If you pass away, your CPF savings will be transferred to the Public Trustee for distribution to your family under the intestacy laws. This way of distribution will safeguard the welfare of your family members.

For example, if you are single, your CPF savings will be distributed by the Public Trustee equally between your parents. If you are married, your spouse will receive half of your CPF savings, and your children will share the remaining half.

For Muslims, your CPF savings will be distributed by the Public Trustee according to the Inheritance Certificate, which your family members can obtain from the Syariah Court (Muslim inheritance law).

If you wish to distribute your CPF savings differently, you will need to make a CPF nomination .

Please note that:

1) A marriage will automatically revoke an earlier nomination, if any.

2) A divorce does not revoke an earlier nomination, if any.

3) A will does not supersede an earlier nomination, if any.

4) If your nominee is below the age of 18 years at the time your CPF savings are paid out, his/her share will be forwarded to the Public Trustee for administration until he/she reaches 18 years of age.

5) If any of your nominees is an undischarged bankrupt at the time your CPF savings are paid out, the Board will be legally obliged to inform the Official Assignee (OA) of any assets that are due to him as his estate is vested in the OA by virtue of the laws in Singapore relating to bankruptcy.

If you wish to make your CPF nomination overseas, one of the witnesses required must either be a Singaporean, Singapore Permanent Resident, Notary Public or an Official from the Singapore High Commission/Embassy of the Republic of Singapore. Both witnesses must be above 21 years of age and of sound mind.

Source: CPF Website