I was just told by the SS Admin that this is not true. They said the person had to be drawing benefits already to qualify for the 5.9% increase. I was born in 1956 and my benefit did not get credited.

Hi. What you were apparently told by Social Security isn't correct. Everyone born prior to January 2 1960 will receive credit for the recent 5.9% cost of living (COLA) increase when calculating their Social Security retirement benefit rate. They DO NOT need to currently be collecting benefits in order to receive credit for the increase (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.07/handbook-0706.html).

Best, Jerry