A CPF nomination is the instruction a member gives the CPF Board on who is to receive their CPF savings after they die. Because CPF savings do not form part of a member’s estate, a will does not distribute them.
Key takeaways
- A CPF nomination records who receives a member’s CPF savings on death, and can be made from age 16.
- CPF savings do not form part of the estate, so they are not distributed under a will.
- A nomination covers savings in the Ordinary, Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts, any remaining CPF LIFE premium, and discounted Singtel shares.
- It does not cover property bought with CPF savings, Dependants’ Protection Scheme payouts, or investments held under CPFIS.
- Making a nomination is free, and an existing nomination is revoked on marriage.
See how this applies to your own figures.
Singapore CPF Calculator →What a CPF nomination covers
A nomination applies to the savings held across the Ordinary, Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts, to any CPF LIFE premium balance remaining when the member dies, and to discounted Singtel shares bought under the Special Discounted Shares scheme. It does not extend to property bought with CPF savings, Dependants’ Protection Scheme payouts, or investments held under the CPF Investment Scheme.
How a nomination is made
Members aged 16 and above can make a nomination free of charge. Online, this is done with Singpass and needs the identification and contact details of the nominees plus two witnesses. In person, an appointment can be booked with the CPF Board, and its customer service officers can act as the witnesses. Nominees pay nothing to claim the savings.
What happens without a nomination
Where there is no valid nomination, the CPF savings pass to the Public Trustee’s Office, which distributes them under intestacy law or, for Muslim members, in line with an Inheritance Certificate. An administrative fee is deducted before distribution, and the process can take up to six months.
When a nomination is revoked
Marriage revokes any existing CPF nomination, so a nomination made before marriage no longer applies afterwards. Divorce does not revoke a nomination — one made in favour of a former spouse stays in force until it is changed.
Key CPF nomination figures
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to make a nomination | 16 |
| Cost of making a nomination | free |
| Witnesses required | 2 |
| Time for unnominated savings to be distributed | up to six months |
| Revoked by | marriage |
Figures as at 2026. Source: CPF Board.
Worked example
A member holding SGD 80,000 across their CPF accounts who has not made a nomination leaves those savings to the Public Trustee’s Office, which distributes them under intestacy law after deducting an administrative fee — a process that can take up to six months.
Related terms
All Singapore glossary terms →Related calculator
Estimate CPF contributions and account balances based on CPF Board rates.
This page is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. All figures and worked examples are estimates for illustrative purposes, are subject to change, and do not reflect any individual’s circumstances. Always refer to the CPF Board and seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions.