Expansion of "Relevant Individuals" under Section 18(1)(a) of CPF Act 1953 to Include Uncles and Aunts

70 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Manpower whether the definition of "relevant individuals" who may benefit from voluntary transfers of CPF funds under section 18(1)(a) of the Central Provident Fund Act 1953 can be expanded to include uncles and aunts, so that seniors who are without children may benefit.

Dr Tan See Leng: The Central Provident Fund (CPF) system is designed to primarily provide for and safeguard an individual's retirement adequacy. Nonetheless, CPF members have the flexibility to make voluntary CPF transfers to immediate family members, such as their spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings, parents-in-law and grandparents-in-law. Limiting CPF transfers to immediate family members strikes a balance between encouraging members to support their closest dependents whilst ensuring that they do not compromise their own retirement adequacy.

There are existing flexibilities within the CPF system for members to provide support to their extended family members, including uncles and aunts. Members can make cash top-ups to their extended family members' CPF accounts. Should their extended family members be eligible for the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme, their extended family members will benefit from the dollar-for-dollar matching grant in addition to the cash top-ups.