• Keep forever -

  • Legal Papers. These would be birth and death certificates. Marriage licenses, divorce papers, Social Security cards and military discharge papers
  • Benefit/Plan Documents. Pension Plan, year end 401K and IRA Statements. Substitute to keeping the hard copy is if you have access online to historical information regarding your accounts.
  • Estate Planning. Wills, Trusts, powers of attorney and any health care directives
  • Life Insurance Policies. Current
  • Home Expenses. Closing documents for mortgages, maintenance and any home improvement records for any home you own for possible tax savings when you sell

  Keep for a short time -

  • Tax Returns. Three years and then throw away the supporting documents only
  • Agreements. Contracts, warranties, and any and all loan paperwork on current, active loans
  • Investments. Year end statement of purchase dates, sales dates and sale price of stocks
  • Credit Card Receipts
  • Paystubs
  • Insurance Policies

  Go Now -

  • Monthly Bills
  • ATM Receipts
  • Deposit and Withdrawal Slips

  Some of the above could also go if you have online access to the same documents.