holding a king, or hit a high note in a karaoke bar, while sober. That goes without saying.

Students, read the open letters above, and then tell us: To whom would you most like to write an open letter?

Here are some questions that can help you brainstorm which audience you might want to address:

Is there someone famous who has made you mad, or has intrigued or impressed you? Or someone to whom you’d like to offer your expertise, advice or opinion? Like a politician, an athlete, a leader of a corporation, an artist or an entertainer?

Is there a powerful person or institution that you’d like to call out publicly? Someone who you believe needs to be held accountable in some way? What have they done that you think others need to know about?

Is there a person or group you would like to inspire or motivate to take action? What is it that you want them to consider, reflect on or do?

Is there someone closer to home, like a parent, a friend, a teacher or a neighbor, you’d like to address? What would you say to this person that would be meaningful, important and appropriate for a general audience to hear?

Is there a person or group you would like to address because you want to honor or thank them or to reflect on their contribution to society, as T.I. did in his letter to Mr. Obama? What has this person or institution done, and what effect has it had on you and others? Why do you think it’s worth acknowledging publicly?

If no one person or group comes to mind, perhaps a cause or issue inspires you.

For a decade we ran an editorial contest , and the students who participated in it wrote passionately about all kinds of things: artificial intelligence , fast fashion , race , transgender rights , college admissions , parental incarceration , fan fiction , snow days , memes , being messy and so much more . You can still write about the issues and ideas that fire you up — but this time around you’ll be writing a letter to a person who has the power to bring change or understanding to that issue. Here are some questions that might help you brainstorm:

What causes or issues do you care about? Why are they important to you? What experiences do you have with them?

What would you like to see change? Why? How would that change be meaningful to you or to the communities you care about?

What do you wish more people understood? What is something you know a great deal about that you think others would benefit from understanding better?

Once you have a sense of your issue, ask yourself:

Who can make a change, big or small, local or global, to address this issue?

In the comments, tell us to whom you’d like to write an open letter, the reason you’re writing and why you think that issue is important not only for the recipient but also for a wider audience.

Then, if you’re so inspired, you can turn your comment into an open letter and submit it to our contest . Find out more about how to write your letter in our related guide .

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

Katherine Schulten has been a Learning Network editor since 2006. Before that, she spent 19 years in New York City public schools as an English teacher, school-newspaper adviser and literacy coach. More about Katherine Schulten

Natalie Proulx joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2017 after working as an English language arts teacher and curriculum writer. More about Natalie Proulx

How to Write a Retirement Letter in 2024

A retirement letter serves as an official declaration of your departure from a job, giving your employer ample time to find a replacement or allocate your duties elsewhere. This strategy ensures a smooth transition and minimum disruptions in the workflow. But what are the key components of a retirement letter? Let’s explore together how to craft an effective retirement letter that not only paves the way for a smooth transition but may also help create potential opportunities for post-retirement consulting.

If you need help planning for retirement, consider working with a financial advisor .

Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now .

What Is a Retirement Letter?

A retirement resignation letter is a vital piece of the retirement process, establishing formal communication between the retiring employee and the employer. Essentially, it’s an official notice from an employee, communicating their decision to retire from their current role within the organization.

The letter is a professional and respectful way of notifying the employer about the employee’s impending departure, enabling them to plan appropriately. As with any form of professional communication, it’s critical to ensure that the retirement letter is clear, concise, and adheres to the standard business letter format.

A retirement letter performs numerous functions. Primarily, it acts as a vital instrument for companies to plan and strategize for the future. With prior knowledge of an employee’s retirement, the company can commence the process of recruiting a new employee or reallocating tasks among its existing workforce.

The retirement letter also serves as a sign of respect toward the employer. Sending a formal retirement notice exhibits professionalism and courtesy, allowing the employer adequate time to transition.

A retirement letter can also present an opportunity for future consulting opportunities. The retiring employee can express their interest in contributing their expertise on a part-time or consulting basis post-retirement. It’s crucial to phrase such an offer tactfully, for instance, “I would be open to providing my expertise in a consulting role, should the need arise.” This may provide an avenue for continued professional engagement with the company even after retirement.

However, while drafting a retirement letter, it’s important to avoid certain common pitfalls. Ensure your letter is free from negative sentiments or criticisms about the company or colleagues. Also, avoid being overly casual or informal in your tone. Remember, even though it’s a letter of retirement, it’s still a formal piece of communication.

Why You Need a Retirement Letter

From both the employee’s and the employer’s perspectives, retirement letters play a significant role in workplace transitions, as they provide a tangible timeline for both parties to make necessary adjustments and plans. It’s a professional courtesy that benefits both the employee and the organization.

Here’s why you should submit a retirement letter to your employer when the time comes to call it a career:

• It’s your formal notice. A retirement letter serves as the official communication that you’ll be leaving your position due to retirement. Submitting a retirement letter well in advance also allows your company to manage this transition smoothly, ensuring that your responsibilities will be adequately covered and that the remaining staff are prepared for any changes.
• Gives your company enough time to plan. Without sufficient notice, a company may struggle to fill a sudden vacancy, which can lead to missed deadlines, increased workload for remaining staff and potential loss of business knowledge. A timely retirement letter helps the company plan for these changes, ensuring that the transition does not negatively impact the company’s operations or employee morale.
• Shows respect and professional courtesy. A well-written retirement letter can serve as a testament to your professional respect toward your employer. It is an expression of appreciation for the opportunities provided by the employer and a recognition of the positive impact the company has had on your career. Maintaining professionalism in your retirement letter can help keep doors open for future opportunities, such as consulting or part-time work.

How to Write a Retirement Letter

Before beginning your letter, take a moment to reflect on your career. What key experiences stand out? What have you learned? How have you grown professionally? Use this reflection to shape the content of your retirement letter.

Your letter should be seen as a valuable tool to communicate your intentions and set the stage for your departure. Therefore, it should include several key elements:

Provide the Date of Retirement

In the opening paragraph, make it clear that you are retiring. Use straightforward language to avoid any ambiguity and provide your intended retirement date. While you’ll typically want to give at least two weeks’ notice before leaving a job, the more time you can give your employer to prepare for your eventual retirement, the better.

Express Your Appreciation for Your Time at the Company

Before diving into the how-to, it’s important to note why expressing appreciation in your retirement letter is crucial. It not only shows your gratitude for the opportunities the company provided but also leaves a positive impression. To effectively articulate this, consider mentioning specific experiences that contributed to your professional growth. For example, you might say, “I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have been given and for the professional growth I have experienced during my tenure.”

Recap Your History on the Job

Providing a recap of your job history can serve as a reminder of your contributions to the company, thereby leaving a lasting legacy. Consider mentioning key projects you’ve worked on, roles you’ve held, or milestones you’ve achieved. This will not only highlight your achievements but also provide a sense of closure as you recap your journey at the company.

Offer to Assist in the Transition

Following the recap of your job history, it’s also important to help during the transition period. This respectful and professional gesture reflects positively on you. It shows your commitment to the company’s continuity and your willingness to ensure a smooth transition. You may offer to train your successor or to remain available for questions even after your official retirement date. This can go a long way towards maintaining good relationships with your employer and colleagues.

Explore Consulting Opportunities if You’re Interested

To maintain a connection with the company post-retirement, expressing your interest in possible consulting roles within your retirement letter can be beneficial. This could involve mentioning your openness to consulting opportunities or other ways you can continue to contribute to the team. For example, you could write, “I would be open to discussing potential consulting opportunities or other ways I can continue to contribute to the team after my retirement.”

Communicate Your Needs Before Retiring

Lastly, it’s crucial to communicate any pre-retirement needs in your retirement letter. This may include discussions about pension or retirement benefits, final paycheck or the return of company property. Providing examples of these needs and detailing how to communicate them professionally in your retirement letter ensures that there are no unresolved issues or misunderstandings, paving the way for a smooth transition into retirement.

Provide Your Contact Information

It’s important to ensure that your employer has your current contact information, as well as a way to get in touch with you if you plan to move in retirement.

Example of a Retirement Letter

Let’s put this into practice with a real-world example. Here’s a well-written example of a retirement letter that includes all the necessary elements discussed in the previous sections. The following retirement letter is professionally formatted, cordial, direct and expresses gratitude toward the employer:

123 Main Street

Los Angeles, CA 90001

[email protected]

123-456-7890

XYZ Marketing

456 Main Street

After careful consideration and reflection on my career, I have decided that it is time for me to retire from my position at XYZ Marketing. With this letter, I am providing my formal notice of retirement, with my last day of work proposed to be March 1, 2024.

This decision has not been an easy one, as my time at XYZ Marketing has been an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling chapter in my life. I want to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation for the support, mentorship and guidance I have received throughout my tenure here. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated colleagues, and I am grateful for the invaluable experiences and opportunities this organization has provided me.

As I prepare for retirement, I want to assure you that I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition. I am more than willing to assist in any way possible during this period to ensure the continuity of projects and responsibilities. Whether it involves training a successor or providing insights from my experience, I am here to help make this transition as seamless as possible. I am also open to potentially consulting for the company in retirement.

For any matters that may require my attention after my retirement date, please feel free to contact me via email at [email protected] or by phone at 123-456-7890.

I want to thank you once again for the incredible journey I’ve had at XYZ Marketing and for the unwavering support of the entire team. I am proud of the accomplishments we’ve achieved together, and I have every confidence that this organization will continue to thrive in the future.

I look forward to staying in touch and witnessing the continued success of XYZ Marketing from the sidelines.

Bottom Line

A retirement letter is a crucial part of a smooth and professional career transition. It not only serves as an official notice of departure, giving the company time to find a suitable replacement, but also lays the foundation for maintaining a positive relationship with your former employer.

Retirement Planning Tips

• Retiring with confidence requires knowing that you’ll be able to generate enough income to cover your living expenses and support your lifestyle. SmartAsset’s retirement calculator can help you determine how much you’ll need to save before you’re able to retire and whether you’re on track to hit that savings target.  
• A financial advisor can help you save and plan for retirement. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now .

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