S.C. Code Ann. § 9-1-1545: Election between service retirement and disability retirement; receipt of service retirement pending approval of disability retirement.

A member may submit an application for service retirement and disability retirement. If the member qualifies for service retirement before the application for disability retirement is approved, the member, upon his request, may begin receiving service retirement benefits immediately. If the application for retirement disability is subsequently approved, the member may choose either the service retirement plan or the disability retirement plan.