Gathering 35 yrs of investment costs, Help

I have non tax advantaged funds funds that I have moved 3 or 4 times. I'm sure if taxes were due I paid them, at each move, but I still will need to figure out a cost basis when I start selling them for retirement income. Can anyone give me a clue about how to start this process? I have boxes of statements in the attic, but I envision a nightmare

I don't have a magic formula to recreate your cost basis, but I have two suggestions that might eliminate the need to do so. If the value of your shares isn't too great, you might consider donating those appreciated shares to charity (instead of donating cash). If you donate to charity, you deduct the fair market value of the shares (not the cost basis). The other option is to gift the shares to your children. They receive the shares - as well as your cost basis - but if they are in the lower tax brackets they might be able to assume a zero cost basis and still pay 0% on the long-term capital gain.

That shoots his plan to sell them for retirement income. As would my suggestion of keeping them until death, upon which there would be a stepped up/down basis as of date of death.

I have the same problem, but since I haven't traded as much, just held on for a long time, I should just be able to go through the statements and find out when things were purchased or spun off. Of course I probably have all this info in Quicken anyway, but still need the proof.

I suggest you wait for a rainy day, early in your retirement. You will have time then.