1. It does not follow the will. EPF and Insurance Policies work on the basis of payment made to nominees. However, if the deceased left a will, then the Executor of the will who would apply for a Grant of Probate obtained from Court and the monies will be paid out to the Executor who will then distribute it accordingly to the surviving next of kin.

If there is no will, then an Administrator would be appointed by the beneficiaries. This Admin will apply for Letters of Administration from the Court. Similarly, this LA would be produced to EPF and the insurance companies, and payment would be made accordingly. It is not a big issue.

2. Then it is similar to a scenario where the deceased dies intestate (without leaving a will). So, the procedure would be same as above, which I would repeat here:

If there is no will, then an Administrator would be appointed by the beneficiaries. This Admin will apply for Letters of Administration from the Court. Similarly, this LA would be produced to EPF and the insurance companies, and payment would be made accordingly.

The Govt would not take it, but unclaimed monies would be deposited with the Accountant-General's Department who would keep it as a stakeholder unless a person claiming to be a beneficiary steps forward and applies to claim the sum.

I remember a chain e-mail a few years back regarding those who do not appoint nominees for their EPF or those whose nominees die and no new nominee is appointed. The e-mail states that the monies will immediately go to Amanah Raya Berhad and it would be very difficult to get the monies out. This is false information and should be disregarded. Amanah Raya Berhad has no right to claim monies from EPF in any circumtances where the EPF account holder does not have a nominee.