South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 1 - South Carolina Retirement System
Section 9-1-1085. Employer and employee contribution rates.

(A) As provided in Sections 9-1-1020 and 9-1-1050, the employer and employee contribution rates for the system beginning in Fiscal Year 2017-2018, expressed as a percentage of earnable compensation, are as follows:
Fiscal Year Employer Contribution Employee Contribution 2017-2018 13.56 9.00 2018-2019 14.56 9.00 2019-2020 15.56 9.00 2020-2021 16.56 9.00 2021-2022 17.56 9.00 2022-2023 18.56 9.00 2023-2024 18.56 9.00 2024-2025 18.56 9.00 2025-2026 18.56 9.00 2026-2027 and after 18.56 9.00
The employer contribution rate set out in this schedule includes contributions for participation in the incidental death benefit plan provided in Sections 9-1-1770 and 9-1-1775. The employer contribution rate for employers that do not participate in the incidental death benefit plan must be adjusted accordingly.
(B) After June 30, 2027, the board may increase the percentage rate in employer contributions for the system on the basis of the actuarial valuation. An increase in the employer contribution rate adopted by the board pursuant to this section may not provide for an increase in an amount of more than one-half of one percent of earnable compensation in any one year.
(C)(1) The unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) of the system as determined by the annual actuarial valuation must be amortized over a funding period that does not exceed the following schedule:
Fiscal Year Funding Period 2017-2018 30 years 2018-2019 29 years 2019-2020 28 years 2020-2021 27 years 2021-2022 26 years 2022-2023 25 years 2023-2024 24 years 2024-2025 23 years 2025-2026 22 years 2026-2027 21 years 2027-2028 and after 20 years
(2) If the scheduled employer and employee contributions provided in subsection (A), or the rates last adopted by the board pursuant to subsection (B), are insufficient to meet the funding period set forth in item (1) for the applicable year, then the board shall increase the employer contribution rate as necessary to meet the funding period set forth in item (1). Such adjustments may be made without regard to the annual limit increase of one-half of one percent of earnable compensation provided pursuant to subsection (B). Participating employers must be notified of any contribution rate increase required by this item by July first of the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in which the increase takes effect.
(D)(1) After June 30, 2027, if the most recent annual actuarial valuation of the system shows a ratio of the actuarial value of system assets to the actuarial accrued liability of the system (the funded ratio) that is equal to or greater than eighty-five percent, then the board, effective on the following July first, may decrease the then current employer and employee contribution rates in equal amounts upon making a finding that the decrease will not result in a funded ratio of less than eighty-five percent. However, the employee contribution rate may not be less than one-half of the normal cost for the system and any contribution reduction allowed by this item after the employee contribution rate equals one-half of the normal cost must be a reduction in the employer contribution rate.
(2) If contribution rates are decreased pursuant to item (1) of this subsection and the most recent annual actuarial valuation of the system shows a funded ratio of less than eighty-five percent, then effective on the following July first, and annually after that time as necessary, the board shall increase the then current employer and employee contribution rates in equal amounts not exceeding one-half of one percent of earnable compensation in any one year until a subsequent annual actuarial valuation of the system shows a funded ratio that is equal to or greater than eighty-five percent. However, the employee contribution rate may not exceed nine percent and any contribution increase required by this item after the employee contribution rate equals nine percent must be an employer contribution rate.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 278, Pt I, Section 2.B, eff July 1, 2012; 2017 Act No. 13 (H.3726), Pt. I, Section 1, eff July 1, 2017.

Structure South Carolina Code of Laws

South Carolina Code of Laws

Title 9 - Retirement Systems

Chapter 1 - South Carolina Retirement System

Section 9-1-10. Definitions.

Section 9-1-20. South Carolina Retirement System created; system shall have powers and privileges of corporation; purposes of system.

Section 9-1-30. Property of system exempt from taxation.

Section 9-1-40. Penalties for making false statement or record.

Section 9-1-50. Reservation of right to revise system to conform to changes in Federal Social Security Act.

Section 9-1-60. Implementation of "cafeteria" plan.

Section 9-1-100. Payments to beneficiaries may include payments to persons, trustees, and estates.

Section 9-1-210. Board shall administer system.

Section 9-1-230. Authority to engage actuarial and other services.

Section 9-1-240. Actuary for board.

Section 9-1-250. Investigation and valuation by actuary every five years.

Section 9-1-260. Annual valuation by actuary.

Section 9-1-270. Board shall keep actuarial data in convenient form.

Section 9-1-280. Board shall determine interest rate; base rate established.

Section 9-1-290. Rules and regulations.

Section 9-1-300. Records and reports.

Section 9-1-310. Administrative costs of retirement systems funded from interest earnings; allocation of costs.

Section 9-1-320. Confidentiality of member records.

Section 9-1-410. Membership generally.

Section 9-1-420. Certain persons employed after December 31, 1948, are automatically members of system.

Section 9-1-425. Contributing member of system.

Section 9-1-430. Special provision for certain persons employed between April 26, 1945 and December 31, 1966.

Section 9-1-450. Members of other agency or departmental retirement plans.

Section 9-1-460. Discontinuance of certain local plans or funds.

Section 9-1-470. Political subdivisions may apply for admission to system as employers.

Section 9-1-480. Employees of political subdivisions as members.

Section 9-1-490. Firemen and peace officers.

Section 9-1-510. Option of employees and teachers receiving $100 or less a month; legislators, and certain elected officials.

Section 9-1-520. Certain members of General Assembly may elect to remain members of system; contributions.

Section 9-1-530. Certain former legislators may elect to remain members following termination of service; contributions; members must establish service and qualify for allowance on or before December 31, 1965.

Section 9-1-540. Certain constitutional officers and members of General Assembly may elect, prior to December 31, 1965, to return to system.

Section 9-1-550. Option of certain public school employees.

Section 9-1-560. Option of day laborers.

Section 9-1-570. Option of state employees required to become members of Federal Railroad Retirement System.

Section 9-1-580. Option of certain hospital employees.

Section 9-1-610. Determination of who is teacher or employee.

Section 9-1-620. Effect on members, beneficiaries, their widows or other dependents, of other statutes.

Section 9-1-630. Certain persons may withdraw from system.

Section 9-1-640. Employers and members divided into two classes; change from Class One to Class Two.

Section 9-1-650. Continuation of membership in correlated systems.

Section 9-1-660. Firemen eligible for Police Officers Retirement System; benefits.

Section 9-1-670. Members eligible for membership in South Carolina State Employees Credit Union.

Section 9-1-810. Claims for prior service.

Section 9-1-820. Verification of service claimed; determination of compensation paid during period of prior service.

Section 9-1-830. Prior service certificates.

Section 9-1-840. What constitutes one year of service.

Section 9-1-1010. Assets to be credited to employee annuity savings fund and employer annuity accumulation fund.

Section 9-1-1020. Employee annuity savings fund; deductions from compensation of members of System; employer to pay required member contributions on earnings after July 1, 1982; tax treatment; funding; retirement treatment.

Section 9-1-1030. Deductions must be made although compensation is reduced below legal minimum; consent to deductions.

Section 9-1-1050. Employer annuity accumulation fund; contributions paid by employers.

Section 9-1-1060. Normal contribution rate.

Section 9-1-1070. Accrued liability contribution rate.

Section 9-1-1080. Minimum contributions to employer annuity accumulation fund.

Section 9-1-1085. Employer and employee contribution rates.

Section 9-1-1090. Discontinuance of accrued liability contribution.

Section 9-1-1100. Employer annuities and benefits to be paid from employer annuity accumulation fund.

Section 9-1-1110. Obligations of employer annuity accumulation fund.

Section 9-1-1120. Transfer between funds on return of retired employee to active service.

Section 9-1-1130. Earnings to be credited to employer annuity accumulation fund.

Section 9-1-1135. Interest on member accounts.

Section 9-1-1140. Establishing service credits by making payments into system; career highest fiscal year salary; credits during absences; employer payments; rules and regulations; credits for unused sick leave.

Section 9-1-1160. Collection of members' contributions; failure to make payroll reports and remittances; employer to pay required member contributions on earnings after July 1, 1982; tax treatment; funding; retirement treatment.

Section 9-1-1170. Collection of employers' contributions.

Section 9-1-1175. Employer contributions.

Section 9-1-1180. Deductions and employer contributions for teachers and employees of technical training schools.

Section 9-1-1190. Board may change accounting methods and procedures of system.

Section 9-1-1210. Employer contributions shall reflect cost of Preretirement Death Benefit Program.

Section 9-1-1310. Trustee of retirement system; investment of funds.

Section 9-1-1320. Custodian of assets of the Retirement System.

Section 9-1-1330. Cash kept available with State Treasurer.

Section 9-1-1340. Conflicts of interest and use of funds by commission members or employees.

Section 9-1-1350. Transfers from general fund authorized.

Section 9-1-1510. Retirement of members at age 60 or after 28 years' service.

Section 9-1-1515. Early retirement.

Section 9-1-1540. Disability retirement.

Section 9-1-1545. Election between service retirement and disability retirement; receipt of service retirement pending approval of disability retirement.

Section 9-1-1550. Service retirement allowances.

Section 9-1-1560. Allowances upon retirement for disability.

Section 9-1-1570. Reexamination of beneficiaries retired on account of disability; consequences of refusal to submit to reexamination.

Section 9-1-1580. Effect of ability to engage in gainful occupation; change in amount of disability retirement allowance.

Section 9-1-1590. Effect of restoring beneficiaries to active service.

Section 9-1-1610. Members of General Assembly may draw retirement benefits under certain conditions.

Section 9-1-1615. Retirement allowances payable in monthly installments; payments after death of retired member.

Section 9-1-1620. Optional forms of allowances.

Section 9-1-1625. Compliance with Internal Revenue Code.

Section 9-1-1630. Special benefits to teachers for service prior to July 1, 1945.

Section 9-1-1640. Manner of paying annuities.

Section 9-1-1650. Amounts paid upon termination of employment; election to leave contributions in system; effect of death before or after retirement.

Section 9-1-1660. Nominee on member's death may receive monthly allowance instead of accumulated contributions.

Section 9-1-1665. Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9).

Section 9-1-1670. Change or error in records.

Section 9-1-1680. Exemption from taxation and legal process; exceptions; assignment.

Section 9-1-1690. Credit of State is not pledged for payments; rights in case of termination of system or discontinuance of contributions.

Section 9-1-1740. Increase in benefits for persons who were receiving benefits prior to July 1, 1966.

Section 9-1-1750. Increase in benefits for persons who were receiving benefits prior to July 1, 1967 and subsequent to June 30, 1966.

Section 9-1-1760. Increase in benefits for persons who retired prior to July 1, 1972.

Section 9-1-1765. Additional increase in benefits for persons who retired prior to July 1, 1972.

Section 9-1-1766. Further additional increase in benefits for persons who retired prior to July 1, 1972.

Section 9-1-1767. Increase of benefits payable due to retirement before July 1, 1988 and July 1, 1989.

Section 9-1-1770. Preretirement Death Benefit Program; post-retirement benefit payment.

Section 9-1-1775. Death Benefit Plan.

Section 9-1-1780. Recomputation allowances of certain persons having thirty-five or more years of creditable service.

Section 9-1-1790. Amount which may be earned upon return to covered employment.

Section 9-1-1795. Employment of certain retired teachers without loss of retirement benefits; procedure by which retired teachers may be employed.

Section 9-1-1800. Recalculation of benefits for certain persons who retired prior to July 1, 1964.

Section 9-1-1812. Revision of sections upon certain conditions.

Section 9-1-1814. Revision of sections upon certain conditions.

Section 9-1-1815. Retirement allowance adjustments.

Section 9-1-1830. Payment and transfer of funds to the employer annuity accumulation fund.

Section 9-1-1850. Purchases of additional service credit by members with at least twenty-five years of creditable service.

Section 9-1-1870. Beneficiaries receiving Medicaid (Title XIX) sponsored nursing home care; effect on benefits; exception.

Section 9-1-1910. Minimum allowance for persons retiring with twenty or more years of service, generally.

Section 9-1-1920. Minimum allowance for certain persons who retired prior to July 1, 1945.

Section 9-1-1930. Minimum allowance for certain persons whose membership became effective on or after January 1, 1953.

Section 9-1-1940. Minimum allowance for certain persons whose membership became effective on or after January 1, 1951.

Section 9-1-1950. Minimum allowance for certain members of General Assembly.

Section 9-1-1960. Additional payments to certain members of the General Assembly effective July 1, 1972.

Section 9-1-1970. Compensation used for determining benefits to be subject to federal limitations.

Section 9-1-1975. Compliance with USERRA.

Section 9-1-1980. Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 415.

Section 9-1-2210. Repealed.