RETIREMENT HERE WE COME!!!!

[bucketfoot-al]

February 17, 2026. This morning I went to the Social Security Office with my passport and other assorted documents ... proved my citizenship and age ... and filed - for my Retirement Benefits after 41 years in the work force ... we will continue working part time the rest of this year, possibly into the first half of '27, though that does not depend on us but on whether Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac delay implementing the (ridiculously unworkable) new real estate appraising software format that is slated for implementation in November.

I walked out of the SS Office not thinking anything about what I had just done, but as I made my rounds to the bank and Walmart for Missy ... I realized I was ... feeling positively giddy ... like chains of stress had been lifted from my shoulders ... the Sun seemed to shine just a little brighter ... Carpe Diem!!!!

[barad_dur]

Congrats !!

[bucketfoot-al]

Congrats !!

THANK YOU JOE!!!!!!!!!

[Stormheart]

Congratulations, and here's to a long, enjoyable retirement.

[bucketfoot-al]

Congratulations, and here's to a long, enjoyable retirement.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

[overspray]

Congrats! My only regret about retirement is that I didn't do it sooner. To steal a phrase from the movie Fury, "Best Job I Ever Had".

[bucketfoot-al]

Congrats! My only regret about retirement is that I didn't do it sooner. To steal a phrase from the movie Fury, "Best Job I Ever Had".

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! (Whoever said that wasn't kidding!!!)

[SaturnLtd]

Good for you Vlad! I set myself up so I could retire @ 62, best decision I ever made! I've worked a PT job just a couple of days a week & more than made up the difference by retiring early. On April 1st, I officially reach FRA, so after that, I can work as much as I want & not affect my SS benefit.

[bucketfoot-al]

Good for you Vlad! I set myself up so I could retire @ 62, best decision I ever made! I've worked a PT job just a couple of days a week & more than made up the difference by retiring early. On April 1st, I officially reach FRA, so after that, I can work as much as I want & not affect my SS benefit.

Thank you Vince! For the past year the job has been getting more and more stressful ... it was TIME!

Looking forward to modeling in EARNEST at last!

[derekc62]

Congrats Vlad.

I accepted a package from my employer two years ago, a week after I turned 62.

I had planned to retire that year anyway so the package was like winning the lottery.

Coincidentally, my financial advisor called me today and I told him I'm just now considering collecting my government pensions (we get two here in Canada) and starting to draw down on some of my retirement savings.

I'm far too busy these days to considering working

[bucketfoot-al]

Congrats Vlad.

I accepted a package from my employer two years ago, a week after I turned 62.

I had planned to retire that year anyway so the package was like winning the lottery.

Coincidentally, my financial advisor called me today and I told him I'm just now considering collecting my government pensions (we get two here in Canada) and starting to draw down on some of my retirement savings.

I'm far to busy these days to considering working

Thanks Derek! Glad to hear that you planned it out - and got that "Bonus" at the end. I'm hoping to be in your situation soon. About a year or less to go, albeit at a reduced pace.

[tay666]

Congrats!

[bucketfoot-al]

Congrats!

Thanks Trevor! Can't tell you how much I am looking forward to having a LOT more time for modeling, not to mention for having fun with the Missus, etc, etc. Right now we have a date on Feb 28 to get together with Bill Monster and Kathy Jones for their Kilowatts show in Wimberley, TX, about an hour North of us!

[Squidy53]

Yes, congratulations Vlad. Continue to take care of yourself so you have a long, healthy retirement. Now you can get to all those home improvement jobs. Yay!

[bucketfoot-al]

Yes, congratulations Vlad. Continue to take care of yourself so you have a long, healthy retirement. Now you can get to all those home improvement jobs. Yay!

Thank you Steve! Am positively SALIVATING to "get at it". I plan to bring y'all LOTS of interesting (and funny) content for the CH in the upcoming months!

[Squidy53]

Thank you Steve! Am positively SALIVATING to "get at it". I plan to bring y'all LOTS of interesting (and funny) content for the CH in the upcoming months!

That's great! Time to dial down all that stress. I look forward to what seeing what you've got planned! "Fun with the Missus" eh? Yes, it's certainly one of the perks of retirement. Enjoy catching up with Bill and Kathy -- sounds like a lot of fun.

Derek's right about retirement. Once you're into it you'll wonder how you ever found time to work.

As to model making, maybe we could talk about the unbuilt Darga rex and trike we both have...

[bucketfoot-al]

Would thoroughly enjoy that Steve.

I built my first Darga Rex v Trike exactly 20 years ago, and it has a prominent display spot on our armoire at our Croatia summer home. While I am quite happy with how it turned out, given my skill level at that time, I would not embark on a redo without some major changes, ie resculpting of both..

That would be a endeavor on the scale of my current Sauroposeidon bash. So it's not in the immediate future, but a definite possibility, as I really enjoyed building those first two kits.

[scuzzfink85]

Here you go Barney Gold Pin.. It says your not there yet.. Not a fossil either..

[bucketfoot-al]

Here you go Barney Gold Pin.. It says your not there yet.. Not a fossil either..

Gee, thanks Scuzz ... I think ...