Q: If I retire on Dec. 31 at the age of 56 with more than 20 years in law enforcement, would I immediately be eligible for any cost-of-living adjustment for retirees paid at the beginning of the new year, or would I have to wait another full year for the increase? A: No, you wouldn’t be eligible for any cost-of-living increase in 2011. You would receive your first COLA increase in your January 2012 annuity payment. The amount would be 11/12ths of that increase. To receive the full COLA, you would have to retire no later than Nov. 30, 2010.