Rutherford, 31, became the first British athlete to hold all available outdoor titles - national, continental (European), Commonwealth, Diamond League, world and Olympic - in 2015 and is the country's record holder in long jump with 8.51 metres.
He was part of the fabled 'Super Saturday' at the London 2012 Olympics when he won gold on Britain's most successful day at the Games in 104 years. However, in recent years he has struggled with injury.
"I'm incredibly proud of my career. I've achieved so much but retirement comes early to those of us for whom sport is a livelihood...," Rutherford said in a statement on Instagram.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"I'm going to go for the European Championships one final time. And then I'll also be jumping in Birmingham and London for the Diamond Leagues."
Rutherford goes into August's European athletics championships in Berlin looking for a third successive continental long jump title, a feat never before achieved in the competition.
(Reporting by Christian Radnedge; Editing by Toby Davis)
