How to Decide What Papers to Keep and What to Dispose Of
Keeping track of important documents is crucial, but holding onto every piece of paper can quickly become overwhelming. Use this guide to help you decide what to keep and what to safely dispose of.
Documents You Should Always Keep:
Birth Certificates
Social Security Cards
Passports
Marriage Certificates and Divorce Decrees
Wills and Living Wills
Powers of Attorney
Property Deeds and Titles
Loan Documents (until paid off)
Insurance Policies (current)
Tax Returns (at least 7 years)
Medical Records and Immunization Records
Retirement and Pension Documents
Documents to Keep for a Limited Time:
Bank Statements (Keep for 1 year unless needed for tax purposes)
Credit Card Statements (Keep for 1 year unless disputing a charge)
Utility Bills (Keep for 1 year if needed for proof of residence)
Pay Stubs (Keep until you reconcile with your W-2)
Home Improvement Receipts (Keep for as long as you own the home for tax purposes)
Documents You Can Shred Right Away:
Junk Mail (especially pre-approved credit offers)
Expired Warranties
Old Magazines and Catalogs
Duplicate Copies of Documents
Old Bank and Credit Card Offers
Helpful Tips:
When in doubt, scan important documents and save a digital backup.
Shred any document that contains personal information (name, address, account numbers, social security number, etc.) to protect yourself from identity theft.
Regularly review and clean out your files to stay organized and avoid clutter.
Need to shred securely? Check out our Free Shredding Events page for upcoming opportunities on Long Island or consider getting a shredder like this one for safe at-home disposal.
Staying on top of your paperwork doesn't have to be overwhelming. Use this guide as a simple starting point to manage your documents with confidence!
