What happens to my CPF if I die without making a nomination?

CPF Distribution Without Nomination

If a Singapore Citizen passes away without making a valid CPF nomination, the CPF savings are distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act (for Muslims, distribution follows Syariah law). This process is managed by the Public Trustee's Office (PTO) under the Supreme Court.

Distribution Process and Key Differences

• Nomination Overrides Law: A valid CPF nomination overrides both a Will and a Trust (CPF Nomination Rule 1). Without a nomination, the law dictates distribution.

• Liquidity and Access: Unlike a nomination where the nominee receives the funds directly, the PTO must administer the distribution. The funds are distributed based on the statutory percentages:
• Spouse and Children: If survived by a spouse and children, the spouse receives 50% and the children share the remaining 50% equally.
• Spouse Only: If survived by a spouse but no children, the spouse receives 100%.
• Parents Only: If survived by parents but no spouse or children, the parents share 100% equally.
• No Spouse, Children, or Parents: The entire amount goes to the next-of-kin in the order specified by the Act.

• Property Exclusion: It is crucial to note that CPF monies distributed via intestacy do not cover properties bought using CPF. These assets are distributed according to the deceased's Will or the laws of intestacy (CPF Nomination Rule 2).

• Withdrawal Timeline: The process involves the PTO verifying the next-of-kin, which can take longer than a direct payout via nomination. The funds are ultimately paid out from the deceased's Ordinary Account (OA), Special Account (SA), and Retirement Account (RA) balances, following the liquidity rules (OA is most liquid).

Practical Implication

For example, if you have $100,000 in your CPF accounts and pass away leaving a spouse and two children, your spouse would receive $50,000, and each child would receive approximately $16,666.67. Making a nomination allows you to specify the exact percentages or nominate organizations/foreigners (CPF Nomination Rule 3), bypassing this statutory distribution.