Philadelphia Council members in line for bonus thanks to DROP

 

Members of Philadelphia City Council taking advantage of an early-retirement incentive might get a bonus if they are re-elected.  It’s all about the legislation overseeing the Deferred Retirement Option program or DROP.

 

Six Council members are expected to retire next year and collect about $2.2 million in DROP money. If they are re-elected, their retirement would be for just a day.  A part of the city retirement code gives them additional pension boosts if they are re-elected, including a bigger salary base for their retirement money. 

 

Councilman Frank Rizzo, who would benefit, said he is just following the rules.

 

“I would never have gone into the DROP if it were considered inappropriate. I’m here like five of my colleagues because there is precedent, never intending to take advantage of any perk,” said Rizzo.

 

While Rizzo said Thursday he is just doing what other have done before him,  Council President Anna Verna did not want to even discuss the issue.

 

“I don’t want to talk about DROP today, we have so much going on,” she said.

 

Council still has not scheduled a hearing on eliminating the early retirement incentive program.