Do i need to retire before January to get COLA

[perrytime]

I am 63, and trying to understand COLA,
if i retire in December I think I will get COLA and my checks in 2022 will be roughly 5% (Estimated COLA) larger than the SS web site currently estimates.
But If i retire in February, I will miss COLA and my checks will be in line with SS web site estimates, is that true?

[MissMolly]

The COLA will still applied to your SS payments even if you retire in February. Once a person turns 62, regardless of their SS filing status, COLA adjustments are applied to their PIA.

[perrytime]

thanks, very good to know.