Make a CPF nomination

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:

• the Registry of Societies (for registered societies)
• ACRA’s Bizfile page (for companies, LLPs)

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.