EPF Nomination (Penamaan KWSP): How to Name or Change Nominees Online or at a Branch

Reviewed by the Talreon Editorial Team

Last verified: 5 November 2026. Short answer: You can nominate who receives your EPF savings after your death through the KWSP i-Akaun app (with e-KYC), the i-Akaun web portal, or Form KWSP 4 at an EPF office [KWSP]. App nominations with e-KYC take effect two days after registration; web and form nominations take effect once your thumbprint is verified at an EPF office. A new nomination cancels all earlier ones.

Talreon is not an official government site. We are an independent publisher and are not affiliated with KWSP (the Employees Provident Fund). This page explains the process in our own words; the agency's own website and notices are the final word. Educational information only; not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice.

An EPF nomination tells KWSP who should receive your savings if you die. Without a valid nomination, the money is generally paid out under the applicable estate and inheritance rules, which can take longer and need more paperwork from your family. Making a nomination is free and can now be done fully in the KWSP i-Akaun app.

Three ways to nominate

These channels and effective dates are from KWSP's nomination page [KWSP]. If e-KYC in the app fails, KWSP says you have 30 days to complete thumbprint verification at an EPF office.

Who you can nominate

You can name one or more nominees and decide how your savings are split between them. The app lets you set the split either as a percentage or by shares [KWSP e-KYC guide]. Many members name a spouse, children or parents, but the choice is yours.

Step by step: nominate in the KWSP i-Akaun app

KWSP's user guide for nominations via e-KYC follows this flow [KWSP e-KYC guide]:

1. Update the KWSP i-Akaun app and log in.
2. Go to Profile, then Nomination, and choose to register a nomination.
3. Enter each nominee’s details, such as name, MyKad or identification number, relationship and contact details.
4. Choose how to split your savings: by percentage or by share, and check that the total is complete.
5. Review the summary and confirm.
6. Approve the request with i-Akaun Secure in the app.
7. Complete e-KYC: scan your MyKad and take a selfie when prompted.
8. Keep the confirmation. The nomination takes effect two days after registration.

You need e-KYC set up for the app route. KWSP's e-KYC page explains the requirements and how the identity check works [KWSP e-KYC].

Step by step: nominate on the i-Akaun web portal

1. Log in to i-Akaun on the KWSP website.
2. Open the nomination section and enter the nominees and their shares.
3. Submit, then visit an EPF office for thumbprint verification.
4. The nomination takes effect on the date your thumbprint is verified.

Step by step: nominate with Form KWSP 4

1. Get Form KWSP 4 from KWSP (online or at an office).
2. Fill in your details and those of each nominee, and the share each should receive.
3. Bring the form and a copy of your MyKad to an EPF office. Non-citizen members who joined before 1 August 1998 use a passport.
4. Verify your thumbprint at the counter. The nomination takes effect on that date.

Changing or cancelling a nomination

KWSP says a new nomination automatically revokes all previous nominations [KWSP]. That means if you want to add a nominee, you should re-enter everyone you still want included, not just the new person. Review your nomination after major life events such as:

• Marriage, divorce or the death of a spouse.
• The birth or adoption of a child.
• A nominee’s death.
• A change in how you want your savings divided.

Documents to have ready

• Your MyKad (or a passport for non-citizens who joined before 1 August 1998).
• Each nominee’s full name and identification number as shown on their MyKad, MyKid, birth certificate or passport.
• Each nominee’s relationship to you and contact details.
• For the counter route, a completed Form KWSP 4 and a MyKad copy.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a will automatically covers EPF savings. EPF has its own nomination process, so check KWSP’s guidance on how the two interact.
• Adding one new nominee and forgetting that the earlier nomination has been cancelled.
• Leaving the e-KYC step unfinished. If it fails, finish thumbprint verification within 30 days.
• Using nickname spellings instead of the name on the nominee’s identification document.

How nominees claim

When a member dies, nominees apply to KWSP for the death withdrawal. Our EPF withdrawal guide covers the main withdrawal types. Tell your nominees that a nomination exists and where your documents are kept, so they know to contact KWSP.

Before you start: a short checklist

• Decide who you want to name and how much each should receive, and write it down before you open the app.
• Collect each nominee’s identification number exactly as printed on their document.
• Make sure your KWSP i-Akaun app is updated and that your phone can scan your MyKad and take a clear selfie in good light.
• Set aside time to finish e-KYC in one sitting, or plan a branch visit for thumbprint verification if you prefer the counter route.
• After submitting, check the nomination details shown in i-Akaun so you can confirm the shares are what you intended.

Keeping your nomination up to date

A nomination is only useful if it reflects your current wishes. Set a reminder to review it every few years, and whenever your family changes. Because each new nomination replaces the previous one in full, a review is also a chance to correct spelling mistakes and update contact details for nominees who have moved or changed phone numbers. If you are unsure whether a nomination is on record, log in to i-Akaun and check the nomination section, or ask at an EPF office.

Finally, tell the people you have named. Nominees cannot claim money they do not know about, and families often only find out about EPF savings when they go through a member’s documents. A short note kept with your will or important papers, saying that you have an EPF nomination and how to contact KWSP, can save your family time.

Frequently asked questions

Related Talreon tools and guides

• Register for KWSP i-Akaun
• EPF withdrawal guide
• EPF dividend history
• All Malaysia guides

Official sources

• KWSP: Nomination
• KWSP: User guide on nomination via e-KYC
• KWSP: e-KYC

Figures and steps on this page were checked against the linked official pages on 5 November 2026. Read our editorial and review process and figures update log. Spotted something out of date? Email support@talreon.com with the page address.

Educational information only; not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice.