FERS Retirement Help in Charleston, SC
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By the OnPAR Federal Retirement Education editorial team · Last updated
If you work for the government around Charleston, most likely at the joint base or one of its tenant agencies, we can go over your FERS retirement with you by phone or video. We don't have a Charleston office, and you don't need to visit one.
Federal employers in the area
- Joint Base Lindsey Graham is the base that was called Joint Base Charleston until it was renamed on Aug. 10, 2026[7]. It is one of 12 DoD joint bases. It hosts more than 60 DoD and federal agencies, and its 628th Air Base Wing supports more than 90,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, civilians, dependents and retirees across four installations, including the Air Base and the Naval Weapons Station[6].
Who to call about your records
Air Force civilians: AFPC BEST, 1-800-525-0102, option 2 for civilian. Navy civilians: the Navy Civilian Benefits Center, 1-888-320-2917. Army civilians: ABC-C, 1-877-276-9287[2]. If you are already retired, call OPM Retirement Services at 1-888-767-6738[3].
South Carolina tax on your FERS annuity
South Carolina taxes a FERS annuity, but it lets you deduct part of it. You can deduct up to $3,000 of qualifying retirement income a year before age 65 and up to $10,000 from 65 on[4]. Federal public-employee plans count as qualifying retirement income[5]. Starting the year you turn 65, there is also a $15,000 deduction against any SC income, reduced by any retirement deduction you take. Social Security that is taxed federally is exempt in SC[4].
Cost of living
BEA puts the 2024 price level for the Charleston-North Charleston metro at 101.0, where 100 is the U.S. average[1].
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Sources
- BEA: Regional Price Parities by State and Metro Area (2024 data, released Feb 19, 2026)
- DoD DCPAS: Benefits Service Centers (official DoD civilian benefits contacts)
- OPM: Retirement Services contact
- SC Department of Revenue: Retirees, lower your Individual Income Tax bill
- SC Department of Revenue: 2025 SC1040 instructions
- Joint Base Lindsey Graham: About Us
- DVIDS (DoD): Joint Base Charleston renamed in honor of Lindsey Graham, Aug 10, 2026