Keep It, Shred It, or Toss It? A Guide to Financial Paperwork

Keep: Important documents

Some documents deserve a permanent or long-term spot in your files. These may include birth certificates, Social Security cards, marriage certificates, property records and other important legal documents. Keep them in a secure location where you can access them when needed.

Tax records should also be kept for the appropriate amount of time. Since retention periods can vary, check current IRS guidance before disposing of tax-related paperwork.

Shred: Documents with sensitive information

If a document contains personal or financial information, shredding is generally a safer choice than simply tossing it in the trash.

Consider shredding documents you no longer need that contain:

• Social Security numbers
• Bank or credit union account numbers
• Credit or debit card information
• Signatures
• Medical or insurance information
• Other personal identifying information

Old statements, expired identification cards, pre-approved credit offers and similar documents are good candidates for shredding once you’re sure you no longer need them.

Toss or Recycle: Non-sensitive paperwork

Papers that don’t contain personal, financial or confidential information can typically be recycled or thrown away according to your community’s guidelines. Before you toss, take a quick look for account numbers or other sensitive details.

Make document cleanup part of your fall routine

Fall is a great time to clear out paperwork you no longer need. Start with one drawer or stack and sort everything into three categories: keep, shred and recycle.

If your shred pile starts growing, hang on to it! Our Fall Shred Days are coming up in October, giving you an opportunity to securely dispose of eligible sensitive documents.

A little organization now can clear the clutter, help protect your information and make it easier to find the documents that matter.

Ready to protect your information? See below when your location's shred day is!