State retirement tax · South Carolina
Retirement tax rules for South Carolina residents (2026 guide)
South Carolina's effective income-tax rate at retirement-bracket income is approximately 4.40%. Here's what it taxes, what it exempts, and how the worked numbers shake out.
Last reviewed July 17, 2026
Editorial review pending — see editorial process
Rate on retirement income
2.20%*
Taxes Social Security?
No
Approx. tax on $90k retirement income
$1,980
Pension carve-outs
Yes
*Effective rate for a single filer with $90k of income ($30k of it Social Security), after South Carolina exempts Social Security and excludes the first $15,000 of retirement income per person. A retiree whose withdrawals stay under the exclusion owes about $0; a married couple excludes roughly twice as much. See the note below for the age rules.
South Carolina's headline income-tax rate is about 4.40%, but retirees rarely pay it on their full income. South Carolina excludes the first $15,000 of retirement income per person, and Social Security is fully exempt — so a retiree whose withdrawals stay under that exclusion owes close to $0, and one above it pays the rate only on the excess. A married couple can exclude roughly twice as much. The state note below has the age rules and exactly what qualifies.
What South Carolina taxes (and what it doesn’t)
South Carolina taxes 401(k)/IRA withdrawals and pension income at the state's rate — but only AFTER excluding the first $15,000 of retirement income per person, and Social Security is fully exempt. So a retiree whose taxable withdrawals fall under the exclusion pays $0 in state income tax; above it, the roughly 4.40% rate applies to the excess. Taxable brokerage, rental, and wage income don't qualify for the exclusion. See the state note for the age requirement and specifics.
State-specific note
At 65+, South Carolina lets you deduct $15,000 PER PERSON against ANY income (the separate $10k retirement-income deduction counts toward it). Social Security is fully exempt. Income above the deduction is taxed at the state's graduated rates (~4.4% effective at retiree income).
A worked example
Worked example. A South Carolina retiree with $60,000 of pension and IRA withdrawals plus $30,000 of Social Security: Social Security is exempt, and South Carolina excludes the first $15,000 of retirement income per person — so only about $45,000 is taxed at roughly 4.40%, on the order of $1,980/year ($165/month). A married couple can exclude about twice as much, often owing $0.
Should you relocate?
Whether to relocate from South Carolina for tax reasons depends on the size of your retirement income and the destination state. The math typically favors staying put unless you're at $1M+ household income or planning a 20+ year retirement that amortises the move costs.
See how South Carolina state tax shapes your retirement plan
The calculator's Taxes tab uses the 4.40% effective rate above and the SS-exemption flag automatically. Run your specific numbers and see the year-by-year tax forecast.
Run my numbersFrequently asked
Does South Carolina tax my Social Security?
No. South Carolina fully exempts Social Security benefits. You'll only owe state tax on other retirement income above the exclusion described below.
How much retirement income can I exclude in South Carolina?
Up to $15,000 per person — about $30,000 for a married couple where both qualify. It covers pension and IRA/401(k) income; see the state note above for the age requirement and exactly what counts. Income above the exclusion is taxed at about 4.40%.
What's the effective state tax rate on my retirement income in South Carolina?
Much lower than the headline rate for most retirees. On $90,000 of income (with $30,000 of it Social Security), a single filer would owe roughly $1,980 — an effective rate of about 2.20% — because Social Security is exempt and the first $15,000 of other retirement income is excluded. A retiree whose withdrawals stay under the exclusion owes $0.
Should I relocate to South Carolina for retirement?
It depends on the size of your retirement income, the destination state, and your moving costs — the state-tax differential alone is rarely decisive for normal-income retirees. South Carolina's exclusion already zeroes out state income tax for many retirees, so property and sales taxes are usually the numbers that actually differ between states.
Does this apply to property tax too?
No — this page covers state INCOME tax only. Property and sales taxes vary widely and property tax is set locally; check your county assessor for your own number.
Primary sources
South Carolina-specific rules are sourced from the state revenue department's own publications (listed first); the rate table below is cross-checked against the national roundups. We re-verify annually.
Related reading
Colorado retirement tax rules
Comparable effective rate on retirement income (4.40% vs 4.40%).
Oregon retirement tax rules
For perspective from a different tax tier.
Utah retirement tax rules
An example of a state that DOES tax Social Security.
Run my numbers
The calculator's Taxes tab uses the same per-state effective rate.
How the Monte Carlo actually works
2,000-word methodology page — covers state tax modelling.