CPF After Death Singapore: How to Claim Payout, MediSave, and What Happens to CPFIS

CPF savings are the most misunderstood asset in a Singapore estate. Many families assume the deceased's CPF will distribute according to the will. It won't. CPF monies operate under entirely separate rules — and failing to understand them can cost the estate thousands in avoidable fees.

CPF Does Not Pass Through a Will

CPF savings are legally shielded from a deceased person's estate. They cannot be distributed by a will, a Grant of Probate, or Letters of Administration. CPF savings pass in one of two ways only: directly to named nominees (fast and free) or via the Public Trustee's Office to statutory beneficiaries (slower, with fees).

When a Nomination Exists

If the deceased made a valid CPF nomination, the CPF Board distributes the balance directly and quickly to nominees — typically via PayNow or direct bank credit. The payout bypasses the estate and is completely independent of any will or probate proceedings.

The CPF Board is automatically notified of the death by ICA and initiates contact with nominees. If nominees do not hear anything within four to six weeks, they should contact CPF Board directly via Singpass.

Marriage revokes nominations. If the deceased made a CPF nomination before marriage and did not renew it afterward, the nomination is automatically revoked by the marriage. If no new nomination was made, the account is treated as un-nominated.

When There Is No Nomination (Un-Nominated)

If the CPF account is un-nominated, the CPF Board transfers the entire balance to the Public Trustee's Office. The PTO then distributes the funds under civil intestacy law (for non-Muslims) or Faraid (for Muslims), but charges administrative fees first:

• First $1,000: 2.40%
• Next $9,000: 1.50%
• Next $240,000: 0.75%
• Next $250,000: 0.45%
• Above $500,000: 0.30%

An un-nominated CPF balance of $100,000 incurs approximately $900 in PTO fees — costs entirely avoided by a simple CPF nomination made during the member's lifetime.

The Beneficiary Representative Scheme

For un-nominated CPF balances of $10,000 or less (received by the PTO before June 18, 2022), an eligible next-of-kin can act as Beneficiary Representative and collect the full amount on behalf of all beneficiaries, provided all other beneficiaries give Singpass-authenticated consent. If any beneficiary is a minor, bankrupt, mentally incapacitated, or a prison inmate, that person's share is withheld by the PTO — the other beneficiaries can still receive their portions.

MediSave After Death

MediSave balances form part of the CPF account and follow the same nomination rules. If the deceased had previously signed a Medical Claims Authorisation Form (MCAF), the hospital can deduct the outstanding final hospital bill directly from the MediSave balance before the remainder passes to nominees or the PTO — so the estate does not receive a MediSave payout and then a separate hospital bill.

CPFIS: The Asset That Catches Executors Off Guard

The CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS) allows members to invest their Ordinary or Special Account savings in approved instruments — shares, unit trusts, gold. CPFIS investments are NOT covered by a CPF nomination.

The cash in a CPF Investment Account and the investments held in the linked brokerage or fund management account form part of the deceased's legal estate. They must be claimed through the formal probate process — a Grant of Probate (with will) or Letters of Administration (without will).

An executor who submits a Schedule of Assets to the Family Justice Courts without including the CPFIS holdings will obtain a Grant without authority over those investments — forcing an expensive secondary court application later to supplement the administration. Always include CPFIS investments in the Schedule of Assets, separately listed from the regular CPF account balances.

How Nominees Claim CPF Payout

1. CPF Board contacts nominees after receiving ICA death notification
2. Verify identity via NRIC and provide bank details for PayNow or direct credit
3. No will, probate grant, or Letters of Administration required for the CPF portion
4. If not contacted within 4–6 weeks, contact CPF Board directly via Singpass eServices

Timelines

CPF, MediSave, and CPFIS each follow different rules and involve different agencies. The Singapore Survivor Benefits Navigator maps all three in a single guide — so you know exactly what passes outside the estate, what goes through probate, and which forms to submit to which body.

See more Singapore guides →