7 Thoughtful Retirement Gifts
November 16, 2023
Here are 7 thoughtful retirement gifts to show your appreciation and convey your best wishes.
Retirement is a significant milestone in a person's life; filled with newfound freedom and opportunities. Whether it's a coworker, friend or family member who is embarking on this journey, it's a special time for recognition and celebration.
Personalized Keepsakes
A personalized keepsake is a beautiful way to commemorate the retiree's career and the memories they've made along the way. Consider items like engraved plaques, customized photo albums or a shadow box filled with mementos from their time in the workplace. These gifts not only remind the retiree of their professional achievements but also help them cherish the moments that defined their career.
Travel Vouchers or Experiences
Retirement often opens the door to travel and exploration. Gifting a travel voucher or a travel experience is a great way to encourage the retiree to embark on new adventures. Whether it's a weekend getaway, staycation or a guided tour to a destination, such a gift can ignite their passion for discovering the world.
Tip: An airline gift card is also a fun idea! This allows the recipient to choose their own travel destination and schedule.
Spa or Wellness
After years of hard work, many retirees look forward to relaxation and selfcare. A spa or wellness package can be a thoughtful way to pamper the retiree and provide them with the opportunity to unwind, rejuvenate and destress. Ideas include spa treatments, a yoga retreat or a wellness weekend.
Subscription Services
Subscription services make practical and enjoyable retirement gifts. Whether it's a streaming service, grocery delivery, a book club membership or a monthly wine or gourmet food subscription, subscription gifts allow the retiree to indulge in their favorite pastimes. Plus, they offer a year-round reminder of your appreciation.
A Retirement Journal
A retirement journal is a unique and sentimental gift that encourages the retiree to document their thoughts, feelings and experiences as they transition into this new phase of life. It provides a platform for self-reflection and a way to capture the memories and adventures that lie ahead.
Hobby-Related Gifts
Retirement is the perfect time to explore and indulge in hobbies and interests. If you know the retiree's passions, consider gifting those items related to their favorite activities. Whether it's gardening tools, painting supplies, golf equipment or a musical instrument, these gifts can spark their creativity and keep them engaged during their leisure time.
A Charitable Donation
For the retiree who values giving back, a charitable donation in their name can be a meaningful retirement gift. Choose a cause or organization that resonates with their values and donate on their behalf. This gift not only honors their commitment to making a difference but also allows them to leave a lasting impact.
Memory Scrapbook
Create a memory scrapbook filled with photographs, notes and well-wishes from colleagues, friends and family. This personalized and heartfelt gift will be a cherished keepsake that the retiree can flip through whenever they want to relive the moments and connections that defined their career.
Retirement is a time of reflection and new beginnings, and thoughtful retirement gifts can express your gratitude and celebrate this important life transition. Whether you choose a personalized keepsake, an opportunity for relaxation and travel or a gift that aligns with the retiree's interests and passions, the most important thing is to convey your heartfelt wishes for their well-deserved retirement. In doing so, you'll help them embark on this new chapter with a sense of purpose, appreciation and excitement for the future!
When it comes to planning for the future, there are few things more meaningful than knowing your legacy will make a lasting impact. At GBU, we’re proud to offer members the tools and resources needed to protect what matters most while also providing meaningful ways to give back.
Since December 2024, donors have contributed an impressive $1,443,000 to
the GBU Foundation, establishing new scholarship, educational grant and
donor-advised charitable funds. These gifts help to shape a brighter future for
students, communities and charitable causes across the country.
Legacy giving, also known as planned giving, is a meaningful way to leave behind an impact on the causes and organizations you care about. By incorporating life insurance and annuities into your estate planning, you can maximize the benefits of your legacy gifts, ensuring they are both impactful and tax efficient.
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
GBU members between the ages of three and nine years old can enter their colored page in this year's contest, which is themed Pawprints on My Heart. Three age categories will be judged as follows: Category I: Ages three and four Category II: Ages five and six Category III: Ages seven, eight and nine Entrants may use crayons, colored pencils, markers or watercolor paints. Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The picture on the next page can be reproduced, or copies can be obtained by calling the Community Engagement Team at the GBU Home Office (800-765-4428) or by printing the image above. Cash Prizes for Each Category First prize: $75 Second prize: $50 Third prize: $30 How to Enter Send the three- to nine-year-old GBU member's coloring contest entry with their name and address on the colored page to: GBU Life ATTN: Member Benefits 4254 Saw Mill Run Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3394. Or email contest@gbu.org with "Coloring Contest Entry” as the subject line. General Information Judges reserve the right to accept or reject any or all entries. Their decisions will be final. Artwork will be handled at the GBU Home Office with the utmost care. GBU reserves the right to reproduce entries for whatever use it wishes, provided proper credit is given. Permission does not include the sale of such work.
GBU has designated four Community Pillars - Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support - which are a concentrated list of causes that resonate with our values.
Looking for new spots to explore this winter? Check out these three must-visit places for your next adventure.
Details and deadlines surrounding the GBU Foundation scholarship and grants for 2025.
Looking to try some new recipes this winter?
We've found some tips to keep up your sleeve this winter.