Councilman in DROP: I'll work for free

City Councilman Frank DiCicco last week announced that he would run again in 2011, even though he is enrolled in the DROP program, a retirement incentive that allows any city employee to collect up to four years of pension payments while also working for a salary.

While those employees are normally required to retire after those four years, elected officials have discovered a loophole that allows them to collect their DROP payment after being reelected, and return to office.

Last week, DiCicco's spokesman said the South Philadelphia/Center City councilman would not exploit that loophole, and said he was exploring ways around it.

Today DiCicco said he has found the solution -- if reelected, he will collect his $392,194.56 DROP payment at the end of 2011, and return to office and work for free. DiCicco, who is a licensed Realtor, said he would donate his entire salary back to the city and live off that lump-sum DROP payment for four years. As a City employee, DiCicco said he would not collect his $89,604 annual pension until he leaves the city for good.

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