55/25
Class Two's early route: retire at 55 or older with 25 years, reduced 4% for each year short of 28. It also delays your yearly increase and retiree health funding.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, pp. 16, 22More on this →Average final compensation (AFC)
Your average yearly pay over your highest 12 (Class Two) or 20 (Class Three) consecutive quarters. Class Two can add up to 45 days of unused annual leave pay.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, pp. 17-18More on this →Benefit adjustment
SCRS's name for its yearly increase: 1% of your benefit, up to $500 a year, each July 1, starting the second July 1 after you retire. It used to be called a cost-of-living adjustment.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 22; Past Pension Reform Legislation, PDF p. 1More on this →Class Three
Members whose SCRS membership began on or after July 1, 2012. AFC uses 20 quarters; full benefit by the Rule of 90 or at 65; early at 60; vested at eight years; no leave added.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, pp. 5, 16-17More on this →Class Two
Members who still have SCRS (or PORS/GARS) service from before July 1, 2012. AFC uses 12 quarters; full benefit at 28 years or 65; early at 60, or 55 with 25 years; vested at five years.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, pp. 5, 16-17More on this →Earnable compensation
Your full rate of pay that SCRS contributions are taken from. Overtime your employer didn't require (after 2012) is left out.
S.C. Code 9-1-10(8); SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 17More on this →Earned service
Time you worked and paid into SCRS, plus refunded service or State ORP years you bought back. It's what counts for the five- or eight-year minimum.
S.C. Code 9-1-10(9); SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 16More on this →Earnings limitation
If you retired before 62, your benefit stops for the rest of the calendar year once you earn $10,000 from a covered employer. Several exemptions apply.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 24More on this →Incidental death benefit
A lump sum some employers provide: one year's pay if you die while working, or $2,000 to $6,000 for a retiree, by years of service.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, pp. 11, 23More on this →Member Access
PEBA's online account, where you can see your service, run official benefit estimates and apply to retire.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 7Option A, B and C
Option A is the maximum benefit for your life only. Option B pays your beneficiary the same amount after you die, and Option C pays them half. B and C start lower than A.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 20More on this →PEBA
The South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority. It runs SCRS, the State ORP and the State Health Plan. Phone 803.737.6800 or 888.260.9430.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 26Rule of 90
Class Three's test for a full benefit before 65: your age plus your years of service must add up to at least 90.
S.C. Code 9-1-10(28A); SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 16More on this →Service credit
The years and days that count in your benefit: earned service plus any service you bought. PEBA counts part years in days out of 360.
S.C. Code 9-1-10(7); SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 18More on this →State ORP
The State Optional Retirement Program, a 401(a) account plan new teachers can pick instead of SCRS within 30 days of hire. It pays your account balance, not a monthly pension.
SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 5; Introduction: defined contribution plan (FY2027), PDF p. 1More on this →TERI
A former SCRS program that PEBA's handbook now calls "the former TERI program". It closed effective June 30, 2018, so no one can join it. Time spent in TERI doesn't count toward the 48-month return-to-active-membership rule.
Past Pension Reform Legislation, PDF p. 1; SCRS Handbook FY2027, p. 23More on this →Source: South Carolina Retirement System Member Handbook, Fiscal year 2027 (SCPEBA 082026, expires June 30, 2027), pp. 5, 7, 11, 16, 16-17, 17-18, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26. Also: Past Pension Reform Legislation; Introduction: defined contribution plan (FY2027); S.C. Code 9-1-10. Last reviewed .