Maintaining accurate and organized records is crucial for various aspects of life, including managing finances and navigating legal matters. Social Security statements are particularly important documents that provide a detailed history of your earnings and contributions to the Social Security system. Understanding how long to keep these statements is essential for ensuring their availability when needed.
Recommended Retention Period
Experts recommend keeping Social Security statements indefinitely. These documents serve as valuable records of your financial history and can be useful in various situations, such as:
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Retirement planning: Statements provide a comprehensive overview of your earnings and estimated benefits, helping you make informed decisions about your retirement.
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Disability claims: In the event of a disability, your Social Security statements can support your claim for benefits.
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Estate planning: Statements can assist in determining the value of your Social Security benefits and planning for their distribution after your passing.
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Legal proceedings: Social Security statements may be required as evidence in legal disputes or other proceedings.
Additional Considerations
While keeping Social Security statements indefinitely is generally advisable, there are a few additional factors to consider:
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Digital storage: Consider scanning and storing your statements digitally for easy access and protection against loss or damage.
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Multiple copies: Make multiple copies of your statements and store them in different locations for added security.
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Safekeeping: Keep your statements in a safe and secure location, such as a fireproof safe or a bank safe deposit box.
Other Important Documents to Keep
In addition to Social Security statements, it’s equally important to retain other essential documents, including:
- Birth and death certificates
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
- Military discharge papers
- Insurance policies
- Investment and retirement account statements
- Tax returns
Keeping Social Security statements indefinitely is a prudent practice that ensures their availability for various purposes throughout your life. By following these recommendations and considering additional factors such as digital storage, multiple copies, and safekeeping, you can maintain organized and accessible records that will serve you well in the future.
You Can’t Trust Your Social Security Statement
FAQ
How long do you have to keep SS records?
What financial records should be kept for 7 years?
How long should I keep tax records and bank statements?
Do you have to keep receipts for Social Security?
How long do you need to keep Social Security records?
Retirement/ savings plan statements, Credit card records and bills are records that should be kept for at least a year. Keep quarterly retirement/ savings statements until you receive your annual summary. How far back does Social Security audit?
How many benefits are on a social security statement?
• Multiple benefits. Your Social Security Statement doesn’t just list what your benefit will be at age 62, full retirement age and age 70. Rather, multiple benefits are projected on a Social Security statement, including disability benefits and those benefits that might be available to workers and their family and survivors, says Cechanowicz.
When do I receive my social security statement?
It is useful for people of all ages who want to learn about their future Social Security benefits and current earnings history. For workers age 60 and older who do not have a my Social Security account, we currently mail Social Security Statements three months prior to your birthday.
How long should you keep retirement statements?
Knowing that, a good rule of thumb is to save any document that verifies information on your tax return —including Forms W-2 and 1099, bank and brokerage statements, tuition payments and charitable donation receipts—for three to seven years. How long do you keep retirement statements?