Social Security in South Carolina: 2027 COLA, Average Benefit, SSI & Taxes
South Carolina by the numbers
| Measure | South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Average retired-worker benefit (Dec 2024) | $1,996/mo |
| Estimated 2027 average after the 3.6% COLA | about $2,068/mo |
| Rank by average benefit (50 states + DC) | #25 of 51 |
| Retired workers receiving benefits | 985,737 |
| All Social Security beneficiaries in South Carolina | 1,297,829 |
| Total benefits paid in South Carolina, 2024 (all programs) | $28.2 billion |
Source: SSA Annual Statistical Supplement 2025, Tables 5.J1, 5.J2 and 5.J4 (December 2024). The average is total retired-worker benefits divided by the number of retired workers; the 2027 figure applies the 3.6% COLA to that average and is an estimate — individual benefits vary widely around it. National comparison and every other state: Social Security by state.
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SSI in South Carolina
Administered by the state. South Carolina runs its own supplement program: applying for SSI does not by itself start the supplement, you apply through the state agency, and it is paid separately from the federal SSI payment.
Amount: South Carolina sets its own supplement amounts, which vary by eligibility category and living arrangement. SSA does not publish a single standard figure for state-administered programs, so check the current amount with your state agency before budgeting around it. How every state compares: SSI state supplements.
The federal part is the same everywhere: a 2027 maximum of $1,029 (individual) / $1,544 (couple), first increased payment December 31, 2026. Federal amounts by living arrangement are on the SSI calculator and dates on the SSI payment schedule.
Does South Carolina tax Social Security benefits?
No. South Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits — they are fully exempt from the state income tax. (Federal taxation can still apply — up to 85% of benefits, based on combined income.)
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Social Security benefit in South Carolina?
$1,996 a month for a retired worker, from the SSA's December 2024 data — ranked #25 of the 50 states and DC. With the 3.6% COLA the 2027 average is about $2,068. An average reflects a lifetime of earnings and claiming ages in the state; your own amount depends on your record.
Does South Carolina tax Social Security benefits?
No. South Carolina fully exempts Social Security benefits from its state income tax.
Does South Carolina add a supplement to SSI?
Yes. South Carolina runs its own supplement program, paid separately from the federal SSI payment. Amounts vary by living arrangement — check with the state agency for the current figure.
When does the 2027 COLA arrive in South Carolina?
On the same federal schedule as everywhere else — the COLA does not vary by state. SSI's first increased payment arrives December 31, 2026, and Social Security's January 2027 payments arrive on the usual birth-date Wednesdays (January 13, 20 and 27), with exact amounts in your December COLA notice.
Sources: SSA Annual Statistical Supplement 2025 (§5.J state tables); SSA SSI state supplementation tables and A Guide to SSI for Groups and Organizations (Jan 2026); South Carolina revenue-department rules as published for the most recent tax year. Benefit figures are estimates; your SSA notice is the official amount.