Storing Your Records


What to Keep, Where to Store, and When to Shred?
Below is a list of what you need to keep, where we recommend you keep it and when you can discard it. keeping these records stored safely, where you and others can find them, can save you time and greatly increases the likelihood that they will not get lost.
 
Tax & Investments Documents Store in: Shred after: Copies to:
Annuity Contracts Locked filing cabinet annuity paid out  
Bank statements & canceled checks Locked filing cabinet 7 years  
Credit card statements Locked filing cabinet 7 years Financial Advisor
Form 8606 Locked filing cabinet 7 years after IRA is liquidated Financial Advisor
Home purchase/improvements* Locked filing cabinet 10 years after home is sold  
Investments account statements Locked filing cabinet 7 years after investments are sold  
Loan agreements Locked filing cabinet 10 years after repaid  
Pension plan documents Locked filing cabinet Never discard Financial Advisor
Real estate purchase/improvements Locked filing cabinet 10 years after sold  
Stock/bond certificates Fire & burglar resistant safe N/A - Surrender upon sale  
Tax return/supporting documents Locked filing cabinet 7 years after filing date  
Originals You Sometimes Need Store In: Shred after: Copies to:
Adoption papers Bank safety deposit box Never discard Executor, Lawyer
Birth certificate Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard  
Cemetery deed Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard Heir
Citizenship papers Bank safety deposit box Never discard Executor
Death records Locked filing cabinet Never discard Executor
Diplomas Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard  
Divorce decree Bank safety deposit box Never discard Lawyer
Guardianship arrangements Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard Executor, Guardian
Health/immunization records Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard Doctor
Household inventory with photos Bank safety deposit box Never discard Insurance Agent
Lawsuits Bank safety deposit box Never discard Lawyer
Marriage certificates Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard Executor
Medical directive Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard Doctor, Heir
Military discharge Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard  
Naturalization certification Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard  
Passports Fire & burglar resistant safe Replaced  
Power of Attorney Fire & burglar resistant safe New one signed Attorney-In-Fact
Real Estate deeds Fire & burglar resistant safe 10 years after sold  
Retirement plan benefits Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard Financial Advisor
Social Security card Fire & burglar resistant safe Never discard  
Trusts Fire & burglar resistant safe New one signed Executor, Heir
Vehicle titles/warranties Fire & burglar resistant safe Vehicle is sold  
Veteran's papers Bank safety deposit box Never discard  
Wills Fire & burglar resistant safe New one signed Executor, Heir
Other Documents Store in: Shred after: Copies to:
College financial aid Locked filing cabinet 10 years after repaid  
Employment contract Fire & burglar resistant safe Change jobs  
Insurance policies/invoices Locked filing cabinet 1 year after termination Agent
Letter of last instructions Fire & burglar resistant safe After writing a new one Executor
Loan statements Locked filing cabinet 10 years after repaid  
Passwords Fire & burglar resistant safe Change password  
Property tax assessment Locked filing cabinet New one arrives  
Receipts (items under warranty) Locked filing cabinet Warranty expires  
Receipts (expensive items) Fire & burglar resistant safe Item sold or donated  
Social Security statement Locked filing cabinet New one arrives Financial Advisor
Vehicle registration Locked filing cabinet New one arrives  
Warranties (with stapled receipts) Locked filing cabinet Dispose of item