[Your letterhead, if desired; if not, your return address]

[Date of letter-month, day, and year]

[Recipient's first and last names]
[Company name]
[Street or P.O. box address]
[City, State ZIP code]

Dear [recipient's name]:

I am writing to you today to formally announce my retirement from my position as sales manager, effective May 15, 2010. It has been a pleasure to work for you and for Johnson Technologies for the past 12 years. Although I will, of course, enjoy my retirement, I am at the same time sad to think that I will not be able to pursue new goals along with you and the rest of our team. I look forward to talking with you soon about me transitioning from my sales position to my retirement, including action items for assuring that all goes smoothly for the company during this time of change.

Of course, we will stay in close touch in the future. Thank you again for the opportunities you and the company have provided to me. I wish you all the best in success and happiness.

Sincerely,

 

[Signature]

[Sender's first and last names]