S.C. Code § 9-12-20
Each retirement system may establish and maintain a QEBA. The amount of any annual benefit that would be payable pursuant to this chapter but for the limitation imposed by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code shall be paid from a QEBA established and maintained pursuant to this chapter. A QEBA established under this chapter shall be maintained through a separate unfunded QEBA. This arrangement is established for the sole purpose of enabling the retirement systems to continue to apply the same formulas for determining benefits payable to all employees covered by the retirement systems created under Chapters 1, 8, 9, and 11 of this title, including those whose benefits are limited by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code.
S.C. Code § 9-12-20