CPF Nomination Singapore — How to Nominate Beneficiaries (2026)

A CPF Nomination tells the CPF Board who receives your CPF moneys (Ordinary Account, Special Account, MediSave, Retirement Account, CPFIS) when you die. It is free, takes minutes via the my cpf portal, and bypasses probate — your nominees typically receive funds within 2–6 weeks. Without a nomination, your CPF goes to the Public Trustee, who distributes it under the Intestate Succession Act (or Faraid for Muslims) with a 0.5% admin fee on amounts above S$1,000 (capped at S$5,000), taking 6–12 months. Your CPF Nomination is separate from your will — your will does not cover CPF. Source: CPF Board.

Last updated: 2026-06-03. Sources: CPF Board, Public Trustee Office, Intestate Succession Act (SSO), /sources.

On this page

  1. 1. What is a CPF Nomination?
  2. 2. Why it matters
  3. 3. The three nomination types
  4. 4. How to make a CPF Nomination
  5. 5. What happens without one
  6. 6. CPF vs your will
  7. 7. CPF + Faraid for Muslims
  8. 8. Changing or revoking
  9. 9. Common mistakes
  10. 10. Frequently asked questions
  11. 11. Sources

1. What is a CPF Nomination?

A CPF Nomination is a formal instruction made directly with the CPF Board that specifies who inherits your CPF moneys on your death. Covered accounts include:

  • Ordinary Account (OA)
  • Special Account (SA)
  • MediSave Account (MA)
  • Retirement Account (RA)
  • CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS) holdings

Because CPF is statutorily protected, these moneys do not form part of your “estate” for probate purposes — they sit outside any will.

2. Why a CPF Nomination matters

For most working Singaporeans, CPF balances are one of their largest single assets — frequently larger than their cash savings. Yet most people assume their will controls everything. It doesn't.

The difference between nominating and not nominating:

  • With a CPF Nomination: Direct payment to nominees in 2–6 weeks, no admin fee, no probate involvement.
  • Without: CPF moneys go to the Public Trustee Office, who distributes per the Intestate Succession Act (or Faraid for Muslims). Admin fee 0.5% on amounts > S$1,000 (capped at S$5,000). Distribution typically 6–12 months.

3. The three CPF Nomination types

Cash Nomination

The default and simplest. Your CPF moneys are paid in cash to your nominee(s) in the percentage shares you specify. Suitable for most people.

Enhanced Nomination Scheme (ENS)

Your nominee(s) inherit your CPF moneys into their own CPF accounts (rather than as cash). This preserves CPF's long-run growth. Subject to CPF Board approval; nominees must meet CPF Board criteria.

Manner of Holding (HDB-related)

Relevant only if you own an HDB flat purchased using CPF. Specifies whether the property passes as Joint Tenants (survivorship: the deceased's share passes automatically to the surviving owner) or Tenants-in-Common (each share forms part of the deceased's estate and passes under their will). This is more about property law than CPF, but the CPF Board records it.

4. How to make a CPF Nomination

Two paths:

  1. Online via the my cpf portal: Sign in with Singpass at cpf.gov.sg → Services → Make a CPF Nomination. You'll need two witnesses present on a video call. Free; takes ~15 minutes.
  2. In person at a CPF Service Centre: Book an appointment via the my cpf portal and bring two witnesses with you.

Witness rules:

  • Both witnesses must be aged 21 or older.
  • Witnesses cannot be your nominees or spouses of your nominees.
  • Witnesses must have mental capacity and not be undischarged bankrupts.

5. What happens without a CPF Nomination

If you die without a CPF Nomination, the CPF Board transfers your CPF moneys to the Public Trustee Office. The Public Trustee distributes them under:

  • The Intestate Succession Act 1967 (Cap. 146) for non-Muslims; or
  • Faraid for Muslims (per AMLA + Syariah Court inheritance certificate).

The Public Trustee charges a 0.5% admin fee on amounts above S$1,000, capped at S$5,000. Distribution typically takes 6–12 months versus 2–6 weeks with a nomination.

6. CPF Nomination vs your will

They cover different assets and do not overlap:

AssetControlled by
CPF OA / SA / MA / RA / CPFISCPF Nomination
Bank accounts (outside CPF)Will
Property (HDB / private)Will or Joint Tenancy survivorship
Stocks / unit trusts (outside CPFIS)Will
Personal effectsWill
Life insurance proceedsInsurance policy nomination (separate from will)

A comprehensive estate plan needs BOTH a will AND a CPF Nomination (and ideally a Lasting Power of Attorney for in-life decisions, and life-insurance nominations).

7. CPF Nomination for Muslims (interaction with Faraid)

For Muslims domiciled in Singapore, CPF Nomination overrides Faraid for the moneys covered by the nomination. The nominees receive the CPF moneys directly regardless of what their Faraid share would have been.

If no nomination is made, CPF moneys fall into the estate and are then distributed per Faraid by MUIS / the Syariah Court. Source: MUIS.

8. Changing or revoking your CPF Nomination

You can change or revoke your CPF Nomination at any time while you have mental capacity. Simply make a new nomination — the new one supersedes the previous one.

Marriage automatically revokes a CPF Nomination. You must make a new nomination after marrying. This is one of the most common silent failures — users marry, never re-nominate, and their CPF falls into the Public Trustee process on death.

9. Common CPF Nomination mistakes

  1. Assuming the will covers CPF. It doesn't. See section 6.
  2. Forgetting to re-nominate after marriage. Marriage revokes the previous nomination.
  3. Nominating a witness as a nominee. Witnesses cannot also be nominees.
  4. Specifying percentages that don't add up to 100%. The CPF Board will reject the nomination.
  5. Naming an ineligible nominee for ENS. ENS has specific eligibility — confirm with the CPF Board before submitting.
  6. Not telling your nominees the nomination exists. Nominees may not know to claim — keep a record where your family can find it.

10. Frequently asked questions

What is a CPF Nomination?
A CPF Nomination is a formal instruction to the CPF Board specifying who receives your CPF moneys (Ordinary Account, Special Account, MediSave, Retirement Account, and CPF Investment Scheme holdings) on your death. Without a nomination, the CPF Board transfers your moneys to the Public Trustee, who distributes them under the Intestate Succession Act (or Faraid for Muslims) — with a 0.5% admin fee on amounts above S$1,000 (capped at S$5,000). With a nomination, your CPF is paid directly to your nominee(s), bypasses probate, and typically arrives within 2-6 weeks.
Does my will cover my CPF savings?
No. CPF savings are NOT covered by your will. They pass per your CPF Nomination — a separate document made with the CPF Board. Your will controls everything else in your estate (property, bank accounts, investments outside CPFIS, personal effects) but not CPF.
How do I make a CPF Nomination in Singapore?
You can nominate online via the my cpf portal at cpf.gov.sg, or in person at any CPF Service Centre. You'll need two witnesses (aged 21 or older, not your nominees or their spouses, not the spouse of any nominee). The nomination is free.
What types of CPF Nomination are available?
Three types: (1) Cash Nomination — CPF moneys paid in cash to your nominee(s) in the share you specify; (2) Enhanced Nomination Scheme (ENS) — your nominee(s) inherit your CPF balances as CPF moneys in their own CPF accounts (subject to CPF Board approval); (3) Manner of Holding (HDB-related) — relevant for HDB flats purchased using CPF, specifies whether the property passes as joint tenants or tenants-in-common.
What happens to my CPF if I don't make a nomination?
Your CPF moneys are transferred to the Public Trustee, who distributes them under the Intestate Succession Act (for non-Muslims) or per Faraid (for Muslims). The Public Trustee charges a 0.5% admin fee on amounts above S$1,000, capped at S$5,000. Distribution typically takes 6-12 months. A nomination delivers the funds in 2-6 weeks at no admin fee.
Can my CPF Nomination be revoked or changed?
Yes — you can change or revoke your CPF Nomination at any time while you have mental capacity. Simply make a new nomination via the my cpf portal or at a CPF Service Centre; the new nomination supersedes the previous one. Marriage automatically revokes a CPF Nomination — you must make a new one after marrying.
Who can I nominate?
Anyone you choose, including non-family members. Common nominees: spouse, children, parents, siblings, charities. You can name multiple nominees with specified percentage shares. Each nominee must be a real, identifiable person (or registered charity for charitable nominations).
Does CPF Nomination apply to Muslims?
Yes. CPF Nomination overrides Faraid for the moneys covered by the nomination — the nominees receive the CPF moneys directly, regardless of what their Faraid share would have been. If no nomination is made, CPF moneys fall into the estate and are then distributed per Faraid by MUIS / the Syariah Court.
Do my CPFIS investments pass via CPF Nomination?
Yes. CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS) holdings sit within your CPF Ordinary Account and Special Account, so they pass per your CPF Nomination along with your cash balances. They do NOT pass under your will.
Should I make both a will and a CPF Nomination?
Yes — they cover different assets. Your CPF Nomination controls CPF moneys (OA, SA, MA, RA, CPFIS). Your will controls everything else (property, bank accounts outside CPF, investments outside CPFIS, personal effects). Without both, parts of your estate fall into intestacy. A comprehensive plan also includes an LPA (for in-life decisions) and, for some, an Advance Medical Directive.

11. Sources

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