CPF members can now make their CPF nomination online conveniently anytime, anywhere. With the introduction of online nomination in January this year, CPF members and the witnesses only need their SingPass to complete the nomination process.
With this new service, CPF members can appoint two witnesses, who could be their friends or relatives, and include their particulars such as NRIC and contact information in the online nomination. The witnesses will then receive emails and/or SMSes for them to confirm the member’s intention to make the nomination. Witnesses are given seven days to do so. Upon completion, CPF Board will process the online nomination.
Besides convenience, making CPF nomination online provides better protection for members’ personal information. Under the hardcopy process, details of the nomination such as who the nominees are and the amount to be distributed to them, may inadvertently be seen by the witnesses. Under the new online nomination mode, nomination details such as the identities of nominees will not be revealed to witnesses. This is to protect the CPF member’s privacy.
Since its launch in January this year, over 900 members have used the online nomination service. “For CPF members who are ready to make a CPF nomination, they can now do so in a hassle-free manner, with a few clicks and complete the process in a few minutes. There is now one less reason for members not to make their nomination. Members who have previously made a nomination in person can also conveniently review their nomination online especially when their life circumstances change,” said Low Pat Chin, Group Director of Member Accounts and Investment Group in the CPF Board.
With a CPF nomination, CPF members have the flexibility to decide how they want their CPF savings to be distributed and the proportion of their savings each nominee will receive. Members who do not have a CPF nomination will have their CPF savings distributed by the Public Trustee Office (PTO) in accordance with the legally entitled beneficiaries as set out in intestacy laws1 or the Inheritance Certificate under the Syariah Court for Muslims. There will be an administrative charge by the PTO. With a CPF nomination, nominees will receive the CPF savings more swiftly and conveniently.
CPF members are reminded that their CPF savings are excluded from the estate and cannot be covered under a Will. Excluding CPF savings from the estate protects the savings from any creditor claims on outstanding loans that CPF members may have when they are alive. This helps ensure that the CPF savings are preserved fully for their loved ones to claim.
1 Under the Intestate Succession Act, the legally entitled beneficiaries (usually family members and next-of-kin) that can claim and how much shares they can claim is fixed.