A retaining key for a turbine nozzle includes a key body having top and bottom surfaces, a pair of sides and a pair of ends including a forward end having a pair of horizontal shoulders on opposite sides of a center rib, the shoulders located substantially midway between the top and bottom surfaces such that the forward end has a substantially inverted T-shaped profile, and a rearward end having a first surface portion extending from and substantially perpendicular to the top surface and a second surface portion extending at an acute angle downwardly and toward the forward end and intersecting the bottom surface.