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Senior Retirement Tips :: Retirement Plaques
Retirement Plaques: When it Comes to Retirement Gifts, Plaques are Out
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Gone are the days when long-serving employees looked forward to getting their retirement plaques and handshakes and getting out. Today, people want a retirement gift that's practical, usable and represents their decades of service.
So, get out of the rut of handing out boring, old retirement plaques and serving trays. Instead, choose gifts that will not only be memorable, but will be used for years to come. For some great retirement gift ideas, keep reading.
The Classic Watch
Admittedly, the classic retirement watch isn't the most creative idea, but it is a gift that you know your employee will use. By giving a long-serving employee a high-quality watch, you're giving them a great thank-you gift for their years of loyal service.
Remember, when giving a watch as a retirement gift, it's critical that you don't choose an inexpensive watch. Nothing says lack of gratitude like a watch that stops ticking after a few weeks.
An Experience
Instead of loading up potentially mobile retirees with gifts and presents that will only clutter their lives, more and more employers are opting for the "experience gift."
An Alaskan cruise, a weekend spent learning how to drive a racecar, an all-inclusive vacation down south, a week touring the foothills of Italy, a night out at an incredible restaurant, a weekend spa retreat, a series of flight lessons - these are all great retirement gifts for the retiree on the go.
A Golf Club Membership
A one-year membership at a local golf club can be a great gift for the retiree who loves to golf - it gives them a place to play that first year away from work and it shows that you care about their personal interests outside of work.
Gifts to Avoid
As you search for a retirement present, remember that there are a few gifts that should be avoided at all costs. These include anything and everything that is branded with the company logo. They may love working for you, but staring at a wall clock emblazoned with their work logo isn't everyone's idea of an ideal retirement present.
Next, avoid anything that's work related. This includes ink blotters, desk clocks, pen sets or anything else that focuses on the office and the work done there. This is about the future of retirement, not holding on to the past.
Finally, avoid gifts that are too expensive without talking to the employee first. The IRS has strict rules on what can be "gifted" to an employee and what counts as a taxable bonus. The last thing you want is for those retirement plaques to be taxed.
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SeniorRetireTips.com :: Retirement Plaques