Can I nominate foreigners or organisations to receive my CPF?

CPF Nomination Rules for Foreigners and Organisations

Yes, as a Singaporean, you can nominate both foreigners and organisations to receive your CPF savings upon your demise, according to CPF Board rules. This is covered under the four key rules governing CPF nominations.

Nomination Scope

• Foreign Nominees: You can nominate any individual, regardless of their citizenship status (including foreigners), to receive your CPF savings. The CPF nomination overrides your Will or Trust for these funds (Source: CPF Board).

• Organisational Nominees: You are permitted to nominate organisations, which can include charities, religious institutions, or other registered bodies. The CPF Board allows you to nominate up to 100 beneficiaries, which can be a mix of individuals and organisations.

Important Exclusions and Considerations

It is crucial to note that a CPF nomination does not cover all your assets managed by CPF. Specifically excluded are:

• CPF Investments Scheme (CPFIS) funds, which must be included in your Will.
• The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS) policy, which requires direct nomination with the insurer (e.g., Great Eastern).
• Any property purchased using CPF monies, which is distributed according to your Will or intestacy laws.

Practical Tip: The 99:1 Rule

To ensure your CPF savings are distributed exactly as intended, especially when dealing with multiple beneficiaries or organisations, the educator recommends always having a backup nominee (the 99:1 tip). If your primary nominee (whether a foreigner or an organisation) passes away before you, your CPF savings will otherwise be distributed according to the Administration of Muslim Law Act or the Intestate Succession Act, rather than your wishes.

Impact of Life Events

Be aware that your CPF nomination is automatically revoked upon marriage. However, unlike marriage, divorce does not automatically revoke a CPF nomination; you must manually update your nomination if you wish to change beneficiaries after a divorce.