A Checklist Of Financial / Personal Record Information
The key to developing a realistic, workable financial plan is starting with complete and accurate information. The checklist below will help you gather and organize the information you need. This information also will be of great value to those who may need to assist you or your family at some future point in time. Core records should include the following:
- Your full legal name
- Social Security number and most recent earnings record / statement
- Address of record (and previous addresses)
- Names and contact information for family members (spouse, children, parents,siblings and significant others (location of death certificates if deceased)
- Names and contact information for other relatives, close friends, physicians, lawyers, accountants and financial advisors
- Medical records (history, medication schedule, allergies, vaccinations, etc.)
- Income sources (Social Security, pension funds, brokerage accounts, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), annuities, rents and royalties, etc., and information on how and when payments are received)
- List of account numbers, contact information, payment schedule and method for creditors and service providers (mortgage, utilities, personal loans, credit cards)
- Information related to any recurring payments that are automatically charged to a credit card or debited from a savings or checking account
- Insurance information (Medicare / health, life and property / casualty policies, policy numbers, premium payment amounts and due dates, and agent / firm contact information)
- Savings and investment information (bank, credit union, brokerage firm, mutual fund, pension, employee savings plan, insurance policy and annuity account statements)
- Location of safe deposit boxes and keys (including list of individuals with access authorization), computer / web site user names and passwords, lock / safe combinations and keys, and identification of all other keys and access / alarm codes and controls
- Copy of most recent federal and state income tax returns and property tax records
- Official certificates (birth, marriage, divorce, immigration / citizenship, passport)
- Legal documents (will, living will, trust, powers of attorney)
- Location of personal items and instructions for disposition (keepsakes, jewelry, family treasures)
- Licenses (drivers, professional / occupational, pilots, etc.)
- Titles (land, vehicles, etc.)
- Education records (certificates, diplomas, transcripts)
- Military records (Form DD-214 / separation form, award and decoration orders, verification of service-related disabilities)
- List of employers and dates of employment
- Religious affiliation (name of local religious organization; contact information)
- Memberships in civic, professional or fraternal organizations
- Funeral-related requests, preferences, or pre-arrangements
Keep these records in a secure place and make sure that a trusted family member or legal representative knows the exact location of your records file and has access to it. Periodically check to be certain all of the information is current. Having this information organized will make it easier for you to access the facts you need to help you make intelligent decisions today…and help those you designate meet the challenges of having to make those decisions for you should they be called upon to do so.
