PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING - Information Checklist

Quite a few people asked for the checklist of financial information discussed in an article in Real Simple magazine (www.realsimple.com). Their suggestion was to ask our parents to prepare this list of information that would be useful in case of death or a health emergency.

q BANK ACCOUNTS AND SAFE-DEPOSIT BOXES - all bank names - account numbers - personal contact, if available - location of safe-deposit box - contents of box - location of box key

q CREDIT CARDS - issuers - account numbers - expiration dates - special information (airline mileage points, balances owed)

q INSURANCE (Home, car, life, health, long-term care) - issuers - account numbers - agents - premium due dates

q HEALTH CARE - contact information for physicians - current medications and dosages - Medicare claim number - Medigap policy number

q TAXES - accountant information - location of past filings

q INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS - names of brokerage or plan administrators - account numbers - PIN numbers - Names of bankers or brokers

q LEGAL DOCUMENTS - wills - trusts - power of attorney - trustees of all the documents - contact information for lawyers

q HOUSE - amount of mortgage payment or rent - due date - location of deeds and property titles - contact information for service people

q LAST WISHES - arrangements for funeral and burial - organ donation wishes

q MISCELLANEOUS - driver’s license number and expiration date - vehicle registration information - any items in storage - storage company phone number - contact information for neighbors and friends - e-mail accounts and passwords