As you begin to review your parents' financial situation, here's a list of key documents to review and keep in a central location:
1. Bank and brokerage statements and stock and bond certificates
2. Deeds to the house and any other property
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
3. Insurance policies
4. Information on retirement accounts: IRAs, 401(k), ...
5. Information on Social Security and pension benefits from current or past employers
6. Durable power of attorney, naming an agent to handle legal affairs if necessary
7. Advance medical directives, including a durable power of attorney for health care and a living will
8. A list of key contacts, including your parents' physicians, lawyer, and estate planner or financial adviser (see Kiplinger's Your Family Records Organizer CD-ROM.)
-
The Top 10 Side Gigs For Retirees In 2026Money is freedom in retirement; here’s how to earn more of it with a profitable side gig
-
3 Retirement Changes to Watch in 2026: Tax EditionRetirement Taxes Between the Social Security "senior bonus" phaseout and changes to Roth tax rules, your 2026 retirement plan may need an update. Here's what to know.
-
The 'Yes, And...' Rule for RetirementRetirement rarely follows the script. That’s why the best retirees learn to improvise.
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2026Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits in 2026. That's good news for state and local government employees.
-
Medicare Basics: 12 Things You Need to KnowMedicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
-
The Seven Worst Assets to Leave Your Kids or Grandkidsinheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2026SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $70,000 in 2025, and up to $72,000 in 2026.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2026simple IRA For 2026, the SIMPLE IRA contribution limit rises to $17,000, with a $4,000 catch-up for those 50 and over, totaling $21,000.
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
-
Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2026 has increased, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
