Make a CPF nomination

Why do I need to do a CPF normination?

What CPF can I give away?

Your CPF nomination will cover the:

  • CPF savings in your Ordinary, Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts
  • CPF LIFE premium balance
  • your discounted Singtel shares

Your CPF nomination does not cover the:

  • properties bought using your CPF savings
  • payout from the Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS)
  • investments under CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS)
Who can make CPF normination?

Who can make a CPF nomination

To make a CPF nomination, you must:

  • be a CPF member
  • be 16 years old and above
  • have the mental capacity to make your own decisions

Choosing your norminee.

Who can you norminate?

You can choose any person or organisation as your nominee(s) to receive your CPF savings after your death. Your nominee(s) could be:

  • a family member
  • a friend
  • your husband, wife or partner
  • a non-CPF account holder
  • an organisation you support
Nominating an organisation

You can nominate an organisation to receive your CPF savings after your death. However, the nominated organisation must be:

  • recognised as a legal entity separate from the name of its shareholders, directors or members
  • able to acquire assets, go into debt, enter into contracts, sue or be sued in its own name
  • registered as a society, company or limited liability partnership (LLP)

You can check if the organisation has been registered as a society, company or LLP with:

Nominating a trust company

You can choose to nominate a trust company to receive your CPF savings on behalf of your nominee. When nominating a trust company, think about:

  • the company’s reputation and integrity
  • how the company will distribute the CPF savings to your nominee
  • if you can rely on them to make decisions in your nominee’s best interests

The trust company will receive your CPF savings in its own right and not on behalf of your nominee.

Please note that the CPF Board will not be in a position to enforce or ensure that the trust company complies with your arrangements.

Nominating someone below 18 years old

If your nominee is below 18 years old at the time of claim, the nominee’s share will be released to the Public Trustee’s Office for administration until he reaches 18 years of age.

Alternatively, you can also choose to nominate a trustee/trust company to receive your CPF savings on behalf of your intended beneficiary who is below 18 years old.

Nominating someone with special needs

If your nominee does not have mental capacity at the time of claim, the nominee’s share will be released to the donee or deputy appointed to act on your nominee’s behalf under the Mental Capacity Act.

Alternatively, you may choose to make a Special Needs Savings Scheme (SNSS) nomination. This scheme allows you to nominate any of your children with special needs to receive the CPF savings in monthly payments until your savings are depleted.

If you wish to make an SNSS nomination, please approach the CPF board directly for help.

If your nominee becomes bankrupt

If your nominee is legally recognised as bankrupt at the time he or she becomes entitled to receive your CPF savings, the CPF Board will have to:

  • inform the Official Assignee (‘OA’)
  • transfer the nominated CPF savings to the OA upon their instruction

This is mandated by bankruptcy laws in Singapore. The CPF Board will have to transfer the nominated CPF savings to the OA to pay off your nominee’s debt.

If your nominee dies before you

You can choose to update or change your CPF nomination if your nominee has passed away.

The deceased nominee’s share will be given to the surviving nominees in the same proportion as you have specified, if one of your nominees have passed away. If there are no surviving nominees, then your CPF savings will be transferred to the Public Trustee’s Office (PTO) for distribution to your family members under the Intestate Succession Act or the Inheritance Certificate (for Muslims). The PTO charges your beneficiaries an administration fee for the distribution of your CPF savings.

To avoid the above, you should review your CPF nomination so that it continues to fit your intentions.

 
The PTO will distribute your CPF savings according to the Intestate Succession Act or the Inheritance Certificate for Muslims. An administration fee will be charged.

How to make CPF normination?

Steps and procedures.

You are encouraged to make a CPF nomination online via my cpf Online Services. Alternatively, you may also make a nomination in person at any CPF service centre.

Either way, you will need to get two witnesses to complete the nomination process.

You can ask friends or relatives to act as your witnesses. However, your witnesses:

  • must be at least 21 years old
  • have sound mental capacity
  • cannot be any of your nominee(s).
  • should each have a valid Singpass if you are making a CPF nomination online.
 
Making a nomination online does not require the physical presence of your witnesses to sign a hardcopy form. It can be done at any time and anywhere.
Via my cpf Online Services

You can make a CPF cash nomination online by logging in to my cpf Online Services using your Singpass.

To complete the online form, you will need to have:

  • your Singpass
  • your nominee(s)’ name, NRIC number and contact information
  • both witnesses’ name, NRIC number and contact information

For non-Singapore Citizens/PRs, you will be required to provide the witnesses’ mailing addresses.

In person at a CPF service centre

Make an appointment at any CPF service centre to complete your CPF nomination with a customer service executive.

The CPF Board’s customer service executives can act as your witnesses and clarify any questions you may have.

For your appointment at the CPF service centre, bring along and prepare:

  • a copy of your NRIC/passport
  • your nominee(s)’ NRIC number, email and mailing address
  • both your witnesses’ name and NRIC number (if necessary)

If the CPF Board’s customer service executives are acting as your witnesses, you do not need to prepare your witnesses’ particulars.

Get help

Ask the CPF Board’s customer service executives for help if you:

  • don’t have suitable people to act as your witnesses
  • need more information and advice about making a CPF nomination
 
Central Provident Fund Board
cpf.gov.sg/writetous
CPF Hotline: 1800 227 1188
Calling from overseas: +65 6227 1188
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm

You can also make an appointment and visit any CPF service centre.

Situations you need to change or update your nomination.

Types of situations.

You should review your CPF nomination to keep it relevant with your current circumstances.

You may wish to review it after any major changes in your life, for example:

  • getting married (this revokes any CPF nomination you made before)
  • getting divorced
  • having a child
  • if the nominee named in your CPF nomination dies

To update or change your nomination, you can:

Your new CPF nomination will replace the earlier CPF nomination you have made.

Change of details / name / address.

If you want to cancel your CPF nomination

You can cancel your CPF nomination by making a new CPF nomination online or in person. The new nomination will replace the nomination which you have made earlier.

If you want to remove one of your nominees

You will have to make a new CPF nomination to replace the earlier CPF nomination you have made.

If your nominee’s details change

After your have made your CPF nomination, the details of your nominee may change.

Change of name

You do not need to update your nominee’s new name in your CPF nomination.

However, the CPF board will request that the nominee presents a Deed Poll to prove the change of name when they apply to receive your CPF savings.

Change of address

You do not need to update your nominee’s address if they are Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents.

How do I check my normination?

Check your CPF nomination details

You can check your CPF nomination details:

  • online using my cpf Online Services
  • with My Legacy vault to view or share your nomination details with Trusted Persons.
Check online using my cpf Online Services

You can view your nomination details online by logging in with your Singpass at my cpf Online Services.

If you are not able to view your nomination details, you will need to submit an online request via ‘My Requests’.

Sign in to My Legacy vault with your Singpass

My Legacy vault is an online planning tool that allows you to organise and share important information about your will, lasting power of attorney, advance care plan and CPF nomination.

Sign in to My Legacy vault with your Singpass. You can:

  • view your CPF nomination status
  • share your CPF nomination details with Trusted Persons.

What happens if I did not make any norminations?

Where will my CPF go?

If you don’t have a CPF nomination

If you don’t have a CPF nomination, your CPF savings will be transferred to the Public Trustee’s Office (PTO) for distribution to your family members after your death.

 
The PTO will charge an administration fee for the distribution of your savings without a nomination.

You can read more about PTO’s fees here.

The distribution of your CPF savings to your surviving family members will also be decided by the law.

 
The intestate distribution process takes up to 6 months to establish the familial relationship of the beneficiaries before your CPF savings is distributed to your beneficiaries. The PTO also deducts an administrative charge on your CPF savings for the distributing the savings.

You are therefore encouraged to make a CPF nomination and specify your nominee(s).

You are encouraged to make a CPF nomination to:

  • Decide who will receive your CPF savings according to your wishes
  • Allow your loved ones to claim your CPF savings swiftly, conveniently and at no cost
  • Avoid potential disputes among your loved ones over your CPF savings