CPF nomination vs. your will: the one thing every Singaporean misses
Your will doesn't cover your CPF savings. Here's what does, and how to make sure both are aligned.
If you remember one thing from this guide: your Singapore will does not control where your CPF money goes. CPF is governed by a separate document called a CPF Nomination, made directly with the CPF Board.
This catches a lot of people out. They write a careful will leaving everything to their spouse, and assume CPF is part of 'everything'. It's not.
What happens to CPF without a nomination
If you die without a CPF nomination, your CPF savings (Ordinary, Special, MediSave, and Retirement Account balances) are transferred to the Public Trustee. They're then distributed under the Intestate Succession Act for non-Muslims, or Faraid for Muslims — regardless of what your will says.
The Public Trustee charges fees, and the process takes longer than a nomination would have.
How to make a CPF nomination
It's free and you can do it online via the CPF website using Singpass. You can name multiple beneficiaries and assign percentages. You can update it any time.
When you write your Rain Tree will, we'll remind you to do this — they take 10 minutes together.
Should they match?
In most cases, yes — your CPF nomination and your will should reflect the same intent (e.g. 'everything to my spouse'). Where they differ is when you want CPF to skip a generation directly to your kids while your spouse handles other assets. Those choices are up to you; the important thing is to make them consciously.
Want this turned into your actual will?
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