A surgical stapler includes an anvil assembly including an anvil head assembly pivotally secured to an anvil center rod. The anvil head assembly includes a housing having a post and a cut ring assembly supported about the post and movable between retracted and advanced positions. A cut ring retainer is positioned about the post and movable between a retracted position in which the cut ring retainer retains the cut ring assembly in its retracted position and an advanced position to permit movement of the cut ring assembly to its advanced position. In its retracted position, the cut ring retainer can be received in a retainer slot formed about the post. The cut ring retainer can be ring shaped and/or formed of a resilient material to facilitate movement of the cut ring retainer into and out of the retainer slot.