Retire to South Carolina

Retiring to South Carolina: the state does not tax Social Security benefits that are taxed federally, military retirement income is fully deductible, and residents 65 and older get an income deduction, a homestead exemption and state park discounts. Each rule below is quoted from the agency that runs it.

• Social SecurityNot taxedif federally taxed, per DOR
• Homestead$50,000first FMV, 65+
• State Parks35% offresidents 65+
• Senior License$9SCDNR lifetime, 64+

Income Tax and Retirement

• Social Security: "Social Security benefits and railroad retirement taxed for federal purposes are not subject to tax in South Carolina" (DOR IIT FAQ, paraphrase of the page). source
• Retirement income deduction: up to $3,000 of qualifying retirement income a year before age 65; up to $10,000 a year at 65 and older. source
• Age 65 and older deduction: up to $15,000 for a resident 65 or older by year end; up to $30,000 for joint filers when both are 65 or older. Retirement deductions reduce it, and the combined total cannot exceed $15,000 per taxpayer. source
• Military retirement: beginning with tax year 2022, all military retirement income included in South Carolina taxable income may be deducted. source

Property Tax Breaks

• Property tax, legal residence: Section 12-43-220 taxes an owner-occupied legal residence and up to five contiguous acres on an assessment of four percent of fair market value. The six percent ratio applies to real property not otherwise provided for, and when an owner is found ineligible for the four percent rate. source
• To get the 4% legal residence rate, contact the county assessor's office. The owner must apply before the first penalty date for the tax year in which the ratio is first claimed, with a statement under penalty of perjury. The residence generally cannot be rented more than 72 days in a calendar year. Notify the assessor within six months of a change in ownership or use; a new owner must apply separately. source
• Legal residence 4% rate statute detail (deadline, proof, 72-day rental limit, penalty of 100% of tax plus interest if later found ineligible): SC Code 12-43-220. source
• Homestead Exemption: a complete exemption from tax on the first $50,000 of fair market value of a legal residence for owners over 65, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind. Contact the county auditor. For Tax Year 2026 the State temporarily authorized an additional Homestead Exemption for certain recipients; the county auditor determines if it applies (amount not stated on the page). source
• SC Code 12-37-250: the first $50,000 of fair market value of the dwelling place is exempt from county, municipal, school and special assessment real estate taxes; the person must be a state resident for at least one year and be 65 by December 31, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind. Applications generally go to the county auditor before July 16; failure to apply waives the exemption for that year. source

State Perks for Residents 60 and Older

• State parks: South Carolina residents at least 65 (or legally blind or 100% disabled) get 35% off admission, camping, picnic shelters, golf and fishing pier admission, with proof; the camper must occupy the reserved site. They may buy the ALL Park Passport at 50% off for one year. No rate reductions for lodging, building or meeting facility rentals. Out-of-state seniors get the same reductions only at Baker Creek, Calhoun Falls, Hamilton Branch, Hickory Knob, Lake Hartwell and Sadlers Creek. source
• SCDNR: a South Carolina resident of at least 180 days who is 64 or older may apply for a Senior Lifetime License for $9.00 covering freshwater and saltwater fishing, state hunting, big game, WMA and migratory waterfowl. source
• SC Code 59-111-320: South Carolina residents 60 and older may take classes at state-supported colleges and technical colleges without paying tuition, space available, credit or noncredit; schools may apply admission standards; "tuition" means the per-credit-hour charge, not fees or textbooks (59-111-310). source

Who Lives Here

About 19.8% of South Carolinians were 65 or older in 2024, against 18.0% for the US, and the median age was 40.7 (US 39.2). These are Census ACS figures; the share is derived from the age table.

What We Could Not Confirm

Sources

1. No South Carolina tax on Social Security benefits taxed federally; ret
2. Homestead Exemption on the first $50,000 of a legal residence's fair m
3. State parks: South Carolina residents at least 65 (or legally blind or
4. SCDNR: a South Carolina resident of at least 180 days who is 64 or old
5. SC Code 59-111-320: South Carolina residents 60 and older may take cla
6. Individual income tax, tax year 2025: rates run from 0 to a top rate o
7. The statewide sales and use tax rate is 6%. Counties may impose an add
8. Accommodations tax: DOR lists a 2% state accommodations tax in additio
9. Property tax, legal residence: Section 12-43-220 taxes an owner-occupi
10. Vehicles: a vehicle property tax bill is generated by the county audit
11. SC Code 12-37-250: the first $50,000 of fair market value of the dwell

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.