No. S 393
Central Provident Fund Act
(Chapter 36)
Central Provident Fund (Lifelong Income Scheme) Regulations 2009
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 27Q of the Central Provident Fund Act, the Minister for Manpower hereby makes the following Regulations:
Citation and commencement
1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Central Provident Fund (Lifelong Income Scheme) Regulations 2009 and shall come into operation on 1st September 2009.
Definitions
2.  In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires —
“annuity plan”, “premium”, “relevant age”, “relevant member” and “Scheme” have the same meanings as in section 27J of the Act;
“applicable age”, in relation to an annuity plan issued to a relevant member, means —
(a)where the relevant member is not an applicable member, the prescribed age applicable to him under section 15(7) of the Act when the annuity plan is issued, or the relevant member’s age on the last day of the month in which the annuity plan is issued, whichever is higher; or
[S 583/2017 wef 16/10/2017]
(b)where the relevant member is an applicable member —
(i)in any case where the Board is notified (in such manner as the Board may require), before the relevant member attains the age of 60 years, that the member is an applicable member and that an annuity plan has been issued to him, the age of 60 years;
(ii)in any case where the Board is notified (in such manner as the Board may require), after the relevant member attains the age of 60 years and, if his specified age is higher than the age of 60 years, before he attains his specified age, that he is an applicable member and that an annuity plan has been issued to him, his age on the last day of the month immediately following the month in which the Board is so notified, or the relevant member’s age on the last day of the month in which the annuity plan is issued, whichever is higher; or
[S 583/2017 wef 16/10/2017]
(iii)in any other case, the specified age of the relevant member or the relevant member’s age on the last day of the month in which the annuity plan is issued, whichever is higher;
[S 688/2012 wef 01/01/2013]
[S 583/2017 wef 16/10/2017]
“applicable member” means a member who is a person referred to in paragraph 3(2)(b), (h), (i), (j) or (k) of the Retirement and Re-employment (Exemption) Notification 2011 (G.N. No. S 560/2011);
[S 542/2012 wef 01/11/2012]
“assessment date” and “excluded member” have the same meanings as in section 27K(9) of the Act;
[S 188/2016 wef 01/05/2016]
“Board’s website” means the Board’s website at http://www.cpf.gov.sg;
[S 594/2018 wef 01/10/2018]
“closing time”, in relation to a working day, means —
(a)if the working day is the eve of New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year or Christmas Day — 12 noon; or
(b)in any other case — 5 p.m.;
[S 594/2018 wef 01/10/2018]
“Lease Buyback Scheme” means a scheme administered by the Housing and Development Board, under which a lessee of an HDB flat who has been approved by the Housing and Development Board to take part in the scheme enters into an agreement with the Housing and Development Board to reduce the term of the lease, in consideration of a sum of money —
(a)which is to be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme; and
(b)the whole or part of which may be used for the payment of a premium for an annuity plan under the Scheme;
[S 476/2013 wef 01/08/2013]
“order of court” and “spouse” have the same meanings as in section 27A of the Act;
[S 542/2012 wef 01/11/2012]
“permitted person” means —
(a)for any application under section 27P(1)(b) of the Act — the spouse of a relevant member;
(b)for any order of court — a relevant member or the spouse of a relevant member; or
(c)any other person whom the Board permits to serve the application or order of court, as the case may be;
[S 594/2018 wef 01/10/2018]
“relevant document” means —
(a)any application under section 27P(1)(b) of the Act; or
(b)any order of court;
[S 594/2018 wef 01/10/2018]
“specified age” means —
(a)in the case of a member who attained the age of 55 years before 1st January 1999, the age of 60 years;
(b)in the case of a member who attained the age of 55 years on or after 1st January 1999 but before 1st January 2005, the age of 62 years;
(c)in the case of a member who attained the age of 55 years on or after 1st January 2005 but before 1st January 2007, the age of 63 years;
(d)in the case of a member who attained the age of 55 years on or after 1st January 2007 but before 1st January 2009, the age of 64 years; or
(e)in the case of a member who attains the age of 55 years on or after 1st January 2009, the age of 65 years;
[S 688/2012 wef 01/01/2013]
[S 188/2016 wef 01/05/2016]
“working day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday.
[S 542/2012 wef 01/11/2012]
Notional date of birth
3.  For the purposes of these Regulations, where the date of birth of a relevant member cannot be ascertained or is doubtful, his date of birth shall be deemed to be 1st January of the year in which he was born.
Deemed date of birth for members born in leap year
3A.  For the purposes of these Regulations, the anniversary of the date of birth of a person who is born on 29 February, in any year that is not a leap year, is deemed to be 28 February of that year, despite section 2(1A)(b) of the Act.
[S 722/2017 wef 01/01/2018]
Class of members prescribed for purposes of section 6(4B)(a)(ii) of Act
4.  For the purposes of section 6(4B)(a)(ii) of the Act, the class of members prescribed shall consist of every relevant member who is issued with an annuity plan referred to in item 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 of the Schedule.
[S 688/2012 wef 01/01/2013]
Amount prescribed for section 27K(2)(b)(iii) of Act
5.  The amount prescribed for the purposes of section 27K(2)(b)(iii) of the Act —
(a)in the case of a member who attains 55 years of age on or after 1 January 2013 but before 1 May 2016 —
(i)on an assessment date which is the date the member attains that age, is $40,000; or
(ii)on an assessment date applicable to the member prescribed in regulation 5A, is $60,000; and
[S 164/2017 wef 11/04/2017]
(b)in the case of a member who attains that age on or after 1 May 2016, on an assessment date applicable to the member prescribed in regulation 5A, is $60,000.
[S 164/2017 wef 11/04/2017]
[S 188/2016 wef 01/05/2016]
Assessment date for section 27K(2)(b) of Act
5A.—(1)  For the purposes of section 27K(2)(b) of the Act, the assessment date applicable to a member who has attained 55 years of age on or after 1 January 2013 is —
(a)the date on which the Board transfers to the member’s retirement account, under regulation 5A(1) or (1A) of the Central Provident Fund (New Retirement Sum Scheme) Regulations (Rg 31), the amount prescribed in paragraph (2) of that regulation; or
(b)where the Board does not effect the transfer mentioned in paragraph (a) because the amount to be transferred (determined in accordance with regulation 5A(2) of the Central Provident Fund (New Retirement Sum Scheme) Regulations) is nil — the date on which the Board makes that determination.
[S 277/2024 wef 01/04/2024]
(2)  Paragraph (3) applies to a member —
(a)who has attained 55 years of age on or after 1 January 2013;
(b)whose annuity plan was terminated under section 27K(5D) of the Act; and
(c)who subsequently becomes a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore.
[S 277/2024 wef 01/04/2024]
(3)  For the purposes of section 27K(2)(b) of the Act, the assessment date applicable to a member mentioned in paragraph (2) is —
(a)the date on which the Board is satisfied that the member meets all the requirements in paragraph (2); or
(b)if on the date mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), the member does not meet the requirement in section 27K(2)(b)(iii) of the Act and the Board has permitted the member to make payment for himself or herself under regulation 2 of the Central Provident Fund (Prescribed Circumstances under Section 13C) Regulations 2022 (G.N. No. S 279/2022), the latest of the following dates:
(i)the date on which the moneys are paid into the member’s retirement account;
(ii)the date on which the moneys are transferred into the member’s retirement account from the member’s ordinary account or special account;
(iii)where the member is permitted to make payment by way of instalments, the date on which the last instalment is paid into the member’s retirement account or transferred into the member’s retirement account from the member’s ordinary account or special account.
[S 277/2024 wef 01/04/2024]
Age prescribed for section 27K(5)(a) of Act
5B.  The age prescribed for the purposes of any application under section 27K(5)(a) of the Act made on or after 1 May 2016 —
(a)for an applicable member, is the age of 60 years; and
(b)in any other case, is the specified age.
[S 188/2016 wef 01/05/2016]
Excluded members
5BA.—(1)  The following classes of excluded members are prescribed for the purposes of section 27K(3) of the Act:
(a)[Deleted by S 277/2024 wef 01/04/2024]
(b)any member who —
(i)is entitled to withdraw the amount standing to the member’s credit in the Fund under section 15AA(1), (2)(a) or (b) or (3)(a) or (b) of the Act or a former provision (as the case may be), and the Board has (before, on or after 1 May 2016) approved the member’s application to make such a withdrawal; and
[S 127/2022 wef 01/03/2022]
(ii)does not have an annuity plan;
(c)any member who —
(i)has attained the age of 80 years; and
(ii)does not have an annuity plan.
[S 127/2022 wef 01/03/2022]
(2)  In this regulation, “former provision” means section 15(2)(d), (e), (f) or (g), (7A)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) or (8)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of the Act as in force before 1 March 2022.
[S 127/2022 wef 01/03/2022]
Time prescribed for purposes of section 27L(1A) of Act
5C.  For the purposes of section 27L(1A) of the Act, the time prescribed is the date the member attains 80 years of age.
[S 850/2021 wef 06/11/2021]
Annuity plans and designation of relevant age
6.—(1)  The types of annuity plans available under the Scheme, and the class or classes of relevant members eligible for each type of annuity plan, are as set out in the Schedule.
(2)  A relevant member may apply, in accordance with paragraph (3), for any annuity plan for which the relevant member is eligible.
[S 788/2015 wef 01/01/2016]
(3)  An application under paragraph (2) shall be —
(a)made in such form and supported by such evidence as the Board may require; and
(b)made by a relevant member within such period beginning on the date the Scheme applies to him as the Board may specify by notice in writing to him.
(3A)  The Board may extend the period referred to in paragraph (3)(b) if a relevant member satisfies such terms and conditions as the Board may impose.
[S 542/2012 wef 01/11/2012]
(4)  If a relevant member referred to in section 27K(2) of the Act does not apply, in accordance with paragraph (3), for any annuity plan for which the relevant member is eligible, the annuity plan issued to the relevant member is the LIFE Standard Plan referred to in item 6 of the Schedule.
[S 788/2015 wef 01/01/2016]
(5)  Unless otherwise permitted under this regulation or by the Board, a relevant member is not entitled to change any annuity plan that has been issued to him under this regulation.
[S 788/2015 wef 01/01/2016]
[S 583/2017 wef 16/10/2017]
(5A)  A relevant member’s relevant age is —
(a)subject to sub‑paragraph (b), the age specified in the second column of the Schedule for the annuity plan issued to the relevant member; or
(b)an alternative age designated by the relevant member with the permission of the Board under paragraph (5B).
[S 788/2015 wef 01/01/2016]
(5B)  The Board may, on the application of a relevant member in such form as the Board may require —
(a)with the approval of the Minister, permit the relevant member whose relevant age under paragraph (5A)(a) is higher than the age of 60 years, to designate as the alternative age the age of 60 years; or
(b)permit the relevant member to designate as the alternative age any age which is not lower than the relevant member’s relevant age under paragraph (5A)(a).
[S 788/2015 wef 01/01/2016]
(5C)  If, at the time the Board permits a relevant member to designate the relevant age under paragraph (5A)(b) —
(a)the Board has commenced payments of monthly income to the relevant member under the relevant member’s annuity plan; and
(b)the relevant member has not attained that designated relevant age,
the Board must cease the monthly income payments until the month in which the relevant member attains the designated relevant age under paragraph (5A)(b).
[S 788/2015 wef 01/01/2016]
[S 594/2018 wef 01/10/2018]
(6)  Paragraph (7) applies where, after a relevant member has been issued his first annuity plan, the Board —
(a)approves the relevant member’s application to pay additional premiums; or
(b)deducts additional premiums from the relevant member’s retirement account,
to increase the relevant member’s monthly income under the Scheme.
[S 850/2021 wef 06/11/2021]
(7)  The Board must apply the additional premiums mentioned in paragraph (6) either —
(a)to increase the monthly income under the relevant member’s last issued annuity plan of any type set out in the Schedule, if the applicable eligibility criteria in paragraph (7A) (if any) are satisfied; or
(b)to issue the relevant member an additional annuity plan (for which the relevant member is eligible under the fourth column of the Schedule) of —
(i)the same type as the annuity plan; or
(ii)if the Board approves the relevant member’s request for any other type of annuity plan — that other type of annuity plan.
[S 850/2021 wef 06/11/2021]
(7A)  The applicable eligibility criteria mentioned in paragraph (7) are as follows:
(a)where the relevant member’s last issued annuity plan is of the type listed in item 1, 2 or 3 of the Schedule — the relevant member applied for his first annuity plan before 1 January 2013;
(b)where the relevant member’s last issued annuity plan is an Immediate Annuity Plan — the relevant member applied for his first annuity plan before 1 February 2013.
[S 850/2021 wef 06/11/2021]
(7B)  The Board may impose terms and conditions on the relevant member in relation to the increase of the monthly income or issue of an additional annuity plan mentioned in paragraph (7).
[S 850/2021 wef 06/11/2021]
(8)  The Board —
(a)must permit a relevant member to terminate the annuity plan and every additional annuity plan, if any, issued to him if the relevant member satisfies the conditions in paragraph (9)(a) and (b); and
(b)in any other case, may permit a relevant member to terminate the annuity plan or any additional annuity plan issued to him, if —
(i)the relevant member applies in writing to the Board to do so; and
(ii)the relevant member satisfies such terms and conditions as the Board may impose.
[S 583/2017 wef 16/10/2017]
(9)  Where a relevant member —
(a)applies before 1 January 2019 to replace the relevant member’s annuity plan and every additional annuity plan, if any, with a LIFE Escalating Plan mentioned in item 7 of the Schedule; and
(b)satisfies such terms and conditions as the Board may impose,
the Board must, on or after 1 January 2018, upon the termination of all those annuity plans under paragraph (8)(a), issue a LIFE Escalating Plan to the relevant member.
[S 583/2017 wef 16/10/2017]
Cash grant by Government
7.  Where under section 14 of the Act —
(a)any cash grant has been made by the Government to a relevant member for the payment of a premium; and
(b)the Board has credited that cash grant into such account in the Fund of the relevant member as the Minister may direct,
the Board shall be entitled to deduct the whole or any part of the premium payable by the relevant member from the amount of that cash grant and any interest thereon standing to the credit of the relevant member in that account.
Monthly income
8.—(1)  Subject to section 27K(7) of the Act and regulation 11, the payment of a monthly income to a relevant member under section 27K(6) of the Act shall —
(a)commence in —
(i)if the member becomes a relevant member before the month in which the member attains the relevant age mentioned in regulation 6(5A) — the month in which the member attains the relevant age mentioned in regulation 6(5A); or
(ii)if the member becomes a relevant member in or after the month in which the member attains the relevant age mentioned in regulation 6(5A) — the month in which the member becomes a relevant member or in the following month; and
[S 850/2021 wef 06/11/2021]
(b)cease upon his death, or upon the Board being notified (in such manner as the Board may require) of his death, as the Board may determine.
(2)  The Board shall, as soon as practicable, notify a relevant member of the amount of monthly income determined under section 27K(6) of the Act to be payable to him.
(3)  Subject to paragraph (4), the Board shall pay the monthly income due to a relevant member under section 27K(6) of the Act —
(a)into his account with a bank, in any case where he has applied, and the Board has approved his application, for the monthly income to be paid by crediting that bank account;
[S 32/2015 wef 31/01/2015]
(b)by issuing a cheque or any other physical payment instrument to him, in any case where he has applied, and the Board has approved his application, for the monthly income to be paid in that manner;
[S 43/2012 wef 06/02/2012]
[S 32/2015 wef 31/01/2015]
[S 726/2016 wef 01/01/2017]
[S 583/2017 wef 16/10/2017]
[S 559/2021 wef 01/08/2021]
[S 850/2021 wef 06/11/2021]
[S 127/2022 wef 01/03/2022]
[S 517/2022 wef 01/07/2022]
(c)into his retirement account, in any case where —
(i)by a memorandum executed in accordance with section 25(1) of the Act, the member has nominated any person to receive a portion of the amount payable on the member’s death out of the Fund in accordance with section 25(1)(a)(iii) of the Act;
[S 726/2016 wef 01/01/2017]
(ii)to the best of the Board’s knowledge, that nomination has not been revoked; and
(iii)the member has applied for the monthly income to be paid in that manner; or
[S 43/2012 wef 06/02/2012]
[S 32/2015 wef 31/01/2015]
[S 726/2016 wef 01/01/2017]
[S 583/2017 wef 16/10/2017]
[S 559/2021 wef 01/08/2021]
[S 850/2021 wef 06/11/2021]
[S 127/2022 wef 01/03/2022]
[S 517/2022 wef 01/07/2022]
(d)into his ordinary account, in any other case.
(4)  Notwithstanding paragraph (3)(a) and (b), the Board shall pay the monthly income due under section 27K(6) of the Act to the relevant member referred to in paragraph (3) into his ordinary account, if —
(a)in a case referred to in paragraph (3)(a), the payment into the relevant member’s bank account is unsuccessful; or
(b)in a case referred to in paragraph (3)(b), the cheque or other physical payment instrument relating to the payment has been returned to the Board or has expired.
[S 32/2015 wef 31/01/2015]
(5)  Where paragraph (4)(a) or (b) applies, the monthly income shall be paid into the ordinary account of the relevant member referred to in paragraph (3) as soon as practicable after the Board is notified of the unsuccessful payment into the relevant member’s bank account, or after the cheque or other physical payment instrument has been returned to the Board or has expired (whichever is the earlier), as the case may be.
[S 32/2015 wef 31/01/2015]
Period prescribed for Scheme to cease and annuity plan to be terminated under section 27K(5D) of Act
8A.  The period prescribed for the Scheme to cease and the annuity plan to be terminated under section 27K(5D) of the Act is —
(a)where the Board is satisfied before 1 April 2024 that the member is not a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore — on or after 1 April 2024 but before 30 April 2024; or
(b)where the Board is satisfied on or after 1 April 2024 that the member is not a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore — within a period of 30 days starting on the date that the Board is so satisfied.
[S 277/2024 wef 01/04/2024]
Withdrawal of amount paid under section 27L(5)(a) of Act
9.  Any amount paid into a relevant member’s account in the Fund under section 27L(5)(a) of the Act may be withdrawn in accordance with the provisions of the Act relating to the transfer or withdrawal of moneys standing to the credit of the relevant member in the Fund.
Refund of premium
10.—(1)  Subject to paragraph (2), the refund payable on account of the death of a relevant member is the positive difference (if any) between —
(a)the amount of the premium paid by the relevant member for an annuity plan; and
(b)the aggregate amount of the monthly income paid pursuant to the annuity plan and the amount refunded to the relevant member under paragraph (5) in respect of the annuity plan, if any.
[S 277/2024 wef 01/04/2024]
[S 555/2024 wef 01/07/2024]
(2)  No refund is to be made under paragraph (1) if the premium was paid for a LIFE Income Plan mentioned in item 3 of the Schedule.
(2A)  Where a relevant member’s annuity plan is terminated under section 27K(5D) of the Act, the Board must refund the positive difference (if any) between —
(a)the amount of the premium paid by the relevant member for an annuity plan; and
(b)the aggregate amount of the monthly income paid pursuant to the annuity plan and the amount refunded to the relevant member under paragraph (5) in respect of the annuity plan, if any.
[S 277/2024 wef 01/04/2024]
(3)  Where the Board has permitted a relevant member to terminate an annuity plan under regulation 6(8), the Board may refund the whole or any part of the premium paid by the relevant member for the annuity plan.
(4)  The Board may permit a relevant member to reduce the premium payable for an annuity plan issued to the relevant member if the relevant member —
(a)applies to the Board in such form or manner as the Board may require; and
(b)satisfies such conditions as the Board may impose.
(5)  Where the Board has permitted an application under paragraph (4), the Board may, without terminating the annuity plan issued to a relevant member, refund the whole or part of the positive difference, if any, between —
(a)the amount of the premium paid by the relevant member for the annuity plan; and
(b)the aggregate amount of the monthly income paid pursuant to the annuity plan and any amount previously refunded under this paragraph in respect of the annuity plan.
(6)  [Deleted by S 277/2024 wef 01/04/2024]
[S 726/2016 wef 01/01/2017]
Evidence that relevant member is alive
11.—(1)  For the purposes of section 27K(7) of the Act, the Board may, from time to time, by written notice to a relevant member, require him to satisfy the Board that he is alive.
(2)  Where the Board has issued a written notice under paragraph (1) to a relevant member —
(a)he shall respond to the Board in such form and manner, and within such period, as the Board may specify in the written notice; and
(b)if he fails to comply with sub-paragraph (a), the Board —
(i)may decide that he has failed to satisfy the Board that he is alive; and
(ii)subject to paragraph (3), shall not be required to pay any monthly income to him after the expiry of the period referred to in sub-paragraph (a).
(3)  Where, pursuant to section 27K(7) of the Act, the Board has ceased to pay a relevant member his monthly income, the Board shall resume payment of the monthly income to the relevant member upon his application to the Board in such form, and supported by such evidence, as the Board may require.
Form of relevant document, etc.
12.—(1)  Every relevant document (other than an order of court) must be in the form required by the Board.
(2)  Every relevant document must be supported by any information, evidence or document that the Board requires to give effect to the relevant document, that is submitted within the time required by the Board.
[S 594/2018 wef 01/10/2018]
Service of relevant documents
13.—(1)  A relevant document is served on the Board only if —
(a)the requirements of regulation 12 are satisfied; and
(b)the relevant document is served by a permitted person in accordance with this regulation.
(2)  Except as otherwise provided by paragraph (3) —
(a)a relevant document must be served on the Board by sending an electronic communication of the relevant document using an electronic online system designated by the Board for the service of that relevant document (called in this regulation the designated electronic online system), in accordance with any terms and conditions that the Board may impose; and
(b)service in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) takes effect on the working day that the relevant document is capable of being retrieved, by an officer or employee of the Board using the designated electronic online system, before the closing time.
[S 559/2021 wef 01/08/2021]
(3)  Despite paragraph (2) —
(a)a relevant document may be served on the Board by leaving the relevant document at the address for service specified on the Board’s website if —
(i)the designated electronic online system is not in operation; or
(ii)a permitted person cannot use that system for any other reason; and
(b)service in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) takes effect 3 working days after the day the relevant document is received, by an officer or employee of the Board at the address mentioned in that sub‑paragraph.
[S 559/2021 wef 01/08/2021]
[S 594/2018 wef 01/10/2018]
Made this 29th day of August 2009.
LEO YIP
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Manpower,
Singapore.
[MMS 3/08 v1; AG/LEG/SL/36/2005/48 Vol. 1]
(To be presented to Parliament under section 78(2) of the Central Provident Fund Act).
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