Insurance nominations

A policy with a nomination is paid to the people you name. The insurer does not have to wait for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.

Without a nomination, the death benefit forms part of your estate. It is then paid out under your will or, if there is no will, under the intestacy rules.

You keep full control of the policy. You can change or cancel the nomination at any time without the consent of the people you named.

You can name anyone, including a charity. The people you name receive the death benefit only.

A trust nomination is made only for the benefit of your spouse and children. The policy benefits are held in trust for them.

Once it is made, you cannot change it on your own. You need written consent from a trustee who is not you, or from every nominee, before you make changes such as a surrender or a withdrawal.

Nominations apply to life policies, and to accident and health policies, that pay a death benefit and insure your own life. You must be at least 18.

Some policies cannot carry a nomination, such as policies already placed in trust or policies with no death benefit. Trust nominations are also not available on policies paid for with CPF Investment Scheme or SRS money. Your insurer can confirm which of your policies qualify.

Muslims can make both kinds of nomination. In 2012 the Fatwa Committee of MUIS ruled that a revocable insurance nomination is a valid form of hibah, or gift. The nominee receives the death benefit when you die.

1. List every policy you hold and check whether each has a nomination.
2. Ask your insurer or your adviser for the nomination form for each policy.
3. Review your nominations after a marriage, a divorce, a birth or a death in the family.

• Life Insurance Association: guide to nominating insurance beneficiaries (lia.org.sg)
• MUIS: fatwa on revocable insurance nomination (muis.gov.sg)

Last reviewed: October 2026.

• CPF nomination
• Dying without a will
• All guides

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