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Writer's pictureDerrick Soh Law Corporation

Guide to CPF Nominations in Singapore

Updated: Mar 24, 2023


CPF Board
CPF Maxwell Service Centre (File photo: iStock/TiagoBaiao)

At a certain stage of your life, you will be hearing your friends asking if you have done a CPF nomination. Some might be confused and wondered to yourself - "What is a CPF nomination"?


A CPF nomination is a scheme for the Government to quickly allocate your remaining CPF funds to someone after you pass away. The default option is a cash nomination. This means that your nominee will receive your CPF funds in cash.


If cash nomination is not something that you prefer, there are also two other types of nominations for your consideration:


  1. Enhanced Nomination Scheme (ENS): this allows the nominee to receive a monthly payout from the CPF savings.

  2. Special Needs Savings Scheme (SNSS): this allows you to nominate any of your children with special needs to receive your CPF monies on a monthly basis.


Why make a CPF Nomination?

Benefits of a CPF nomination

What will happen if there is no CPF nomination?

You decide who gets your CPF savings according to your wishes.

Your CPF savings will be distributed based on the intestacy laws or Muslim Inheritance Certificate.

It allows your nominees to claim your CPF savings quickly and conveniently.

It takes up to six (6) months for your family members to claim your savings.

It is free!

An administrative fee will be deducted from your CPF savings before distributing them based on the intestacy laws or Muslim Inheritance Certificate.

Am I eligible to make a CPF Nomination?


Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents with a CPF account will be able to make a CPF Nomination.


How to make a CPF Nomination in Singapore?


The process is rather simple.


1. First, you need to get a Singpass account.


2. Second, you need to get ready the particulars of your nominees and witnesses. You will need their full name, NRIC and mobile number.


  • If your nominees are non-Singaporeans, you will need to obtain their foreign passport or FIN number as well as their email addresses.

  • If your witnesses are non-Singaporeans, you will need their mailing address. In addition, your witnesses should have a valid Singpass account.

3. Once you have these details ready, you can log in to CPF Online Services to make your nomination. You can click here to do so. Thereafter, click on "Make a nomination".


4. After submitting your nomination, your witnesses will be notified via SMS and/or email to witness your nomination. They will be required to log into my CPF Online Services with their SingPass within seven (7) days to confirm your intent to nominate. Do note that your witnesses will not know the details of your nomination.


5. Once this is completed, CPF Board will process your nomination. They will update you on the status of your nomination by SMS and/or email.


How often should I review my CPF Nomination?


It is recommended that you review your CPF nomination regularly, especially when there are changes in your life circumstances like:

  • marriage

  • birth of a child

  • divorce

  • death of a nominee

As a general rule, it is advisable to review your CPF nomination every three to five years or when there are changes to your life.


Do note that your CPF nomination is not automatically revoked in the event of a divorce. However, your marriage will revoke your CPF nomination.


What is involved in CPF Nomination?

What is covered in CPF nomination?

What is not covered in a CPF nomination?

CPF savings in your Ordinary, Special, Retirement and MediSave accounts

Payouts from Dependent's Protection Scheme (DPS)

CPF LIFE unused premiums

Investments under CPF Investment Scheme

Discounted Singtel shares

Properties bought with CPF monies

For those that are not covered by a CPF nomination, you can consider making a Will.


What if I lose mental capacity after making my CPF nomination?


Your nomination will still remain valid even if you lose mental capacity after making your CPF nomination.


Since you lack the ability to make any decision, you will not be able to make changes to your current nomination. The nomination will remain valid and effective unless there is a Court Order to revoke the existing CPF nomination (if the Court finds that your CPF nomination was made when you lacked mental capacity).


To avoid such a situation from happening, you might want to consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). You can read more about LPA here.


Alternatively, you can contact one of our experienced lawyers at +65 6970 8287 for a consultation.

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