{"id":1510,"date":"2026-07-08T07:00:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T02:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=1510"},"modified":"2026-07-08T07:00:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T02:00:24","slug":"usps-raising-the-price-of-a-forever-stamp-starting-on-sunday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=1510","title":{"rendered":"USPS raising the price of a Forever stamp starting on Sunday"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\" data-body-type=\"bodyblocks\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The U.S. Postal Service on Sunday will raise the price of a first-class Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents, the latest in a series of increases aimed at stemming the agency&#8217;s mounting financial losses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The USPS <a data-ylk=\"slk:announced;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/about.usps.com\/newsroom\/national-releases\/2026\/0409-usps-recommends-new-prices-for-july.htm?ftag=YHF4eb9d17\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">announced<\/a> the increase in April, saying the higher price was intended to bolster its finances. Over the past five years, the agency has raised the price of a first-class stamp six times, increasing the cost 34% from 58 cents in 2021 to 78 cents before the hike set to kick in on July 12.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The USPS has struggled for years with high costs and shrinking mail volumes, while policy changes implemented by Congress also weakened the agency&#8217;s finances.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA) \u2014 which, among other changes, created a fund that required the agency to prepay health care benefits for postal service retirees \u2014 contributed to the agency&#8217;s losses in subsequent years and sharply increased its debt load, according to a 2025 <a data-ylk=\"slk:report;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uspsoig.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/reports\/2025-10\/25-094-r26.pdf?ftag=YHF4eb9d17\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">report<\/a> by the USPS Office of the Inspector General.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;[T]he passage of PAEA in December of 2006 fundamentally altered the Postal Service&#8217;s financial results by limiting revenue growth and adjusting retiree healthcare costs. Following 2006, the Postal Service recorded net losses each year,&#8221; the agency watchdog stated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Postal Regulatory Commission, the federal agency that oversees the USPS, <a data-ylk=\"slk:approved;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/prc.arkcase.com\/api\/prc-dockets\/filing\/downloadFile?fileId=254130&amp;inline=true?ftag=YHF4eb9d17\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">approved <\/a>the postage rate hike in May. However, it flagged concerns with the agency&#8217;s financial situation, its delivery performance and shrinking mail volumes. In fiscal 2025, the USPS recorded a $9 billion loss.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">How much are stamp prices increasing?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Forever stamps will increase in price on Sunday to 82 cents each, up from their current 78 cents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Other postage products are also set to see price hikes on Sunday:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Domestic postcards will cost 65 cents, up from 61 centsInternational postcards and letters will run $1.75, up from $1.70<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Why is the Postal Service raising prices?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The USPS has pointed to its financial losses as the impetus for the latest postage rate hike.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to a May <a data-ylk=\"slk:analysis;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prc.gov\/press-releases\/prc-releases-report-analyzing-usps-financial-condition-postal-service-has-not-had?ftag=YHF4eb9d17\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">analysis<\/a> of the USPS&#8217;s finances by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the agency&#8217;s operating expenses are rising faster than its revenue. For fiscal year 2025, USPS costs rose by $1.8 billion, while revenue increased by only $1 billion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">At the same time, U.S. mail volume fell 3.7% during the last fiscal year, the report said. It added that USPS prices increased by about 15% between July 2024 and the end of FY 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have recently criticized the USPS for delayed mail deliveries. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, said in June that he was launching an <a data-ylk=\"slk:investigation;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hawley.senate.gov\/hawley-launches-investigation-into-failures-at-us-postal-service-after-postmaster-general-refused-to-forego-bonuses\/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">investigation<\/a> into &#8220;ongoing mail service failures plaguing Missouri.&#8221; In November, Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from Texas, also <a data-ylk=\"slk:flagged;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/escobar.house.gov\/news\/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2994?ftag=YHF4eb9d17\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">flagged<\/a> delivery delays in the El Paso, Texas, area.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Are stamp prices likely to keep rising?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">USPS officials have signaled that additional price increases are likely. Postmaster General David Steiner said in March that first-class stamps should be raised to between 90 cents and 95 cents to help stabilize the USPS financially.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;As you all know, there are only three things that any company can do to improve financial performance \u2014 sell more products, raise prices or cut costs,&#8221; Steiner said in congressional <a data-ylk=\"slk:testimony;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/oversight.house.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Steiner-Written-Testimony.pdf?ftag=YHF4eb9d17\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">testimony<\/a>. &#8220;On the pricing side, we need to look for higher prices on both our package and mail products.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Steiner also told the House panel that the USPS was at risk of running out of cash in 12 months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">But raising the price of first-class stamps to as high as 95 cents &#8220;would largely solve our controllable loss,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Will older Forever stamps still work after the latest price hike?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Yes, any lower-cost Forever stamps purchased before July 12 will continue to work after that date. The USPS <a data-ylk=\"slk:notes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/faq.usps.com\/s\/article\/Postage-Stamps-The-Basics#foreverstamps?ftag=YHF4eb9d17\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">notes<\/a> that Forever stamps are non-denominated &#8220;to save customers time and money, especially when first-class mail prices change.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to the agency, &#8220;The Forever Stamp always represents the current price of a one (1) ounce First-Class Mail postage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The U.S. Postal Service on Sunday will raise the price of a first-class Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents, the latest in a series of increases aimed at stemming the agency&#8217;s mounting financial losses. The USPS announced the increase in April, saying the higher price was intended to bolster its finances. Over the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1511,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/405110a19155f9540f954817d3ee4c37a22c7c9b8f42d4bf5128417597d1e9c3\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w1200;quality_80;format_webp\/https:%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fcbs_news_897%2F67fd8f623c670c5ada6cf6bb828db1a9","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1510","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-trending-viral-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1510"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1510\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}