Use of Medisave Accounts of Deceased Members for Their Funeral Expenses by Family Members

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Manpower whether balances in the MediSave accounts of deceased members can be deployed by family members to fund the funeral expenses of the deceased members according to their wishes.

When a Central Provident Fund (CPF) member passes on, all CPF savings, including those in the MediSave Account are disbursed based on a CPF member's nomination. In the absence of a nomination, they are disbursed by the Public Trustee according to intestacy laws.

With a valid CPF nomination, nominees will, generally, receive their monies within four weeks from the date CPF Board receives their applications. This is because processing time is needed to check and verify the applications and supporting documents, to ensure that payments are made to the rightful nominees. Nominees who are responsible for the last rites can then use the bequest to pay for the funeral expenses.