Check with SCRSEstimate only, not an official benefit amount. Confirm with SCRS (803-737-6800) before you decide.
Your estimated monthly pension
Fill in the form and we'll show your SCRS pension, your class, the date it's unreduced, the early-retirement cut, and what working longer would add.
Your road to a full pension
Retire as planned, or work longer?
Your pension at every age
Class Two or Class Three?
Two classes are open: Class Two and Class Three (Class One is no longer available). Class Two members are generally employees who currently have earned service credit in SCRS or a correlated system (PORS, GARS) for a period of service before July 1, 2012. Class Three members do not currently have earned service in SCRS or a correlated system for a period before July 1, 2012. Withdrawn (refunded) service and State ORP participation do not count toward that test unless the member buys it back; a Class Three member who purchases withdrawn service or State ORP participation for covered employment before July 1, 2012 reverts to Class Two. SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 5, Classes of membership
| Class Two | Class Three | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | SCRS service before July 1, 2012 | Membership on or after July 1, 2012 |
| Full pension | 28 years, or 65 | Rule of 90, or 65 |
| Early | 60 (−5%/yr under 65), or 55 with 25 years (−4%/yr under 28) | 60 (−5%/yr under 65) |
| AFC | 12 highest quarters ÷ 3, plus up to 45 days' leave pay | 20 highest quarters ÷ 5, no leave pay |
| Vested at | 5 earned years | 8 earned years |
More on the two classes and the State ORP
The handbook's own examples
- Class Two, 28 years: $30,000 × 1.82% × 28 ÷ 12 = $1,274 a month (Option A). SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 19, Class Two example
- Class Three, age 60 with 30 years (the Rule of 90): $1,365 a month. SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 19, Class Three example
- Retiring early under 55/25 with 25 years on the same $30,000: 88% of $1,137.50 = $1,001.00 a month, for life (our illustration of the handbook rule). SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 16, Class Two member: Early retirement (reduced benefit)
Chose the State ORP?The State ORP pays an account balance, not a pension, so these numbers don't apply. Pick "State ORP" in the form for a summary, or read SCRS or State ORP.
Options B and C Check with PEBA
PEBA doesn't publish how much Options B and C reduce your check. It depends on your age and your beneficiary's.
We only show Options B and C if you enter a factor from your PEBA estimate.
S.C. Code 9-1-1620(A); SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 20Common questions
How is an SCRS pension calculated?
Your average final compensation (AFC) × 1.82% × your years of service credit, divided by 12 for the monthly amount. For example, $30,000 × 1.82% × 28 years ÷ 12 = $1,274 a month.
Am I Class Two or Class Three?
Class Two if you still have SCRS service from before July 1, 2012. Class Three if your membership began on or after July 1, 2012. A refund you never paid back can make you Class Three. Your PEBA statement shows your class.
When can I retire with a full SCRS pension?
Class Two: after 28 years of service at any age, or at 65 with 5 earned years. Class Three: when your age plus service add up to 90 (the Rule of 90), or at 65 with 8 earned years.
How much does retiring early cost?
At 60 to 64 your pension is cut 5% for each year you're under 65, for life: 75% at 60 up to 95% at 64. Class Two members can also retire at 55 with 25 years, cut 4% for each year short of 28.
Do SCRS pensions get a cost-of-living raise?
Under current law, yes: 1% of your benefit, up to $500 a year, each July 1, starting the second July 1 after you retire. SCRS calls it a benefit adjustment.
What about the State ORP or TERI?
The State ORP is an account plan new teachers can choose instead of SCRS. It pays your account balance, not a pension, so this calculator doesn't apply to it. TERI was a former SCRS program; it closed effective June 30, 2018, and SCRS has no DROP today.
Is this the official PEBA calculator?
No. This is an unofficial estimate built from PEBA's SCRS handbook and flyers, and it isn't affiliated with PEBA. Your official estimates are in Member Access, and PEBA decides your benefit. Its phone number is 803-737-6800.
Compare South Carolina with other states
- States where teachers don't get Social Security
- Teacher DROP plans by state: No. SCRS has no DROP. The old TERI program closed June 30, 2018.
- Teacher pension COLAs by state: Each July 1, 1% of your benefit, up to $500 a year. It compounds. The first comes the second July 1 after you retire.
- State taxes on teacher pensions, by state: Taxed by South Carolina, but you can deduct up to $3,000 a year before 65 and up to $10,000 from 65.
- Teacher pension multipliers by state: 1.82% × years × average of your best 12 quarters (Class Two) or 20 quarters (Class Three) in a row.
- Teacher retirement age by state: Class Three: age 65, or the Rule of 90 (age + years = 90), with eight years. Class Two: 28 years, or 65 with five.
Plain-English guides
How your pension works
Class Two or Class Three?Your class depends on when your SCRS membership began (July 1, 2012). Both side by side, and the State ORP alternative.→The pension formulaAFC × 1.82% × years ÷ 12, the 12- or 20-quarter AFC, unused leave, and the handbook's benefit table.→Full or early retirement28 years, the Rule of 90 or 65 for a full pension; 5% a year under 65, or 4% a year short of 28 under 55/25.→Buying service creditPublic, K-12, military, leave, withdrawn and non-qualified service: what you can buy and what it costs.→SCRS glossaryPlain-English definitions of the SCRS and PEBA terms you'll run into.→
Planning your exit
Leaving teachingVesting at 5 or 8 earned years, leaving your money on deposit, or taking a refund.→Taxes on your SCRS pensionFederal tax, and South Carolina's $3,000 or $10,000 retirement deduction plus the $15,000 age-65 deduction.→Social Security and SCRSWhat PEBA's handbook says about Social Security, and what it doesn't.→
After you retire
Working after retirementThe 30-day wait, the $10,000 earnings limit if you retired before 62, exemptions, and the closed TERI program.→The yearly benefit adjustment1% up to $500 each July 1, starting the second July 1 after you retire.→Retiree health insuranceThe five-consecutive-years rule and who pays what, by earned years and hire date (May 2, 2008).→Survivor and death benefitsWhat your family receives before and after you retire, including the incidental death benefit.→
More calculators
About this site
No DROP is open. The former TERI program closed effective June 30, 2018. Past Pension Reform Legislation, PDF p. 1, Act 278 These pages cover teachers and other SCRS members. Police officers (PORS), legislators (GARS) and judges have their own rules that we don't model.
Source: South Carolina Retirement System Member Handbook, Fiscal year 2027 (SCPEBA 082026, expires June 30, 2027), pp. 4, 5, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22. Also: Past Pension Reform Legislation; SCRS at a Glance (Class Three). Last reviewed .