South Carolina
#14
retiree-friendly rank
- Social Security
- SS exempt from state tax
- Retirement income
- Partial retirement exclusions
- Death tax
- None
Prop 0.49% · Sales 7.49%
2026South Carolina vs Connecticut Retirement Taxes
South Carolina ranks more retiree-friendly than Connecticut on Social Security, retirement-income, and estate/inheritance treatment. Compare Social Security, pensions and IRA withdrawals, estate/inheritance taxes, and supporting property and sales rates.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
More retiree-friendly on this model
South Carolina ranks ahead
South Carolina ranks #14 vs #48 for Connecticut. Score gap: 4.50 (lower score = more friendly).
Side-by-side retirement tax scoreboard
Connecticut
#48
retiree-friendly rank
- Social Security
- SS partially taxed
- Retirement income
- Retirement income taxed
- Death tax
- Estate tax
Prop 1.54% · Sales 6.35%
Retirement tax metric comparison
Rankings emphasize income and death taxes. Property and sales rates matter for cash flow but do not drive the retiree-friendliness score.
| Metric | South Carolina | Connecticut |
|---|---|---|
| Retiree-friendly rank | #14 | #48 |
| Social Security | SS exempt from state tax | SS partially taxed |
| Retirement income | Partial retirement exclusions | Retirement income taxed |
| Estate / inheritance | None | Estate tax |
| Estate exemption | — | $15M |
| Estate top rate | — | 12% |
| Effective property tax | 0.49% | 1.54% |
| Combined sales tax | 7.49% | 6.35% |
State rules explained
Why South Carolina and Connecticut differ for retirees
The gap is rarely one rule. Social Security thresholds, pension exclusions, and estate taxes can each flip which state looks better for a given household.
South Carolina rules
Exempts Social Security with a modest retirement-income deduction.
South Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits at the state level. Federal tax rules still apply.
Retirement income deduction up to about $10,000 on qualifying distributions—confirm SC1040 instructions. Social Security exempt.
- Property
- 0.49%
- Sales
- 7.49%
Connecticut rules
Taxes some Social Security above AGI thresholds and most other retirement income; also levies an estate tax.
Full SS exemption below AGI $75,000 single / $100,000 joint; above that, up to 25% of benefits may be taxed.
Most pension and account withdrawals taxed; SS partially taxed above AGI thresholds.
Estate tax: exemption about $15M, top rate about 12%.
- Property
- 1.54%
- Sales
- 6.35%
Income mix matters
A household living mostly on Social Security may prefer different rules than one drawing large IRA RMDs. Compare South Carolina and Connecticut against your actual income mix.
Death taxes are separate
Federal estate tax can still apply above about $15M. State estate or inheritance tax is an extra layer in some states.
Property & sales still count
South Carolina property 0.49% vs Connecticut 1.54%; sales 7.49% vs 6.35%.
Compare a different pair
Compare any two states
Social Security, pensions/IRA, estate taxes, and supporting property/sales rates.
Related tools
Estimate federal retirement figures
Use Social Security and RMD tools, then apply each state's rules from this comparison.
South Carolina vs Connecticut retirement tax FAQs
South Carolina ranks more retiree-friendly on this site's Social Security, retirement-income, and estate/inheritance score. Also compare property tax (0.49% vs 1.54%) and combined sales tax (7.49% vs 6.35%).
South Carolina: ss exempt from state tax. Connecticut: ss partially taxed. Federal Social Security tax rules apply in both states.
South Carolina: partial retirement exclusions. Connecticut: retirement income taxed.
South Carolina: no estate tax. Connecticut: estate tax (exemption about $15M).
Not always. Property taxes, sales taxes, and estate taxes can offset income-tax savings. Compare total household exposure, not income tax alone.
Federal income tax, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, and the federal estate tax framework do not depend on the state of residence in the same way state income tax does. State rules sit on top of federal rules.
Educational comparison only. Confirm current state return instructions and estate planning rules before relocating.