Does marriage automatically cancel my CPF nomination?

CPF Nomination and Marriage Status

No, marriage does not automatically cancel your CPF nomination in Singapore. This is a crucial distinction under CPF rules.

CPF Nomination Rule on Marriage

According to CPF Board guidelines, your CPF nomination is automatically revoked upon marriage (Source: CPF Board). This means that if you made a nomination while single, that nomination becomes invalid once you legally marry.

Implications of Automatic Revocation

If your nomination is revoked due to marriage, and you pass away without making a new nomination, your CPF savings will be distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act, or the Muslim Inheritance Certificate (for Muslims). This means your spouse, children, and parents will inherit your savings based on statutory distribution rules, rather than according to your wishes specified in the old nomination form.

Action Required After Marriage

To ensure your CPF savings go to your intended beneficiaries (which may include your new spouse or children), you must make a new CPF nomination after your marriage is registered. A CPF nomination overrides any instructions in a Will regarding CPF monies.

Contrast with Divorce

It is important to note that unlike marriage, divorce does not automatically revoke an existing CPF nomination. You must manually update or revoke your nomination if you wish to change the beneficiaries after a divorce.

Key Takeaway

For Singaporeans, marriage automatically invalidates any existing CPF nomination. You must submit a new nomination form to the CPF Board to reflect your current wishes. This process is separate from your Will, which governs other assets, but not CPF savings (unless the CPF nomination is invalid or incomplete).

Investment Note (Not directly related to nomination status but relevant context): While your nomination status is critical, remember that CPF investments (which are governed by your Will) and properties bought using CPF are not covered by the CPF nomination itself.