Nearly a month into the health care rollout, at least one group tasked with helping South Carolina's uninsured sign up for coverage in 2014 hasn't been able to assist anyone through the problem-riddled federal website. However, several thousand residents have sought Medicaid coverage through the state's new online application.

South Carolina retirees say they have a right to know how a settlement between the state treasurer's office and the Bank of New York affects the trust fund that pays their pensions.

South Carolina's unemployment agency is making a $144 million early payment toward its debt to the federal government, helping to reduce businesses' insurance taxes, agency officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

A state legislator insisted Wednesday that a clause in the House budget plan forces South Carolina's unemployment agency to resume providing in-person help with unemployment benefits in 17 rural offices. But the governor's office is adamant that it does no such thing.

South Carolina Democrats said Monday the state needs to expand Medicaid eligibility at least as long as the federal government promises to fully cover the cost. But Republicans contend that's unrealistic.

South Carolina's pension fund investments rebounded in the second half of last year, pushing earnings above 12 percent for 2012 after fees.

Nearly 400 nonprofits and public employers will receive bills totaling more than $542,000 after South Carolina's unemployment agency mistakenly undercharged employers for three quarters.

The director of South Carolina's Medicaid agency said Monday that he realizes his preliminary budget calling for nearly $200 million more from state taxes in 2013-14 is likely an impossible request.