CPF Nomination in Singapore: What It Is and How It Works

A CPF nomination lets you decide who will receive your CPF savings when you pass away, and in what proportions. Without a CPF nomination, your CPF savings are distributed by the Public Trustee’s Office according to intestacy laws (or the Muslim Inheritance Certificate), and you cannot choose the recipients or shares.

A CPF nomination covers your CPF savings in your Ordinary, Special, MediSave, and Retirement Accounts, as well as CPF LIFE unused premiums and discounted Singtel shares. It does not cover properties bought using CPF savings, payouts from the Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS), or investments made under the CPF Investment Scheme.

You can make a CPF nomination once you turn 16 and have CPF savings. It’s a good idea to review your nomination regularly, especially after major life events such as marriage, childbirth, divorce, or the death of a nominee. Marriage revokes any existing CPF nomination, so you should make a new one after you get married.

You are encouraged to make a CPF nomination online via my cpf Online Services, or in person at a CPF service centre. In both cases, you need two witnesses. Your witnesses must be at least 21 years old, have sound mental capacity, and cannot be your nominee(s). If you are nominating online, your witnesses should each have a valid Singpass. You can visit any ServiceSG Centre for help making an online nomination.

Online (my cpf Online Services): Log in with Singpass and complete the form. You will need your nominees’ names, NRIC numbers, and contact information, as well as both witnesses’ names, NRIC numbers, and contact information. For non-Singapore Citizens/PRs, you will also need your witnesses’ mailing addresses. If you have more than 15 nominees, you will need to visit a CPF service centre instead.

In person (CPF service centre): Book an appointment and complete the nomination with a customer service executive, who can act as your witnesses and clarify any questions. Bring a copy of your NRIC/passport and your nominees’ NRIC numbers, emails, and mailing addresses. If CPF staff act as your witnesses, you do not need to prepare your witnesses’ particulars.

If you need help because you do not have suitable witnesses or need more guidance, CPF customer service can assist. You can contact the CPF Board via cpf.gov.sg/writetous or the CPF Hotline at 1800 227 1188 (overseas: +65 6227 1188), Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm.

Making a CPF nomination is free. After both witnesses complete the witnessing for an online nomination, CPF Board processes the nomination within about four working days.