S.C. Code Ann. § 9-10-40: Restrictions; payments to beneficiaries; members of regular armed forces.

(A) Payment to a retired member of the system pursuant to this chapter is for the life of the retired member and no payment may be made to beneficiaries or to the decedent's estate, except that the retirement allowance for the month the retired member died, if not previously paid to the member, must be paid to the member's estate.

(B) No individual receiving retired pay as a result of length of service, age, or physical disability retirement from any of the regular components of the Armed Forces of the United States are eligible for benefits under this chapter.