What happens to your CPF savings when you pass away?

Your page is loading.
One moment please.

By default, the money will be given to your nominees in cash via cheque or GIRO.

 

There is a message making its rounds on WhatsApp, SMS and social media claiming that your CPF savings will be transferred to your nominee’s MediSave account by default when you pass away. There is absolutely no basis to this rumour.

A message on Whatsapp

The truth is, by default, your nominees will receive your CPF savings in cash when you pass away. This is unless you have opted for a different type of CPF nomination.

 

This new rumour is, in fact, a variation of another false claim that surfaced in 2012, which had already been debunked back then.

 

Here are a few more things you need to know about CPF nomination.

 

What exactly is a CPF nomination?

 

A CPF nomination provides CPF members with the option to specify who will receive their CPF savings, and how much each nominee should receive, upon their demise. If a CPF nomination is not made, the deceased member’s CPF savings will be transferred to the Public Trustee’s Office (PTO) for distribution to his or her family members under the Intestate Succession Act, or the Inheritance Certificate (for Muslims).

3 things you need to know about CPF nomination

For more information

 

Information on  making a CPF nomination.

 

For a quick read on 3 key things to know about CPF nomination.

 

Gov.sg debunks rumour that CPF savings will be given to nominee’s MediSave upon death 

 

This article was first published in June 2017 at Factually and updated in March 2023.

 

Information in this article is accurate as at the date of publication.