Superannuation Dilemma: Can You Nominate Your Daughter Over Your Wife for Pension Benefits?

Upon superannuation, under the Employee Pension Scheme, can a member choose their daughter as the nominee when the wife is alive and they are living together?

Nomination Under the EPF Act 1952

A daughter is a member of the family as defined in the EPF Act 1952 and hence can be nominated. As per EPS '95, in the event of the death of the employee, the widow receives a pension for her lifetime, and children up to the age of 25 years unless handicapped. When the employee has a family (spouse and/or children), a nomination cannot be made outside the family.

Pension Eligibility and Nomination

Pension eligibility is limited to "Dependents," and above all, the spouse is the first nominee. However, the member has the option to divide the pension between the spouse and minor children. Upon reaching the maturity of the child, their share would be automatically discontinued.

An employee can change their nomination at any time during their lifetime by self-filing the form online and through e-verification.