CPF Nomination
Common questions about making a CPF nomination in Singapore — why it matters, how it works, who you can nominate, and what you need to know before and after submitting one.
A CPF nomination allows you to decide who should receive your CPF savings after your passing. With a valid nomination, your CPF savings will be distributed directly to your chosen nominees in cash, according to your instructions, instead of being distributed under intestacy laws.
Making a CPF nomination ensures your CPF savings are distributed according to your wishes, allows for faster payout to your loved ones, avoids administrative fees charged by the Public Trustee’s Office for intestacy cases, and gives peace of mind to both you and your family. It’s free to make.
Any CPF member aged 16 or older with mental capacity can make a CPF nomination. There is no restriction based on occupation or wealth level.
You can nominate any person or organisation to receive your CPF savings. There’s no limit to the number of nominees you can appoint. Nominees don’t need to have CPF accounts and can be of any nationality.
A CPF nomination covers savings in your Ordinary, Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts, unused CPF LIFE premiums, and discounted Singtel shares. Items like properties bought with CPF, CPFIS investments, or payouts from the Dependants’ Protection Scheme are not covered by a nomination.
You can make a CPF nomination online via the CPF Board’s e-services using your Singpass. You’ll need your nominees’ details and two witnesses (aged 21+ with mental capacity). If you prefer, you can also submit a nomination at a CPF or ServiceSG centre with staff assisting as witnesses.
Witnesses for your CPF nomination must be at least 21 years old, mentally capable, and cannot be your nominated beneficiaries or organisations. They confirm that you’ve made the nomination willingly.
Yes. To update or cancel your nomination you simply submit a new CPF nomination. The latest submission automatically replaces previous ones and there’s no limit on how many times you can update it.
If you don’t make a valid nomination, your CPF savings will be transferred to the Public Trustee’s Office and distributed according to Singapore’s intestacy or Muslim inheritance laws, which can be slower and may incur administrative fees.
Yes — it’s recommended to review your nomination after major life changes like marriage, childbirth, divorce, or the death of a nominee to ensure it still reflects your intentions. Notably, marriage automatically revokes any existing nomination.
You can view your CPF nomination details online through your CPF account with Singpass. If your nomination was made more than 30 years ago, it may not be displayed online and you may consider making a new one.
How CPF Nomination Fits Into End-of-Life Planning
CPF nomination is one part of a broader end-of-life planning process that can also include LPA, funeral planning, and final resting arrangements.