Unclaimed Money in Singapore
Singapore has one of Asia's most efficient unclaimed money systems. Under the Unclaimed Monies Act (Cap. 343), all financial institutions regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) must transfer unclaimed deposits, insurance benefits, and other financial balances to the Accountant-General's Department (AGD) after just 6 years of inactivity — significantly shorter than the 15–20 year dormancy periods in Europe.
The AGD publishes the full register online at unclaimedmonies.gov.sg, where anyone can search by name free of charge. The total held has grown steadily each year as financial institutions comply with the Act. As of the most recent reporting period, the register holds hundreds of millions of Singapore dollars — a significant sum for a city-state of Singapore's size.
What You Can Search For
Bank Deposits
Savings accounts, current accounts, and fixed deposits at Singapore-licensed banks (DBS, OCBC, UOB, Citibank, HSBC, Standard Chartered, etc.) inactive for 6 years are transferred to the Accountant-General's Department. Search the official portal free at unclaimedmonies.gov.sg.
Insurance Policy Benefits
Life insurance policy benefits, endowment maturity payouts, and accident/health insurance benefits unclaimed for 6 years after the due date are transferred to the Accountant-General's Department. Contact your insurer (AIA, Prudential, Great Eastern, NTUC Income, etc.) or check the official portal at unclaimedmonies.gov.sg.
CPF Savings
Central Provident Fund (CPF) balances — Ordinary Account, Special Account, MediSave, and Retirement Account — are accessible via cpf.gov.sg. Former Singapore residents and PRs who have left Singapore may be eligible to withdraw remaining CPF balances.
SGX Dividends & Securities
Unclaimed dividends from SGX-listed companies are held by the company's share registrar or transferred to MAS. Check your CDP (Central Depository) account at sgx.com, or contact the company's investor relations directly.
How to Search and Claim in Singapore
- Search the official Unclaimed Monies portal. Go to unclaimedmonies.gov.sg and click "Search for Unclaimed Monies". Enter your name and NRIC / FIN / passport number. The search is free and instant. If there is a match, the portal will show the holding institution and amount category.
- Contact the holding institution. The Accountant-General's Department (AGD) administers the register — the money itself is held by the original financial institution. The portal will tell you which institution to contact. Bring your valid ID and any original account or policy documents.
- Check your CPF account. Log into cpf.gov.sg using your Singpass. Your four CPF account balances are displayed immediately. If you have left Singapore permanently and are no longer a citizen or PR, you can apply for CPF withdrawal at age 55 via the CPF Board.
- Check your CDP account for dividends. Log into your CDP account at sgx.com or via the SGX mobile app. Any unclaimed dividends or rights issues that were not deposited to your designated bank account will be visible here.
- For deceased estates: Provide a Singapore Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration from the Singapore courts (or a foreign probate order resealed in Singapore), the deceased's NRIC/passport, and your own valid ID. Contact the relevant institution and AGD (agd.gov.sg) if the funds have been transferred.
🌏 If you worked in Singapore on an Employment Pass or Work Permit: You may have CPF contributions if you were a PR, or skills development levy (SDL) contributions. Check cpf.gov.sg even if you have since left Singapore. Former PRs can withdraw CPF balances after renouncing PR status.
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