How long should I keep old paystubs?

[Ellen Forradalom]

I'm going through my files and deciding what to shred and what to keep.

[SoCalDem]

1. Forever?

If they are not taking up too much space and you might have pension issues someday..you might need them to prove something?? I don;t know.

[swag]

2. Until you are safely burning in hell.

No, really.

Momcentral says to chuck them after verifying your W2 form:

http://www.momcentral.com/newsletterpapertokeep.htm

Motleyfool says keep a few if you're going to apply for a mortgage:

http://www.fool.com/foolu/askfoolu/2001/askfoolu010801.htm

Other opinions can be found by going to google.com and typing in "how long keep pay stubs" or slightly less ape-has-killed-ape variations of the question.

[bigwillq]

3. I usually just keep the most recent one.

I don't have the space to keep them all.

[radwriter0555]

4. There is no reason to keep them at all! Just toss those puppies out.

Not a reason in the world to keep them.

Shred first.

[LynzM]

5. The rule I've heard is...

7 years for tax documents (actual tax forms) and 3 years for all other paperwork you may need, such as medical and insurance, paystubs, receipts on major purchases, etc. Just my two cents, of course. I tend to (try to) keep everything, someplace.

[oneighty]

6. Stash them away in

safe place for your children and grand children.

I say this because my son in law collects old ledger books, pay stubs, gas bills elect bills etc.

Fascinating reading. Really.

180

[ChoralScholar]

7. Until the money is spent.

So, in some cases, you will need to shred the paystub before you actually get it. I'll leave that to you to figure out.