State Public Pensions in South Carolina

PEBA administers the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) and the Police Officers Retirement System (PORS) for public educators and state and local government workers. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member was active or retired and the payment option the retiree elected.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

South Carolina

peba.sc.gov/survivor-benefits→

Administering agency

South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA)

Phone803-737-6800

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

State Public Pensions in South Carolina: key facts

Systems: South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) and Police Officers Retirement System (PORS), both administered by PEBA.
Retiree death: What a beneficiary receives depends on the payment option elected: Option A pays the remaining balance of member contributions and interest as a lump sum; Option B continues the same monthly benefit for life; Option C continues one-half of the benefit for life.
Active member death: The beneficiary of a member who dies in service receives a refund of the member's contributions plus interest, regardless of the member's age or service credit. A lifetime monthly benefit may be chosen instead where the member was Class Two with at least 5 years of earned service, or Class Three with at least 8 years, and either had 15 or more years of total service or had reached age 60 (SCRS) or 55 (PORS) at death.
Incidental death benefit: Paid only where the employer elected this coverage — it is not automatic. For an active member with at least one year of service credit (waived where death results from a job-related injury), and for a working retiree, the payment equals the member's current annual earnable compensation. For a non-working retiree it is set by service credit: $2,000 for 10 to 19 years, $4,000 for 20 to 27 years, and $6,000 for 28 or more years.
Member services: 803-737-6800 or 888-260-9430; Member Access at online.retirement.sc.gov; 202 Arbor Lake Drive, Columbia, SC 29223.

When someone dies

Steps after a death in South Carolina

4-step process for South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA).

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

peba.sc.gov

Data sourced from State Public Pensions in South Carolina primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.

Public Pensions

South Carolina

peba.sc.gov/survivor-benefits→

Administering agency

South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA)

Phone803-737-6800

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

State Public Pensions in South Carolina: key facts

Systems

South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) and Police Officers Retirement System (PORS), both administered by PEBA.

Retiree death

What a beneficiary receives depends on the payment option elected: Option A pays the remaining balance of member contributions and interest as a lump sum; Option B continues the same monthly benefit for life; Option C continues one-half of the benefit for life.

Active member death

The beneficiary of a member who dies in service receives a refund of the member's contributions plus interest, regardless of the member's age or service credit. A lifetime monthly benefit may be chosen instead where the member was Class Two with at least 5 years of earned service, or Class Three with at least 8 years, and either had 15 or more years of total service or had reached age 60 (SCRS) or 55 (PORS) at death.

Incidental death benefit

Paid only where the employer elected this coverage — it is not automatic. For an active member with at least one year of service credit (waived where death results from a job-related injury), and for a working retiree, the payment equals the member's current annual earnable compensation. For a non-working retiree it is set by service credit: $2,000 for 10 to 19 years, $4,000 for 20 to 27 years, and $6,000 for 28 or more years.

Member services

803-737-6800 or 888-260-9430; Member Access at online.retirement.sc.gov; 202 Arbor Lake Drive, Columbia, SC 29223.