South Carolina
No state estate or inheritance tax, a growing coastal-retiree population concentrated in Charleston, Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach, and a Medicaid program (SC Healthy Connections) that runs through Healthy Connections Prime for many duals. South Carolina's caregiving landscape is shaped by inward migration as much as by native demographics.
South Carolina has no state estate tax and no state inheritance tax. The only transfer tax on death is the federal estate tax, which only kicks in at the much higher federal exemption (~$13.99M per person in 2025). For most South Carolina families, estate planning is about probate avoidance, incapacity planning, and family coordination — not tax minimization.
South Carolina has been one of the top US states for retiree in-migration for the past two decades, particularly in coastal Lowcountry (Charleston, Hilton Head) and the Grand Strand (Myrtle Beach). Out-of-state estate plans, out-of-state POAs, and out-of-state Medicare plans frequently don't transition cleanly to South Carolina rules. Reviewing the plan after relocation is high-leverage.
South Carolina Medicaid (administered by SC DHHS) operates as Healthy Connections, with managed-care plans for most enrollees. For dual-eligible seniors (Medicare + Medicaid), Healthy Connections Prime aligns benefits across the two programs. The 5-year look-back applies; planning ahead matters as much in SC as anywhere.
Medicare in South Carolina
Coastal vs Upstate Advantage markets, Medigap pricing, Healthy Connections Prime for duals.
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Medicaid & LTC in South Carolina
SC Healthy Connections, 60-month look-back, Community Long-Term Care waiver, nursing facility.
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Care Settings & Costs in SC
South Carolina community residential care facilities, assisted living, nursing facility cost.
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Legal & Financial — SC
No state estate tax, SC Uniform Power of Attorney Act, advance directive, probate.
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The Caregiver's Life — SC
Federal FMLA only, no state paid leave, federal caregiver tax breaks.
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For when you don’t want to dig
Medicaid agency, Area Agency on Aging, Adult Protective Services, free Medicare counseling, legal aid, official forms, and every statute we cite. All in one page.
OCT 15 → DEC 7
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
Compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans for next year. South Carolina has wide variation across counties — Charleston has many more options than rural Pee Dee.
APR 15 ANNUAL
SC state tax filings
South Carolina state income tax returns are typically due April 15. SC has no state estate or inheritance tax, so no separate transfer-tax filing is needed.
Q1 ANNUAL
Property tax homestead exemption verification
SC offers a homestead exemption for taxpayers 65+ that reduces property taxes on the primary residence. Verify enrollment with the county auditor each year if circumstances change.
Recent from South Carolina
Reviewer to be assigned · May 21
Reviewer TBD · May 21
Reviewer TBD · May 21
Caregiving rules differ meaningfully across state lines. If you’re weighing where to relocate your parent, these comparisons matter.
How we research South Carolina-specific guidance.
Every state page is built from three sources: the state’s own statutes and regulatory filings, federal CMS and SSA documents that apply, and direct input from at least one credentialed reviewer who practices in or is licensed in that state. We re-review every state page quarterly. South Carolina was last fully reviewed on May 21, 2026 by Reviewer to be assigned.