I know retirement is nearly upon us (July 1st I think) and I was just wondering if special objects (lanterns, hammers and such) are effected by retirement?

Yes, special objects are retired with their respective sets.

edit: from the comprehensive tournament rules:
2.2 Modern Age Rules: Modern Age events restrict the player’s force to being made up of only characters and possibly objects and/or resources. All characters and resources must be from the Modern Age sets (listed above) and objects must either be standard objects or special objects from the Modern Age sets. Alternate Team Ability cards are permitted in Modern Age events regardless of the set they were originally printed. Between the event format (see below) and special rules (established in the event description), other rules may be applied to the force construction.

Thank you very much mithmyrr

I think the shield disruptor and meteorite would still be on a lot of modern age teams if this wasn't the case.

Generator and Dumpster too.