Executive retirements at The Buckle (NYSE: BKE) include cash and COBRA payment

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

The Buckle, Inc. reported that two long-tenured leaders, Executive Vice President of Stores Kari G. Smith and Senior Vice President of Sales Michelle M. Hoffman, retired from their roles effective February 13, 2026. Their retirements were previously announced in a January 23, 2026 press release.

After their last day, each executive signed a Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims. The agreements provide a one-time cash payment equal to 26 weeks of base salary, based on amounts disclosed in the 2025 proxy statement, plus a separate $20,000 cash payment in lieu of COBRA health coverage reimbursement.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

February 16, 2026

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)

 THE BUCKLE, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Nebraska			001-12951			47-0366193
(State or other jurisdiction of			(Commission			(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)			File Number)			Identification No.)

2407 West 24th Street,

Kearney,

Nebraska

68845-4915

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (308) 236-8491

__________________________________________________________

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class			Trading Symbol(s)			Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value			BKE			New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).            

                                     Emerging growth company      o 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

ITEM 5.02.     Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On January 23, 2026, The Buckle, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing that Kari G. Smith and Michelle M. Hoffman would retire from their respective positions as Executive Vice President of Stores and Senior Vice President of Sales effective February 13, 2026. Following their last day of employment with the Company, Ms. Hoffman and Ms. Smith executed and delivered a Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims (together, the "Agreements") on February 16 and February 18, 2026, respectively. In addition to customary provisions, the Agreements provide each with (i) a one-time cash payment equivalent to twenty-six weeks of pay of their most recent annual salary as previously disclosed in the Company’s 2025 Proxy Statement filed April 23, 2025; and (ii) a one-time cash payment of $20,000 in lieu of reimbursement for continuation of healthcare coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (COBRA).

ITEM 9.01(d).     Exhibits

Exhibit 104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			The Buckle, Inc.
Date: February 20, 2026			By: /s/  THOMAS B. HEACOCK
			Name: Thomas B. Heacock
			Title: Senior Vice President of Finance,
			Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

FAQ

What executive changes did The Buckle (BKE) disclose in this 8-K?

The Buckle disclosed that Executive Vice President of Stores Kari G. Smith and Senior Vice President of Sales Michelle M. Hoffman retired effective February 13, 2026. Their retirements were previously announced in a January 23, 2026 press release.

What severance payments will Kari G. Smith and Michelle M. Hoffman receive from The Buckle (BKE)?

Each executive will receive a one-time cash payment equal to 26 weeks of pay based on their most recent annual salary disclosed in The Buckle’s 2025 proxy statement. This payment is provided under their signed Separation Agreements.

How is The Buckle (BKE) handling healthcare coverage for the retiring executives?

Instead of reimbursing COBRA premiums, The Buckle will pay each executive a one-time cash amount of $20,000. This payment is described as being in lieu of reimbursement for continuation of healthcare coverage under COBRA.

When did The Buckle’s retiring executives sign their separation agreements?

After their February 13, 2026 retirement date, Michelle M. Hoffman signed her Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims on February 16, 2026, and Kari G. Smith signed her agreement on February 18, 2026.

What type of document did The Buckle (BKE) file to report these executive retirements?

The Buckle filed a Form 8-K under Item 5.02, which covers departures of directors or certain officers, elections of directors, appointments of certain officers, and compensatory arrangements for departing officers such as the disclosed separation payments.

Who signed the The Buckle (BKE) report related to these executive retirements?

The report was signed on behalf of The Buckle by Thomas B. Heacock, who is identified as Senior Vice President of Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer, confirming the company’s authorization of the disclosure.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 2.1 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 21.9 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 12.8 KB